Varanasi, India.

The Ganges turned saffron as the sun started to sink, the hymns from the mandhir near the river banks echoed. The river flowed silently as RK, clad in veshti, took slow and steady steps down the steps of the wet ghats holding an earthen pot smeared with sandal and sindoor. He shuddered as he climbed down the ghats until the cold water reached his torso.

Shree shivered as the cool breeze blew past her. She sighed as she averted her reddened eyes to look at the birds that flew smoothly in the sky. Madhu, dressed in a white frock was holding the fall of Shree's ivory shaded sari. Madhu looked around with her big eyes. In a corner, not too far from the river, were flaming pyres. She turned her face away in disgust as the priests instructed two skinny men to toss the half burnt corpses into the river.

"I want to go, Mumma." Madhu whispered as she held Shree's pale hands. "Mumma, can we go now?"

"Come, Madhu. Let's go sit in the van and wait until they come back." Devi says. "Shyaam, I'm taking Amma and Madhu to the van."

Shyaam nods. He takes few steps and goes to stand next to Shree.

Day was bruising into the night. The sun was setting and the darkness was painting its shades everywhere. Her eyes were steady to the horizon, face lit aglow with the last few golden rays of the sun. It was a few minutes before twilight beckons the stars and the moon. A strong breeze of air blew past her, the wind blew her hair into a tousled mane.

"It's hard to believe, right?" He asks looking at RK empty the ash into the Ganges. "That he's gone."

"He came, gave me everything, and suddenly chose to abandon me." Shree says.

"We can do one more DNA test and see-" Shyaam suggests. "We can send it to a good lab in the USA or-"

"How many more DNA tests will it take Shyaam? We've done five so far in so many foreign labs. A sixth one won't be any different. I have given up, Shyaam. I have accepted the fact that Madhav is - is - dead."

"You know, your right. Another DNA test will not make any difference." Shyaam says crossing his arms. "It's just that his death is difficult and hard to believe. Especially for Madhu and Dad."

"I can't believe Madhu has to grow up without a father." Shree sighs defeated. "She's not even five, Shyaam. And she has to grow up in a world without a father. I hate that she and the baby will be going through all the hardships that Amma and I went through."

"Don't worry. Madhu, the baby and you have a big family to lean on to." Shyaam says holding Shree's hand. "I am there for you both. Devi is there, Ma and - and let's not forget Dad! He'll totally be there for you and-"

Shree quickly picks up the towel and rushes downed the ghats as RK walked up, holding Yashoda's hand.

He raises his eyes, which are still unfocussed, Shree notices his wrinkled face wet with tears.

"My dear child, sit down." He says sitting on the steps of the ghat. Shree sits beside him. RK holds her hand. "Darling, I need you to do me a favour."

Shree nods.

"The business - Ramakrishna Group of Companies, needs a new leader, a brand new CEO, and I can't think of anyone who'll be perfect to take after Madhav."

"You mean you want me to-to-to-"

"Yes, dear child. I want you to replace Madhav as the new CEO of the company." RK nods. "The CEO position is vacant for quite some time. It's not good that it remains that way. I could takeover as CEO but I have retired and I want my children to take the reins. You're the perfect person for the job. You've worked with us as Madhav's secretary, and you know everything about the company - so why not?"

"You are asking me to replace Madhav as the CEO?" Shree asks.

"Dear, I have all the hope that you will do well. I see great potential in you." RK says as he stands up. 

* * * * *

The twilight came as a tangible whisper of the stars to come; singing a sweet melody that awoke all the souls of the nighttime. The branches of the trees in the garden of the Varanasi Villa swayed eerily to the cold night's breeze. The windows were open towards the garden. The room was big and white. Outside the room the moon that shone brightly behind a translucent grey cloud,, as the rays entered the room through the opened big windows. The swaying branches reflected all forms of shadows onto the white coloured walls. 

There was a big dressing table, and a wardrobe beside it and on the middle of the room, there was a big bed with white sheets. The room was kept warm with the fire cracking on the fire place.

Madhu was looking at the framed picture of Shree, Madhav and herself which was taken in the Lewisham Park. Madhu runs her little fingers down his smiling face. She tried to restrict the follow of the tears that pooled in her little eyes. Warm and salty teardrops flowed along her cheeks, making her chubby little face wet.

Madhu quickly hid the framed photograph under her pillow as she heard the room's door open. A big gray hooting owl flew around the garden, terrifying Madhu for no reason.

"Mumma?" Madhu asks as Shree walks into the room.

"You didn't sleep, Madhu?" Shree asks as she locks the door.

"No Mumma." Madhu says softly, hugging Marshall as she watches Shree go behind the wooden partition screen. "Did you eat?"

"Yeah."

"Properly?" Madhu asks.

"Yeah, Madhu." Shree says.

"Can I trust you?"

"You can ask your Bhamma if you don't believe me." Shree says walking out of the partition screen wearing a blue t-shirt and a pair of sweatpants. She gets onto the bed and lies down beside Madhu.

Madhu moves towards Shree amd drapes Shree's arm around her. Shree smiles and pulls her daughter closer.

"It's almost midnight. Why haven't you slept?" Shree asks soothingly as she caresses Madhu's hair. "We need towake up early to go back home, baby."

"I couldn't sleep."

"You were thinking about Nanna?"

Madhu nods and buries her face in Shree's chest.

"I want him back, Mumma!" Madhu sniffles before breaking into inconsolable sobs.

"I want him back too, baby." Shree says rubbing Madhu's back. "We all do."

"How was it like, Mumma, when your Nanna died?"

"I was devastated, baby. I cried for so many days and night. I was 9 when he died in the battlefield. I was angry because he promised to return in time for my tenth birthday. I was broken because I realised I lost the superhero of my life. I felt lost because I didn't know how I'd grow up in a world without him."

Madhu looks up at Shree.

"Mumma, do you miss your Nanna?"

"Yes, baby." Shree says, her voice dropped and hertears pricked her eyes. "There hasn't been a day where I haven't missed him. There were so many days and times throughout my life were I wished he was alive. When I graduated both times, when I got married to your Nanna, when I got my first ever job, when I gave birth to you I wished he was there."

"But you know something Madhu, I always felt his presence." Shree whispers. "They may be dead, but they don't leave our side for one moment. They're watching us and protecting us every second."

"So Nanna is here with us right now?" Madhu asks softly.

"Yes baby." Shree says hugging Madhu. "He's right here watching after his kannamma and Me."

"And the little baby." Madhu adds.

"Yes." Shree says as tears mount her eyes, she sighs and squeezes her eyes shut.

To be continued....

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