Next Morning, 6:00 AM
Dadi quietly entered Shanaya's room.
Shanaya was still asleep. Dadi sat beside her and gently caressed her hair.
After a few moments, Shanaya slowly opened her eyes and, in a sleepy voice, asked—
"Dadi… why do you want me to wake up so early?"
Dadi smiled.
"Can you come with me to the temple?"
Shanaya pulled the blanket slightly and replied—
"Please wait for some time… we'll go together after breakfast."
Dadi looked at her in surprise.
"What are you saying? First prayer… then breakfast."
Then she stood up and said firmly—
"Now get up, take a bath, and come downstairs. We are waiting."
As she reached the door, she turned back and added—
"And please wear suitable clothes."
Shanaya frowned slightly.
"For whom?"
Dadi laughed.
"For the temple… for God… and mainly for us."
After thirty minutes, Shanaya came downstairs.
She wore simple golden earrings and a light pink full-sleeved silk dress.
Dada, Dadi, and Shanaya left together.
In the temple
Shanaya stood quietly with folded hands, praying with a calm smile.
The priest handed prasad to all three.
Dadi then said softly—
"Please do a prayer for my granddaughter. She is twenty… and we have decided her marriage with a good boy. Just pray they remain happy together."
The priest took a flower and placed it in Shanaya's hand.
He closed his eyes briefly, said a small prayer, then placed his hand on her forehead.
He blessed her and said—
"Life is not good or bad… unless you accept it as a blessing."
Dadi became slightly worried.
"Is everything alright?"
Shanaya smiled and laughed softly.
"Dadi… he's saying something generally nice. It's okay."
She thanked the priest and started walking away with Dadi.
Dada stayed behind for a moment and quietly asked—
"Hope nothing is wrong?"
The priest smiled.
"No. Everything will be fine. She has a good soul… so don't worry. Good souls may suffer, but confident ones learn to handle difficulties."
Then he added—
"And if my senses are right… she will always have good people around her."
Dada folded his hands.
"Namaste."
And left.
While coming down the temple steps, they unexpectedly met Karthi's mother, Nanda ji.
Dada greeted her warmly.
"Namaste, beta. How are you?"
She smiled.
"I'm fine. How about you?"
Dada asked—
"How is Rohini ji? Haven't met her in a long time."
Nanda asked—
"Why didn't you visit? She still remembers you and never forgets to mention your hard work… how you earned this position and respect."
Dada interrupted gently.
"Nothing would have been possible if Karthi's Dada wasn't with me. He was like God to me… and Rohini ji is no less than a mother."
He continued—
"I will definitely come. My granddaughter's marriage is fixed now… I'll come personally to invite all of you. Without your family's blessings, our happiness feels incomplete."
Nanda smiled.
"Please don't feel so grateful. These days, people rarely remember old relationships. We feel blessed that you still do."
After taking permission to leave, she invited them to visit.
Shanaya had been quietly observing.
She asked Dadi—
"Was Karthi's grandfather a wealthy person?"
Dadi smiled.
"Not only wealthy… intelligent and deeply involved in social work. He was the landlord here, but he always thought about the welfare of this village."
She continued—
"Life wasn't easy in those days, but he made survival possible. He supported agriculture and farmers prospered."
"And not only him… his family too carried those values. His son introduced industries in this district so people could earn more."
"They treated this village like their responsibility."
Shanaya gently stopped Dadi and held her hand.
"I understand… rare people."
Dadi looked at her lovingly.
"We have this wonderful life because of well-wishers. Never forget what people do for you. Gratitude shows character and upbringing."
Shanaya smiled sweetly.
"Dadi… am I a bad person?"
Dadi immediately replied—
"No."
Shanaya laughed.
"Then from the day I came here, I keep hearing satsang—people shouldn't do this, shouldn't do that…"
She leaned slightly toward Dadi.
"I'm not saying believe me completely… but I'm here to enjoy time with my people."
Dada opened the car door, passed prasad to them, and sat inside.
Then he said—
"We should visit Karthi's house. I want to meet Rohini ji."
Dadi nodded.
"We'll definitely go."
Before anyone could continue, Shanaya interrupted—
She smiled and said—
"Let's go home first…"