Seven Summer Nights by Ashok aatreya (web based ebook reader .txt) 📖

how fast the time changing…in such cases Police never intervened and if so they stood firmly with the mob and the nexus of politicians and orthodoxy. Her courage seemed to desert her for a moment but then suddenly the melodrama scene changed and
Julia was little bit relieved, once the father of Sameer rushed to the mob and tackled everything in smooth manner. He looked calm, well composed and strong in his character and position and shown no sign of fecklessness. Instead of that he threatened the constable of dire consequences and called on his Dy.S.P friend by mobile. He had been always a man of cool thinking and settled so many family feuds and quarrels of others so seeing him there taking prompt action about his own family matter, everyone assembled there left the place accept the journalists who wanted the facts of this marriage. But tactically Sameer’s father also advised his son and new bride to seek shelter in the capital as he was bit doubtful about the skeptic behavior of ‘Khap’ ‘-It’s ‘fatwas and declarations…!That could any time nullify this marriage and leave the couple to frenzy headless mob.

.And by the time Sameer and Julia heeled out from the village , under the dark cover, due to all sort of pressures from outside and within, and touched the city’s outskirt, the evening local daily published the most sensitive baseless story totally without facts of their marriage adding butter in the fire .The city reporter mixed all ‘masalas’ to make his exclusive news item ‘burning’ for that he raised questions through elderly masterminded persons, about the validity of this marriage ,the bride’s caste and religious background and many more big daddies frowned upon this ‘ever-black dot nuptial knot ‘ in the history of this village.

Even the journey of Julia and Sameer from their own home to the new township took two hours as they crossed the village not by metal road by any transport but on foot through barren and burning sand dunes. The danger started hovering over their heads .As runaway man and woman escapists from the scene they had all possible chances to be trapped anytime, even on their way and butchered like rats or pigs…on the basis of ‘justice delayed is justice denied ‘formulae. It was possible by any self styled fanatic group that they could be murdered on the road before reaching any safer distance…who would never care for courts orders or appeals from so called social activists…their seeking protection would be another long story prompting justice…and before all that eventuality, fortunately or unfortunately they reached their safe-hide-out. A well build old eighteenth century fortress of Shriddha Mata. Actually it was the decision of Julia who remembered her very old visit to this city with one of her friend Barbara from England. She was a great admirer of that spiritual lady and disciple too. The fortress was a massive built structure with only one big gate strategically hidden from any view. After hearing and working over all sort of possibilities, she advised Sameer to take shelter there as that was the safest point…far away from the maddening crowd and day-to-day disturbed news…

Shraddha Mata was no more there.She left for her heavenly abode years ago, but the temple priest, an old Rajpurohit and self appointed security man of this heritage fort and Shakti temple, who had long connection with that spiritual lady, permitted them to stay for one or two nights till any further arrangement is made. He was still in touch with Barbara, who wrote him letters and sent money in the memory of her reverend ‘Guru’ regularly. A good sum of money in the name of Sakti temple came to fort for food of Bhairva’s( twelve black sturdy shining dogs) and Prasad ( offering). It was her promise and that she was maintaining.

One more pitch-dark night passed in another claustrophobia .She slept in the arms of Sameer staring and counting stars, did not know when sleep subsided her thoughts…but she got up suddenly from a dreadful dream ‘‘she and Sameer were surrounded in a pitched battle with police and unruly masses pelting stones on them…there was intermittent firing ..The demonstrators undressed both of them and they were preparing fire and dancing around them. Then suddenly ‘Bhairav’s… Shraddhamata’s old warriors came to their help…seven to eight dogs from the fortress came out and mob started disrupting in slow motion….’’

Instead of keeping them in complete exile they decided to leave the pink city and left for Jaisalmer by hiring a taxi for real adventure and excursion tour. Julia wanted to wash her inhuman feelings and stress, rejecting every possibility of ominous dark clouds gathering overhead. Sameer was with her in every move.

Now there was ample time for them to have dialogue. The journey was longer…no more play of Chutes and ladder, she was murmuring in her thoughts.

‘You told something to me…Sameer’s voice was coming from deep well.
‘You did not tell me you were married. why you not disclosed all that ?She asked him lightly.
‘Julia it was my half marriage…sagaee…what you call it is engagement…but no ring exchange…the girl was very corrupt…’’
‘‘Oh that way you were engaged with her…?
‘‘I had only seen her from distance…never touched her…she was touched and used by even my close friends. she was a pros…Sameer was stammering.
‘‘Oh nothing serious …Sameer you are a nice guy’’.
‘‘Do you really love me? I pray god…we’ll be husband and wife in the next births also.’’
‘‘I can’t assure you that…how could it is possible?’’
‘‘I believe in the re-birth…and again and again marriage is possible…’’
‘‘Interesting…but if I leave you….what…?’’
Sameer stopped her from speaking. He closed her lips by pressing his four fingers and strongly holding her head supporting from behind. She liked his loving action.
‘‘In our society we marry…re- marry but never take birth again’’- She was in good mood.
‘‘But not in India…we marry only one time…but take birth again and again…’’
‘Why do you do that?’
‘‘I don’t know but I believe in poorvajanma.’’(previous-birth)
‘’Do you also sing…’’
‘‘Not good but I can sing for you…’’

Then there was romantic interlude and .Sameer sung a song for Julia…
‘Hum hi milai thei kabhi Yamuna kinaarei ( We met earlier also in the bank of Yamuna river)
Radha-Kishan thei naam hamarei…( The epical lover Radha and Krihna were our names)
Meri muraliya teri payaliya ( I played flute and you danced)
Dono milkar baneingei geet ( Both of us combined composed this song)
Aaja tujhako pukarei meri preet rei…aaja…( O my love my songs call you…Please come to meet )

Julia did not understand anything from the words but the music and emotional flow lulled her …she was in sleep. The taxi-driver smiling in the mirror was also enjoying this company. Actually he was paid handsomely for this tour.


Now they reached another dream-land of lovers…that was their sixth summer night…in the enchanting golden sand-dunes…the charming ‘Kal-belia dancers mixed melody of Manganiyar singers…magical flow of strings notes from age-old folk instrument ‘Ravanhattha .’Slow breeze like mother’s soft fingers heavenly touch…Pin drop silence…and only Julia with Sameer…only Sameer with Julia…only J with S…a real golden triangle. All equal and opposite angles…geometry of love…chemistry of hearts…mingling in motionless game of love…Yes Julia got her back tattooed with the face of Sameer and body of dancing peacock. She also religiously dyed henna on both her palms showing ‘Radha and Krishna’ as motif of everlasting love( That all for mere entertainment or for practically proving her commitment as researcher of true American spirit.. as part of her formal thesis work…! God alone can know!! )

But Julia’s untiring concern and her real aptitude for ‘Indian husband’ were beyond words. The dusky light filtering through blue sky and kissing in wilderness the curvaceous body of golden sand-dunes filled in Julia a wonderful instinct of love and sex for Sameer. It was rather a conditional reflex for both of them..
‘‘Semi I really love you…I love your innocent eyes… your smile.’’
‘‘I also love you…
‘’This summer would be everlasting in my memory…The winds here are so sweet I feel I should sleep on this sea –bed of sands…I remember my pink foam rollers I used to sleep in…
Sameer realized for the first time what the beauty before him meant to him? But then suddenly the Pandora box of his village house memory opened and he was depressed for a while and to avoid that feeling he at once took her in his arms.
‘‘What happened Sameer ?’’ She asked.
‘ Nothing…I feel you are unlucky..’’
‘ Why so?’’
‘’ It was my distant uncle who acted in dirty manner.’’
‘‘You mean in village. I have forgotten everything…You should also forget…Be happy Sameer…’’
Still Sameer was silent…he lost passion for her for the first time. What happened in his home was very unfortunate and sorrowful…and what all that filthy registered in his mind was not going to be washed easily….
‘‘I wish there would be shower here…river belt…hills…forest…birds…setting sun…and…’’…then as if in dream, Julia took Sameer in her embrace. The summer camp arranged by a private tourist group was fantastic experience for Julia.


The last day and one more night of her stay in India with her husband was again adventurous ,mysterious and skuzzy…another scurrilous event followed and its shadow became visible to her in the very entry of the ‘Blue moon guest house.’’…On the entrance gate the letters shining-‘’ Atithi devo bhav.. ( Guests are our god )
It was Sameer who caught hold of this sign board and suggested her to stay here. He also told her that from this place, they would go to Mallinath fair which would be wonderful and exciting for her.
But for Julia something else’s was written on the wall. Thank god, the welcome in the guest house was also memorable.. One Shehnaee instrumentalist and a couple of dancer plus garlanding the guests was quite impressive…and the moment they felt settled in the special deluxe room, Julia clipped in her eye a huge portrait on the wall of the room…the seemingly spiritual man with impressive bearded face, saffron gown and heavy beads of rudrax, seated in a meditative posture. In his background was some geometric diagram which Julia understood, rightly… representing cosmic dynamism….Was it a false conjecture, flight of fancy or any honest endeavor ?..Julia was lost in thoughts .She remembered ‘the spiritual lady of Hathroi fortress with whom she had interacted on many aspects of ‘Tantra- philosophy and practice. Then who could be this man? .living or dead? she was curios to know about him immediately…may be, he proves for her a source of enlightenment for?..and before she could get the answer of her question, the ring of her room sounded…o..u…m…o…u…m…o..u..m…She was excited and took phone in her hand…
‘Room service madam…do you need anything ?
‘Yes.. I want to know about…Goorooji…’’
‘Oh Swamiji…’’
‘He is alive. ?.’’
‘Yes at his ninety he looks thirty years old…He has his Ashram in Mallinath…
‘ Can I meet him today..?’
‘Madam we can confirm this after seeking his appointment..’’
‘O.K thanks you. ’’
‘Thanks mam’’

‘‘Whom you Talked ?- Sameer was curious to know.
‘‘ We can meet Goorooji day…’’
‘‘Who is Guruji ?’’
‘Sorry Swamiji..’’
‘You mean the photograph man?’’
‘‘Yes he looks very attractive…charming…at ninety he looks thirty…really wonderful…’’
‘In India this can happen…not in west’. We can do ‘kayakalpa’(Rejuvenation of body) For the first time Sameer gave his critical opinion.
‘We would soon receive the confirmation call. I am anxiously waiting for that call..’’

And within five minutes there was a call…Swami Jeevananand was on the line. Julia was overwhelmed.
‘‘So you are Julia Anderson…I am Swami Jeevananand…’’
‘‘Goorooji namaste…’’
‘‘God bless you.. I know you