Her Darkest Obsession

Chapter 23 - Karva Chauth

~ Rented hearts and withering flowers never bloom

And we all felt that. ~

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It was evening time when the sun was moving towards its next destination. The sky deepened into a rich canvas of colors. The nature's masterpiece painted a serene sky which was transforming from day to night. The clouds which have the effect of those vibrant colors were lightly moving. Cold air breeze was gently taking away the dried leaves of trees and moving the warm grasses in the wind direction.

Some arrangements were made in the garden which directly faced the sky and it won't be a lie if someone say that moon was always seen every night from that garden. These arrangements marked the presence of an overwhelming festival - Karva Chauth. It's a symbol of a women's love and devotion towards her husband, who fast from sunrise to moonrise praying for their soulmates well being and prosperous life. The festival often seems to strengthen the sacred bond of marriage and filling the partner's life with joy, happiness and merriment. This ritual starts when married women fast from the time of sunrise to moonrise refraining water and food. This also includes worshipping Chauth Mata, the eternal Moon and seeking blessings for their husbands. The husbands often gift them souvenirs and presents full of their feelings and appreciation of the ritual.

" Aaj ki shaam, hame aapki bohot yaad aa rhi hai Sa ." Aanchal was lying in her bed, holding the photo frame of her husband, close to her chest. Her eyes were filled with fierce tears and her mind has captured all the memories which were once a reality. Her every beautiful memory was the reason of her sobs. She terribly missed him, his face, the warmth in his arms, his eyes, his smile - everything. Though she never expressed her emotions to anyone but deep down she was hurt by the reality of her husband's sudden death report even when years had passed after that incident. She is probably dead from inside but living like an emotionless skull only for her children.

( This evening, I'm terribly missing you )

" Aapke jaane se pehle ki hame saare Karva Chauth yaad hai jab sirf ham hi nhi balki aap bhi hamare liye vrat rakha krte the. " Her hands moved through the frame in a way that expected for an answer. She only wished for now that her husband would appear in front of her and would do the same rituals that they'd been doing since they were married. Her heart craved for his presence but it was known to her that spirits never come back ; they're just changing their body from human to probably any other form to again another form when they're dead.

( I remember all the Karva Chauth before you left, when not only I, but you too used to keep the fast for me. )

" Vo saari yaadien ek hi pal mein aise gayab ho gyi, jaise kisi cheez par jaadu kiya ho ." She felt defeated after crying for her love who have already left the world leaving behind everyone and his own body, whose ashes are probably immersed with the river Ganga. The usual spark in her eyes were now replaced by dull and heavy eyelids. The four walls of the room did provide some peace but not to her heart instead she felt more lonely than ever. " Hame iss duniya meh kuch acha sa nhi lag raha sa ; aap mujhe yaha se le jaiye, please..... "

( All those memories vanished in a moment, as if a spell had been cast on something. )

( I don't feel good in this world; please take me away from here... )

" Pata nhi mujhme kya kami reh gayi thi, jo meh aapko nhi bacha payi. Meh bo...hot buri hu na ? Le..kin aap mujhe maa--af toh kar doge na, mere saare bure karmo ke liye ? Meri saari buri harkato ke liye ?" She was mad in love that even after losing him, she felt like she could feel his presence every time and therefore always talked to him day and night when he was not actually there.