Hi dear ... here's the next part ...
Not as dramatic as the serial ... but I hope its reasonable good ...
It was late when she woke up in the morning. She sat up and rubbed her eyes. She didn't sleep too well last night and the reason could be summed up in one word ' Prithvi !
She has tossed and turned in bed the whole night re-living their encounter in the garden. Even now, just the thought of being in his arms made her toes curl in embarrassment. She closed her eyes tightly and tried to erase that scene from her memory.
But that was near impossible. Finally she admitted it, the night was magical !
But it was morning now, and in the harsh daylight there was no magic, only a feeling of acute awkwardness. How was she going to face him ?
She got up and freshened herself. She decided to go into the house today instead of waiting for someone to bring her breakfast.
Prabha was in the kitchen and on seeing Meera, she beckoned her inside.
'It's good to see you up and about, my dear ! Sit down and have something to eat", said Prabha.
Meera sat down and had some parathas and curd. Prabha then reminded her to take her medicines. "Prithvi, specifically asked me to remind you" she said.
"Where is he?", asked Meera hesitantly.
"Well, he suddenly decided to go to the grain market today with all our produce. Usually, the agent picks it up from our granary and transports it to the market. But today, Prithvi was adamant that he would do it himself. It will be quite late by the time he returns" said Prabha.
Meera felt relief sweep over her. Thank God she didn't have to see him today. She was sure by tomorrow morning, what transpired between them in the garden would be a distant memory. And she would studiously stay away from him, she decided.
"Where is Datha?", she asked tentatively.
"He's in his study, you can meet him there if you want" said Prabha. "And, would you take this tea for him ? I need to go and wake Sunheri."
Happily Meera took the tea tray and walked to Datha's study. Just as she was about to enter, she heard a loud shout "Hey", it was Lakhan. "How dare you try to enter Datha's study ? Your place is outside this house. Don't try to cross your limits".
Before she could reply, Datha came out and seeing her carrying the tea tray he said " It's all right Lakhan, I asked her to get some tea for me".
Grumbling under his breath Lakhan walked away. Datha led Meera into the room and patted her cheek, "How is my brave girl today?"
Meera grinned "Eager to spend more time with her father. I have so many things to ask and tell you."
Datha smiled indulgently as he sipped the tea. Father and daughter spent the next one hour talking about everything under the sun.
Finally, Miu hesitantly asked, "Don't you think we should get down to the most important thing now ?".
Datha closed his eyes. "I was trying to postpone this , but I guess you have to know about it sooner or later why your mother and you had to leave this village".
He took her hands in his and said. "Please don't be judgmental, Just listen to what I have to say before reacting."
Meera squeezed his hand and nodded.
"About 20 years ago, I had just returned to the village from Delhi with you and Sudha. We had decided that our education could be put to use here to develop the village.
Sudha worked tirelessly for the welfare of the women in the village. She was a source of strength for the women who were victims of various issues like domestic violence, alcoholic husbands, female foeticide and numerous other ills that plagued the illiterate and ignorant villagers.
At that time we had a Sarpanch who was greedy & power hungry and had medieval notions about how people should live.
He surrounded himself by ruffians and mostly ruled by force. People were too afraid to go against his draconian rules. Time and again Sudha stood up to him and sided with the villagers who were victims of his greed.
One day, when I was out of town, he kidnapped you and Prithvi. That day was considered auspicious for weddings and most villagers got their children married off on that day.
Along with several other village children, the Pundit was forced to conduct your marriage with Prithvi. The Sarpanch felt marrying off a Thakur's daughter to a poor orphan boy would be the ultimate insult and that our family, especially Sudha would be shamed by it and leave the village".
In the meantime, Sudha and my elder brother got wind of this and they tried to rescue you. In the melee that ensued my brother was injured badly and Sudha managed to flee with you. The Sarpanch's goons began firing at the villagers to get them under control and in the process a couple of kids and villagers died.
He laid the entire blame on Sudha, saying she brought misfortune to the village, because she tried to stop an auspicious practice. The gullible villagers believed him and began hunting for Sudha. That was when she left the village taking you with her.
By the time I returned it was all over and the villagers swore never to let Sudha set foot in our village again. The Sarpanch also put a price on her head and goaded people to hunt and kill her.
To save Sudha, I announced that both of you had drowned trying to flee the village. I also sent word to Sudha through mutual friends that she should live in Delhi with you and not return to the village.
But, my white lie that you two were dead made things very difficult for me and I was forced to conduct the annual death ceremony for the two of you every year, though I personally never participated in it.
My elder bother became bed-ridden and bhabhi also blamed Sudha and you for that.
Soon things became so complicated that there was no way Sudha could come back here, even though years had passed and I became the Sarpanch of the village. People could never forget that fateful day !
And to this day, people of the village avoid talking about that incident and unfortunately hold Sudha responsible for the deaths that day".
Miu sat listening to the horrifying story, tears streaming down her face. "And to prove your wife was dead you married Prabhaji", said Miu.Yaar ... I couldn't find a better way to bring out the child marriage thing ... I know it's not up to the mark ... but, I tried ... 😳
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
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