Shadowed Desires

Chapter 17

---

Next Day – 6:00 AM

Atharv and Kritika were in deep slumber when the morning sunlight crept in. The distance between them while sleeping had begun to fade, day by day.

Kritika stirred awake and noticed a reminder on her phone. The faint smile on her face disappeared the moment she saw the date.

She headed to the bathroom to freshen up and shower. Since it was still early, Atharv remained asleep. Kritika quickly made her way to the kitchen and prepared a few dishes, packing them neatly into tiffin boxes.

Just as Atharv stepped out after his shower and headed toward the garden to get some fresh air, he noticed Kritika speaking to one of the drivers. Though he couldn’t hear the conversation, her gestures made it clear—she was heading out.

Curious about her sudden departure, Atharv quickly grabbed his keys and followed her in his own car.

---

Scene – Temple

Kritika’s car stopped at one of the city’s temples. She collected the containers and other items from the car and instructed the driver to leave.

Atharv parked his car outside the temple, unsure of what to do next. A moment of hesitation passed before he made a decision.

Atharv's P.O.V.

She was stepping into the temple. But I didn’t want to. I’m an atheist. Spirituality never appealed to me. Everyone in my family believes in God—except me. I believe in logic, in things that have a reason. And I never found a reason to believe in God.

To me, life is a battle to win, not just to survive. And winners don’t bow down before anyone.

But today, I had two choices: either break my beliefs and step inside for her… or let her go alone, and stay unaware of what brought her here today—which clearly isn’t a casual visit. And I know she won’t tell me later.

Some days, logic loses to emotion.

He took a deep breath and entered the temple, his focus solely on her.

---

Kritika walked toward the sanctum where the idols were placed. She greeted the priest politely.

She said, “Mujhe kisi ki aatma ki shaanti ke liye pooja karani hai. Aaj unki barsi hai.”
(I want to perform a prayer for someone’s soul. Today is their death anniversary.)

The priest asked, “Pooja aap karengi?”
(You will perform the prayer?)

She nodded, “Kyun, main nahi kar sakti ye pooja apni maa ke liye?”
(Why, can’t I perform this prayer for my mother?)

The priest inquired, “Jinke liye pooja ki ja rahi hai, unka koi beta hai?”
(Does the person this prayer is for have a son?)

She shook her head—Ayush wasn’t her mother’s son, and she didn’t even consider him a stepbrother.

“Aur unke pati?”
(And her husband?) he asked.

Kritika hesitated. “Mere alawa unke parivaar mein koi nahi hai.”
(She had no one else in the family but me.)

The priest said, “Beta, pooja tabhi safal hoti hai jab unka beta ya pati ye sab kare.”
(Child, the prayer is only considered complete if it is done by her husband or son.)

Kritika’s face dropped with disappointment as she began gathering her things to leave.

Suddenly, a voice called out, “Pandit ji, aap tayyari kijiye pooja ki. Main poori karunga sabhi reeti riwaz.”
(Pandit ji, prepare for the prayer. I will carry out all the rituals.)