Deity - An Elixir

It was the month of March 2017, Chaitra Navratri started all over the state. As every year, the goddess was worshipped in her nine different incarnations on nine consecutive days twice in a year once in March and other in October. Navratri ie; nine nights of worship mark the changing season. In March it's from winter to spring in October from rainy to winter. The season of spring with blissful colors of flowers, the essence of love all around and the ethnicity of girls has sprinkled all around.

Pihu,25 yrs beautiful girl has an attachment towards the goddess since she was a child. As soon as the month of Navratri arrives she was eager to rush for shopping with her friends to get ready with all puja accessories, new dresses, and fasting stuff. Pihu and Pinky were very intimate friends and both of them used to enjoy every festival together. More likely, they used to serve the deity nine days with true devotion and fasting. This Navratri too both of them started together at a nearby temple of maa Durga.

Pihu's parents were in search of a groom for her and were ready for marrying her the same year if a suitable groom found soon. Pihu wasn't interested to move ahead for the next phase as soon. She had planned to stand independently and then take her self decision. Still, there is an eternal power of god's decision beyond lies ours.

It was the first day of Navratri, Pihu and Pinky woke up early and together started to the temple. The first day is marked 'ghat staphna' .It is believed that on that day whatever you wish u can keep in mind and lit a big Diya interminably for 9 days. Pihu closes her shiny eyes holding the Diya and chants the prayer to the goddess. Before placing the Diya, she had a wish and it goes comic. The wish was no guy should say yes to marry till she gets well settled of her own. One more she added it would be very lucky if the guy also devoted to the deity. Both friends completed the puja and walked home discussing the next day's plan. Meanwhile, Pinky ridicules and says Pihu thinks if a guy somewhere imploring for lifemate as you. Pihu's face sparkled and she smiled thinking how Pinky judged her prayers she didn't utter anything but.

On Panchami, the fifth day of nine days Pihu was a bit late to the temple. She fastened but as she reached there was no space to walk within the crowd of devotees near the Dhawan. She was compelled to sit last nearby to the entrance gate. Pinky has to move elsewhere. When the hawan got over, all of a sudden everyone rushed for Prasad. In this havoc, Pihu's cell dropped off from her purse which she didn't notice thereby. It was an I phone gifted by her brother on her birthday.both friends returned home as usual. Reaching home she discovers she has lost her phone. She rushed to the temple asked the priest. He felt sorry and said there was a guy who asked him to give the phone but though during puja it's crowded and will be difficult to claim the actual owner he clearly refused.

Pihu was shattered learning to lose her gift. She couldn't resist the loss and couldn't sleep that night thinking of who the guy must be and shall he come back to return the phone. The next day she went early and asked the priest to keep an eye on the guy if he comes. The guy wasn't noticed that day. She was about to lose hope and even her phone sounds switched off.

On the seventh day, she found a gentleman the priest was talking to indicating her. She rushed there, the guy named Shreyan was with her phone. She couldn't wait and was glad to have it. He handed her the phone and said he was in search for two days but could not find it as he used to leave early in the mid of the rituals. She had no words to thank her still she did.

On a ninth day, there is a ritual to worship nine little girls and serve them with their favorite food and accessories. Pinky and Pihu completed their rituals and about to leave the temple. Shreyan was at the doorstep of the temple. Pihu glared her with eyes of sigh thanking again in heart and left without uttering anything.

On the way, she chirped this Navratri will be in mind forever. A few days later, Pihu's mom got a call regarding a proposal for her. She started collecting details and found much suitable. Soon she reached Pihu and started discussing the guy. She was hardly ready to listen. Her mom however convinced and asked her to get ready for the groom's family to attend them.

It was a lovely morning. Pinky arrived to help out Pihu to be confident and comfortable for meeting the groom's family. Around 10 am, there were sounds of shutting of car doors and thereby a bell rang. Pihu's dad received the guests. Both of the families exchanged their talks. Soon they asked about Pihu. Pinky accompanied her to the hall. With head bow down and sigh in eyes she seated opponent to the groom and his family. Coincidentally, it was Shreyan with his family. Shreyan in a glimpse was glad to find the girl he came to choose was Pihu. Pihu looked stunning towards him. Both of their parents were happy to learn that they have already met and partially know each other. Both of them started knowing each other and found compatible to be partners for the next half of the journey. Pihu too got attached meanwhile, and keeping aside her dreams got agreed for tying the knot. Soon, an auspicious date was found they were engaged and within three months was the marriage. Both started a journey of a new phase happily. Both worshipped the goddess with hearty gratitude. Though in life we have different plans but god's plan is always the best. Soon after six months of marriage, Pihu got a job offer in a renowned company and her wish was fulfilled too.

Moral: It's a good thing to plan your life, but it's the best thing to walk according to god's plan. His plans are bitter a few times and different from ours but it would be worthy and fruitful forever...