Part 64
That afternoon all of them went to the temple and requested the priest for a special prayer session for Karuna's soul. At first the priest was hesitant as it was too short a notice and he'd have to summon some more people who knew the prayers. According to him, the more the number of people praying, the more powerful it would be.
While talking to the priest Riddhima understood that every Sunday evening there was the usual prayer meeting at 5 pm which would conclude by 8 pm. Riddhima thought for a while and asked the priest if that prayer session could be offered to Karuna's soul?
Priest: That's an excellent idea. We'll offer our today's prayer to the departed soul. And you wanted to have an annadaan also. After the prayers we serve dinner for all devotees. You could sponsor that also. So both your wishes will be fulfilled.
She thanked the priest and went to inform others about it.
A: Riddhima, Shekar and Karan wanted to leave by 5 or 6 o'clock, so that they can reach home by 8. Tomorrow is Monday, everybody has to get back to work also.
Karan: I don't have any problem dad. Even if I leave after 8 I should reach home by 10. But Arun's flight is at 7.30. He'll have to leave by at least 6.
Arun: It's ok bro. I'll cancel this flight and try for a seat on a later one.
S: Yes Armaan, we can also leave after 8. Not a problem. Since we are all here together today, let's get this done with. There may be no such opportunity, once you both return to India.
Bharati: Karuna is so lucky to have so many caring people who think about her, even after her death. We don't have anyone to pray for us even when are alive.
A: Come on Bharati don't say that. Aren't we all there for you?
Bhaskar: You are also planning to go and settle in India no? Then who'll be there for us?
Bharati: Don't say anything to Armaan. It's our bad luck. The one we gave birth to, herself didn't think twice before leaving us, why blame anyone else?
Kalpana put her arm around Bharati saying "I know how hurt you must have been. The daughter you'd had after almost 10 years of marriage, after so many prayers and penances, left home without telling you where she was going and with whom. Karuna had told ne how devastated you were, I still remember."
Riddhima also joined them and said "I'm sorry I never knew this. Athaan never mentioned it. But you shouldn't lose heart. You both have each other. Be each other's strength and think positive and everything will work out positively. Prayers can work wonders and bring about miracles. You all know about me and athaan. We were separated for 20 years, but I never gave up hope. Prayers were my constant companions. And see even God had to relent and sent him back to me. The only sad thing is I'd have been happy if we didn't have to lose Karuna for that."
Kalpana replied to Riddhima saying "It is said in this Kalyug we pay for our sins in the same birth. Karuna snatched Armaan from you and God snatched her life away to give you back your rights." Then turning to Bharati she said "I'm sure your daughter will also come home one day. As Riddhima says don't lose heart."
They still had more than a hour before the prayer meet. Karan and Arun decided to go to the airport to get Arun's ticket changed. When Riddhima asked "You won't have any problem if you leave so late na kanna? Otherwise book for tomorrow morning only. Don't land there in the middle of the night." Arun smiled at her concern and hugging her said "Actually I wish I could stay with you forever. But my break is over and I need to get back to my classes. So I have to leave tonight. Don't worry about me I'm used to travelling at the most odd hours as those tickets are cheaper." He winked at her laughing at his own joke.
Smiling back at him his perima said "The other times I didn't know about it, so I didn't worry. But"
A: Riddhima, he's not a kid. He's been taking care of himself for so many years now.
Arun: Actually dad, it feels very nice to have someone worrying for you.
Then giving his perima a tight hug he said "We'll have to leave to be back in time. Don't worry I'll take care." While the boys went away the others decided to go and have some cool drinks in the temple canteen. As they sat sipping their drinks Bharati said "Maybe that's the mistake we made" speaking her thoughts aloud. When the others looked at her questioningly she said, "We gave her too much freedom and trusted her too much. We never questioned her."
R: As a school Principal, that's what I tell all parents. Don't hesitate to question your child. They may get irritated at that moment, but they'll be aware that my mother/my father will question me. Of course I don't deny children are capable of fabricating any story to suit their needs but the questions makes them vary before taking any step. Otherwise they feel free to do as they wish as they are confident their parents won't say anything. I'm not an authority on parenting, since I haven't mothered a child, but that's my experience as a school principal.
A: Why do you say that Riddhima? Haven't you raised Suja as a perfect daughter? Aren't you proud of that?
R: Of course I am. But somehow probably because of the hardships we went through together, we ended up more like friends, than mother and daughter. At times I've felt she's my mother. Without her encouragement and guidance I don't think I'd have passed my school finals. As a girl of 10 or 12 she used to do more work than even a girl of 16 would, just to give me sufficient time for studies. She's definitely more a part of me than my own flesh and blood would ever be.
Bhaskar: That reminds me. Armaan, you wanted to meet doctor Corio, did you?
When the others looked at them uncomprehendingly, Bharati clarified "She was the doctor who helped me conceive my daughter, Brinda, through IVF. A wonderful doctor."
A: No I haven't, but I've fixed an appointment with her on Tuesday. Actually there was no appointments available for the next month or so, but when I requested her stating my limited stay here, she said she'd spare a few minutes for us.
Riddhima just looked at him without a word. But understanding her silence he smiled at her and said "I was going to tell you about it later, but this Bhaskar let the cat out of the bag."
"Oh I'm so sorry" Bhaskar began apologizing when Riddhima said "it's ok anna," and then biting her tongue corrected herself and said "I mean sorry thambi." And all of them burst laughing.
Bhaskar : It's been ages since we sat together and laughed like this. Riddhima, why don't you both stay here only? Why do you want to go back?
A: Bhaskar even if Riddhima agrees, I want to go back to India. It feels so wonderful to be back where you belong. However much we earn here and whatever facilities we have, all said and done, we are outsiders. This is not home. Why don't you and Bharati come over and stay with us for some time? I'm sure you wouldn't want to come back here. Shekar has a house in Chennai so he goes to India often. In a way he gets the best of both the worlds.
Kalpana laughed at that and said "You know actually Armaan we've been considering settling in India for quite some time now. We want to get our daughter, Sarika, married in India."
A: What about your son, Kalpesh?
S: We've left it to him to decide.
Kal: Him and his girl friend. She's a Gujarati girl, his classmate. She's been born and brought up here. So I doubt if she'll leave her parents and come to India. But that's ok. They can come to Chennai for vacations or important occasions. But we want a son-in-law from India, preferably Chennai.
A: Is Sarika willing for that?
Kal: You know she's very much into Carnatic music after winning the Carnatic Music Idol last year. So she's willing to go to Chennai to further her music interests. She wants to find a good guru and learn it thoroughly.
R: How did she get into Carnatic Music here?
Kal: Actually I just put her in a music class when she was 6 years old as my friends had put their kids. She proved to be a gifted child and the teacher was very good. She tapped her talent well. Then she started to learn from a guru in India, through Skype.
R: You mean through phone?
Kal: In skype you can even see the person through webcam. So it was possible.
R: My! Then you should really appreciate that child's passion and encourage it.
By that time the boys arrived.
A: Were you able to get an alternate flight?
Arun: Yes I got ticket for the 2 o'clock flight. It's not a direct one but I'll make it in time for my class.
A: I'll drop you to the airport, don't worry.
The boys also got themselves some drink. After sometime looking at his watch Armaan said "It's a quarter to five, let's go to the temple" and they all made their way to the temple. Riddhima was stunned to see the temple almost full now. The people were all seated in neat files on the plastic mats spread on the floor. She was surprised to see so many men in dhotis, sitting in the front. The ladies were all in salwar suits or sarees. Just a handful were in jeans or capris. They also sat in the last line. People still continued to pour in till the hall was overflowing, leaving some standing.
At 5 pm sharp the head priest came and stood in front of the gathering and said "Let us offer our prayers to the soul of a woman who expired in an accident more than a year back. Her family is here to pray for her departed soul, so that it may rest in peace. He began the recitation and was joined in by all those who were present there. The Sanskrit verses they recited vibrated through the whole hall. Riddhima had rarely seen such a unified rendition even in their , in India. She was astounded by the positive vibrations it brought to everyone. Engrossed in the prayers, Riddhima thought about the letter which Karuna had written to her.
Though Karuna was five years elder to her she had always thought of her as her younger sister only. The same love erupted in her heart recollecting the words - All these years, how much ever I despised you and cursed you; it never brought any joy or satisfaction to me. But sharing my heart with you today has brought me so much peace of mind. Hope to meet you soon and spend the rest of my life peacefully with you in India. You'll accept me as your sister na? I'm sure you'll forgive me too for you are very kindhearted. And tears started running down her eyes of their own accord. The rhythmic recitation acted as a balm to her heartache.
After more than an hour of prayers, the aarti began. With loud ringing of bells and drums it went on for 15 – 20 minutes. The whole atmosphere seemed to be charged. It was once of the most wonderful and memorable experiences Riddhima had felt after coming to the US. We couldn't have had a better memorial service for Karuna she thought to herself. At the same time she assured Karuna's soul "Don't worry Karuna, I'll take good care of your kids. aThey are mine now. And I'll also look after our husband very well." That thought brought a smile to Riddhima's lips.
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