Hidden Hues Of Henna

Janmo-janam

"A Pooja?" Farhaad questioned confusedly looking at Jaya who was sat on the bed getting her blood pressure checked by the nurse.

Freshly showered and properly fed,Jaya's previously pale face had some colour the next morning and Farhaad felt lighter seeing her recovering.When early in the morning,she had asked him to drop by before leaving to work,he had been more worried than confused but seeing her now,he knew she was making a fast recovery.Atleast one of the many things were coming in order.

"Yes." She nodded at him."Tomorrow."

"Amma.."Farhaad began hesistantly."Not only is it not a good time,your health is not in perfect order too. Are you really sure about this?"

Jaya glanced at him once before turning to her nurse and smilingly dismissing the woman from her room. Farhaad caught onto her silent instruction and closed the room door as the nurse left for outside.

"Why is it not a good time?" Jaya asked him once they were facing one another again.

"Amma,you know why.You know very well why and how this marriage has happened." Farhaad spoke morosely as he took a seat on the ottoman placed by the foot of the bed." Had you not forced him, Raghav Anna would have never married Pallavi. Sitting with her for a pooja is probably the last thing he will do. And Pallavi? I don't think she is in the right state of mind at all right now."

Jaya seemed to be pondering over his words solemnly.

She wanted to hold a Satyanarayan Pooja for her newly married son and daughter in-law. It was not a norm but Jaya heartily wanted to make it happen as she was sure her family was under influence of some bad energy owing to all the mishaps that had taken place and all the tension which was still shadowing them stubbornly.Also,even if in the most bizzare way possible,her son did get married and she needed to offer thanks to her God for that.

However, Farhaad's words had left her a little uneasy. Not only did his words make perfect sense but also,they pointed to her blatant ignorance of everything which made her sound insensitive towards the entire predicament.

Jaya knew she was ignoring more than a few things. Actually,she was turning a blind eye to almost all the truths,not wanting to go into the bitter reality of them. But would one blame her?

What was she to do when she came to know of her son's blunder? Supporting him was out of question and the only way that remained was for him to marry Pallavi,make her his wife in true sense and somehow correct his mistake. Now that it was done,Jaya wished that they would just accept the marriage and move on from everything else that happened.That was the exact reason why she was not interested in knowing why Raghav did what he did or how Pallavi agreed to marry him or what truth lay in between the folds of all the misunderstandings.

Dwelling in the past would only worsen the situation.They all had to move on and the best way for that is acceptance.If Raghav and Pallavi could just accept that they are married to one another,half the job would be done,Jaya just knew it.

"I agree with you...."She started thoughtfully." We have no reason to hold the pooja with all that went wrong.But,we also have no reason to not hold it."

"Amma!" Farhaad sighed."You know how angry Anna will be."

"I will handle him." Jaya shook her hand dismissively."You just make all the arrangements."

Farhaad looked at her confidence and shook his head smilingly. With Jaya here, convincing Raghav was not as much of a problem.The real problem lay in convincing Pallavi but Farhaad decided not to worry the older woman with that thought. His smile dimmed a little thinking of his new sister in-law who was hardly herself now. Shrugging that worry off,he decided to be positive for once.They would cross the bridge when they reached it.