Another Parud FF - Clear blue skies I(upto Chapter 50) - Page 73

"I was very young when my mother died. It was hard at first because I was her gudiya, her pet. Mamisa was very kind. She never treated me no different from Nandu jeeja but I still wanted a mother for myself. Then one day when I was chasing Rukmini I fell down, Thakuranisa helped me up. She took me to the haveli and cleaned up my bruises. She asked where my mother lived. When she realized they were no more, she told me that she will be my mother and I could call her Maasa. She taught me embroidery, songs and so many other things. Most of the girls loved her because she was so warm, friendly and spoke so wisely. We all thought of her as a mother figure. But she wasn't," Paro paused to wipe a tear.

Dilsher realized this was hard for the young woman and gently patted her head. With this gesture of encouragement Paro continued "If she thought for me as a daughter why didn't she find out who I was marrying? Why didn't she come for me when Rudra stopped my baraat at the border? Why did she let everyone disown me when he took me home to Birpur? When I was routed out of the village after Mamisa's death, why didn't she take me in? She just abandoned me. Just like she did with the other girls who got married before me. After all the fanfare of their wedding, forgotten. Mothers don't do that to their daughters. Kakisa has so many dreams for Sunehri's wedding but she knows that her education come first. There is plenty of time to look for a good match. Maasiji and Massaji knew very well that Rudra and I were in love, but they waited till there were sure that we were prepared to ready for all that marriage entails. Why didn't Thakuranisa think about all that when she was planning our life in a foreign country? There are so many differences between living in Birpur and here. Surely wherever Varun would have taken me would be different too. We should have been told about the people who live there. Their habits, their customs were the ones we were supposed to embrace for life. Shouldn't she have said something about their lifestyle?"

A shiver went down Paro's spine. Varun never planned on taking her home. He planned to sell her. She would have ended up in the same state as her former friends whom her aunt is scared to introduce her too. Tears trickled down her cheeks as she was hit by guilt. She escaped the horror that waited beyond the border because of Rudra. These women didn't have a Rakshak. Thakursa was supposed to be their Rakshak. He failed them. Thakurainsa was supposed to be their Maasa. She failed them too. "Beta, why are you crying?" Dilsher tried to wipe her tears clumsily. Mohini knelt next to her, "Beendini if this is hard for you, why are you forcing yourself and all of us to open this home to her?"

"What else can I do, Kakisa? It's my fault that she is hurt. If I had kept quiet in the car, Nartwarji would have noticed her trying to cross the street and stopped the vehicle," Paro confessed. Danveer pointed out that it was an accident and she got her attended to in the hospital. So why bring her here? "Kakosa, I didn't plan for this. I took her to the cottage she said she lived in. It was set apart from the rest of the houses. It was so lonely. Nobody seemed to bother about her. Nobody to take care of her. I just couldn't abandon her. Especially since she was hurt," she replied.

Dilsher sighed. His daughter-in-law was too kind for her own good. Paro turned to him, "I know how much she has hurt this family. She tried to kill Rudra. I would never forgive her for that. Neither will I forget what she has done to me and other girls. But I can't be that girl who doesn't make amends towards someone I hurt." Dilsher nodded, "Okay, she can stay here tonight. But what are going to do tomorrow when Rudra returns." His eyes focused on his brother's. Even though his son claimed that he didn't care anymore he knew the anger that had built up in his heart for years. Like a raging furnace which was fed by his own hand the boy had spent his entire adolescence hating womankind. He knew how hard it was for him to open up to Paro and let her heal him. Now how will he react when the cause for his pain was back?

"Beendini, Bhaisa is asking you something. You know your husband will not like this and I won't intervene if he lost his temper," Mohini warned. She gave her a small smile, "Kakisa I know you are trying hard to repair your relationships with your nephew and I don't want any of you to stand up for me. I'm doing what I feel is right and I can explain my reasons to him." Dilsher patted her head, "Don't worry about Rudra. He knows your heart well. He won't be mad at you. Now it's late. We should all turn in." She smiled and left to her room. As she walked away he knew his son will not be as calm as she expects. This wasn't just Tejawat's wife but the woman who gave him life. It wasn't so simple.

Mohini watched as her husband escorted his brother away. She knew that the first thing Rudra will do when he gets home is tell Paro about Mala. Would she try to reunite the family? That is what her estranged sister would want in preference to a life in jail with Tejawat. Why else was she back? And Paro was a stronger believer in familial ties. Won't she try to fix the relationship between the mother and son? Dilsher wouldn't stop her because he just wants Rudra to be happy and find peace. She knew who could help. She saw the time at the ancient clock. It was almost 12 am. But this was important. She dialed a familiar number.

The next morning Mala walked in as Maithili was finishing the puja. She enquired about Paro. "Paro is running late today. So she missed the morning aarti," the young woman explained as she offered prasad to the new arrival. Mohini was annoyed, "Why is that silly girl late. I saw her up and hovering about by 4 am. What was she doing all morning?" Mala's heart pricked she wanted to point out that Paro was the Thakurain of Chandangad and they were just unnecessary relatives living on Dilsher's money. They didn't have the right to boss her Rudra's wife like that. She was the only one with that right. "I thought Paro will be the one doing the aarti every morning. As the eldest bahu, it's her right. At least that is how it is in Birpur" she pointed out.

Mohini knew what her sister was upto. She did the same thing when she was newlywed all those years ago. She would painstakingly get everything ready in the morning just to her mother-in-law's satisfaction and her sister would waltz along and take over with similar words. "Maithili beta, where is your sister? The constable who drives her to work is already here," Dilsher enquired out ignoring the twosome who were itching for a fight. Maithili replied that Paro was leaving early so that she can return early. Mala was annoyed, her new daughter-in-law was supposed to spend the day taking care of her while she could question her about her marriage. She needed to know more about Rudra before meeting him. She didn't want him to ignore her like the last time. She needed to know what that embittered ex-husband has told him all these years. The boy she left behind always hovered around her even when she was busy with her own work.

"Maithili, I have to leave soon. Is breakfast ready?" Samrat asked his wife. She nodded and guided them to the dining table. He placed their daughter next to him and checked the dishes. "I thought I smelt potato curry," he said disappointed with the spread at the table. Danveer gently slapped his head. "Paro cooked potatoes for lunch since devarasa will be home post noon," Maithili said. Paro came in and said she will get it from the kitchen. "No, he can wait until lunch," Mohini said stopping her. Dilsher laughed and added that since she had made with so much of love for Rudra he should get to taste it first. The rest of the family joined in to tease Paro as she turned pink. "Rudra likes potatoes. I didn't know that," Mala mumbled. Paro asked if she needed anything. She just shook her head aware of the cold glances thrown her way. "Paro baisa, did you prepare everything or is there something left for us to do for the special lunch you have planned for your husband," Mohini asked sternly. Paro smiled and shook her head slowly. At seeing the glint in the older woman's eyes she walked upto her and wrapped her arms around her. Mohini was taken aback. "Kakisa I made sure of almost everything. If possible can you make those samosas that he likes so much along with Jeeja's chutney?" she asked.

Mala's jaw dropped, her sister never does anything for her son. To everyone's surprise, Mohini just patted the younger woman's cheeks and said, "Okay. But get back home before he comes." Paro gently pecked her cheek and took the water bottle that her sister handed her. Maithili had tears in her eyes as she remembered that fateful day when her sister was almost slapped by her mother-in-law. And now all the animosity had disappeared. Paro saw the tears and asked if she was alright. Her sister replied that she was fine and to come back as soon as possible. Mala noticed the tears being wiped away and smiled. It was obvious that this Maithili wasn't happy about Paro was being dotted upon. She could make easily drive there a wedge between the sisters. Paro had to stand alone if she was to turn to her along with her son.

Paro went up to Mala and said, "I will try to come back early. Get lots of rest and Jeeja will help if you need anything." She asked when Rudra will return. Dilsher stiffened at the sound of her voice uttering his son's name. Mohini couldn't resist, "You know in Chandangad, a son-in-law is never referred to by name." Paro shook her head remembering how Rudra said he wasn't old fashioned she could even call him Jallad if she wanted. "Rudra banna has always been indulgent with you. But our guest, the Thakurain here is new, so she needs to learn that certain traditions are important to this family. And as the matriarch here I have to explain it to her," Mohini said sweetly. Paro just nodded and waved good bye. She didn't understand the purpose of the long explanation but Mala did. She was been put in place as the outsider. But this won't last long. When Rudra returns she will be ready to win him over and wipe that smug look of Dilsher's face.