Conflagration

Chapter 31: Second Date

Author's Note: There are some mature themes in this chapter so readers beware. I have marked the section so if you are uncomfortable please skip it 

Shekhwat Residence

A week later

Meethi approached Aryan with a cup of steaming hot coffee as he conversed with Arvind in the living room of the Shekhawat residence.

Damadji had become a regular visitor since Imaliya and his engagement, mostly dropping by 3-4 times a week after work and staying till bedtime. He and Imlie often took turns around the garden after dinner and she assumed it was his way of trying to establish a connection with her daughter, but he always refused to stay overnight perhaps conscious of the fact that he and Imlie were engaged but not yet married.

Meethi appreciated the thoughtful gesture.

Accepting the cup gratefully he took a sip and watched as Amma placed herself in a chair and waited for him as if she had something on her mind.

"Do you have something to speak to me about Amma?"

"Yes damadji, I do but I can wait until Arvind babua and your conversation is finished."

"My conversations with saale sahab will never finish Meethiji. He and I never agree on anything" Arvind said fondly patting Aryan's shoulder.

Meethi smiled at Arvind before looking at Aryan, the smile dying down a bit.

"Then I have a request to make. I would like you and Imlie to pay a visit to Pagdandiya."

Aryan placed the coffee cup on the table and leaned back regarding Amma with some surprise.

"I thought you had nothing left in Pagdandiya, so why?"

"Our kuldevi (main deity) is in Pagdandiya. When Imaliya was born I had promised that she and her groom would take the deity's blessings when her marriage got fixed. The Sita Maiyya temple in Pagdandiya is famous for the pure vermillion that is produced there and it is considered very auspicious for young women to pray there before her marriage."

"But Imlie and Aryan's wedding is some time away. Why go now?" Arvind questioned leaning towards Meethi.

"The full moon in four weeks comes on Punarvasu, a nakshatra that is considered very auspicious because its associated with Sita Maiyya. It only happens once in four years that the stars align like that. By the time the next date comes around damadji and Imaliya should already be married."

Aryan grimaced. He did not believe in such things and secondly given all he had heard about Pagdandiya he wasn't excited by the prospect of going there.

"What does Imlie think about it?" he asked hoping she was even less interested than him in the idea.

"I haven't talked to Imaliya about it yet" Meethi confessed "but I don't think she will object, afterall its about getting Maiyya's blessings."

Narmada bustled in just then, making a beeline for Meethi and sitting on a chair next to her.

"I the agree with Meethiji and I think you and Arpi should go with Aru and Imlie and get blessing too" she declared eyeing Arvind.

Meethi nodded in agreement "I too would prefer that all the children go together but hesitated in asking because you are always busy."

"Why can't everyone go then? We can make it a family outing" Arvind asked curious when both the mothers looked at each uncomfortably.

Sighing Meethi explained in a strained voice "Because widows are not allowed in or near the festival."

"Which century are we living in?" Aryan burst out incensed by the stupidity of the rule.