MPbGD thread # 2, part 70 on pg62 on 18/4/12 - Page 32

hey dear

lovely update...looking forward for the next part

love

sania

Part 65

And I'll also look after our husband very well." That thought brought a smile to Riddhima's lips. It should rightfully have been 'my husband'. But she was rarest of the rare, who had willingly shared even her most prized possession. And inspite of everything, there was still a smile on her face. That was the best part.

When she opened her eyes she was startled to see Armaan, the boys, and the other 2 couples standing beside her, staring at her and waiting for her to finish praying. Besides them, the whole hall was empty. The chief poojari was standing near the diety, and beckoned to her with a nod of his head. "Come" she said to all of them "let's go and take Prasad."

A: We all have, you go and take.

Not heeding to him, she held his hand and walked towards the poojari with him in tow. As she bent down to take his blessings, Armaan also bent. The priest blessed them "Sada sowbhagwati bhav, ayushyamaan bhav." Then he offered her an apple as Prasad. Accepting it with a bowed head she said "Panditji I'm stunned by the wonderful, synchronized chanting of the shlokas by the whole group. It's really amazing. I can't believe such a thing happening in the US."

P: When people are away from their home and their loved ones, they want to keep all their tradition and culture intact in their foster home. And they strive very hard for it. All these men who were chanting today, come for a regular 2 hour class, every Wednesday evening, where they learn various shlokas and chant them together in one voice. On Sunday they repeat it for the other people's benefit. Whoever wants to celebrate a birthday, a wedding anniversary of even a death anniversary, sponsors the Sunday prayers followed by a simple dinner for all. Come, you all should also partake of the simple dinner. It's been cooked in our temple kitchen itself. But before that, I would request you to distribute laddoos to all the people and thank them for praying for your relative.

Both of them nodded. But before the poojariji could move away, Armaan said "Panditji, please, we seek a special blessing from you. We had been separated for twenty years and have come together only now. Please bless her with the boon of motherhood. That's our only desire now." The poojari looked at them with a smile and pointing towards the diety said "I'm only his instrument. Ask him whatever you want, sincerely, from the depth of your heart and he'll surely grant it to you. For my part I'll also pray that your deepest desire should be fulfilled."

Armaan and Riddhima prayed together to the presiding deity and then beckoned to the others and all of them moved to the dining room. She was surprised to see people seated in neat rows on the floor and some young boys and girls serving them food. Taking the box of laddoos from the cook, Riddhima handed it to Karan asking him and Arun, to give one to each person, and thank them for praying for their mother's soul. She and Armaan also followed the boys and with joined hands, thanking each and everyone.

One by one all the people left after dinner. The youngsters who had served the food, cleaned the place and started serving food for themselves and the hosts. One of them came and asked Armaan if they would be comfortable sitting on the floor or if they should bring out table and chairs for them. Before Armaan could reply Riddhima said "No, no we'll sit on the floor and eat with you all.''

As they ate, Riddhima struck up a conversation with the boy sitting next to her. She gathered that he was a student like many of the other volunteers, while some of the others were employed. They came on Wednesdays and weekends for the chanting and then did voluntary service like serving food, cleaning the floor and vessels, etc. Riddhima complimented him on taking up such a service and assured him that it was the best thing he was doing.

After the meals were over, Riddhima went over to help them clean up. But the youngsters refused saying that when they were there, the elders shouldn't do such tasks. Karan and Arun joined them in the task of cleaning up. It was quite late by the time they were done.

Riddhima thanked each and every boy and girl. As they moved out she handed them a laddoo and blessed them individually. For the students she blessed that they should do well in their studies. For the unmarried ones she wished they would find a suitable life partner soon. There was also one newlywed couple among them, who had met at this very temple and tied the knot. She wished they'd have a bonnie baby soon, making them blush. Then very shyly the girl said "Aunty actually I'm six weeks pregnant, but we haven't told anyone yet. You are the only one to know after our parents." Riddhima hugged the girl and asked her to take due care.

"I think you do some magic on everyone you meet. Otherwise shy should a girl who's meeting you for the first time confide a news which she hasn't even shared with her friends?" Bharati teased her. "I totally agree with you, Bharati. I think it's her sweet and gentle nature that reflects through her eyes and makes people want to get closer to her." "Come on you two stop teasing me," Riddhima was saying when Armaan called out "Karan, come, it's getting late."

As all of them walked towards the door, after thanking the priests and temple helpers, Armaan said, "Karan, Shekhar you shouldn't have waited for cleaning etc. It's past 9 now."

K: It's ok dad. Somehow it felt like I was doing something special for mummy.

Arun: Dad, why didn't we come to the temple often when we were kids? I remember coming on some festive occasions, but not frequently.

A: Perhaps that's the mistake I made. If we had, perhaps you both also would have been exposed to our culture and taken up some social service like these youngsters.

R: It's never too late to begin. Find some temple in your area and start visiting it regularly. It'll give you lot of positive energy. It's true that God is everywhere. But in a temple a lot of prayers are said. Hence there's a concentration of positive energy there.

Arun: Yes, I understand. I'll do that.

Kalpana hugged Riddhima saying "it was a pleasure knowing you. Try to come to our house at least for a couple of days before you leave. Our children should also meet their new chitti."

R: I've always regretted not having a sibling. Now God has fulfilled that wish also. We'll definitely try to come. I too want to meet my nephew and niece.

A: Karan you also start along with your perima and peripa. At least they'll be with you part of the way. I'll call Linda and tell her that you just left.

K: Dad, when will you both come?

A: We should be there before the next weekend. I just have a few more jobs to attend to and few loose ends to be tied up.

R: Meanwhile, take good care of Linda. And drive carefully. Call us as soon as you reach home, even if it is midnight.

A: Anyways since we'll be going to drop Arun at the airport, we'll be up till quite late.

Shekar and Kalpana left in their car and Karan, who had gone home and fetched his luggage while returning from the airport, followed them in his car. The others piled into Bhaskar's car and headed home.

Bharati: You know I felt so peaceful hearing the chanting today. I think I should visit the temple more often. Amma always tells me, but I never heed.

Bhaskar: In our hurry to come here, we forgot to bring her along. She would have been very happy. Never mind we'll come every weekend from now on.

After dropping the three, Bharati and Bhaskar proceeded home. When they entered the house Arun slumped on the sofa pulling his perima with him. Then laying his head on her lap said "I wish I didn't have to go." Then slightly raising his head he said, "You know perima, I've always loved going to different places. But for the first time I don't feel like leaving home." Riddhima couldn't stop the tears which spilled from her eyes onto his face.

He sat up immediately and hugged her saying "Please don't cry ma." Then moving slightly away asked "Can I call you amma?" she nodded and pulled him into a hug again. Armaan let them cry for a few minutes and then came and sat next to his son. Brushing his hair he said "Try to come and spend some time with us before we return to India." Riddhima looked at her athaan's eyes filled with tears. To lighten their mood she said "Of course he has to come to see his girl. He's going to become a chitappa na?" and then hesitatingly asked "You'll come na kanna?"

Arun: Amma, I can't promise, but I'll definitely try my level best. As you say, I'd love to come and see the baby. I haven't seen Linda also in a long time. Even if I get 2-3 days break, I'll come.

Arun continued lying in his amma's lap till it was time to go to the airport. All through the ride everyone was silent, afraid that they'd burst into tears if they spoke. Arun got his luggage out of the car and mechanically went through the check-in procedure. Then when he came to bid them farewell, he hugged both of them. Try as they might to control, they couldn't help the tears that rushed to their eyes. Touching Arun's cheek affectionately Riddhima said "I'll miss you kanna." Hugging her again he replied "I'll miss you too amma."

A: Take care son, and call us as often as you can. Otherwise give us a missed call and we'll call you back. Ok?

Arun: Yes, dad. I'll try to call you every morning. Promise.

When the announcement for Arun's flight came through, he reluctantly left, waving out to them till they were out of sight. Riddhima who had been controlling her emotions and given Arun a teary smile, now burst crying. Armaan held her and consoled her rubbing her back. Then he gently led her to their car. All through the ride he held her hand in his and even changed gears with her hand under his.

On reaching home he gently escorted her indoors to their bedroom. Seating her on the bed, he sat beside her and hugging her said "Today has been a very hectic one with a lot of emotional upheavals too. You must be exhausted physically and mentally. I'll get you some warm milk; you go and change in the meantime. He picked up a nightdress and handing it to her, went to the kitchen. When he returned she had changed, washed her face and was sitting leaning against the bedpost with her eyes closed.

Hearing the cell phone ring she opened her eyes and saw her athaan standing before her with a glass of milk in his hand. He picked up the phone with the other hand. It was Karan calling to inform them that he had reached home.

A: Yes, we came back only a few minutes ago.

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A: Yes, he was seemed very emotional today. He said he'd try to come after his niece is born to meet all of us.

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A: You know how emotional she is. With all of you leaving, you can imagine her state.

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A: Right, it's been a long day for all of us. Go and sleep now, we'll talk tomorrow.

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A: I'll tell her. And don't worry I'll take good care of her. Is Linda ok?

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A: Ok, Bye, goodnight.

Nudging her a little, he sat beside her and holding the glass to her lips said "Karan has reached home safely and he's asked you to take good rest. He said he'd talk to you tomorrow." Holding the glass she took a sip and then took it towards him saying "You are also as much tired as me, let's share the milk. He smiled at her and took a sip as she held the glass to his mouth. Taking turns and sipping, they finished off the milk. He put the glass on the night shelf and switched off the light. Without even bothering to rinse their mouth, they slid on the bed and almost at once fell asleep.

It was once again the ring of the phone which woke them up. As he turned to take the call she snuggled further into him, not willing to open her eyes yet. Now it was the younger son calling.

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A: It's ok Arun. We'd have been worried if you hadn't called. We fell asleep out of sheer exhaustion.

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A: Absolutely. Hope you managed to get some sleep at least on the flight.

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A: Ok. So you can have at least a couple of hours sleep, before going for your class.

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A: She's still asleep. I'll get her to call you later.

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A: Ok, bye. Take care.

He cut the call, but his sleep was gone. He lay down again and pulled her to a comfortable position in his arms, such that he could see her face. He kept staring at her serene face for a long time. But couldn't resist for long, the temptation to kiss her soft pink lips. Though he wanted to be very gentle, so as not to wake her, once his lips touched hers it couldn't move away. Feeling his ardent kiss she too responded instinctively. And then there was no stopping.

All the weariness seemed to have vanished and she was as hungry for him as he was for her. So pulling his head closer she returned his kisses with as much passion.

Dear friends,

I'll be concluding this ff in another 2 or maximum 3 parts. Then I'm off on a long vacation once again. I won't be writing anything new but'll catch up with reading all the AR ffs.