After I returned from Sumay-uncle’s place, I told Pranshi all about it. I suggested she should stop eating non-veg food, and she seemed interested in doing so. I used to check if she heard the spiritual chants, and she’d often say ‘Yes,’ which made me really happy.

But over time, I stopped listening to the chants myself. After about a month, I got back into watching movies and listening to their songs. In the midst of all this, I received my first-year intermediate exam results, and they were pretty bad. My parents and teachers were disappointed, but I promised them I’d work hard for the upcoming board exams.

I decided to focus on my studies and bought some extra books to practice problem-solving. As my second-year classes began, I made sure not to miss any. But putting so much effort into my studies took up all my time and energy. I hardly had any time for Pranshi. Luckily, she didn’t complain and understood my situation.

Back in my first year, I used to see Pranshi twice a week. However, in the second year, it became once every two weeks. The pressure from my academics sometimes made me feel frustrated. Two months went by without having any quality time with Pranshi.

SHE CAME TO MY HOME FOR THE FIRST TIME

So, one day while talking to her over the phone, she said, “You know it’s been a long time since we met. I want to see you.”

“Yes, I know. But what can I do? Your college time is different from mine. So, I have to bunk my classes to meet you.” I replied.

“No, no. Please focus on your studies. You don’t need to bunk your class to meet me.” She said.

“Let’s do one thing. Why don’t you come to my house? You can come with Disha. My parents are not conservative. They won’t raise any issues.” I said.

“Haw! No, No. I won’t dare to do that. I can’t come to your home.” she said.

“Why? What’s the problem? Okay, I will arrange this meeting.” I said and hung up the phone.

I texted her sister, Disha on WhatsApp and requested to come to my home. And fortunately, she agreed to come.

Then, I immediately started sorting my stuff. I had kept my room a bit messy. My mom saw it and asked me, “What are you doing?”

“Can’t you see? My room is so messed up with textbooks and broken pen caps. I am cleaning it and sorting them.” I replied.

It took an hour to clean everything. That day, my dad had gone out of town for some office work. So, it was like a cherry on top.

I asked my mom, “Hey mom! One of my school friends is coming to our home today in the evening. It’s been a long time since we met. So, do you have any problem if she comes?”

“No, what problem would I have?” she said and looked at me.

After a pause, she again said, “So, this is the reason why you were cleaning your room huh?”

I just laughed and went outside. In the evening Pranshi and Disha came together to my home. My mom served some snacks and had some chit-chat with them. After spending about an hour, they left. While I was seeing them off at our doorstep, Pranshi slowly said in my ears, “My heart is still beating very fast. I had never thought that I would come to your house ever.”

I just looked at her and smiled without saying anything. After she reached her home, she called me up and expressed her joy.

“You know, I am very happy today. For the very first time, I met your mom. She is so innocent and sweet. I liked your mom more than you.” she said.

“Oh! Why so?” I asked.

“Since you are very rude. You always talk to me rudely and without any feelings. But your mom is so sweet. She talked to me only for a little time but that was so nice.” she replied.

“Hmm… Yes, she is innocent. I am glad that you liked her.” I said.

“Okay, I am hanging up the phone now. I will go to college tomorrow, so I can’t talk till evening,” she said.

“Tomorrow is Sunday, right? What kind of college is that?” I asked.

“No, we have extra classes. Since we are lagging behind the course plan,” she said.

“Okay. I will enjoy my Sunday. You go and study.” I said and hung up the phone.

The next morning, she wished me good morning with a heart emoticon on WhatsApp.

I thought, “Wow, I think it was a good idea to invite her to our home. She is treating me so lovingly.”

her sister said, “she was faking”

Then I got busy with my studies and later on went to play cricket with my friends. Then in the evening, she called me up. But after talking to me for only five minutes she said, “I am getting an important call now. I will talk to you later.”

At first, I felt a bit weird. But then I ignored it. I waited for half an hour, but she didn’t call me. I tried calling her, but her phone was switched off.

“What’s going on? Is everything alright?” I became tense. Then I went outside to hang out with my friends. After two hours, Pranshi’s elder sister Disha called me up and said, “Please do not talk to Pranshi anymore.”

I was shocked to hear such words from her. I asked her, “Why?”

“Do you know that she is still talking to that Sourav? Moreover, she is even roaming around with him,” said Disha.

“How did you know?” I asked.

“I asked her friend who stays near our house. There were no extra classes today. Pranshi made an excuse that she had an extra class and went with Sourav to roam on his bike.” Disha said angrily.

“Hmm…So, this is what she has been doing behind my back. Wow!” I scoffed and said.

“She has broken your trust again. I am sorry to say. Please stay away from her. Your life will be spoiled if you stay with her. You are like my brother so; I am advising you.” said Disha.

When I heard all these things about Pranshi from her elder sister, I did not feel disappointed rather I just smiled.

After half an hour, I called up Pranshi and said, “What’s your problem? If you want to go, then why not forever? Why are you coming into my life and screwing things up? You are no better than a fox.”

She didn’t say anything but was in a state of shock. “Don’t call me ever again. I don’t want to see your face. Goodbye,” I said & hung up the phone.

I took a deep breath and tried to relax. Although I had broken off my relationship with Pranshi, this time I didn’t feel sad. I felt like a burden was released off my shoulders. I said to myself, “From now on, I will completely focus on my studies and live peacefully.”

I made a daily routine to stay more focused on my studies. After a month, our college declared a mini summer vacation of ten days. I also wanted to take a break from my studies.

AN INHIBITION WORTH REMEMBERING

So, I wanted to go to Swastik-uncle’s house. My father was not allowing me to go there and wanted me to stay at home. I was surprised at his behavior. He had never stopped me from going anywhere before that but this time he became terribly angry with me.

He said, “If you step out of my home, I will not talk to you ever again.”

I was frightened upon hearing such words from my dad. I went up to my mom and said, “What’s wrong with dad? I just want to chill out. I am working so hard, so what’s the problem if I take a break for a week?”

“I don’t know. You go and I will persuade him. Don’t worry.” My mom said.

At that time, I was unable to understand why my dad was reluctant. But I understood the reason after 5 years. That will be explained in the upcoming chapters.

Despite my father’s reluctance, I went to Swastik-uncle’s house. He was glad to see me, and we had a good time. My aunt prepared delicious foodstuffs and we enjoyed them together. The next day in the morning he said, “Get ready, we are going to meet someone special today.”

I became curious to meet him

I asked him, “Who is he?”. He replied, “A pure devotee and an exalted Vaishnava Guru“. I got excited after hearing his words. I kept on asking like a child, “Who is he? Where does he live?”. He smiled and said, “Get ready and we will meet him.”

I freshened up and got ready and sat inside the car. My uncle took me to a hospital. I was surprised at this and asked, “Why are we here? Is he sick or what?”.

“No, no, one of his disciples is admitted to this hospital and he has come here to see him”, my uncle replied.

I was waiting curiously to see him. I had never seen a Vaishnava Guru before that day. I started imagining him, his appearance, his personality, etc. Fifteen minutes passed and we were waiting outside the hospital entrance.

Then my uncle said, “When going in front of him, bow down before him. But don’t touch his feet.”

“Why? What’s wrong with touching the feet of a Vaishnava?” I asked.

“When you touch his feet, you transfer your sins to him, and he has to suffer for your sinful acts” he replied.

“Really! I didn’t know that” I said.

I was asking my uncle every 2-3 minutes, “When will Gurudeva come?”. He used to say, “Wait, he is coming. He is not an ordinary person. You should bear patience to meet such an exalted personality. Your whole life will be changed after seeing him. Let’s see how he interacts with you”, my uncle replied.

After 2 minutes the entrance door was opened and some devotees wearing white Dhoti and Kurta with shaven heads came out. They were wearing Tulsi beads on their necks and Tilak on their foreheads. My heart started beating faster. But I couldn’t recognize Gurudeva among them. Then something wonderful happened which I can never forget in my life.

Stay tuned to know what happened…