Uttar Pradesh

Rudransh was leaning against a railing and admiring her with a soft smile until a voice interrupted.

"Stop staring at her like that, if someone notices it you would be in trouble" Megha warned in a worried tone.

Rudransh sighed and finally turned around to face the voice. Megha, his cousin, was standing there, looking at him with mildly irritated but concerned expressions.

"Wo hai hi itni pyaari, nazar hi nahi hat ti" Rudransh confessed with a sad smile.

"Seriously?" Megha said in an exasperated tone and slightly smacked on his forehead.

"Arre? Ye kya batamizi hai" Rudransh said laughing softly while dodging her next smack.

"Ab ye ek tarfa ashiqui chod or neecha ja! Dadi ji dhund rahi thi tujhe aur puch rahi thi ki kaha hai tu, maybe shaadi mein help karawane se related kuch kaam hoga" Megha stated before giving him a light smack on his biceps and finally walked away.

Rudransh glanced in her direction for a second. His first love,she was looking as beautiful as ever. But he quickly managed to escape his thoughts and walked away as well.

He was humming softly while walking but then a girl crashed onto him from behind. She would have fallen face first but Rudransh caught her shoulder.

Her long hair falling around her face hid it perfectly.

"Arre, aram se! Ap theek hai?" He tried to steady her but the girl finally turned her face towards him and his grip immediately tightened a bit on her shoulder.

"Tum?" He scoffed, his expression hardened immediately. The girl frowned as well but before she could say something he let go of her shoulders harshly and she immediately fell on the floor, her palms painfully scraping against the rough surface. She hissed painfully.

"Dekhai nahi deta kya?" Rudransh said icily.

Her face snapped in his direction. She looked at him with a calm yet unimpressed expression. She was about to retort, then she glanced around and noticed people staring, so she stopped. Instead she stood up by herself and decided to walk away as if he didn't exist.

His jaw clenched tightly, his fingers curling as his nails pressed into his skin. How unlucky can one be? He was admiring his first love just a few seconds ago but fate decided to remind him again why he couldn't have her.

He stared at her disappearing figure, Nayanika Chauhan was walking away as if nothing had happened. The same way she always reacted as if the world's suffering meant nothing to her.

Only God knows how much he absolutely hates her. Only the sight of her is enough to annoy and disgust him to the core.

"yeh hi to ata hai na tumhe? Or kar bhi kiya sakti ho tum? Dusro ki life destroy karna and then aise pretend karna as if nothing had happened. As if the another person, whose life was destroyed by you is just a stranger." Rudransh muttered to himself.

"Khair tumhari bhi kya galti hai, tumhar-" before Rudransh could finish his dadi called out his name.

Rudransh let out a frustrated sigh and walked away.

The Next day

"Maaaaa!" Nayanika chirped while hugging her mother from behind.

"Arre bhai kya huya? Aj itni khush kaise?" Her mother turned around to face her and caressed Nayanika's cheeks.

Nayanika would rarely be excited and the sight of her daughter smiling and being excited softened Manuradha's heart immediately.

Nayanika was about to lift Manuradha's veil but Manuradha immediately smacked on Nayanika's hand.

"Kya kar rahi hai? Agar jeth ji ya sasura ji ya koi or aadmi aa gaya or hame bina ghunghat ke dekh liye to pata hai na kitna bada bakheda khada ho jayega" Manuradha said in a worried tone, looking around to check if someone saw them.

Nayanika's smile faltered immediately . Obviously how can she ever forget the life women have in this household. A house where women are still considered beneath men. A house which refuses to accept her and believes that she is just bad luck. A house where a woman needs a man's permission to even speak. Nayanika sighed softly. The reality came crashing down onto her.

"Mujhe to school bhejne se hi mana kar diya gya tha...roj school bhejne ke uper itna drama hota tha to kiya mujhe Mumbai mein jake padhne ki permission milegi? Especially after that incident. Kya dada ji kabhi manege? Unhe to waise bhi mujhse itni nafrat hai and wo to waise bhi ye mante hai ki aurto ko sirf ghar mein rehna chaiya or jaldi se shaadi karleni chahiye" Nayanika was lost in her own thoughts.

"Arre kya huya? Kaha kho gyi ap?" Manuradha asked, shaking her daughter's shoulders a bit.

"Ku- kuch nahi maa" Nayanika lied, trying to smile nervously.

"Sachi? Or ye batao itni khush kis liye thi ap? Kya hua?" Manuradha questioned in a motherly tone.

"Arre kuch nahi maa wo to bas aise hi, ab apni maa ko bhi gale nahi laga sakti kya?" Nayanika lied again and stepped forward, hugging her mother tightly, trying to divert the topic.

"Jhut mat bolo! Ab apni maa se bhi jhut bolengi ap?" Manuradha stepped back, breaking free from the hug.

"Sach mein ma-" Nayanika tried to lie again.

But Manuradha knew that she was lying and interrupted. Nayanika tried to lie several times again but finally gave up after realizing that her mother wouldn't leave her without knowing the actual reason.

Nayanika hesitated a bit, glancing around to make sure that no one was here.

She could feel her stomach churning and she clutched her dupatta tightly "Maa..actually..actually wo..wo mujhe" Nayanika struggled to complete her sentence.

"Kya wo? Sidhe sidhe bolo kya baat hai? Kal kisi na shaadi mein kuch kaha apko? Kuch hua kal? Wo Rudran-" Manuradha asked in a hurried tone genuinely worried but before she could complete her sentence Nayanika finally spoke.

"Actually maa wo mujhe Mumbai ki university mein admission Lena hai! Meine uska entrance exam bhi pass kardiya hai, wo meri dream university hai! I know ki meine galat kiya ap sabhi ko bina bataye aise kadam utha ke... lekin maa mujhe aage padhai karni hai!" Nayanika said all of this in one breath.

"Ma- matlab kya hai apka?" Manuradha questioned as if she couldn't believe what she heard just now.

"Mujhe Mumbai Jana hai, apni aage ki padhai karne ke liye" Nayanika murmured, unable to meet her mother's eyes.

Manuradha stayed silent for a minute still trying to process what her daughter just told her but after a whole another minute she just walked away leaving Nayanika standing and blinking continuously.

Nayanika grabbed her mother's wrist to stop her from leaving.

"K-kya hua maa? Kuch boliye to? Ap- ap gussa hai mujhse?"Nayanika stuttered, trying to search her mother's expressions beneath the veil.

But Manuradha just sighed. She knew it was impossible. The dream that Nayanika was trying to chase was far away from reality. Only god knows how much she and her husband Prithvi Chauhan has to go through everyday just to send Nayanika to school. The disgusted tone of her in-laws while talking about Nayanika, their accusations, their taunts and what not and especially after that incident her father in law barely accepted the idea of letting Nayanika complete her school...but letting Nayanika go to Mumbai for higher studies? No, they would never agree! Even the thought of discussing it with Nayanika's father felt too much because she knew that even Nayanika's own father would never agree for this.

"Maa? Kuch to boliye? Ap gussa hai mujhse?" Nayanika begged.

"Nahi mein gussa nahi hu lekin apko pata hai na ki ye mumkin nahi ha-" Manuradha confessed but was interrupted when someone came and grabbed Nayanika's wrist harshly.

Manuradha and Nayanika froze in their place. They both simultaneously turned their head to the side to see who it was.

"Besharam itna bada kand karke yaha kone mein chupi bethi hai" Mahima, Nayanika's grandmother roared.

Mahima didn't even glance in Manuradha's direction. She just started to drag Nayanika harshly, walking toward the hall where everyone was sitting. Nayanika tried to free herself, to ask what had happened but Mahima's grip didn't budge instead it tightened more, almost bruising her wrist.

Manuradha followed them as well trying to calm down the situation, to ask what happened but Mahima just continued dragging Nayanika. Finally the moment they reached the hall, Mahima immediately threw Nayanika on the floor.

Nayanika gulped nervously, lifting her face slowly from the ground to see the person standing in front of her, her grandfather.

Her grandfather's jaw clenched tightly, Nayanika immediately stood up, stepping back because she knew how much he hated her presence. She immediately fixed her anarkali suit and her dupatta in her neck but before she could ask something.

SMACK

Her grandfather slapped her.

Her face whipped to the side by the sudden impact. For a second, her hearing almost stopped. Manuradha gasped under the veil but she was helpless. In this household no one dares to question any men especially her father in law. Prithvi squeezed his eyes shut.

"Da- Dada ji? Ham-hamse koi gal- galti hui hai?" Nayanika stammered not meeting his eyes and trying to keep her voice as low as possible.

"US RUDRANSH KI BAHO MEIN REHENE KO GALTI KEHTI HO TUM?" Her grandfather shouted so loudly that everyone flinched.

Manuradha blinked once, totally confused. What does he even mean by that? She looked in Prithvi's direction but Prithvi was just nervously staring at the ground and Manuradha immediately knew there was something wrong, extremely wrong.

Nayanika's eyes widened. She gawked at him, unable to understand anything. She looked around to watch everyone's expression and everyone except her father and her cousin Akash were glaring at her. She could sense the stares of women beneath their veil.

"Ap kya keh rahe hai dada ji?" Nayanika whimpered.

"Accha! Ye sanskar diye hai tere maa baap ne tujhe? Ki phele to itna bada kand karo or phir aise bartav karo ki jaise kuch pata hi na ho?" Her grandfather fumed.

"Kal kya kar rahi thi shaadi mein hai? Pata hai kitne logo ne dekha wo drama? Tujhe pata nahi kya kaise rishte hai hamare unke saath! Haan? Khud ki izzat to hai nahi to kam se kam hamare ghar ki izzat ka to khayal rakh sakti hai na?" He roared, not even giving her a second to explain.

"Dada ji ham galti se usse takra-" Nayanika tried to explain but another loud voice interrupted.

"Arre meine to phele hi kaha tha chote se ki isse itni dheel na de lekin usne hi to ladai karke phele is ladki ka dakhla school mein karaya tha na! Itna baar samjhaya tha ki ladki hai isse padhane likhane ki koi jarurat nahi! Karni to waise bhi isse shaadi hi hai na!" Manmohan, her tau ji said, disdain dripping into his tone.

"Ab jaldi se is manhos ki shaadi kara di jiye aur isse picha chutwa li jiye warna pata nahi or kaha-kaha badnami karayegi ye ladki! Waise bhi dekha na apne kal wo ramu ki ladki kisi ladke ke sath bhagyi! Kya pata ye ladki bhi kisi din aise hi kise ke saath bhag kar hamari naak kata de" Kishanlal, her chacha added.

Manuradha's eyes widened with shock, she didn't know what happened between her daughter and that guy Rudransh but she definitely knew Nayanika wasn't like that! And marriage? Nayanika is way too young for this! She was about to interrupt but Prithvi squeezed her hand and glanced at her. She immediately stopped and sighed.

"Hey bhagwan! Ye sab meri bacchi ko hi kiyu sehen karna padta hai hamesha? Or kitna sahe ye bichari?" Manuradha's eyes glistened under her veil. Her lips pressed into thin lines. She wanted to go and shout that they can't talk about her daughter like that! To hug her! But she was helpless, there was nothing she could do for now.

Nayanika tried her best to act strong but her tears still fell. How could they all hate her so much? She was sure that if it wasn't for her mother and her father she would have been dead by now. Manhos? How can someone say that about their own child? She was a part of this family as well! Then why? Why does she have to go through humiliation everyday just for existing? She wanted to shout to tell them that this isn't true! But nothing came out of her mouth.

All she could notice was her family members' disgust towards her.

"Papa, kya pata koi galat fehmi ho? Ap sab ek baar didi ji se puch to li jiye!" Akash requested his father Kishanlal.

"Akash tum chup raho, jab bade baat kar rahe hai to tum kiyu bich mein bol rahe ho!" Mahima warned him.

"Par dadi-" before he could finish his sentence, a voice interrupted.

"Tumhe rishte wale dekhne aa rahe hai Kal, taiyaar rehena" Nayanika's grandfather announced glaring at her.

Nayanika finally mouthed Dada ji but before she could say something, Mahima grabbed her wrist forcefully and started to yank her away.

"Sun liya na apne dada ji ka faisla? Ab Kal subha jaldi taiyaar ho Jana" Mahima roared.

"Dadi ji ek-ek baar b-baat t-to suniye" Nayanika pleaded, trying to free herself.

Manuradha stared at Prithvi in disbelief. Why isn't he stopping them? Why isn't he saying anything? Except Akash everyone seemed to enjoy Nayanika screaming, begging, no one stopped Mahima.

She knew she needed to say something! To stand for her daughter but Prithvi wasn't letting go of her hand. Instead he dragged Manuradha to their room.

NAYANIKA'S ROOM

Mahima hurled Nayanika onto the floor and locked the door from outside.

"Bas ab ye apna manhos chera kal tak mat dikhana! Or ham sabhi par taras kha ke hame bakas de! Kab tak hamari aise hi badnami karate rahegi?" Mahima mocked from outside the room and finally walked away ignoring Nayanika's pleadings.

"DADI JI! EK BAAR SUNIYE TO AP? JO AP LOG JO SAMAJH RAHE HAI AISA KUCH NAHI HAI!" Nayanika banged on her door repeatedly while crying out loud.

She received no response.

"ACCHA OK HAMARI GALTI HAI BUT PLEASE HAME ABHI SHAADI NAHI KARNI! HAME BAS IS BAAR OR MAFF KARDIJIYE" Nayanika shouted even more loudly.

No response came. She kept on banging the door, pleading for mercy but even after trying for hours no response came.

Outside the sun was dipping. She finally walked toward her bed and sat on the floor, tears dried in her eyes. She looked out of the big window.

"Aisa bhi kya gunha kiya hai hamne maha dev? Bachpan se lekar ab tak hame har chiz ke liye kiyu ladna padta hai? Akhir sab hamse itni nafrat kiyu karte hai?"She sobbed, remembering their disgusted look.

"Hame koi kiyu nahi samajhna chahata? Ye pheli baar nahi ki hamare khud ke parivaar ne hamari is tarike se bezzati ki ho... har bar hame kiyu itna humiliate hona padta hai maha dev? Is it my fault that I was born as a girl?" She sobbed harder.

She kept on complaining, cursing herself, and didn't even realize when her eyes grew heavy and she slipped into sleep,still sitting on the ground and her head resting on the side of her bed.

NAYANIKA'S PARENTS ROOM

Prithvi's grip finally loosened on Manuradha's wrist and then he turned around and slammed the door shut with a frustrated sigh.

Manuradha finally lifted her veil and glared at her husband fiercely, the anger evident in her eyes.

"Hame yaha kiyu kheech ke le aaye ap? Hamari bacchi ko jarurat hai hamari! Or shaadi! 19 saal ki hai wo Nayanika ke papa sirf 19 saal ki! Ye koi umar hai shaadi karne ki? Ap sab ne ek baar us bechari ki suni bhi nahi or apna faisla suna diya? Hamari ek lauti beti hai wo-" Manuradha snapped but stopped midway, seeing tears in Prithvi's eyes. Her anger vanished for a second.

"Ap ko kya lagta hai hamne koshis nahi ki? Bade bhaiya ji ko samjhane ki? Pita ji se baat karne ki? Chote ko rokne ki? Maa ko batane ki un gaon ke logo ko jarur koi galat fehmi huyi hai? Lekin apko pata hai na gaon ke log kaise hote hai? Har choti si baat ka batangad bana dete hai! Keh rahe thi ki hamari Nayanika pure gaon ki ladkiya par galat parbhav dal rahi hai! Phele wo choti thi isileye 2-3 taane sun kar bhi mein pita ji ko mana leta tha lekin ab mein majbur hu!" Prithvi cried out.

"Is gaon ko to ap aur Nayanika dono hi panauti lagte hai! Hamare pita ji ab tak hame kehte rehte hai ki ham dusri shaadi karle! Lekin ham harbar unki kadvi baatein sunke bhi chup rehte hai! Lekin isbaar mein majbur hu Manuradha, mein chaha ke bhi kuch nahi kar sakta. Pura parivar or gaon Nayanika ke khilaf khada hai! " Prithvi added.

"To ap keh rahe hai ki kal Nayanika ka rishta pakka kardenge? Use aise hi kisi ghar mein bhej denge? Apko pata hai na ki jeth ji ne to rishto walo ki jach partal bhi nahi ki hogi? Kya pata kaise ghar mein jayegi hamari bacchi!" Manuradha sobbed harder, her eyes searching his face for the answers.

Prithvi didn't meet her eyes, and this gesture immediately answered her. Manuradha sat on the ground clutching her head.

A few hours had passed and now finally Nayanika's shouting from another room stopped. Prithvi was sitting on a chair, staring at nothing in particular. He had accepted that nothing can be done now. It was just his daughter's fate but Manuradha finally stood up from the ground. Prithvi glanced at her direction but didn't stop her, he thought that she was probably going out to meet Nayanika for the last time. Because in this village women rarely return from their in-laws or go to their in-laws. It has been years since Manuradha saw her own parents.

"Ham khana banane ja rahe hai, niche aa jayega samaya se"Manuradha stated with no emotions and walked out of the room covering her face with the veil again.

But Prithvi was confused. Why was Manuradha acting like that? He knew how much she loved her daughter but she was acting indifferent. Was she planning something? Prithvi squeezed his eyes shut and sighed.

"Bas apne ap ko khatre mein mat dal li jiyega" Prithvi whispered, staring at the door.

Everyone ate dinner and everyone acted as if nothing had happened. Nayanika's room was still locked from outside. But Akash was glancing upstairs again and again. When will they open the gate? She hasn't eaten for the whole day now but he didn't dare to say something. He just sighed praying for the wellbeing of his cousin sister.

But after the dinner was over Manuradha called Akash and met him in a corner of the haveli.

It was mid-night right now. Nayanika's room's gate creaked open, echoing through the quiet night.

Manuradha saw her daughter on the ground and her eyes immediately glistened but she took a deep breath and steadied herself. She closed the door softly. She came in with a plate of food and a bag.

Manuradha sat down on the ground and gently called out Nayanika's name and tried to wake her up. Nayanika's eyes snapped open and she immediately looked around. Her mother was sitting beside her, looking at her with a motherly gaze. Nayanika's eyes were red and swollen. She immediately hugged her mother and sobbed softly.

"Ma-maa ham-hamne"Nayanika stuttered, unable to complete the sentence.

But Manuradha gently broke free from the hug. She wiped her daughter's tears with her own saree pallu and caressed her cheeks.

"Sshh! Bas ab or nahi, mujhe pata hai ki apne kuch nahi kiya lekin phele ye khana kha lo, phir baat karenge" Manuradha reassured and started feeding her daughter with her own hands.

Nayanika stared at her mother, her tears still falling, but her mother was patiently wiping her tears, reassuring her and feeding her. Nayanika finally finished her food.

"Maa mujhe shaadi nahi Karni, please ap kuch kariye na! Mein kabhi kisi ladke ki taraf dekhungi bhi nahi par please ap papa ji ko kahiye na, ki wo dadaji si baat kare!" Nayanika whimpered, hugging her mother tightly but her mother's next words shocked her.

"Nahi kar rahi hai ap shaadi! Shaadi to kya ab ap yaha is gaon mein bhi nahi rahegi! Ab ap Mumbai jayegi aur apni marzi se apni zindagi jiye gi" Manuradha said, patting her daughter back.

Nayanika's grip immediately loosened and then she looked at her mother, clearly confused.

"Kya?" Nayanika whispered.

"Hnji" Manuradha replied with a soft smile and then kissed her daughter's forehead.

Manuradha immediately stood up without waiting for any response and started taking Nayanika's clothes out from the closet and started packing them in a suitcase. Nayanika was confused.

"Lekin maa, dada ji itni aasani se maan gye? Meri shaadi bhi rok di or mujhe Mumbai bhi bhej rahe hai?" Nayanika questioned but Manuradha didn't reply, she was just busy packing Nayanika's stuff. Nayanika stared at her mother, totally confused by her actions. Before Nayanika could question again she saw a hand on the window!

Damn she didn't close the window! She fell asleep! But how can someone enter this haveli? She froze on her spot but before she could shout Manuradha clamped a hand over Nayanika mouth and whisper-shouted "Akash hai!"

Nayanika blinked and then finally saw her brother Akash.

"Ak-Akash? Is time kya kar rahe ho yaha! Agar chachu ji ne dekh liye to pata hai na kitni daat padegi aur maa apko kaise pata ki ye Akash hi tha?" Nayanika inquired, glancing at both of them clearly sensing something wrong.

Manuradha and Akash looked at each sharing a few glances nervously.

"Tu usse bata tab tak mein uska saman acche se suitcase mein rakh du" Manuradha ordered and Akash immediately nodded.

Manuradha started packing again while Akash walked toward Nayanika. He grabbed her shoulders firmly and made her sit on the bed.

"Dii ab ap aram se sunna and please chilana mat! Warna ham teeno bada ganda fas jayenge! Ok? Or phele puri baat sunna!" Akash said in a serious tone.

Nayanika's brown knitted in confusion.

"Dii Dada ji nahi manege kisi bhi chiz ke liye isileye taiji ne ye faisle kiya hai ki ap raat mein ye ghar, ye gaon, ye state chod ke bhag jao! Isileye mein ab apko raat mein bus station tak chodne jaunga jis se agar ap kisi musibat mein na phaso or ye gaon aram se chod sako! Gaon ke bhar 3 baje roz bus aati hai. Us bus mein chale Jana yaha se or phir apko 2-3 baar aur bus badalni padegi! Phir finally Meerut chali Jana aur waha se Mumbai ki train mein ok?" Akash explained in a serious tone.

Nayanika immediately stood up from her bed. Her eyes widened in shock. Did they both really plan this?

"Mazak kar rahe hai na ap dono milke? Heina?" Nayanika asked nervously, but by her mother's and Akash's reaction it was clear that they were serious. Nayanika's eyes widened even more.

"NAHI NAHI NAHI MEIN AISA KAISE KAR SAKTI HU?" Nayanika panicked and yelled.

Akash immediately clamped a hand over her mouth.

"Are dii pagal ho kya? Marna warna hai kya apko?" Akash warned. Manuradha smacked on Nayanika's forehead lightly but Nayanika removed Akash's hand forcefully.

"Ap dono theek hai? Ye kiya pagalpanti hai? Agar dada ji ko pata chala na to ham teeno ko yahi zamin mein zinda dafna denge! Ap hame ghar se bhagne ko keh rahe hai? Are you guys even serious?" Nayanika snapped.

"Accha to phir kya karna chahiye di? Ap shaadi karna chahti hai? Apni life barbaad karna chahti hai? Or kya hi rasta hai ham logo ke pass?"Akash questioned.

"Lekin-" Nayanika was about to say something but Manuradha interrupted.

"Koi lekin-wekin nahi ap abhi ke abhi Akash ke saath gaon ke peeche se nikalogi! Or jaise-jaise Akash ne bataya hai wo hi karogi! Samjhi ap! Mein apni ek lauti beti ki zindagi apni aankho ke samne barbaad hote huye nahi dekh sakti" Manuradha stated, her expression hardened.

"Maa? Ap dono samajh bhi rahe hai jo ap log jo bol rahe hai? Apko or papa ji ko zinda nahi rehne denge gaon ke log! Waise bhi hamare parivaar ko lagta hai ki ham sirf is parivaar ki bezzati karate rehte hai! Or agar mein yaha se bhag gyi to meri to chodiye apki, papa ki, is pure parivaar ki kitni badnami hojayegi! Samjh bhi rahe hai ap dono? Mujhe dubara is gaon mein aane bhi nahi denge!" Nayanika argued.

"Or mujhe chodiye! Hamari gaon ki ladkiyon ka kya? Pura gaon hamare ghar ki taraf dekhta hai! Dada ji sarpanch hai gaon ke! Agar mein bhag gyi to meri wajah se na jaane kitne ghar apni ladkiyon ki padhai band kara denge! Unhe ghar mein band kardenge! Kitni bacchiyon ki shaadi ho jayegi kyuki is gaon ko logo ko apni bacchiyo se zayada apni izzat ki padi hai! Mein itni selfish kaise ho sakti hu maa? Mein dada ji ke pairo mein pad jaungi! Unhe samjhane ki kosish karungi! Lekin mein ye nahi kar sakti!" Nayanika added.

"Accha? Kya samjhayegi ap? Ap itne ghanto tak roti rahi! Apne gate par hath marti rahi! Pure ghar mein apke chillane ki, rone ki awaz goonj rahi thi! Lekin kisi par koi farak nahi pada! Even papa and tauji to khush the ki unhe ab ap se jaldi chutkara mil jayega! They don't give a damn about you dii! Ap unke agge chilate-chilate maar bhi jaye unhe tab bhi koi farak nahi padega!" Akash blurted out words more harshly than he intended to.

But before Nayanika could say something Manuradha took Nayanika's hands in her own.

"Apko pata hai bhout saal phele jab apke papa ka rishta aya tha na mere ghar mujhe bhi shaadi nahi karni thi or meine bhi apne pita ji ke kadmo mein gir ke apni zindagi ki bheek mangi thi! Meine to 3-4 din khana bhi nahi khaya tha! Baar baar sabse ghar mein sirf ek hi baat kehti thi ki mein abhi bhout choti hu! Mujhe abhi shaadi nahi karni lekin agar mein shaadi na karu tab bhi kya hi tha mere pass? Na to mein padhi likhi thi or nahi mujhe ghar ke kaam karne ki ilawa kuch or ata tha. Mere pita ji ne meri ek na suni! Phir meri maa ayi mere pass. Unhone mujhe rote huye apne gaale se lagaya or mujhse maafi mangne lagi, or mujhse wada liya ki mein kabhi unki tarah ek buri maa na banu! Jo apni beti ki zindagi apni aankho ke samne barbaad hone de!" Manuradha confessed with a sad smile.

"Apko pata hai aj mein sirf ek maa ka dharam hi nahi balki ek beti ka dharam bhi nibha rahi hu! Apni maa ko diya hua wada nibha kar! Aj apki maa apko dusri baar ek aur jivan de rahi hai, to isbaar is jivan ko acche se Jina!" Manuradha added, her grip tightened on Nayanika's hand.

"Or rahi baat is gaon ki ladkiyon ki, apko pata hai ek chingari se hi puri aag lagti hai! Aj ap apna jivan sudharegi or kal or bhi bhout ladkiya apse parerit hokar is samaj ke khilaf jayengi! Ye hi to is samaj ki reet hai beta." Manuradha concluded.

Nayanika immediately hugged Manuradha, shaking with sobs.

"Lekin maa mein aj tak kabhi bhar hi nahi gyi! Sirf school gyi hu or waha bhi bade bhaiye hote the! Meine aj tak khud se bhar ki duniya hi nahi dekhi to ab mein acchanak se kaise sab akele sambhal paungi? Kitabi gyaan or asli ki zindagi mein farak hota hai! Mein itni strong nahi ku maa ki is duniya ko akele face kar saku wo bhi apke bina? Nahi maa. Mujhse chaha ki bhi nahi ho payega." Nayanika whimpered.

But this time her mother didn't hug her back or comfort her.

Manuradha firmly pulled back from the hug. Her expression hardened, for the first time she didn't look at her daughter with a motherly gaze. Nayanika was confused. Akash just bit his lower lip nervously.

"BAS! Kab tak aise ek kone pade-pade marna hai apko? Sab seekh jate hai ap bhi seekh jayegi! Apko kya lagta hai shaadi ke baad apki maa apke saath rahegi hamesha? Kya apko aise lagta hai ki jivan bhar mein apke saath rahungi? Ek na ek din to mein bhi chali hi jaungi na is duniya se! Phir kiske bharose zinda rahengi ap? Is duniya mein kamzoor hone se kuch nahi milta! Mujhe nahi pata ap kaise jiyegi kaise nahi! Ab wo sab apko dekhna hai! Or ab jao Akash ke saath! Is gaon mein wapas kadam bhi mat rakhna dubara" Manuradha stated firmly.

And then Manuradha picked up the bag she came with and handed it over to Nayanika.

"Isme kuch paise or jewar hai!" Manuradha said with no emotions and walked out of the door.

Nayanika was about to go behind her but Akash caught her wrist.

"Nahi dii! Bas chalo ap ab is window ke jaariye aram se utarna" Akash claimed and dragged her firmly toward the window.

Nayanika wiped her tears and looked back for the one last time towards the door to get a glimpse of her mother but she didn't get any.

She just took a deep breath and then with the help of Akash reached the ground.

Akash and Nayanika were finally far from the haveli. Nayanika stopped, gasping for air. Akash just stood near her watching his sister struggling for air.

"Dii bas 15-20 minute ka or rasta hai bus station tak! Please jaldi chalo agar bus nikal gyi to problem ho jayegi" Akash said in a worried tone while patting her back.

"Yaar aa-aage to wo samshan ghat wala rasta hai! It-itne andhere mein sahi ho-hoga waha Jana! You know na raat ke time buri aatma jo hoti hai we active rehti hai!" Nayanika uttered, still gasping for air.

For a second Akash stared at her in disbelief then eye rolled.

"Are you serious dii? Ap ghar se bhag rahi ho lekin apko bhooto ki padi hai? 19 saal ko hogyi ho ap!" Akash said in an exasperated tone smacking his own forehead lightly.

"Oye tamiz mein baat kar! Badi behen hu mein teri. O-or waise bhi me-mein bhoot-woot se nahi da-darti" Nayanika stuttered.

Akash just grabbed her wrist and started running again, Nayanika just closed her eyes chanting Hanuman chalisa in her own mind.

They finally reached the bus station. It was still dark outside. Akash was a bit out of breath but Nayanika, her hands on her knees, was barely standing, struggling to breath. Akash stared at her affectionately.

He loved her so much! He never understood how people can be so cruel? Why do they unnecessarily hate Nayanika so much? Her sister, she was like a hero for him. His own father used to taunt her a lot, used to say a lot of cruel stuff but never ever she took out his father's anger on him infact she was beaten a lot of time for the mistakes Akash made. She would always love him even though she would be punished for it. Bad luck? No! She was his lucky charm! She was the one who heard him when no one did. She motivated him when he used to feel low then how could she be the selfish one?

He hugged her sister tightly for the last time maybe, his head buried into the crook of shoulder and he wept softly.

Nayanika was taken back for a second but she immediately patted his head.

"Kya hua? Tu to mera strong baccha hai na! Aise kiyu ro raha hai?" Nayanika said in an affectionate tone.

"Apna dhyan rakhna dii or agar koi kuch kahe to please hamesha tarah chup-chap mat sehene! Please fight back! Jaise apne bachpan se mujhe strong banaya hai, khud ko bhi aise hi strong banana" Akash murmured.

He pulled back from the hug gently and took out his phone and threw the SIM card away. Nayanika's eyes widened.

"Dii ye phone apne pass rakhna or koi new SIM card le lena,ok?" Akash stated as he placed the phone in her bag.

"Pagal hai kya! Tune itni zid karri thi tab jake tujhe ye phone mila tha! It's your reward for good marks mein kaise le sakti hu isse? Chachu ji bhout marenge tujhe!" Nayanika exclaimed.

Akash just smiled softly.

"Ap bhi na dii! Bachpan se itni maar kahayi hai apne mere liye to ek baar ke liye mein nahi kha sakta?" Akash replied.

Before Nayanika could say something Akash started guiding her about everything. After an hour the bus finally arrived.

Nayanika's heartbeats immediately fastened. She looked at Akash but he had already stood up. He reached out his hand and helped her to her feet.

"All the best my champion!" Akash said with a soft smile.

Nayanika's eyes immediately glistened, that's how she used to encourage him every time he would be anxious before his exams.

She hugged him again, even more tightly.

She finally settled in the backseat of the bus. She looked outside but Akash was already gone. A tear slipped down her cheek but she took a deep breath. Only if she knew he was there only hiding behind the bus stand unable to accept this goodbye but he knew it was necessary for her or else her life would be destroyed.

And wasn't she the one who taught him that love means sacrificing as well? Today he learned that lesson a hard way.

He smiled painfully as the bus finally disappeared from sight.

"Dhyan rakhna dii" Akash whispered.

NEXT DAY - MORNING

Everyone were sitting at the dinner table but then Manmohan, Nayanika's tauji spoke-

"Suno, jao us ladki ko niche lekar aao or kehdo ki khana kha le or acche se taiyaar ho jaye, rishte wale thodi der mein aate hi honge" Manmohan ordered his wife without even glancing in her direction.

She immediately nodded under the veil and walked away. But Akash and Manuradha were barely able to control their laughter. At least Manuradha's face was hidden under the veil but for Akash it was even more difficult. He was coughing again and again.

"Theek hai? aise kiyu khase jaa raha subha se kutto ki tarah!" Kishanlal asked in an exasperated tone because unintentionally Akash spit landed on his face.

Manuradha accidentally giggled but Akash immediately covered up by coughing even more vigorously, this time even more spit landed on Kishanlal's face.

Kishanlal immediately stood up, wiping his face harshly.

"Gadha hai kya bilkul! Dusri taraf muh karke nahi khas sakta nalayak! Isse kuch akal wakal sikhayi bhi ya nahi" Kishanlal snapped, glaring at his wife.

"Papa isme maa ki galti, mujhe khasi aa rahi thi isme unka kya dosh" Akash immediately argued in a polite tone.

"Accha? Kitna bolne lagaya hai na tu! Isileye rokta hu tujhe us manhoos ke aas pass Jane se! Khud to wo nalayak hai hi tujhe bhi itna batamiz kardiya hai!" Kishanlal stated but before he could argue further he saw his bhabhi running down the stairs.

Manmohan's wife was panting, struggling to breathe but didn't open her veil. Everyone immediately stood up confused except Akash and Manuradha.

"Ji-Ji w-wo..wo Naya-Nayanika-" She stuttered, gasping for air but also terrified to finish the sentence.

"Kya? Sidhe sidhe bolo na bhabhi ji kiya hua? Wo theek to hai na?" Prithvi questioned, clearly worried.

"Wo-wo Nayanika..NAYANIKA APNE KAMARE MEIN NAHI HAI OR NA HI USKA SAMAN" She yelled finally finding some strength.

Everyone's eyes widened even Manuradha's and Akash's as if they didn't know it.

"Kya keh rahi ho bahu tum? Kamare mein nahi hai, aise kaise ho sakta hai? Uska kamara to band hai na kal pure din se?" Nayanika's grandfather questioned, the tension clearly audible in his voice.

Without waiting for any answers Prithvi ran upstairs everyone else followed the suit and the moment they all reached the room they saw it, Nayanika wasn't in the room. Prithvi immediately rushed toward the closet and slammed it open. It was empty and almost immediately the chaos followed.

Voices overlapping, somebody shouting, someone cursing but no one was worried about Nayanika.

"WO BESHARAM LADKI GHAR CHOD KE BHAG GYI!" Kishanlal exclaimed, clutching his head with both of his hands.

"HEY BHAGWAN! HAM KISI KO KYA MUH DIKHAYENGE?" Manmohan cried out.

"ARRE BAS KARIYE AP LOG! KYA PATA YAHI KAHI HO WO! OR AP LOGO KO USKI ZARA BHI CHINTA NAHI KYA?" Prithvi finally interrupted.

Manuradha looked at her husband, he was on the verge of crying. She knew he must be blaming himself internally,she clutched her saree pallu tightly.

"Mujhe maaf kardi jiyega lekin ye sab karna jaruri tha" Manuradha mumbled to herself.

For almost an hour every family member was searching for Nayanika but they found nothing, and as if their daughter running away from the house wasn't enough they were bombarded with one more thing.

"HAAYE HAM SAB TO BARBAAD HOGYE CHORI KHUD TO BHAGI LEKIN HAMARE GHAR KE PAISE OR KHANDANI MEHENGE JEWER LEKE OR CHALI GYI" Mahima cried out loud.

Everyone turned toward Mahima.

"Kya keh rahi ho tum? Hamare khandani jewar?" Nayanika's grandfather gasped.

Once more, chaos erupted in the haveli. By now everyone in the village knew that Nayanika Chauhan had fled from the village. The rumors started and immediately circulated.

Manuradha looked at her father in law and then at her other family members, a proud and satisfied smile adorned her face beneath the veil.

Akash came near Manuradha crying dramatically so that no one finds his reaction off and then he hugged her.

"Asli drama shuru kare my partner in crime?" Akash whispered into her ear.

"Ham koi partarnar warnar nahi hai samjha or chup rehe warna logo ko shak ho jayega" Manuradha whispered back, completely confused.

Akash giggled softly against her, hiding his face clearly amused by his great aunt's reaction. He finally pulled back from the hug.

Manuradha stepped forward and for the first time since she came into this village she opened her veil.

Everyone around her froze but her act? It finally began.

She started crying out loud, saying absurd things. Throwing everything here and there as if she lost all of her senses.

"Wah taiji apko to actor hona chaiye tha" Akash mumbled to himself trying to control his laugh.

Manuradha was hitting people, around her chauhan family members were trying to calm her down, totally embarrassed.

"Arre ye kya kar rahi hai? Pagal wagal hogyi hai kiya?"

"Pura khandan hi pagal hai sayad!"

"Apni ghar ki beti or bahu to sambhal ti nahi ye is gaon ko sambhalenge?"

"Pure gaon ki naak kata di is ghar ne! Ye hi to karan hai ki inke lagbhag sabhi rishte daro ne is parivar se apne sambhand khatam kiye huye hai"

People whispered and the whole chauhan family panicked.

"Arre bahu kya kar rahi ho tum! Ghar chalo" Mahima tried to reason with Manuradha.

"NAHI NAHI NAHI" Manuradha shouted loudly.

Manuradha glanced in her father in law's direction.

"Hamari beti ko thappad mara tha na apne pure ghar ke aage! Aj apko us thapad ka karz chukana padega" Manuradha mumbled to herself.

With all her strength she threw her mother in law on the ground. Everyone from Chauhan family moved toward Mahima to help her but suddenly a loud voice echoed through the area.

SMACK

All the whispers stopped! Everyone's eyes widened and their hands flew to their mouths. Even Akash was shocked as it wasn't in their plan.

There was so much silence, that you could hear the sound of a needle dropping onto the ground.

Manuradha had just slapped her father in law in front of the whole village. Her father in law face snapped to another side from the impact and almost immediately his cheeks turned beet red. But before anyone could intervene she again started crying out loud. Breaking her own bangles,cursing herself, acting as if she had totally gone mad and finally after a few seconds she fainted. Prithvi immediately ran toward her and others too helped carrying her away.

For the world it was just a broken mother gone mad but for her it was a revenge.

"Apne to bas usse ghar ki chaar dewaari mein beizzat kiya tha lekin aj uski maa ne uska badla pure is samaj ke aage liye hai jisne usse har raste par thukraya hai! Aj meri beti ap logo se hi nahi balaki use beizzati se bhi azad hogyi jo usne har pal jheli hai! Ab ye samajh usse nahi ap logo ko thukrayega.Jis samaj ke liye ke liye ap logo ne baar baar usse beizzat kiya hai aj se wo hi samaj ap logo ko nahi apnayega" Manuradha said to herself as her eyes were closed while being carried away.

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This is the first chapter🫶🏻

I hope you all will enjoy this book!

And kindly ignore any grammatical mistakes💖

ISHQ WALI DUNIYA IS AVAILABLE ON WATTPAD BY @mahixdiaries

SO KINDLY CHECK IT OUT💗