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 Radhika’s mysterious death. 

In last part 19, you read Kusum leaves Nihar, but soon returns as she realises she must give him a chance to explain.

 

 

 

Part 22 : dew and the Mist (Last)

 

On return to Delhi, Kusum straightway went to meet Dadi-maa and hugged her, ‘Dadi-maa, see what I have brought for you.’

Dadi-maa smiled, and asked, ‘How was Nihar with you? Did he take care of you?’

Kusum could sense her anxiousness and tried to reassure her, ‘Yes, Dadi-maa…’

But Dadi-maa was not satisfied, and asked, ‘And…?’

Kusum replied, ‘He took me to the place of accident also.’

Dadi-maa was still not convinced; Her eyes had a thousand questions.

Kusum tried to reassure the old woman again, ‘Dadi-maa, please don’t worry about Nihar. He is now perfectly fine and tomorrow evening we are going to meet Radhika’s father. He has invited us for dinner.’

Dadi-maa’s eyes dazzled with tears, ‘Kusumita, I am very happy that you have positively accepted that she was part of his life.’

‘Yes Dadi-maa, I thought of meeting her father. He must be a lonely man after her death.’

Dadi-maa hugged her tightly, tears flowed uncontrolled.  Kusum could feel Dadi-maa was relieved, but she was very anxious.

 

———–

The next day Nihar and Kusum went to meet Mr Chopra, Radhika’s father. He was very happy to see them. Kusum was initially nervous, not sure about how he would react to her but then slowly she felt at home. She liked him.

After some time, she went into the kitchen for dinner arrangements. Soon they were at the dining table. She served food to Mr Chopra, his eyes were filled with tears.

He told her, ‘Kusumita, I am very happy to meet you and to see both of you together. In the last few years, Nihar has suffered a lot. I am happy that he has started his life again.’

Kusum didn’t say anything, simply nodded.

He continued, ‘Kusumita, you are so much like my Radhika. She was always worried about me.’

He then turned to Nihar, ‘Nihar, I am very happy for you. Kusumita is a nice girl.’

Nihar smiled in agreement.  He asked Mr Chopra, ‘Kusum wants to see Radhika’s room very much, Can I show her?’

‘Why not….? Feel free, Kusumita is now my daughter.’ Mr Chopra said and led them to the room.

Soon they were in Radhika’s room. Kusum’s eyes brightened as she started looking everywhere. Nihar was dazzled, he turned soft as he observed Radhika’s belongings but Kusum searched the room with focused attention. Her eyes wandered every corner of the room and then she could locate a few greeting cards. She started looking at them and was stunned to see, they were from Mohit.

She called Nihar but didn’t get any response, so she called him again.

‘Nihar, see this….’

But no response came from him. She saw he was lost in himself, engulfed with memories. She then almost shouted to get his attention.

‘Nihar, please talk to her later…!’

‘Yes Kusumita…!’ he immediately broke away from his thoughts, looked at her questioningly, and came closer to her, curious.

She gave him the cards; he flipped through, and read the messages. He was astounded, and couldn’t speak. She could feel he was shaken, his body trembled.  He then shuddered, tightly caught her hand and dragged her out of the room. She glanced at him through the corner of her eyes, she could feel the emotions running through him; she repented her perusal to dig out the truth.

As they came out of the room, she saw Mr Chopra walking towards them; she took a deep breath and calmed herself. He took out a packet and handed it over to her, she looked at him questioningly.

‘Kusumita, this is Radhika’s diary. I found it in her almirah. I had kept it with me, as I didn’t want Nihar to be attached to her memories but now after meeting you, I am assured.’

She nodded, took the packet, and soon they left.

 

——–

While driving back, Kusum looked at Nihar again and again, his silence worried her. After some time, he stopped the car in mid-way and closed his eyes, his fists were tightly closed. She waited for him to blast out his anger but he did not say anything. She then switched on the light, took out the diary and started reading it loudly. There were small notes, and then she could see Mohit’s name.

 

Mohit has proposed to me. How can he do that? He knows very well that I love Nihar. Still, he did… I was very angry and I blasted him. Serves him right, I should let Nihar know about it.

After a few notes,

Mohit is asking for my forgiveness, he is repenting, there is no need to tell Nihar anything, I can handle him.

After a few notes,

Mohit is asking for a dinner date; he is saying it’s for our friendship. I know I was very rude to him he is not that bad.

Again

I can never forgive him for what he did to me. I am sure he had mixed something in my drinks as I felt no strength. How could he rape me, I was his friend. I have to tell Nihar everything; I cannot let it go I have to tell Nihar what he did to me, I better book a police complaint.

 

Stunned, she stopped reading and looked at him; he was completely shocked; shaken. She waited for him to react; troubled by his silence she touched him; the dews rolled out of his eyes and her heart became mist with his agony. He violently came out of the car; she ran behind him.

‘Kusumita, please leave me alone for some time.’

‘Nihar….’

‘Please Kusumita…’

She helplessly looked at him as he walked away; she knew how much the truth has pained him. It must have been difficult for him to believe it but he has to take this pain out for his suffering to go away, his last link with her death. All these years, he carried so much within him, his pain, his sufferings and his questions.

He walked away slowly reaching the edge, looked at the Stars above and cried out loudly. His cry shivered through her spine, her nerves and her heart. She couldn’t stop her tears from rolling out.

 

*****

 

dew and the Mist (poem)

 

Would you seek me, even through this abyss of pain?

When I have no hopes of ever finding myself again

For I will not let you go away,

Now that I know you exist.

You are the Dew that freshens my heart,

An empty place heavy with Mist.

 

They say that your heart is not mine to claim from the start.

Many whispers are heard that

You would be the one to stake my heart,

But my heart still leads to you.

With faith in our love, I catch your wrist

I will be one to bring you to light,

The dew that settles the Mist.

(written by Jazz)

 

 

Rakhi Sunil Kumar

 

Next part Epilogue