A Wanderer ! [ Update -page 5] An Elegy To Myself ! - Page 8

The Felicitation With Romantic Interludes !

Saab ..shall I wait ..or make a move?' Makhan's voice behind them ...

Anandi left Shiv's hand and turned back !' You can go back Makhan ! We will go in my car and tell Dadiji ..We will be back by evening !' said Shiv. Before he left ...Anandi took out her bag and the tiffin box from the Jeep! With a bow and a nod Makhan left that place.

Anandi ..since morning I am on duty ...first came to you to give a surprise to you ...and yes ...got a prize from my beautiful wife , who with great difficulty and shyness wrote'' I love you ' for me, but ... she is yet to say that with her sweet voice !''--He searched for her reaction and consent in her eyes ...but before he could recognise it , she looked down and escaped with a smile !

A host of lovely feelings were rushing through her eyes that turned heavy with shyness .. her mind said say!' but her heart said hold!'. She gathered courage and was preparing herself to express her love ... when his words interrupted .. Anandi I am hungry ...in the morning I came running to you ...then went to office ..from there without going home ..came over here ! Let us go to a good Dhaba [ road side hotel ]..have some thing fast and then proceed to Baroli by 4 pm! Let us go ...it is already 1 o clock !

From here it will take only 1 hour to that village Shiv...we have enough time ..meanwhile let us eat something ...Chotima has given some food for me ..let us share it now...here ...how beautiful this place is' ...she happily looked around and smiled !

Anandi ... that means you are going to lose a big part of your food to me ... think again, really I am very hungry!' ---Shiv ...I want to lose myself completely to you my dear !' ...she told to herself !

I know your level of hunger Shiv ! First you eat ..I can wait till evening !' She said .

No way ..let us share .. before he sat ..she spread a kerchief on the ground ...he looked at her with raised eyebrows and sat there under the tree on the bank of that pond and looked at her with adoration !

Her hair locks were dancing on her forehead as a mild breeze was blowing across ! She sat beside him and opened the lunch box . Suddenly he got up and went near the pond and washed his hands and splashed some water on his face ...before he took out his hand kerchief, she offered her Pallu to him to mop his face ... deliberately he dried his face for long ...it was carrying Anandi's special fragrance! ...slowly she pulled back her Pallu, suppressing her smile .. tried to hide her beauty from his glares !

Intensely looking at each other, lost in imagination, they shared the food ..''Chotima always prepares food with love and affection ...that's why it's always so tasty !''-- He indulged in eating while she was serving him .. she was watching him with awe!...he was occasionally reminding her to eat ...to have some for herself ; but he was lost in watching her new behavior ...recognized the change ...and noted the positive vibes from her ...but still some hesitation ..'if he showed any eagerness ..she may retreat' ...he is too possessive about her love ...don't want to lose it at any cost ...so he was controlling himself from any hasty action and expression !

Suddenly Shiv said ...since a long time I am thinking about that perfume which you sprayed on yourself now ...isn't it the one Ashima sent ...with that pink night gown ? He asked her with a kind of amused expression, in his typical style of smiling from the corners of the mouth , partly exposing his sparkling teeth!

She expressed her surprise which surpassed her shyness at that moment ...and she felt as if he caught her red handed and looked away smilingly, as she remembered about the previous night ...

-----she recollected yesterday night's incident ...while taking out the night gown ...she saw the perfume and smelled it and remembered the words of Shiv on the day he opened the parcel and took out the gifts one by one ...when he saw the perfume ...his eyes were brightened with a flash of happiness ..and as an answer to Anandi's questioning eyes he said''you know Anandi when I went with Ashima for shopping when we visited Paris from London ...that day Ashima asked me about the best suited perfume to her ...I smelled a whole lot of fragrances and finally selected this perfume Serge Lutens A La Nuit' ,which exudes the beauty and aroma of jasmine perfectly, .Ashi ..I like this scent... its sweet smell is unique and special !'' ... that means .. Ashima still remembers my likes ... so she selected this for you '' --he said that day !

Anandi while looking at that bottle, with a mischievous smile on her face .she thought.." with the best melange of perfume and revelation ...what will happen to him at that moment...facing a blend of tender love with strong passions !...tomorrow I will wear the night gown and yes ...this fragrance too ...which he loves most !" She kept it on the dressing table. Today, in the morning while coming out after getting ready ...suddenly she thought, let me spray this a bit ...at least I will feel the presence of my Shiv close to me ...this sweet smell makes me feel his presence nearer to me throughout the day.. will give some solace to me in his absence! Now, while wiping his face he remembered it and asked her !

Anandi thought that this is the right time to express ...but how ...wanted to hug him and whisper in his ear ...''but ...but this is an open space .. feels as if all the Nature is watching her with thousand eyes ...no ...no can't be here ...while coming back ..may be in the car ..I will be able to express '' --she was lost in her thoughts and Shiv repeated the question isn't it the same?' and she nodded her head looking in to his eyes !

He realised the change ...now it is visible ...he missed some heartbeats with excitement and went nearer to her ...held her delicate hand with his strong one, said in a tender voice ...'Anandi within one hour we will reach that village Baroli!' They started walking towards the car ..the Rover Ranger !

Suddenly she stopped and said ...''Shiv ...look, how beautiful that tree is, laden with flowers ..as a young heart's gush of love ...a rapid shower of a lover's complex expressions , as the spring's signature on the cheeks of the earth , an exodus of longing to meet the beloved! ...see the divine beauty of all those heaps of flowers adorning the branches and the trunk of that tree...do you know ...we call it as Shiv Kamal flower, or Mallikarjun flower ...looks as if a Lord Shiva statue is being guarded by a serpent's hood ...come, I will show you"...like a child she ran there ...and plucked one flower from the trunk and gave it to him ..!

While he was closely observing it .. she explained,.'' see these are the petals ...how thick ..like a serpent's hood.. see the purple red and other colours ...almost contains all the rainbow shades ...see , sweet smell ...''with a childlike happiness she started telling ..she almost lifted his hand and made him smell that flower ,

Wow ...very true ...Amazing! , Nature has gifted so much beauty to mankind and in a way educating us on the life's triumphs and joys' --- he gave a sigh of bliss and joy and kept that flower in his shirt pocket , it is his first flower as a romantic gesture from his wife !

She gazed in awe at that tree and clasped his hand as a love smitten lady and started moving forward ..and dreaming with an intense feeling of love !

They reached Baroli in time and met Anandi's mentor Teacherji' They exchanged pleasantries ,she shared some childhood stories of Anandi with him ! He is a DC ,so she tried to follow the protocol and requested him to share the dias with Anandi ...but he declined politely ..and said ' Madam .please I am not a collector now ,I am here as her husband to witness the achievements of my wife . So let me sit in the audience'' --and he sat in the front row !

After the formal felicitation of Anandi, speeches, praise, and inauguration of a library by Anandi ...in her concluding lines Teacherji said ..''.I am proud of my pupil Anandi for her zeal in learning, I adore her perseverance towards difficulties in life , I acknowledge her thrust towards knowledge , her continuous plunge towards education and emancipation of girls and women in the society ! She made many of my ideological dreams come true like a real crusader !''

They took leave from teacherji and the children who were standing there witnessing Anandi's dignified way of conducting herself and made her their role model !

Their journey towards their destination commenced again !

He was in the process of realisation ...and she was in a mood of revelation ...in a way ...an intense romantic breeze... with a delicate fragrance was travelling along with them all through the journey !! Deep emotional connect had been established on that fateful day of celebrations when Jaitsar was declared as a District and that bond is continuing till now !

Her heart started singing some sweet melodies while watching her charming husband from the corner of her eyes, ...he was inhaling and assimilating the sweet fragrance of the Paris perfume, weaving magic so near to him and was engulfed by it , immersed in it ... and dreaming about the romantic rendezvous for which he was waiting patiently since long.. to lose himself to her...!

She was watching the fast moving terrain .. suddenly he took out one rose from the bouquet she got from the girls which was in her lap till now ...and said ---Anandi please accept this as my regard and respect to you and your achievements !' She laughed loudly with her musical voice and said ...'Shiv...rose is not a flower for expressing respect ..it is for an expression of love ...I have seen it in many stories , the prince charming always expresses his love with a lovely red rose ...but now you are saying some other words' ... with her teasing voice she said.

With a sudden jerk the Rover stopped ...Shiv with his usual charming smile ..caught her hand and , bowed his head in a romantic way and said---'please accept my love my dear princess'' ...she accepted the flower from him ... dreamy feelings were dripping from the corner of her eyes ...and lovely stories were being scripted by his lips on her cheeks ...like the dew drops descending from the sky were precipitating on the rose buds !! The passionate clasp of their palms extended its expression up to their finger tips reflecting the quiver of the hearts !

A horn from the road disturbed them and woke them up from their dream .. she realised that their clasped hands were in her lap and he was looking at her with desire! ...she smiled and said..'let us go Shiv ...before night darkens we have to reach Jaitsar !'

Again their journey started towards their destination ...accompanied by a fleet of suppressed emotions, floating in dreams !

Let us await and see !---

To be continued ...

Seetha

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Part 3

Sunshine and Sorrow and some Dreams to Borrow

Sunshine and Sorrow and some Dreams to Borrow

Their Range Rover was moving homeward smoothly. Anandi and Shiv were lost in thoughts in their own worlds ...recollecting the events of that day...This morning the dawn was as calm as ever...but now, the dusk has set a daunting task for them to surpass...

There is something instinctively unsettling about coming face to face with a cascading waterfall ...the revelation of love, the realisation of deep fondness , the desire to lose oneself in that gush ...Now they stand on the edge , hesitating , taking little steps , before taking a deep leap and losing themselves in the torrent ! Their apprehensions were quickly replaced by a rush of adrenaline rendering them breathless, but undaunted !

While driving, he was grinning from ear to ear and started humming...

Bhaware ki gunjan hai mera dil (My heart is a humming bee)
Kab se sambhale rakha hai dil...Tere liye, tere liye'(I preserved my heart carefully since a very long time...for you..only for you )...

She was drenching in the fine spray of love knocking at her heart in the form of a slight drizzle in that cloudy evening ...it is the most immersing moment for them in their togetherness after marriage ! And there is no better time than this to experience the sweetness of the union of one's intense love with an equally vibrant love of a soul mate! They were eager to reach home to call it a day!

They reached the DC bungalow-their home by late evening and Chotima was anxiously waiting for them in the hall ...As they walked in, she said, Shiv ...Sanchi hurt herself while returning from her evening walk ...

What happened Chotima'" While coming back she said some rude words to that Paagal kaka[ mad person], who loiters around, as he laughed while she was reaching the house. He got angry and started chasing and abusing her and tried to hit her ...She came running to escape from him...she reached home felt safe and again shouted at him from behind the gate... then he became maddeningly ferocious and jumped over the gate and came inside! while escaping from him , she hit the Cactus plant in the Porch and hurt her leg ...A few thorns were lodged in her sole, which we removed ..because of that her foot has swollen slightly ...I applied some ointment also ...but see... just like a little girl how she is wailing and weeping there ...do something my son!'

Anandi went nearer to her to examine the wound, Sanchi ...please control yourself dear ...let us go to Jaggiya's hospital ..he will give you a TT shot and a pain killer too !Your pain will be reduced ...let us go'

No Bhabhi ...don't feel happy for my trouble and pain and don't try to increase it!' She went inside her room weeping and limping .

Anandi tried to follow her but Shiv and C'ma stopped her ,'' she will stop making scenes after getting full attention, which we are anyway going to give her at dinner time ...for the time being let us leave her alone Anandi '--C'ma said ! Still out of concern , she prepared Ginger tea and gave it to her and pampered her for a while . Then she calmed down !

With a tiresome look Anandi went in to their bedroom and closed the door to take bath and change

She stood in front of her wardrobe and started choosing what to wear now and what to wear after dinner ! Today, from dusk to night it is looking too long for her! She took bath, went in to the garden and brought some flowers with her and put them at the feet of Kanha and Devima !...and bowed her head and prayed for happiness for all and for a successful married life !

Standing in front of the mirror she started combing her hair ...she was unaware of the presence of Shiv in that room , who entered the bathroom when she went out for plucking flowers !

She was observing her own beaming and twinkling image in the mirror when she suddenly saw Shiv coming out of the bathroom ..wet hair covering his forehead ...fresh water droplets everywhere on his body, with a blue and white striped towel wrapped around his waist ...she turned back, stunned and stood there ..with eyes wide open ...and a sudden thought flashed in her mind ...she remembered that night ...before marriage , she came here with a tiffin box for Shiv on the insistence of Dadisa --

That night also he was like this ---that time too she missed some heart beats like now! Then ...at that moment , immediately she recovered and covered up her adoration and with a flirtatious smile , pulled his ears in the pretext of cleaning soap froth ! While thinking ...unknowingly she went nearer to him and suddenly realised her affinity towards him and was captivated by his charm ...he was allured by her freshly bathed beauty...it was an intimate, flirty moment ,with half closed eyes she heard his coy whispers ... the interaction between the couple was delicately captured by the mirror ! His rugged cheeks while rubbing on her delicate ones were making impressions... and suddenly C'ma called them to join for dinner ! Anandi distanced herself from him and started making her hair ,, but with anxiety , looked at herself in the mirror and was startled to notice pinkish red thread- like stripes on her cheeks .. she was dumbfounded and was unable to decide what to do ...

Sorry Anandi ...I never expected this ...your cheeks are so delicate ... is it paining ...from now onwards I will shave in the evening too'...he muttered in a low voice...' Ha'... she said and soon realised her implied consent in those words ...and was taken aback for her disguised boldness.

She left her hair loosely flowing and went downstairs ...covering that cheek with her black hair ...he was looking at her and was amused at her clever concealing act !

At dinner table ...Sanchi did some sobs and wails ,sat there for dinner! C'ma served food for the four of them ! Anandi served the Prasad first to Shiv ...''.today we did Puja at home in the morning! I made it hot for you now '...he was watching her from the corner of his eyes ...and feeling bad for the pinkish tinge on her cheeks ...

C'ma and Sanchi were talking about that mad man who made Sanchi crazy with his loud laughter ,...

Bhabhi ...today you are looking different with that open hair Sanchi commented and C'ma looked at her and turned her attention towards the dishes ..

.''Sanchi ..I know you like this curry ...have some more dear !''said Anandi... C'ma realised the change in their behaviour and now the stamp on her cheek, she concealed her smile and said 'Anandi ...you are looking gorgeous in this style...with open hair !''

Anandi was trying hard to hide her husband's manly overtures and the visible result !

After dinner Anandi and C'ma tidied up the kitchen. Anandi went to her room , in fact wanted to run there , in to Shiv's arms, but shyness, which is natural to every modest woman in such a situation...held her back! Slowly she went up with animated expectations and noticed that Shiv was talking with Chief Minister on phone !

After finishing the call he came to her and said 'Anandiji ...Finance minister wants to meet CM to discuss the development plans of Rajasthan and the CM wants me to accompany him to explain the details and impress upon the FM about the utility, viability and the magnitude of the modified Nahar project of Jaitsar, which can be a game changer for our state. He wants to press the Central Govt. to give a national status to this project and allocate funds! The FM has given time to meet and discuss tomorrow afternoon. So CM has called me direct to Jaipur Airport, from there we will proceed to Delhi! Now I have to collect the papers from the office and prepare myself on this all important matter! After all hundreds of villages and lakhs of people's lives depend on this modified project which involves construction of a dam also! While talking to her he changed his clothes and went out and drove off. The sound of his car slowly faded away.

She sat there on the bed... a little bit disappointed by the turn of events by the fact that he has to go away to Delhi ! But yes ... the people and their well being is more important for a dedicated administrator or even to her as a Sarpanch!

She opened the LT and started reviewing the project details and the modifications made, the affected areas and what sort of measures they have to take !

Meanwhile Shiv came back with that file and sat there and started working. She showed him the points she jotted down and her version of the salient features for presentation to the FM on the Irrigation Project !

A sudden uproar was heard from outside the DC's bungalow ! Anandi went out to check what the matter was !

Sarla Kaki is sobbing inconsolably and in between told Anandi that her daughter Neela is nowhere to be seen since evening ! She said,'Neela must have committed suicide because of the death of her new born son! She already lost her husband recently, in her seventh month of conception! We searched for her everywhere but couldn't find her! So I came here to seek your help in organizing the search in the night itself...now itself.. in the river and in the ponds nearby ...as I thought you are the only saviour for me...for all of us in our village! Please help otherwise I will die!'

Anandi hurriedly wore her slippers and said, 'let us go I will come with you ' ----and went out with a big torch light along with a hand full of people!

Before going, she went up and told Shiv about the crisis and he offered to come along with her but she insisted that he should continue with his work and told him that she can handle it by herself! He sent his sentry along with her as an escort and told her to call up if any help is required.

Anandi went with Sarla Kaki ...talking with her throughout saying some occasional soothing words to her. She enquired about the incident and learnt that ...'today morning Neela delivered a still born boy ... She wanted to see the face of the boy once before they bury him...but they were afraid that she may feel more pain on seeing the face of that baby boy ! Without showing her they buried the body! ...but Neela heard somebody saying that the baby looked like his father who recently died in a road accident ! since then she was crying uncontrollably and asking everybody about her baby's features !'

In that evening, Sarla Kaki went in to her room with a glass of milk ...she was not in the room and Kaki searched for her in the house and backyard ... but could not find her and then she started crying and called her neighbours and then came to meet Anandi ...for seeking her help .

They started searching for Neela everywhere in the nearby wells and village pond to find her, Sarla Kaki started crying again ...Anandi hugged her for giving solace to her ! They went in different directions of the village and continued their search late into the night.

In the outskirts of the village Anandi found a small ray of light at a distance in a desolate area ...she started walking fast towards that light, accompanied by Sarla Kaki and others.. ...there ...it was a heart wrenching sight ... they were stunned with tears in their eyes ...

Neela was there sitting on the ground ...digging the newly covered mud on the grave.. with her bare hands ...with full concentration ...unaware of what was happening around her in that night.. in that cemetery !

Anandi ran towards Neela and took her in to her arms ...'Neela what is this why are you here at this hour?'

She started trembling and crying inconsolably...Anandi started consoling her with a soft voice and pressed Neela's head against her chest and asked her ...why she was here in the graveyard ?

With a low voice ...as if she is telling to herself ... Neela said,''everybody is saying the new born boy resembles my husband ...very cute with curly hair, fair complexion ...nobody had shown him to me ... took him away from me immediately after delivery, while I was unconscious ...not even once they showed me ...just want to see his face ...only once, just touch his delicate tiny hands and feet ...only once... hug him , press him to my heart ...only once , the last trace of my husband.. just once! I wanted to live in his shadow , wanted to see my husband in his face but ...but I lost him too, what an unfortunate woman I am ... Anandiji ...when will this pain go away ? I feel as if some body is choking my soul and smothering my heart with a huge boulder! The death of my baby ... means the loss of more than just a precious life... It is the loss of my future hopes'. Neela burst in to a loud crying ! Her body was trembling with sorrow ... In that night ...a mother's wail in the darkness of the graveyard , the sky was cloudy ...small drizzle started again ...which is quite unusual at the time of the year ..an eerie atmosphere!...when the black' in the clouds impinges on the gory red' of shattered dreams and squeezes your heart and makes you go white in your face!

Anandi suddenly noticed something while looking at Neela in that dim light.. and sent the men folk away from the site ...a newly delivered mother's tears from her pale eyes , are getting mixed with the red patch on the earth... where Neela sat, diluted by the drizzle ! there !...there.. is a white patch on her blouse ...a new mother's love for her child was overflowing...what a heart wrenching sight it was ! With upwelling tears Anandi and Sarla Kaki hugged Neela and took her away from that place, made her sit in the auto brought by a villager from the chowrastha and reached home . Anandi said a few words to Sarla and advised her to be with her daughter and hugged Neela again and returned to DC bungalow by mid night ! Shiv was still working seriously and looked at her and showed some concern about her mud smeared clothes! She nodded at him ,briefly told him about the course of events and went into the bathroom to take a bath afresh !

By the time she came out ...Shiv already started packing ..''why that big suitcase ? for how many days " Anandi asked Shiv...

For two of us this is necessary Anandiji ...is n't it?'He said with a smile ...;for both of us ... means ?'

After you left ...I talked with CM and booked a ticket for you too Anandi ...I know mine is state sponsored ...but you are accompanying me to Delhi at our own expense !

In the morning we will inform C'ma ...have to start early in the morning ...have to catch 10 o'clock flight ... meeting with FM is at around 3 pm in the North Block !

I wish you also see the political hub of our country and moreover, you are also the Sarpanch of Jaitser, the original proponent of this project! Anandi started packing happily .

Only a few hours were left for their travel ... Shiv was mentally preparing himself for impressing the finance minister for grants , Anandi was thinking about a mother's unbearable pain at the loss of her child..the situation in which they found Neela... Anandi was thinking about the pros and cons of Neela's life and has determined to show her a means to live with a meaning in life! Shiv and Anandi were immersed in their own thoughts and slowly slipped into sleep .. like resting crusaders , holding each other's hands !

Next morning Shiv informed C'ma and her first question was when will you be back?' Within 3 days.. want to spend some time there meeting my friends Ma !'

OK , then we will leave to Udaipur on Thursday Shiv ...after your return !'

They took blessings from her and they started on their journey again !

While travelling Shiv said ..".Anandi ...CM asked me to stay in the Rajasthan House with him ...but I told him , I will stay in my friend's house,because you are coming with me ...then he said ,'bring Anandi too to the meeting . She will get to see the corridors of power and have a look at the North Block , where the finance ministry is located !'

Ha ...Anandi I talked with my friend who is staying in the Defence colony . At present he and his family are on a tour of Europe , his uncle and aunty are taking care of the house , but today afternoon they are planning to go to their village near Faridabad . After meeting us they will leave to their village ! So you and me ...at last alone" ...with a wink Shiv smiled at her.

Shiv ,I will be very happy to see the FM's office and other important places in and around Delhi !'

Why not ...I am planning to show you the Taj Mahal ...let us go there after the meeting and spending some time with each other !

In every word he was showing his eagerness ..she was concealing her feelings with a smile !

Seetha