Meeting Yama by Manoj V Jain

Author:Manoj V Jain [Jain, Manoj V]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Notion Press
Published: 2020-11-09T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 5

Varanasi, Day Two, Morning

“Everything will be okay in the end…. if it’s not okay, it’s not the end.”

It was five in the morning; the alarm rang and Amrit woke up with a start. He looked around, wondering for a moment where he was; he sighed and closed his eyes again. He was in the midst of such a good dream and he wanted to go back under the comforting sheets but he shook himself up for it was an important day for him. He looked outside from the little window and saw it was yet dark. He wondered why the receptionist at the hotel had asked him to leave so early in the morning to put Aai’s ashes in the river; it is auspicious to put it at sunrise he had said and Amrit had quietly agreed.

Amrit stepped down to the hotel lobby, holding the precious container. He was glad that he had booked a private boat to take him to submerge Aai’s ashes. His mother would have been shocked to know he was spending so much for the task and would have undoubtedly dissuaded him, asking him to submerge the ashes in the sea near their house. He himself had been reluctant when he had checked the prices but Gagan had solemnly told him that he had to hire a private boat and Amrit had overcome his sensibilities and agreed to spend the money.

Amrit stepped out of the hotel into the darkness. The air was cold, a light breeze blew and he shivered involuntarily. It has been nearly a year since Aai passed away he thought. I will place her ashes in the water as I had planned; just a small ride into the waters and back. Sunil, the receptionist, stepped out of the hotel and said, Rajbirji will guide you. You know him already; he was the boatman on yesterday’s cruise.

Amrit nodded, unable to speak, surprised at himself for being choked. He had not expected himself to get so emotional. Sunil did not wait for a reply and proceeded, “I have explained your requirements to Rajbirji. He will take you to the right spot in the river.”

Amrit nodded and followed Sunil, carefully holding the leak-proof plastic box containing the ashes. I shouldn’t let the box fall into the river when I empty its contents, he suddenly thought to himself, Aai was always so possessive of her tiffin boxes; she would never forgive me if I carelessly lost one of them.

Amrit walked into the boat, gingerly, clasping the box to his chest. Rajbir looked at him but did not smile for he knew that Amrit would be overwrought with emotions. He quietly helped him aboard.

“Can I wear the life jacket?” asked Amrit. The boatman wished to tell him that it was not required but he wordlessly handed him the neon orange jacket and Amrit wore it meticulously. Rajbir started the motor and the sound seemed out of place in the surroundings. The boat started to glide in the dark waters, gentle waves being created, and wordlessly moved away from the hotel.

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