Relatives always rejoice when their relatives are in trouble. Just like drops of water on lotus leaves do not stick to the leaves, in the same way is the friendship with people who lack character.

"Madhav, be quick."

"Just a minute, Urmilla."

Madhav scurried down the hall, stopping right in front of Urmilla.

He was dressed in yellow and on his head, sat the royal crown with a peacock feather swaying against the wind. In his right hand, he held his flute, which glimmered brightly, in its divine complexion. He was decorated in jewels which, although fake, looked real.

An enchanting smile adorned his lips.

"Shall we leave now?"

Urmilla nodded.

"Be back soon, Urmilla." Radha said, patting Urmilla's head. Abhiram walked up to Radha and looked at her. "Ma, chalo."

"Sorry baccha. I'm busy." She said, kneeling in front of him. Abhiram held her arm, tugging at it. "Chalo. Ma, chalo."

"Abhi, no." she said softly, freeing her hand. Abhiram pout, his eyes turning moist. He hiccuped, looking at her sadly and began to tear up. "Chalo na, ma."

"Ram," Madhav picked him up, "don't worry. Your ma will come to the play. She needs time to get ready."

"Pakka?"

"Pakka." Madhav promised, tickling him. Abhiram giggled.

Radha sighed in exhaustion. Picking up her bag, she walked out her way to school.

• • •

Radha walked along the dusty paths, over the uneven stones rooted in the sand. Her eyes were moist, a few tears escaping while she held the rest back.

The sun was in front of her, burning her skin, in an attempt to send her to the shade of the trees. But there was nothing which could stop her, especially when the pain in her heart was stronger than the elements of nature.

The sun, finally, managing to tire her, sent her under a few trees, where she sat – exhausted and hurt.

The soft singing of women reached her ears and she stood up, walking towards the voices which had made her numb to everything in the surrounding, even the sun which threatened to burn everything down in its heat.

Radha stopped in front of the temple. It was pure white in colour, with a bhagva flag on its top, fluttering in the wind. She moved forward, her anklets ringing in rhythm to the sound of the melody.

In the temple sat a large number of people, with enough space in the centre for the actors to perform. In the middle of their singing, the notes of the flute crept in disrupting everything, in a rather pleasing manner.

The voices silenced, the wind blew softly to hide the noise of the leaves, playing in its work.

One figure, dressed in bright yellow against his dark complexion, stood in the centre, playing the flute to his joy.

Everyone, including Radha, were so mesmerized by the tune of his flute, that they forgot to sing. But to fill up the void of the singers, the heavens opened up and sang the heavenly song as the mortals lost themselves.

Madhav played his flute soothing the pain of the hearts and driving away the exhaustion in their souls, making them flutter in happiness. Birds and insects of all kind, moved into the temple finding the best place to view the enchanting youth, who had brought a sweet standstill in the village.

He put down his flute, holding Rama's hand, dancing with her. As he stood in a place, with his flute, letting the notes flow carelessly, she circled around him, her dark red clothes complimenting his yellow bright ones.

Radha's eyes moved towards Abhiram, who sat a little far from the dancing duo with Makhan covering his mouth and clothes. She regretted missing watching her son play the role of baby Krishn.

The voices silenced themselves again, the birds and insects moved out of the temple, the wind moved at its pace playing with the leaves in its way, but his flute still played. It played for a long minute, till everyone's senses were restored.

"Narayan! Narayan!" A happy voice broke the silence.

• • •

"Somu!" Inder yelled, startling the little boy who sat staring at the blue sky.

"What happened, Inder?" Somu asked, startled. Inder, after running a long path, collected his breath.

"Your Dadi...Mom..." He huffed.

"What happened?" He panicked, standing up in an instant.

"Remember that old uncle we helped that day?" Inder let out a breath, straightening himself. "He... He's at your home!"

Worried, Somu dashed homeward, ignoring everything else his friend added.

"Dadi! Maa!" He screamed, jumping into the house. His eyes met a familiar face who sat in his house, while his mother had her head on his lap.

"Somu, look who is here." His mother smiled, radiating happiness brighter than the sun.

"Uncle, you?" Somu questioned, gazing at the old man.

"Not uncle, beta. Call me Nana!" The man beamed, pulling Somu into his arms and showering his face with kisses.

Somu looked at the man and then at his mother.

"He is your grandfather, Somu."

Somu looked at the man and then jumped into his arms, hugging him tightly.

Susheela smiled at his happiness.

"I have been searching for you for so many years, when I heard what your husband has done. He wasn't like this when he came with your marriage proposal."

"Influence of the bad can change a good man who doesn't try." Susheela spoke, even though the words weren't hers. "I'm sorry, it was my fault as well. I should've raised my son well."

"Come with me. You won't live here anymore. You will live with me." He said, wiping away his tears of happiness.

"What about Dadi?" Somu asked, quite unsure of his grandfather's statement.

"She will also live with us."

Somu ran out of his house to share this wonderful news with his friends.

• • •

With a bowl of Kheer in one hand and a smile on his lips, Madhav stepped into the mandir. It was three villages far, but he covered it in an hour, thanks to the cartman who was kind enough to give him a lift.

The temple was completely empty; the priest was in the kitchen cooking the afternoon prasad. The worshipping area, where a statue of Shiv-Shakti sat, was completely open.

Placing the bowl in front of the idol, he joined his hands and bowed his head.

"Mitr, I offer you the first bite of my food. Will you accept it?" Madhav smiled innocently, his gaze fixed on the deities. Minutes passed, but Madhav didn't receive a reply.

"Unless you accept it, I shall not eat anything." He declared, sitting down right in front of them. He was like a little kid protesting out of their simple understanding. "You must have a heart of stone, mitr. Keeping me hungry on my own birthday."

If there comes such a day where my mitr goes hungry, the world will perish. And I cannot not allow it to happen.

Madhav heard a rough voice, laced with humour. "Mitr, if you don't want that to happen, then you have to accept my offering."

Patience, mitr. Seems like going back to mrityulok has made you a mischievous child.

Madhav chuckled. "Seems like I'm trapped in my own Maya."

That you are, bhrata.

It was a feminine voice this time. Gentle and warm, laced in mischief.

"Sister, mitr is making me fast on my janm-din. Does this not worry you?" He pleaded with his honey-sweet voice.

A few moments of silence reigned. A soft scent lingered in the air, making Madhav close his eyes to relish the scent. Before Madhav knew it, he began to meditate with the image of Shiv in his heart and mind.

Mitr, wake up.

Madhav opened his eyes to find that the bowl of Kheer he had placed was filled with fruits and flowers. Smiling, he bowed and touched his head to the ground. Taking his bowl, he left the premises of the temple.

"Shall I drop you back home?" The cartman asked. A satisfactory smile played on his lips after selling all his wares at a reasonable price.

"I'd be grateful if you would."

"Jump in."

"You seem to be really happy after visiting Bhagwan Shiv." The cartman said, a few minutes after their journey began.

"Ofcourse!" Madhav smiled blissful, staring at the bowl. "He is my mitr."

The cartman chuckled innocently. "That's nice."

'Mitr is just an outwardly term. The relation we share is unnamed. It isn't mere devotion, it is deeper. It connects our souls, makes us inseparable.'

• • •

"Narayan! Narayan! Prabhu, now what?"

"Sabr kariye!" He chuckled. "Everything is unfolding and the bad parts of the story are coming to an end."

"And you, Prabhu? Will you leave them and go?"

Madhav shook his head, a mysterious smile on his lips.

"When have I left anyone and gone?"