The Limelight

It's the day of Ganesh Chaturthi. The sun is shining outside and the birds are chirping in joy. Happiness is everywhere in the air. Devdatta comes outside with his bike. He could hear the noise of the folks from the local temple. The Ganesh Temple of Vilash Nagar is very famous. People from different parts of the town like to come to the temple during the Ganesh Puja, and this year is no exception. Devdatta stands his bike near the temple and enters inside. He puts his palms together and closes his eyes, "Ganesh ji please give me strength to execute the duty which I have taken over."

"Hey is it Devdatta?"

"Ya, the son of late Amrit Purohit ji."

"Can't believe the son of such a decent man can be like this!"

"Ya. How does he dare to enter into the temple with his crooked face? He's corrupting the immaculacy of the temple."

"Don't worry Mr.Jha, I will call for a society meeting today and there we will have a discussion on this. I don't think he should be allowed either in the temple or in the society."

"Yes you're absolutely right. He is leaving an ill impact on the environment of our society. He must be banished."

Devdatta can clearly overhear the conversation between those two men, or maybe they have purposefully talked loudly. Devdatta doesn't say anything. He comes out of the temple with slow steps. Mr. Govind is the secretary of the society, he can banish Devdatta anytime he wants. Actually, it's not something strange for Devdatta. He knew that this day is going to come soon. He was preparing himself for this. But now he has not that time to think about himself, he has to do a lot of work. He has taken over a heavy-duty which he has to fulfill by hook or by crook.

   No sooner than Devdatta has stood his bike in the Mananpalli, the children rush to him, "Uncle uncle where is the Pandit?"

Devdatta takes a deep breath and smiles, "Here in front of you."

"You! Oh no you're joking. Where is he?"

"Why? Can't I be the Pandit for today?"

"Nooooooo…."

"Whyyy?"

"Because you don't look like that."

"Oh really? Then give me few minutes. I promise I will make you wonder with my new Avtar."

"Really?"

"Yeap. Now go go complete your decorations."

"Okaaayyyy"

The little children leave the place in rush. The most senior member of the Palli has been watching them for a while. As soon as the children leave the place, she comes in front, "Babu the pandits are not ready to come here right?"

"Bimla mausi actually…"

"I knew it. I knew it. I told you not to fill their hearts with such desires but you didn't listen to me."

"Mausi I do know neither to give up nor to break my promise. Ganesh Puja cannot be stopped. Although I don't believe in the cliche rituals, I believe that with the purity of heart everyone can worship everyday, but still for you I will be the pandit, I am from a bramhin family."

      The three days have passed with great amusement and fun. The inhabitants of Mananpalli could not remember when was the last time they had such enjoyment. Today is the day of "Bisarjan". There is a mixed feeling of excitement and sadness in the heart of everyone. It's the last day!! Suddenly three huge vans come near the mandap. Everyone gets a surprise. What is this? Who are they? Devdatta comes outside from the mandap and notices the sticker of "press" on the vans. "Who called them?" He mumbles. Within few moments the entire picture of the mandap has been changed. Reporters from various media come to cover the news, everyone of them wants to shoot the Puja of the Prostitutes. 

    "So it was your plan Mr. Purohit! I knew it. You selfish…!" Suddenly Payel shouts on Devdatta and leaves the mandap. But she couldn't notice that the selfish man didn't go in front of the camera even for once, he didn't try to express his credit even for once.

    When everyone is busy in facing the media, Devdatta comes to that room in silence; it was the room where five months ago he came for the first time with his devastated self, with the heart rendering feeling that he was all alone in this large world. He tried to taste the womanly flesh for the first time to soothe his soul. The mistress of the room, Ms. Payel was all opened in front of him. But Devdatta couldn't touch her, a strange feeling dragged him behind. Payel was startled to meet such a customer for the first time in her life. That night they didn't get united physically, but their hearts got united when they began to share their sorrows with each other. Before that day Devdatta only knew that the whores earn money by selling their body by their choice,but he didn't know the actual story behind it. How those ladies were manipulated or forced to choose this profession. Payel was the first woman who opened his eyes. That day Devdatta decided to do something for these unfortunate ladies and their children; and more importantly he wanted to do something for Payel. And this Ganesh Puja is actually a part of that "something".

     "How dare you come to my room? Get out, I say just get out." Payel again shouts on Devdatta as soon as she sees him.

"I will definitely leave your room but before that I want to know my mistake. What have I done to offend you?"

"Don't you know? Oh really?"

"Yes, I really don't know."

"We believed you Mr. Devdatta, we believed that you were indeed good at heart. But you too… you too a selfish monster who used us."

" I used you? How?"

"Don't you know! You used us to achieve your selfish goals. Whatever, you have achieved everything you wanted. Now please leave us alone. The women, standing outside, are actually very innocent, they can't even imagine how you're making fun of them in front of the world. But not anymore…please leave."

"Thanks for each and every word you have uttered. I'll never come again. But before that, I want to know what have I done actually? I really want to know in clear words, I'm not intelligent enough to understand your enigmatic symbols."

"I can't believe… you…"

"What?"

"You used us to come in the limelight of the media. And I trusted you. You have broken my trust Mr. Purohit… you…" Payel breaks into tears. 

Devdatta looks at her for a while. The teardrops are rolling down from her eyes, they're touching her pink lips before scattering. 

"You're right Payel", says Devdatta in a calm voice, "I really want the limelight, but not of the media, rather… I have done these to come in the limelight of your eyes. May you won't believe me, but I really don't know who has called the media. In fact, I didn't face them for once."

"What?"

"I really like you Payel. I really really wanted to prove my worth in front of you. I knew that you don't believe people so easily, that's why I did all these."

"You're…" Before Payel could complete her words Devdatta holds her hands and utters,

"With my soul at peace and my thoughts at rest,

standing in this winter wilderness,

I whisper words of heartfelt bliss.

Come with me and walk this path.

Together we tread against the freeze,

and find the warmth of tender grasp."

A light breeze passes through the room swelling the pores of two hearts.

(Poem courtesy - W. Hill)