A BOUQUET OF STORIES

UNUTTERED NAME

   The roads became narrower, muddy , the concrete jungles were nowhere but only green paddy fields.

   The car sped deeper into the small village . The sun was cool here , the wind was gentle , first time the little boy loved having the car windows open , he threw so many questions about the fields, trees , the mountain , the creek , everything was new for him, he was basking in happiness.

  Finally the car halted before the Amman Temple , the deity of the villagers . The eight year old boy pulled his mother out.

  She couldn't match his fast steps , so he left her and ran forward. The temple was very silent only few people were there , they were all taking rest under the roof of the temple , her anklets broke the silence and made those people to see who it was. They all greeted their former village headman's daughter . Everyone came to her and asked about her parents, siblings , husband . She also introduced her son to them.He enjoyed the special attention.

  The priest came and performed special Puja in the name her and her son , even before the puja could end the boy ran to the temple pond.

" Arun , arun get the prasadam "

But the boy paid no heed to her words. He asked so many questions about the architecture of the Temple , he was in awe when he heard the temple was built before 500 years.

  He touched the stone walls and the idols with his little hand, finally they sat on the steps of the temple pond . Again he sprang up and went towards the back of the temple.

  The high wall with many names inscribed with charcoals attracted and fascinated him . One name caught his attention , it is a familiar name which he never called but heard others calling.

  "Amma Amma"

His mother's hands trembled , her feet didn't move.

"No Arun come here I can't come there"

"Amma come here , I will not come there"

She sighed thinking about his stubbornness. Okay don't see that , you will escape the pain .

  She didn't see the wall at all but Arun made her see it . Her knees became weak and her tears at the brim.

Amma see that name "Varshini"

She was standing still.

"Amma , your name ma "

He was in awe that he found his mother's name . He ran away towards the car to return to his City.

Varshini broke down , tears rolled down to soothe her but nothing can soothe that pain.

  Arun didn't see the name above hers . His name , her love , her dream . This temple was the place where they met to Pray for a happy life together , they deviced plans to open up about their relationship to their families,  they didn't know God had other plans , Who ever in this world knew it ???

  She moved out of the temple , coincidentally her college bus crossed . The bus in which they met, the bus in which they fought , the bus in which they shared their thoughts , the bus in which the passion became love AND the bus which took his life .

  She wiped the tears and was still finding ways to heal her  wound which can never be healed . She never ever revealed his name God gave no chance.

AMMAN TEMPLE - Holy shrine of Mother Goddess

PRASADAM - Holy offerings

( the awesome book cover was made by my cool and brilliant friend Dharshini . Do check her other works and get lost in it.)