Chapter 242- The Healing Touch
Doctor checked on Suman. She was still unconscious.
" Doctor Saab she is fine right " asked Rajasekhar. Maheswari looked at her husband. She knew he was quite rattled at what has just occurred.
" Rajasekharji there is nothing to fear. I had told almost two years back itself your bahu is under severe depression and trauma. Somewhere I feel today some incident triggered the cause of her trauma and has led to this. See it is not easy for a bride to know she is a widow on a wedding day. Add to that the disgusting ceremonies people do to prove her a widow. Then superstitions, social ostracisation it is beyond what a young girl's mind can take.
She might have managed to live through the period because of the support your family gave her. But that doesn't take away what is suppressed inside her.
I have given her an injection. She will sleep through night. Then there are some medicines. I will give them to your son with instructions. Ensure she takes it on time. Also I need to have a consultation with her tomorrow once she gains consciousness. " told the doctor.
Rajasekhar thanked the doctor and Sudhir accompanied him back. Once he had gone Maheswari looked at Rajasekhar, Sreedhar and Vindhya who were in the room.
" Vindhya once Sudhir is back serve dinner for all three of them. Rajasekhar, Sreedhar I am with Suman and I don't want anyone to stay hungry because of this. Vindhya bring my dinner here. I don't think Renu and Tilak will be back today. Sreedhar you use Suman's room for today. " told Maheswari dismissing everyone from the room.
As Sreedhar reluctantly left the room Maheswari saw him clenching his fist
" Sreedhar beta I know it is difficult for you. But at this point your mother has to give you this pain. If I give you time near Suman you will break. Your Papa is not in a condition to take another shock. Also I don't think it is the right time for him to know about you and Suman. I feel Vindhya or Sudhir can handle your pain. My instinct says they both know about you and Suman "told Maheswari in her mind.
Soon Vindhya bought dinner for Maheswari in the room and Sudhir came back with medicines. He gave them to Maheswari with doctor's instructions.
" Maa are you sure you want to sit here. I can sit with Suman. You take rest " told Vindhya.
" No Vindhya. I will sit through the night. I should have insisted seeing her. I should have asked her what she wanted. Burned to marry my son. I am also responsible for her condition" told Maheswari.
Vindhya looked at her mother in law. She knew Maa was deeply troubled by Murali's death and Suman's condition. She knew there was no point further arguing with Maa once she had made the decision.
Once Vindhya was gone Maheswari sat beside Suman and gently caressed her head. She looked serene and peaceful in sleep.
" Suman today I know why you fell in love with my Sreedhar. You were thirsty for love and he gave you the love that quenched your thirst. My Sreedhar is embodiment of love Suman. He knows only to love and I feel you will be the only one who will know the true value of his love.
I will give you, your Sreedhar Suman. Just give me some time. I need to find a good time to have a talk with your mother. Today I strongly feel you are the answer to the prayer me and Sreedhar's dadi had made to Mata Gowri.
How I wish I could tell you about Sreedhar's horoscope. How I wish I could tell you about the vrat's I have taken for him. If the circumstances were different I would have told you, but in this circumstance I cant tell Suman. I don't want you to think that horoscope is the reason I have decided to marry you to Sreedhar. Yes it is a reason but it is not the only reason. I like you Suman and each indication shows you are the one for my Sreedhar. You are his destiny. Unlike your marriage with Murali everytime I think about both of you I get a very pleasant feeling as if Maa Gowri telling me I am making the right decision.
Also Suman I cant allow Sreedhar to know anything about his horoscope. I cant. You can call it the selfishness of a mother who wants to protect her son from the unpleasant information. I know in a way it might be injustice to you as this world will only see you as inauspicious As Sreedhar's mother I cannot take that blemish from you my child, please forgive me for that. " Maheswari tried to get up, but then Suman turned and clinged to her. Maheswari gently placed her head on her lap.
Sreedhar was in Suman's room. He had told Sudhir Bhaiyya and Vindhya Bhabi he will handle himself. But once they were gone he broke down. Crying badly clutching the tedy he has given Suman.
" Sumi I couldn't even hold you close to my chest when you clutched my kurta. I knew Sumi you needed me. But then the barrier between us is not allowing me to do anything. I cant take it anymore Sumi. I cant pretend what you mean to me. Each passing day it is becoming difficult. I want to love you Sumi. Love you truly, madly, deeply " he hugged the tedy tightly and sat on the floor.
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