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.

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!"

XIII

" Hari Om!", Sunita turned her head towards the door to find a tall man with long white beard, wearing bhagwa (saffron) colored clothes standing with calm expressions on his face. " Hari Om!" he chanted again, which drew Sunita's consciousness back, as she stood up, a bit embarrassed thinking she had been staring at him for the last few seconds.

" Pranam guruji!" Sunita's mom charged ahead hurriedly, giving a sharp look to Sunita, "welcome Guruji!" Mrs Devi greeted Guru Omdev Shastri and welcomed him inside the house. "Thank you so much for taking out time of your busy schedule for coming here.......that too at such a short notice!" Mrs Devi said with folded hands expressing her gratitude. "Deviji, you are among my most sincere followers, you know I could never refuse, that too for Sumi...never!" said Guruji turning towards Sunita, " don't you feel its presence here Sumi?" Sunita' felt as if her body froze..... she wanted to think something, say something....but she wasn't able to.

"Sunita...are you okay?" Rakesh asked waving his palm in front of Sunita's numb face. He was watching TV in the adjacent room, when he heard Shastriji's voice and came to meet him. Entering the hall he got surprised seeing Sunita standing like a statue midway in the hall."Sunita...??" Rakesh shook her by her right shoulder" "Ya..Yes...what...what presence??" Sunita jabbered, on gaining consciousness.

"Her presence Sunita....Rakesh do you feel it?" Shastriji answered. Mrs Devi nodded half frightened, and half smiling with the confidence of 'see I told you so' expression. "Please Guruji, be elaborate, what are you trying to suggest?" Rakesh asked in a calm, yet imposing manner, as if ready to face the next argument put foward, Sunita firmly held Rakesh's hand, fearing Guruji's answer to Rakesh's question.


/* Whose presence is Guruji referring to?...Check out in the next post!*/