Chapter 4

Flashback resumes

Umrao: This is how my fate had lost its light when I went to save the wounded bird to Dilawar's place. That was the time he came to me & said he knows the medicine to cure the bird. I went to the room with him only to find nothing or no one was there. It was an empty room. 

That was the time he got an opportunity to abduct me. He blindfolded me, tied the cloth to my mouth, hands & legs, put me inside the gunny bag & took me to the bullock cart that was heading towards the unknown places. The cart had dashed my dad. I had overheard that conversation, That was the last time I saw my dad.

Dilawar: Can't you see & walk? If anything happens, people would say that I have taken my revenge.

VC: It is nothing like that. We don't have any enmity towards each other. The sweet box had fallen down. What will I tell Kumud?

Dilawar to the cart driver: Move ahead. He looks to be innocent but he will get to know if he does not find Kumud.

Cart Driver: What you intend to do?

Dilawar: Kill her.

Cart Driver: If you kill her, what will you get? Instead, sell her to the kotha. It will ruin her, cause disgrace to her parents & you can get good money.

Dilawar: That is a fantastic idea.

They bring her to the Khannum & bua Husaini.

Khannum looks at the girl & said, "Come here, Don't get afraid."

Khannum then takes Kumud to Bua Husaini. She asked her, "What is your name."'

Kumud: My name is Kumud.

Husaini: Where are you from?

Kumud: Bangla

Husaini: What is that Bangla?

Khannum: Faizabad is Bangla.

Husaini: So you are from Faizabad?

Kumud: I have not come here. These people have abducted me and brought me here forcefully.

Husaini caresses Kumud and said: Oh how sad! God knows whose daughter she is.There are so many people who are abducted and brought to the kothas. Do they fear God?It is not our fault. If she is not sold here, she will get sold elsewhere.

Khannum gives a nod and said: She will be fine here at least but look at the girls in other places how they are treated.

Husaini asked Dilawar, "How much do you want?"

Dilawar: I want Rs. 20000/-

Husaini: If you want 20K, you will get it at the cop station. I will give you Rs.10000/-

Dilawar: Don't make this mistake. The girl is very pretty. She will give you good business.

Khanum: You talk too much. She is pretty but she is a human being. I will give you Rs. 12000/-

Hussaini: If you are agreeable to that amount, fine, else take her away.

Dilawar: I agree with the amount.

Khannum: Fine then you wait outside. I will bring the money.

They send Dilawar with the money.

Khannum: From now on, she is our daughter.

BH: Give her to me. I will take her responsibility. You take care of other things.

Khanum: Fine. But I will not call her Kumud. I will call her Umrao.

BH: Wow, nice name. 

She said, "From now on, your name is Umrao."

BH kisses Kumud and takes her to the room. 

While sleeping, Kumud gets to hear Vidyachatur's voice and gets up at the start. and said, "Dad."

BH: What happened my girl? I guess you have got a bad dream. So you woke up.

Kumud: The dream was good. I saw my dad in my dream.

Bua Hussaini caresses her and said, "Sleep."

Kumud once again gets up and tries to leave but Khanum's veil comes to her hand which wakes up Hussaini.

She asked, "What happened?"

Kumud: You will beat me.

BH: I will never beat you. I am like your mom.

She hugs Kumud & asked, "Where you want to go?"

Kumud: I want to go home. 

BH: Your house is very far & you don't even know the routes. The outside world is very bad. So don't even think about going out. As long as we are alive, we won't even make you feel that you miss your parents. I have some set of clothes for you.

She shows her various dresses & asked, "How do you find them?"

Kumud: Beautiful

BH dresses her up with the jewelry & asked, "Now you won't go anywhere right?"

Kumud nods.

Flashback pauses.