XVII

Sunita paced up and down in her room. Her mind was full of jumbled thoughts, just like two trains and each wants to pass by the next station first. The station was obviously Sunita herself and the two trains were the two most important people in her life, her mother and Rakesh.



She didn't want either of them to get hurt, but in the current scenario, neither of them wanted to consider the other person's approach or feelings. While her mother was hell bent regarding Guruji's readings and sayings, Rakesh was completely not in a mood to even give Guruji a chance.

She was also well aware that she couldn't blame either of them, both of them were correct as per their thinking, and both were thinking about her, for her betterment.

At this thought, suddenly Sunita stopped, and a smile crept on her face. She was so lucky, two most important people of her life, and both of them thought so much about her!

She now knew what she had to do.

She quickly went to the kitchen, she knew the favourite dishes of both of them. After all food is every human's weakness. " I just hope among these dishes, "she" has her favourite too...and hope "she" likes it and leaves my house....haha!" Sunita joked to herself and chuckled as she hunted for the ingredients.

XVI

Stunned by the sound of the door slam, Rakesh almost fell down on the couch next to him and sat with his face buried in his hands, and started murmuring, " its happening again....all of this again..." Sunita rushed to Rakesh's side, and pressed his right shoulder lightly, " Rakesh....calm down...mummy will be fine in no moment..." " Sunita it has all started....I can sense it!" Rakesh took Sunita by surprise as he turned towards her in a jiffy and held her hands.

" What has started Rakesh.....please do not make vague statements like Guruji...it scares me!" Sunita overcame her surprise and gently asked Rakesh pressing his hands hard. Rakesh stared blank at Sunita. Sunita repeated her question, shaking Rakesh's hands. Rakesh spoke in a dull tone, " it took Shikha didi from us..... Took her away!" Sunita didn't quite understand, what Rakesh was saying, but she nodded her head in order to ease him and let him continue.

" Shikha didi was a wise young lady, good in studies, helpful to kids, .... Until she fell ill..... she fell so ill that tantrik baba had to be called upon.... For her treatment.... He did something to her waving his broom and all....I was a kid back then, I'm not sure what happened, but we soon lost Shikha didi...." and Rakesh buried his face in his palms.

"Rakesh....Rakesh.... Listen to me," Sunita whispered to her husband, trying to calm him down, " it is a very old story, nowadays people rely more on doctors and medicines, you are not going to loose anybody now......" " Exactly my point Sunita" Rakesh got on his feet," that was an old story, but we had another baba at our home today!" Sunita was left speechless.

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!*/

XII

"What is this place!" Mrs. Devi exclaimed, waiving her hands in circular motion, "such weird smells!" "What smells mother" asked Sunita, " Oh! I left the kheer on the stove!!"

Sunita hurried towards the kitchen, "obviously not that smell Sunita!" Mrs. Devi snapped poking her head out of the window, "I don't like the negative smell out here" " Oh Ma!! Not again! I'm not changing houses like Papa!!" Sunita said annoyingly, stirring the utensil with the red spatula, "I don't believe in all these smells that you get, and especially I don't believe your nose!" Sunita laughed and nudged her mother, "come i'll show you the rest of the house"

"You are not living in this house darling!" Said Mrs. Devi in a sharp imposing tone, after seeing the whole house and settling down on a sofa she found less negative"this place is not correct, I can sense it..... too negative!!" "Oh Ma, it's a great house, the society is for sure lifeless, not many people speak to me..... or among themselves even!" Sunita chuckled lightly, having decided not to spoil her mood by her mother's beliefs, "but I'm more concerned about my home, which is nice and also, best among what Rakesh and I could afford."

"I knew you wouldn't listen to me, which is why I invited Shastriji, he'll be here tomorrow evening..... and I'm sure will confirm whatever I'm saying." Mrs. Devi replied calmly. " Ma!! What was the need to involve him!" Sunita lost her cool, "I have just shifted to my first home and here you are..... and all of this.....God!!" "There is no need to overreact, lets just listen to him, what he has to say." Mrs. Devi replied in a calm tone presuming her daughter's reaction.

She knew there was something definitely wrong, and just wanted to ensure Sunita is safe.Mrs Devi looked at the clock waiting for the next day impatiently.

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!!*/

X

"No....no... nobody else is to be blamed Rakesh, it's me, it's my fault.... nobody else...... I'm myself responsible for every damn thing" Sunita wept uncontrollably, "how can you blame yourself Sunita,..... for something which wasn't in our hands" Rakesh consoled her, "it's just..... our luck didn't favor us, it'll soon be alright! Everything will soon be fine" Rakesh pulled her head close his heart, stroking Sunita's head softly, like consoling a sobbing child.

Sunita sat next to window staring out towards the garden, the same place she had imagined her blissful future before the test. A tear rolled down her cheek. "Your coffee is getting cold dear" Rakesh tried taking her mind off the failed IVF procedure, recalling Sunita's face when she tested negative.

He wondered if the stars were playing a dirty game with him and Sunita. Or if he or Sunita weren't trying their best to fulfill their desire of extending their family.

He got up and switched on the TV, on the cartoon channel, Tom was chasing Jerry. " Sunita look our all time favorite!" Sunita turned towards the television screen and gave a weak smile to Rakesh. Rakesh knew it would take some load off the mind for a little while. He himself needed to clear up his mind for sometime.

A few moments passed Sunita had a little smile on her face watching Tom and Jerry's naughtiness. Rakesh smiled looking at Sunita, a little relived. Suddenly Sunita's lips curved towards the darker side, Rakesh turned towards the Tv and saw the commercial break showcasing baby products and a mother and baby cast showcasing their love. Rakesh got up and turned the Tv off and hugged Sunita.

"What could I possibly do to make you feel even a little better......" Rakesh sighed