CHAPTER 4

SHRIVASTAV VILLA

AUTHOR POV:

A new morning began, full of hustle and bustle in the Shrivastava villa. The head of the house, Vani's grandmother, was assigning duties to everyone. Vani's aunt was instructing the servants about what to pack and what not to take.

The whole family had gathered today, on this Monday, because everyone was going together to the Banaras Ghat for the Ganga Aarti.

"Hurry up and load the things into the car," Nani said, and all the servants stood in a line and slowly started packing everything.

"Where is everyone? Come quickly!" Nani shouted, trying to call everyone.

"Does no one feel like waking up today? Come fast!" she said again.

Slowly everyone started coming-first Karan, then Mukesh, Pakhi's younger brother, then Rakesh, Pakhi's elder brother, then Vivan. And after that, Pakhi came with Vidya.

Nani asked Vidya, "Where is your sister? Everyone is here except her."

Hearing Nani's question, Vani's parents looked at each other.

"Is your sister going to make some excuse again today, Vidya?" they asked.

"I don't know, Nani. You go check yourself," Vidya said angrily.

Then Nani asked, "Why? Did something happen between you two?"

Pakhi immediately grabbed the chance and said, in a very fake tone, "No Nani, Vidya, don't talk like this to elders."

"Oh Nani, don't mind. They just had a small argument yesterday, that's all," Pakhi said.

"Oh, an argument? About what?" Nani asked. Pakhi was about to explain when Vani's mother interrupted and said,

"Look, Maa... Vani is here."

Vani was slowly coming down the stairs. She was wearing a white saree, with alta applied on her hands and feet. Her hair was open, and she had done light makeup. Vani looked very beautiful; everyone's eyes seemed fixed on her. Even the servants paused their work to look at her.

Pakhi was burning with jealousy after seeing Vani so beautiful. It made her angry. She looked around and thought, The attention that should be mine is going to her.

Vani came down the stairs and touched Nani's feet. "Today is my fast, that's why I wore a saree," she said.

Then Vani's mother added, "Yes, it's Monday. Vani keeps a fast on Mondays."

Nani was already softened seeing Vani, and hearing this made her even happier.

"Then today we will offer extra bhog to Lord Bholenath," she said lovingly, placing her hand on Vani's head. Then she told everyone to get ready to leave.

When everyone reached the Banaras Ghat, they all began entering the temple. Inside the temple, Nani handed the offering (bhog) to the priest, and he happily took it. Then the priest guided everyone towards the Ghat Aarti area.

When they reached the aarti spot, they heard people saying, "The big Malik is coming today... the Singhs, the powerful politicians of Banaras and UP. They own huge estates, and they are relatives of the Yadav family-the same family with whom Pakhi is getting married. Pakhi's future in-laws are relatives of the Singhs."

Hearing that the Singhs were coming, Pakhi became extremely happy. Her future husband, Yuvraj Yadav-also a politician from Banaras-was coming with them.

Pakhi was secretly very excited and was telling everything to Vidya, and Vidya was teasing her about it.

Vani was watching all this from a distance, silent and calm.

From the front, the Singh family arrived with the Yadavs. Seeing this, the Shrivastava family was shocked-they had no idea the Yadavs would also be coming. Everyone hurried toward them, greeted them with "Namaste," and the younger ones bent to touch the elders' feet. Soon, the families began conversing.

Then the priest said, "Please come, it's time for the aarti."

The Singh family, the Yadav family, and the Shrivastava family all gathered, ready for the aarti.

Just as the aarti was about to begin, an Aghori came from behind. He held Vani's hand and said,

"Today, Lord Bhole Baba desires her to perform the aarti. Let her do it, Shyam."

Shyam, the temple priest, was someone who never refused the words of the Aghoris.

When the Aghori held Vani's hand, the Singh family and the Yadav family noticed her. All of them were mesmerized by her beauty-her white saree, light makeup, open hair, anklets on her feet, bangles on her wrists, kohl in her eyes, her innocent face, and the graceful way she carried herself.

Everyone in the Yadav and Singh families was whispering the same question: "Who is she?"

Seeing this attention, Pakhi burned with jealousy.

Yuvraj came to her and asked, "Who is she, Pakhi? I've never seen her in your house."

Pakhi, irritated, replied, "Why? What will you do knowing that?"

Yuvraj said, "I just asked," and walked away toward his family.

Then Nani said, "Yes, give her the chance today, Pandit ji. Today she is observing a fast."

Shyam looked at Vani and smiled, saying, "Wonderful. Sister, take the aarti and perform the puja."

Vani carefully took the aarti.

Conch shells started blowing, and the priests began chanting the aarti.

Today, everyone's eyes were only on Vani as she performed the aarti.

People who had come from far away to see the Ganga Aarti also started looking at Vani.

On everyone's lips was the same question: "Who is this girl? She is so beautiful."

Among the crowd, there was one man who was admiring Vani intensely.

His eyes first lingered on hers, then on her lips-whenever she smiled, he smiled too.

Slowly, his gaze moved to her waist.

She was wearing a waist chain, and he suddenly got distracted. He shut his eyes tightly and said to himself: