aurore - an unusual love story √

part forty nine

Jai parked his car against a row of already parked cars on the huge courtyard of Sushant Mukherjee's place. He absolutely loved the grandeur of the building. The house was built in old Bengali Zamindaar style, with a 'gari verandah' ( courtyard) as they called it. The entire compound was surrounded by old styled brick walls. The house had its own lake on the backside, where there were fishes cultivated. The immersion of the Durga Idol was done in the same lake.

The house itself was three storeyed. The ground floor had a separately made 'thakur - daalan ' ( the place where idol worship is done.)

The Durga Idol was created for months, and then worshipped in the same place.

The smell of burning incense sticks and Dhunachi reached even upto the end of the courtyard.

Jai opened the door to Sonara's side of the car, and she got down.

" This place is so beautiful.... " , she exclaimed, staring at the house.

Jai remained quiet.

Quite a number of people were seen here and there in the yard itself. Others were walking towards the 'thakur daalan. '

Sounds of chants were heard from the  Durgaa Mandir (same as thakur daalan), on microphone.

Jai uttered after a long time, ' Visarjan Puja is going on, the last ritual of this nine day long worship.....

I wonder how sad they are feeling right now.... "

Sonara looked at him and smiled. He stared lost at the road, as they walked towards the Mandir. Humaira was looking around, wide eyed, from her mother's lap.

Sushant stood at the gate of the Mandap, staring vacantly at the puja process going on inside.

Jai slowly placed a hand on his shoulder. He turned around.

" My god, finally man!!  "

They hugged each other.
Sonara literally sensed a terrible sadness in the man's eyes.

Jai then turned at Sonara.

" Sona....this is Sushaant. My really good friend.

And Sushaant, I'm sorry to have brought someone along. This is... "

Jai almost put a brake.

This was? 

Sushaant however started talking.

" Sorry? Really man? You have always brought friends along. Your friend Som and your girlfriend, the name I forgot ...it just slipped from my mind to invite them along!
But it's great someone else is here... "

Sushaant put forward his hand to Sonara. However, Sonara was typically observing Jai.

A tremendous awkwardness seemed to have grabbed Jai suddenly, he, as if trying to make up an identity for her.

But why? Why couldn't Jai introduce her as she was?

" You are....? " , Sushaant asked Sonara.

" My sister!!! 

My mother's...sister's daughter...

Sonali Chauhaan. "
Jai almost gasped.

Sonara's insides burnt for a second. But she didn't let the surprise show on her face.

Maybe, these people couldn't allow a Muslim into their ritual. But then...why even did Jai bring her along? Only to insult her? 

" That's great. Wow, what a cute baby!