2. Banaras' Kashi

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The next day, the sun was just beginning to rise over the ancient city of Banaras, casting a golden hue across the serene waters of the Ganges. Banaras is also known as the dearest city of Mahadev.

Love flows within the streets of Banaras. As the first rays of sunlight kissed the domes of the temples, the river came alive with thousands of reflections, each one of them telling it's own story.

And it was here, amidst the ancient rituals and the ceaseless flow of the Ganges, that our story begins, with a young woman named Kashi, whose fate was about to intertwine with the timeless rhythms of this sacred city.

ईश्वर सत्य हैं

सत्य ही शिव हैं

शिव ही सुंदर हैं

जागो उठकर देखो

जीवन ज्योत उजागर हैं..

The beautiful city of Banaras echoed with the melodious voice of Kashi who was in the temple. Kashi, a simple girl from a brahmin family.

Kashi always wore a bracelet of rudraksh in her right hand, anklets in her feet and bangles in the other hand. She was in a simple white colored Indian suit.

She is so simple and beautiful that many people like her and want her to marry their sons to her.

Everyone knew that who it was as Kashi only sang the morning prayer at the temple. Kashi completed her aarti and then turned around. Her Guru Maa, a learnt scholar and Kashi's teacher, was standing there.

" Guru Maa. " said Kashi and then came to her. Kashi touched her feet and then took her blessings. " Stay happy Kashi. " said Guru Maa. Kashi smiled. " What will happen when you will get married?" asked Guru Maa.

" Guru Maa." said Kashi. Guru Maa laughed. " Now go home otherwise your bestie will come here looking for you." said Guru Maa. Kashi went from there.

She was heading towards her house when suddenly a jeep stopped in front of her. " Hi Kashi. It has been so long." said Yuvraj, " Yuvraj, what is your problem?" said Kashi, " You are my life." said Yuvraj.

Kashi then left from there. Yuvraj was Kashi's classmate and always liked her but she didn't care about it. Yuvraj was a son of a Politian and he always flaunted his money. Kashi never liked these kinds of people.

Anandmaya ashram, an ashram that is a mixture of orphanage, old age home and shelter to widows.

Kashi came to the ashram. The guard wished them and Kashi took the keys and opened the gate. " Good morning Kashi betiya." said the guard, " Good morning Kaka." she said and then walked inside.

She came inside and kept her bag on the table. Kashi picked her phone and then called someone." Prishu, where are you?" asked Kashi in a little angry voice.

" Sleeping of course. You wake the whole Banaras so I complete your sleep. " said Prisha in a sleepy voice and then cut the call. Kashi looked at her phone and smiled.

The bell rang that was for all the people to assemble in the ground. Kashi stood at the end. When suddenly she felt someone's arms around her shoulder.

" Finally, you are here. " said Kashi while opening her eyes. She looked at her best friend Prisha. " Come on Kashi, I am always tired after teaching so many stupid children who keep eating my head. " said Prisha.

Kashi smiled." Come on, you know that I get tired after fighting with Maa for not getting married. " said Kashi. Prisha smiled. Kashi and Prisha prayed for the well-beings of their family. After that the aarti got over, Kashi came to the classroom. Kashi and Prisha are childhood best friends.

Together they did their school and college. After that, they both decided to help the ashram. Kashi and Prisha decided to start classes for the children in the ashram only. Kashi decided to teach the children while Prisha decided to teach the widows.

Prisha taught the widows how to earn for themselves. Many of the widows had even earned a lot with the help of Prisha and her teachings. " Good morning." said all the children as soon as Kashi came inside the classroom.

Kashi smiled and wished them back. All the students sat down. Kashi picked the chalk and then wrote ' Om Namah Shivaay' on the board. After that she started to teach all the children. All the children were listening carefully to what Kashi was telling them.

She was teaching when her phone rang. Kashi looked at the phone and saw Maa flashing on the screen. " Yes Maa." said Kashi, " At home. Right now." said a lady and then cut the call. Kashi looked at the phone and then at the children.

" Tomorrow we will continue." said Kashi while dismissing the class. The children got up and then ran out of the room. Kashi picked her bag and then left from there.

In a huge mansion in Banaras, Kashi came inside the boundary of the mansion when she saw a car standing there. " This is not uncle's car or Maa's?" said Kashi and then headed inside. When she saw some people sitting in the hall.

Kashi was very young when her father passed away. Soon after the death of her father, Manisha, her mother, met and married Mr Kashyap. That time Mr Kashyap was a divorce who had a daughter from the previous marriage.

Manisha got up and then came to Kashi. " Kashi, where were you?" asked Manisha in a low voice, " At the temple." replied Kashi. Manisha looked at her in anger. " Leave it. Come here." said Manisha and then got her to the sofa.

Manisha looked at those people who were sitting in front. " Mrs Agarwal, this is my daughter Kashi. " said Manisha, " I know. I have seen her a lot of times." said Mrs Agarwal. Kashi looked at her mother.

" Maa, what is this?" asked Kashi, " They are here for your alliance. " replied Manisha. Kashi looked at her in shock. The Agarwal family got up. " Mrs Kashyap, we will do the engagement tomorrow in the morning. " said Mr Agarwal, " Sure." said Manisha.

The Agarwal family left from there. Kashi looked at her mother. " Maa, I ... I am still not ready for the marriage." said Kashi, " Oh shut up Kashi. Your father has finally found a good match for you and now you are saying this." Manisha said while shouting.

Mr Kashyap got up. " Look Kashi, at your age, your mother had you in her arms that's why we want you to be settled." said Mr Kashyap. Kashi looked at her step-father. " If you all say so then I can marry." said Kashi. Kashi always listened to what her mother and step-father told her.

After that she came to her room. She closed the door of the room and then sat down on the bed. " I should share this news with Prisha. I need her opinion. " said Kashi and then ran out of the room.

She bumped into Mahi, her step-sister. Mahi fell down. " Ouch. Kashi, are you mad? Can't you see?" asked Mahi, " Sorry Mahi, let me help you." said Kashi, " No." said Mahi and then got up. She went to her room.

Kashi walked briskly towards Assi Ghat, her mind buzzing with her future. The sun was now fully up, and the ghats of Banaras were coming alive with the sounds of prayers, bells, and the chatter of devotees.

The smell of incense mixed with the freshness of the river as Kashi made her way to the ashram. As she entered the ashram, she saw Prisha sitting on a bench, engrossed in her phone. Kashi called out to her, unable to contain her excitement.

"Prisha!" Kashi exclaimed, waving her hand energetically. Prisha looked up, a smile spreading across her face as she saw her best friend approaching. "Kashi! What happened? You look like you're about to burst with news!" asked Prisha with a smile.

Kashi rushed over and sat beside her, catching her breath. "You'll never believe it! I have a huge and big piece of news." said Kashi. Prisha's eyes widened in anticipation. "Tell me!" said Prisha.

Kashi took a deep breath. "First, I am getting engaged." said Kashi. Prisha smiled and then she realized what she said right now. " Wait what? Did you say engagement?" said Prisha.

Kashi sighed, her excitement dimming slightly. "It's all very sudden. My mother and step-father arranged it with the Agarwal family. I met them just today." said Kashi. Prisha frowned. "And you're okay with this? Do you even know the guy?" said Prisha.

Kashi shook her head. "No, I don't. But my family thinks it's a good match." said Kashi. Prisha was able to notice the sadness that was on the face of Kashi.

Prisha put a comforting hand on Kashi's shoulder. " Kashi, I know that you are in love with Rajasthan and now you also know that you will not be able to go." said Prisha.

Kashi smiled weakly. "I know it's sudden, and I'm not entirely sure. But I trust my family's judgment, and maybe it'll work out. Besides, I will never be able to go to Rajasthan ever." said Kashi.

Prisha nodded, though concern lingered in her eyes. " I don't know what to do. I will take care of myself. " said Prisha. Kashi squeezed her friend's hand. "I promise. And thank you for always looking out for me." said Kashi.

Prisha smiled. "That's what best friends are for. Now, let's make sure you have a nice engagement. We'll plan everything out!" said Prisha. Kashi's smile returned in full force. "Yes, let's do that! I want to make the most of it." said Kashi.

The two friends spent the rest of the day planning Kashi's trip, their excitement growing with each passing minute. Despite the uncertainty surrounding her engagement, Kashi felt a sense of hope and anticipation for the future, knowing she had her best friend by her side.

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