WO/MAN (Arthanaareeshwaram)

Bored!

"Let me answer your questions Parvathi."

################################################################################

Do you know why it starts like this always - ** Shiva thus answered Parvathi. ** or **Parvathi asked Shiva **?

Because Shiva is the unknown factor. And Parvathi is the known factor. Because every 'known' was once 'unknown'. Because 'known', arises from 'unknown'. That is why the Creator (often referred to as HE) is unknown to us. But his creation, (often referred to as SHE) is known to us. And what are we? Well! We are the result of the creator involving with the creation, i.e. the CHILDREN.

################################################################################

"As I was saying my lord, why have you created the world this way?"

Shiva let out a small laugh. A really melodious laughter which could make her melt that very instant. If she would not have been keen on finding the answers to her questions, she would have simply stared at him for ages.

"I was bored. And this was ... well ... the best way a world could be." He blankly answered. But there was a strange glint in his eyes.

The words, slowly soaked into her brain, only to add fuel to fire. "What? You created all this just because you were bored? What do you mean? How can you take pleasure in seeing someone struggle? Are you so heartless?" Words blurted out of her mouth, but she did not know from where they were coming to her. She would never blame her husband like that for anything. She loved him so much and trusted him so much that she never even thought of questioning him about anything. Now what was happening to her? {May be the struggle of the lady made her motherly heart cringe.}

He smiled, a smile that would put anyone into a peaceful sleep, lulling them like moonlight and spring breeze. She shook her head. {This is not the time for admiring him. I need answers.} The expression on her face, made him chuckle slightly.

{What is this my dear friend?} Narayana's cheerful voice sprung up in his head.

{What have I done?}

{You are behaving like me.} Shiva could feel his friend smirk and his eyes grew wide for the minutest second. Then he smiled again.

{Am I? It's fine. I want to see that expression on my wife's face. It is fun to annoy her.} His eyes glinted with naughtiness.

{See! Didn't I tell you that it is fun? And you were calling me a 'charmer'. Now you seem to be doing better than me. Still, why does the world blame me for the naughtiness?}

{That is because, my friend; I do this only to my wife. But you go on to trouble the whole world with your naughtiness.}

{Not fair.}

Shiva could visualise Narayana pouting. He laughed mentally {Yes Narayana. Not at all fair. Neither you, nor your complexion.} He smirked.

{Oh really? You just wait. First of all, I have my frustrated wife to handle. And you have my sister.} Narayana smirked.

{Yeah! Your sister is just like you. Dealing with either of the both of you, is like putting the responsibility of the whole creation on my head.} Shiva let out a dramatic small sigh.

{Now will you understand how it feels run the whole creation, so smoothly...} The slight tinge of pride in Narayana's tone made Shiva groan. {But you know what? I love it. Both of you are like a bunch of surprises, making my otherwise white world, colourful.} He interrupted before Narayana could complete and wait; was that a slight blush?

{No! Why would I blush? You cannot use your charms on me. I am the one supposed to charm others. I will not fall for your tricks.} Narayana murmured.

{You are no different from your sister. You people cannot resist me.} Shiva confirmed and Narayan rolled his eyes. {Fine. We shall settle this later.}

Parvathi was getting frustrated now. {What is he doing? Just a smile? Is that the answer. I am fed up with his silence.} She stomped her foot.

{I agree with you dear. Our husbands are too high on themselves.} Lakshmi sighed in her head.

{What is my brother doing?}

{Well I had asked him a similar doubt and look at him, smiling to himself with closed eyes.} Parvathi got a glimpse of Vaikuntha, her brother lying leisurely on the giant serpent, while Lakshmi sitting at his feet. There was this expression on his face, which made her suspect something running in his witty brain.

{Wait ... don't tell me those two are discussing about us, just as we are about them.} Lakshmi's eyes widened. {I bet they are laughing at us.} Her eyes drifted towards her husband. Parvathi noticed slight red tinge at the corners of Lakshmi's eyes. She rolled her eyes and let out a small sigh. {There is no use of worrying about their tiny quarrels. My condition is no different.}

She turned towards her husband, who was looking at her with an amused expression. His gaze on her, made her blush a bright shade of red. {What is this? It has been ages since we are married. When will I stop blushing like a newly-wed?} She mentally cursed her flaming cheeks, which brought a smirk on her husband's face, always giving him an upper hand.

"Yes! I was bored. That is why you are here." He answered plainly.

.....................................................................................................................................

Ok ... so how was it? Please let me know what you feel. And if you have any queries, let me know.

Let me remind you again that it is a work of fiction and not at all intended to hurt anyone's feelings. You need not read this if you don't like it.