‘I’m guilty, I must confess. Tricking that rich powerful man was
probably not right…’ he pleaded.
‘You don’t need to think of him anymore. He must be happy with
his wife and they would live peacefully’ she concluded.
‘Was he here the next day? And you performed the ritual on the
man too, didn’t you?’ he appeared to be asking her.
He waited long enough for her to say something. She said nothing, nor smiled. She let him believe what had happened without saying a word.
‘You’re a genius, a magician, a healer. You can do just about anything, create wonders. Can you solve any problem and every problem? No one would have any sufferings in this world! It’s unbelievable. Is it true?’ he did not seem to stop wondering the power of her abilities. It was no mean problem, and yet was resolved.
Without an air or inch of pride she spoke,
‘I told you earlier and I’ll tell you one more time. Truth is
about finding one’s happiness that one has lost. Everyone’s born without
knowing anything about any problem of the world. Everyone’s happy until one
gets involved in the magic called life. And the happiness is lost somewhere,
very early in to this magic. The ultimate Truth is that happiness they’ve lost,
and that needs to be restored. You think it’s not possible, you think it’s
unbelievable and you call it a miracle. But I don’t. What matters is they both
are happy now.’
He thought for a while. Yes, she had her justification and reasons which she had demonstrated earlier too, in her own way. His thoughts wandered back to the tomb-hall, the blind man, his unwed daughter and her sinking life. Without hesitation, he asked the sanyasin,
‘There’s another girl and a boy who are awaiting their share of happiness. Can you help?’ he asked knowing she wouldn’t refuse. He said further, expressing his genuine concern for the sanyasin,
‘It’s not easy. I have no doubts on your abilities. But I'm only
worried about the consequences, which may not do any good to you or this town. Worse,
if it turns fatal!’
He said turning away, looking at the tomb-hall, and seeing through those deep curvy paths into the market area which covered half of the town. Inter-religious marriages were not acceptable in that small town. It was a taboo! They raised eyebrows even in those big cities, one of which the wanderer himself belonged. He knew all of that and was aware of the aggression among the town's people from his own experience in the short time of his stay. It was a bad idea to get involved in matters such as these that were sensitive to the masses. Yet, his heart was in it somehow. His own life ran parallel to those young lovers' who rose many unanswered questions in him and he wondered if he felt more sympathized with them or for his own helplessness.
His worried eyes met hers. That strange mixture of a deep worry and happiness which he had seen in their first encounter no more dwelled her eyes ever since she shared her story with him. The worry had escaped and only a content smile remained, which he took note of.
She nodded with acceptance. It was her duty and her only duty – to help
all those who had come to ask. She didn’t pick and choose. There was no choice,
just a sincere service - and that too was a truth.
Continues…
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