𝐑𝐔𝐃𝐑𝐀𝐕𝐀𝐍𝐘𝐀

𝑺𝒉𝒊𝒗 𝒌𝒊 𝑺𝒉𝒂𝒌𝒕𝒊 #2

Inside the temple, Dhara moved swiftly, her eyes scanning every corner with growing worry. She had looked near the idol, around the courtyard, even among the group of devotees gathered for the aarti-but there was no sign of her best friend.

She finally approached the head priest, her voice soft but urgent.

"Pandit ji, pranam. Have you seen Rivanya anywhere? I've been looking for her for so long... she's nowhere to be found. I don't know where she's gone."

The elderly priest smiled gently, recognizing the concern in her tone.

"Dhara beta," he said kindly, "Rivanya went to the garden to collect flowers for Mata Rani. You'll find her there."

Dhara let out a breath of relief.

"Thank you, Pandit ji. I'll go find her."

Without wasting another second, she turned and ran toward the garden, her anklets chiming softly as she disappeared into the floral path, where fate was quietly preparing its next scene.

Dhara came running into the garden, her eyes searching restlessly in every corner.

Dhara: "Where has Rivu gone?"

She called out louder, her voice echoing among the flowers-

Dhara: "Rivanya! Rivu, where are you, yaar?"

Suddenly, from behind a hibiscus tree, came the soft tinkling of anklets.

Dhara: "Rivu? Is that you? Are you playing hide and seek with me-without telling me? Come out, na!"

Then a gentle, melodious giggle floated through the air.

Dhara laughed: "Acha baba, I surrender! Now come out, my sister."

And from behind the tree, Rivanya appeared, smiling like the first ray of dawn.

Rivanya: "See? You lost!"

Dhara: "Haan, what can I do? Who can ever win against you..."

---

Author's POV

Words were too small to capture Rivanya's beauty.

Her long, flowing black hair brushed against her waist, each strand shining like silk.

Her eyes-large, dark, kohl-lined-were deep enough for anyone to drown in.

Her nose, delicate and slender,

her lips, red as lotus petals, always curved into a gentle smile.

Her slender neck rose graceful like a swan,

her skin glowed-fair and flawless-like a full moon in a midnight sky.

Her voice was so sweet, one could imagine even peacocks dancing without rain.

Rivanya's body was perfectly sculpted,

her beauty like a lotus blooming pink amidst fresh rain-drops on green leaves.

Whoever looked at her once could never look away again.

That day, Rivanya wore a white Anarkali.

Her hair was neatly tied, yet a few strands swayed gently over her shoulder.

A bindi adorned her forehead, jhumkas swayed in her ears,

her wrists shimmered with glass bangles,

and her anklets chimed softly with every step.

Even in simplicity, she was breathtaking.

The people of her village often called her Parvati incarnate

for she was truly like the Goddess:

pure, kind, always smiling, always caring,

a heart that won everyone she met.

Dhara folds both her hands dramatically and says,

"Tell me one thing, Madam Rivanya... was there any special reason behind playing hide and seek with me without telling?"

Rivanya smiles softly, her lips curving like a secret about to unfold.

"There's a very big reason..."

Dhara raises an eyebrow curiously.

"And what's that?"

Rivanya chuckles, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

"To annoy you!"

Saying this, Rivanya bursts into a sweet laughter that fills the garden with warmth.

Dhara throws her hands up in mock surrender.

"Oh God, Rivu! What do I even do with you? If your mischief is finally over, let's go now... it's time for the aarti. And I don't know why, but the crowd is already starting to swell. If we delay, we won't even get inside."

Rivanya nods quickly, still laughing.

"Yes, yes, let's go!"

She picks up the basket of flowers kept nearby, her bangles chiming as she lifts it gracefully. Together, the two sisters walk toward the temple.

Inside the sacred hall, Rivanya hands the flower basket to the priest with utmost respect. Folding her hands, she bows her head and offers her silent prayer to the idol of Goddess Parvati, her heart pure and eyes glowing with devotion.

As the temple bells echoed, people began gathering inside for the aarti. The priest, surprised at the unusual crowd, looked around and said aloud,

Priest:

"What's going on today? So many people in the temple at once?"

From the crowd, a man replied,

Man:

"What to say, Pandit ji... we were going towards the Shiv Mandir, but no one is being allowed inside."

The priest frowned in confusion.

Priest:

"And why is that? Why aren't they letting anyone enter?"

The man sighed, lowering his voice as if sharing a secret.

Man:

"Because some important man is inside performing rituals. His guards have stopped everyone else outside."

Rivanya, who had been silently listening, suddenly spoke up, her voice sharp with anger.

Rivanya:

"And how can they lock the temple like this? Who is this so-called VIP, hmm? Tell me his name at least!"

The man scratched his head.

Man:

"Don't know exactly... but yes, he belongs to the Vardhan dynasty. Their heir... I can't recall his name right now."

Rivanya's eyes flashed with defiance.

Rivanya:

"Whoever he may be, I'll tell them straight-how dare they treat common people like this? Just because they're rich and powerful, they think they can do whatever they want?"

As Rivanya began stepping forward in anger, Dhara quickly caught her hand, pulling her back.

Dhara:

"Ooo Madam Sati-Savitri, stop right here! There's no need for you to play savior today. Mind your own business and stay where you are."

Rivanya:

"But.."

Dhara (cutting her off):

"No buts! You don't need to become Jhansi ki Rani here. Stay quiet and focus on the puja."

Dhara (firmly, trying to distract Rivanya):

"Pandit ji, aap aarti shuru kijiye."

The priest nodded and walked inside. Turning to Rivanya with a gentle smile, he said,

Priest:

"Rivanya beta, you will sing the aarti, won't you?"

Rivanya's lips curved into a soft smile, her eyes glowing with devotion.

Rivanya:

"Of course, Pandit ji... I will sing. Please, you begin."

The priest lit the lamp and began the rituals. As the flame flickered, Rivanya's sweet, melodious voice rose, filling the temple with divine energy. Her voice echoed through every corner, wrapping the air in devotion and drawing every heart closer to Maa Parvati.

amita prabaau bedu nahin jaana

(Even the Vedas cannot fathom your depths completely)

Bishwa bimohani swabasa bihaarini

(You are the Ultimate enticer, playing with all creation)

.......

Soon the aarti came to an end, and the sweetness of Rivanya's voice still lingered in the air like a divine fragrance. The entire temple seemed spellbound, and people whispered among themselves, praising how beautifully she had sung.

The priest walked forward with the aarti thali, offering blessings to everyone. Then, with warmth in his eyes, he placed his hand gently on Rivanya's head, giving her his blessing. Rivanya folded her hands humbly, her lips curving into a grateful smile.