Deva

THE GIRL

" Please, stop calling when I cut your call. " She said.

Deva chuckled shaking his legs hearing to her voice. Being a love sick puppy.

" Why don't you tell me about your schedule. I will make time for myself in there, huh! "

" Next time " she replied.

" Are you going to call again? " He asked smiling wide.

" Don't you want me to? "

" No.. No.. it is triple okay. " He started noodling in the chair. " By the way, why did you called? " He asked worried. " Is everything okay? "

" No "

He stopped twisting in the chair and stiffened, " What happened?.. Badra would've told me if- "

" My heart is not feeling well " and that stopped his heart for a second. She stopped herself from smiling and tried clearing her throat.

" Sita... " The tension that she had when he called her name. And she downed her head giggling in her. Seizing the call.

Smiling at the world that is running away from her eyes. Feeling the cold breeze that is hitting on her cheeks and feeling like flying in air though she is travelling in her routine bus with red and white color.

When he called so lovely, the only thing that drumming inside her heart is the dance of an independent woman dancing with no boundries, and no strings. Like she was not a puppet of society anymore.

Like she was a girl, a beautiful girl inside.

And Deva was no less, smiling like a mad man and doing his work thinking of her and how sweet she can scold him.

It felt like she whispered the love on him. To be honest, he don't know when love happened and how can he see everything of her in just 10 seconds. He just read her like the Vedic mantras he always read in the morning. Like she is his daily cup of coffee that he unconsciously add perfect sugar to.

And this has been the only important thing in Deva's life. Waiting for her call daily and being less involved in election meetings, not paying attention to Badra or Gaja when they discuss serious matters.

Typing a text but not sending it. Waiting for correct time to send it and not letting the screen off until she calls. Charging mobile ten times a day.

And Sita was no less, smiling at the text that only consists of two words.. Good morning, Good afternoon and good evening that Deva send at 5:00 a.m , 12:00a.m and 5:00 p.m.

Talking to him about the state matters that she doesn't even know that she knew and listening to him talk about the problems he listen everyday.

And she cooking her favourite dish and giving him a box has been her favorite thing in a week. They don't go out for a drive or walk beside like every lovers do.

They talk not personals, they share not everything, they see eachother but don't meet. They smile at eachother but don't call. They give importance to eachother but don't depend on eachother. And they spend time with eachother not side by side. They work and they respect other's work.

Kala and Badra don't understand their relationship. They respect their tradition and set limits for each other.

They have been an interesting chapter to each other in their life.

And it was one Saturday, Sita was not feeling well and she informed Kala that she is not coming. Deva made sure that she was okay as Badra won't bear the thought of her little sister suffering.

But this not about Sita or Deva.

This is about Kala. A girl with sweet and beautiful dreams about marriage and husband. Who has been a pawn in the hands of his backend parents. Who still believe that woman should carry children and cook in the kitchen. If not for Uma ma, they would have married away their daughter.

And Kala has been alone all day. She thought of not going but she found it difficult to stay home.

That day, Sita was restless like she smelled some danger and as she sensed. Ravi has come over to the bus stop. Kala called Sita immediately.

" Sita,.. " she talked in tense.

" Kala. Don't fear. I will send my brother right away " she said and assured her that she will be safe. As she promised, she called Badra and informed.

Badra called Deva before he leave to pick Kala.

And as it was December, Deva decided to pray Ayyappa and wear Sacred chain. He was in the temple with Gowri and his men. Gaja was there along.

By the time Badra reach the bus top she was not there, Sita tried her phone for few minutes before and it gone dead. She tried calling Badra. He was in driving and didn't heard the call. Called Deva.

Veda brought Deva phone and walked into the temple, found Deva so engrossed in the ritual. Chanting the mantras and Gowri looking after the things. Deva sat before the god with his shirt off and holding the sacred chains that are covered in the chandan and kunkum.

The phone in Veda hands ringed again and by the time, Deva finished chanting mantras and the Guru Swami dropped the black cloth around Deva's neck and Deva looked at Veda.

Deva rose up from the small stool and Veda hurried in to hand the mobile.

Deva checked the id and excused himself as he has finished the ritual and Gowri took care of the rest as Gaja helped her.

Veda handed his mobile.

" Deva Babu, Sita ma called " he paused, " 6 times "

He answered, " Hello, Sita "

" Deva,.. Kala is not lifting my calls and Anna also " she said with fear in her voice.

" I sent my men and I will let you know after I talk to them. Don't worry" he said and he dialed ine of his men he sent.

" Anna, "

" Swami, Where are you? " He asked.

" We are searching for her Swami. She is not here by the time we came. Badra Anna is with us. He is searching for her "

Deva looked up at Veda and Veda nodded rushing out for his jeep. Deva walked out with his shirt and Veda got the jeep. They left from there and Deva called his men and gave Kala's number. He tried tracking her mobile and they soon reached the workplace. His men said that Badra went for Ravi's house.

Veda tried calling Kala's mobile again and it went dead.

Deva sent Kala's picture to his men who ever there in the five cities. On the other hand Badra went looking for Ravi's house. As Sita said, Ravi is a bank employee.

Sita called Deva.

" What happened? " She asked coughing.

Deva took a deep breath and " Can you tell me anything related to Ravi? "

Sita thought for a while, " he is a bank employee... They used to visit the park, movie hall and his house sometimes " she said.

" Any thing else? "

" ..... " She thought again. " That's all I know "

Deva sighed.

" Anything Kala loves and shares with only someone special " he asked.

" No, she won't share anything with anybody else except me " she said. And she quickly hit with another thing. " Yes, we used to visit the old house when we get tired. It's on the bed of the sea " she replied.

" Thanks. "

He seized her call and quickly dialed Badra to inform him this news.

Badra turned his bike and they went for the old banglow that was dark and pitch black with no lights. Deva and his men along with Badra reached the place and Badra rushed in followed by Deva and his men.

They stood before the banglow and it was really pin drop silent except the sound of shores.

Badra looked at Deva.

-thud-

They hurried in and found Ravi unconscious at the entrance. Deva confused checked his pulse and signed his men to take him to the hospital before Badra, Veda and Deva walk in. It was a huge banglow.

-scream-

It was Kala.

They ran inside and found group of men drinking outside the closed door.

-breaking sound-

The men saw Deva standing before them and feared but piled up courage and went to hit him.

Veda stood before him and his men started at them as Deva was in Diksha. Badra hitted the men and Deva broke the door to find a guy trying to pull Kala's dupatta.

Kala saw Deva and Deva walked in with his bare foot and the guy left her duppata backing in fear and trying to grab something sharp to hit him. Before he grab the empty glass bottle and break it, Deva pulled his black towel around his neck and hit his hand. The cloth dropped around his hand that was now holding the glass piece and he pulled the cloth around his neck pulling his hand along and Deva pulled the cloth tight. The glass piece slit in his throat and he fell down oozing blood.

He walked near to him and tied the cloth around his neck tight and taking the dupatta from the floor and handing Kala.

Badra walked in and she rushed to him. Hugged him tight and cried. Badra stood there frozen and Veda came to Deva's side.

" Swami.. you should not- " before Veda complete.

Deva said, " Even Swami Ayyappa would have done the same thing if he was in my place... And he is still alive " he said and saw Badra taking her out.

Kala was frightened and Veda took a deeo breathe. " We were in time.. I am afraid what could have happened? "

" Call our men tomorrow. Everyone should be present and I need to know whose men are these " Deva said and walked away controlling his anger.

-mmm-

Deva looked back at Veda for the sound.

Veda danced his shoulders.

-mmmmmm-

-thud-

Deva looked back behind Veda and rushed to the sound. Veda looked around but they didn't found no one. Deva kept looking and walked out to other room. And found a girl dressed in western clothes plopped on the floor like a mat.

He rushed to her and there are so many wounds on her. Her dress is torn. He tried to wake her up. She felt unconscious and with no other solution he lifted heer into his hands. Veda came signing that he will carry her.

Veda carried her out and they started from there as Kala sat on Badra's scooty and held him tight. Deva's jeep followed behind them, they joined the girl in the hospital and Deva left leaving the girl under Veda's responsibility.

Deva went home and cleaned himself with the cold water and walked into the house, doing prayers and laid on the bare floor.

He stopped talking to Sita these days as he is in living the sacred days. Sita didn'tt called back and Badra informed him that Kala is fine and Sita is better. Deva tried to find the black sheep in his men and as far as he studied his men. He found nothing but he knew that someone is hiding something but he can't point it out.

So, he ordered his men to not to encourage anything like this and ordered that he won't tolerate the same mistake again.

They decided on limiting the alcohol selling and banishing women coming out after 8'O clock.

Deva agreed on it and he went for the girl in the hospital. The doctor told her that she is in ICU and in Coma. It might take her long to get back usual or take less time to be dead. And he made sure that she doesn't forced into anything physical and there are no traces of any abuse but some bruises obtained by hitting to maybe like table end or the floor.

Blood clotting happened in her brain due the commotion and she drifted into unconscious state.

" Do your best, Swami. Everything is on me " he said politely and the doctor nodded joining his hands.

They left from there to the place where Deva and Badra meet. Deva sat in his jeep and typed something on his mobile as Badra went to buy a soda for him.

And observed her sister driving away with Kala and looked at Deva who didn't even lifted his head to see her, engrossed in his mobile though he knew that Sita passed.

There is a smile on her face seeing Deva. In black and being honest. Badra walked to Deva and found him just wiping the display of his mobile.

Chuckled at how strict he was for himself and how he respects the dress and the god. He didn't heard a word about a girl or he found Deva saying anything except Swami.

He was as ashtonished as every other girl. He sometimes doubt himself as bisexual but he was a devotee is what he decide lastly.

Though the thought of giving Sita to him brought pride into his chest but thinking of their difference and how Deva move with them, he couldn't ask him for more.

He knew that Sita and Deva are talking to each other but neither Sita stopped to say thank you fro saving Kala or Deva lifted his eyes to see her.

He don't understand their relation but he is waiting for one of them to open up and ask him. Deva has been clear with his choice but what is distrubing him is Sita's silence.

It is not like he blindly gives away Sita to Deva, but he wanted to if there is a chance.

And Badra stayed with Deva like his shadow. He was there in the morning when he found Deva bathing early in the morning with ice cold water and doing his pooja everyday, eating twice a day, talking gently, always smiling, sleeping on the floor and not at all lifting his eyes at any girl or he can guess that a topic of girl didn't crossed his mind.

And Deva has accompanied Gaja for promotions, and seeing every family trying to talk to him and giving gifts of their standard, throwing flowers, and touching his hand.

He has been smiling all way from morning to evening and walking bare foot along side with Gaja.

Sita didn't even came to his premises and texted anything or called. She maintained her distance. Sita is an independednt girl with perfect qualities. She don't care if that doesn't matters her and she has her own fears. Just like every other girl, with Deva, her fears are more. She can't let herself free with him cause he is not an ordinary person.

And she always set limits for herself.

Soon, december passed pongal arrived. Deva went to sabarmalai and ended his diksha.

The next thing he directed was to his house.. this pongal, he wanted finalise one thing as his father attend the carnival of lord narasimha in february and stays for a while. As the EC called elections early this time, the polling is going to be in january, the results will be announced in March or April. So, he knew he will be busy.

Deva pulled out a chair and where Gowri is cutting vegetables.

" I need you to help me " he said leaning close to her.

Gowri dropped the knife and looked up at him.

" I can't imagine someone else other than Sita as my wife and Baba won't agree if he knows about her caste..

___________

I am hearing some drum sound... can you too?

Or the drums sounds are for something else other than Deva's marriage!

Who is the girl in the hospital?

What happens to the relationship btw Deva and Sita if she wakes up from Coma?