The Forbidden Marriage

53•त्रयोपञ्चाशत्

Minakshi glanced at the clock and sighed softly. "Time to head to work," she murmured to herself, gathering her belongings and preparing to leave the café.

"Goodbye, everyone," she called out to her workers, offering them a wave as she made her way towards the door.

"Take care, Minakshi," Sushila called back with a warm smile.

As Minakshi stepped outside, the vibrant display of flowers at Manish's floral shop caught her eye. She approached him with a friendly smile. "Good morning, Manish."

"Good morning, Minakshi," Manish replied softly, his hands expertly arranging the colorful blooms. "Off to work, I see?"

Minakshi nodded, returning his smile. "Yes, another busy day ahead. Have a great day!"

"You too," Manish said, flashing her a smile as she continued on her way.

As Minakshi walked through the lively streets of her small town, she couldn't help but marvel at the diverse sights and sounds around her. The aroma of cooking from nearby homes, the snip of scissors at the barber shop, the laughter of children playing in the streets—all combined to create a vibrant tapestry of daily life in her healing and peaceful neighborhood.

Amidst the hustle and bustle, the melodious chirping of birds provided a soothing soundtrack to her journey. With each step, Minakshi couldn't help but feel grateful for the colorful community she called home.

As the path curved sharply, the once picturesque stone road gave way to a rugged, unpaved trail. The scenery transformed dramatically, enveloped in a misty haze that obscured the surrounding landscape. Tall, imposing pine trees loomed overhead, their dark silhouettes reaching towards the sky, their branches shrouded in a veil of fog.

The air was heavy with the earthy scent of damp moss and pine needles, a soothing aroma that filled Minakshi's senses as she continued along the path. She wrapped her scarf tighter around her neck, seeking warmth and comfort against the chill of the misty air.

Despite the eerie atmosphere, there was a serene beauty to the forest around her. The soft, diffused light filtering through the dense canopy casts a mystical glow over the surroundings, painting the scene in shades of gray and green.

As Minakshi walked further into the mist-shrouded woods, a sense of tranquility washed over her. The rhythmic crunch of gravel beneath her boots and the gentle rustle of leaves in the breeze lulled her into a state of calmness, allowing her mind to wander and find solace amidst the mystical allure of the forest.

Suddenly Minakshi heard the whimpering sound, her heart skipped a beat, and a cold shiver ran down her spine. Fear gripped her as she recalled the chilling rumors that haunted these woods—the legend of a headless boy ghost wandering among the pines. In all her years of traversing this path, she had never encountered anything supernatural, so why now?

Panic rising within her, Minakshi broke into a frantic run, her breath coming in short gasps as she desperately recited the Hanuman Chalisa for protection.

"Jai Hanuman gyan gun sagar
Jai Kapis tihun lok ujagar
Ram doot atulit bal dhama
Anjani putra-"

Her chant trailed off as she stumbled to a halt, her eyes widening in disbelief. Amidst the mist-shrouded trees sat a familiar figure, not a ghostly apparition, but a living, breathing presence.

As Minakshi cautiously approached the figure amidst the pine trees, her confusion only deepened when she realized it wasn't a young boy, but Trishul himself. However, what caught her off guard was the sight of him in distress, his grown-up form hunched over, hands tangled in his hair as tears streamed down his face.