Author

******

"Mirza, gaadi yahi pass main park karna..."

["Mirza, park the car nearby."]

Sargam clutched her dupatta tighter as she noticed she was in front of a hospital. She didn't know why she was there, but when Rukmini ordered her to get ready to go out with her, she couldn't dare ask a word.

She was already shaken up by the announcement of her marriage. She was clueless as to who the man was, except that the family that came yesterday was the one she was getting married into.

The wedding announcement had scared the bejesus out of her, but the last thing she wanted was to be stripped of her choice to choose her partner. Albeit, it was happening again.

Life hadn't been kind to her, and she was never presented with choices before, but this time some determination was building up inside of her, not the usual kind but the one that fuels you enough, which makes you take a drastic step.

And this time...Sargam was resolute that she wouldn't let the Universe or anyone play with her life.

Today again she was made to wear one of Swara's old discarded clothes, which by the way still looked new. The parrot green salwar kameez highlighted Sargam's features, and it looked better on her than it ever looked on Swara.

And how would it ever look good on Swara?

Whenever Swara shopped, she always bought something to humiliate either her friends, or she would take Sargam shopping and buy whatever outfit made Sargam's eyes brighten, without even caring whether that outfit enhanced her personality.

Swara loved belittling others, as if that gave her some kind of ick, and she was never questioned; after all, she was Dharmendra's daughter. Moreover, Chaudharys were like that only.

When Rukmini and Sargam got out of the car, Sargam saw the same woman from yesterday standing near a luxurious Jeep, holding a small fan closer to her face. Just like yesterday, she was adorned with so much gold as if she had come to attend a wedding and wasn't standing outside the hospital.

Sargam was shocked to see her, yet followed Rukmini who strided towards her.

The woman stared at Rukmini and then turned off the fan.

"Aane mein deri kar di, Rukmini Ji..."

["You're late, Rukmini Ji..."]

She taunted Rukmini.

Rukmini maintained her composure, gave her a polite smile and replied, "Sargam thodi bimar thi isliye deri ho gayi, Mahisha Ji..."

["Sargam wasn't feeling well, so we got delayed, Mahisha Ji..."]

Sargam wasn't shocked by the lie. A lot of times, Chaudharys had put the weight of their excuses or lies on her shoulders, and she was used to it now.

Mahisha finally glanced at Sargam; the same bitter expression marred her face as she mocked, "Bohot nazuk hai aapki gudiya..."

["Your Gudiya is quite delicate..."]

She didn't let Rukmini speak and then added,"...chaliye dekh lete hain sirf nazuk hi hai ya pavitra bhi..."

["...let's go find out if she's only delicate, or pure as well."]

The ' pavitra' term caught Sargam's breath.

Mahisha walked ahead, and then Sargam whispered to Rukmini, "Choti Maa...kya matlab tha unka? Hum yaha kyu aaye hain?"

["Choti Maa... what did she mean by that? Why have we come here?"]

Rukmini glared at Sargam.

"Chup raho...pata nhi tumhari vajah se aur kitni zillat ka samna karna padega...Agar ye rishta tuta...toh tumhe is qadar todungi ki na jeete banega na hi marte...."

["Be quiet... God knows how much more humiliation I will have to endure because of you. If this alliance falls through, I will break you so completely that neither living nor dying will be easy for you."]

Rukmini walked ahead, while Sargam still didn't understand what they were there for, but she had understood they brought her there for another humiliation only.

The poor soul didn't know this was going to be the worst of all.

The moment they reached the floor where the Gynac's clinic was, Sargam's heartbeats increased rapidly. Sweat broke out on her forehead, and she wiped it off with the back of her palm. Her hands grew colder contrary to the sweat breaking.

They didn't have to wait as the receptionist instantly recognized them. She didn't let anyone go inside the doctor's cabin and immediately attended to Rukmini and Mahisha, held the door open for them, and said with fear and respect, "Doctor andar hi hain, please aap andar jaiye..."

["The doctor is already inside; please go in..."]

Rukmini nodded and walked inside with both Mahisha and Sargam.

The other patients didn't even question the receptionist about why they were allowed entry when they clearly knew who Rukmini and Mahisha were. Rukmini was respected, but Mahisha was feared.

The three of them walked in like they owned the hospital, and they sat right in front of the doctor. Mahisha put one leg over another, leaning back on the chair and turning on her small hand fan.

Rukmini sat there like she was power herself, dressed in Silk, and Sargam sat with her back slouched and her hands clasped together in her lap. She was chanting Mahadev's name in her head with fear.

The doctor noticed the demeanour of the three but didn't say anything. It was her job to treat the patient, so she never truly cared how someone sat, as long as it wasn't objectionable.

Dr. Preeti Sharma had recently joined the hospital and had started her shift only a week ago, so she had no idea who the people sitting in front of her were.

"Toh, patient kaun hai?"

["So, who is the patient?"]

"Sargam Chauhdhary..."

Rukmini replied.

"Umra?"

["Age?"]

"23 saal..."

["23 years"]

Rukmini replied again.

Preeti got annoyed because she wanted the patient to reply.

"Kya pareshaani hai?"

["What's the problem?"]

"Pareshaani hi toh janne aaye hain hum..."

["That's exactly what we're here to find out."]

This time it was Mahisha. Preeti exhaled in annoyance and asked irritably, "Matlab?"

["What do you mean?"]

"Hum check up karvana chahte hain apni gudiya ka...ki sab theek hai ya nahi"

["We want to get our girl checked up, to make sure everything is alright."]

Rukmini clarified.

Preeti raised her brows in confusion and asked, "Kaisa checkup?"

["What kind of checkup?"]

"Vahi jo shaadi ke pehle karvate hain..."

["The one that takes place before a wedding..."]

Mahisha said.

Preeti clenched her teeth as she had understood where the conversation was going, while Sargam had closed her eyes in embarrassment.

But closing her eyes wouldn't make her disappear from the hall of shame now, would it?

She was going to be another victim to give proof of her dignity to women who didn't have any. Ironic, but this was the bitter reality.

Tears fell freely out of her eyes in shame as she clasped her hands tighter, consistently chanting God's name. But the same God was silent when she was tormented for years; then why would he come to save her now?

"Aur Kya checkup karvate hain shaadi ke pehle?"

["And what kind of checkup is done before a wedding?"]

Preeti didn't ask for clarification, but she just wanted to see how shameless the two women in front of her could be.

"Tu doctor hai aur itna nahi pata...agar ye bhi mujhe batana pad raha hai toh chor de doctor ki kursi...main baith jaati hu vaha."

["You are a doctor, and you don't even know that? If I have to explain even this to you, then you should give up that chair. I will sit there instead."]

Mahisha replied arrogantly.

"It is common sense that you have to tell the doctor what you are here for. I am a doctor, not a mind reader."

Preeti intentionally replied in English, because she had understood the people sitting there weren't educated enough.

"Ye angrezi mein kya pitir pitir kar rahi hai?"

["What's she muttering in English?"]

Mahisha asked irritably.

Preeti took a breath of rage and clarified in the language Mahisha understood, "Ye normal procedure hai...mera matlab hai prakriya...as a doctor mera ye kaam hai ki main aapse spasht bhasha mein puchu ki aap ko kya pareshaani hai and as a patient...yani ki mareez ke naate aapka ye kaam hai ki aap us sawal ka uttar de..."

["This is a normal procedure. What I mean is, it's part of the process. As a doctor, it's my job to ask you clearly what the problem is, and as a patient, it's your responsibility to answer that question."]

"Toh aise bol na..."

["Then say it like that."]

She then looked at Sargam and then said, "Is ladki ki shaadi Sangram Singh se tay hui hai...toh hamara hak banta hai na ki shaadi se pehle hum tasalli kar le...to ab tu iski jaanch kar de..."

["This girl's marriage has been arranged with Sangram Singh. So it's only our right to put our minds at ease before the wedding, isn't it? Now go ahead and examine her."]

Rukmini sat there quietly, not wanting to meddle as she was already annoyed sitting in a hospital. For her, hospitals were another place that didn't match her status, so her ego was getting wounded, and she just wanted everything to be over with.

"Kaisi jaanch?"

["What kind of examination?"]

"Iske pavitrata ki..."

["Whether she is pure."]

The doctor lost her patience hearing Mahisha. The moment it was openly mentioned they were there for Sargam's virginity test, which was so absurd and shameful for any woman, she lost her cool.

"Riya..." She yelled for the receptionist.

When she didn't come in one call, she shouted on top of her lungs, "Riya..."

The receptionist rushed in, wondering and worrying about what went wrong.

"Yes, Ma'am..." She glanced at Rukmini and then at Preeti.

"Kisne andar aane diya inhe...nikalo in gawaron ko bahar..."

["Who let them in here? Get these fools out of here."]

She yelled at Riya, ordering her to throw them out.

But just then Mirza and a few armed men entered with rifles. Preeti's face went pale.

"Malkin, sab theek?"

["Ma'am, is everything alright?"]

Mirza asked.

"Sab theek hai Mirza...bechari ko pata nahi hum kon hain...tum log bahar jao."

["Everything is fine, Mirza. The poor thing doesn't know who we are. You all can wait outside."]

Preeti was shocked when she noticed everyone walking out, even Riya.

"Rukmini Chaudhary naam hai mera...Dharmendra Chaudhary ki biwi hain hum...hum chahe toh tumhe nanga karke is pure hospital mein ghuma sakte hain...Ab seedhe seedhe jaanch karo iski..."

["My name is Rukmini Chaudhary. I am Dharmendra Chaudhary's wife. If I wish, I can have you strip naked and parade through this entire hospital. Now stop wasting time and examine her."]

Preeti knew about Dharmendra Chaudhary, the entire country knew, and also about how exactly he became the leader of his political party.

That man had shed blood, a lot of it, and not only that, there was a rumor he killed his own father to get the throne he was sitting on. But there were never any proofs against him, and if anyone ever claimed to have proof, they would be found dead.

While the world would consider it a murder, Dharmendra Chaudhray would claim it as the victim's cruel fate.

Besides, justice works on proof, right? No one ever cares about the victim's cry for help but proof. Silly, how we as humans consider some objects above the pain of another human.

Preeti gulped in nervousness and mumbled to Sargam, "Chalo..." [Let's go] to take her to the examination room, which was in her chamber, only separated by another door.

Sargam got up, and as she took some steps, following the doctor, Mahisha's words abruptly stopped both Preeti and Sargam.

"Ruko...pehle hum bhi toh dekh le ispe koi daag toh nahi hai..."

["Wait... let us see first whether she is untainted."]

Then she turned to Rukmini and almost challenged her,"Hai na?" ["Right?"]

Rukmini stayed quiet and clenched her hand because of the challenge and not because of what was going to happen.

She gave a nod of approval to Mahisha, looked over at Sargam firmly and then commanded, "Kapde utaro Sargam..."

["Take off your clothes, Sargam."]

Mahisha got up and walked towards Sargam. Preeti was too stunned to speak. She didn't want it to happen, but she had no choice either.

"Choti Maa..." Sargam cried for her, pleaded with her eyes, shaking her head; a sob clogged her throat.

Mahisha grabbed her arm, painfully digging her fingers into it, causing her to wince, and then said, "Ye choti Maa...choti maa kya laga rakha hai? Ab tum hamare ghar ki bahu banne ja rahi ho...ab se jo main kahungi vo karna padega...Mujhe dobara bolne pe majboor mat karo...jo kaha hai vo karo"

["Enough with this 'Choti Maa, Choti Maa.' What is that supposed to mean? You are about to become the daughter-in-law of our family. From now on, you will do as I say. Don't force me to repeat myself. Do what you've been told."]

Preeti turned around, her eyes glistening with tears for a poor soul. She couldn't face the atrocity, and she chose ignorance, the easiest way out.

Sargam's body shook in shame, and when she noticed no God was there to save her, her hope was crushed again.

She started stripping then.

peeled the dupatta off her body and put it on the table, then removed the kurta and then her salwar. She removed her dignity piece by piece, marking her soul with scars.

She was now in a bra and her panties.

"Ab ye kapde utarne ke liye guards bulau kya?"

["Do I need to call the guards to strip you out of those clothes?"]

Mahisha seethed.

Sargam flinched at what she was told to do. Her lips quivered, her heart broke into innumerable pieces.

Her hands shook as she unclasped her bra and then hooked her fingers under her panties and let it pool down to her feet. Her tears kept streaming. She wasn't wailing, but her soul was. She wasn't sobbing yet, but her soul was.

Preeti clutched her stethoscope tighter; she had never felt this helpless as a human. She had never thought one day she would have to witness something this outrageous that she would want to puke her guts out.

Mahisha took rounds around Sargam, watching every part of her body, getting jealous that she never looked like her.

"Ek daag bhi nahi hai iske shareer pe...Aisa lag raha hai swarg se utar laayi hain aap ise..."

["There isn't a single mark on her body. It looks as if you have brought her down from heaven itself."]

She said to Rukmani, as if complaining why there was no mark on her body.

It's not like Sargam was not beaten up; she was, but in a way that never left a single scar on her. She was psychologically tormented too; her soul was filled with scars, but had anyone ever seen a scarred soul?

Only the one who worships someone has the ability to see past the body and watch the bare soul.

And Sargam didn't have any such person in her life...yet.

"Doctor sahiba aap aise sharma gayi jaise aapke hi kapde utarva diye ho..."

["Doctor, you are embarrassed as if it was you who was stripped."]

Mahisha mocked Preeti, who was crying for a stranger whose family just put her through her life's biggest humiliation.

Rukmini got up now, irritated by being there in the hospital. She despised the smell of everything there and, in a hurry to just take a breath of fresh air, she asked Mahisha, "Ho gayi tasalli?"

["Satisfied now?"]

Mahisha might have been evil, but she was scared of Rukmini a bit. As the world might not know Rukmini's truth, Mahisha did. And when she heard the finality in Rukmini's voice, she simply replied, "Hum bahar chalte hain ab Rukmini Ji..."

["Let's go outside, Rukmini Ji"]

Rukmini walked towards the door, and Mahisha looked at Preeti and then said, "Ache se jaanch karna iski...ek galti aur agli baari tumhari..."

["Examine her properly...one mistake and the next turn will be yours"]

She then followed Rukmini out. Preeti hurriedly got to the door and locked it from inside.

Sargam, on the other hand, sank to her floor, covering herself with her hands, trying to hide herself. That was when the sob choking her finally tore out of her mouth.

Preeti rushed to her, picked up Sargam's dupatta and covered her with it. She was in tears of guilt.

"Kapde pehen lo..."

["Wear your clothes..."]

She mumbled softly to Sargam and then walked into the examination room. Sargam wore her clothes, feeling exhausted, not because she was tired physically but because everything was taking a toll on her mentally.

Slowly she covered herself with clothes, but her dignity's ashes were lying at her feet. She walked into the examination room where Preeti sat on a chair.

Looking at Sargam, she asked, "Kyu hone de rahi ho apne saath ye sab?"

["Why are you letting them do this to you?"]

"Sab aazad nahi hote...Aap kar lijiye test..."

["Not everyone is free to make their own choices... Go ahead and do the test."]

Sargam mumbled as she lay down on the bed there. A tear escaped her eye as she watched the white ceiling.

"Tum chahti ho test karvana?"

["Do you want to go through with this test?"]

It felt strange to Sargam that someone asked her consent, someone presented her with a choice. But it was of no use; she knew.

"Mere chahne na chahne se kya hota hai...Unhe meri pavitrata in true sense virginity ka saboot chahiye..."

["What difference does it make what I want? They want proof of my purity, proof that I am a virgin."]

"Your consent matters..."

Preeti said softly.

Sargam sat up on the bed slowly, stared at Preeti and then replied with a painful voice, "Yes...the very consent I was stripped of, like I am some cheap meat for sale..."

Preeti didn't expect her to respond in English. She understood that she was educated but was confused: if she was educated then why was she a victim? Why hadn't she taken any action, as educated people are mostly aware of their rights?

"You sound educated...Why go through with all the atrocities?"

"Educated doesn't always mean you have free will to do whatever you want to."

Preeti was stunned at how ferocious and confident Sargam sounded.

"I don't blame you though...Spectators always feel it's the captive's fault, that they aren't strong enough, not audacious enough to break free from the shackles tied around their hands and legs."

Sargam's words made Preeti think deeply; she never thought of it ever, but now, hearing it from Sargam, who wasn't a spectator, she was seeing a different perspective.

"Pinjre ke bahar ke panchi ko pinjre ke andar ek kaid majboor panchi nahi ek kayar panchi hi nazar aata hai..."

["A bird outside the cage rarely sees the captive bird as imprisoned; it only sees a coward afraid to fly."]

There were no words left for Preeti. That was how powerful Sargam's words were. She spoke less, but whenever she did, there was volume to it, just like the depth of a silent lake.

Preeti poured water from a bottle in a plastic glass and then handed it to Sargam, saying, "Here, drink this..."

Sargam drank it all in one gulp, quenching the thirst of her throat that still ached because of the pain hiding there for long.

"Main bahar jakar bol dungi maine test kar liya hai..."

["I will go outside and tell them I have already conducted the test."]

Preeti said.

Sargam threw the plastic glass in the dustbin near the bed and stared at Preeti in shock and fear as she warned her, "Ye maar dalenge aapko agar unhe pata chala..."

["They will kill you if they find out."]

"Aur unhe batayega kon?"

["And who would tell them?"]

Preeti asked with a soft smile.

After so long, Sargam felt relieved; it wasn't big what Preeti was doing, yet it gave her heart a little peace.

"Tum thodi der yaha aaram karo...theek hai?"

["You rest here for a while, alright?"]

Sargam nodded, then all of a sudden Preeti got a call, and she walked back into her chamber.

Sargam, instead of lying there, got off the bed and walked to the small open window there.

She removed the curtain only a bit and then looked down. Young minds in white coats, holding stethoscopes and medical books, walked together, smiling, laughing, feeling happy. She remembered how she also wanted to become a doctor once.

'Kitne khushnaseeb hote honge vo, jo dusro ko naya jeevan dete honge.'

['How fortunate those people must be, the ones who give others a new life.']

She mumbled to herself.

'Vaise toh main zinda hu par ek nayi zindagi ki zaroorat toh mujhe bhi hai. Kaash mujhe bhi koi nayi zindagi deta.'

['Technically, I'm alive, but I need a new life just as much. I only wish someone would give me that.']

Her wish escaped her lips, like a prayer.

She was watching those medical students with a soft smile playing on her lips when she felt a tug on her dupatta.

When she turned around, she noticed a kid holding her dupatta and staring at her. It wasn't just any kid, but the same boy she had saved from drowning in the Ganga River. She was surprised.

She bent down, softly smiling at the child.

"Aap yaha?"

["You... here?"]

She mumbled and ruffled his hair.

The kid grinned at her, displaying all his baby teeth. Sargam looked around, worrying how he got there, and noticed another door in the examination room which opened to the other side of the corridor.

"Kabir..."

Preeti called the child and was shocked to see him there. She then scooped him up in her arms.

"Sorry...he is my friend's son...don't know how he got here."

Preeti explained the situation to Sargam. Even while in Preeti's arms, Kabir hadn't left Sargam's dupatta, tugging the strings of her heart too.

"Kabir, no...."

Preeti tried to make him unclutch Sargam's dupatta, but Kabir made a face, scrunched his nose at Preeti and pulled Sargam's dupatta again.

Preeti was confused watching Kabir act like that and said, "Ye kabhi aise nahi karta..."

["He never does this."]

"Koi baat nahi....Kya main ise god mein le sakti hu?"

["That's okay... Can I hold him?"]

"Sure..."

Sargam took Kabir from Preeti, and he instantly nestled his head against her neck, still holding her dupatta, babbling something in his baby voice.

She took him to the window where some birds sat on the branch of a nearby tree.

"Vo dekho kya hai..."

["Look, what's that?"]

She pointed at the birds and Kabir's eyes widened in amazement.

"Sparrow...." She murmured against his ear.

The birds then flew away, and Kabir giggled.

"It's strange, I haven't seen him smiling in days."

Preeti's words astonished Sargam. She turned to her and asked, "Where is his mother?"

"She is..." Preeti was interrupted with a loud bang on the door of the chamber and Mahisha's thunderous voice.

"Doctor...operation karne nhi bola tha jaanch karni thi..."

["Doctor, I ordered you to examine her, not perform surgery."]

Sargam's face was covered with panic, and so was Preeti's. Preeti instantly dialled Riya's number and instructed, "Riya, peeche ke darwaze se jaldi examination room mein aao..."

["Riya, come to the examination room quickly through the back door."]

In a minute, Riya was there. Preeti took Kabir from Sargam and handed him to Riya and said, "Take Kabir to the cardiology department..."

Sargam's heart, which had become placid holding Kabir, now again became restless. On the other hand, the moment Riya walked out through the back door, Kabir started crying as if someone just plucked him away from his mother's loving embrace.

Preeti and Sargam walked to the chamber, and when Preeti let Rukmini and Mahisha in, she lied to both of them about the test, boosting their ego and pride.

Preeti also handed her business card to Sargam secretly, which she hid under the strap of her bra and urged her to call if she ever needed help.

The entire route back home, Sargam's mind was only flooded with the thoughts of Kabir and how a child she barely knew made her feel at peace that she even forgot the brutality she was put through.

******

The Sangam Ghat was decorated beautifully for the evening aarti. The ghat was swarmed with several armed guards. Common people's entry was blocked because an influential family was present in the temple for the aarti.

This was the third day of Chaitra Navratri, and they had prepared for the bhandara after the aarti for the poor people. On one side of the ghat, under a tent, fluffy pooris, sooji halwa, and potato curry were being prepared along with lassi.

Inside the temple, an old lady stood in front of the God's idol, holding her hands. The priests were busy preparing for the aarti, pouring ghee into the copper diyas, keeping fresh flowers in the brass plate.

The old lady was wearing a blue silk saree; a pearl set adorned her neck, and she held a smile of grace and royalty. She already wore the charm of a respectful woman.

The head priest walked to her and asked, "Narmada Ji, is baar kis baat ka vardaan maang rahi hai Mata Rani se?"

["Narmada Ji, what blessing are you asking Mother Goddess for this time?"]

The lady smiled at the priest and replied, "Vahi jiska har saal mangti aayi hu...apne pote ki shaadi dekhna chahti hu..."

["The same one I have been asking for every year. I want to see my grandson get married."]

"Sarkar nahi mane ab tak?"

["Has Sarkar still not agreed?"]

The priest asked, mentioning her stubborn grandson.

"Is baar use manna padega pandit ji. Is baar Vikalp nahi Nirnay lene ka ashirwad lene aayi hu..."

["This time, he will have no choice but to agree, Pandit Ji. I haven't come here to pray for options; I have come to pray for a final decision."]

She sounded determined, and the priest knew no one could ever deny Narmada Raizada.

But her grandson wasn't someone to be defied either, and he had been the only one who stood against her and hadn't fulfilled her wish till now.

"Par Sarkar hain kaha? Aarti ka samay ho gaya hai..."

["But where is Sarkar? It's time for the aarti."]

Narmada looked around; her nostrils flared in slight anger when she didn't notice the tall six-foot-one-inch frame, whose mere presence scares the living shit out of every human.

A girl in her early twenties, wearing a yellow-coloured salwar-kameez, approached Narmada and said quietly, "Main bula laati hu Bhaiya ko..."

["I will go get Bhaiya."]

Narmada gave her an authoritative nod, and the girl rushed out of the temple, descended the stairs, and ran to the ghat, wondering where he was.

"Bhaiya..." She shouted; her voice echoed, but there was no sign or even response.

"Bhaiya...." She yelled again; her throat burned because of it, but there was no sign.

Suddenly, a burst of laughter reached her ears. A boy, a few years younger than her, pointed at her and laughed like she made a joke and then made a teasing face at her while she fumed at him.

"Agar help nhi kar sakte ho toh muh band rakho..."

["If you can't help, then keep your mouth shut."]

She reprimanded him.

He stopped laughing but was still smiling. He walked closer to her and tapped her forehead and said, "Badi bholi ho aap, didi..."

["You are very naïve, Didi."]

"Aise nhi aayenge vo....bhay ko bhi jisse bhay lage vo hain bhaiya...Itne pyaar se bulane pe kaha aayenge"

["He won't come like that. Bhaiya is the kind of man even fear is afraid of. Do you really think he will come when called so sweetly?"]

He then turned towards the Sangam, cupped his hands around his mouth and yelled, "Sarkar."

His voice boomed, and everything went still: the water, the people, almost everything.

And just then a man got out of the water from taking dips in the holy river. His hair drenched and so was his body. His wet dhoti clung to his body like his second skin.

When he walked, people stopped and bowed their heads. He took strides as a King does. His eyes cold and dangerous, his body taut and brawny. With every step he took towards the shore, the quietness only grew.

"Bhaiya...aarti ka samay ho gaya hai..."

["Bhaiya, it's time for the aarti."]

The girl said.

He only nodded and took steps to go to the temple, and everyone simply bowed their heads wherever he passed.

Before the aarti, the priests started with Shiv Tandav Strotram.

"Jataatavigalajjala pravahapavitasthale....

Gale'valambya lambitaam bhujangatungamaalikaam..."

The powerful chants of Strotram echoed, along with the consistent chime of the temple bells. The wind blew stronger, which made some of the bells chime on their own.

"Damad damad damaddama ninadavadamarvayam..."

The flames of the diya flickered with the wind, but it didn't cool down. It shone brighter and brighter; the flames fought against the monstrous winds fiercely.

Whoever was inside the temple made way for him. The stotram continued, and he stood in front of the Gods' idols beside Narmada Raizada, and Narmada's chest rose with pride for the man she had raised.

His hands clasped as one does in prayer, but his eyes held arrogance as if no one was above him and not even God.

Soon the priest handed him a large brass aarti lamp and the aarti started.

With the same arrogance and pride, he stared at the Gods, reciting the aarti; his voice was the loudest, as if he was the true devotee, but the truth was, he wasn't. He was an atheist.

Once the aarti concluded, he handed the lamp to the head priest and turned around to take his leave.

"Yajmaan, prasad toh lete jaiye....asshirwad chorkar ja rahe hain aap"

["Yajmaan, at least take the prasad before you leave. You are walking away without the Goddess's blessing."]

The priest was persuading him.

He didn't turn back; instead, he replied with arrogance, "Prasad ki zaroorat unhe hoti hai jo khud ko in paththar ki moorton ke adheen samajhte hain..."

["Prasad is meant for people who bow before these stone statues."]

He took a brief pause as he cast a glance at Narmada Raizada and said, "Aur rahi baat aashirwad ki...toh jo apni takdeer khud likhte hain unhe kisi ke ashirward hi zaroorat nahi..."

["And as for blessings... those who write their own destiny have no need of anyone's blessing."]

Narmada fumed but couldn't utter a word, and just like how authoritatively he had entered the temple premises, he left the temple with the same commanding presence, leaving others speechless.

"Hai kon ye?"

["Who is he?"]

One of the young priests mumbled to an elder one.

This priest had come to PrayagRaj recently and was clueless about the man who just made everyone speechless and scared others with both his presence and words.

"Sarkar...aka Dr.NirbhayRaj Raizada..." The elder one mumbled.

The young priest's eyes widened, as he had heard stories about Sarkar, some ghastly, some grueling, some nasty, but none of them were even slightly good.

"Ye hai vo?"

["Is he the one?"]

He asked in a hushed tone, gulping in fear.

"Shhh...agar Prayagraj ki hawa ko bhi bhanak lagi ki hum unki baat kar rahe hain toh jeevan bhar bhay ka samna karna padega."

["Shh... if even the winds of Prayagraj catch a whisper that we are speaking of him, we will spend the rest of our lives living in fear."]

The elder priest warned the younger one.

And just then, a scream of help echoed, sending goosebumps down everyone's spine.

******

A/N

******

Le aayi main surprise...🤗

Bhay ko bhi jisse bhay lage vo hai hamare Sarkar 🙈

[Our Sarkar is the one whom even fear fears 🙈]

Did you all want to strangle Mahisha and Rukmini today? 🥹

Who do you all think Kabir is? 🥹

Will Sargam be able to save herself, or will she be trapped forever? 🥹

Vaise toh it's too early to ask, but let me know what you all think of our doctor sahab?🙈

Do share your views about the chapter. It would mean a lot to me. ❤️

Thanks,

Shrishtee