PHS 2- unpublished scenes- Scene 4 Page 3

SCENE 1

Its early morning and Vikram is sitting in his reclining chair reading the newpaper by the light from the nearby lamp. He hears Sugni stir and as he finishes the paragraph sees Sugni walking upto him. Still half asleep Sugni sits down and snuggles up making herself comfortable against his chest. He cannot help but smile as he takes the blanket from the arm of the chair and sees the small smile on her lips and hears the small sign as he wraps it around her tightly.

God she looks soo young Vickram thinks as he looks at her. Instead of picking up the newspaper again Vikram watches Sugni sleep. She looks soo peaceful but he could not forget that she had been through soo much because of him. Vikram still found it hard to believe that despite everything, even after seeing the worst in him she had not only married him but from that day she put the same complete faith/trust in him that she had soo long ago. It never ceased to amaze him how happy she was. It was like a huge weight had been lifted away. Gone was the cold mask and the empty eyes her face had become. Instead her eyes sparkled, and a smile was never far from her lips. But there were differences - this Sugni was more affectionate less practical, softer less harsh, more understanding and there was confidence in the way she conducted herself around the haveli. He loved this Sugni more each day. He wrapped his arms more tightly round her resting his head on hers. He loved these moments that had become part of their daily lives.

A little while later, he felt Sugni nuzzling his neck as she started to wake up. Vikram had learnt that his wife seems to love his stubble. He looked at her as she opened her eyes and smiled. Good morning Vikramji. He kissed her forehead and whispered happy anniversary. Happpy anivasary. Uff nahi aata hai ( I cannot pronounce it) she grumbled still half asleep. Vikram leaned forward and kissed her gently saying tumhe andaaz nahi tum kitni pyari lagti ho (you have no idea how cute you are look). Toh bateya na (So show me) she said still nuzzling his neck. Tumhara adesh saar ankho par (your wish is my commend) He said. As he got up carrying her across the room she exclaimed kya kaar raha hai aap? (What are you doing?). He lowered her on the bed and said with a wicked smile bate raha hai ke tum kitni pyaar ho (Showing you how lovable you are). Sugni blushed. Yaad rakhna tumhari quaish puri kaar raha hu phir sikayat maat karna ke hamari waja se udhne mein daar ho gaye (Remember I am fulfilling your wish so don't complain later that its my fault that you are late getting up). He whispered as he lowered his head and kissed her, Sugni automatically running her hands through his hair. A few minutes later as he started kissing her face she said still running her hands in through his hair a wife has right to complain to her husband and a good husband has to tolerate her complaints. He raises his head and looks at her and says is that right. She nods. So what is a husband's right he asks. Sugni closes her eyes embarrassed but gently pulls his head down to her neck and whispers yeah!

Later Sugni is standing in front of the dressing table combing her hair. Vikram comes behind her and wraps his arms around her pulling her back against him. She signs and closes her eyes. After a few moments she puts down her comb and hands him the necklace that is lying in the jewellery box and he puts it on. She then hands him the mangal sutra and he does the same. She holds up the sindoor box and he puts a small amount on her forehead. She puts the sindoor box down as she feels his arms around her middle. She leans against him wrapping her arms over his. She smiles as their eyes meet in the mirror. They stays like that for a few minutes just savouring the moment even thought this was a routine they had followed everyday since the day after their wedding when Vikram had performed the same task for the first time and she had said jokingly that he will have to do it everyday. To Sugni's amazement he had done it ever since. Sugni then gently turns round and says searching his eyes You are happy aren't you Thankur saab ? Vikram looks at her says my happiness starts and ends with you so you tell me? Sugni with a broad smile says the last 4 months have been the happiest in my life. There you go then Vikram says as he leans down to kiss her. She gently pushes him away saying oh no Thakur saab no more of that. She grabs his hand and says let's go as she leads him to the door. Aap toh chale jayaga paar Kuhu saara din hume taaga karagi (you will go off but Kuhu will rib me all day about coming down late). Vikram chuckled as he follows her out of the room and down the stairs.

SCENE 2

Sugni followed the lady what was her name... yes Reshma Thakurian...into a sitting room. Sungi took a deep breath and sat down where indicated expecting to be ignored for the next hour or so.

She smiled thinking how predictable this had become. On her first social visit Sugni had come with Ma and Kuhu. Whilst pretending to be normal they were all curious as to what had happened and were waiting for Maa and Kuhu to make snide remarks to her so that they could too. But that had not happened because Maa had introduced her as her Bahu and provided a short explanation what had happened (a story Reva has suggested) and although they were not convinced in the absence of any other information they could do no more than be malicious and cruel in a subtle way. When the younger generation had moved to another room they had been polite but had completely ignored her. The first few times it had happened it had hurt but as time passed and she listened to the gossip, the whinging and the petty bitching Sugni was thankful for being left out it. She waited for a few of the younger daughter-in laws to come in but instead she heard Reshma say its just us today. Sugni smiled politely as Reshma carried on.

R: Actually I wanted to meet you. At Sugni's questioning look she expanded I have heard soo much about you that I was curious about you.

S: Oh!

R: well according the grape wine Vikram Thakur had some kind of mid life crisis and you have taken advantage of that to become a Thakurian.

Sugni stared at her open mouthed not knowing how to react.

They also say that, touching her fingers as if counting of a list:

- You had always said you did not want to be a Thakur's bedni but wanted a marriage and home so you latched on to Vikram Thakur and then later to Aditya Thakur before realising that Vikram Thakur was the better catch so went back to him.

- the family hate you but as they don't want to lose their son/brother so they are tolerating you and putting on a front of getting on with you in public.

- you will soon change from wear simple saris to wearing heavy saris to show them that you are a wealthy Thakurian like you are doing by wearing diamonds rather than gold like everyone else

- you are Vikram Thakur's play thing and when he tires of you or is bored or comes to his senses which ever comes first, will throw you out and settle down with a girl from a respected family.

- you are arrogant which is why you make no effort to mix and try to be accepted

I am sure there are a few more but I cannot remember them.

Seeing her expression R: I am sorry am I being too direct? That's why most of the local girls don't like me because I say what I think!!

Its OK. I just... Sugni trailed off.

R: Look, you don't have to answer my questions. You don't know me and for all you know I might twist what you say and tell everyone but the truth is... although I am blunt I don't gossip whatever is said to me in private stays private.

Taking a few deep breaths to control her emotions and after gathering her thoughts Sugni in a quite incredulous voice said do they really think I took advantage of Thakur saab?

R chucking: yep !! She continued still chuckling: Now unlike the rest of these women I have met Vikram Thakur a couple times when he came to pick up / discuss matters with Pitaji and Rajiv (actually I had a good conversation with him to my saas's horror) and I have to say he did not come across to me or Rajiv as a man who could be easily manipulated or who needs to get involved with young girls to boost his ego like many of the sicko's around here.

Sugni could not help but smile as she said: Thakur saab is far too clever to be manipulated.

As Sugni and R smiled at each other Sugni sensed that this is direct non nonsense person was someone she could get along with.

R: So tell me Sugni if you did not take advantage of Vikram Thakur and he is not having a mid life crisis, she said with a smile (he is far too young for mid life crisis BTW) then how did you two get together. I mean no offence but you two are like chalk and cheese - he has everything - good looks, wealth, is educated and he can't be more than 40 so he could have any girl he wanted whereas although I don't know you but based on the fact that you are from the bedni tribe you probably had nothing.

S: If love only happened between people who were matched perfectly there wouldn't be any love stories would there? At R's surprised look Sugni said: Thakur Saab told me that a long time ago. Sugni continued truth is Thakur saab came back here for a peaceful life. Marriage was the last thing on his mind. As for me I wanted nothing to do with any Thakur but whenever our paths crossed I could not help but notice that unlike most of the Thakur's around here he treated everyone with respect and human decency. As I got to know him my respect and admiration for him grew and somewhere along the way we fell in love ...something he had not expected and as for me I didn't even know what love was. But by then I trusted him and that gave me the courage to believe him, when he said we could be together. But it was his strength, determination and unwavering support when everyone around us where throwing obstacles in our path that assured me that come what may he would always be there for me.

R: WOW listening to you mine and Rajiv's story seems positively mundane.

S: Oh no I am sure it not. I probably making it should more melodramatic than it was.

R: I have heard the stories so I know that if anything you are under playing it. Can I ask you, did it not bother you that he was soo much older than you? I mean you are what 20 and he is what roughly 40. So when you are 30 he will be 50 and when you are 40 he will be 60.

S smiling ironically said: You know my friend said the same thing and as I told her I fell in love Thakur Saab not because he is a Thakur or wealthy or because he is good looking but because of his character - respecting people, caring about his loved ones, being kind to everyone, his values, principles, views on life etc and those things don't change no matter how old you become. I hope after 10 years of marriage we would have a lot more than we do today because if the only thing left in our relationship is the age difference than that would mean we failed.

I know no one will believe this but I would have married Thakur Saab whether he was a Thakur or not, whether he was wealthy or not. I wear these she said touching her jewellery not because they are diamonds but because these bangles Maa gave me so contain her blessing while this hamare pyaar ki nishani hai jo Thakur Saab ne hume diya (touching her necklace and ring) aur yeh touching her mangal sutra hamare rishta ki nishani hai. As for my saris I wear these because they are comfortable.

R said thoughtfully: You know you are more mature than most of the other Thakur Bahus around here. I can't speak for others but I do believe you.

After a long pause R said BTW why do you call him Thakur Saab like Maa does to Pitaji rather than by his name?

S: He has been trying to get me to call him by his name since we got married but...

R: but what?

S: I called him Thakur Malluk from the first day I met him since that is what we called all the Thakurs but he has banned me from calling him that (she says ruefully). ... I don't like calling him Vikram Thakur because that's the man everyone sees but that's not my Thakur Saab. Calling him by his name doesn't feel right so I call him Thakur Saab.

R said with a smile: Actually the way you say it, it sounds really sweet.

You know she said with a smile I am having hard time imagining a romantic / loving Vikram Thakur but clearly he must be to make you glow like that. No wonder all those around here hate you.

At Sugni's surprised look she said actually they don't hate you personally they would have hated any girl if she was not from a Thakur family. You see all the mothers with daughters dislike you because you have stolen one of the most eligible men from under their noses, those mothers with sons are afraid that their sons will want to marry bednis I mean they have had to accept girls like me who come from the city but now they would have to accept bednis!!! The fact that you are beautiful so even when you wear these simple things you outshine their over made up daughters and bahus does not go down well. The fact that you are not grovelling and doing anything and everything to be accepted by them is galling. But your worst offence is you are positively radiant. Don't get me wrong all new married girls glow but the way you look, there is no doubt how happy and content you are and they would give their right arm to be in that position in their marriage or for their daughters to be that happy.

S: Why does everyone see a bedni when they look at me, why don't they see the girl who loves Thakur Saab just as much as any other girl would. I mean who would not love a man who fights the world for you, for whom your happiness matters, your opinion matters, treats you with respect and loves you unconditionally and all he wants is to be loved in the same way.

R: You are wrong when you which girl would not love him like you do. Because most Thakur girls are so self absorbed and feel that they are entitled so those things would be things that expect as a given.

As she listened to R's explanation Sugni she could not help but think that's exactly what Reva did.

Just then she heard Maa call her name. As she got up to leave R looked at her and I like you Sugni. I hope we can friends. Sugni took her leave saying I would like that.

SCENE 3

Vikram answers the phone and says ha bolo kya baat hai?

S: kaha hai aap Thakur saab? Mein ne aap ko dis..t..urb to nahi kiya ne? (Where are you Thakur saab? Did I disturb you?) she says pronouncing the word very carefully like he had taught her.

V: Tum jab chahe tub muje disturb kaar sakti ho (You can disturb me anytime). So tell me why did you call?

S: Do you know what Maa said to me today?

V: What?

S: Humare pati ke pyaar ne hamari khubsurti ko char chand laga diya hai (That I am glowing in the certain knowledge that my husband loves me)

V: Oh toh apne aap per guruor aa rahi hai? (So you are feeling proud of yourself?)

S: Nahi (No) I am proud of my kismet that has given me a husband who loves me more than life itself and for whom I am his entire world.

V: Saari biwis aise he hoti hai. Bichara pati unko khush karne ke liya kya kuch karta ha aur thanks Kismet ko mil ti hai. Kabhi kabhi apne pati per bhi meherbaan ho. (Typical wife. A husband does things to make his wife happy and she thanks destiny. Once in a while show appreciation to your husband too)

S: ache baba naaraz maat ho. Shaam ghar aayaga toh aap ka bhi sukriya karde ge. Theek hai? (OK Don't get upset. When you get home tonight I promise to thank you).

V: Now that's a promise I am looking forward to receiving he whispered. He hears Sugni gasp. After a few moments in which he took a couple of deep breaths he said in the interest of us not ending up on the streets I am going to put the phone down and go to my meeting OK

A red faced Sugni terminates the call after reminding him to be careful. Sugni still found it shocking that this was her Thakur Malluk. Seeing this side of Thakur saab had made her realise just how much restraint he had shown. He had been alone for 7 years before he met her but in the whole time they were together she never once felt uncomfortable or under pressure to do anything she did not want to. She had realised that he knew exactly how to make her tremble with one word, one look, one touch so he could have easily stretched the boundaries of their relationship. But he had never overstepped the mark. It was this and all the other little things she was learning about him that made her love him more each day.

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As Vikram drives in he sees 2 cars parked on the driveway and wonders who they belong to. As he steps down from the jeep he sees Sugni in the kitchen and heads towards the side door. He stands by the kitchen door watching her engrossed in her task. As if she sensed he was there she looked up, her face breaking into a smile she said you are back. He walked upto her and said what's going on. Sugni explained that she had organised a dinner party with his friend to say thank you. So Ramesh Thakur and his family have come over for the evening (although in reality it was coincidental that they had come over for a short while to deliver an invitation to a wedding in the family of a mutual friend). Vikram stared at her and then said gruffly you and I need to work on our communication skills. When I said you should thank me I was talking about a private party with just the two of us not a dinner party. Sugni fighting the urge to smile looked at him innocently said but I want everyone to know how lucky I feel. Unfortunately she could not keep the laughter out her voice. Catching on, Vikram said yeh baat hein as he reached out and ran his finger slowly up Sugni's arm. The reaction was instant, she gasped and flinched resulting in the tray of drinks she was holding being set down on the counter with a bang. Maa looked up at the noise and said is everything OK. Vikram hidden from Maa's view said yes Sugni what happened. Sugni took a deep breath and said everything is fine Maa. She turned to Vikram with a glint in her eye and said loudly perfect timing Thakur saab Ramesh Thakur's chacha is waiting for you (knowing that chachaji had habit of loudly disagreeing and arguing with anything that was said). As Vikram walked past Sugni to join the others he said quietly in a dead pan voice raat ko kamare mein aa phir saara hisaab kitabh karuga tumhare saath (I will settle the score tonight). A shiver went down Sugni's spine at his words. She took another deep breath picked up the tray and followed him out still slightly flustered and red faced.

As MS set listening the conversation of their guests with half an ear her mind wondered to what Vikram had said to Sugni to get her so flustered. Despite his straight face she knew he must have done or said something because this was not the first time she had seen them like this. She found it difficult to believe this chupe rustum was her no nonsense serious Vikram. Even when he was first married to Reva she had never seen him/them like this. He son was not the type to wear his heart on his sleeve but there was warmth in his eyes whenever his gaze rested on Sugni, the tone of his voice was softer when he spoke to her, generally there was an air of contentment around him and once again he was her strong dependable Vikram who feared nothing. As for Sugni, she was radiant. In past, she had thought Sugni was starting to bloom but she could see that she was mistaken. Now Sugni was beautiful - her eyes sparkled, she was always smiling no matter she was doing and when Vikram was around she positively glowed.

She was brought out of her revere as she heard Sugni say Thakur saab its 6.30 did you not have to make that call? Vikram looked at her then catching on thanked her for reminding him, got up excusing him. MS smiled thinking they play pranks on each other but then could not watch the other in any discomfort so would help the other out.

It still never ceased to amaze her that these two who are poles apart in all the usual things - age, education, class had but had such a deep and strong bond that none of those things mattered.

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Sugni walked into their room, closing the door behind her. Vikram turned and looked up from the emails he was checking.

Sugni walking to the dressing table said - I am soo tired

Vikram looking concerned, as he walked towards her says - kitni baar kaha hai, itna sub kuch maat kar but tum ho na sunti nahi ho. Chalo lets go to sleep.

As Sungi started to walk towards the bathroom Vikram saw the tiny smirk on her face and realised she was messing around. He changed direction and reached the bathroom door just as Sugni got there.

S: kya kaar rahe hai aap?

V: helping you! He expanded when Sugni looked at him questioningly you said you were very tired so I will help you otherwise you may have an accident. As Sugni looked at him with raised eyebrow he continued, opening the door as he continued, in this hot weather water should not be wasted.

S: Baate banana koi aap se seekha!!! I don't need help and there is more than enough water.

V: Ok then you can help me as he pushed both them in and kicked the door shut.