Long before the Sundarbans knew sorrow…
Long before the humans forgot the old gods…
There was a time when the heavens trembled at the mention of two names:
Banesh, Gahana-Dev — Guardian of the Deep Forests,
and
Hemketu — the Tiger King of the Southern Realm.
---
Banesh in His Prime
He was not the quiet, lonely spirit he is now.
He was once radiant.
Banesh wore robes woven from forest-light, shimmering in shades of emerald and soft silver, folding around him like rippling moss and river mist. His hair was adorned with strands of moon-thread, and his ornaments were carved from pearl, crystal, and ancient mangrove wood.
He moved with a grace that silenced entire courts.
His smile could calm storms.
His anger could summon them.
He was called Gahana-Dev Mahashray, Supreme Guardian of the Mangrove Heart.
He oversaw forests, beasts, hidden waterways, and the sacred paths of spirits.
Even among the Fifteen High Officials of the Celestial Court, Banesh was respected, admired… envied.
But his calm, gentle nature drew eyes… especially one pair.
---
Enter Hemketu — The Tiger King
Hemketu was nothing like his current fragile human form.
He was magnificent.
Tall, golden-skinned like sunlit honey, with long black hair streaked with tiger-gold. His eyes glimmered amber, bright with mischief and challenge.
His clothing blended royal tiger pelts with tribal divine ornaments — bronze armlets, fang necklaces, and wildflower crowns. Every movement radiated energy, elegance, and danger.
The heavens whispered two things about him:
"Too beautiful."
"Too dangerous."
Hemketu ruled the Southern Spirit Realms — tigers, forest beasts, storms, shadow magic. His presence turned heads; his smile captured hearts.
He wasn't graceful like Banesh.
He was a wildfire.
A force.
A king.
And he had one favorite hobby:
Teasing Banesh to death.
---
Their First Meeting
The story is still whispered among the old spirits:
Banesh was reviewing forest records when Hemketu burst into the celestial hall, golden lotus petals dancing behind him.
Hemketu slammed his foot on Banesh's table.
"Oi, Gahana-Dev," he purred, fangs showing. "You look bored. Marry me."
The entire court froze.
Banesh blinked slowly.
"Please… get your foot off my documents," he said, calm as ever.
Hemketu leaned closer, lowering his voice into a teasing purr.
"Not unless you say yes."
Banesh's gaze met his — liquid, unreadable.
"I said no."
Hemketu smirked.
"Then I'll keep asking every day."
And he did.
For three hundred years.
---
When the Calm God Fell for the Wild King
Banesh tried to remain composed, but Hemketu was relentless:
Dropping offerings of fresh forest fruit and fish onto his desk.
Stealing his hair ornaments just to watch him chase him.
Calling him "Shrimati Banesh" during court assemblies.
Picking fights just to get attention.
Controlling storms only to "earn a kiss."
And slowly…
slowly…
Banesh's heart softened.
One evening, when the monsoon stars aligned above the Mangrove Throne, Banesh approached Hemketu quietly.
"…If I agree," he murmured, "will you stop causing trouble?"
Hemketu grinned wickedly, amber eyes gleaming.
"No. But I'll cause trouble only for you."
Banesh sighed.
That was the moment he fell.
---
The Marriage of God & Tiger King
Their union shook the heavens.
Banesh wore flowing robes of forest-blue and silver, a veil of glowing moss and pearl.
Hemketu wore tiger-gold and night-black, adorned with fangs, bronze armlets, and wildflowers.
Their wedding fire was lit by lightning, their vows echoing across the Sundarbans.
The gods cheered.
The tigers roared.
The mangroves bloomed out of season.
Banesh, gentle and graceful, became the beloved consort of Hemketu.
Hemketu, fierce and teasing, softened only for one person — his husband.
The heavens whispered:
"They are perfect opposites."
"They are unstoppable."
"They are eternal."
But nothing is eternal.
Not even gods.
And the world would soon forget them both.
---