Chapter-1

1 years ago

umawanderer

@umawanderer

"Mann mera mandir, Shiv meri pooja.."

Pratapnagari, Rajasthan

Like the waves that emerged in a pond after a pebble is thrown at it... Her voice echoed through Pratapnagari. Her calm and soothing voice woke even the sun god from his slumber. It was after all, has been his habit for last 14 years.

Theertha's day started with this time where she was herself. For, the moment she stops, she have to carry out her responsibilities.

Eyes closed, hands folded in salutation and a smile adorning her simple face, She stood in front of the Lord Shiva's idol and sang. This was not just a habit of hers anymore as habits can still be changed but Theertha was unable to start her day without singing.

"Theertha beta..." the temple priest approached her as her 'bhajan' finished.

"Ji boliye purohitji.." She answered back even though she was quite late. Munna might wait for her.

"Beta.. jo mahatritiya puja hai.. uske liye hume ek dusre pandit ko bulan padega.. Ghanshyam ji ki matashri ka dehanth hogaya.."

Death of mother meant he would not be able to perform the puja for weeks. Theertha sighed. "Ji.. hum samaj gaye..hum dusre pandit ko dundne ko kehenge.. Ganshyan ji kaise hai.. agar.. humare taraf se koi sahayata chahiye to bata dijiye.. Hum woh karenge..."

"uski koi zaroorat nahi beta.."

"Purohit ji.. abhi mujhe jana padega..agar hum nahi gaye to Munna ghar sir pe udayega.."

Purohit ji chuckeled. Sooraj's tales were quite famous.

Theertha walked to her home as fast as she can. All along the way she was greeted by various villagers greeted her. Sometimes she had to stop to discuss something.. while sometimes she was asked for her advice. By the time, she reached home, half of it was turned upside down.

Bhago Kaki looked relieved, "Theeya beta... sambhalo apne toofan ko"

"Nahi.. mujhe school nahi jaana.." came a voice behind the curtains. Theertha smiled and signaled Kaki that she will handle.

She kneeled beside the curtain.  "Arre.. mera munna kaha gaya?.. yahin toh tha.."

Sooraj knew that this was his mother's trick.. he did not move an inch. Seeing his stubbornness, Theertha smiled. She knew how to coax him.

"Luk chhip luk chhip jao na

Luk chhip luk chhip jao na"

This song of Amitabh bahchan was his favorite.

"Aise chhup chhup mujhe satao na

Aise chhup chhup mujhe satao na"

Munna smiled.

"O mere nanhe munne pyare pyare raja

O mere nanhe munne pyare pyare raja"

Munna gave up.. he put his head out the curtains. He smiled at his mother and went to hug her as he sang along with her

"Aao mere gale lag jao na aley ao na

Luk chhip luk chhip jao na arey aao na"

Now that he was calm, she asked him, "App school kyun nahi jaana chahte?"

"Mujhe aaj school nahin jaana.. mujhe goa jana hai.. Anu Maasi ne kaha.. wahah jana hai.. party hai" he said as he leaned on her. She ran her hand through his hair. She knew this was the reason. Since her sister called last night, Munna was fascinated with Goa. The parties. Its beaches.The Sea ,adventurous rides but most importantly the parties.

"Mujhe brave party mei jana hai"

"Rave party" She corrected him automatically.

"Wohi... mujhe uss party mei jana hai.. please maa.. chalte hai na... mujhe gao party mein jana hai.. Goa New year party!!"

She cuddled him more and explained him, "Munna.. humne kaha tha na.. kal..raat ko hi.. Goa.. bahut door hai.. hum aaj naahi jaa sakte.."

"Maasi ne kaha flight mei jaa sakte hai.."

"Munna... aapko party chahiye na?"

 ""

Munna nodded. She smiled. "Aap abhi school jaayiye.. Hum tab tak new year party ka preparation karte hai.." Munna looked up. She carassed him again. It took a lot of convincing but finally Sooraj agreed to go school.

And that was how Theertha's New year's eve was spent. Fulfilling his dream to have a big party on new year' eve.

After the countdown when she saw her son's happy face under the fireworks Theertha was the most happy person on  the earth.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Skandagiri, Bangalore.

It was still cold but he was sweating. One step after another he trekked along. Vishnu was already feeling 100 times more regret when he said he would accompany him to the trek.

"Mahijit sir, Kya hum abhi thodi der rest kar sakte hai?"

Mahijit just smirked.

"Vishnu.. jab tak humhara manjil.. yani.. goal tak hum nahi pahunchte.. hume rest nahi karna chahiye.. Tumne woh story to suna hi hoha.. the tortoise and the rabbit waali.. bus.. jabse maine woh story bachpan mei suna na.. tab se maine rest nahi kiya.. manjil tak pahunchne se pehle.."

Vishnu cursed the person whoever told that story to his sir. It was freaking New year!! For God's Sake!! Who treaks on this day.. when you can party. He had only himself to blame. When the transfer order came Mahijit sir looked somewhat distressed. Vishnu only wanted to cheer him up.. but who knew that cheering him would end up this difficult.

"Sir, aapko bhi.. trekking hi karna tha.. new year ke din.. "

Trekking was a personal stress reliever for Mahijit. After a trek, he was able to think properly. Now, that when he needed the peace of mind most, he did know any other way.

He was posted to Rajastan. That too Pratapnagari. Ater all these years of staying away from that place, he is now asked to go there.  Distant memories of him going to the village festival  with his siblings flashed when he read the letter. 

"Aahh.. Vishnu.. remember this... if you are running away from something.. it will eventually catch you.."

"I think.. right now... I am running out of oxygen.. I hope oxygen catch me soon" Vishnu panted.

Mahijit smiled. He was overthinking, he decided. Just because he got posted there, it doesn't mean anything. He was just a district collector. He should just do his duties like he is expected from him.

But the feeling of being manupulated is still lingering iin his mind. Isn't it way too much of coincedence that his engagement talks with Devika just started and now he is posted in Rajasthan. His grandparents were also returning back from the states.Was this one of his mother's plan?

"Sir, I think I hate trekking.." Vishnu cried from behind.

Mahijit did not hear him. If this was her plan, was Devika also involved in it? he thought. But he immedietely dismissed that thought. Advocate Devika Mittal was always a person who dealt thing in straight forward manner. Sometimes she is too straight forwaord.. He grimaced.

No.. it may just be sheer coincedence after all..  His mother knew that he would not partake in her scheme.. if there was any one to begin with.

As he steepd on.. his thoughts cleared. Whatever.. he had always faced all his challeges with a clear head. He will face even this one the same.

The sky was now blood red. This shade of red reminded him of many things. many painful things. If the sky above Banglore can remind him of these many things.. Many other things can come when he step on the grainy, sandy arid place. So dry that sometime peoples dreams and aspirations also evaporate with the humidity.

He remembered the tit bits of the stories that his grandmother told them. the legends off the Pratapnagari.. the exotic rituals.. the unrealistic traditions.  He wondered as he climbed up more.. was Pratapnagari still the same?

And if it was.. then it should change.. what if he can help them? Help the villagers to live a better life.

As he reached the peak, he smiled at his own silliness to make this transfer about himself. The villagers did not want Mahijit Singh Rathore.. they did not care about his family problems. They just want a dedicated and hard working District collector. That he was.

Vishnu reached the peak and gasped.

White clouds were painted by a beautiful shade of orange as the first rays of sunshine shone around them. The place were they both were standing is barely visible, giving the illusion that they were floating on the clouds. All the physical exersion sort of vanished in presence of this magificant view. A strange feeling where he felt both empowered and also insignifiacnt. Empowwred to anything yet realising that he was just a mere speck in this vast universe.

"Sir, this is so beautiful..."

Vishnu saw Mahijit looking at the sunrise with the more resolute face. Mahijit sir always looked handsome but Vishnu felt as thought this is his first time feeling this aura around him. Somehow it makes want to prostate infront of Mahijit. Because Mahijit looked no less than a king now. The was a royal feel to him.

And that was how Mahijit's New Year started. Staring into the hot eyes of the early sun from the heighest place.

As he continued to stare he was the most determined person in the world.