Chapter 34
Sugni ran into the house how she
made it home she did not know. All she kept hearing in her head was Reshma's
words. They hurt. Somehow Sugni had managed to convince herself that she was
doing the right thing, that her
mother would understand...but Reshma's
words brought back all that doubts
and fares she had.
"Sugni...how come..." Champa said as Sugni by
passed her and went straight up
the stairs into her room. There she took a
picture of her mother and
herself. Again she wondered would
her mother be proud of her? really for what being a hypocrite?
"Sugni?" Champa said as she came
in... she was shocked to see her friend
so upset . Where was Vickram Champa wondered? Did he have an accident
again? Looking at Sugni though looking at her mother's picture and crying had her even more perturbed.
"Sugni what's
wrong?" She asked as she walked in to sit by her side.
"Am I am different from Reshma?" She asked.
"Who?" Champa asked confused.
After some prodding Sugni finally
told her what transpired in the fields.
"I am just like her, no...she is right ..Maa would hate me for going back on my words."
"Sugni ...no...come on don't do
this. Your mother would understand.
Yes you are different...your situation is
different. Sugni you know
they are going to talk...you can't
let their words affect you honey...Dose
Thakur Mallick know what happened?"
She shook her head.
"You should tell him..."
"No no...I won't do that ...she needs
the job...it's just her words hurt. Is
that what everyone thinks of me?" She sobbed
"Sugni no..." Champa
said. Champa knew part of this
was the fact that Sugni always said she
would live a respectable life , listening to
Reshma's words and feeling
like everyone else was judging her was having a toll on her. As it would...for 19 years
she would tell anyone who would
listen she would not end up a bedni for
any Thakur and everyone was waiting to see whether she would or end up eating her words. People in the community
can be cruel she knew.
Champa had no idea what to say to make
Sugni feel better. There was a knock on the door and she looked to see Maa
Thakur standing there. "Yes Mallkin...?" Champa said standing.
"Can you give us a few minutes?"
She said
"Sure"
Champa said , surprised. Maa Thakur would
always stay clear of Sugni. Champa left them alone as she closed the door. Hoping
that Maa Thakur would not make Sugni feel even worse. She wondered when
Thakur Mallick would come back.
Godhavari walked into the room where
Sugni was sitting on the bed,
looking at the picture on her lap.
Hastily she wiped her face
of her tears when she saw
her and went back to staring at the picture. She had
a heart broken look on her face.
Godhavari was alarmed when she saw
Sugni running into the house by
herself, her first thought was
that something happened to Vickram
again, Reva and Neeranjan
disappeared this morning they could be up to something again.
When she got to the room she over herd the conversation between
Champa and Sugni and
she could see how much the girls
words was affecting Sugni.
Over the past few weeks , ever since the accident Maa Thakur had been
silently observing Sugni and Vickram. The way she took care of him. That day she
was sitting with him at the hospital, most of the time he kept mumbling her name, much to
M.T.'s irritation.
When Sugni came back she could not wait to leave before she said something she would regret. Then she discovered she
left her purse in her haste and
went back for it. What she saw when she returned to the room struck her, the way Sugni was looking at him... the worry and concern on her face that reflected
the worry and concerned she herd in Vickram's
voice.
It was strange but it was that moment that MT got
the feeling that maybe there was something deeper to this relationship than just lust.
As Vickram came home she saw that further in the way
Sugni cared for her son.
The change in Vickram when he was
around Sugni was evident to, he moved different not as though he was just
performing a duty but as though he was...alive. She could not remember when she saw him like that before. Not even when he just married Reva...there was always something
missing . Not anymore even with all the problems he was facing.
She could not deny what was staring her in
her face these two had something that
was special. Her almost losing her only son made her realize that there was
more important things in life than the upholding of traditions.
Now as she observed Sugni's upset
state, she saw that Sugni to was
fighting her own inner battles. Sighing
she sat on the bed next to her.
She looked at the picture of
Sugni and Gulabiya.
"Sugni?"
"Yes"
"You know when
you two told me about your relationship, I kept wondering where I failed, as a mother.
I tried my best to instill In Vickram the values and
ethics to do what is right and to
not follow in the footsteps of
his father and the other Thakurs around
here." She said .
"And he always did ...whatever I
told him to he followed . Until now. Where he went against everything I
thought him. The only reason I could see for that ... you.!" Sugni closed her eyes as MT words added to her
already sinking spirit. Fresh tears welling up as she bent her head. "but I
always knew that , since the minute you set foot in here something told me you
were going to be trouble!"
"But I was wrong Sugni." She said
softly. Causing Sugni to look at
her. Instead of the harshness she was
expecting , Sugni saw a softness to Maa
Thakurs face as she smiled a little.
"Sugni in all the time I
have seen Vickram... this is
the first time I have seen him
this happy, truly happy even
with all this going on...there is
a light in his eyes that I don't think I ever saw. And the
only reason is you. The way
you have been
there for him these past few weeks...taking care of him. If that is not love then I don't
know what is." She looked at Sugni as
she continued... "There is a point in life
Sugni where your children's happiness
means the world to you. Vickram has
always tried to make me happy, at
times at the expense of his own self.
But almost losing him..." She shook her
head "Almost losing him Sugni , I
know nothing is more important than him in my life...and I want him to be happy...and his
happiness lies in you." She said.
"Maa ji?" Sugni breath as
what she was saying began to sink in. Her heart beat faster with
hope...could this mean she was
forgiven?
"I know I have been
hard on you...and I have said some things that hurt you...and for
that I am sorry." She said looking at
a shocked Sugni.
"No No...Maaji please...don't !!! I understand
any would react the way you did"
Sugni said shaking her head.. She looked at Maa Thakur , flustered by the
change in this conversation.
"No Sugni...when you are wrong there is
no shame in admitting it...and I
was wrong about you."
Sugni stared
at her , tearfully silent not
sure what to say, but she felt a
sense of relief that Maa Thakur was no longer hating her. She wiped her tears as they
stared at each other. Coming to a
silent understanding. Maa Thakur closed her eyes and
sighed...she was not a woman who admitted she was wrong
often.
"Now about today... and what happened. I know you are upset because
someone pointed a finger at you.
But you made a choice ...to love
him .People will always have something
to say , and it won't always be nice.
They won't understand it. But beta...if
you have
the courage to stand by him now don't let anyone bring you down, cause If I know anything about Vickram he won't let any one . As for your
mother I think she would understand that
there is
nothing in your situation that is
"normal" . She would only want you to be happy. Are you?"
She asked.
"Yes..." She
said, Vickram was her world.
"Do you feel guilty for loving him?"
"No ..."
"Well that is all that matters."
"But Maaji
Reva?" Sugni asked ...she knew
that Maa Thakur had some issues about the divorce.
"Well Vickram is right there
is no point in forcing
them together if they are not meant to be. Neither will be
happy. But she is one of our own and we will take care of her , just in a
different way."
Sugni nodded.
"Thank you Maa Ji... for accepting
me "
"Well the thing about love
is no matter how much you try to hide it
it shows...and it shows with you two...and who am I to stand in the way
of that? I just want him
happy...that's all. And he won't be
happy if he sees you unhappy...hmmm so...don't cry..Ok."
She smiled as she leaned forward and
hugged her lightly .
At that moment the door swung open to a very worried looking Vickram.
"Sugni..What ha..ppend?" He stopped watching his
mother and Sugni .
Maa Thakur stood up and
made her way to where Vickram was
standing . Reaching out to him she
patted his forarm.
"nothing beta...Sugni...just had a
bad day...but she is ok now...right Sugni...?"
She nodded...smiling slightly.
"I'll go get some rest..." She said
as she left them. "go sit with her..." she
said as she caressed his face and left the
room leaving Vickram staring after her.
Vickram closed the door even more confused by
what he just witness. His mother was in
here with Sugni and they both looked
cordial .
Walking over to the bed he saw
the picture she was holding.
"Sugni? What happened you left
just like that...I was worried when I couldn't find you? Now here...what's going on?'
"I am sorry...I
didn't think. I just left." She said
"What happened? What got you
upset." He asked... one minute she saw her helping the others weeding
and she was moving around chit chatting with the women looking
happy and then when he looked again she was nowhere in
sight then one of the women said they saw her running down the track. After looking
around for her he finally decided to check home, as he
could not think of where else she would be. Here she was.
Sugni looked at him and his concerned.
She knew if she told him what happened he would just
get angry and she did not want to be the cause of any further distress in
Reshma's life .
Taking a breath she smiled. "I
was upset...but am not any more. It's not
important...hmm I am ok." She said. She
got up and placed the photo back on
the side table where it was sitting before.
"Sugni..." Vickram began and she
knew he would not accept it.
"Shhh..." she said placing a finger
on his lips . She kissed him softly on the lips placing her arms around his
neck. "I promise I am ok...there is nothing for you to worry about I was just a bit overwhelmed. But you
know what...I am actually happy right now...you
know why?"
"Why?" He said placing his arms around her.
"Because...Maa Thakur finally
accepted us." She couldn't help the smile on her face "We had a long
talk and she is ok with us together and the divorce."
"Hmm...She did? Wow..." Vickram said stunned by
that news.
"I know I still can't believe it happened. But she
was here you saw her?' " She said as
she rested her head on his shoulder. "I
am so happy ... her acceptance is all we need, it doesn't matter what anyone else
thinks right?"
Vickram frowned at that... did someone tell her something? Was that why she
got upset? He wondered. He was noticing the looks from some people and he was sure they were
food for gossip... but no one was foolish enough to say
something in front of him...but maybe..."
"Hey!" Sugni said snapping her fingers in front of his face. She knew he was still wondering
why she was upset.
"Huh!" He said
"I said aren't you happy...you are not listening to me!" She
pouted.
"Yes I am...listening and happy...both!" he said
coming out of his thoughts. As he
looked at her she did look happy. She was smiling and it
shone right through to her eyes.
He knew it pained her when his mother refused to accept them. It was something
she kept praying to happen. Apparently
her prayers were
answered today. Truth be told so was his. Despite what
some might think family was important
to him and he would
like to know that they had the blessings of the
family.
Sugni sighed happily , in that moment she
looked absolutely breathtaking.
Giving into the urge he leaned forward
and kissed her, pulling her closer to him.
Breaking of the kiss for air a few minutes later, Sugni blushed as she looked at him.
"Why don't you go..freshen up and
I'll go downstairs and see if they need
help." She said.
"I have a better idea!" he said
as he placed a kiss on her neck.
"What ?" She giggled.
"How about you let them make
dinner and we stay here. Hmmm." He said
peppering kisses up her jaw line to cheeks.
"Good idea...but no..." she said pulling away
to look at him.
"Why?" he asked.
"you know why..." She blushed..."Now go
freshen up ..." She said as she made to get up.
"Well that didn't take you long !"
He sighed as he shook his head.
"What?" She asked confused.
" You sound like a
wife!" he said
"I do not!" She exclaimed, she could feel the heat on her
cheeks.
"Hmm see!" he said as though making a point.
"Just go!.." She laughed
pointing to the door. As she followed him out.
She went into the kitchen still smiling
feeling much lighter than she had in a long time!.
"Well this was a bust!"
Molly complained as they drove back
to Mawhari after visiting Suman's
address. Apparently the
good doctor had moved a while ago and no one
knew where she went to. On an impulse today Neeranjan and
Molly decide to pay her a
surprise visit ...only the surprise was on
them as she was nowhere to be found.
"Any progress on
getting Sugni away from Vickram?" she asked him.
"Yes I made the arrangements...it
was more than easy... I only hope they
are able to deliver this time...but I scared them enough that I am
sure they will do it. Besides
they were desperate to help." He said .
"Good...when will they do it?"
"A day or two."
"O k.' she said.
"I think the old haveli will be perfect as it
is deserted..." Neeranjan said
"Yes.." She agreed.
"Just remember...I get her first." He had a score to settle with Sugni. That was for sure.
"Patience ...Neeranjan...don't worry.
You can have all the fun you want with her...I don't care. I wish
we didn't have to get our hands
dirty...but what can we do ... if you want something
done right do it yourself!"
She said
"True." He nodded. Soon
it would all be over. He smiled
Killing two birds with one stone
was so much fun!!!
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