Part 20

Shyam entered his house and saw his Dadi sitting in the outside lawn of the house reading newspaper..

"Good morning Dadi" said Shyam going near her.

"Good morning Munna" said Subadhra and got up to hug her dearest grandson.

Shyam too hugged her grandmother..

"How are you ?? How did the work went ?"asked Subadhra coming out of the hug

"I am fine and the work went well Dadi" said Shyam..

Shyam sat on the chair beside Dadi..

"I got a news from Sheesh Mahal" said Subadhra.

"What is it ?" asked Shyam curiously.

" Akash's soon to be in laws have come from Delhi for marriage" said Subadhra.

"I know that already.." said Shyam.

Subadhra looked at him questioningly.. Shyam explained his encounter with Khushi while coming..

"She is soo beautiful Dadi.. " said Shyam.

Subadhra was displeased with Shyam's interest in her..

"Don't go by a woman's charms Shyam.. I am thinking to marry you off with a rich princess who meets Subadhra's standards.." said Subadhra.

Just then, a woman came there wearing a simple plain saree with a coffee tray in her hand..

"See this woman who is your mother... I thought if I bring a girl from poor family as my bahu, she will listen to my words.. But she is good for nothing.. She is good only at household works.. The only good thing she did in her whole life is giving you to me.. But this stupid girl failed me in that too.. If she had given birth to you few days earlier, then you would have been heir of Raizadas and be Malik of this village.. As she gave birth to you few days late, now Arnav became heir.." said Subadhra looking angrily at her bahu, Radha who lowered her head fearing her mother in law.

" Now, coming to the matter, there is one more news you have to know" said Subadhra.

"What is it Dadi ?"asked Shyam taking coffee cup from his mother.

"Yesterday night, Devyani talked with Arnav regarding Second marriage.. But he denied to marry again straight away.." said Subadhra.

Shyam nodded his head thinking, "But what if Devyani and Anjali make him accept just like first time ?"

"I don't think so.. This time Arnav is more firm on his decision of not marrying" said Subadhra.

"Good to hear then.." said Shyam.

"Yes.. If Arnav doesn't marry until this Shravana month, then I will make you the Malik of this village as you are elder to Arnav" said Subadhra..

Radha sighed hearing their plans and went from there taking the coffee tray..

Radha is an naïve woman from poor family whom Subadhra brought from her village and married off to her son..Radha never got love from her husband and mother in law.. She suffered a lot in the hands of her drunkard husband.. Radha didn't like what her husband and Subadhra are doing to get Raizada property but she doesn't have any courage to stop them.. She thought her son wouldn't be a puppet in the hands of her mother in law but her son too proved her wrong.. Shyam too became greedy like her mother in law..

In the Evening:

Payal is getting ready to leave for temple along with Anjali and Dadi.. Khushi is sitting on the bed watching her sister..

"You are looking good in this salwar jiji.." said Khushi.

"Thank you" said Payal smiling..

"Devimayya will be impressed seeing such a beautiful and traditional girl" said Khushi.

"Shut up pagli" Payal chided laughing, "Why don't you come with me ?"

"If I come, your hilter sister in law will be displeased.." said Khushi in a whispering tone, "Also, you know I don't believe in god and all these poojas, vratas, rituals"

"Yeah.. That's also right.. But Even Amma and Buaji too denied coming with me.. How can I go with Anjaliji and Dadi alone ?? I am afraid Khushi" said Payal with a nervous tone.

"Jiji.. Now, you are behaving like a goat which is going to be sacrificed.." said Khushi smiling..

Payal glared at her angrily..

"OK OK Sorry.. Don't worry.. Everything will be fine.. Though I don't know Anjalji, Dadi will definitely make you comfortable" said Khushi assuring her..

Payal sighed gaining courage.. A servant came and informed that Anjali, Devyani are waiting for Payal..

Payal left from there bidding good bye to Khushi.

The journey to the temple was a silent one..

Dadi is sitting silently in the car lost in her deep thoughts.. Anjali observed Dadi being silent from morning.. She can see Dadi is feeling sad and upset with Arnav not accepting for marriage..

Payal felt awkward with the situation as both the woman are lost in their own thoughts.

Payal, Anjali and Devyani reached the temple.. Payal was mesmerized seeing the temple's architecture..

"Wow..This Temple is very beautiful Dadiji" said Payal looking around.

"Haan Payal.. This temple was built by our ancestors " said Anjali.

"My father said this temple was built 150 years ago" said Dadi too.

"Devimayya here have lot of powers.. She will fulfill the wishes of everyone who comes to her abode" said Anjali.

"Haan.. She will fulfill only those wishes which are genuine.." said Dadi..

The trio came to the main mandir where Devimayya's idol is present.. Anjali gave Payal the pooja items they brought and asked her to give them to junior Priest. The priest took the pooja items and did pooja to devimayya.

"Payal Bitiya.. She is our Kuldevi.. Pray her that everything goes well and there will be no hindrances in your marriage" said Dadi..

Payal nodded her head.

After giving them the Prasad, Anjali asked about the head priest.. The junior priest answered them where he is present..

The trio left towards the direction where the head priest is present.. They saw him sitting at one of the pillars leaning on to it reading a religious book.

"Punditji" called Anjali.

The priest looked up at them.. He closed his book and stood up..

"How are you Devyaniji ?"asked the priest.

"We are fine Punditji" said Anjali then showing Payal, "She is Payal.. Akash's soon to be wife"

Payal folded her palms keeping Namaste to him but Anjali signaled her to take blessings by touching his feet..

Payal did as Anjali told while the priest blessed her..

"Anjali Bitiya.. You and Payal Bitiya, go and do rounds around the temple. I need to talk with Punditji" said Devyani.

They both nodded and went to take rounds.

After they left, the priest asked, "What happened Devyani ji ? IS there any problem ??"

"Chote didn't agreed for marriage Punditji" said Devyani with a sad voice.

Priest nodded his head thinking..

"What should we do now Pundit ji ?"asked Devyani.

" Let me think and recheck his kundali again" said the priest.

Devyani nodded her head and talked regarding some other rituals to be followed in Akash and Payal's marriage.

Finally, she took leave from priest and left from there..

Anjali and Payal joined her completing the rounds..

"Shall we leave ?"asked Devyani..

Both of them agreed and the trio started when Payal's mobile rang.. She looked at the caller id and it was important..

"Dadi, Anjali ji.. This is an important call from office.. It may take ten minutes" said Payal..

"No Problem Payal.. We will sit there.. You complete your call" said Anjali..

Payal nodded her head and went aside to talk while Devyani and Anjali sat at the place near pillar..

"Devyani" A voice disturbed them.. They both looked at the person who called Devyani.. They both were greatly displeased looking at Subadhra who is standing there with a sickening smile on her face..

Thanks to those who have all voted and commented on previous update.

Next part of the story is already available in INKITT.