Despite all life’s adversities and challenges, Sheela and Amar, had been commited to each other through thick and thin. Being a childless couple after years of marriage, in a society rooted in stereotypical traditions , had not been easy. Yet one couldn’t help noticing the respect and devotion they shared for each other.

Amar was a tailor by profession , while his wife Sheela, assisted him in the undying passion for his craft, for which they had earned a good name in the neighbourhood. Apart from this both were devout followers of Ma Durga and often held religious gatherings at their place, where, as per Hindu customs, they would sing in praise of the Mother Goddess into the wee hours of night.

The month was October, and festivities were rolling into the Hindu calendar. Mother Goddess would be fervently worshipped for nine days, in her nine different forms, as the festival of  Navratri unfurled . Both Sheela and Amar were fasting to seek the blessings of Ma Durga. Every year Sheela hoped that the Divine Mother would plant the seed of fertility into her barren womb, and soon her courtyard would be chirping with a child’s babble! Earnestly she prayed for a boon, but despite all travails her faith remained unshaken and pure.

It was Ashtami night, the glorious eighth day of Navratri, when as per rituals Kumari puja is performed, in which virgin maidens, looked upon as an embodiment of the Goddess, are worshipped in homes. This year looked different and bleak, as Sheela was down with fever and chills, a sign of the dreaded malaria. Amar seemed helpless as he sat by his wife’s bedside, administering the medicine, while she blurted her desire to perform the puja like every year.

Twilight had set in, when suddenly the clouds roared in thunder, followed by a heavy downpour. The showers were untimely, and as Amar rushed to close the windows of his modest abode, he heard a knock on his front door. Hesitatingly, he opened the door, and out , in the rain, he saw a little girl, drenched and shivering, perhaps looking for a shelter. In the most inviting tone Amar offered to help her and beckoned her inside. The little girl looked up shyly and her face was strangely illumined though her complexion was dark. She had bright eyes and a beaming face, though soon Sheela and Amar realised that she was deaf and mute. Amar gave her fresh clothes to warm up and offered her sweets and other delights that had been prepared during the festivities. The girl spent the night at Amar’s place, but seemed to have disappeared as the first ray of sun glinted in. The front door was left slightly ajar, when Sheela managed to peep out. Much to her amazement, on their porch there lay a copper plate with a set of red bangles, vermilion and a red veil laced with gold.

Amar and Sheela wept tears of  joy!