36. Death of Pujari; Temple is closed

CHAPTER 36

Death of Pujari; Temple is closed

Swami took a bus to the jilla headquarters. He was waiting for the bus to arrive. Just then one man approached him. “Where are you going?”

Swami said, “I have to go to Devgiri. From there I will go to Pameru.”

The man pointed to a car. “That car is going to Devgiri. They just need 2 more passengers.”

Swami was very happy. “Good I am already tired of waiting for the bus.”

The man took swami’s bag and helped him sit in the car. 4 people were already sitting in the car. The car moved.

When it left the village, the car stopped. The men took swami out of the car. He was shocked.

Swami asked, “What are you doing?”

One man said, “We are going to kill you since your death will give us a big twist.”

They strangled him to death and left him on the road. The men climbed into the car and left.

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The pujari’s photo appeared in the papers. Shivayya was shocked. The news said that swami was murdered in fraction fights. Shivayya had tears in his eyes. After the death of the pujari, the temple doors were closed.

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One year later, Shastri arrived with 10 years old Devyani to Shivayya’s village and stayed there permanently. The temple door was opened by Shastri, who became the new pujari.

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Every morning, Shivayya visited Shastri’s house. He had tea and talked to Devyani. Only after that he went to his office.

Shivayya’s wife Laxmi too visited Shastri often. She took Devyani to her house to watch TV. Since they did not have any children, Devyani was like a daughter to them. Shivayya often brought beautiful dresses for Devyani. Shivayya and Laxmi loved Devyani so much.