The sky is painted with hue of orange , signalling the arrival of sun. The air is crisp and filled with fragrance of flowers and incense stick .Chants of prayers merges with chirping of birds.
Aadhya stands in front of the idol of deity. She clasped her hands together, her eyes closed . Her thoughts seemed to whirlwind of emotions.
"Aap se kya chhupa hai Devi Maa. Aap to mere man ki sari baat janti hai .Ye bhi janti hai ki mere man ke kaun hai. " She thought. " Jo mere man me bas gaye hai unhe main mang bhi nhi sakti . Wo to pehle se hi kisi aur ki hai"
"Isliye aapse unhe nhi mangungi .Per unke man me jo basi hui , unhe unse milwa dijiye na . Sakha Babu ko unki Bondita se mila dijiye Dugga Maa . Mai aapko apne sare rasogulle de dungi . Ek bhi nhi khaungi. Shotti." She pinched her throat as a promise "Ab bas bahut hua. Sakha Babu ka intezar khatam karwa dijiye."
She opened her eyes and looked at the deity with devotion filled eyes . Somehow Today seems to be a bit different as if something significant is going to happen. The intuition is so strong that it is making her heart giddy. Or may be it is just because of realisation of her feelings for him. Whatever it is , she wanted some peace for herself and courage to gave letter to him ,which was lying in her purse .
But standing in front of deity ,she forgot to pray for herself and ended up praying for him.
"Pandit ji , Bondita ke naam per isse Devi Maa ko arpan kar dijiye" She heard his voice just behind him. She turns her feet and found him standing just behind him. He is focused on plate for veneration.Her heaet skipped a beat looking at him , standing so close to her. She held her plate tighty to keep herself grounded. At the same time he looked at him.
"Sakha Babu . Aap yaha ? " She smiled at him " Pooja karne aaye hai?".
"Nhi to." He replied with a straight face. "Dugga Maa per case file karne aaya hu" He said sarcastically.
"Mandir me hu to pooja karne hi aaunga na , Aadhya" he spoke.
"Aaj pehli baar dekha na . Isliye puchha " She clarified.
"Bondita ka janamdin hai aaj .Uske liye prathna karne aaya tha." He informed.
"Achcha! Unko meri taraf se bhi janamdin ki badhai" She spoke. He smiled sadly at her.
"Ye choti bahurani ke liye prasad " Priest forwarded veneration plate towards him with addition of few sweets and a box full of vermilion. He took it and bow his head as a sign of respect.
"Tumhara Janamdin kab hai ?" He asked.
"Pta nhi" She replied .
"Pta nhi matlab. Khud ka janamdin bhul gayi ho tum " He says, walking forward to complete the rotation of the temple.
"Mai to khud ko hi bhul gayi hu " She murmurs to herself. "Per Mumma aur Dad mera janamdin Aadhya ke janamdin ke din hi mana lete hai" She spoke , increasing her pace to catch him .
"Iss duniya me har kisi ka janamdin ussi ke janamdin ke din manaya jata hai" He slowed down to match his pace with her.
"Mera Janamdin mere Janamdin ke din nhi manaya jata .Aadhya ke janamdin ke din manaya jata hai " She spoke.
"Aadhya tum hi ho na" He looked at him as if she is talking absurd.
"Nhi mai Aadhya nhi hu" She informed him, her steps matching with his as they keep walking around the temple. "Mumma ne mera naam Aadhya rakh diya."
"Oo To mai bhi Anirudh nhi hu . Meri Maa ne bhi mera naam bas Anirudh rakh diya" He spoke shaking his head .
"Offo! Aap samajh nhi rahe " She said ,shaking her head with exasperation..
YOU ARE READING
His Lost Heartbeat
Hayran KurguPATI BABU!!!!. Her loud voice,filled with terror and pain rings in his ears .He looks up , only to find himself in the middle of the ocean , surrounded by the debris of wrecked ship, debris of his broken dream. "BONDITA" He shouted aloud, carrying...
