Dilsher couldn't believe it. After all these she had actually come
back. But why, hadn't she decided that her lover would be a better life partner
than a bitter cripple like him? After ignoring her sister for years, was she
prepared to pretend that nothing had changed? What about their son who waited
for her return for years? That's when the entire horror of the current
situation struck him. She was now Tejawat's wife. The man who was investigated
for smuggling by Rudra. The man who treated Paro's life so carelessly. The man
who betrayed the faith of any entire village. He was the one she chose over
their family. Not just on the day she walked out on him. But also when she
aimed to kill their, no his son. She had no claim on his Rudradev anymore.
Mala smiled at him, defiantly. She had heard the gossip how Paro
had won over her father-in-law's heart. Her happiness meant more than even
Rudra's wishes. She knew that she could count on the girl's gentle heart. She
couldn't stand even animals in pain while growing up. Paro baisa wasn't the
kind who will ignore an injured woman on the road. That's why she had chosen
the right moment to come infront of the BSD jeep. Physically she ached in pain
but mentally she wanted to gloat at the success of her plan.
Dilsher could see the hidden joy in his former wife's eyes. She
had tricked Paro and taken advantage of the kind soul. She wouldn't hurt them
again. His pride, Rudra and his joy, Parvati will stand strong by his side.
Even if his own limbs fail to support him, he could count on them. His eyes
moved to his bahu. She was clearly distressed and wasn't happy about what she
was doing. He chose to trust her instincts hoping his son will forgive him one
last time. "Namaste!" he greeted with warm smile. He could feel the
anger that radiated from Mohini. The rest of them were in shock. He hoped they
would play along.
"Bapusa, this is Thakurainsa from my village, Birpur,"
Paro introduced Mala, partially relieved to see atleast one person smile.
Mohini was still glaring at him. He ignored them and introduced the rest of the
family. Mala was surprised why was he behaving so formally, in a civil manner.
"Parvati beendini told me that you were injured. You are welcome to stay
with us till you are better. Beta, why don't you escort her to the guest room
which has been prepared for her," he told his beendini. Paro nodded and
took her in.
"What do you think you are doing? Don't you remember what she
did 15 years back? Or has oldage killed your memory? You do remember she tried
to shoot your ladla? The same volcano who will destroy everything if he knows
she is back. Have you lost your mind?" Mohini shouted at Dilsher. Danveer
told her to mind her tone while talking to his older brother. "Babloo, she
won't change, forget it. But let me tell you Mohini I haven't forgotten
anything. I know how much of himself, my son has invested in this case. Even if
he is no longer handling it, he will be very disappointed if the woman he
apprehended is roaming about freely. Until he is back she will stay where I can
keep am eye on her," he told his sister-in-law sternly. She backed off.
"What I don't understand is why is she here? And why is Paro
helping her?" Maithili asked. Mohini replied that her little sister cannot
tolerate in pain and since this woman is from her Mayka, she feels she has to
take care. Why did I say something wrong, bhaisa?" Mohini turned to her
brother-in-law hearing him scoff. He shook his head, "No, Paro is affected
by Mala's pain and she is using her. Not everyone recognises the snakes that
grows in their mother's garden. She is upto something and we need to find out
what it is," he told them. "Thausa, should we tell her that Thakurainsa
is...," Maithili started. "Just Tejawat's wife. She stopped being
anything else to this family years ago, beta. If Rudra wants a relationship
with her. He can explain it to Paro. She means nothing to me," Dilsher
answered before she had finished asking.
Danveer was relieved, after the last conversation he had at Mala
Tejawat's cottage, he hoped his brother will never have to cross path with her.
And now even when she ended up at their doorstep he was unaffected. He almost
laughed but felt his son's glare. He knew he still had to confess his part to
his wife and brother. But that could wait. "Come Bhaisa, let's finish our
dinner. We can talk about this later," he said. Mohini instructed Maithili
to serve dinner for their guest in the room. She needed time to gather herself
before meeting the woman again. She needed the brothers on her side to rout the
pestilence out. Especially before Rudra returns and changes their mind. For the
hundredth time she scolded herself for illtreating him as a child. If he had
being loved, like Sumer he might take her side blindly rather than long for her
sister's attention. She hoped it wasn't too late now.
"What are you thinking?" her husband asked noticing that
Mohini wasn't eating. She replied that Rudra was very unlucky. "Why?"
Dilsher asked wondering if it had something to do with his mother's return.
"His Paro has planned such a nice meal and he must be eating in some
dhabha in the desert," she answered. Danveer laughed and replied that
their meal has been planned as per his brother's tastes. Besides Paro has the
day off the following day. So she can make sure that her nephew is treated to
his favorites on his return. He was so happy that Mohini's growing fondness for
Rudra didn't stop because of Mala's return. She was trying her best to be a
good aunt to him and Paro. Maybe she wouldn't loose everything, Rudra did
inherit her shrewdness. As long as they protect Paro from Mala's tricks their
home would be safe.
Paro smiled at her sister who had brought dinner. She had cooked
everything that they had planned all by herself. "Jeeja, I'm sorry for
being late," she apologised. Maithili shook her head and inspected her
sister closely. Except for a few bruises which will fade soon she seemed
alright. She gently held her hands, "It wasn't in your hands. We'll talk
later. I should get back to everyone." Paro handed the thali to Mala who
observed that all Dilsher's favorites were made. "Is it a special
ocassion?" she asked the young woman. Paro explained that her Bapusa was
back home after a long trip so they just planned a special dinner. Mala
frowned. She wanted to point out that her Maasa was home after a long while
too. But she knew this wasn't the time. Once she has both her son and husband
by her side, there would be a true reason for celebration. "When will your
husband come home?" she asked eager to see Rudra. Paro replied that he was
away on duty and will return the following day.
Mala eyes gleamed as she started to dream about her reunion with
her child. She wolfed down her dinner quickly. "Paro baisa, aren't you
eating?" she asked. Paro replied that she will eat later with her sister.
Mala wondered about this sister who was mentioned with so much love. This girl
was an emotional fool to have so much faith in a co-sister. Her jeeja will
belong only to her husband and children. She will not care about anyone else.
That is how the world works. But Paro always longed for the love of a large
family with lots of siblings, cousins, aunts and uncles. It's this strong sense
of family which will be her weapon.
After dinner, the entire family sat in the aangan each lost in
their own thoughts wondering what the next day would bring when Rudra comes
home. "Bapusa, I think I should stay at home tomorrow," Sunheri spoke
up. Her mother reminded that her exams are coming up. She complained that
nothing was entering her mind and she might as well stay and help Maithili
bhabhisa seeing as Paro will be busy with the Thakurain. "No, Paro is
going to work tomorrow," Samrat said. Mohini argued about who will take
care of their guest. He replied that his wife will manage. Mohini turned around
in circles and checked the folds of her pallu. Her husband asked what she was
looking forward. "I'm looking for the son who used to dote on his wife and
hated that I was taxing her with too many chores," she answered. Samrat
frowned, "Maasa, it's not like that." Mohini held up her hand to stop
him, "That poor woman has her hands full from morning to night. Look at
your watch. It's 10pm. She still hasn't had her dinner. She is busy getting her
child to sleep. I don't want to overwork Rudra's wife but I don't have any
other option," she explained. Samrat understood but his point was simple.
Paro was not just Rudra's wife but Maithili's little sister. He didn't want her
to be used as the Thakurain's pawn. "I don't think Rudra will want them to
spend time together. You know how protective he is of her," Samrat
appealed. This made sense to Mohini she backed off.
"Babloo, did you inform the BSD that their undertrail is here
in our house," Dilsher asked. Mohini jumped at that and asked him to call
his office and have her shifted back to prison. But the guilty look on her
husband's face worried her. "Bhaisa, Tejawat claimed that she is ignorant of
his dealings and has asked for to be released," he admitted. Mohini launched at
him, had his officers lost his mind. Wives always know what their husbands are
upto. Even submissive ones like Maithili are aware of their husband's business.
And this woman has been married for years. If she didn't know anything why
would Rudra arrest her? Danveer fervently hoped his wife didn't know of his
activities which he carried out using her past ties, "Calm down Mohini. They
don't believe her. She was supposed to be in a rented cottage in town under
BSD's supervision. I don't know how or why she ended up here." Mohini knew that
she was back simply because she wanted to be Lady of the manor and not a tramp
in a small cottage. "Rudra? My Rudradev?" Dilsher asked worried. Danveer
assured that to his nephew Mala was just Tejawat's wife. He never wants to meet
her again. Both his wife and brother sighed in relief.
"Bapusa," Paro interrupted. Samrat pulled Sunheri along, "Come on.
I'll help you study." He turned to Paro and told her not to worry her Maasa as
Maithili will take care of her when she is at work. "But bhaisa. How can I go?
How will Jeeja manage" she asked. The same she always does he replied. She
could take off when Rudra gets back. Paro nodded. "Maasa? Parvati, is she
your..." Dilsher started. "No, she is not. I was mistaken about her," she
admitted. The elder Ranavats just stared as she went to sit next Dilsher. The
room was suddenly quiet as they realized she had something important to say.
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