Dastaan Jo Likhun

Ch 17. Accepting Appliqué

___________ Context __________

I have used images to aid in storytelling, so please read through the texts to get the subtext and play the bgm attached when prompted to get the full experience.

Note: This chapter involves location jumps so please follow along and enjoy!

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Time: 10:32 am

Birla House

[same time as last ch. - cafeteria]

Bowing in front of the idol of the deity, he offered his head in veneration... along with his worries and his dreams.

'Mahadev, apna ashirwaad banaye rakhiyega.'

Getting up, he mumbled his humble prayer, to fulfill his wish and receive the fruits of his labor, which he deserves.

'Meri mehnat sachhi thi, ab uska fal apke charno pe hai... Mujhe mere hisse ka fal dedijie.'

His patience and effort both in harmony with his current reality... that were still wrapped in the envelope placed alongside the prasad [religious offering].

Opening his eyes, he finished his final prayer before touching the base of the idol to bestow the spiritual blessings upon himself. 

He touched the base of his aasan [prayer mat] as he got up, holding his ear before stepping on the naked floor. 'Ap sambhal lijiyega Mahadev.' 

Bowing again he picked up the envelope and the prasad along with him before walking out of the prayer room.

Pacing down the stairs, he offered the prasad to his family members who all reached out to receive the token. 

"Bhai... nervous ?," Neil asked his brother after gulping down the morsel. Abhimanyu just nodded in affirmation his inner calm was in paradox to heavy beating of his heart.

"Maa kahan hai ?," he asked, his wandering eyes searched for her around the common places, but he couldn't even hear her.

"Apke liye mannat mangne gayi hai...," he smiled and answered, annoying Abhimanyu a bit. "Mere boards ke exam thode hi hai ki bahar ke bade mandir me puja karne gayi..." "Kyun na jaun!," Manjari interrupted while entering through the front door, quickly placing her own aarti ki thali down on the living room table as she walked towards her sons.

"Tum logo ke liye mai har din mannat mangne jaungi...," she replied, smiling as she caressed her sons' cheeks in affection. 

"Chalo jaldi se bhagwaan ke samne hath jodke mango ki tumhari har manokamna puri hojaye!," she requested, taking the plate of offering from Abhimanyu's hand as she gave him the sweet... knowing that he would break his fast only at her hands.

He sought her blessings before feeding her some prasad too... knowing that she would be the same, fasting for his well being.

Neil tagged alongside them as they sat by the coffee table... observing his brother offer their mother the envelope, which she hesitantly took. She wanted to wait... for her husband, their father to join in the announcement.

"Harsh ji ke aane tak rukja...," she requested, only for her son to glare at the mention of his father's name. His jaw tightened, while he shook his head, in vehement denial.

"Apka janna pehle important hai...," he placed his hand again on top of hers... urging her to open the letter.

Nodding, she ripped it at the seams in slow motion. "Maa jaldi please!," Neil requested as he jittered on his seat in anticipation. "Wait maasi...," Anisha called out from the stairs as she flew down them only to sit beside Neil and gesture at her to continue.