The Denial Of Death

Chapter 6

8th April 2016

"Sumedh. Uth jao aaj tyohar ka din hai" Sumedh heard Saanvi, his sister in law, Saying.

"Vahini main kya karunga uth ke?" He asked.

"Aaj gudhi padwa hai. Gudhi ki pooja karenge, mandir jayenge" Saanvi talked "Ho sakta hai tumhe mandir me Suhani mil jaye"

Sumedh woke up instantly. Saanvi laughed.

"Kaunsa kurta pehnu main?" He asked with a bright smile.

"Are are wa" Saanvi said "Suhani ka naam sunte hi ekdum khil gaye tum toh"

"Are vahini" He acted like blushing "Kya karu ab.. Bas usko dekh sakta hoo. Utna hi kar sakta hoo. Wo haan nahi bolegi mujhe kabhi bhi. Toh agar chance mil raha hai toh main kyu chhodu?"

"Accha hai. Waise aaj Marathi new year hota hai, Aaj ke din dekh liya toh pure saal usko dekhoge I am sure" Saanvi said.

"Agar aisa hua toh aapko jo chahiye wo dunga" Sumedh said.

"Yaad rakhungi main yeh baat" She said "Get ready. Sab pooja ke liye ruke hue hai"

"Yes" Sumedh agreed.

Saanvi went. Sumedh hurriedly took a shower. He wore a neon green coloured kurta, adjusted his hair and came out.

Shantanu was looking ready for Gudhi pooja. Saanvi was looking beautiful in her pink coloured saree.

"You two look great" Sumedh entered.

"Thank you. We hope ki agle saal pooja tu kare" Shantanu said.

"Bas. Naye saal ke pehle din aap sabne itni shubh baatein bol di" Sumedh folded his hands "Ab toh direct dulha ban hi jaunga main. Par dulhan Suhani honi chahiye. Agar usne kisi aur se shaadi kar li toh main toh devdaas hi ban jaunga"

"Bechara yar" Saanvi said "Shantanu do something for him"

"Kya karu main ab yeh aisa hai toh? Ladkiyo ko acche character wala husband chahiye hota hai. Isse koi kyu shaadi karega batao" Shantanu said.

"Aisa nahi hai. Bechara badal raha hai na? Tumne kabhi dekha tha ise aise? Waqt pe ghar aata hai, ghar ka khana khata hai, Phone nahi aate ise ladkiyo ke" Saanvi said "Kitni badi baatein hai yeh sab"

Sumedh stood there with innocent expressions on his face.

"Main kya karu? Suhani se baat nahi kar sakta main" Shantanu said.

"Main karti hoo. Main agar aaj Suhani dikhi toh usse baat karungi" Saanvi declared.

Sumedh smiled brightly "Thank you Vahini" He said.

*****

Sumedh and family stepped out of their cars in front of temple. Sumedh looked everywhere just to find a bunch of photographers waiting for him. He waved towards them and entered in temple.

Sumedh's eyes were searching for Suhani. There were many people but Suhani wasn't. He sighed and went ahead.

"Sumedh andar chalo" His mother caught his arm "Kise dhoond rahe ho?"

"Aapki bahu ko" Shantanu said "Chhoti bahu"

Sumedh rolled his eyes and went with his mother. He stood in front of ganpati idol and folded his hands. He was about to close his eyes when he looked at his right side.

Suhani was standing there whilst her hands were folded and eyes closed. She was muttering something. May be she was saying a prayer or may be she was asking for something.