Okay, first of all I would like to apologize for not writing the third chapter of my previous short story, but honestly, I could not find the inspiration to write more, considering how Baldev's character was shaped in the show, I could not find the reason to justify his character any more.
Secondly, please forgive me if this chapter did not come out as nicely as the chapters from my previous story. It is 4a.m right now, and I was feeling really lazy to write in a more proper way.😆
I would be really happy if you could leave your feed-backs. Even if it is criticism, it is all welcome.
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The crimson filled the air, as the whole house danced in revelry. It seemed ages since joy had last touched these faces, and it all felt fresh and energizing.
Only if she could stop time, and live this moment forever, only if she could add this day to the handful of constants in her otherwise ever-changing life, it was all that Satrupa would ask for.
Yes, there was a void, no denying; a void created by the absence of the son she had devoted to live her life for, a void that could not be filled that easily; but Satrupa was no more sad, she was happy, and it felt good, being able to feel the curve on her lips once again, she genuinely felt good in a long while. Her son won't be mourned, his life shall be celebrated, and that is how he will be kept alive. Through Anami, through herself, and though everyone he considered his own, Vatsalya shall live through all of them.
Her daughter, all she could feel looking at her, was pride. How beautifully had her daughter grown up, despite being deprived of the luxuries she was born to truly live with! Satrupa was ever so thankful to the Pathaks for raising her child so perfectly, for giving her the childhood she herself failed to provide, for loving her unconditionally and giving her an upbringing this fine. Anami was the change that Lal Mahal needed since long, and Satrupa was well aware of that.
With a wide smile adorning her face, she watched as Anami danced through the crowd, welcoming Maa Durga into their house, for the first time. The deafening sound of the dhol complemented the celebration, as the enormous idol entered inside the palace.
The time for the aarti came, and while Gayatri suggested Anami to do the aarti, Vikram showed his displeasure. It was against the norms, that he claimed his forefathers had set- a girl should not start the aarti, as he said; it should be a boy, he claimed. Gayatri tried to object, but unfortunately Vikram seemed adament and her objection was eventually ruled out.
Vikram was about to ask Avdooth to do the first aarti, but was stopped in his tracks by Satrupa, who took Anami by the hands, surprising everyone around including herself, and dragged her along to the altar.
"Papa, hum izzat karte hain riwazon ka, par agar koi riwaz galat hai, to unhe badalne mein hi humari bhalai hai, kyunki tab wo riwaz nahi, galti kehlai jati hai. Ye puja Anami ke badolat hi possible ho payi hai, to kaide se Anami ka pehla haq banta hai aarti karne ka.
Vikram could not utter a word further as Satrupa handed the aarti ki thaal to Anami and the Puja continued. It all went well, as Satrupa and Baldev too joined Anami in doing the aarti, and for the first time after Vatsalya left, Satrupa saw her family as a whole once again. This was all that she had ever wanted, and she could not seem to contain her happiness, as she let a tear roll down her face. Only if Vatsalya was also there to complete this family picture.
BANG!
Anything mobile, was silenced, as the whole crowd stood in their respective places, stupefied, watching in horror, what was completely and purely unexpected. The rust like smell intermixed with vermilion could be felt in the air, as two figures sat by the floor, one resting her head on the other's lap, as a piercing wail cut through the silence. What exactly had just happened?
Satrupa had never expected she would lose her daughter again, that too, this fast.
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