The Destiny

Mid July, year : 2000

Mumbai central ST bus stand 12:00 pm

I was on 2 weeks leave from office and on my way to Mahabaleshwer.

The weather was beautifully overcast and I had already started imagining the beauty of Mahabaleshwer in Mumbai.

It was around 20 mins that I was waiting outside the bus. There were few other passengers as well. One of the passengers asked me kaha jaa rahe ho? Where are you going??

And he was Paras one of my old friends prvious office guy.

Hey how are you paras.. I am going to Mahabaleshwer. What about you...

Paras : Mahabaleshwer seriously!! Me and my wife too but believe me it's not a place to visit alone specially in rainy season.

You got to go there with your girl friend or wife. For that matter in your case at least with a group of friends. My question is what are you going to do their alone buddy?

Me: May be I am going there to find out your question's answer. and we both shared a laugh..

Later on the driver conductor duo arrived and our journey started.

The bus left the city life after 2 hrs or so and then there was all greenary filled with fresh air and that fresh air made me forget everything and then kab "aankh lag gayi pata he nahi Chala" (didn't realise when I slept)

When I woke up the whole bus was empty I looked around but didn't find anybody. I quickly ran and got out of the bus.

When I got out I saw everybody standing outside which calmed my nerves. I went towards Paras and he told me that the bus broke down and now they are trying to fix things since 20 mins or so.

I looked around and had a quick view of the place. It was covered with green mountains.straight highway and clouds around. Till the bus was here I decided to have a walk around.

I started walking looking around the beauty of nature I could also see a lake not too far away. Catles roaming in the lush green field.

All of a sudden it started raining not that much but a slight drizzle. I was searching for shelter to hang on till the rain stops. There was a small way going towards downward direction of the highway.

It was the way towards some village named "korti" as per the small board at the road. I looked down from the highway and saw a roof shed I quickly went there and what I saw there made my eyes lit up with suprise.

I couldn't believe what I saw.. a tea stall with the crispy "kaanda bhajjiyaa" jumping in that giant black "kadhaai"with shiny green chillies and red chilli and pudina chatni. Rain, garam chaai and crispy bhajjiya what else do you want in a rainy season vacation. I ordered and enjoyed it watching the rain.

I asked about the location to the the stall owner and he told me that this village is ahead of Pune. I asked more info about the village and any tourist attraction spots.

The owner told me that not a lot of people come here almost nobody. There is an ancient shiva temple a big lake and an old fort.

A thought came in my mind and I asked...

Is there any lodge to stay. He replied: no sir..chotasa gaav hai, yaha Kon aata hai sir koi lodge nahi hai yahaa. (It's a small village nobody comes here so no lodging arrangements.

I was disappointed as I wanted to stay here I paid him the money and started walking back. Took a few steps ahead and then..

Sirjeee oh sirjeee..

I turned back and saw the owner was calling me back. I went back.

He: Sirjee aap chaho toh mere yaha reh sakte ho (if you want, you can stay at my place. Not that much big house, but me my wife and my 7 yrs old son fit in easily. My Wife and son have gone to her Village. They will be back in 2 days. You can stay at my place. I will provide you with whatever food I will eat and also possibly cook what u want. Just pay me whatever you feel appropriate.

I had no question in my mind rejecting that offer. I told him I will be back within few minutes. I quickly ran back and reached to the bus. There was still repair work going on I got in the bus took my baggage and left without telling anything to anybody.

I came back to stall and the owner his name was shashi told me that : sir it's already 4.30 pm I will close early today and we will go to the market to shop around for the dinner. I sat there. He offered me another plate of bhajjiyaa and then we left towards the village.

Yes I wanted to go to Mahabaleshwer but two weeks I have I will spend the way I want. I guess that is what life is all about. Trying new things and live the life the way you want.

We went to his room kept my baggage and from their went to the market. In the evening it was raining quite a bit. I was in the house listening to the rain. I had a tea again around 8 pm and was reading a book under the bulb which wasn't that much bright but was enough to read.

A Book a cup of a tea and a rainy evening wow wat a start to the vacation.

I was feeling quite relaxed.

Around 10 pm he was done with the dinner. It was cooked on mud stove not on gas. Bajraa roti, Partially roasted and steamed brinjal masala, rice and spicy dal with mashed green chilli and garlic mixture kind of a thick chutney. last but not the least the crispy bhajjiyaa.. not a high class dinner but what a taste it had. I loved the dinner a lot. Rain stilled continued but was gentle enough. It was only garnishing the moment with it's presence.

He made me a bed of a mat covered with a blanket and a pillow. As soon as I landed my head on the pillow, it was like I dived in the ocean of sleep. I slept thinking about this beautiful day. Really what a day it was.

I got up at 7 in the morning. Rain had stopped but was quite dark and cloudy. I got freshen up and he gave me the tea.

We left around 10 am to see the village and and its beautiful spots...

while returning back we took a route which was connected to the jungle. While we were walking all of a sudden he stopped

Shashi : Sirjee I forgot to tell u... Look at there just ahead of that lake. Its a bit far but it's a sugar factory. People from the village say that the owner has used some foreign technology in the factory. Aisa bas log bolte hai gaav ke do chaar Jo waaha kaam karte hai.(few people from the Village who work there say such things) baaki kisiko kuch pata nahi. Rest nobody knows anything about it.

Do you want to see it????

I took out the binoculars from my bag and just tried to have a closer look of the factory. I kept on zooming in and moving my binoculars towards all parts of the factory right left center. Just when I was about to close my binoculars I saw a girl standing at the gate of the factory. I zoomed in a bit and then a bit more.

What I saw shook my soul. I kept zooming in further more further and the clearer view took me backward. Right back in my college days. I knew this girl quite well. I quickly asked him to take me to the factory.

I reached there and ask Shashi to wait outside and i moved ahead towards the factory. There was a fencing in front of the gate. I just dugged down on my knees and was trying to get a view of her.

I didn't found her there. But whatever I saw through the binoculars was enough to confirm her identity. I decided to enter the factory and took a step ahead towards the gate. There was a small cabin for the watchmen but he wasn't there.

I put a foot inside but later on changed my mind. I then moved backward and started walking. Suddenly.....

Hey listen.. stop their.. hey you I am talking to you..

I heard a voice and I turned back. There was an aged man. I stopped and he came near and then....

Who are you??? I saw you at the gate coming inside and then moving back. What were you here for????

I was scared and didn't knew what to answer.

He again asked are you going to tell me who are you and why were you entering the factory premises.

I replied

Sir don't get me wrong I am from MUMBAI.

The villagers told me about your factory and something about an overseas technology in it. As a technical

student I really wanted to see the process. Believe me sir that was the only reason I came.

Uncle: you really came to see the factory

Me : yes sir... The uncle came towards me smiling and said come come.. after a long time somebody thought of studying the process of this new technology. Someone intelligent has arrived come son come I will show you every process.

I told Shashi..

Shashi You go home... I will be there in an hour...

Shashi : sir comeback soon before it's too dark and its also becoming a lot cloudy. it will be difficult for you to return from the forest route and later also for me to come searching you in the dark if it rains a lot.

Uncle quickly replied arey kidhar rehta hai tum (where do u stay)

Shashi : (neeche) down at the river banks near the school.

Uncle : itna door see aaya.. you guys came from too far. Don't worry main chodh dega dusrey road se. Car hai mere pass ( I have a car and will drop him by another route )

Shashi : sir wat about dinner

Me: kuch bhi chalega....( anything will be fine)

Later uncle took me inside..

There factory premises was a big one. There was a small room on the right side of the factory. Behind that room there was an open shed which was seeming like a kitche kitchen. On the left side there was one more shed which had a table and three chairs. This might be to have tea and all.

Uncle the asked his servant for tea..

It had started raining not that much but still unignorable

I had already searched for her thrice post entering the factory but didn't found her.

We then went inside the production department. Uncle started showing me the technology.

Later the rain started to pour down quite heavily. I didn't realized it was too dark.

I Told uncle that...

Me: Uncle I need to leave now. It will be difficult to leave later if the rain doesnt stops. Its already getting a lot heavier it doesn't seem to stop now.

Uncle brought the car keys and two umbrellas from inside. We were about to make the exit towards the car and a car entered from the front gate. The headlight was flashing on us. we both weren't able to see anything due to the lights and rain we covered our eyes through our palm.

The headlight went off and the car door opened. She came towards us. She looked at me and stared for a while. She then asked uncle...

She: kaha jaa rahe ho where you are going everything fine.

Uncle: yes.. yes.. everything fine..ohh

He is shridhar.. he came to see our factory. I was about to drop him down the village at the high school.

She: from the car it's really difficult to see anything it's really raining a lot. Also a tree fell down on the other side of the road. It's not safe to drive now.

She then went inside that small house just beside the factory.

Uncle : Young Man sorry but may be you have to stay here tonight or atleast till the rain stops. There is no option.

Me: No sir I will go slowly from the jungle area just give me a torch if you have.

Uncle : Are you gone Mad. I can't take that risk and allow you to go in this stormy night. Wait here tonight..

Rain was now making horrific sounds with thundering.

The small shed behind the room which seemed like kitchen, wasn't a city type kitchen. All it had was a medium sized "choola" with lots of wood lying beside and two big utensils.

Uncle later created a bornfire in the shed ahead of the kitchen in a big hollow vessel of mud. He just removed the table and only kept the chairs. He then called me and asked to take a seat. He arranged two glasses with drink.

Uncle: do u take drinks??? Please reply yes as in a climate like this I don't want to drink alone.

Me: Sir I drink but not that much.. very rare almost close to a "No" but today why I don't know I m feeling to have it.

Uncle: yeh hui na baat...(thats the spirit) Cheers...

Uncle: our cook is preparing laal mass and garlic rice... laal maas is a Rajasthani chicken curry. In this climate it is as delicious as anything can get.

I have asked the cook to give us some roasted chicken pieces as starters before the dinner. We will have it with the drink..

here they are...

Night, heavy rain, chilled drink and hot roasted chicken.. wow this was a pure magical moment.

I was still thinking about her. She was sitting inside the room. She didn't came out since she saw me at the entrance earlier.

After 2, 3 small pacs Uncle asked me :

So yaha kaise??? I mean how you are here do u have any relatives in this village.

Me: no no sir... My bus broke down here on the highway....and on and on..

I told him how I was here and a lot of chat happened like office family for almost n hour and half.

Few packs more by uncle and uncle kept on talking... I just had 4 small packs and then I didn't continue.. later uncle was out of control. He kept on talking with me. His voice became more heavier.. and then..

Uncle : hey you... Intelligent man. Sorry technical man. when you will get married will you call me??? Now we are friends drinking partners..

Me : I laughed.... Yes sir why not....

Uncle: son I will give you one advice about marriage... Don't ever marry a wrong girl. She will make all your right decisions wrong.

Ramnath (the cook) came from the kitchen with those crisp looking red hot chicken tandoori pieces with a green chutni and soft curd..

Rain had no intentions of stopping at all. So I and uncle also didn't stopped at all and started enjoying the tandoor special chicken pieces.

I was enjoying the moment... Tandoori chicken, rain and at the same time thinking about her. 7 years passed after that incident. I still can't forget that day when it all happened. We were a lovely couple. We shared a healthy bond together. We really loved each other a lot. we dreamt of getting married after graduation but not before i make a mark in my career.

Our Tybcom board exams began. Everything was set. Get a first class take up a job temporarily and simultaneously complete a post graduation or an MBA. This was the plan and then that day arrived...

we after our last paper decided to go out as we didn't meet during exams. That day we went to watch a movie and while returning back her brother saw us together.

He went away from there said nothing to us. She was really scared about the consequences. I gave her faith about I will fight for her if anything happens. No need to worry. I told her to go home and directly meet me tommorow evening 7pm.

She was still crying. She hugged me a lot tight, Infact the hug had something to say may be something negative I felt. She was not ready to leave me and kept making that hug more tightened. I just holded her face with both her cheeks in my palm and kissed her forhead and told her. "Don't worry I am there" go now it's too late. She went. Almost thrice she looked back while going home.

Next day I was waiting for her but she didn't come. I waited for an hour or so.I was feeling a bit worried. I felt I should go to her place and see what is the scenario. I tried to hide behind a huge tree near her row house. There were no lights. I then tried moving closer to the gate. It was locked. I saw that the house was also locked. Nobody was there.

My heartbeats increased and I was really scared. I was like where I should search her. I went to her friend who stayed nearby but she was not there at home. I then went home. My mind wasn't working. Constant thoughts were running in my mind.. My mother arrived from the kitchen and she told me that a girl named sudha came to meet me she left this envelope for me.

Sudha was her friend. Sudha knew about us. With the help of Sudha's letter I found out that her family had taken her to Rajasthan and probably she will be getting married soon in two three days. I spoke to sudha personally the next day for any address she has of Rajasthan but she didn't had any clue. Few drops immidiately rolled down and I was left with no option than to remember her with all the memories I had.

Thundering strikes with a loud noise and suddenly I came back to the present world from those thoughts. I saw uncle was sleeping on the chair. It was around 10 pm.

Ramnath came and asked if I would be having the dinner.

Me : yes I will..

Please inform madam about uncle. He has slept...

My dinner arrived hot spicy laal mass it was steaming hot.. The rain outside and such a steamy food.. I had with steamy garlic rice. It was absolutely delicious.. I gave 500 RS as "bakshish" reward to ramnath for that delicious dinner..

Ramnath then told me about my bed being arranged inside..

Before entering the factory to sleep I went at her window to see her. She was writing something in a big register. I kept looking at her.. she was still the same. There was no change in her. Watching her was like a sweet dish after the dinner. It was around 11.45 pm now....

7 years passed and what a coincidence to meet her here. Where I was heading towards and where I came. I found her here. I was feeling a little bit sleepy. I closed my eyes hearing that background music of the rain and thundering.

The night was so peaceful at that moment. I decided not to think about the past also why I am alone thinking about her.

She didn't even react and she is behaving like she doesn't know me. If it's not bothering to her it shouldn't bother to me too.

ln all those thoughts I went to sleep. Due to a loud thundering I woke up and since then i lost my sleep. I saw it was 2.30 am I then got up stood near the window. and saw Her room's lights were off.

I then thought about having a small drink as now I have lost my sleep. I took the umbrella from the room and I went towards the shed were uncle and I shared a drink.

The drink was on the table. I took the glass and filled a small pack. Just when I was about to leave i saw a movement towards the kitchen where ramnath cooked the food.

Then I saw a small fire emerged and a shadow glowed out of that fire. It was her. A thought came in my mind about what she was doing there alone in this midnight.

It scared me a lot. I took the bottle with my drink and quickly went towards her and then..

Me: yaha akeli Kya kar rahi ho.. what are you doing here alone...

She: i just wasn't able to sleep. Due to continuous rain. it is also getting a quite cooler now so decided to have some warm fire burning..

Me: can I sit here for sometime... I just lost my sleep and now really not able to sleep.

She: yes...

Now we both were facing each other and in between was the bornfire.. I started having the drink.

She: when did u start drinking...

Me: I don't drink generally very rarely may be once twice in six months of time.

That too if there is any occasion like office party n all.Now today I m drinking after almost 8 months...

She: not a good habit though... Try to quit..

After that it was seeming like Silence was trying to occupy some space in that moment.

Me: did u recognize me or rather do u remember me???

She: what kind of a question is that...

Me: I didn't find anything tricky in my question.. I asked u a simple question..

did u recognize me or do u remember me???

She : yes I do..

Me: what yes... Remember me or recognized me???

She: I remember u that's why recognized you.

Me: then why are you showing like you don't know me. I have noticed that the time since you saw me in the evening you are behaving like you don't know me.

She: what u feel what I should have did. Hugged you or anything else you were expecting.

Me: you have learned a lot to talk. Seems like the Politeness inside you has been burried by a lot of money..

She : stop it now.... you are talking utter rubbish.... Non sense....

Later on both of us kept quiet for 10 mins or so I again started...

Me : who is this uncle I heard you calling him "Pappa" I have seen your dad and this uncle is not ur dad.. who is he??

She : He is my father in law.. this is my husband's factory..

Me: ohhh your husband's factory.. I see...

She : yes.. after that incident my family took me to Rajasthan and within a weeks time they did all the arrangements and forcefully made me marry a businessman.

Later on things got settle down. I got use to the things surrounded around me.

My husband had to make an investment in my name and one of his friend came up with this project of setting up a factory here. As it's an initial phase of the factory Now me and my father in law are here from few months. My husband and my brother law will be back next month from London. Once they are back I will return to Rajasthan again. Then probably there will be hiring for managers here. My brother in law also will be here who will look after the factory in our absence.

Me : I never really thought anything like this would happen to us.

She: forget about it now. There is no benefit talking about it.

Me: what did u say just now..."benefit".. do you really think I am talking about it because I am searching a benefit??? Out of it.

Do u have any idea what my life turned into when you left? What kind of days I have seen. How I spent my days thinking about you. I didn't had any bladdy idea about how am I going to find you where I am going to search you.

Leaving me with all those memories of ours and After living a life next to hell you are meeting me after 7 years to tell me that there is no "benefit" talking about it.

She: what else I have to say now.. things are not the same today. 7 years have passed. We have our own life. We need to deal with it anyhow. So what's important is to accept the truth and live the life we have in front of us.

Me: Great... I must say you richly deserve a standing ovation for your wonderful speech on past and present.

I am done with it.. I don't have to speak anything now. I am waiting for the dawn. I will leave from here. I am sorry I met you but didn't had any clue about it. I accidentally landed here. But good that I met you. Atleast now I know that this pain which I had till today was not worth carrying and crying for as it didn't had your so called "benefit" attached with it..

Good night & Bye...

I quickly finished the remaining drink in the glass in one sip and left her alone.

It was 3:45 am and I went to bed with all the thoughts running in my mind. I didn't realized when I slept.

In the morning I got up at around 7 am uncle dropped me at Shashi's place. Uncle asked me about my plans for the day. All my vacation mood was spoiled hence I told him that I will be leaving today for Mumbai. As I have made up my mind to go home and after 2, 3 days resume back to office.

Uncle told me that he was also going to Mumbai today to meet someone regarding his factory affairs. He told me take your bag and come with me I will be leaving within half an hour. I told uncle.. that I will go on my own.. but he wasn't ready to listen. He said....

Uncle: what a big deal in it I am also going to Mumbai. I will drop you and if you are feeling that it's a favour from me than do one thing give the bus (ST) fare to me..

I gave 2000 rs to shashi. Initially Shashi wasn't taking that much amount he was feeling that it is a slightly on a higher side. But I insisted him to take it. I greeted him with a warm goodbye and went with uncle to the factory again.

After an hour we had breakfast. I was looking around for her but didn't find her. No love lost isn't it. This game is quite cruel. Once you decide to play you keep losing it and get addicted to play. It never ends. I wanted to see her for the last time.May be the last night was the last.

Later uncle checked the car added an extra Tyre with a tool box and we left the village. I was having a glimpse of the village while leaving. This village gave me Fond memories but I will never come back again.

Uncle took another route of the village to connect the main highway. He wanted to buy few things from the village. He haulted the car for few minutes at a small shop later we connected the highway and then the Mumbai journey began.

I wasn't able to forget our last night's conversation. I wasn't able to separate myself from that moment. All these years I didn't find anyone or may be I didn't looked for anyone. Was this all for this day. One shouldn't fail this badly. You tend to lose faith on victories due to such instances .

I was quiet and so was uncle. I wondered this talkative man wasn't speaking a single word since we got in the car. I also wasnt in a good mood to talk. Later I realized keeping quiet is not going to help. It's a long journey there has to be some talk so I started...

Me: Uncle... When you will be returning back...

Uncle: tommorow morning.. why???? Do you want to comeback???

Me: I laughed a bit.. no uncle no plans of coming back...

But uncle now that you will be in Mumbai who will be there in the factory.. I mean your daughter in law will be alone there..

Uncle looked at me in a strange way and I felt did I say something suspicious..

Uncle : which daughter in law you are talking about...

Me : The one in the factory??

Uncle: she is not my daughter in law.. she is my younger brother's daughter... Who told you that she is my daughter in law???

I was really shocked to hear this.. I mean why did she lied to me..

Uncle: what happen what are you thinking about... who told you that she is my daughter in law.

Me: you are not her father in law??? and what about the factory?? isnt that your son's factory..

Uncle again looked at me in a strange way.

This time he stopped driving and parked the car at a nearby lake. He asked me to come out of the car and then....

Uncle: Kya boley jaa rahe ho... Kaunsi kahani Bata rahe ho...(What are you talking about which story you are telling me.)

Who told you all these things.

This factory belongs to her. It's her hard earned reward. She is neither my daughter in law nor i am her father in law. I am her uncle, her father's elder brother. She calls me (bade Pappa). She will not be alone there. I have my entire family in the village. My wife my daughter. We live in a nearby village. Which is not that far from this village

Me : so she doesn't stay there at the factory??

Uncle: No.. why will she stay at the factory when we have our own house in the village. Yesterday you didn't hear what she said a tree fell down on the road so the road was closed. That was the main route to my village. Our village is not that nearer from the route as compared to the factory. since that was closed she drive the car to the factory and due to heavy rain there was no other option to wait at the factory. Ramnath the cook is the only one who stays there at the factory. He also looks after the factory at night.

But my question is who gave you all this wrong information and why.. and now one more question I have is why did you asked someone about all this information. Who are you?????

Me: Uncle don't get me wrong I will tell u the entire story.. it's just a mere coincidence that I am here. I told him everything about my connection with her our entire story and last night's conversation and then...

Uncle: goodness me I can't believe this...

So you are the one. Look the truth is yes she was forced into a marriage. Her husband was a good guy. He didn't knew about this. She wasn't happy in her married life. She was only performing her duties as a wife. Her husband eventually decided to get separated due to her non-involvement into their relationship as husband wife. Later both got divorced.

Her father was against this and didn't behaved properly with her. But I supported her. I brought her back here. She then continued her studies and eventually we together setup this factory. This is the entire story.

Me: but Uncle i don't understand why did she lied to me..

Uncle: come get in the car... Let's go back and ask her..

Me: I had no words for uncle.. his decision to take me back to her earned a top spot of respect in my heart.

We went back and entered into the village then towards the Hill road and finally to the factory.

We went inside and searched for her. She was sitting in her room. I saw her from the window. Uncle told me to go inside. I went inside and saw her she was crying her yes were red and also swollen as if she cried the whole night.

I asked her...

What material your heart is made up of..

How do u bear all this pain. Why did u lied to me??? Uncle told me everything about you.

I want to hear from you. why you lied and what you wanted to achieve.

She: I only wanted that you should marry a new girl. I wanted that you should start a new life with a new girl creating new memories with a blank past and a clear present. I wanted that you should marry a pure girl not a married girl who has stayed and slept with a man for a period of time. I I only wanted to give you the best life because you deserve the best. That's all..

Uncle came inside after that...

Uncle : Beta you are right on your part. But what about this man. How many times do you feel he deserves to lose. Don't you feel he deserves justice for his loyalty, for his immense love he has for you. 7 years is a very long time. Believe me someone who has spent 7 years thinking about you will hold your hand till next 7 lives. Don't let him go. A new life is waiting for you both start it together.

Uncle then went outside leaving us alone. I sat next to her, took her hand and holded it tight. I removed a ring from my finger and she allowed her finger to enter my ring.

Me: filhaal yeh temporary hai I will get you a new one later.. meanwhile "Bride Booking done" you are mine now...

She smiled and cried together. I wiped her tears. I was just looking at her. She gently dropped her head on my shoulder and I kissed her forehead in return.

I took permission from uncle to take her to Mahabaleshwer for a short trip which I had planned for me. Uncle also didn't had any hesitation in lending me the permission. She took her car and our journey began.

We reached Mahabaleshwer and the rain accompanied us throughout the journey.

Around 5 pm we reached at around 5pm. We checked in our hotel and came back in the evening to have a cup of tea.

Believe it or not Paras saw me outside the tea stall and called me..

Paras: where were you... you disappeared from the bus that day and who is she u were alone that day.

Me: what Paras u forgot u only told me that you can't visit Mahabaleshwer alone.

You have to be either with your girlfriend or your wife. She is my fiancee.. I smiled and left from there holding her hand.

Paras shouted what's her name????

I turned back and replied..

"Niyati"........(The destiny)