Burning Hearts

111. 𝐅𝐨𝐱, 𝐝𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭

Chapter-111

Author's POV

The chantings of holy prayer resonated in the temple. The sound of bells ringing, mantras blended with silent prayers.

The Arasu family were hosting a special pooja in the name of their now-missing daughter-in-law, Parul.

Only the close ones attended the Pooja.

Shiva was sitting in front of the holy fire dressed in a white dhoti.

Unknowing to one another, everyone was fasting. It was their belief.

Shiva's face gave away nothing. One might consider he wasn't even bothered. But, only, he and his dear ones knew, how deeply bothered he was.

From time to time, Aditi looked at the pair of silver toe rings dangling on his neck like a pendant. Shiva made no effort to conceal it.

Right after taking a cold bath in the Kalyani (river), he was asked to wear dhotis and sit for the Havan/Homa.

His men were scattered all around the temple to ensure the family's safety. They didn't want to risk anyone's life.

As the priest started doing Maha Arati, everyone joined their hands in a praying position, closed their eyes and began their silent prayers.

Shiva looked at the holy fire and then at the idol of lord Shiva, adorned with flowers.

" Your wife threw herself in the holy fire because her father humiliated you, I'd throw myself in any danger to save my wife. Please, please god, help me find her." Shiva looked at the idol. The holy fire reflected in his glassy eyes signifying the fire in his eyes and heart.

Looking at the Lord Shiva's idol, Shiva closed his burning eyes, letting the hot tears slid down the corner of his eyes.

Many eyes were on him. Including Aryan's.

A feather in his jaw twitched as he mumbled silent pleas to the lord himself.

Help me, Help me find my Paaru.

He mumbled again and again as if that would make the lord hear his prayers and help him or bless him with whatever he was asking. Begging and Praying.

His mother felt bad for her son. His grandfather felt bad for them. She lost her daughter and now, Shiva's wife was missing. It was a painful fate.

Mr and Mrs Yadav were praying with teary eyes. They had a heartbreak of their own. Raman Yadav had lost his Son and daughter-in-law to a brutal accident. Their granddaughter was injured badly but somehow she made it out alive. Just when they thought things were getting better, their only granddaughter went missing.

How worse could their fate get?

Aditi leaned on Ved's shoulder, looking helpless. She had no idea how to help Shiva. But she couldn't sit simply either. She felt hopeless. Ved had stopped going to the clinic, he was with the search party trying to help as much as he could.

But nothing was fruitful.

When Shiva opened his eyes, they looked bloodshot. If they hadn't known Shiva better, they'd think that it was because of the smoke coming from Havan. They knew he was tearing up and none of them dared to talk. Not even console him.

He didn't want it. He didn't want their pity. He wanted, no, he needed Paaru. She wasn't simply a want now. She was his need. The very air that he breathes.

The Pandit Ji offered tilak and flowers to everyone and that's when he noticed something. His eyes gleamed with happiness. So did Revathi's. She had noticed it too.