Part 3- dew and the Mist
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Till now you have read – Kusumita a young girl from a poor family is forced to marry Nihaar Singh who is heir of a rich family of Delhi. Soon she comes to know the reason behind their marriage as Nihaar has a dark past. His first wife had a mysterious death.
Part 3: dew and the Mist
Kusum took time to dress up till she was sure that Nihar had left the room. She was nervous as it was her first day at the Singh’s mansion. She did not want to come out of the room but when Sneha came again to call her, she was forced to come out.
As she reached the dining hall, she realised – she was the last one to arrive for breakfast as everyone had already come in. Indira Devi did not say anything and made a gesture to her to sit on the chair. Apologetically she took a chair and served herself. There was a formal silence on the table as everyone ate quietly without even looking at each other. She remembered at her home how she used to share the meal with her sisters, in midst of jokes and laughter, with her mother’s continuous rumbling in the background.
‘That life is over Kusum. You are now part of a rich family. Here the norms are different and you must adjust accordingly.’ She reminded herself, kept her head down, and like others focussed on the meal.
‘So Bhabiji, you still alive…?’ Immediately her ears perched up, alerted. She looked up, and found Mohit smiling at her.
‘What do you mean?’
‘Relax! I know last night he slept in his Study. Is everything fine?’ He laughed and softly whispered, ‘Bhabiji, call me anytime if you need help to handle my Big brother. I know how to take care of him.’
She looked at him questioningly.
Mohit did not answer her. Instead, he looked at Indira Devi, and said, ‘allow me to leave!’. He then left the table.
She was in a puzzled state of mind and tried to comprehend what Mohit had said. Suddenly she noticed Nihar staring at her. His glaring eyes scared her. A kind of warning was in his eyes, and she immediately lowered her eyes.
Again, there was an unnerving silence which made her more nervous.
Indira Devi asked, ‘Nihar, why don’t you take a few days off? Spend some time with your bride!’
‘Dadi maa, I have some important assignments to be completed. I cannot take a break.’ Saying Nihar got up, and while leaving gave a dagger-sharp stare to Kusum.
Like a terrified cat, Kusum lowered her eyes again.
The next few days went peacefully. Kusum avoided all possibilities to interact with Nihar. She made sure that they do not see each other, by going early to be and late to rise. He also didn’t bother to come to their room. Few times she saw him at breakfast, that too she avoided looking at him, and he also did not say a word to her. She would come out of the room only for food, remaining time would try to stay inside the room. Slowly she was getting used to the new way of life, and her fear about Nihar also subsided. But today when Indira Devi asked her to meet after breakfast, she knew Indira Devi’s experienced eyes have noticed, and perhaps she wants to talk about the same.
Kusum took her time to reach Indira Devi’s room. She found her waiting eagerly.
Indira Devi said, ‘Kusum, can you please call Nihar too? I want to discuss something very important with both of you, together.’
Kusum did not want to face him, hence stood there in confusion.
‘Kusum!!’
Indira Devi shout made her move, and she headed to his Study. Though she did not care to know where he spends his time all day but was aware that most of the time he is in his Study. Her guess was right and she saw him sitting on the desk.
She could not enter the room and stay outside.
‘Come inside.’ he sounded puzzled, very amused.
‘No, I am fine here. Dadi maa has called you. She wants to talk to both of us together.’ Hurriedly she walked away, and he followed. She could feel the heat of his eyes on her back.
Indira Devi came forward as they entered the room and asked them to sit. Then she said, ‘Nihar and Kusumita, I am concerned about both of you.’ She paused and cleared her throat, and continued, ‘I think, something is surely wrong between both of you. I have noticed both of you try to stay away from each other. I don’t see the happiness of a newly wedded couple in either of you.’
She immediately defended, ‘No Dadi maa, this is not correct.’
Indira Devi gave her a stern look, ‘Do not try to fool me. I feel both of you must spend some together. So, I want both of you to go on your Honeymoon.’
‘Honeymoon….?’ Both of them shouted their lungs out at the same time.
Indira Devi looked at them firmly, ‘Yes.’
He came forward and placed his hands on Indira Devi’s shoulder, ‘But Dadi maa, I have a busy work schedule, I cannot go.’
‘No way, don’t forget your promise. You agreed to fulfil all my wishes.’
He fumed, showing his unwillingness.
Indira Devi softened, ‘Fine, if not a long trip, then at least take her to some nearby place. Why don’t both of you go to Agra?’
Kusum heard their conversation like a muted statue. She felt choked till death as fears returned. She held her breath and waited with a hope that he will find some excuse but to her surprise, he nodded softly.
Indira Devi brimmed with happiness and embraced him. He then left the room.
Kusum followed him and came out in the lawn as she wanted to cry out loudly. How she could go with him? How she would stay with him in one room? If he bumps her off too, then?
She felt a lump in the throat and tears started rolling out. She closed her eyes in desperation.
‘Bhabiji….’
Startled, she opened her eyes and saw Mohit smiling at her.
‘Bhabiji….’
She looked at him questioningly.
‘Can I call you Kusum? This Bhabiji looks very odd.’ Suddenly his tone changed.
She nodded.
A smile broke on his face and he almost whispered, ‘Kusum, I came to know that you are going on Honeymoon. I am sure you are not aware of what happened with Radhika?’
‘Radhika……?’ Her eyes were now wide.
‘Yes, Radhika…. Nihar’s first wife. She died during their honeymoon. She fell from the hill, though everyone says it was an accident, better you be careful.’
‘I don’t believe it.’ She tried to show that she has total faith in her husband but she knew her face lied, her fears were visible.
‘You have not seen Nihar’s anger yet. I must warn you because I am very fond of you and I don’t want anything to go wrong with you. I advise you not to go.’
Mohit hurriedly left.
She was now terrified. Her feet froze, and nerves became numb as the images of her falling from the hill started flashing. She again started crying.
Rakhi Sunil Kumar
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