Incidences…coincidences

My husband always asks me why I go to the temple? Do I go to seek the blessings of the deity or to interact with people?

I think that it is more of the latter. 😅

After a quick “Hi, I exist, thanks to you” to the Lord, I start my Hellos and How are yous!

This morning was no different. And since I had not gone to the temple consistently for a few days, the jabbering just scaled up too. Thank fully, I had gone without my man and was at complete ease standing in one place and talking, unlike when I am constantly on war-footing while I am with him!

At the Hanuman temple, I saw a fleeting image of a young girl. Around 25. Wearing the new flowing style of churidhar. She was perfectly built, had curly hair and was wearing a bright big bindi. Plus she carried all the peripherals associated with a ‘traditional’ girl - jimmiki kammal, anklets, mookuthi, and loads of bangles.

Was she is a bride? Was this a pre-wedding shoot?

Where is the photographer?

Is she going to pose for the mandatory photo - with the prasadam laden banana leaf?

That was when I noticed...

Her neatly plaited hair held a long jasmine string which was not clipped into place and was unequal in length...it dangling from both sides of her shoulders. It was just pushed into her hair and her plaits seems to be quite angry about their beautiful design gone awry. 

No lipstick. Just some black kajal lined her eyes.

Hmm…Not a 'natural make-up' bride. 

But do girls her age, dress in such a traditional manner? 

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“If only she had been fairer” was the hushed comment I heard from behind me. It was followed by a deep sigh. 

I turned around to see one of my many temple acquaintances looking at her longingly.

“She would be perfect for my nephew, if she were of lighter skin tone.” Said the  match making aunt to me in a louder voice as the girl left Hanuman temple.

I remember that her nephew was pushing 40! How could she even think of this young thing as his prospective bride? And what audacity talking about her skin colour? 

Since we were inside a temple, I bit my tongue, gave a quick smile and walked out fuming.

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While circling the banyan tree, I thought she resembled another dear girl who was also curly haired and ‘dark’ by Indian standards.

A beautiful young child who passed away recently. 

Soft spoken like her name - Priyamvada.

We used to call her Priya.

Priya's life had had so much potential…

But it came to an end…suddenly.

The wound (she left) in my heart had still not healed. I will never forget how she looked lying on the steel hospital gurney. 

She might as well have been asleep. Her curly unruly hair had covered her large eyes. I had pushed it aside to slightly kiss her cold forehead.

My heart! Oh! My heart! Will you break now?

Why, God. Why? 

I forgot the number of rounds I did to the old banyan tree. 

But the lottery fellow who sells luck under the shade of the great tree seemed pleased. 

“You did heed my advice and do 7 rounds!”, he said.

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As I approached the Murugan temple, the girl walked out. 

I called out to her and said, "Excuse me, but I really have to compliment you. I love the way you have dressed and the way you carry yourself."

I could have continued, but ended with,  "You are the most beautiful girl I have seen.....I think it is your confidence that makes the difference...”

Hearing me, her large eyes became larger, “Thank you so much. I love wearing jewellery and dressing up....." she said in a voice I almost did not hear.

Seeing me stand near the 'prospective bride', the ‘match making aunt’ came hurrying and started interrogating the girl with full confidence, “We have never seen you here before. Where are you from? What do you do?”

With a sweet smile, the girl replied, “I am from Chennai.... here to attend a function. I am pursuing my Masters.”

The aunt must have mentally computed the girl’s age and decided that the dark skin tone would hardly be a good bargaining chip against a 16 year age gap for her nephew.

After she left, the girl held my hand and said, “Thank you.”

She looked deep into my eyes and continued with a shaky voice, ”I have never got such a beautiful compliment before. Your words mean a lot to me. I really needed it…especially, today.”

I was filled with so much love; my heart was ready to burst. How I longed to hug her.

I stroked her hand and asked, “What is your name?”

“Priya…..Priyamvada.”