5 Decision
Part 5 Decision
Nani felt bad for Khushi who was looking at Shivshankar's lifeless body. Nani took responsibility for Shivshankar's last journey. She didn't know why she was in Lucknow. She came to Lucknow only on the saint's words. Here, something unexpected and the most terrible thing happened. Whatever it was, Shivshankar was a great man. Sending him off with respect was her responsibility. Nani thought. She completed the funeral with the help of the villagers. She found something weird. Khushi didn't cry as how she expected. Her eyes were teary. Some drops of tears rolled down her cheek. She didn't create any big scenes. That amazed Nani.
Everyone left. Only Nani stayed with her. She came to Khushi and touched her hair with concern.
"Please make yourself up, bitiya... Grip yourself. I know this is an unredeemed loss..."
Cutting her,
"I'm alright jee... You are right this is an unredeemed loss to me. But, I'm glad about my Nanu's death"
"Glad?" Nani looked at her in shock.
"Yes... He got what he wanted. He never wished anything for himself except for this one. This is his only wish. Finally, his wish came true. He will be in heaven with Devi Maiya's blessings. It's enough for me"
Nani wondered. How could she be so balanced at this small age? How wiser she was?
"What about you, bitiya? What will you do without your Nanu?"
"Devi Maiya will take care of me. Everything will happen as it is destined. So is my life. We can change nothing being gloomy"
Nani stared at her unbelievably. Shivshankar said Devi Maiya would take care of him. Khushi also said the same. And... She too trusted she was in Lucknow as per Devi Maiya's wish. She thought something.
"Will you come with me to Delhi? You can be with me in my house"
Khushi looked at her bewildered.
"I have a big family. Still, I feel I have no one... I will be happy if you are with me"
Khushi didn't know what to say. Going to Delhi? She heard many times about Raizadas from her Nanu. More than that, she knew nothing about them. What would she do going to Delhi? She was confused.
"No urgent... Think and give your answer" Nani said.
Khushi fell mute.
Evening
Nani got a call on her mobile. The call was from Arnav. She attended the call.
"Chotte..."
"How are you, Nani? When are you coming back to Delhi?"
"It will take two or three days for my return, Chotte"
"But why, Nani?"
"Do you remember, Shivshankar, the maintenance authority of the temple?"
"Yeah, I do..."
"He passed away last night..."
"Oh..."
"His granddaughter has no one. My heart won't allow me to leave her alone"
"Ok... But, you have to leave her after three days, right?"
"Actually, I'm thinking of bringing her to RM"
"Oh... Is she ready?"
"She hasn't said anything yet"
"Ok... Your wish... Do what you want"
"I hope you have no problem with my decision of bringing her to RM, Chotte..."
"Nani, this is your house. You can make any decision that makes you happy and satisfied."
"Thank you, Chotte"
"Call me if you want anything"
"Sure"
Arnav disconnected the call. He dialed Aman. He received it in a second ring.
"Yes, ASR?"
"Is there any school nearby RM?"
"School? What made you think about schools all of a sudden?"
"Nani went to Lucknow, yesterday"
"Ohh..."
"Our kuldevi Temple authority died last night"
"Oh"
"As her granddaughter has no one, Nani is bringing her to RM it seems"
"Oh... for that girl only you are concerned about schools?"
"Yeah... she must go to the school right?"
"Yeah... by the way, which class she is in?"
Arnav got stuck.
"I... I don't know"
"Let her come here. she just lost her grandfather. It will take some time for her to come to the composure"
"I think she will come to the composure if she goes to the school," Arnav said.
"You are right..."
"When is she coming?"
"Maybe in two days"
"I find out about the schools before she comes"
"Ok"
Arnav dropped the call. He literally felt bad for the SMALL GIRL who just lost her grandfather. Yes, Arnav thought the girl who was coming to RM was a small girl because he didn't think Nani will bring a young girl to RM.
..........
Lucknow
Nani saw Pandit, coming with his wife. Siya went inside to meet Khushi.
"Namaste" Nani greeted him.
"Namaste maa jee... This village is talking about you only" Pandit said.
Nani smiled softly.
"Maa jee, I have a suggestion"
"Tell me, Pandit jee"
"Why not you take Khushi to your house to do the pooja I told you about?"
Nani thought something.
"You are doing a lot for her. She ought to help you..."
Cutting him,
"No Panditji... What I'm doing is unconditional. Expecting something in return is not good. In fact, I already asked Khushi to come to Delhi with me. Not to do pooja but to be with me. Because I like Khushi. Her grandfather is a great man. They trust in God. Their trust should be saved. And, I think, this is Devi Maiya's wish."
"You are so great maa jee... Khushi will definitely do the pooja for you"
"No Panditji, she just lost her grandfather. This is not the right time to ask her for anything. She hasn't agreed with me yet. I just want to give hope to her in life. And there is a small expectation too, may my good deeds save my grandson from all the danger"
Pandit nodded his head. He came to Khushi who was repeating the same with Siya about her grandfather's demise.
"You are right, Khushi. God has a reason for everything. Don't lose hope" Pandit said.
Khushi nodded yes.
"I heard Devjaniji asked you to come to Delhi..."
"Mmm"
"What do you think?"
"I don't know Bhaiya... I could not conclude"
"I think you should go"
Khushi and Siya spared a glance.
"You are not going to do anything, being in this village. Your life will get meaning if you go with her. Her family needs you"
Khushi frowned.
"Go and help her, Khushi"
"What can I do for her?"
"If you go to Delhi, you will automatically get to know what you should do"
Khushi became thoughtful.
"Khushi, you are like my sister. I will say anything for your betterment..."
"I know Bhaiya but, Delhi and her family are so much strange to me"
This time, Siya took lead.
"You will get used to it, Khushi. However, you should go to your in-laws one day which will also be different and strange. What will you do then? Think you are going to your in-laws"
"Han, Khushi. Just think, why did she come here after so many years? Why did your grandfather die exactly on the same day she came???"
"And, why did you say you won't get a chance to drink my coffee?" Siya interrupted.
"When you said that, I didn't know which mean you said that. I was worried too. But, now, it makes sense. That woman looks like a nice person. Your life may get settled if you go to their house..." Siya added.
"If you don't like their family or Delhi culture, call me. I and Siya will come to Delhi and bring you back. What say?"
"Give it a chance, Khushi..." Siya said.
Khushi looked at her favorite DM idol and nodded ok.
Nani came there smiling at them.
"Maa jee, Khushi will come with you to your home," Pandit said.
Nani's face brightened.
"Does she agree?"
Pandit nodded yes.
"I'm so glad about it... we will go after completing the final rituals of your grandfather in two days"
Khushi nodded ok.
The Pandit and Siya helped them to finish the final ritual of Shivshankar. Khushi got ready to go to Delhi. Though she was ready to go she was not sure about her decision if it was right or wrong. Leaving everything to Devi Maiya, she started her journey to Delhi, after bidding bye to the pandit, Siya, and villagers.
"Take care of her," A villager said.
"From here on, you are everything to her," another one said.
"We will visit your house whenever we come to Delhi," the Other one said like a warning as if Nani was kidnapping Khushi.
Nani nodded ok with a smile and left the place with Khushi.
In car
"Khushi bitiya, don't think you are coming to a stranger's house. Just think it's your home. Don't be hesitant. I'm here for you" Nani said.
Khushi spilled a small smile and nodded ok. She didn't know what she could do to this old woman who was showering concern on her. She didn't ignore what Pandit said. HER FAMILY NEEDS YOUR HELP. What help that would be? She decided to act accordingly.
"How many of them are there in your family, Jee?"
"You can call me, Nani or Dadi"
"You are taking my Nanu's place... I will call you Nani"
Nani nodded ok with a smile.
"We are eleven members in our family. My elder son is Sudhakar and his wife is Anjana. They went on a trip to the US. They will come in a week. Their son is Shyam, their daughter-in-law is Anjali, and their daughter is Lavanya. She also went to the US with them. My younger son is Manohar. His wife is Manorama. They have two sons, Nandkishor and Druv. And, my grandson is Arnav Singh Raizada."
"His parents?"
"He is my daughter's son. His parents are no more"
"Oh..."
"All are nice people but a little haughty... after all, they are rich... you don't have to mind about them. I will handle them"
Khushi understood why Nani UNDERLINED about their haughtiness. She wanted Khushi not to be so close to them.
Their car arrived on the spacious lawn of RM. Khushi's brows automatically went up, seeing the colossal bungalow. She entered RM with Nani.
The lamp that was about to go off, blazed brightly which was in front of Ratna's photo.
To be continued...
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