Yuhn Hota Toh Kya Hota- Rikara FF

Chapter 53

[Little context: So, since there is a particular devotional song about Shiva in this chapter, I just thought of giving some context. In the Hindu mythology, there is a trinity of male Gods. Shiva, the destroyer, completes the trinity. Though Shiva is called the destroyer, destruction is taken in a positive sense, akin to a phoenix, which symbolizes eternal cycle of birth and rebirths, the cornerstone belief of Hinduism. 

As the stories tell us, Shiva is a recluse who resides in the Himalayas. He doesn't follow the norms of the society, has long matted hair, wears animal skin for clothes, doesn't hold much store by wealth or any material pleasures, is absorbed in deep meditation most of the time, loves dancing occasionally, and also consumes bhaang, which is a sort of narcotic. Shiva, though feared for his terrible temper, especially when he opens his third eye, is a god who is pleased easily by his devotees. An offering of milk and bel leaves is all that takes to make this god happy, which is relatively easier compared to offerings/fasts for other gods and goddesses. Females, especially pray to Lord Shiva for a good husband who emulates his qualities, because apparently Shiva was deeply in love with his wife consort, Goddess Parvati.

The various names for Shiva are: Shiv, Shankar, Bholenath (also shortened as Bhole, the word Bhola in itself means innocent), etc.Of course, Shivaay, Omkara and Rudra are also names for Shiva.]

Gauri was still processing what happened yesterday, on her way to her workplace. She never expected to see him there. What was he doing in Jahnvi aunty's bungalow? The Jagraata was for ladies, so what even was a man doing there? Maybe she was thinking too much, after all he came there after the Jagraata concluded. Maybe he was a business partner, or the relative of some guest there, or maybe....maybe he was related to Jahnvi aunty's family? No, Gauri dismissed that thought. That can't be possible. Although there was no reason why it couldn't be possible, Gauri just didn't want to consider that possibility. Considering that possibility would mean that Gauri could never meet Jahnvi, or Soumya, or Annika ji again, because she couldn't take the risk of coming face-to-face with Omkara accidentally. 

She had already taken a huge risk with that Chulbul gamble, she didn't want to take any more chances. But what was she going to do about agreeing to meet with Omkara and his brothers on the weekend? She didn't want to meet them at all, not because she disliked them, but because she didn't want to cheat to any more people. Omkara's elder brother himself, came to her humble house, to ask her, rather Chulbul, to meet them. He wasn't as polite as Omkara, and looked a bit at discomfort, but surely the elder of such a rich family he was bound to have airs. Even so, he drove himself to her chawl, he must be what? A decade or so older than Gauri. Gauri's mother always taught to never insult her elders, and here she was thinking of not turning up when she herself, told the man that she would come there, rather she would tell Chulbul to go there. All this deception was weighing heavily on Gauri. 

What should she do? Should she keep avoiding Omkara like she was doing all these days? And also tacitly insult his brother by refusing to visit them after she had accented? And for what? They were all being nice to her, it was she who was fooling them all. 

The questions were eating her up, and there was only one entity that could help her. 

Gauri climbed the steps to the temple, to bow her head in front of the idol of Maatarani (Goddess Parvati), seated next to her beloved husband, Gauri's favorite, Shankarji. 

What should I do? Should I come clean about everything to Omkaraji? 

"Gauri beta, how are you?" came the panditji's voice, from behind her. Gauri turned to greet and touch the panditji's feet to take his blessings.