ADVAY’S POV

I don’t understand why Shiv Ji had to be this cruel to me. First, he took away my parents, leaving me as the only heir… alone. I tried to find a home in the laughter of little kids,but maybe that wasn’t meant for me either.

And then- these eyes. These damn, different-coloured eyes. Kids started treating me like i am some kind of Monster .

But it’s over now. I’m done holding onto this cruel life. I’m finally walking away… leaving everything behind.

This time, I’m choosing a fresh start.

I was sitting inside the train, the wind from the window constantly brushing past my face… giving me a different kind of sensation, like it was trying to calm me—and somehow, it was actually working.

Until I saw a station where it was written—
“XYZ STATION.”

As soon as train stopped— 

I grabbed my luggage. Honestly, I hadn’t packed much… just a few pieces of clothes and some basic things, because Shiv Ji knows what might be needed at any time.

I was wearing sunglasses… of course. I didn’t want to scare the little kids at the station.

I got off the train and slowly took down my luggage.

I sighed, standing on the platform. “Now, Advay babu, we have to take a taxi… let’s go.”

—
ADVAY’S POV- AT THE VILLAGE…

As soon as the taxi slipped into the village… ahh, the fresh air.

Okay I know—I’m being dramatic right now. But still… it just felt like everything might finally go right here. Away from people… the same people who use to backstab just for some money.

The taxi driver suddenly spoke,                                                                                       “Bhaiya aapko ek baat btau?" (Bhaiya, can I tell you something?)

I just hummed in response.

He continued,
“aapko pta hai mera pura bachpan is gaon mai bita hai.”
(You know, I spent my entire childhood in this village.)

I nodded slightly, looking outside.
“Achaa, mai bhi is gaon ke baare mai bahut suna hai.”
(Oh, I’ve also heard a lot about this village.)

He glanced at me through the mirror and asked,
“bhaiya aap kisi se milne aaye ho yaha?”
(Are you here to meet someone?)

I let out a small laugh, then a soft smile followed.
“permanent shift hona hai yaha.”
(I’m shifting here permanently.)

His brows instantly changed shape..
“Aap dikh to sehher ke rahe… to? log to gaon se sehher jate, sehher se gaon… kuch naya hai.”
(You look like you’re from the city… right? People usually go from village to city, coming from city to village… that’s something new.)

He laughed a little.

I just shrugged lightly.
“ab jaise us upar wale ki ichha.”
(Now it’s all as God wishes.)

Maybe he thought something else… like I was struggling in life in other way.

After a pause, he said, a bit hesitant this time,
“Paiso ki madat chahiye bhaiya aapko? Mai kar sakta hu… aap ache insan lag rahe, aur kuch paise to hai mere paas. Aapki life sahi se chal jayegi, kyunki gaon mai bhi paiso ki jarurat padti hai.”
(Do you need financial help, bhaiya? I can help… you seem like a good person, and I do have some money. Your life will go smoothly, because even in villages, money is needed.)

I blinked at that and shook my head quickly .
“aree aree aisa nahi hai bhai, paiso ki madat nahi chahiye.”
(No no, it’s not like that, I don’t need financial help.)

He tensed up a little.
“kuch aur dikkat hai bhaiya?”
(Is there some other problem, bhaiya?)

I sighed, leaning back slightly.
“bhai… life mai up and downs bahut aate hai, bas wahi samajh lo.”
(Bhai… life has a lot of ups and downs, just understand it like that.)

He nodded slowly, like it made sense to him.
“ohh… achaa…”

-

As soon as I saw the house… I paused.

A small house. Simple. 

I got off the taxi and handed him his money. He looked at me for a second, then said softly,
“i wish aapki life mai jo bhi problem hai sab khatam hojaye bhaiya.”
(I hope whatever problems you have in life… all of them end, bhaiya.)

For a moment, I didn’t say anything. Then I gave him a small smile.
“Aap sahi mai bahut acche insan ho, bhagwan aapko bahut upar tak le jayega.”
(You are truly a very good person, God will take you very far in life.)

He immediately joined his hands in front of me.

I frowned a little and waved it off,
“Tss… don’t do this.”

He smiled awkwardly,
“dhanyawad bhaiya.”
(Thank you, bhaiya.)

And then, just like that, he sped off… leaving me alone.

I looked around and let out a quiet breath.
“Finally…”

I picked up my luggage and walked towards the house, pushing the door open slowly- no lock? Huh? “no worries”.

“Life will feel less heavy now…” I muttered under my breath.

I took off my sunglasses as I stepped inside.

The house… it was exactly what you’d expect from a village home. Muddy walls . A faint smell of मिट्टी lingered in the air—Comforting type..

I went straight to my suitcase and pulled out… two dhotis and something like a kurta for the upper side. I had researched all this online—that’s what people here usually wear.

For a second, I just stood there, holding the clothes, thinking…

Should I wear sunglasses or not?

I hesitated. I mean, I used to wear them all the time. They were like a shield. But then… what’s the point of a “fresh start” if I’m still hiding?

I let out a small breath.

“Let’s be real this time…”

I kept the sunglasses aside. 

“Let’s go to the riverside now,” I muttered to myself.

As I was about to zip my bag, there was a sudden knock on the door.

I frowned- confused a little.
“kon aaya hoga…”
(Who could it be…)

I walked to the door and opened it—

A mid-aged lady stood there.

For a second, she just… stared at my eyes.

Yeah. Of course.

I was about to explain, already expecting that usual reaction—but before I could even say anything, she spoke,
“aap aagaye? hum aapke padosi hai.”
(You’ve arrived? We are your neighbors.)

She handed me a bowl.

I looked at her, a bit confused. She smiled and said,
“ye aapka wo angrezi ka shabd hai na… welcome ha, welcome gift.”
(This is that English word, right… welcome, yes, a welcome gift.)

I couldn’t help it—I let out a small laugh.
“haa…”

Then I looked at the bowl again.
“ye sab ki kya zarurat thi?”
(What was the need for all this?)

She lightly pushed my hand back, making me hold it properly.
“ab padosi nahi karenge to kaun karega, rakh lo.”
(If neighbors won’t do this, then who will? Keep it.)

For a moment, I didn’t know what to say. It felt… overwhelming. In a good way.

“dhanyawad…”
(Thank you…)

I stepped a little aside,
“andar aaiye na.”
(Please come inside.)

She immediately shook her head,
“Nai nai, wo chintu aata hoga… uski bus ka time ho gaya. lene jana hai chowk. kabhi aur aayenge, achhe se.”
(No no, Chintu must be coming… it’s time for arrival of his bus. I have to go pick him up at the chowk. I’ll come some other time, properly.)

I nodded softly.
“dhanyawad…”

After she left, I was clearly feeling different. I murmured, “Itne saalon se shehar mein raha… aisa kabhi mehsoos nahi hua" (I’ve lived in the city for so many years… I’ve never felt like this before.)

_

TARA’S POV

It was afternoon, and we were all playing in the open Aangan. The sun was right above our heads… but did we care? Not at all.

Everyone kept telling us to go play inside, but… we are us. Hehe.

We were busy playing pakdam pakdai  running here and there, shouting, laughing—until AMMI came.

We all call her Ammi.

She stood there and said,
“baachoo khushkhabri hai…”
(Kids, there’s good news…)

We all stopped instantly and looked at her.

“we all are going to temple tomorrow during evening time… Shiv ji’s temple near ghat side…”

Before anyone else could react, I shouted the loudest—
“GHHHHAAATTT???”

She smiled and nodded,“haaan baachae, GHAT.”

We all started jumping, screaming, dancing.

GHAT MEANS WATER. WATER MEANS FUN.

Then Ammi spoke again,
“baachoo aam ras kis kis ko pina hai?”
(Kids, who all wants to drink mango juice?)

“MUJHEEE!”
“MUJHE!”
“MEREKO!”

Everyone started shouting at once.

She laughed and said,
“andar chalo to.”
(Then come inside.)

And just like that, everyone rushed inside  .But… I stayed back ,Ammi noticed and looked at me.“kya hua?”

I just kept staring at her.

She walked up to me and picked me up in her arms.
“bolo, taaru kya hua?”
(Tell me, Taru, what happened?)

I blinked… then said,
“wo to mai bhul gayi.”

For a second, she just looked at me then burst out laughing.

“badmash bacchi… chal ab.”

AUTHOR’S POV

Near the ghat, there stood a temple— simple… yet filled with a  divine energy. Shiv Ji’s temple.

And somehow… Advay had found his place there.

He had started being a pujari. Just like that. Like he had already decided—this is it. This is his life now. To be Shiv Ji’s sevak. Forever.

Advay was only wearing a dhoti, his upper body bare, skin lightly covered with traces of chandan. He was kneelling in front of the shivling, completely focused… Doing Singar  with full dedication.

Dry fruits, flowers, chandan, gulal… he  started forming a face on the shivling…

A few people around him were helping here and there, passing things, arranging stuff…

But still, he felt… distant.

He didn’t know why, but since yesterday, he had only met a few people who were curious about his eyes. The rest?

They just… minded their own business. No stares..

And somehow… that felt new.

Peaceful.

Suddenly, pujari walked in and said,
“advay beta, jaldi karo, aarti ka samay ho raha hai… waise bhi 6:30 ho gaya hai.”
(Advay, hurry up, it’s time for the aarti… it’s already 6:30.)

Advay paused for a second, his hands stopping mid-way as he worked on the shivling.

“jiii…”
And then he continued again . He started doing shiv ji’s shingar again while mumbling… ..

“SHREE SHIVAY NAMSTUBHIYAM…”

                                                 _

That’s all for today, guys…

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