Devika's Brother~Part 2
Hello all !!😃 Hope everyone is doing good.😳
I am back with the second part of Ayyappan and Devika's story.⭐️
Thank you for the Likes and Comments!!🤗 Hope you'll Enjoy this part.😊
Devika rubbed her eyes and stretched her arms sleepily.She looked up and was greeted with a now familiar face smiling his divine smile.
"Anna..."she mumbled groggily, getting up.
"Good morning ma."he said brightly.
"Morning??What time is it??"she enquired.
"Its 11:30 am."he giggled at her shocked face.
"How did I sleep for so long??And I was sleeping on your lap??Then how did you sleep??"she shot one question after another.
"Relax ma.You were very tired and you deserved this sleep. As for me I did not sleep."he said simply.
"What??"she asked surprised.
"Yes!! I did not feel like sleeping.Was meditating."he shrugged.
"You meditate??"
"Don't you??"
"Yes I do.."she grinned.
"Now take this brush and toothpaste,go brush and come.And here these clothes are for you.Change these old clothes kanna."he handed over a packet to her.
"How do you know my size??"she asked curiously.
"Free size."he shrugged. "How many questions you ask!!"he complained.
"He bears it."she pointed at Lord Ayyappan's idol. "You too have to Mani Anna."she winked,stressing on the word 'Anna' and ran off to the washroom.
"This girl!!"he chuckled shaking his head.
The time passed quickly with Mani and Devika chattering and arguing about anything and everything like any other brother and sister.At lunch time,he ordered food for her.
"You don't want anything??"she asked him opening her packet.
He shook his head.
"Nothing doing!!You have to eat.Anyways this is too much for me.We can share the food."she grinned.
"But kanna.."he began.
"I said nothing doing."she picked up a bite of chappati with sabzi and fed him.
He somehow managed to swallow it making her giggle.He glared at her.
"This is delicious."he smiled.
"Huh??What Anna??I prepare better food than this!!"she frowned.
"No ma..since you fed me,your love makes it eatable."he grinned making her look at him.
"Then what will you say when I reach home and prepare something for you??"she chuckled.
"I will eat it happily.Now stop talking so much and eat this."he smiled and fed her a bite.
"You don't like me chattering??"she asked sadly.
"When did I say that??And how can I even dare to say that??"he said innocently.😆
"Mani Anna!!"she huffed.
He laughed at her cute frowning face.
"Joking ma.You can chatter all you want.Anyways half of it goes above my head."he laughed.😆
Her mouth hung open at his words making him giggle more.
"Not fair!!"she cried. "I won't talk to you."she said turning her back to him.
"Sorry ma.."he said with such a tender tone that it made her look at him.
He was holding his ears cutely and looking at her with wide innocent eyes.It made her laugh.
He grinned widely looking at her laughing heartily.
"Hahhaaa...haaahaa!!"she stopped breathlessly and looked at him. Then it hit her.
"You did all this purposely??"she questioned him.
"How long has it been since you laughed this heartily ma??"he asked softly.
She looked at him not knowing what to say. "Thank you Anna.."she finally said smiling.
"Why thanks ma??I did what any brother would.After all to a brother,nothing is more valuable than his sister's happiness."he winked rendering her speechless.
She did not feel like questioning him.It seemed very natural that there was this heavenly bond between them.
Once again,she felt as if she had known him since ages,yet there seemed a mystery around him.
They finished their lunch and sat gazing out of the window.Since it was an AC coach,Devika sat with a blanket wrapped around her.
"You know everything about me..what about you??"she asked Mani.
"What about me??"he was surprised.
"I mean..are you married??And your parents??"
"No ma..I am not interested in marriage..my parents..they stay with me."he winked.
"But..don't you feel the need to have a companion??"she was shocked.
He shrugged. "I am loved by many people.My life is dedicated to others.Hence,I am not interested in any companionship."he stated.
"Wow..hats off to you."she muttered. He chuckled.
"How come you never lost faith in your Ayyappan inspite of so many difficulties??"he said taking the turn of asking questions for once.
"Simple.Because he is my faith.My light.My hope.Everything.Whatever happened with me..it broke me yes..but today I am stronger.I can face anything life throws at me.You know in the beginning I was filled with lot of anger for those people at the brothel..but as time went by..my anger vanished completely."she paused gazing out the window for a silent moment.
"Call it an enlightenment or the result of my devotion to Ayyappan..but something changed within me..I began praying to Him asking him to help them look into the goodness with themselves..to forgive them for whatever they were doing.That turned my life around Anna..I was happier inspite of all that was happening..I began to feel a different kind of positive energy..that was some 2 years ago.."she smiled wistfully.
"And you expect me to lose faith in Ayyappan??I don't believe I would have been here had I been full of anger and resentment."she asserted.
He smiled..again the smile full of divinity.She sat still,the power of that smile seemed to penetrate into her very soul.
The very next moment,everything was normal.
"You know you are an inspiration to others??"he winked.
"Oh no Anna!! Now that is too much..you think the others would have been saved??"she enquired.
"Of course.I received a call from the Commissioner.Everyone has been saved.Soon they will be sent back to their homes.Don't worry."he assured her.
She smiled widely. The afternoon passed by quickly with their easy banter and with teasing each other. 😃
"Annnaaa!!"devika squealed with excitement making him jump.
"What happened kanna??"he asked curious.
"Look at the greenery!!!! Oh my God,I can't wait to get out there!!It is so pure,so senere.."she chirped happily.
He smiled and shook his head. "How many adjectives more ma??"he giggled.
She did not seem to hear.She was busy staring out of the window.
"I can't wait to reach Kerala!!How much time more??"she enquired.
"Umm..now its 5:30 pm. We will reach by 7:00 am tomorrow."he said checking the time and ticket.
"Yayyy!!"she jumped.
"Relax ma!!"
"Anna you don't understand!!This feeling of going home..all this greenery...something I had missed terribly!!It is..it is..ethreal!!"she went on till she looked at him.
He had his chin propped between his fingers and he was smiling.
"What??"she asked him.
"Nothing.You continue."
"Say na!!"
"You say I can't understand.The way you are jumping around I can literally feel the happiness radiating from you."he smiled.
She laughed and again began chattering,coming and settling down beside him.
Soon dusk fell and it was time for dinner.
Tired with all the talking,she was sleeping since the past half an hour,her head resting on Mani's shoulder while he had one arm wrapped around her shoulder,securing her in a brotherly comfort.
He woke her up and asked her to have her dinner.
"Now don't tell me you don't want to eat."she frowned.
"No no.I prefer fruits at night."he smiled.
"Oh..then I will also have fruits."she said.
"But.."
"Arey Anna.Fruits are better and healthier then this heavy food!!"she smiled and snatched the apple from him and took a bite.
He shook his head and fished for an orange.Soon,they finished with their dinner and settled with books and pillows.
Mani had purchased a thriller for her.
"Anna I love this author!!How did you know??"she smiled widely,opening the Dan Brown novel.
"Just a guess."he winked.
"You know,you have a good convincing power."she muttered.
He giggled as he leafed through his copy of an extensive commentary on the Gita.
She opened her mouth to ask a question but he stopped her.
"Before you ask,I love the Gita.And I live it too."he winked.
Both sat engrossed in their respective books.Time passed.It was 10:00 pm.
Devika shut her book and picked up the idol of Lord Ayyappan. Mani looked at her silently.
"Time to sleep Anna.."she whispered to the idol and softly began singing the Harivarasanam.
She finished with it and laid the idol to sleep lovingly.
"Mani Anna.."she began turning to him only to receive a surprise.
Mani was fast asleep.The Gita was still in his hands.She was puzzled.
"Huh??Do I sing so melodiously that Mani anna fell asleep within minutes??"she thought.
She looked at her elder brother.He looked so innocent while sleeping.She chuckled.
She caressed his hairs gently and took the Gita from his hands and placed on the berth above.
She then covered him with a blanket and smiled for the last time before going to her own berth and falling asleep.
The next morning,they were standing outside the railway station,finally in Kerala.
Devika took a deep breath of the fresh air of her home town.
Mani smiled and called for a taxi.Soon,they were on their way to Pathanamthitta.
Her HOME.
"Loving it kanna??"he asked her.
She was looking out the window,at the houses,the people,the greenery..just everything!!
Everything about Kerala was so beautiful!
"Yes Anna..after years..my home..."she was overwhelmed.
He patted her shoulder comfortingly.After sometime,the taxi came to a halt.Outside her house.
Mani paid the bill and waited for Devika to get down.
But she sat absolutely still..unable to even move.She was staring at her house with tears in her eyes.
Mani motioned for the driver to wait and shook his sister.
"Devika??Come ma.."he said gently.
She slowly got out of the taxi and walked toward her home,in a trance.Mani followed silently.
"Anna..my home.."she whispered unable to believe,her hands clutching the idol of Ayyappan.
He went forward and took out a key and opened the doors of the house. She took slow steps,her gaze scanning the entire visible portion of her house.
She wiped the tears blurring her vision and stepped inside.
She was seeing her house after almost a decade...tears made their way down her eyes.
Mani hugged her,letting her cry.
Those were tears of sadness..tears of happiness..
"Amma??Appa??"she said pulling away from her brother.
"They are on their way home from Sabarimala kanna.They should be here in another 2-3 hours."he informed her.
"Ohh..ok.."she said.
"Till then let us refresh ourselves."he smiled.
She nodded and both went to shower and change.
When they met in the hall,Devika had a huge 1000-watt smile on her face.
"Someone is eager to meet her parents."Mani smiled.
"Yesss Anna!!"she jumped when she heard a weird grumbling sound.
She looked up at Mani who was looking at his stomach sheepishly.She laughed,realizing the sound was coming from her hungry brother's stomach.
"So my Mani Anna is hungry.As promised I will make something good for you,come."she giggled and winked.
Devika prepared yummy vegetable upama(Its a south-indian snack.) and placed it in front of Mani who looked absolutely famished.
She fed him the first spoon and waited with anticipation for his reaction.
"Yummyyy!!!Too tasty!!"he said licking his lips. He dug into the upama,eating big spoonfuls.
Devika grinned,happy that he had loved what she had prepared for him.
Both settled on the sofa and were talking,when they heard the sound of bags falling on the floor.
They turned to look.
There stood Devika's parents,their hands trembling and eyes welled up with tears.
Today,Lord Ayyappan had finally fulfilled their prayers.
"Amma!!Appa!!"Devika exclaimed happily shocked.
She ran and hugged them both.
The trio cried with joy,shock,disbelief and hundred other emotions overwhelming them due to this much-awaited reunion.
"Devika..kanna??How are you ma??Where were you since so many years??"her mother bombarded her.
"How did you reach here ma??Are you fine??Who bought you here??"her father enquired hugging her once again.
"Amma!!Appa!! I am fine.Safe and sound.And of course,Mani Anna bought me more!"she said pulling away.
Her parents looked at her shocked.😲
"Mani Anna??"her mother asked her.
"Come on,Amma.Now don't act.See he is right here."she turned behind only to receive a rude shock.
Mani wasn't there.He was gone!!Like..vanished into thin air!!
"Who Mani Anna kanna??There is no one here!"her father said surprised.
"But Appa..he was here.Our neighbour Amma!!"she exclaimed walking over to the place where Mani had stood.
"Devika..we don't know any Mani who is our neighbour ma."her mother said softly,wondering what her daughter was talking about.
"Amma..appa!Believe me.He was.."she tried to convince her parents when her eyes fell on the sofa where Mani had been sitting.
But instead of him,on the sofa was her idol of Lord Ayyappan and a letter.
She quickly picked up the letter. It read,
"Dear Devika,
The reason I came was to help you reach your home,to your parents safely.I had a wonderful time with you ma..especially when you prepared food for me and fed me with your hands.If you ever want me by your side,if you miss me, just say 'Swamiye Sharanam Ayyappa'I will be there. I reside within your heart ma..as you said..your heart is the purest temple.
With lots of love,
Your Mani Anna/MANIKANDAN.
Devika's entire body trembled,her eyes were scorched with hot tears.Her very soul cried with unending joy.
She hugged the letter to her chest and collapsed in front of the idol of Lord Ayyappan.
She recollected the ageless wisdom that radiated from his being,the youthful energy,those compassionate eyes and the brotherly love he had for her.
How he knew her so well,her interests and her thoughts..his statement that his life was dedicated to others and that many people loved him.
And how he had loved to eat anything she had offered to him.
His love and reverence for the Gita and most importantly..he had slept off when she had sung the Harivarasanam!! The previous night she had been so tired she hadn't been able to sing and he hadn't slept. But the last night..
She looked at the letter signed, "Mani Anna/MANIKANDAN."
He had never revealed his entire name..and the divinity in his smile had always touched her deepest being.
"Manikandan is Ayyappan's other name."she whispered to herself.
She sobbed hard as her parents rushed toward her.They read the letter and immediately understood what had happened.
He had said he was their neighbour. Sabarimala was in the same district..a few hours away from their home.
They sat beside their daughter and hugged her,unable to believe Lord Ayyappan Himself had bought her back safely.
Devika now realized the reason behind the ancient connect she had felt with Mani.
It was the connect between the Jeevatma(individual soul) and the Paratma( Supreme Soul),the most primordial relationship.
She was a part of Him.Hence the undisputable trust on Him.
Her Ayyappan,had taken the form of her Mani Anna,because she had always looked upon Him as a brother..and He had been with her till she was safely in the arms of her parents,at her home.
Devika pulled away from her parents and picked up the idol of Lord Ayyappan and closed her eyes,holding it close to her chest.
"Swamiye Sharanam Ayyappa.Swamiye Sharanam Ayyappa."she repeated with complete devotion.
Tears began to flow again..as her Mani Anna's face with that divine smile emerged before her mind's eye.She smiled as her parents looked on at their daughter's boundless devotion for Ayyappan.
She opened her eyes and whispered to the idol, "Thank You Ayyappa..thank you Mani Anna.."she smiled.
High up, above many many skies,Lord Ayyappan smiled along with Devika and turned to look at his parents,Shri Maha Vishnu and Lord Shiva. They too were smiling.
They felt their son looking at him and turned toward Him.
Lord Ayyappan grinned and began narrating,His dear Bhakta Devika's story to them.⭐️
Doneee!!With this I finish the story of Lord Ayyappan and his devotee Devika Krishnan.😃 The next shot will be on Lord Krishna. 😳
Hope you'll like this part!😊
Please Do Like and Comment.😊
Edited by EternalStars. - 9 years ago
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