Â
All the ladies are singing bhajans. Gangaa gets up, but is feeling dizzy. Madhvi and Amma ji watch her in concern as she somehow manages to reach another corner of the courtyard. Amma ji is still concerned for Gangaa, but she starts singing the bhajan loudly just to distract herself. Madhvi too cannot see Gangaa in this condition. He (Niranjan) too has given me Gangaa’s responsibility. What if something happens to her? She is fulfilling all the rules of the fast one by one. She is very stubborn and doesn’t even listen to me. Amma ji will scold her if she breaks some rule, but then she will at least be free from the fast. Sagar looks on sadly, while Gangaa sits in a corner almost dazed out. I have to break her fast, but how?
Sudha walks up to Gangaa asking her to sing the bhajan along with them. These are 21 chapattis. Find a cow and feed them to her. Gangaa eyes them longingly. Sudha wants Gangaa to say it once that she cannot do it. Tell me that you cannot do it, that you have lost. Gangaa says I won’t lose. I will fulfil this fast. I will even feed the cow with my own hands. Sagar makes up his mind to break Gangaa’s fast so she can eat / drink something. You won’t be able to do it. Gangaa goes outside.
Gangaa looks at Maharaj ji preparing sherbet for people. Sagar brings a glass for her. Dadi won’t even find out. Maharaj ji too asks her to drink it. Children are the favourite of God. They are never punished for such petty things. Gangaa refuses to eat / drink anything stealthily. I don’t want anything out of pity. Madhvi and Sagar’s hopes are broken. She goes out looking for cow. Sagar runs after her so he can be with her.
Sagar and Gangaa look in every lane, but couldn’t find a cow anywhere. They wonder what they will do if they don’t find any cow? Gangaa hears temple bells. She signals to Sagar in that direction. Many people are feeding chapattis to cow already. The kids smile seeing this. Gangaa gives the plate to Sagar and turns to the cow. You must be full already, but please eat these chapattis too. I have to complete my fast.
Sagar gives them one by one to Gangaa and she feeds them to the cow. Sagar gets an idea. He thinks of Madhvi’s words and hides one in his pocket. She is happy in the end that she completed the task successfully. She thanks the cow and the kids head home.
Gangaa keeps the empty plate in front of Sudha. I fed all the 21 chapattis to the cow. Sudha is amazed. Amma ji takes the credit for the good changes in Gangaa. Sudha too praises her for her hard work. She next tells Gangaa to chant a mantra (special prayer) loudly for 108 times. It should be audible to everyone. Madhvi vouches for Gangaa. The little girl is thirsty since morning. How will she chant the mantra loudly in this case? Sudha reminds her that she had cleared it in the beginning itself that the fast is really tough. But this girl insisted that she will do it. So, let her do it. she will have to follow every rule and ritual related to the fast or let her accept that she won’t be able to do it. Amma ji agrees with her half heartedly. Gangaa agrees to do it, while Sagar declines. She asks him the reason for it. He points out at the left out chapatti. You had to feed 21 chapattis, but one is still left. She reminds him of what he had said. You hid it then? You lied to me? Sagar tells her that nothing can happen now as her fast is broken which is all he wanted. He went to meet Amma ji to let her eat and drink water. Sudha says no reason to beg since her fast is broken now. Amma ji pleads with Sudha to forgive her as Gangaa is a small girl. Gangaa refuses and said she would go and feed the last chappati to the cow before the sunset, but get sad when she couldn’t see any cattle around. Sagar came to her and asks her why she’s angry?
Gangaa tells Sagar how she always helps him in winning, be it kite flying competition or cricket and asks why he wants her to fail in her fast? She runs around again to look for a cow. She feels tired and rests in a corner. A man gives her some money. Sagar runs home to pick his bicycle.
Madhvi speaks with Prabha on Phone being worried about Gangaa. Amma ji also gets worried as Gangaa hasn’t returned home since she left and prays for her protection. Sagar calls out for Gangaa as he brings his bicycle towards her. He tells her to sit on the bicycle so they can go and look for the cow before sunset. They both sight the cow and get excited. She fed the last Chappati to the cow and were both happy they accomplished it before sunset. Gangaa with Sagar comes back home to tell of the accomplished task and says now he4 fast isn’t broken. Madhvi gets happy only for Gangaa to faint. Madhvi shout at the Maid to get water for Gangaa.
Pulkit in his room is happy with Sagar for making it up with Gangaa since he wronged her by lying to her. Maharaj ji comes in to give the both of them milk to drink. Gangaa opens her eyes. Sudha complains as to how stubborn Gangaa is to even pass out. Madhvi offers Gangaa water but she refuses. Madhvi and Amma ji are worried. Sudha and the rest leaves to have their bathe.
Madhvi helps Gangaa in standing up while she stares at Amma ji. Gangaa tells her she heard she has to take her bath this evening and says she’s ready for it. Amma ji looks on shocked.
Sudha holds out her hand as she asks for her towel. Gangaa holds her hand. She says can I take bath now if you are done? Amma ji stares at Gangaa in amazement. Sudha frees her hand from Gangaa’s grip. Madhvi gives her towel. It is Gangaa’s turn now. Madhvi advises her not to take bath in the evening in this condition. You can fall ill. Niranjan will scold me if he finds out about this. Gangaa reminds her of the ritual to be followed for the fast. You have my promise. I know Sir(Niranjan) will be upset and will tell me to break my fast, but I will fulfil it no matter what. She says I won’t let you down Bappa! Gangaa takes her bath.
Pulkit finds Sagar all lost in thoughts. He assures him that nothing will happen to Gangaa. Niranjan overhears this and is surprised. What has happened to Gangaa? Is she alright? He asks Madhvi too. Madhvi tells him that Sagar is concerned about Gangaa as she is hungry since morning. You were right that the little girl has been through so many troubles in such a small age, so this fast is nothing in front of all that. She is following all the rules diligently, while keeping this fast. Niranjan nods. I knew that her confidence is way stronger than my trust. We can sway from our goals, but that girl will never ever give up, even if the condition worsens. He has brought notebooks for the boys and gives it to them. He leaves to freshen up.
Sagar asks his Mom why she didn’t tell Papa that Gangaa is not well. She tells him of Gangaa’s promise. She goes to give tea to her husband. Sagar feels bad for Gangaa. I have troubled her a lot. I will have to do something to rectify my mistake. Pulkit says you have already helped her. Will you say sorry to her now? Have you ever said sorry to anyone? Sagar agrees to say sorry to Gangaa. Pulkit makes him practise. Sagar fumbles.
Next morning, all the ladies sit down to have food. Gangaa is replicating Sudha’s actions. They offer prayers and then begin to eat. Gangaa smiles at Sudha, but that smile irks Sudha. Do I have to give you a separate invitation? Eat the food. Gangaa says you eat first, Sudha. I can stay hungry for another 2 days. Pishi Ma smiles. Sudha says I am an elder to you, not your friend. I thought I will pity you as you are a little girl, but look at you! Gangaa clearly tells her that she does not want any pity. I had told you already. Sudha is all hyper again. She says don’t look up so much that you stumble and fall down. You too are a widow like us. Our respect and self respect have gone for a toss because of it. You won’t even get a place in hell if you remain this stubborn. Consider this as a curse from my side. Everyone is taken aback and looks at Sudha. Gangaa says it isn’t good to be so angry. Bappa used to say that you cannot understand what is right or wrong when you are angry. See what it has cost you. Your fast is broken now as you have cursed me. Sudha is shocked (at the realisation). Amma ji tells Gangaa to be quiet. She points out to Sudha that Gangaa is right actually. It is prohibited to say anything wrong or curse anyone when you are fasting. I wonder if your fast will be fulfilled now or not, but you are grown up. You should be a little more careful. They resume eating. Amma ji looks a little lovingly in Gangaa’s direction (when she is not noticing it), while Gangaa is about to take the first bite. Madhvi and Sagar are also relieved / happy for her. Sudha eats a bite and two and then excuses herself.
Sagar refills Gangaa’s plate with food. She gestures him to stop, but he doesn’t stop. You haven’t eaten anything since yesterday. Everyone smiles seeing their bonding. Gangaa recalls the first time when Sagar had not let her finish her meal as he wanted to play. She smiles thinking of the changes in him.
Read Next: Thursday update on Gangaa, 1st November, 2018
For more update, go to
www.hannyp.com
