3 Khushi
Part 3 Khushi
Nani was standing with wide-open eyes. No words to define how shocked she was. The saint himself gave a sudden entry and told her something horrible. He gave her some hints about her daughter's murder too. He said the very next day she would understand why he told everything all of a sudden. And today, he was no more.
Was this why he told her everything the previous day? Would he know he won't be alive the next day? But, what made him tell her everything? What made him give her a hint? What made him think of helping her? Hey Devi Maiya... She would have gotten cleared of many things from him if she had known he won't be alive today. There were many things to get cleared. Nani cursed herself for not trusting him.
Something kicked her mind. Was everything he told true? Was her family member the one who targeted Arnav and killed Ratna? She could not tolerate the truth that there was a black sheep in her family. How could she sleep peacefully after knowing that there was an assassin in her family?
Was Ratna's soul still saving Arnav's life? But the saint said she was controlled. Then, how was she saving him? Who controlled her soul? Why could not she feel Ratna's soul's presence around her? How could she feel her if Arnav himself was not feeling it? She supposed. Yes, it was strange how Arnav didn't feel his mother's presence. She didn't get anything.
She felt a shiver running down her spine. She didn't know how to withstand the situation. The only person she could talk to about it was Arnav but he won't believe such things. In case he believes it, he would make RM upside down. He would break down. The only solace he had after Ratna's demise was this family. How could she ruin that? What if Arnav stopped coming home? Or, what if he found another source like getting committed to a random girl? What could she do now? That was when the saint's words echoed in her ear. Didn't he ask her to visit her Kuldevi temple? What if she got the answer to her question there? Nani finally concluded visiting her Kuldevi temple in Lucknow.
Evening
Nani wanted to talk to Arnav about her Lucknow visit. She didn't feel to share it with anyone else. She came to his room as HP informed her about Arnav's arrival. She saw Arnav staring at the particular Rose plant in which there were no leaves. Arnav looked at Nani who touched his shoulder.
"Nani...?"
"Why not you just throw this plant away, Chotte?"
Arnav gulped down hard.
"Its stems are still green Nani"
"It's a miracle this plant is still green..." Nani sighed.
Yes, it was another miracle of RM. Ratna planted the Rose plant before her death. After that, the plant dropped its leaves but didn't get dried. In these years, Arnav gave his best to maintain the plant by fertilizing and watering it. But no use. Neither it germinated nor did it get dried.
"Do you want to say something?"
"I would like to go to Lucknow"
"Lucknow? Why all of a sudden? Anything particular?"
"Just feel to visit our Kuldevi Temple. It's been so long since I visited the temple"
"With whom are you going?"
"I'm going alone"
"Alone? Why Nani?"
"I think of staying there for a few days. No one will be fine with my decision. That's why"
"Mmm... Ok, take Mohan with you."
"Ok, Chotte..."
"When are you going?"
"If you have no problem, I will go tomorrow"
"I have no problem, Nani. You can go"
"Thank you, Chotte"
Arnav smiled.
The next morning
Nani was standing in the pooja room, in front of Ratna's photo.
"The saint said you are around us, saving Chotte from the odds. Are you here, Ratna? It's been eighteen years but we can't feel your presence. Why didn't you let us know what's happening in our lives? At least for your Chotte... I'm going to our Kuldevi temple. I hope I will get a solution to our problems there. Be with me, Ratna"
In no time, a garland on Ratna's photo slipped down as an answer. Nani had goosebumps. She smiled at Ratna's photo with teary eyes.
"I will take it as your answer"
That was when she heard,
"What answer Nani?"
She saw Arnav standing with a questioning gaze.
"Nothing Chotte... I just am talking to my daughter"
Arnav came to the photo and lit the lamp as usual. Both of them came to the dining.
"Call me when you reached Lucknow, Nani" Arnav said.
"I don't think going to Lucknow alone is advisable," Shyam said
"Yes, Nani, we would have accompanied you if you had told us before," Anjali said.
"Haan, sasuma, I would have come with you," Manorama said.
"It's ok... You all have commitments... I don't want to disturb you. That's why I didn't tell you"
After that, no one said anything. After fishing her breakfast, Nani started to Lucknow with excitement as well as nervousness. She didn't know what store for her in Lucknow.
Lucknow
After seven and a half an hour of a long journey, Nani reached Lucknow. Though she was so tired she was not ready to sit in the Sheesh Mahal, wasting time. Taking a hot shower, she got ready for the Temple which was located thirty minutes from the ride.
The Temple was a little far from the crowded city. As it was a no special day, there was no crowd in the Temple. She saw a pandit in his early thirties sitting at the steps of the sanctum. He must be a new appointment. He stood up, seeing an old age woman coming to the temple. Mohan brought the pooja items and handed them to pandit.
"Doesn't Shivshankarji come today?" Nani asked.
Shivshankar was the maintaining authority of the temple.
The pandit was about to say something, he saw Shivshankar hurrying inside.
"Here, he came" The pandit said and went inside to do pooja.
Nani looked at the direction and smiled at him.
"Namaste Devyaniji" a man in his late sixties advanced her with joining hands, greeting her.
"Namaste Shivshankarji. How are you doing?"
"By Devi ma's grace, my life is going smoothly. How about you? You came here without informing..."
"Just feel to visit the Temple as it's been since long I came here"
"Yes, you came at the time of Shyam babuwa's wedding... I too often think about you..."
Nani wanted to tell him about the saint and his last words but she got distracted with the jingles of the pooja bell. She turned to Devi Matha and joined her hands.
"Hey, maa... You know the purpose of my visit. I have lost my Peace. Yet, I trust you. Please solve all our problems. I don't know why the saint want me to visit you. I take it as your wish. Please solve our problems. Please let my daughter's soul rest in peace that is wandering around her son restlessly"
The Pandit handed her prasad in a cup, made of leaves.
"This prasad made by Shivshankarji's granddaughter" the Pandit smiled.
Nani looked at Shivshankar with excitement.
"Your granddaughter? When did she come here? Has she become a big girl who could prepare prasad?"
"She is with me only, Devjaniji..."
"Oh really? Did you bring her here for your help?"
"No... A few years ago, my daughter and her husband died in an accident. So, I brought her here after that as she had no one other than me"
"Hey, Devi Maiya... Why are you examining your devotees?" Nani sighed.
"No Devjaniji, I believe Devi Matha had reason for everything. She knows what's the best for her devotees. At first, it looks like a trouble. But, at the end, everything make sense"
Nani was looking at him without blinking. How trustful this man was! He had lost his daughter and son in law... His granddaughter was standing alone. Yet, he remained a believer. That was what a real devotion... Trust was what the base of devotion.
"I wonder, how could you be so worry free? Are not you worried about your granddaughter?"
Shivshankar smiled.
"I know what you are asking. What would be my granddaughter's condition if anything happens to me? Right?"
Nani sighed.
"Devi Matha will take care of her. Her future would have already destined. Then, why should I worry about her?" He said with a mild smile.
Nani looked at Devi Maiya's idol and swallowed the hardness that was choking her these days. Could she be able to be confident like Shivshankar? She didn't know when would she be in the state. She sighed.
That was when they saw a young girl running inside the temple.
"She is my granddaughter," Shivshankar said.
"Oh... She looks beautiful" Nani said looking at her flawless face.
"What happened KHUSHI? Why are you running like this?" Shivshankar asked.
"Shhhh... Don't tell them, I'm here" she rushed behind the Temple.
"To whom?" Shivshankar frowned.
Soon, he got the answer. One of the richest families in the village came to the Temple, looking for Khushi. The head of the family was Abrajith. Member of the panchayat.
"Namaste Shivshankarji..."
"Namaste "
"Where is Khushi?"
"Khushi?" He avoids lying.
"We saw her rushing inside the temple"
"Khushiiiii..... Khushiiii..." He called.
Khushi came to him pouting. She didn't look at Abrajith.
"Are you still upset with me, bitiya?" Abrajith asked.
Khushi looked down.
"I'm sorry, I should not have shouted at you that day... I had been given a few lakhs for my son's abroad job. When you said he won't go abroad, I lost my temper"
"She won't say anything purposely but says what coming into her mind..." Shivshankar tried to clear her stand.
"I know... Now, my son got a great alliance who doesn't want him to go abroad. They want him to take over their family business as they have no son."
"It's great news"
"Sorry, Khushi beta... Forgive me"
"That's ok jee..." She said nonchalantly.
"Please take this..." He forwarded the sweet box to her.
Khushi accepted it as she didn't want to upset him. Nani was silently listening to them even though she didn't get a clear picture.
After worshiping, Abrajith left the Temple.
"What's this all about, Shivshankarji?" Nani asked.
"Whatever Khushi feels in her heart, it happens"
"Is it?" Nani looked at Khushi wondering who was talking with Pandit.
"Is she a predictor?"
"No no... She just utters something in between the talks casually... And, what she tells will definitely happen"
Nani thought something. She saw Khushi coming towards them.
"I'm worried about my grandson, Shivshankarji. He is not giving ears to my talks about his wedding"
At the same time, Khushi reached them.
"Don't worry, jee, wedding bells will ring soon" Khushi said that bringing a smile to Nani's face.
To be continued...
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