Recap:
God extended Arya’s lifespan but decided that he’ll die on his wedding night.
His father Arjun doesn’t want to marry him, but his mother Kaveri feels that god will change his plan.
She blesses Arya to marry his girlfriend Siddhi.
Arya and Siddhi are very happy. They decide on a wedding date.
Unknown to them, Arjun is putting on a brave face, fighting back his tears.
He loves his son too much, but Kaveri’s overconfidence may result in the untimely death of their child.
Arjun knows he must play his last card.
He picks himself up, walks to the temple and makes one final request to god.
‘I know you’ve helped me a lot. I’m grateful for that, Prabhu. But please don’t let my son die on his wedding night. Use your power and let him live. I promise: I’ll never ask you for anything. Ever.’
God smiled. Humans are funny.
‘Arjun, I’ve changed destiny more than once for Kaveri and your happiness.
I cannot do it anymore. You’re free to decide what you want to do.
And your actions/inactions will have their own consequences.’
‘But…please…Just once…’
‘No Arjun, destiny is a powerful force. Don’t try to play with it, let alone control it. Accept it, and you will be happy.’
When Arjun shared this with Kaveri, she laughed it off.
‘God is your friend! He will never let such a tragedy happen to you.
The wedding is in 2 months. He’s going to change his mind by then. Don’t worry.’
Only if ‘Don’t worry’ had the power to stop worries.
Arjun cried his eyes out. He’d grown to love his dear ‘Devdutt’ – gift of god – more than himself.
The wedding day arrived.
Family members, friends and well-wishers came together.
The grand ceremony began.
Arya and Siddhi were happy. Their true love was progressing to a higher level with the sacred vows.
Kaveri was in a festive mood, still reassuring a frightened Arjun that all will be well.
But Arjun could not bear to see him.
As soon as the ceremony ended, he blessed the couple, hugged Arya one last time and ran away, much to the confusion of the family.
But Arjun had only known one place where he felt safe. He needed to be there.
So, he reached the temple.
God was already waiting for him.
‘I’ve been expecting you, Arjun.
But why are you crying? Isn’t death a natural part of life?
You’re pure. You’re among the wisest men. Then why be saddened by a simple law of nature?’
‘Prabhu, I’d told you earlier: I don’t care about natural laws. That’s your job. I am a simple man. I care about my family.’
‘So do I. The entire universe is my family, Arjun. Have you forgotten that?
And don’t ask me to change Arya’s fate again. It is written and sealed.
At midnight today, he is meant to die.’
A grim Arjun broke down. Tears were all he had.
He surrendered, collapsing right in the middle of the temple.
He knew in a few hours, he’d get the bad news from home.
Ready to embrace his son’s death, he closed his eyes as tears rolled down his cheeks.
The clock struck 11pm. Then 11:50pm. Soon, it was midnight.
He imagined the mood of his house.
Lights, flowers, dancing, happy faces – all suddenly turning pale with the death of the groom.
He was expecting a call any second.
But it didn’t come.
He waited a little more. Perhaps everyone must be so shocked.
‘They may not know how to break this news to me,’ he thought. ‘But I’m prepared. Let me face reality – as it is.’
He picked up the phone, calling Kaveri.
‘I’m so sorry Kaveri. How are you holding up?’ He choked before asking her.
‘I’m great. We’re all still dancing but confused that you left early.’
Arjun was shocked. ‘Dancing? When our son is dead!?
‘Stop saying things like this. Arya is completely fine. He’s happy. In fact, he’s just about to go to his room to join Siddhi.
Hadn’t I told you? Nothing will happen to him!’
The phone fell from his hand. God was smiling.
‘Prabhu, thank you so much for saving him!’ exclaimed Arjun.
‘I did not save him. Someone else did.
You owe gratitude to them. Not me.’
Arjun was pleasantly surprised. His son was alive!
Who had saved Arya?
Was it Kaveri? Is that why she was confident?
Was it someone else? But who can overpower divine will?
Well, some answers never come so early.
Let’s wait for next week to find out.
Until then, let’s all surrender to divine will and stop resisting reality.
You know, our destinies may also improve in the process.
