XX

"Superstitions.....superstitions.....superstitions...... is that all you got Mom?" Sunita lost her patience, "I just cleaned a dead animal and all you have for me is this one line....she killed it!"

" Sunita....grow up....open your eyes.." Mrs Devi took Sunita by surprise as she took hold of her both arms in her grip tightly and shook her, " this is what I have been saying since the first day I stepped into this house.....this is what guruji was saying......don't you and Rakesh realise this?"

Sunita paused for a moment, almost giving in to her mother's tight grip, then she shrugged her hands off her, and spoke in a determined tone, "Maa, I and Rakesh, we have no idea who this "she" is, what you both have been talking about. Also we have absolutely no interest in any sort of superstitions, so please just......"

"Just shut up?"Mrs Devi didn't let Sunita finish her statement, " this is what you and Rakesh want me to do, right?.....Sunita I hadn't expected this from you at least." Before Sunita could say anything, Mrs Devi left the room.

Next morning, Rakesh and Sunita went to see her off to the railway station. She didn't want to stay a minute more in that house.

XIX

After a few days, things became normal. Mrs Devi and Rakesh were still not very comfortable around each other, but somehow they were co-existing, with Sunita handling the environment by making their favorite dishes.

"Sunita, the smell is stronger today!" said Mrs. Devi after her daily morning Puja, " I can sense, she is not happy....something's about to happen". "Mom! please don't start again!" Sunita snapped, " I really don't want all that episode to repeat again"

" Sunita...you just never listen to me!" Mrs. Devi took Sunita by both her arms, making her pay attention to her words, " concentrate and smell! You will feel her....feel the smell getting strong". Sunita closed her eyes and and made an attempt to smell, just for her mother's sake. She smelled something really queer, and shook her mother, " whats that smell Mother?!"

"See, I told you....", " Wait...its coming from that side..." Sunita dragged her mother towards the balcony. "Wait beta, let me consult Guruji, she ...whosoever she is might attack us....what will we do then!!" " Oh God Mother!" Sunita exclaimed, rather unpleasantly, "just come with me" She dragged her by her arm.

"Its getting stronger...we shouldn't..." feared Mrs. Devi. Sunita hushed her and proceeded covering her nose with her handkerchief. They entered the balcony. The smell grew multi fold and became unbearable.

"She killed it.....what a bad omen!!" Mrs Devi shreiked in horror. Sunita rushed to bring a broom and dustpan. " Mom its a dead cat in our balcony, no "she" killed it, now you go inside, I'll clean it up"

"Sunita.....cat's death in your balcony......don't you realise what it means...." Mrs Devi shook Sunita by her shoulder. Sunita glared at her, symbolizing her to leave the place, "Ma, its a dead cat, let me just clean the place"

XV

" She!!...She!!...She!!....who is this 'she'" Sunita cried frantically as she saw Guruji walk pass the main iron gate of her house, " who are you.....tell me!!...." Rakesh hurried close to Sunita and made her sit down on the couch next to her, " Sunita....calm down dear....calm down" he pressed her head gently onto his chest, running his palm over her black shiny hair " don't let him get inside your head, I...I.. have seen the devastation before"

"Rakesh...Sunita....what was this?!!" Sunita's mother exclaimed, as she slamed the main door, as she returned back after seeing off Guruji. " Mother....I..." Sunita looked up to her mother and said slowly, " I think I should be the one answering this question...and not you Sunita" Rakesh interrupted Sunita, and spoke sharply looking towards Mrs. Devi and then looked at Sunita. Sunita stared open- mouthed at Rakesh, as he continued, " I will not tolerate any act of superstition, or even discussion about it, let me make it very clear to both of you..." Rakesh paused and then continued in a comparatively softer tone, " Maa...I know, you are very upset.....by my behavior and mostly because Guruji left because of me.....I understand...but..."

"..But?!!...but what Rakesh....are you even aware how humiliating it was for me in front of Guruji...and all his disciples.....all my life, I have always asked for Guruji's help for every small or big problem faced by me or my family....and Guruji has always helped me in some or the other way.....always!" Mrs. Devi stopped for a breath, her face red with anger, and then continued, " and today...what do I do.....I let my daughter and son-in law humiliate him....in front of everybody...everybody!!"

"Maa!...." Sunita fetched Mrs. Devi a glass of water, " just calm down....have some water....neither me or Rakesh had any intention of...." " What no intention....everything was evident.....it was so so disgraceful!......neither of you cared about my prestige!" Mrs. Devi inturrepted Sunita, and stormed towards her room"




/* how will Sunita bridge up her husband's and mother's relationship...check out in the next post*/

XIV

"Guruji!....I hope you are not trying to impose some paranormal story on us.....because that is something I am never going to believe" Rakesh interrupted Shastriji in a sharp loud voice, ".....as I have no faith in all of this....... whatsoever!!". Mrs Devi almost jumped to her feet in suprise, "Rakesh!!" she started scolding Rakesh, " what is wrong with you....." "Deviji" Guruji inturrepted Mrs. Devi, and continued further in a very calm and composed posture "let him speak........he needs to have faith....else my position is useless here".

Mrs. Devi tried saying something, but stopped, and sat mum with worried eyes fixed on Rakesh, thinking about what he was going to say next. Rakesh took a deep breath, and said " Guruji, I didn't mean to disrespect you.....I am well aware of your grandeur, your accomplished status....but I absolutely refuse to follow something which is astray from science and logic!" Mrs. Devi hit her forehead with her palm, in a reaction to her son-in-law's stubborn act.

"Hari Om!! Mrs. Devi.....I seek your permission to leave....", "Swamiji.....please" Mrs. Devi rushed forward with folded hands, " please don't be angry....they are children....they don't understand...", "Deviji....I'm not angry.....but I find my position useless here" Shastriji leaned forward to collect his belongings, "....kindly understand". " Guruji! kindly forgive me....for my naive behaviour....please do not be angry!". " Young man.." Shastriji placed his hand on Rakesh's shoulder, " I am not at all angry....and consider this... is as my respect towards your beliefs!" " In that case, I will not let you leave without having lunch with us!" Guruji smiled and nodded, "I would have loved to...but alas...now I can't.....knowing she is here!"

XI

"Hi Darling! Its okay.....it happens" Mrs. Devi hugged her daughter, stroking her hair in a comforting way.

Moments later, Sunita welcomed her mother indoors. "Rakesh is in office, he has promised to come home a little early." Sunita informed her, without any expressions on her face " .....and what shall I bring you....water, tea....coffee?"

" Bring a bright smile....if you could" Mrs. Devi said, holding Sunita's chin lovingly. Sunita sighed and stepped backward, making her mother lose her grip from her face. "Mother I told you on call too, I'm fine, I can manage....you didn't need to run down here in such a hurry" Sunita blurted out " and its not something new, I have faced this rejection before too....its fine...not everyone has babies!" " Yes, but not everyone wants one so badly, nor tries so hard!" Mrs Devi answered, ending Sunita's argument in one sharp blow, " You have to fight it, you can't just give up...cursing your bad luck....I fear this is some bad energy's work" " Maa!!" Sunita reacted sharply, " this is why I didn't wan't to discuss things with you....you somehow always manage to link up things with spirits and omens....and all that voodoo stuff!"

" Sweety, you know its not just ""Stuff""....things like these exist" replied Mrs Devi, " and I had warned you the same, when you took this house!!" said Mrs. Devi giving a sharp look to her daughter, " and you see...its not letting you be happy....and neither letting you go!"

" Namaste Maa" Rakesh greeted his mother-in-law, " how have you been?" Mrs. Devi hugged Rakesh. " I'm fine dear, just worried about you both" Rakesh smiled as her gave Sunita a smirk, and whispered in her ear " And the ghostly lectures begin!" Sunita controlled her laugh and nudged Rakesh to keep quite.

/*What did Mrs Devi warn Sunita about her house? Tune in for the next post to find out!!*/