The Unfinished Poetry √

Part Forty

Devasena had never felt such peace. The slice of rooftop overlooking the city of Lucknow looked like heaven to her, as she welcomed the soothing rays of the 6 AM sun. 

She stood closing her eyes softly, and let the breeze caress her face.

Aazaan played at the little mashjeed situated at the corner of the street. The street was already filled with people wrapped up in shawls and sunrays, sipping tea and spilling several talks.

" Morning begum! "
Devasena opened her eyes to find her 'shauhar' standing with fuming tea.
Lucknow always had this ethnic Urdu effect on people.

She smiled and pointed at the towers of an architecture at a distance.
" That's Bada Imambara. It's got a maze. Bhool bhulaiyaa. "
Devasena winked.

" Hmm, I heard of it. The labyrinth. Without proper guidance you get lost, and never return. They say. "
Amarendra leaned on the railing of the roof, sipping tea.

" Yeah, it's got 489 identical doorways. Tremendous. " , Devasena kept staring at the Imambara.
Then said, " Is mama asleep? "

" Are you mad? He's already finished three cups of tea, and is now preparing breakfast for us. "

" What?? I should be helping him! "

Before Amarendra could say anything, Devasena was gone.

He stood smiling. Begum with a solid heart! 

***

" Baahu....  How long are you in India then? "

Katappa asked.

" I don't know mama...  Maybe I'll settle back here. "

Katappa's eyes sparkled. He looked at Devasena. Devasena smiled.

" You....you had told me that....your child will grow in my arms. I know both your fathers are capable of doing that job, but....will you for once give me this chance again? "

Devasena was completely lost of words at this sudden emotional upsurge, and she was kinda embarrassed as well. She sheerly ran towards katappa and held his hands.

" Mama, my child will be all yours, I promise. "

Amarendra wiped off a tear.

Katappa held back her hands tightly.
" Stay for a few more days here please! I've been so alone, and you both filled my every void in just a night! "

Devasena looked at Amarendra. She had never seen her husband so vulnerable.

***

Amarendra held Devasena's hand and she almost jumped off the 'tangaa'.

" Ohh god such height! "
She sulked.

She had insisted upon taking an auto but Amarendra had to ride only this.

"Not yours, but my first time in Lucknow. How can I miss this ethnic tangaa ride? "

The horse cart or ' tangaa' ride was honestly beautiful, but the heights were never comforting to Devasena. However tall a girl she was, she felt more embarrassed than frightened while getting down. How much would people laugh if she fell? 
Today she knew though, between she falling and people laughing, there now stood a wall.