आम सी लड़कियों के शहजादे नहीं आते "
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Author's POV
Prithvi ji politely said, "Ab aap Samayara ko vidaa kar dijiye, hum apni bahu ko le jaana chahte hain."
"Daadu, ye dhokha hai. Main is shaadi ko nahi maanta. Inhone hum logo se itni badi baat chhupayi, humein btaya tak nahi aur kisi aur ko mandap mein bitha diya. Main nahi maanta ye sab." Aarav was so angry. He was not ready to accept this, he was not ready to accept Samayara as his wife.
"Aarav, ye sach hai ki inhone baat chhupayi par ab tumhaari shaadi Samayara ke saath ho chuki hai. Tum maano ya na maano par aaj se tum dono shaadi k pavitra bandhan mein bandh chuke ho, tum dono aaj se pati patni ho." Daadi was trying to calm him down .
"Kaun sa pavitra bandhan daadu.? Jahan dhokhe se inhone kisi ko bhi bitha diya aur is pavitra agni ka aur is pavitra rishte ka apmaan kiya. Main is ladki k saath koi rishta nahi rakhna chahta. Aap logo ko ise apne ghar ki bahu banana hai aap banao, main ise apni patni nahi maan sakta."
With this he harshly broke the jaimala ( wedding garland ) and left from there. Everybody knows about his anger but at the same time they also know it broke him down, as he already faced his heartbreak, it was very difficult for him to move on from Devika, now this happens. It will take time for him to calm down .
Meanwhile, Samayara was standing like a statue, not crying, just standing with her head hanging low. Everyone was so busy on their own they somehow, not intentionally, forgot about her.
Her Chachu came forward and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Laado, tu theek hai.? "
This was it. She hugged him very tightly and started crying. Now everyone's attention was on her .
"Chachu I don't want to go...Please keep me with you...I'll be a good...girl . But please....I don't.. want to go...I... don't want...to leave..." She cried in between her hiccups .
Chachi came forward and said , "Laado, aaj se teri nayi jindagi ki shuruwat ho rahi hai. Ise haste haste nibhana hai. Aise rote nahi hain. Ladkiyo ko ek na ek din to jaana he hota hai. Ab se ye tere tera pati aur tere sasural wale pehle hain. Inka khayaal rakhna, inki baat mann na. Mujhe meri bachi k upar poora bharosa hai, wo apne pati ka dil bhi Jeet legi jaldi."
Although chachi was not ready for this, but now that marriage had happened so there was no point to oppose it because she also knows about her in-laws. Their thinking and their mindset. They will not allow Samayara to live with them. That's why she was encouraging her but deep down she was not ready to leave Samayara like this.
( I know you must be wondering why her parents didn't come forward or say something to her because they actually didn't say something to her. They were just performing their duties as parents , but they failed as MAA-PAPA . And Chachu chachi always cherished her like their own daughter , that's why it's difficult for them to let go of Samayara . )
Soon her mother came with a plate of puffed rice. She asked her to take some rice in her hands and tossed them behind her.
With trembling hands and violently beating heart, she took the fistful of rice and tossed them behind her. With each growing step , her heartbeats were also growing but her heart was very heavy.
With each step she thought this was not the life she demanded, this was not the wedding she expected. In fact she didn't want any wedding.
Why MAHADEV ?
She remembered the time when she became cindrella in her fancy dress competition and her brother said jokingly, "Samayara ek din tera bhi prince charming aayega aur tera haath pakad kar tujhe le jaayega."
She closed her eyes and mentally said to her brother, "bhaiya ye mere prince charming nahi hain. Aaj aapki Samayara cindrella nahi, kisi aur ki replacement ban gayi. Mera haath pakadna to door, unhone to mujhe dekha tak nahi. Unhone to mujhe apnaane se he mana kar diya. Aisa kyu hua bhaiya .? " And tears started rolling down her cheeks.
Soon, it was the time for the final goodbye. Not a single girl in this world wanted this but this is the ultimate truth. One day or the other day we have to leave our parents house . But in her case, she wanted to leave that house but not in this way.
She never thought of marriage, she only wanted to leave that house and to live with her brother. But destiny ... !!!!!! Who can control destiny.?
She hugged her chachi and they both cried. It was like chachi was her real mother and in reality they were like this.
Chachi consoled her and said , "Laado sirf thodi door he to hai. Jab Mann karega milne aa jaana. Par apna dhyaan rakhna. Jo ho gya wo gya, ab sirf apni nayi life par focus karna aur khush rehna. Main hoon tere saath. Ek call kar diyo aur hum tere paas honge."
Then she moved towards her Chachu , "bacha maine tujhe aise to vidaa nahi karna tha. Maine aur tere dono bhaiyo ne tujhe apne haatho se doli mein bithana tha par aise nahi. Mujhe maaf kar de. Main kuchh nahi kar saka. Apne chachu ko maaf kar de beta. " He was crying hugging her and seeing him Samayara also started crying very badly.
Seeing this, there were tears in every eye. Vidaai is not an easy thing , especially in our culture. It took heart to give our daughters to someone.
"Chachu ,,, mujhe bhi,,, aise nahi,,, jaana tha ,,, mujhe aap ,,, logo ko chhodkar ,,, nahi jaana . Please.. mujhe apne,,, paas he rehne,,, do na" she hugged him tightly.
Her Chachu pulled her slightly just to see her face, "sshhh,,,, ab chup ho ja. Ro mat. Mahadev ko yaad kar aur apni nayi jindagi ki taraf apne kadam badha . Hum sab tere saath hain."
Then she moved towards her parents . They were sad but not very emotional. She hugged her mother . She does hug her but is not very warm. She was still in anger due to her elder daughter. She didn't say any soothing words to her just said , "apna dhyaan rakhna."
Samayara didn't expect even this. She thought she would not say anything to her.
Samayara then moved towards her father. She just hugged him but he didn't hug her back. In fact he placed his hands on her shoulder and said , " late ho raha hai."
She was taken aback, she does expect cold behaviour but not that much at least not today. But .!?!?
She then moved towards her grandparents. She hugged them and to her surprise they hugged them too . It was the first time that they showed any warmth towards her. Feeling this, she started crying .
Chachi came forward and said, "beta chal boht ho gya, ab aur mat ro. Nahi to tabiyat khraab ho jaayegi." She pulled her from their hug.
Ladies from Aarav's family had already left because they had to welcome their daughter-in-law.
Chachi gave Samayara's phone to her and asked , "Laado pahunch k message kar dena, apna dhyaan rakhna aur mujhe pta hai ki tune kuch nahi khaya, kuch khaa lena. Main tera samaan kal bhijwa dungi."
She was literally a mother figure to her. She always took care of her .
They were now near the doli car in which she had to leave for her new journey, where there will be strangers.
Her chachu, trying to stay composed, placed a trembling hand on her head.
"Khush rehna beta..." he whispered, voice breaking, a single tear rolling down his cheek. He quickly turned away, unable to see his daughter leave.
She turned back once more.
One last look.
One last hug.
One last wave.
Her heart was really pacing at a very high speed because now, she had to face her actual fate, her life partner, who just few minutes ago declared that he didn't accept her as his wife. And then she stepped into the car, her new life waiting ahead .
Behind her the gate disappeared slowly.
A chapter ended quietly.
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Samayara's POV
After bidding farewell to all my family members, now it was the time to face my actual fate, my life partner. I know how he would be feeling right now .
Boht bura lagta hai jab aapke apne he aapko thag lete hain aur hum dono aaj usi kashti mein sawaar hain.
Jyaadti inke saath bhi hui aur mere saath bhi aur kasoor hum dono mein se kisi ka nahi tha, halaat aise they na main kuch bol paayi aur na wo samajh paaye."
I was hell nervous sitting beside him . But do I have any choice.? A big NO .
Should I try to talk to him.? Baat kar k dekh lo, jwalamukhi hai kabhi bhi fatt sakta hai. Take risk on your own Samayara.
( My subconscious mind mocked me.)
I slowly turned my face towards him . He was looking outside the window . He was sitting in full anger. His jaws were clenched. His fists were so tight. His knuckles turned white.
I knew this was not the time to talk to him, so I turned my face towards the window and I didn't realise when I started crying silently .
.
.
.
.
I was still in my thoughts when the car came to the halt. My eyes turned towards the right side of the seat to check him, he was already outside the car.
Slowly I gathered my courage and with this heavy lehanga with a heavy heart and trembling hands, I opened the door.
I was about to step out of the car , when a girl of almost my age gave her a hand to me, "aayiye bhabhi, aap aaram se car se neeche utar jayiye . "
I was trying to recall her name all thanks to my "not to trust anybody soon and introvert to some extent " nature that I didn't remember her name.
I looked at her blankly, maybe she understood why I was looking at her like this, she said very smilingly sweetly, "bhabhi main aakriti, aapki nanad. Ab chalein.?"
I was shocked, I didn't expect them to be that polite after what happened or you can say what we did to them.
I placed my hand in hers, I adjusted my lehanga from my free hand. My hands were trembling, she gently squeezed my hand like she was saying "I got your back, don't worry."
Not sure what would happen next, how I will be treated I was just walking slowly, slowly . I bet I can beat tortoise in this race and my heart was like It can beat Usain bolt.
We slowly but finally reached the main entrance. And I was shocked. I didn't expect this , so I blinked my eyes, once, twice, thrice but it was true. My jaw dropped. My eyes narrowed. I could feel tears in my eyes and they were ready to roll down on my cheeks.
The whole family except him was standing there with a smile. They all were ready to welcome me. But do they. ? I don't know.
My eyes glistened not with joy, but with the weight of knowing that I didn't belong here... not really.
The air was thick with unspoken words.
Maybe for rituals they accept me but what if tomorrow they all turned against me. ? What would I do then . ? Should I trust them . ? What if they punish me for sitting beside their son in place of my sister. ? What if they punish me for the mistake done by my parents. ? Am I not accepted. ? Would they believe me if I told them that I was forced to marry. ? What if ......my race of thoughts came to an end when aunty ( now my mother-in-law ) said , "beta wahan kyu khadi ho.? Andar nahi chalna kya.? "
"Aap mujhe sach mein andar bula rahe ho.? Aap mujhse naraaz nahi ho kya.? Aap sab aise smile kaise kar sakte ho jab aap logo k saath itna kuch hua hai to.? Aap log mujhe waapis to nahi bhejoge na.?" I had no idea when I started crying while saying all this. I had no idea why I was saying this to them. I know I might hurt them with my words but I was hurt, insecure.
They smiled again and then aunty said, "Beta, ye sab baatein kal karenge, abhi k liye hum humaari Lakshmi ka greh pravesh kar lein. ? Aao ab andar aao. Aur agar tumhe waapis bhejna hota to hum tumhe lekar nahi aate. Ab andar aao."
They told me to lightly kick the pot of rice with my right foot. I do as they say. Then they told me to dip my feet into a thali filled with red alta or kumkum mixed with water. I dipped my feet and started walking leaving red footprints on the white cloth spread before me.
Each step i took marks the beginning of my new journey - a daughter now turned into a daughter-in-law ( unwanted and a replacement ) .
I don't know why I thought this but I wish he was present there beside me , walking with me while I enter their home. But I know how he would be feeling. He was right in his place . How would he accept me . ?
Now they took me to their home mandir. I gently folded my hands and closed my eyes. I was blank. I had no idea what to wish for from GOD.
The moment I closed my eyes , I unintentionally recalled all the moments when I was forced to get married and I had no idea when my silent tears became loud ones .
I stopped crying or you can say I had to stop crying the moment I felt a warm hand on my shoulder. It was Daadi's hand. She gently turned me towards her and said, "Bache jo ho gya wo ho gya. Ab apni nayi jindagi ki shuruwat karo. Thoda mushkil hoga par jab INPAR ( GOD ) bharosa ho to saari mushkil aasan ho jaati hai. Tum akeli nahi ho, hum sab hain tumhaare saath." I wiped my tears.
Then we came to the living area, aunty (my mother in law) lovingly caress my hair and asked me to sit on the sofa. I make myself comfortable and slowly sit on the sofa.
Then she took the seat beside me and asked, "beta tumhe bhookh lagi hogi.? Kuch khaaogi."
I had no idea what to reply.? What to say and what not to. I lifted my head a little and before I could stop my tongue, words slipped from my mouth , "aap logo ne bhi to kuch nahi khaya.? Aap log bhi to bhookhe honge na . ? "
A question heavy with silence .
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Author's POV
The whole family was there when she was welcomed except Aarav. The moment he stepped out of the car, he didn't spare a single glance on Samayara, not for a second. He was about to enter the home when his daadi asked, "Arey beta kahan Jaa rahe ho.? Thoda wait Karo, Samayara k saath andar aana."
He was not in a mood of any of these kind of talk, he was very angry but still somehow he composed himself and said, "Daadi please, main is waqt is baare mein koi baat nahi karna chahta, aapko use ghar k andar laana hai aap log le aao but mujhse koi umeed mat karna. Sorry daadi."
And without waiting for their reply he hurriedly rushed towards his room .
Samayara was welcomed with a smile though small but genuine on their face. Though it was not a grand welcome as expected but still they didn't let her feel that she was not accepted. For some, it might take time to accept her. But, what was her fault in this.? She was forced. She was replaced in place of her sister .
They do all the rituals. When Kumud ji asks her if she wants to eat something, she might be hungry . Her reply made them shock . The reply "aap logo ne bhi to kuch nahi khaya.? Aap log bhi to bhookhe honge na . ? " laced with concern, warmth and may be love.
She further said, "Please Don't skip meals just because everything's broken and Daadu Daadi especially aap dono aapko is umar mein itni der bhookha rehna theek nahi."
Something shifts in their heart . Everything-Everyone was broken but she was the one who was suffering more but here she was concerned for all of them.
Her reply, merely of a few words stirred something in their hearts. They didn't expect this. These were the first words of her to the family and those words were carved in their hearts.
The words were full of care, warmth and concern. She unknowingly started making her place with her gesture. It was not loud, just a few words with a broken heart.
And a warm smile made the way on their face.
Dinner was served but it was not full fledged, just enough to give their tummy to stop making funny noises.
Samayara was not interested in eating her food, her eyes were roaming here and there just like she was searching for something or maybe someone .
Aadvik, who was just sitting on the couch, noticed her gaze, leaned slightly forward and teasingly said , "bhabhi, aap jise dhoondh rahi hain , wo nahi aayenge. Aap please aaram se khaa lijiye."
A small smile came across her lips with tears in her eyes. She hadn't expected this. But still a little blush was there on her cheeks .
She sank in her seat. Head down. She wanted to just disappear from there.
Kumud ji saw all this, she asked her , "beta thoda sa kha lo. Phir tum aaram kar lena. Abhi boht late ho gya hai aur hum baaki ki rasmein kal karenge."
She lifted her head up, avoiding everyone's gaze, she hesitantly asked Kumud ji, "aa,,,aunty,,,inhone,,, kuch khaya..?"
She didn't want to ask this. The way he refused to accept her, but according to her, she learned to respect every relation and theirs was the most sacred, whether they accept it or not. Her chachi teaches her the value and she follows her.
Every spoon stopped. Every eye turned towards her. Every heartbeat stopped just for a second. How could she still think of others, especially him. Who turned his back towards her.?
She didn't have to. She was suffering the most yet she was composed.
"Beta, firstly call me maa or mummy not aunty. I am not that old. And secondly, you don't worry bacha I will send food for him. Please have some food and after that you have to rest."
Just like that the way she was welcomed, there was a hope in Samayara's heart.
Hope, maybe, she was accepted.
Hope, maybe, she can call them her family.
Hope, maybe, she was forgiven.
But still in the deep corner of her heart, the question rises, Will she be able to melt her stone hearted husband's heart. ?
Will he accept her as his wife but not as a replacement.?
Will he allow her to use his surname out of love not from just responsibility.?
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