Passion & Dilemma

47. Realisation

Prerna's POV

"May God always keep you and your family happy." I smiled as the elderly couple gave me and Sarthak their blessings.

Both of us bent down as the couple raised their hands to place them on our heads.

It's been two days since my birthday and today we are at a Temple that was established by an NGO of which Maa was a part of. She has sent us to donate something to the people who live here and visit the Temple as well.

"You go inside the Temple." Sarthak instructed me  and I blinked my eyes at him. "I have to meet the manager of this organisation." He added.

"Don't take too much time. I'll be waiting for you there." I said, pointing at the top of the stairs.

Sarthak nodded and walked away. I climbed the stairs and looked around the simple but beautiful Temple premise. There was a big ground in the middle of which the main building of the Temple was situated.

Looking around, I saw an empty place where I decided to sit and wait for Sarthak. I sat there on a stone bench and saw people. The weather was not the best today. The usually blue sky of winters was overcast by heavy, gray clouds. This was my favourite kind of weather- dusty and gray.

It reminded me of the day when I went on my first date with Ashish. The same day when Sarthak found me having a tea by myself on the roadside.

Little did I know how my fate would take turns, back then?

Sarthak and I? Who would've thought we would marry each other?

Despite the bad weather, some people were singing Bhajans while sitting under a tree. A man was singing in his sweet melodious voice while playing harmonium and others were repeating. Children were running around the tree, playing games.

"Didi, do you want to buy flowers for God?" Voice of a young girl came from beside from me. When did she come so near me? I did not even notice her.

"No." I shook my head.

She sat beside the bench, on the ground, keeping her huge basket of flowers down. Her basket had only two types of flowers- Rose and Marigold. But she was wearing a different type of flower in her hair. I did not even know the name of it.

"Are you going to give no offering to God?" She asked, looking up at me. She was not older than nine years of age.

I shook my head again. "No."

She frowned and tilted her head to a side. "Not even a coconut or flower? Are you going to go empty handed to meet God?"

"What can I give to God? He already has everything, doesn't he?"

She giggled and took out a needle and thick thread. She passed the thread through the small hole skillfully. She glanced at my face.

"No matter how much fortune you have, it still feels good when someone makes a little effort for you." She said making garlands.

I raised my brow on hearing such words from a child.

I pressed my lips together and smiled subtly before nodding. "Right."

Her eyes beamed and she forwarded her half made garland. "So will you buy flowers now?"

"No, I am not very religious."

Her face fell before she gave me a confused look. "You don't believe in God? Why?"

"Do you believe in God?" I asked instead of answering her and she nodded immediately with a small pout. Oh, the child looked a little disappointed at the idea of me not believing in God.