#CelebrateBlogging Chapter 9

Team Alphabet Soup.


To read chapter 8 of this story, visit Sunitha's blog here.

Chapter 9

That Fateful Day

  *Few days ago*

The members of the royal family had gathered all the priests along with their astral charts. While this group of priests consulted the astral charts and worked on the calculations. The priests’ protégé’s sat in the background doing a yagya, chanting prayers and shlokas signifying the holy hour. While selecting the child destined for the honor – the Tithi (Lunar day), Nakshatra (Star constellation in which the moon is placed at that time) and the Yoga, Karana (auspiciousness) and Vara (weekday) were taken into consideration. 

A few minutes later, a pandit emerged and announced to the members of the royal family and the temple authorities that they have found the child who would carry the deity’s idol.

Through the various calculations, it had come to be known that three families had come to the festival from outside the city. The destined child was already in Kerala and was staying to the east of the temple. Her star ‘Swati’ was favourable  for the child to be a part of the festivities.

The temple authorities on hearing this arranged for some men to visit every hotel, paying guest accommodation, guest houses located towards the east of the temple.

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The head priest whispered something to the Duttas, and moved forward to greet the crowd. Shekhar stood transfixed.

'Welcome dear friends!', the priest's loud voice boomed. The man looked at Roohi and smiled. A bit afraid, Roohi held on to her father's hand while trying to hide behind him.

The loud voice continued, 'As we all know, the procession of Amma is being carried out after many many years. Everybody has been so co-operative in making this happen. This year, we have selected the child who will have the honor of carrying Amma.'  Turning towards the Duttas, he said, 'Roohi moley, come here.' Loud cheers and applause rang through the temple premises. Shekhar and Tara looked at each other, confused, startled and worried.

'But Sir, what about the other two families. They have daughters too. Why Roohi? No sir. I cannot and will not allow my daughter to be a part of this procession.'

'Amma Mahamaaya has chosen your daughter. Amma Mahamaaya is never wrong.'

'She..But.... No! It can't be! This can't happen.' said Shekhar, shaking his head in disapproval. He looked at Tara for some support. Tara stood quiet.
'Tara, say something! That is our child. Our Roohi whom he wants to be a part of the procession.'
'It is just a procession Shekhar. She will be carrying the deity. It won't harm her. It could be a moment for her to remember.' mumbled Tara.
'TARA! What is wrong with you?' yelled Shekhar in shock. He couldn't believe what Tara was saying.
Tara furious at having been yelled at in public, glared at Shekhar. The villagers all stared at them. 
Sudheeran Varma, all this while stood quietly in the background. Watching flames flare between Shekhar and Tara.

'I am taking Roohi and leaving right away, Tara' Shekhar exclaimed during their verbal battle

Sudheeran decided it was time to step in. He addressed the crowd gathered there, 'Brothers and Sisters, this man wants to go against the wishes of Amma Mahamaaya. He wants to bring the wrath of Amma on us! He is taking his daughter away.'

The villagers who were devout worshippers of the devi, grew angry. They all surrounded Shekhar and Roohi who were trying to leave the premises. They don't let Shekhar leave. An elderly woman from the crowd steps forward, picks up Roohi and takes her to a side. The villagers lift Roohi on their shoulders proudly singing shouts of praise to the Devi.

Shekhar is held back by two large men. He turns towards Tara, 'How could you be so selfish Tara. How?' 

The elderly women in the village take Roohi for the Anusthana Snan, the ritual bath before Roohi could carry the Goddess. They bathe her with turmeric water and rose petals. 'As beautiful as Amma Mahamaaya' comments an elderly lady, blessing Roohi while bathing her. They apply a paste of sandalwood on her and chant a few shlokas before completing the ritual bath.

Roohi afraid of what is going in, calms down when she sees her mother in the distance. Tara smiles feebly, unsure of what to say to her child.

Shekhar is distraught by the day's events. He doesn't want to head back to the hotel. He doesn't want to face Tara. He only wants his daughter back. He sits by the side of the road and breaks down into tears. His crying wakes up a man sleeping on the sidewalk. The man who Shekhar recalls as the 'Madman' they had encountered earlier.

The madman asks Shekhar what was wrong. Shekhar going through an emotional turmoil from within blurts out the story in between sobs. The madman smiles, puts his hand on Shekhar's shoulder and says, 'There isn't a problem in the world, which does not have a solution. Everything has a solution. It depends on how you want to find it.' 

Shekhar gets agitated and walks off into the dark. 'Stupid man and his worldly nonsense.'
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Early next morning Roohi is woken up by the ringing of the temple bells and the sound of the drums. She rubs her eyes only to remember she wasn't in her hotel room. Away from her parents. Away from her dolls. She looks outside the room window and sees elephants being decked up. She hears the room door open and turns around and sees the women who bathed her bringing in flowers. They dress her up with ornaments and flowers. 'Amma Mahamaaya will be so happy' they whisper amongst each other.

Suddenly, a loud cry breaks out. The women look at each other. A disciple of the priest rushes into the room where Roohi is waiting before she can be taken for the procession.

'AMMA MAHAMAAYA HAS GONE! THE IDOL HAS BEEN STOLEN!' he shouts out to all assembled in Roohi's room before running out.

To read what happens in the next chapter, click here

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