Sugandha's parents had their breakfast with the rest of the family under Indra's command.
Sugandha kept glancing at Rudra, but he didn't look back at her. He put on a grumpy face.
She packed some clothes of hers, ready to leave. But she hoped to speak to Rudra before leaving. Rudra was in the hall, purposely avoiding Sugandha.
She mustered some courage and spoke out from inside their bedroom. "Rudra ji…"
Rudra's ears perked up, he cleared his throat and made his way into their bedroom.
Sugandha's eyes met Rudra's, their hearts started racing at that exact moment.
"Since I... I won't be here for a few days, I arranged all your clothes and essentials in the closet. You won't need to search for anything." Sugandha said.
Rudra hummed in return. She clutched her bag tightly. She really wanted to ask why he was acting so grumpy. But she didn't have the courage.
She was about to walk out the door, but Rudra held her wrist.
"Is that all you wanted to say?" Rudra inquired.
Sugandha's pulse quickened by this. She turned back to look at him.
"Why is your mood off, Rudra ji? Did I do something wrong?" Sugandha asked.
Rudra sighed. "No, it's just… I don't know what's happening to me. It's not your fault, but I can't get to like your decision. You could've refused." He said.
Sugandha stepped a little closer to him. "Rudra ji, I know that you're concerned about me. You don't have to worry too much. My parental house is located in this very own village. If something happens, you can reach me immediately." Sugandha says.
"You're right, but… how will I know that you're safe and sound?" Rudra asked.
Sugandha tried to think of something that would reassure him. "Ummm, 3 days… If I don't return in the time limit, then you can come to me." She says.
Rudra was ready to compromise; I mean, 'It's just 3 days' he thought to himself. He sighed, trying to calm his worries down.
"Didi, let's go. Bullock cart is waiting for us." Raghu said.
Sugandha stepped back and replied. "Aarahi hu, Raghu."
Rudra averted his gaze, he couldn't watch her leave. Sugandha continued to step back, but then she stopped abruptly.
She ran and hugged him tight. Rudra's eyes bolted out at her sudden gesture. He looks down at her figure, which is sticking to him very tightly.
He gulped down his own saliva, and with shaky hands, he hugged her back.
Sugandha was now too shy to face him. She broke the hug and tried to run out, but…. Her pallu got stuck in Rudra's buttons. This made her body tense, and she clutched the sadi against her chest, facing away from him.
Rudra smirked and pulled her closer with the sadi and she complied.
"J…ji, I'm getting late." Sugandha murmured.
"I'm aware… But, aren't you the one who ignited the fire first?" Rudra spoke with the same smirk.
Sugandha bit her lower lip in nervousness. She didn't know what to do now. She was too timid to face him after her affectionate display.
"Help yourself, Rudra's wife." He said it with his hands behind him.
Sugandha slowly turned towards him and kept her gaze on the ground. She tried to let her sadi free, but it was not ready to untangle.
Rudra held her hand with the sadi in her palms and pulled it down with force. His button flew out the window, but they both kept looking at each other.
"It is free now." Rudra spoke while containing his smile.
Sugandha immediately broke out of her void of spark and set her sadi back hurriedly.
She clutched her bag again and ran out with a big grin. Rudra followed her with long strides and a beautiful smile.
Sugandha bid goodbye to everyone and left, but not without looking back at Rudra with a blush.
Sugandha's pov
I was ecstatic to go to my birthplace. I can't wait to relive her memories.
As soon as we reached, I hopped out. I took a big inhale of my surroundings, I was mesmerized by the aura.
My parental house was a small room with a wall in between to separate the kitchen. But it's the best one to live at.
I used to play all sorts of games outside my house. I can't believe everything was stolen from me just by one atrocious night.
"Sugandha??" I heard a female voice behind me.
I turned around, and it was my best friend. I ran towards her with a big grin.
"Kaisi hai, Laxmi?" Sugandha asked.
(How are you, Laxmi)
"I'm good, look… It's my daughter." She said, pointing at the child in her arms.
I smiled and held the little baby girl. This feels so unfamiliar. I still remember playing with Laxmi that day, and now she has a kid. Time actually flew, but it was a slow one for me.
"Where's your husband?" I asked.
I watched her smile drop. I furrowed my brows in confusion. She had a relationship; her boyfriend was a good man.
"W…woh, leave it." She said.
"Tell me, Laxmi. I was really excited to see you guys together for so long." I said.
Her eyes brimmed with tears. I got concerned and held her hand reassuringly.
"M..my family tortured me and forcefully got me married to a man that's thrice my age. I…I'm his 3rd wife." She said.
I was stunned by her words… why?? Just why do no love stories work out in this country? How is falling in love a sin? How can her parents make her marry—
I'm such a hypocrite for saying that. Everyone's parents are the same. Pride comes before everything, even one's life.
I hugged her tightly, and she sobbed in my embrace. This was a story of every house. She was just a bride that got sold for money. Poor people are just toys for these cruel men and society. Even the police don't help us; instead, they make fun of us or even harass us.
"Laxmi, don't cry. It's not your fault… It's just our curse for being born as a woman. But… Keep your daughter away from all the bad eyes. Do not let her face the same fate that you did." I said genuinely.
She nodded and wiped her tears. "Leave it. You go and freshen up, we can gossip all night." She said, and I chuckled.
I stepped into my house, and the nostalgic feeling hit me hard. I could see the past me running around and playing with my younger brother.
"Didi, I'm sorry…" Raghu said.
"What happened, Raghu? Why are you apologizing?" I asked.
"If I had accompanied you that night, you wouldn't have faced this. I… I cry every day thinking about it." Raghu said.
I pulled him in my embrace. I know that he loves me a lot, but it wasn't his fault. I should've been more careful that day. I shouldn't have blind-eyed this cruel world.
"Chal chal… bohut hua. Mujhe bohut bhuk lag rahi hai. Aapni didi ko aapne hatho se khilayega?" Sugandha asked with a tearful smile.
(Yeah, yeah… enough now. I'm so hungry. Will you feed your sister by your hands?)
He nodded repeatedly. And just as expected, he fed me lovingly, and… I wish we could stay like this forever.
But… I'm already missing Rudra Ji. I just saw him this morning, and it's not even been 3 hrs. I wish our houses were a little closer. Sighhh…. My house is located in a field area.
Why am I acting like a woman that's in love… I shouldn't forget my place in that house. A man like Rudra ji can never love me back. It's the harsh truth that I must accept and act accordingly.
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