Part 2 – dew and the Mist
Part 2 : dew and the Mist
Kusum was in the room, sitting on the flower-decorated bed, waiting for Nihar. It was almost midnight, and there was no sign of him. She remembered being awestruck when she had entered inside the Mansion. It was no less than a palace – large rooms, multiple floors with expensive decorations all over the place. She looked at herself – her diamonds and ruby studded jewellery and the wedding attire crafted with gold zardozi dazzled, she looked no less than a Princess. She closed her eyes to believe it, believe that it was not an illusion.
Like a dream, her life got changed in a day. She had heard it in fairy tales only. It was hard to believe the turn her life had taken. She was married to the heir of the Singh family who was one of the richest families of Delhi. She looked around once more time and her eyes got stuck to their poster-sized marriage photograph fixed on the wall. She stared at the photograph for a while and was mesmerized by Nihar’s eyes.
‘His eyes look so innocent. How can they think of killing someone? Jassy is all wrong.’ She tried to convince herself.
But her inner voice was quick to silence her, ‘Kusum, don’t let those eyes bluff you. How can you forget about his first wife’s death? Don’t believe in what you are seeing around you. Think why they brought you to this house. You are from such a poor family and they are like kings, you are no match to him!’
She then totally forgot the opulence and the ecstasies; she was petrified, scared of the unknown destiny which was carved out for her. The profound silence in the room, the dim lights of the chandeliers, the swaying dark silk curtains, and the large king-sized bed decorated with flowers, she suddenly felt like a timid rabbit in the trap, not sure of when she would be taken to the task, when her turn would come and what they have planned for her? She became anxious and started praying loudly.
Suddenly she heard the door opened. It must be him. Immediately her heart sank, and quickly she hid her face in her dupatta. Her heart started pumping blood faster as she felt him coming towards her; she tightly closed her eyes, soon she felt his hand over her shoulder. She shirked away. Then she heard a loud laugh. This is not his voice. She can recognize his voice in thousands. Swiftly she lifted her dupatta and saw someone standing. She failed to recognize him.
The man laughed out heartily probably at her nervousness.
‘Bhabiji, I am Mohit, Nihar’s younger brother. Don’t be so scared.’
She tried to smile but knew her lips fluttered in nervousness.
He paused, and then chuckled, ‘God! You are so scared as if I tried to murder you!’
‘No…No…’ She was quick to deny, but the truth was she was indeed scared.
‘I just came to wish you a very Good night. Hope to see you in the morning!’
Her ears were on alert, ‘What do you mean?’
‘Relax..! I was just joking. ‘He laughed softly and left the room.
Kusum took a deep breath. But soon was troubled by all kind of dreadful thoughts. ‘What Mohit said now? What plans they have for tonight? Will they bump off her so soon? But then what they will gain after killing her? Why they have chosen me? Maybe they will make me a maid. No, they have so many maids here, then why me?’
She tried to convince herself that there is no reason to be terrified. ‘Don’t let all these thoughts come in. Indira Devi’s happiness is so genuine. There is no truth in his first wife’s death.’
Sputtering thoughts did not give her a piece of peace and with each moment passing, she got tenser. In a panic, she ran towards the door to lock it, before Nihar’s arrival but as soon she reached the door,, she found Nihar standing there.
He was concerned. ‘What happened?’
She lowered her eyes and shook her head in denial.
He came closer to her, ‘You look troubled.’
She kept quiet and avoided him.
‘Since our marriage, something is surely troubling you. What is that?’
Scared by his closeness, she hastily took few steps back. He was amused, ‘Don’t be scared. I understand we don’t know each other yet. We need time to get familiar and understand each other.’
‘Yes…..Yes! You are right. But now I am very sleepy. Please leave.’ She abruptly concluded his sentence.
He stared at her for some time and went out of the room.
She took a deep breath of relief and hurriedly went to close the door. Quickly she went on the bed, switched off the light, and went to sleep.
Early morning she woke up to the sound of curtains drawn. The Sunlight filled in the room, the brightness blinded Kusum for a moment, and with haziness in her eyes, she saw a faint figure on the chair. She got up with a jerk, and her eyes widened with shock as she recognized Nihar.
‘Did you sleep well?’ He asked.
She held her breath. She simply nodded.
‘Yes, I thought so. You were in deep sleep when I came in the morning.’
Her ears froze; she bit her lips and murmured to herself, ’Kusum, He was in this room, stood next to you and watched you. How could you be so careless? Be on the alert, Kusumita.’
‘Did you say anything?’
She shook her head in denial, but her mind raced a thousand miles to think of a reason to leave the room. To her relief, Sneha entered the room. Sneha was his younger sister, whom Kusum met during the wedding.
‘Bhabiji, get up. Still thinking about the night?’ Sneha chuckled, but as soon she noticed Nihar, her smile disappeared.
‘Daadimaa has asked you to get ready.’ Saying, Sneha immediately turned away and left the room.
Kusum was not able to understand why Sneha exited within seconds. She knew it was to do with Nihar. Fear again crept in. Holding her breath, she waited for Nihar to leave the room. But he did not even lift his head. He was busy reading through some files.
Rakhi Sunil Kumar
Wow..