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Indra's pov
I was speechless. I never could've imagined that she had such a past. I clenched my fist in anger. Who was he?? Who was that MOTHERF*CKER!!
Tulasi refused to make eye contact with me. I held her chin and made her look at me.
"Tulasi, why didn't you tell me this before? You really think I'll leave you? Do you even know how much I love you?" I spoke with containing my rage. Because she needs my attention first.
"I.. Indra ji, i… I was afraid. The whole village called me names, that I'm just a used woman. I didn't even know the meaning behind it. Then I learned that everyone is just the same; they don't value my trauma because I'm a woman at the end of the day." Tulasi said, with tears brimming in her eyes.
I gave feather-like kisses to both her eyes."They're just monsters in human disguise. I'm not them, Tulasi. I'll never judge you for it. Shiv ji is always with you. You have escaped at the right time. And everything was planned by Shiv Ji, he wants you to have a good life. That's the reason he blessed you with a fruit." I said and put my palm on her stomach.
Tulasi seemed confused. I smiled and said. "You're pregnant, Tulasi. We're going to be parents."
Her face went numb. she looked down at her waist and then at me. Her shaky hands touched her stomach and caressed it. She immediately broke into tears.
I didn't stop her; I can only understand what she's going through. Becoming a mother for the first time, a lot of emotions will course through her.
But… I just wanted to find out who that bastard is. I wanted to kill him right now. I want him to go through the same tortures that my wife has gone through, even worse.
"Tulasi, you were fine this morning. What exactly happened at the storage room? Why did you scream?" I asked. I couldn't contain it.
She looked at me. She didn't speak, it was as if she were trying to recollect what exactly happened.
"I…I went to the storeroom to fetch Papa Ji's picture as Maa Ji asked me to. There was only one photo frame on the table, when I got hold of it… I couldn't help but look at it. And then…." Her eyes widened suddenly.
I furrowed my brows in confusion. "What's wrong, tulasi?"
"I…Indra ji, w..woh…woh… ph..photo joh hai, woh ussi admi ki hai. M…mujhe yaad hai. Uss shakal ko mein kabhi bhula nahi sakti." Tulasi said.
(Indra ji, that picture… It's the same man. I remember because I could never forget that face.)
My brain started connecting all the dots. I was praying that it's not the case. But what else could it be? Nothing….
"Tulasi, come with me…" I said, and she nodded hesitantly.
I held her shoulder for support and guided her towards the hall.
Everyone was sitting down, and the pandit was chanting some mantras; Rudra was performing the rituals.
I gulped and looked at tulasi. "Tulasi… listen to me carefully, okay? I'm with you. J.. just answer me one question with yes or no, alright?"
She nodded. And I took a deep breath. "That picture over there, is that the same one? Is he the person that you were talking about?" I asked.
Her gaze fell onto the picture. Her eyes turned into fear instantly. Her foot was stepping back involuntarily. I held her waist.
"I'm with you, Tulasi. Just say yes or no." I asked again. I hoped that she'd say no, but deep down, I know the answer.
She locked her eyes with mine with tears and muttered. "yes."
My brain went numb at her confirmation. I didn't know what to feel. The rage that I was keeping hold of was getting out of control.
I smiled forcefully. "Let's get you inside. No matter what you hear, you'll not come outside. Okay?"
I escorted her into our bedroom and made her lie down. I caressed her face and pecked her forehead.
"I…is he y…your father, Indra ji?" She asked.
My eyes were filled with angry tears. "No, he's not my father…. He doesn't even deserve to be called an animal. He's not a human. I hold no relationship with him. He's just a man who dared to hurt my woman! And… I'll never let his soul rest."
"I…Indra ji, i… I don't want to see him again. W..will he kill me?" Tulasi asked.
I hugged her tightly and patted her head. "He's already dead; if he wasn't, I would've killed him myself. No one will hurt you now." I reassured her.
My mind was swirling with rage. I made her rest and walked out, then closed the door behind me.
My face held no expression; I walked past the people infront of me.
"Indra, take the prasa—" Maa couldn't even complete her words. I threw the plate across the wall.
She was too stunned to even speak. Everyone was looking at me. I made my way towards the main event and crashed everything.
I ripped all the flower garlands and held his frame.
"Bhaiya, what are you doing? This is not correct." Rudra tried to calm me down.
I grit my teeth and threw the frame on the ground, the glass shattered. Everyone gasped, and I couldn't care less.
"Indra!!! Stop this right now! What has gotten into you??" My mother yelled.
I stomped on his face with my feet. The glass pieces penetrated through me. But I didn't feel anything.
Rudra tried to stop me, but I pushed him away. "Rudra, if you halt me again, I'll not think twice before knocking you down." I said, glaring at him.
"Nalini, go and fetch me the petrol and the matchbox." I said.
"No, she won't! You're interrupting a sacred event. You're acting like a possessed man. What did that witch do to you? You were fine until now. She definitely put a spell on you." Mother said.
"Sacred event for a bastard like him!? Did you forget how many times he cheated on you? And if you dare call my wife a witch or use any word against her, you'll face the consequences." I threatened her.
I can't watch her torture my wife anymore. Even when tulasi was on the bed unconscious, she didn't care for an ounce for tulasi.
Then I felt Nalini passing me the petrol can. I looked into her eyes; I could only see determination. Of course, he didn't do anything for Nalini, except give her pain.
I threw the petrol all over his frame and lit it on fire. I watched it get burnt. It was the only picture left of that asshole. From now on, I don't have a father… He just doesn't exist.
My mother got on her knees and cried. I could hear my relatives gossiping in the back.
"Everyone, leave!" Rudra yelled.
I looked at Sugandha. I still remember Saraswathi chachi's words, she was able to save my wife's life that day… But Sugandha's destiny turned upside down. I wish I could turn everything around. The poor soul endured a lot in return for my wife's life.
I walked closer to her. I patted her head multiple times. My heart was aching immensely. I'm partially the reason behind her past. I could never forgive myself for this.
I looked at Rudra and signaled him to come closer.
"Promise me that you'll never hurt your wife. And… take good care of her for a lifetime." I said.
Rudra looked at me with determination. "I promise, bhai. I'll always love her and cherish her." He said.
I smiled a little. I had trust in him. I flopped on my knees. The reality was hard to sink in. It was a lot for me. I didn't want to disclose the truth with my mother.
I watched as Rudra bent down to my level. "Is it the same person, bhai?" He asked me, lowly.
I kept looking at the ground and just nodded lightly. He was smart enough to guess; he was my brother after all. He hugged me from the side, as if to calm us both down from reality.
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