Om Parvati pataye Har Har Mahadev
-----
The aarti flames rose higher.
Their faces glowed in the golden light
Isha shy, Rudraksha steady,
Shivanya protective,
Shrishti peaceful,
Dhairya unaware,
Ritvik confused.
Six lives.
Six emotions.
One divine moment tying all of them together.
Aarti ended, and the soft morning breeze moved across the ghat. The sky glowed golden, and the fragrance of incense still lingered in the air.
Shrishti suddenly jumped a little, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
Her hands clapped together like a child who just spotted candy.
"Chalo! Ab sab kachori khayenge!" she declared loudly.
Ritvik's eyes lit up instantly — pure joy, as if someone had spoken his mother tongue.
"Haan chalo!" he said, almost hopping on his feet.
Everyone laughed and followed the two food-enthusiasts.
The group gathered around the stall, the sizzling sound of hot oil making Shrishti grin even wider.
Plates filled, hands busy, laughter echoing — it felt like a perfect morning.
After breakfast, they headed towards Kashi Vishwanath Temple.
---
Inside the Temple – Serenity
They bowed their heads, the bell chimes ringing gently in the air.
When everyone came out and sat on the chairs outside the temple, a soft peace lingered.
Isha exhaled blissfully, her shoulders relaxed.
"Kitne ache darshan hue na?"
"Haan… bohot ache," Rudraksha replied softly, a gentle smile tugging his lips
Everyone nodded in peaceful agreement.
A little ahead, an elderly pandit ji sat quietly, reading palms.
Ritvik noticed him first — his eyes widened with mischief.
"Oye vo dekho! Pandit ji haath padh rahe hain. Chalo hum bhi dikhate hain!" Ritvik said, excitement bubbling.
Shrishti rolled her eyes dramatically.
"Arre vo aise hi fek dete hain," she said, waving it off.
But Shivanya nudged her.
"Chal na, ek baar dekhte hain…"
Isha agreed, "Thik hai, chalo."
The group walked toward the pandit ji.
Ritvik leaned in, face full of suspicion.
"Pandit ji… aap sach batate ho na?" he asked.
Everyone exchanged looks, trying very hard not to laugh.
Pandit ji smiled patiently.
"Kya puchna hai? Pucho beta."
Ritvik inhaled dramatically.
"Batao mujhe ladki kab milegi?"
Dhairya snorted softly.
"Kitni toh mil chuki hain tujhe," he teased.
Pandit ji studied Ritvik's palm silently, his face turning serious.
A mysterious expression crossed his eyes.
"Beta…" he said slowly,
"teri zindagi mein jo ladki aayegi… vo tujhe tere parivaar se bahut dur kar degi."
Everyone froze.
Their eyes widened.
Even Ritvik's smirk disappeared.
iska batao!" Ritvik grabbed Dhairya's hand dramatically, shoving it forward.
Pandit ji traced Dhairya's lines with calm precision.
Then, with a knowing smile, he said
"Beta… tere liye toh koi pehle se hi dua maang raha hai."
Ritvik whipped his head toward Dhairya.
"KAUN hai bhai vo!?"
Dhairya's jaw tightened.
"Chup kar."
Shrishti and Shivanya exchanged a sharp glance.
Isha and Rudraksha came forward next.
Pandit ji held both their hands together — like he already knew.
His expression softened with divine warmth.
"Tum dono ki jodi…" he began,
"khud Shiv-Parvati ne banayi hai."
He smiled.
"Dono hamesha saath, hamesha khush rahoge."
Both Isha and Rudraksha blushed, looking away shyly but smiling.
Shivanya sat down nervously.
Pandit ji looked at her palm… then at Ritvik…
A small, knowing smile curved on his lips.
"Beta…" his voice was gentle,
"tune jitna khoya hai… tujhe usse zyada milega."
Shivanya's eyes softened.
A hopeful smile appeared.
Finally, Shrishti sat.
Pandit ji touched her hand.
His expression shifted.
It felt like he had read something old… deep… hidden.
He looked at Shrishti with a calm seriousness —
almost fatherly.
"Tu jisse…" he paused as if choosing the right words,
"itne saalon se pyaar karti hai…"
Shrishti's heartbeat skipped.
"…vo tera hi hai."
He smiled with certainty.
"Aur tujhe hi milega — sahi samay par."
Shrishti froze.
Her eyes widened.
Her breath caught.
Everyone stared at her — stunned.
Isha whispered in disbelief,
"Itne saalon se… pyaar karti hai?"
Ritvik and Dhairya exchanged confused looks — both trying to guess:
Who is he?
The air was buzzing with excitement as everyone processed what the pandit ji had just said. Shock, disbelief, and curiosity flickered across every face.
Shrishti, sensing the weight of the moment and wanting to distract everyone, clapped her hands together, eyes sparkling with mischief.
"Chlo ab jalebi aur malaiyo khayge!" she announced, practically bouncing on her toes.
Everyone turned to look at her.
"Hn chlo," Shivanya said softly, trying to cover up the tension, her voice calm but her eyes full of understanding. Everyone silently respected her effort to give space.
"Hn chlo," Rudraksha added, glancing at Isha and nodding gently.
------
Aur is shant ghat ki roshni mein, dilon ki khamoshi ne apni dastaan keh di
~~Shrii