NEW FF ...THE UNEXPECTED updated page 39 - Page 4

Originally posted by: payal7

Love this chapter

I am absolutely loving the way you are showing the old Sugni-Gulabia relationship wih G being the pragmatic woman she use to be.

The original SugVi are back👏👏👏

Love their friendship. The mutual respect and concern they have for each other is heart warming. I hope this time Sugni is as protective of him as he is and always was of her

Originally posted by: ronshaan

hi vinnie

nice progress chapter 3

vikram sugni chat was nice to read and yes gulabiya .. Now i can see from where she comes.. she try her best to protect sugni but ... but .. let's see what will happen next.

Chapter 4

Gulabiya sat with the other bednis, a week later, in a tent at the side of the main house, waiting for them to be called, so that they can start their performance. For once she was not taking part in the gossip these fallen women shared about the Thakurs and Thakurines. Tonight she was distracted by her earlier conversation with Sugni.

After listening to the threats made by Thakur Jwala Singh to force Sugni to join the tradition one way or the other, and hearing the talks of some of her own "friends" who was saying Sugni was playing it smart trying to trap a powerful Thakur, she was concerned. However, she also believed in her daughter with all her heart. She wanted to make Sugni's childhood dream of not becoming a bedni come true. That was part of the reason she agreed for Sugni to go back to work in the fields.

She knew come what may, Sugni was right in the sense that Vickram Thakur would in deed protect her daughter from Jwala. As she saw him do so time and time again. So she was not worried about that, as for any consequences that might have she was willing to endure it for her daughter's happiness.

What worried Gulabiya though, what was scaring her, was Sugni herself. Sugni was developing an attachment to Vickram Thakur that Gulabiya feared went beyond just some weird "friendship" as her daughter put it. It was evident today the way she defended Vickram. Thinking about it , she realized there was not a day that Sugni wen t with out mentioning him multiple times.

She knew that Sugni herself was unaware of this fact, but anyone who know her well could see it in her face whenever they talked about him. This had Gulabiya wondering if it was wise for her to allow Sugni to work so close to him.

Yes Vickram Thakur was different from the other Thakurs, she would not deny that. But he was still a Thakur! And her innocent Sugni who was even now influenced by him'if he suddenly feels that thakur's blood in his veins and starts seeing her as a bedni then'. Was she just pulling Sugni out of the pot to throw her in the fire?"Oh Sita miya, am I sending her into a trap? Please Protect my baby" She prayed silently.

She had told Sugni on her birthday she would not stop her from going to the fields, but as the days passed she found herself making excuses to stop Sugni from going telling her she needed her to do one thing or the other. Sugni was anxious to go start, but Gulabiya kept saying "what is one more day?"

That gimmick was up as she had a feeling Sugni was beginning to see past her excuses when she came to her today telling her she was going to join tommorw.

"But Sugni.."

"Maa..please don't tell me you need something else! I know what you are doin'you don't want me to go na." She said knowingly.

"What..why would you say that?"

"Oh maa I know you'and I know you are worried about what people are saying. Maa look, tell me this you have known Thakur Mallick since he came here, and even before he moved from here right?"

"Yes I remember him."

"And was he ever like the others'you tell me?"

After some thought she said. "No he was never seen running around after girls like the others, but then their mother had him under strict control, even back then the family was different. And if he did see people in trouble he did help unlike the others.'

"Well he still does the same" Sugni said. "Maa you told me people are known for their actions not who they are by birth. I learned early on what these Thakurs give., believe me Maa, he is nothing like that, he has a good heart. I know you worried about me, but look not with a mother's eyes but as a woman, would you really rather me dance and and endure all those nasty stars and comments'or out in the fields during the day working hard, but not having to feel ashamed at the end. It's my dream that is coming true'but I can't enjoy it if you are not happy for me. Trust your Sugni, she will not do anything wrong maa." Sugni said earnestly.

Gulabiya caved in front of her daughters logic. She was right, this was her chance for a better life, and she was probably letting her old bias come in the way of her daughters happiness. "Ok Sugni..you have my blessing, from my heart. I am happy and I will not try to stop you any more'you go to the fields'and tonight I will dance in happiness for your new start and this will be my last Raai 'for you!' She said, knowing that would be the seal to let Sugni know that she was truly happy and ok with that decision. Even though she accepted it'there were still that lingering doubts but she shook it off. Sugni will be fine. '

The pain started in her chest as she began dancing, she tried hard to take breaths and ignore it, but she could not , as she began feeling faint. She heard the screams of the ladies around her, as she felt herself falling to the ground'then suddenly everything went black'.

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Sugni rushed into the hospital , frantic to find where her mother was. She was horrified when Bamsukiya came at her door step to inform her Gulabiya fainted again while dancing and was rushed to the hospital, she begged him for a ride to get here, and now here she was. She finally found a nurse who told her her mother was in the cardiac ward.

She was pacing the halls wondering where she should go when a Doctor and a nurse walked into the hallway. "Any member of Gulabiy's family here yet?" he asked.

"No doctor." The nurse said

"I..I am here 'I am'" She sai d running to them, they both looked at her. Sugni thought the doctor had a sympathetic look on his face.

'And you are?" The Doctor asked.

"S..Su..Sugni , her daughter, how is my maa?" she asked

"We are trying to help her'I would like to ask you a few questions."

"O K"

"Did your mother know she had a heart problem?" The doctor asked

"Heart problem?"..Sugni shook her head'

"Has anything like this happen before?" He asked

"Uh ..yes..once" Sugni answered. Suddenly she was very scared. What was she supposed to do here. She explained to the doctor her mother's last visit to the hospital.

"I See'I am sure who treated your mother, must have told her she had to give up extreme work and that includes dancing., but she was dancing tonight.' Sugni stared at the doctor, maa told the doctor said she was fine all she need was some rest and she will be back to normal soon. Her mother was lying , and she continued dancing knowing fully well Sugni would never agree if she knew the truth.

"Haai Sita maiya, please protect my maa!" she prayed.

"Sugni we are trying our best to help her, but we are unable to get her heartbeat under control which is a problem'. We have to keep an eye on her." He said.."It dose not look good" he said sadly.

"Ca..can I see her?" Sugni asked.

"Yes'come with me'"

He led her to Gulabiya's bedside. Sugni was even more worried now looking at all the machines hooked up to her mother. Why maa , why didn't you tell me?- Sugni thought. She sat at her mothers bedside holding her hand.

"Maa?" She said softly.

"She is asleep, with the medication." The nurse said softly. "She might wake up in a while,"

"Thank you." Sugni said politely. "Get better soon maa'please'and and don't worry'I promise you won't dance again.. I will work'and take care of you." She said "Just get better please.!'

A while after Sugni was called out of the ward by a nurse who told her she had company. Company turned out to be her two uncles, Hukum and Katari'Katari was smelling strongly of alcohol and Hukum had red eyes. After so many hours they now show up! Sugni could not hide the irritation on her face.

"We came as soon as we heard. How is she?" Hukum asked Sugni. Sugni shook her head in disgust at that blatant lie, this village was the size of a pin where news travels faster than fire. Yet they claimed they now found out.

"Resting." She said, she did not bother to tell them the extent of her condition as she knew it would not matter to them much. The stood looking at each other awkwardly . Finally Hukum cleared his throat.

"Um..Sugni, did Jiji (sister) , get paid for tomight?" he asked. Sugni looked at her uncle in anger'how dare he think of money at a time like this when his sister was fighting for her life inside the ward.!

"Wow'Mamaji'you are too good'.that is what you came to find out'what you ran out of money to buy your drinks!" She said scathingly.

"Aaye'Sugni'how dare you talk to me like this." Hukum said

"How dare you come here and ask such a disrespectful question'your sister, my mother is fighting for her life'she is in here because of you pressuring her to go back and do Raai , when she should not be. For your happiness ..see the result??? And you come here and the only thing you can ask is if she got paid??? Shamless!" Sugni said turning her back o him'. If they had no respect for her mother she had non for them!

"Sugni'you misunderstood'all I wanted to know is if she got paid '.so I could go pay the hospital bill naa'if that is not enough..we can asks Jwala to he.."

"Enough Mama'stop with the lies, I know what you want' their is no need to use this as an excus to go begging to Jwala Singh. As for the hospital bill I will pay it somehow. Now would you like to see your sister? or is that too much ?" she asked.

It was embarrassment more than anything else that made the brothers go in to see their sister for a few minutes. After a few minutes, they left quietly not even bothering to say good bye to Sugni. Not that she expected any, she was constantly at loggerheads with her lazy good for nothing uncles, who did nothing but complain to her mother about the lack of money, and pressuring her to get Sugni to join the trade!

The soft moaning from the bed drew Sugni's attention as she saw her mother stirring.

"Maa?" she breathed.

"Sugni?"

"I am right here!" She said. Gulabiya opened her eyes and looked at her daughter's face. Sh e looked tired, and her eyes were telling the story of how worried she was. She closed her eyes and sighed.

"I'll go call the doctor." She said making a move to get up.

"No..stay..i want to talk to you first please." She said holding her hand.

"What maa? You know how worried you had me, but it will be alright..the doctor will help to make you better I am sure." She said smiling. "Just rest Ok .."

Gulabiya looked at her child, knowing she had to be string to face what was to come. Thinking about it made her sad. But she needed to make Sugni understand '

"Sugni please'just listen please."

"Ok baba , what?" Sugni said sitting straight as she smiled at her mother..

"Sugni'you are such a brave and daring girl. And I am sorry I could not do more to give you the respectable life you wanted" She said honestly.

"Maa'stop we, you are the best mother'don't talk like that'just rest and get better."

" NO Sugni 'listen I want you to always listen to your heart, and don't let anyone not even me, tell you should not do that. Don't give up on your dreams. No matter what happens. And honey you need to be strong to face these people'but you are strong'just don't forget it ..no matter what ok!" She said, her breathing shallow.

"Maa..stop all this talk'I don't like it." Sugni said, farrowing her brows. He mother was scaring her It almost felt as though she was saying'. No no no she would not think like that. Her mother will get better!

"Sugni!"

"Shh the doctor said that you need to rest , and to call if you got up ..I am going to find him'I will be back. She said as she walked out the door. Sugni returned a few minutes later , with doctor in tow.

Sugni fell asleep at her mother's bedside, she refused to leave until the doctor told her that her mother was out of danger. He mother told her to go get some rest but Sugni said no. She was not leaving.

The incessant beeping of the machine awoke Sugni from her chair as she looked over at her mother, who was struggling to breath. "Maa'Maa" She shook her but got no response. Scared out of her wits sugni ran down the hall way alerting the nurses about something being wrong.

She looked on in horror as the doctors and nurses rushed to her mother's side trying to resuscitate her, then she was asked to leave by one of the doctors and was sent to the small waiting room . "Oh Sita Miya , help her please please" . She prayed as she sat in the chair wondering what was happening.

Sugni never felt more alone and helpless than she did at this moment. Sitting here by her self. It seemed like hours but was probably minutes when she saw the doctor coming to her . She looked at him, something in Sugni's brain telling her this was not good., she knew before he said it 'but she did not want to hear it.

"Ms. Sugni?" he said softly looking at her with troubled eyes.

"Yes?" She said.

"I am am afraid I have some bad news'your mother'"

"My mother needs you, why are you out here'you should be in there helping her..go go go on she needs you." She said quickly.

"I am so sorry , we tried everything we could, your mother is no more!" He said coming to stand close to her. "Is there someone we can call for you'another family member " He asked Kindly.

But Sugni was not hearing him. "No No'doctor she can't leave me'no '" She looked at him "You go back there and help her'I 'll sit right here'you work on her go ..go " she said sitting on the chair. She closed her eyes shutting him out. She wrapped her arms around her middle'what a funny doctor making jokes at this time. No her mother was ok'She was going to get better.

Hello Vinnie

A very unexpected development vinnie !!!!!

Chapter 5

Vickram walked out of Dr. Suman's hospital office, disappointed at not being able to see her for his appointment today. He was told due to some unexpected emergency she had to rush off and that he had to make another appointment. He decided he would call her later and find a better time to meet.

He wanted to know how soon he could start the get the ball rolling on his divorce proceedings, now that he decided that is what he wanted he did not want to wait too long. He also wanted this to be as easy as possible for Reva. He did not want her suffering any undue stress or setbacks because of this. Dr. Suman had asked for a few months, he was willing to wait, but he had a few questions.

Ever since his declaration 2 weeks ago, Reva was acting different...quite, calm. Even go far enough to start cooking again something she had not done so far back even he could not remember. She said it relaxed her. Even Neeranjan and his mother backed off with their remarks, although his mother was starting to make noise about children and grandchildren he did his best to ignore.

Vickram was pulled out of his musings when as he walked out the hall and over herd the conversation of the two people in front of him.

"Did anyone get in contact with any of Gulabiya's brothers?" the doctor asked the nurse

"No Doctor…I am worried it is almost lunch time and Sugni still has not moved, when we tried to talk to her she just keeps saying her mother will wake up..it's like she dose not want to accept it" The nurse said sadly.

Sugni? Gulabiya? What was going on Vickram wondered.

"Excuse me Doctor?" he said , they both stopped and turned to him. "Sorry I could not help over hear your conversation. Is Gulabiya back in the hospital?" He asked .

"And you are?" the Doctor asked looking at him.

"Oh Sorry Vickram …Vickram Singh a friend of the family."

"OK..Sorry but Gulabiya died earlier this morning due to heart failure…we tried our best but…" He shook shook his head sadly. "Her daughter Sugni has been her since last night, and she did not take the news well, she dose not want to believe her mother is gone, she is sitting in the waiting room insisting we come back here and help her mother."

"Oh my God!" Vickram said shocked.

"And where are her uncles?" he asked.

"No one showed up since last night, for a few minutes. She seems all alone…they should be here at a time like this, we were hoping some one would turn up to visit …but no one is here yet and it is almost lunch time!..If…you could probably talk to her…she can't stay here and arrangements need to be made." The Doctor said sympathetically.

"Yes..yes I will..Please can you arrange for the bills and I will clear it and whatever else needs to be done. Thank you doctor."

The nurse who had left while they were talking came back with a small bundle she was carrying as she told him it was Gulabiys belongings she had with her upon admittance.. She showed Vickram to the waiting room. "it is so sad, to be alone at a time like this she seems so lost." The nurse commented.

Vickram could only imagine what she must be going through . As he entered the little waiting room, he spotted Sugni sitting in the corner of the waiting room on a chair, her arms wrapped around her middle. She did look lost.

He walked up to her and touched her shoulder, alerting her to his presence. She looked up at him. As she smiled slightly . "Thakur Mallick , Maa is in the hospital…they are working on her…but I don't understand what they are saying…can you talk to them please.." she pleaded, ,eye eyes filling with tears.

"I will…but Sugni I need you to come with me…I'll take you home."

"Home? No no I can't go home Maa is in there…she needs me…I have to stay until they fix her." She said. Vickram closed his eyes, her words and heart broken expression tugging at him. This poor girl.

"Ok we won't leave…but can you come out side with me…it might be easier to talk …please."

She stood up and followed him outside. He walked towards his jeep , where he asked her to sit. She did. He sat next to her, as he turned to look at her. She was watching the hospital doors. He knew she was trying hard to convince her self, but she was failing.

"Sugni…your mother passed.." He began

"Maa is going to be ok…she is just a little sick…look I should be back there…" She said, cutting him off.

"Sugni…look at me." He said sternly. She did not. Taking the little bundle that was her mothers belongings he placed it on her lap quietly, she looked down at the bundle as if in shock.

"I am sorry Sugni…she is gone." Silently she shook her head a tears ran out of her eyes.

"Sugni …you need to go home …things need to be arranged…you can't stay here" He said quietly.

"No…noo I can't leave her…" she said feebly.

"Do you want to make this harder for her?" he asked

"No." She shook her head.

He placed his hand on her s…"Then we should make sure she doesn't have any more trouble right? We need to go home…that's all everything else will be taken care off just come home ok?"

She nodded silently not saying a word, as she hugged the bundle to her chest. Vickram started the jeep driving out of the parking lot and towards her home.

The trip to Sugni's house was a quite one. Sugni was sitting in a daze quietly crying not paying attention to her surroundings. Vickram made one stop home to pick up Rattu instructing him to take care of whatever needed to be done and over see that it all took place properly. He had a feeling Sugni's uncles would not be of much use.

Vickram pulled in front of Sugni's house , sounding the horn. The door opened and Four people walked out. Vickram shook his head, they seemed so unconcerned about their sister and niece.

" Vickram Takhur Mallick!?" Hukum asked as came to the front to the jeep. Sugni was still seated like she had no idea they were there.

Vickram told him what happned to their sister. As Hukum broke down. Soon every one was crying . Vickram and Rattu seeming to be the only level headed ones. Champa who lived two houses away cam e over to find out what was going on. Vickram turned to her. "Please take Sugni inside…help her out." He said

"Yes Takur mallicK" . Champa took Sugni and led her into the house. He then turned on Hukum and Katari. "look you two have a lot of work to do, preparations to be made. Sugni has been through a lot. And I don't expect her to handle this alone . She was your sister too." He said to them.

"Yes…" Hukum turned to Katari. "we have to go to Jwala Thakur Mallick…maybe he will help us with some money…" He said.

"Don't worry about it…that is taken care off…just see about things here." Vickram said.

He left them to make preparations as he went back to the hospital to finalize the body and clear her bills.

The Funeral was a small simple affair, Gulabiys fellow dancers turned out to pay their respects to her, Vickram showed up which was surprising to every one that a Thakur actually cared enough about a bedni to make sure she had a proper funeral. Jwala Singh did not even bother to show up for the woman he brought twenty one years ago. Not that that was so unusal no one expected anything different.

Sugni was in a daze through it all, accepting condolences not really aware of the goings on aound her until it was time to see her mother off to the cremation grounds. Where she broke down a little, but controlled it wanting to see everything was done right . Her aunts and uncles for once showing her concern for her loss by leaving her on her own.

The thirteen days of mourning passed in Sugni's house as though time stood still. Sugni spent her time keeping herself busy , not thinking of the loss she cleaned the small house then cleaned it again,seeing to everything that was needed for the rituals even if it was done already. Nights were the hardest where try as one might to keep busy the quite crept in and she would see that empty bed that was her mothers that first night was to hard , so she moved outside catching restless winks. .

As the final ceremony in honor of her mothers death ended thirteen days later Sugni was forcing herself to stay around with the people and accept more condolences . All she wanted to do was go back to her room. Champa was also helping cleanup and Sugni though to join her for something to do than receive pitiful looks. She was also beginning to hear whispers about now it was her turn to join the ladies in Bumshukiys's truck and start taking care of home. She ignored those.

As she was making her way to her Champa who was folding some sheets she over herd her uncles talking to each other.

"I will ask him when he comes…I mean we do need money now that Jiji is gone…Sugni will not be well enough to work yet…We all know he will help …he saw all to all this… but you know… I went to Jwala Thakur and he also gave me some money for jiji's teervi!...why wouldn't he she was after all his bedni."

"Did you tell him Vickram Thakur was helping?" Katari asked his brother.

"Yes that is why he gave me money…" Hukum chuckled like it was a joke.

Sugni was disgusted at her uncles attitude , knowing fully well they would take advantage of Thakur Mallicks kindness, she was about to give them a piece of her mind but remembering that their was people around she stopped. Feeling a bit suffocated she decided to go out for a walk , hurriedly leaving to go to one place she might get some peace.

Vickram walk into Sugni's house, sorry that he missed the ceremony but as he was about to leave he had to attend to a very important phone call that could not be avoided. He looked around at some of the guest but did not see Sugni anywhere. He did not get a chance to talk to her properly since the funeral, She was upset and he wanted to talk to her but she was surrounded by her aunts and Champa and Vickram thought they were there to take care of her.

Spotting Champa Vickram walked over to her.

"Hey Champa did everything happen ok?" he asked

"Yes Thakur Mallick, " she asnswered

"Where is Sugni?" He asked

"She got upset, and she she went for a walk…there is only one place she would go at a time like this. The temple"

"hmmm….Ok" Vickram said walking back out. The temple was a shot walk from here so he decided to foot it. He spotted her sitting on the stairs of the temple.

"Sugni?' He said sitting next to her.

She wiped her face as she smiled slightly 'Thakur Mallick, hello"

"hello." He said sitting quietly at her side

"I am sorry." She said as he looked at her confused. "I did not come out to thank you for all your help, if mom was here na ..she would tell me I was being rude."

"Sugni…you don't have to thank me…it would be wrong of me not to help at this time. Whatever you need..just ask."

She looked at him. "You helped so much, and because of you she got a proper…" She shook her head not wanting to say it…"But please don't listen to my uncles now…they just ..want to take advantage…please we will be fine." She said, knowing very well what her uncles give.

"Sugni..don't worry about them ok…I know how to deal with them. Just think about you ok." He told her.

She shook her head… "It's like they don't even care that she's …that she is …go..gone" She said her ters spilling from her eyes.

As long as Sugni knew her mother she was always with a smile on her face. She worked hard , but she took care of the house and her brothers. She even did what the other bedni's did not do, she sent Sugni to get an education. She listened as Sugni went on and on about what she learned. She told her one day , she got a sense of satisfaction seeing Sugni have a carefree child hood, that she did not have.

Her mother sacrificed a lot for her family, and Sugni seeing them happy and just as she was about to get some rest of her own…she left. Her mother was her security blanket..she knew no matter what she always had her mother to run to with her problems, her joys her sorrows. Her mother was her best friend. Now she was gone. Sugni had no idea how she was going to go on now. Suddenly she started to cry in earnest, all the tears and fears pain and loss she was feeling came spilling out as she wept bitterly.

"I know…it's hard..now …" he said.

"She was all I had…the only one who understood me…now she gone…" She wept.

"I know…" they sat there for a long while , her grieving and him offering her the comfort she needed.

Belatedly Sugni's brain kicked in and she realized that this was not right. Only it did not feel wrong. Wiping her eyes she straightened up. "I _I am sorry Thakur Malick I should not have…"

"Sugni..stop it…you have nothing to apologize for. At times like this we need a shoulder to cry on, our friends. People who care about us." He said.

"I don't know how to go on with out her" She sobbed.

"Sugni…I know you feel lost , maybe even cheated right now…it was her time…but even if she is not here in the flesh, I am sure she will always be with you, watching you. You just have to pull yourself together now make her proud of you, right."

"I guess" She said.

"You know when you are ready, you can start to work. Take a few days then come back out to the fields, will you do that?" He asked. She nodded.

They sat for a while more in silence. Sugni lost in thoughts of her mother.

"It's getting late…are you ready to go back." He asked checking his watch.

"Yes…I just want to say a prayer…Please" She said indicaing the temple.

"Go on I'll wait for you" He said , she stood up and made her way inside the temple.

Sugni went into the temple and offered a small prayer for her mothers happiness , and strength. As she wiped her tears knowing she really had no time to be weak here.

"I love you maa…always" She said . As she made her way out of the temple. The short walk home was silent but comforting. Sugni looked over at Vickram who was walking with his hands in his pockets. She did not know much but she knew he was indeed different from every one else she knew. Apart from all the help he provided this time, his quite strength, his comfort meant more to her than she could say. Her respect and admiration fro this man just grew ten fold. "Thakur Mallick?" She said

"Yes"

"Thank you for being my friend. For being here…I could not have done this with out you."

"Sugni you.."

"I know , you say I don't have to …but you know what you did for my mom, now and before, for be so different.It's good to know not all Thakurs, not all men are bad. And thank you for showing me that. I just want to say that." She said quietly.

"Thank you Sugni…" he replied

"Huh?" She watched him confused.

"Thank you for considering me a friend…for looking past my title and trusting me. And I am happy and honored to have a friend like you!" He said. He smiled softly which she returned.

They made it home to find most of the guest gone. The few women coming over to tell Sugni they are there to help should she need it. She nodded politely. She noticed them looking at her and Vickram standing at her side and she was sure that would make the gossip rounds soon. She found she no longer cared. The one to answer to was no longer here, and Sugni knew she had no reason to be ashamed, Maa was seeing this from where she was she was sure.