24-10-2025, 01:12 PM
(This post was last modified: 24-10-2025, 01:20 PM by lee.jae.han. Edited 1 time in total. Edited 1 time in total.)
## Update 36: The Mangla Lie Secures the Maharaj Journey (Avi's Chacha and Chachis)
The next day, I went to schoool, still processing the shock of the morning before and the new study schedule with Komal.
At home, the important, staged conversation was taking place. Meena Chachi was busy in the kitchen, but strategically listening.
"Listen, I need to talk to you," Seema Chachi said to my chacha, initiating the delicate subject.
"Yes, say it," my chacha replied.
"You know Mangla, right? The one who runs the small shop," Seema Chachi asked, setting the groundwork.
"Yes, I know her," my chacha confirmed.
"You know that Mangla had a daughter three years after her marriage, which was quite late," Seema Chachi continued.
"Yes, I remember her husband told me that at the time, expressing his relief," my chacha said, remembering the conversation from years ago.
"Yesterday, Suman didi and Meena went to Mangla's house," Seema Chachi said.
"Yes, so what's new in that? Meena keeps going to Mangla's house for groceries," my chacha said, still missing the point.
"Mangla was telling them that there's a Maharaj nearby. With his special blessings, Mangla had her daughter," Seema Chachi revealed the central lie.
"Her husband never told me that part of the story," my chacha said, his skepticism beginning to surface.
"Should we also meet that Maharaj? We've tried everything else," Seema Chachi asked, planting the suggestion.
"This is an old story, Seema. It must be about twenty years old. Will that Maharaj still be there, and will the blessing still work?" my chacha asked, a little skeptical but with a definite flicker of hope.
"Mangla was saying that she went to meet the Maharaj just last month for some follow-up prayers," Seema Chachi lied smoothly, ensuring my chacha understood the Maharaj was current and active.
"Where is that place, exactly?" my chacha asked, his interest now fully engaged.
"He lives in a remote village about 200 km from here," Seema Chachi said, anticipating his hesitation.
"How can we go that far, and for how long will we need to stay?" my chacha questioned, the practicalities weighing on him.
"We only have to go for a week for the full ritual. Let's try one last time, just to say we did everything. Suman Chachi, you say something to convince him," Seema Chachi said, nudging Suman Chachi for back-up support.
"What should I say, ji? I agree with whatever you decide," Suman Chachi said vaguely, carefully maintaining her neutral position in the discussion.
"Will it truly be worth it to go there? Is it a genuine blessing or just a waste of time and money?" my chacha asked, seeking external validation.
"Look, Mangla got a child, didn't she? We should have faith," Seema Chachi pressed.
"Yes, but..." my chacha started to say, still hesitant.
At the perfect moment, Meena Chachi came into the room from the kitchen, wiping her hands, and said, "What's the harm in going once ? It's just a week. We could get the blessing we've prayed for."
Confronted by all three women and seeing the immense hope in their eyes, my chacha finally gave in. "Okay, whatever you three say. Tell Avi that we're all going on a trip," my chacha said, resigning himself to the plan.
"We can't take Avi with us," Seema Chachi interjected quickly.
"Why not? He'll get bored here alone," my chacha asked, surprised.
"Because the Maharaj insists that only a husband and wife can attend the rituals to gain the blessing. It’s a rule," Meena Chachi said, making up a compelling lie to ensure my absence.
"What will we do with Avi, then?" my chacha asked, worrying about leaving me alone.
"We'll send him to Pooja's house to sleep safely at night. And he'll look after the house and his books all day," Seema Chachi proposed, integrating the plan that Meena had worked out the night before.
"What about his schoool? He'll miss a week of lessons," my chacha pointed out.
"He won't go to schoool for a week. Anyway, he's getting private tuition now, studying with Neha's daughter, so he won't fall behind," Seema Chachi reassured him.
"We have to go this coming Monday," Meena Chachi said, finalizing the timeline.
"You all have already decided everything amongst yourselves, haven't you?" my chacha said, realizing he had no real say. "Okay, let's try this one last time and see if this Maharaj can help."
"I'll make all the arrangements for the journey and the house," Meena Chachi said, taking charge of the logistics. The three women exchanged a knowing glance, their complex plan moving perfectly into motion.
----
The next day, I went to schoool, still processing the shock of the morning before and the new study schedule with Komal.
At home, the important, staged conversation was taking place. Meena Chachi was busy in the kitchen, but strategically listening.
"Listen, I need to talk to you," Seema Chachi said to my chacha, initiating the delicate subject.
"Yes, say it," my chacha replied.
"You know Mangla, right? The one who runs the small shop," Seema Chachi asked, setting the groundwork.
"Yes, I know her," my chacha confirmed.
"You know that Mangla had a daughter three years after her marriage, which was quite late," Seema Chachi continued.
"Yes, I remember her husband told me that at the time, expressing his relief," my chacha said, remembering the conversation from years ago.
"Yesterday, Suman didi and Meena went to Mangla's house," Seema Chachi said.
"Yes, so what's new in that? Meena keeps going to Mangla's house for groceries," my chacha said, still missing the point.
"Mangla was telling them that there's a Maharaj nearby. With his special blessings, Mangla had her daughter," Seema Chachi revealed the central lie.
"Her husband never told me that part of the story," my chacha said, his skepticism beginning to surface.
"Should we also meet that Maharaj? We've tried everything else," Seema Chachi asked, planting the suggestion.
"This is an old story, Seema. It must be about twenty years old. Will that Maharaj still be there, and will the blessing still work?" my chacha asked, a little skeptical but with a definite flicker of hope.
"Mangla was saying that she went to meet the Maharaj just last month for some follow-up prayers," Seema Chachi lied smoothly, ensuring my chacha understood the Maharaj was current and active.
"Where is that place, exactly?" my chacha asked, his interest now fully engaged.
"He lives in a remote village about 200 km from here," Seema Chachi said, anticipating his hesitation.
"How can we go that far, and for how long will we need to stay?" my chacha questioned, the practicalities weighing on him.
"We only have to go for a week for the full ritual. Let's try one last time, just to say we did everything. Suman Chachi, you say something to convince him," Seema Chachi said, nudging Suman Chachi for back-up support.
"What should I say, ji? I agree with whatever you decide," Suman Chachi said vaguely, carefully maintaining her neutral position in the discussion.
"Will it truly be worth it to go there? Is it a genuine blessing or just a waste of time and money?" my chacha asked, seeking external validation.
"Look, Mangla got a child, didn't she? We should have faith," Seema Chachi pressed.
"Yes, but..." my chacha started to say, still hesitant.
At the perfect moment, Meena Chachi came into the room from the kitchen, wiping her hands, and said, "What's the harm in going once ? It's just a week. We could get the blessing we've prayed for."
Confronted by all three women and seeing the immense hope in their eyes, my chacha finally gave in. "Okay, whatever you three say. Tell Avi that we're all going on a trip," my chacha said, resigning himself to the plan.
"We can't take Avi with us," Seema Chachi interjected quickly.
"Why not? He'll get bored here alone," my chacha asked, surprised.
"Because the Maharaj insists that only a husband and wife can attend the rituals to gain the blessing. It’s a rule," Meena Chachi said, making up a compelling lie to ensure my absence.
"What will we do with Avi, then?" my chacha asked, worrying about leaving me alone.
"We'll send him to Pooja's house to sleep safely at night. And he'll look after the house and his books all day," Seema Chachi proposed, integrating the plan that Meena had worked out the night before.
"What about his schoool? He'll miss a week of lessons," my chacha pointed out.
"He won't go to schoool for a week. Anyway, he's getting private tuition now, studying with Neha's daughter, so he won't fall behind," Seema Chachi reassured him.
"We have to go this coming Monday," Meena Chachi said, finalizing the timeline.
"You all have already decided everything amongst yourselves, haven't you?" my chacha said, realizing he had no real say. "Okay, let's try this one last time and see if this Maharaj can help."
"I'll make all the arrangements for the journey and the house," Meena Chachi said, taking charge of the logistics. The three women exchanged a knowing glance, their complex plan moving perfectly into motion.
----
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