I am coming to the end of this novel, and gradually, with each chapter penned and kept aside, I am losing a part of my soul. I would have stopped posting a month back, looking at the silence in this wilderness. But some foolishness led me on. After this post, I am not sure if I shall be posting till the end.
Chapter 75.
Katyayani had been watching Maitreyi since morning. She had come to know of Yajnyawalkya's decision through the disciples after their meeting with Yajnyawalkya was over. Maitreyi had been away the whole evening and the night. Katyayani caught sight of her only in the morning. She could not make out if Maitreyi knew about Yajnyawalkya's decision. She watched Maitreyi for a sign of unrest. Maitreyi looked unperturbed. She moved about as if in a trance.
Katyayani did not have the courage to break the prohibitive silence. But at mid-day, Maitreyi herselfsought Katyayani's company. When they were together, Maitreyi stole a glance at her and caught her eye. There was a silent recognition of the fact that they both knew what was happening. They sat in silence for a while, and then Maitreyi got up abruptly and went away on some pretext.
Katyayani sat alone. Left to herserrlf, she did not know what was going on in her own mind. Her son looked at her as he passed by. He too had become aware of his father's decision. But somehow, it seemed to him a natural event. It seemed a natural and indubitable part of his father's personality which he had accepted way back. Besides, there was a simple certainty in his mind that his father belonged to him wherever he might go and stay : in the hermitage, or away from it. So he played with him in the morning as usual.Yajnyawalkya had patted him on the back. He stroked his head playfullyhappy to find that they were at ease with each other.
But somehow, the boy felt disinclined to talk to Katyayani. Since he was not old enough to analyze his own feelings, he acted more on his natural instinct which told him to stay away from Katyayani in those moments.
Katyayani was forlorn to see her son and Maitreyi reluctant to sit by her side when she needed them. She wanted to talk to them both and let them know that she was not in need of support; she wanted to be with them; that was all.
To be contd.
Chapter 75.
Katyayani had been watching Maitreyi since morning. She had come to know of Yajnyawalkya's decision through the disciples after their meeting with Yajnyawalkya was over. Maitreyi had been away the whole evening and the night. Katyayani caught sight of her only in the morning. She could not make out if Maitreyi knew about Yajnyawalkya's decision. She watched Maitreyi for a sign of unrest. Maitreyi looked unperturbed. She moved about as if in a trance.
Katyayani did not have the courage to break the prohibitive silence. But at mid-day, Maitreyi herselfsought Katyayani's company. When they were together, Maitreyi stole a glance at her and caught her eye. There was a silent recognition of the fact that they both knew what was happening. They sat in silence for a while, and then Maitreyi got up abruptly and went away on some pretext.
Katyayani sat alone. Left to herserrlf, she did not know what was going on in her own mind. Her son looked at her as he passed by. He too had become aware of his father's decision. But somehow, it seemed to him a natural event. It seemed a natural and indubitable part of his father's personality which he had accepted way back. Besides, there was a simple certainty in his mind that his father belonged to him wherever he might go and stay : in the hermitage, or away from it. So he played with him in the morning as usual.Yajnyawalkya had patted him on the back. He stroked his head playfullyhappy to find that they were at ease with each other.
But somehow, the boy felt disinclined to talk to Katyayani. Since he was not old enough to analyze his own feelings, he acted more on his natural instinct which told him to stay away from Katyayani in those moments.
Katyayani was forlorn to see her son and Maitreyi reluctant to sit by her side when she needed them. She wanted to talk to them both and let them know that she was not in need of support; she wanted to be with them; that was all.
To be contd.
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