Part 13
Baldev arrived in Veera's house and noticed the house was all decorated, ready for their wedding. Ranvi was busy at the farm, and Ratan and chaiji had left to do some last minute shopping for Veera. Veera was home all alone.
Baldev (thinking to himself): "Arre vaah, lagta hai shaadi se pehle hi meri Veera mujhse akele main milna chahti hai."
Baldev found Veera in her room. He went up to her and put his arms around her waist. Veera was taken by surprise and actually smiled, happy to see him.
Baldev (whispering in Veera's ear): "Tu aaj bahut sundar dikh rahi hai. Kal hamari shaadi hai lekin tujhe aaj dekh kar main ab aur control nahin kar sakta."
Baldev began kissing Veera on the cheek, and that's when Veera came back to reality, remembering what she had called Baldev for. She remembered her promise to Bansuri.
Veera moved away from Baldev. Baldev was confused.
Baldev: "Ki hoya? Kal hamari shaadi hone ja rahi hai. To ab kya sharmaana?"
Veera tried to stay strong, but she couldn't. She couldn't imagine living her life without Baldev, but she had to keep her promise to Bansuri chaiji.
Veera turned towards Baldev. That was when Baldev noticed that Veera didn't look happy. She looked sad, but then she quickly recovered, and made a determined face.
Veera: "Baldev, main yeh shaadi nahin karungi! Bhool ja mujhe."
Baldev was shocked. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. In anger, he grabbed Veera's shoulders.
Baldev: "Tu ki keh rahi hai? Mazak kar rahi hai na mujhe tang karne? Chal ab mazak khatam. Sach bata ki baat hai? Mujhse naraaz hai?"
Baldev was really confused. He didn't understand why Veera was saying all this.
Veera looked straight into Baldev's face, trying to be strong and cold in front of Baldev. But, what Baldev didn't see was that Veera was putting on an act. Deep down, her heart was breaking saying all this to Baldev. She loved him, but she had to be harsh in order for him every word that came out of her mouth.
Veera (in a cold and stern voice, like she didn't care): "Baldev, main yeh shaadi nahin karunga, kyunki main tujh jaise gawaar se shaadi nahin kar sakti! Tu aur main bilkul alag hai."
Baldev was stunned. Veera had never ever insulted him or spoken to him in this way. Even when they used to be enemies, she never called him gawaar or illiterate.
Baldev clenched his fists. He was filled with rage. How dare Veera insult him.
Baldev: "Kya kahan tune? Gawaar? Toh ab tak yeh kya tha? Dikhawa? Agar tujhe mujhse shaadi nahin karni, toh shaadi ke liye haan kyun ki?"
Veera looked away from Baldev, struggling to control her tears. It really hurt her to see Baldev upset because of her insults. But, she continued with her act.
Veera: "Baldev, tujhe kya laga? Ki main tujh jaise ladke se pyaar kar sakti hoon? Tu yahan pind main kuch kaam nahin karta, bas sarpanch ke khwaab dekhta rehta hai. Main tujh jaise ladke se shaadi kaise kar sakti hoon?"
Baldev couldn't believe that he could have ever loved this girl. This wasn't his Veera. His Veera would never behave like this. This girl was selfish, and arrogant.
Veera broke free from Baldev's grip. She looked at him with all hate that she could come up with, which was hard for her. Baldev saw Veera take off the engagement ring that he had given her.
Veera: "Yeh le. Ab mujhe yeh nahin chahiye. Ab ja."
Veera began walking away, because she knew if she stayed there any longer, she would break down, and Baldev would find out how she truly feels.
As Veera was walking away, Baldev called out to her.
Baldev: "Jaane se pehle, ek sawaal tha? Kyun kiya tune aisa?"
Veera turned towards Baldev.
Veera (in anger): "Jaan na chahta hai? Uss din jab hum tere ghar Gunjan didi ka rishta mere veerji se karne aaye the, toh tum sab ne mere parivaar ki bahut baizati ki thi. Uss din se maine thaan liya tha, ke main iska badla loongi."
Baldev was shocked.
Baldev: "Tu meri Veera ho hi nahin sakti? Jis Veera ko main janta hoon, woh aisa kabhi nahin karegi. Itni kadhvahat! Tu abhi bhi uss din ko bhula nahin payi! Toh jaa, mujhe bhi tujhse shaadi nahin karni."
Baldev left from there, in anger. As soon as Baldev left, Veera finally broke down.
Veera: "Rabji, mainu maaf kijiye. Main Baldev ko aisa dekh nahin sakti. Lekin mujhe yeh karna pada, Bansuri chaiji ko vaada jo diya tha. Maine toh kab se Baldev aur uske parivar ko maaf kar diya tha uss din ke baad. Lekin mujhe yeh kehna pada. Ab yeh shaadi nahin hogi."
That night, Veera spent it in her room, crying all night. She knew Baldev was hurting, and she was hurting even more after what she had said and done to him.