There was loud murmur in the crowd. Sumedha shouted " So the son of Varma family had an illicit affair with Anusree. I never thought Maheswariji's son will do that and she is an illegimate child which you are trying to make legitimate now as someone has threatened you . If the child was legitimate why hide it from the world"

" Sumedha mistake have happened, no crime itself has happened from Varma family. I accept that. But I have not given sanskaar to my son to have illegitimate relationship with a woman. Tilak had married Anusree and we all know the child born to a suhagan is not illegitimate, but legitimate only"

" But Maheswariji if that was the fact why it was not told during community meeting" asked Charulatha

" That's what I said we had committed mistake. For the pride, honor and dignity of the family we decided to stay mum about the marriage our son had with a woman of another caste. But the one who was serving justice in the community meeting had known the truth. Please ask him why he didn't request to bring Tilak to the meeting. Why he didn't ask my husband where our eldest son was. Why he didn't question us when Tilak had one wife how did we make our son marry a second time with a girl of our choice "

Mahantji was fuming now. He was not sure what to do. Maheswari Varma was going full flow with the accusation on the person sitting on the judgement. He looked at Harkishore and indicated him to support him and throw dirt at Varma's. Harkishore smiled back.

" What do you mean by that Maheswariji. You are telling my husband knew it " roared Sumedha

" Exactly Sumedhaji. That's what I am telling. Ask your husband. Yes we had our selfish needs to protect our family pride, but what did your husband had to gain by siding with us" she looked at Mahant. " Mahantji you are standing in front of Mata Gowri and Bolenath. Atleast speak the truth now. Werent you the one who conducted the secret marriage of my son Tilak with Harkishoreji's daughter Anusree"

Mahant looked angrily at Maheswari. What audacity she had in her to question him. The great Mahant. He will show her, her place now. But before he could open the mouth Harkishore came forward.

" Maheswariji my wife had told me to allow her to talk with you before Tilak's marriage with Anusree. But it was my mistake that I trusted this Mahant with my daughter's life. I thought after marriage Mahantji will convince Rajasekharji and your father in law in accepting my daughter as the DIL of the Varma family. But I was wrong Maheswariji. My wife was right.Mahantji didn't help us. Even when we were outcasted she had wanted to speak to you as she felt you would give justice to our daughter. But in anger I didn't listen to her. And today coming here and telling the world about my Poornima's father you have delivered on the faith my wife kept on you"

Mahantji was shocked. He couldn't believe the man who wanted revenge from Varma's so easily switched sides.

" Now Mahantji tell what is the truth. What benefit you got from hiding the fact of Tilak and Anusree's marriage". Mahant couldn't reply to her and he left the stage in a huff and seeing the atmosphere turning hostile towards them the moral brigade also quickly dispersed. Maheswari turned to Harkishore. But before she could speak another lady asked. " Maheswariji still Tilak could have enquired about the child once if he had married Anu and knew about her pregnancy"

Maheswari showed a form to the lady " Chanchala if you could read this, else ask someone who knows to read it and tell you what it means. When my son went to enquire about his wife being outcasted this was what he got" . The lady read the form and it passed between people. " Maheswariji.. stammered the lady

" What did you understand that my son was made to believe his wife aborted the child as after what had happened she wanted to end everything related to him. Now tell on what basis Tilak should go searching for the baby" Crowd fell silent. She once again turned to Harkishoreji

" Harkishoreji you shouldn't apologize. It is me who should be apologizing because I didn't knew as a mother my son loved a girl and wanted to marry her and as a woman it took me so long to know she is my DIL and Lord has blessed my house with Mahalakshmi as the eldest grandchild. I cannot change what happened Harkishoreji. I cannot bring back your Anu. But I promise you in front of Mata Gowri and Bolenath that henceforth she will be treated as DIL of Varma family and we will do all the things that needs to be done when a Suhagan in the family passes away after discussing with Dinakarji. If you could accept my apology I would request you to send Poornima to our house"

" I do not want to go anywhere. My Papa didn't love my Maa. It was a lie my naani told " Everyone turned as Poornima broke from Renu's arm and started to run. Renu called her " Poornima don't go beta, your Papa has been eagerly waiting for you all these years. He loved your Maa beta". Poornima didn't seem to care as she moved forward. But one arm held her from behind. Startled she looked back. It was Aakash. Soon Adwaith and Nami also held her other arm.

" Poornima didi my maa told me not to hate Papa because he married your Maa. You hate Papa because he married my Maa" Poornima looked at Aakash shocked the realization of who he is dawning on her.

" Poornima didi don't you like me as your brother. That's why you are going.Maa told you will tie Rakhi for me this year" told Adwaith in his sweet childish voice.

" Poornima didi I have kept the room ready for you. I promise you, I wont disturb you. I wont wake up at night and cry. You don't have to worry" told Nami.

Poornima wiped her tears as Sreedhar's words came back to her " Did you check with your Papa's family. Maybe they want you. Maybe they didn't know you were there" . She walked back and stood in front of Maheswari

Maheswari caressed her face " Beta we do not have any right to ask you to come home. Only if Harkishoreji wants to send you to us and only if you want to come, come home. You have every right to reject us if you don't want to trust us "

" Dadi I have to come. I do not have any other option. Because now I realized I am no longer a single child. I am the eldest grandchild of your family. Sister of Aakash, Adwaith and Namrata. My siblings will be observing what I do and will want to emulate me. As an eldest sister I cannot set any wrong example for them. But I have questions dadi. I want to discuss my questions with nanu, with Sreedhar chachu and also my friend Vaishnav. I am sure they will be able to answer my questions and I will come on new year. Unless my questions are answered I cannot do justice as my role of eldest grandchild of Varma family"

" Take your time child. Ask all the questions you have. You are supposed to get the answer". Poornima touched Maheswari's feet and she blessed her.

Next Poornima moved to Renu. It took sometime for her as she looked at Renu. But finally she called " Choti Maa I do not have anything against you. I know it has taken a lot of courage from your part to come and tell in front of such a large crowd who I am. But to accept my Papa completely I need answers Choti Maa. Hope you understand me. I really believe Sreedhar Chachu will be able to answer my queries. Sreedhar Chachu has always stood for what is right. So I would want to know what made him forgive his elder brother. And that answer will also heal me, help me to accept Papa"

" Renukaji my Poorni respects Sreedhar a lot. You don't worry. Whatever I have seen of him, he will be able to help Poorni with her questions. I do not have any problem in sending her with you. When Maheswariji has come and requested I know my granddaughter will be loved and respected in Varma family"

" Poorni I will wait for you" told Renu patting her cheeks and Poornima smiled.

" If all the commotion over can the jury announce the verdict as it is very late now itself and we think everyone need to reach home as we have people from far off places too who have come here" told Dinakar.

Vaishnav dragged Poornima " Come Poornima. The verdict we are waiting is coming " . Poornima smiled at him. Yes the result of their hardwork. She had started it for her Maa. And her Maa will be happy as finally the truth of her marriage with her Papa is established in public.

Everyone felt silent as Dinakar opened the cover in which the verdict was kept. " We have deliberated on the topic. We have consulted our epics, our Upanishads and Vedas also for reference. And we have come to the conclusion that our dharma doesn't prohibit widows from worshipping God. So widows from this new year will be allowed in temple. As planned we can have a diya lighting ceremony for widows this new year. We also deliberated on the changes that is needed according to the times. And we have come to the conclusion that a widow can wear light colored clothes, sringaar which is not specific to a suhagan like kumkum, mangalsutra , heavy jewellery etc and also indulge in normal activities of going to market, doing job etc.. In other words they are allowed to indulge in normal activities except for activities like Karvachawth, Teej etc..which is specifically done by Suhagan's.

Sreedhar and Sudhir heard the verdict from behind. They had just come. . Tears of happiness flowed from Sreedhar's eyes . His Sumi can go out. She can wear normal clothes .As Sudhir looked he could see his brother was crying. He patted Sreedhar's shoulders and Sreedhar fell on his brother's shoulder and cried his heart out.