Chapter - 24
"Dad!! your prayers worked! "
"What happened?"
"When you called me yesterday, a boy came to see me with his family. They all selected me at once.My engagement is fixed for this Sunday."
"That's great news. Hearty congratulations."
"This is all the result of your affection and prayers."
" My child! I have no contribution in this. This is all God's grace."
"You and your family have to be present at my engagement."
"Is does not need to ask. "
I had longed all the time about Musica's wedding.
And it was about to come true... I was very happy about this.
I participated fully in her engagement ceremony. The boy's name was Prasad. Both of them had the same build, height, and weight.
While performing the engagement ceremony, I handed him a sealed envelope. I hugged Prasad. The photographer captured that moment on camera.
Both were South Indians. The menu included non-vegetarian items. And I ate mutton samosas and chicken.
Prasad owned a bar in Vasai. Seeing their similar appearances, I jokingly said to Musica 's aunt:
"They are exactly alike in every way. If you weighed them on a scale, it wouldn't budge."
She burst out laughing after hearing me.
Later, she threw a party for the office staff.
She loved pizza. She had mentioned it to me once. I regretted not being able to fulfill her wish. I borrowed money from Mohan and included pizza in the party menu.
She was very grateful for that.
She was going to get married and move to her village. I was saddened by the thought of losing her company.
She went to her village for the wedding. She had played a crucial role in strengthening our relationship.
Every girl in the office respected me.
After Musica, a girl named Kavita was appointed in her place. She took Musica's position. But I also developed an attachment to another girl. She also respected me a lot. She loved Cadbury chocolate. I used to give her Cadbury every day.
I had quit my job. Even then, I would get off at Lower Parel station every day. She would meet me at the station, and I would give her a Cadbury.
My brother-in-law appreciated my relationship with Kavita. I was constantly haunted by the memory of Musica.
I constantly missed Muzika.
Because of her, I had given up my habit of biting my nails.
Regarding my habit, she had only commented once:
" Oh no! You are Biting your nails like a child at this age!"
Her words were like a nagging worm in my mind. I hadn't bitten my nails for a month. They had grown long.
One day I showed my long nails to Musica. She was very much surprised. She praised me and then asked:
"How did this miracle happen?"
"It happened because of a grandmother."
"Who is your grandmother?"
Musica herself had played that role, but I wanted to tease her a little, so I remained silent. But I couldn't keep this secret for long. I told her:
"Who else could be my grandmother besides you?"
"Do you think of me that way?"
"Yes, my dear! More than myself!!"
Her face lit up like a flower.
I had never seen such radiance on anyone's face before.
She had left, but we remained in contact through phone and WhatsApp. If a relationship is true and meant to be, no obstacle can stand in its way.
I had told my younger daughter, Krishna, about her.
The two of them hadn't met in person, but they had spoken on the phone once or twice. Both of them got married after some time. They both had a daughter.
The most important thing was that Musica had won Aarti's heart.
I would talk to her comfortably on the phone in front of Aarti.
In her absence, I missed everything about her.
I used to talk to Prasad on the phone. Musica was curious to know what I talked about.
Once, when she asked, I said to teasing her.
"I said, 'My Musica is a little crazy. Be careful about her.'"
I had said it, but she wasn't ready to believe it.
"Come on, liar, you can't say that."
"You trust me that much?"
"Yes, more than myself."
This was the pinnacle of our relationship. What better sign of a true relationship could there be? A strange coincidence had occurred. Both Musica and Prasad shared the same birthday.
And another coincidence was that the marriage proposal for her arrived on my birthday.
In her excitement, Musica had forgotten this. She apologized to me and even brought a cake for me.
Krishna passed away after giving birth to a male child.
At that time, she left her 10-day-old daughter in the custody of his mother-in-law.
Musica was in Mumbai at that time. She took on the responsibility of Krishna's daughter.
This was the most significant thing. I visualised krishna in Musica.
Aarti was ready to raise the child, but she yielded to Musica's determination.
00000000000 (To be continued)
