❝"I refuse!", was her deafening scream. The temple full of people stood in silence. He watched her, taken aback at the audacity, but not out of his icy cold composure.
He took a step towards her.
"Step back! Step away-"
He yanked her by her wrist...
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Jodhpur, India.
THE sun rose differently this morning. I could hear the distant chirping of the birds. The sparrows busy in their regular morning quarrelling.
And I was still sleeping.
My alarm buzzed for the nth time, but I snoozed it. I could hear Mihika, my younger sister, talk from a distance.
"Leela di sleeps like a log, Babuji.", She seemed to say. I drew in a deep breath and sat up. Feeling exhausted due to poor sleep.
I got off the bed, yawning.
"At night those mosquitoes won't let me sleep, and in the morning you.", I said walking into the living room. My father, Purohit Jaydev Kanwar looked at me skeptically.
"Arrey Babuji, I mean it's lovely in this small house with only two bedrooms and no air conditioner.. I am not complaining at all..", I said with a soft smile at him. Lying, of course. But I knew, this was the best he could afford for now.
"Huh!", He said dramatically before pouring the tea in three cups. My sister, twenty two sat back on her chair pulling out a book. "From when did you start studying so much, Chutki?", I asked with a raised brow.
"Ever since you went to do that dance graduation.", She said casually, "I know you won't get a job anymore so I am studying. Someone has to earn in the house after all."
I twisted her ear as she dramatically called our father.
"Leela!", Babuji said sharply. "Huh! Wait till I become a great dancer. Then I will see you.", I said narrowing my eyes at Mihika.
"Yes, enough now. Go and brush your teeth.", Babuji said as I nodded.
I immediately freshed up.
When I returned both of them had finished their tea. Babuji sat reading his newspaper, while Chutki had now finally pulled out a film magazine from somewhere.
Our house was in the outskirts of the main city. Almost three hours. The internet was feeble here. So, we rarely used our mobile phones.
I sat back at my seat at the dining table, and sipped on my tea. It was almost cold.
"Today, I am going to visit the temple of the Mother Goddess.", I said.
I had just returned from Mumbai yesterday, and today was my solo trip day.
My father glanced at me, and then back at his newspaper.
"Today he is going to come.", He said. "Leela di, you don't know?", Chutki asked, as if shocked. "I don't.. who?", I asked, wondering why there was so much build up.
"Aviram Raghuvanshi.", Babuji said clearing his throat.
I narrowed my eyes and sat back.
"That sadist so called prince whose wife left him and ran away?", I asked casually.
Babuji kept his newspaper down, looking at me with shocked expressions.
"What? Where's the lie?", I asked in a matter of factly tone.
"Leela, dear, do not speak of him that way.", My father said, looking at me with deep concern. "But—" "Yes Di..", Chutki added, "He has a very dangerous temper, I heard. Babuji said if anything, even a leaf moves without his liking, he cuts down the whole tree."
Her words sounded dramatised, but she sounded genuine.
"Listen Leela, today you are going to the temple with me and..", he paused, looking straight into my eyes, "I expect only good behaviour from you. No shouting, no giving lectures on women empowerment and right or wrong, and definitely no messing around."
I gulped, awkwardly.
"Okay.", I mumbled.
He nodded, and went back to reading his newspaper.
Who is this Aviram? Why is everyone so scared?
•
San Francisco, California.
"She has refused to meet you, sir.", The Principal said.
The man before her, wearing a jet black suit sucked in a sharp breath.
Disobedience.
"She is my daughter.", He stated, coldly.
The Principal looked at the man before her. The tall, six feet frame, sat. His hands resting on the desk before him. There was a strange aura of rage and power that worked around him. He was downright intimidating. His sharp brown eyes fixed at the desk, his jaw clenched.
"Indeed, sir. She is your daughter. But, if she refuses to meet you, we cannot help it.", The Principal stated.
Aviram stood up, straightening his suit and turned to leave wordlessly. He paused at the door.
"Tell her, if she continues her disobedience, I will be forced to take her back to India.", He stated before walking out of the Principal's office.
He walked down the corridor, to the gates, and to his car.
A Range Rover.
He sat back, inside.
"Let's go to the airport.", He stated. He looked out of the window of the car. His daughter's words echoed in a distant corner of his mind.
"Maa left me because of you! I hate you! I hate hate hate you!"
He sat up straight, brushing the thoughts away.
The child was nothing but insolent and ill mannered. Like her mother, who had run away.
Today was the veneration of the Mother Goddess. And he was to be a part of it.
He had heard of folklore about the annual event several times. The rumour said that once in a hundred years, on this very day, soulmates met. Souls the mother goddess had made for each other. And they would entwine with each other, forever.
He did not believe in such rumours of course. Love was for the weak.
