‼️the following chapter contains triggering personalities, racist remarks and discrimination against a few castes by certain characters
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Author pov
Indra was feeling empathetic towards Sugandha; after all, he made the wrong choice once in his life. but it wasn't fully his fault, yet he blamed himself entirely.
"You know what type of guy he is.... Then why did you say yes to marry him? Why didn't you say anything during the judgment day?" Indra asked Sugandha.
Sugandha looked at him with tears; Indra could only see the pain and torture that she endured in this house.
"I didn't have a choice.... I got raped by him when I told my parents about it... They cried; they said that no one will ever marry a girl who lost her virginity. A...and my dad said I must come to you for justice. They told me if I get married to Vardhan, I'll atleast live in luxury and belong to a higher caste after marriage." Sugandha said while looking down.
"So, you did it for greed...? Your parents were stupid, but what about you? Why didn't you object?" Indra asked.
"Us women don't have a voice... My dad's voice is mine. And... They promised to give a large sum of money as a compensation... With that money, at least my brother can go to school and study." Sugandha said.
Indra was speechless; he should've expected it. People do anything for money, and a poor girl's life gets ruined because of it.
"D..did he torture you every day?" Indra asked hesitantly.
"He... he never had my body after that day. B...but he used to beat me every day to claim his anger. He always used to say t..that it irks him to touch me because I'm dark-skinned and that I'm dirty because I come from a low caste." Sugandha says while clutching her sadi.
Indra didn't know what to say. He knows how the society treats the people who are dark-skinned and that belong to low caste. One could only imagine the sufferings that she endured since her birth. Everyone there was feeling extremely sympathetic towards Sugandha.
"Sh... she's like my daughter. My husband and son are dead now... I do not care about them, but I don't want this young woman to live a life as a widow in this cruel world." Saraswathi begs Indra.
Indra gulped, for the first time in his life... He was clueless. He just couldn't find any good solutions. Then... he thought of one solution, but it wouldn't be fair for the other one. He'd still try.
Indra looked at Rudra, and he took a deep breath. He knows the weight of the incoming question. "Rudra, will you accept Sugandha as your wife?"
Silence... Everyone is stunned by the question. It was a big thing, a widowed woman marrying a young man with a good background.
Rudra was so shocked, he never refused Indra in his life. He'd even give his life for him. But... for the first time, he seemed hesitant and... sad? No one knows why. (Maybe, I know hehehe)
Everyone kept looking at Rudra; it felt like a lot of pressure on him. No one knows what's running through his mind... But he finally replied.
Everyone was super happy except Rudra, Sugandha, and Indra. Sugandha didn't want him to ruin his future life marrying her, but she was in no place to object to the sarpanch's decision. The same goes for Rudra, but as a brother's order. Indra didn't know what to feel about this, because he just asked his brother to marry someone without even thinking about his wishes.
~Time skip~
The whole family returned back to their village with Sugandha and Sarswati. They must discuss with Anuja since she's the mother of them. And Indra and Rudra know what's going to happen, but Indra will not back down on his decision.
As soon as they enter the house, Anuja runs towards Indra and inspects his injury.
"What is this Indra?? Why... I told you to not meddle in fights." Anuja asked while caressing his head with tears.
"Maa, it's nothing... just a small injury. I'll visit the doctor after I change my clothes." Indra says.
When Tulasi heard the voice of Indra from inside their bedroom, she bolted out... Her anklets were making a lot of noise; in fact, it's the only noise that everyone can hear.
She finally reached the hall; Indra's eyes met the eyes of concerned Tulasi. When she noticed his injury, she didn't care about anyone... She just ran towards him and hugged him so tightly. Indra's foot stepped back due to the force.
Everyone was embarrassed... They all looked away; it's very unusual for couples to show affection infront of everyone, especially the young ones.
Indra fought against his wishes to hug her. Only Indra knows how he's struggling to contain his desires and affection. He cleared his throat and made her break the hug.
He looked at her, and she was about to cry. Her whole face was red, and her eyes were swollen. Indra's eyes softened.
"I'm fine, Tulasi... Please don't cry anymore." Indra said while caressing her face.
"n...no, l...look at all this blood... a...and—" Indra put a finger on her lips, shutting her up.
"Shhh, I'm fit and fine... We'll discuss this later. First, I have an important thing to announce, and then we'll visit the doctor together." Indra says.
Tulasi was just nodding while pouting in tears. Indra smiled; at least she's not thinking about yesterday's incidents. He realized that he comes first for her, even winning her own sadness.
Indra took a deep inhale and exhale. I guess everyone is scared of their mother no matter how tough they are.
"Maa... I have something to tell you. And I'm not asking for your opinion; it's my decision. I know you'll be mad, but... I want to do my job as a son by informing you of this." Indra said while looking at Anuja.
Anuja seemed confused. "What is it, Indra?"
"Rudra will be marrying Sugandha... A widowed woman." Indra said.
Anuja was speechless. She was super angry. She didn't want her son to marry a low-class, dark-skinned, widowed woman. She immediately started her emotional drama.
"No!!! I'll never accept this marriage even if I die." She said while controlling her angry tears.
"Maa, it's a decision that I already made. It'll be implemented nonetheless... And I'm sorry, I had to do it. I'm a sarpanch, the one who brings justice to his people." Indra said with determination.
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