Threshold...Offerings

Sujata stared at Sunaina, she had pictured her in many ways but the reality brought a lump to her throat. Sunaina’s once beautiful hair now had streaks of grey and it had lost its sheen. Her hands and feet were calloused from working constantly in the fields and then at home. Even her saree had a tear which she had tried best to hide, and this was her best saree. The children had said so to Sujata.

Sunaina was sleeping peacefully, they had gossiped till late after Sujata said that she was not hungry. Sunaina had secretly sighed in relief which had not escaped her friend. Their chat had revolved around the various acquaintances of their childhood. Every time Sujata had tried to bring the discussion back to Sunaina, she had been met with a silent wall and a quick changing of topic.

She knew her friend was in trouble but how was one to help without knowing what exactly the ailment was. She got up stealthily and went into the kitchen; walking on tiptoes she checked the near empty rice and wheat containers. It just helped to reconfirm her doubts. She went and sat out on the verandah and racked her brains to find a way to help her friend without offending her self esteem. The tolling of the temple bells in the distance gave her the idea. She started waiting impateintly for Sunaina to get up so that she could tell her and check her reaction.

The temple bells which gave Sujata her plan also woke up Sunaina, who sat up and not finding Sujata beside her hurried out only to find her sitting outside. She sat down beside her stroking her loose strands like she had done many a time when they were children.

‘Sunaina, I need a favour from you, you must help me. Sujata broke the silence. Sunaina was taken aback, she had hardly anything but whatever she had was at her friend’s disposal she replied.

Sujata told her about her fabricated dream of the village deity and her belief that he was angry with her for not having visited for so long. She feared for her child and to placate the deity she had pledged that she would have an offering served at his temple for a whole year. She wanted to start tomorrow and needed Sunaina to continue with the ritual for the rest of the year. She would keep visiting every couple of months.

Sunaina couldn’t but agree though she had a nagging feeling that something was not right. Not once had Sujata mentioned the dream in the letters. However she too was a mother and couldn’t say no to another worried about her child’s welfare. But how was she to arrange for the elaborate oferings everyday for the next year? She well knew only the very best went into making the Lord’s food, the best basmati rice, choicest vegetables, pure ghee, and dry fruits. Where would she find the resources to buy those?

As if answering her thoughts Sujata explained that she would buy and stock enough rice, ghee and spices to last atleast a couple of months and she would leave enough money with Sunaina to buy the fresh stuff. She would keep coming back as and when possible to ensure that Sunaina didn’t want for anything.

Next morning after an early bath both friends visited the temple and then went to the grocery store. Sujata gave a list of things and asked it to be delivered to Sunaina’s place. Sunaina was nervous she didn’t want the grocer to mention her debts infront of Sujata. But he seemed completely enthralled with the wad of notes that Sujata handed him and busied himself with ordering the boy to pack the stuff.

Once home Sujata handed over money to Sunaina who protested it was far too much, she would not take even half. Sujata had a tough time getting her to agree. She explained that she didn’t want Sunaina to cook twice once for the offerings and then the regular food for her family. It was a hard to refuse logic. Cooking twice for each meal would leave Sunaina very little time to tend to the fields, so though reluctantly she had to agree.

Sujata went away, after promising to return in a month or so. The children who had each been given new clothes and chocolates by Sujata masi went around the village showing off their new possessions. Sunaina could only thank the lord for this turn of events. The happy thought of her children eating decent meals for a change washed away any residue of resistance her mind threw up.

She couldn’t believe that it was her own kitchen filled to the brim with the best money could buy. She would wake up at night and imagine noises in the kitchen and go to check. Once there she would find it difficult to leave and would just stay on arranging and rearranging things.

People who used to shun her earlier, now came calling, hoping to reap some benefits from her friendship with Sujata. Sunaina had lived all her life in the village and it took Sujata’s visit to get her neighbours to acknowledge her existence. Such is life.

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