Chapter 11

rulama

@rulama

[MEMBERSONLY]

[NOCOPY]

RECALLING ARNAV - II

Part 10

Section 2

The two families unpacked in their hotel rooms and all of them went to the temple to meet Tiwariji. As they walked up the steps of the Tapeshwari temple, the elderly priest summoned them, "Sasiji, Garimaji, Madhumatiji, come over here."

They turned to look at the well-built man whose strong body and imposing figure belied his age.

"Khushiji, make friends with him. He looks more a wrestler than a priest. Then if Nannav says no to the wedding or scolds you after the marriage, just inform Tiwariji. He will flatten Nannav," NK whispered in Khushi's ear.

She smiled while Arnav glowered at NK.

Tiwariji hugged Sasi and led the Guptas and the Raizadas to a room with mats laid on the floor.

"Sit down, sit down," he beamed, making space for Sasi's wheelchair.

"So this is Khussi," he remarked. "It has been years since I last saw you."

Khushi touched his feet and sat down.

"Tiwariji, this is Devyani Raizada. This is her son, Manoharji. This is her daughter-in-law Manorama," Buaji introduced the family.

Tiwari greeted them politely.

"This is their son, Akass bitwaa. He is married to our Payaliyaa," Buaji said.

Payal and Akash touched his feet and took his blessings.

"So you are marrying Khussi in to the same family?" Tiwari asked.

"Yes, Tiwariji," Garima said. "Arnav babua and Anjali bitiyaa are the children of Devyaniji's daughter. We would like to conduct Arnav babua's wedding with Khussi here."

Arnav and Anjali touched the priest's feet and sat down near Khushi.

"This is Nandkisore bitwaa. He is Manoramaji's sister's son. His parents live in some phoren country, Nandkisore!" Buaji introduced NK.

"Kidney, Kidney," Mami said.

Tiwari looked at NK with a jaundiced eye.

"Hi," NK greeted the priest.

Tiwari frowned at him.

NK looked around at the others, wondering what he had done wrong. Maybe he hadn't been polite enough? Akash tried to pull him down but NK was desperate to make friends with Tiwari. He quickly waved at the priest. "Hi, I am Nandkisore. Call me NK," he offered smiling away.

Tiwari glowered at him. "Sit down," he said. He turned to the others and said, "I will definitely conduct the marriage for you, Sasiji, Garimaji, Madhumatiji. But where are the parents of the groom?" the alert priest asked.

"They are no more," Nani said softly.

"The ways of Devi Maiyya are known only to her," Tiwariji said with a sigh. "We can have the ceremony tomorrow morning."

All smiled at him in relief and gratitude.

"But will you able to get your guests here in such a short time?" he asked.

The Raizadas and the Guptas blanched.

Buaji finally said, "There will be just us, Nandkisore."

Tiwari frowned. "Why do you want to hide Khussi's wedding from your relations and friends? It is not like she is marrying daily. Marriages happen once in a lifetime. She may want her friends with her."

Mami whispered to Nani, "Saasumma, he doesn't know Arnav bitwaa and Khussi. They can marry many times, Hello Hi Bye Bye."

"Sshh," Nani warned her.

The Raizadas and the Guptas tried to evade Tiwariji's eyes.

"Madhumatiji?" Tiwariji called.

Buaji looked up.

He looked Buaji in the eye and asked, "Why don't you want to hold the wedding in Lucknow? Why have you travelled all the way to Kanpur to conduct it here? What are you trying to hide?"

Nani sighed. Slowly she told Tiwariji everything, right up to the cancelled wedding and Khushi's amnesia. The elderly man listened to her silently, his expressionless face displaying neither anger nor disgust.

When the sorry tale had been recounted, all Tiwariji did was to turn to Khushi to ask, "Do you want to marry Arnav?"

"Yes," Khushi answered.

"Do you want to marry Khussi?" he asked Arnav.

"Yes," he replied, his eyes sincere and honest.

"Your lives have been filled with trials and pain so far. I hope Devi Maiyya showers her blessings on both of you and lets you lead a happy married life," Tiwariji said.

All nodded in the same hope.

"Come to the temple in the morning at seven," Tiwariji said. "I will hand over my duties to my subordinate and conduct special pujas for you both. You need to be protected from covetous eyes and ill health, from taking impulsive and foolish decisions and from threats to your marriage. I will conduct your marriage when these pujas are done," he declared.

All heaved sighs of relief.

"I can't do any less for Sasiji's daughter and son-in-law," Tiwariji added. "I will get everything ready here. Just buy a mangalsutra and come over at seven."

The two families thanked him from the bottom of their hearts and left the temple after praying to the deity.