Part 10
"What ? Who told you such rubbish ?", Datha roared. Miu was taken aback, but Sunheri calls you Papa and so I thought " She trailed off.
Datha calmed himself and said, "I am not married to Prabha. Her husband abandoned her and she had nowhere to go. She is related to Bhabhi and so she came to live here with her child. Her husband went to Mumbai and got mixed up with some criminals and is currently serving a prison sentence".
"After Sudha took you away, Sunheri was the only child in this haveli and well, I got very attached to her. I became a father figure to her".
Miu almost wept with relief, so she and her mother could come back into Datha's life after all.
"Is there no way we can convince the villagers that mummy was not at fault for whatever happened that day?" she asked sadly.
"Well, I recently saw one of the ex-Sarpanch's gunman in the next village. He's pretty old now, maybe I could convince him to tell the truth", said Datha thoughtfully.
"Oh, please, let us visit him ! Can we go today ?", beseeched Miu.
"Calm down,dear, it won't be that easy. A couple of years after the horrific incident, the ex-Sarpanch was found guilty of many misdeeds and he was hounded out by the villagers. Most of his muscle-men fled with him. If any of them came back, the villagers will surely punish him. So getting him here won't be easy"
"We need to proceed with care; he should be convinced that no harm will come to him by this disclosure".
Miu sighed," Alright, please think of something soon".
"Miu", said Datha softly,"You don't seem affected by the fact that Prithvi is actually your husband !"
"What rubbish !" scoffed Miu "How can you even think of something so ridiculous ?".
"You may call it ridiculous, but the two of you were married according to custom with all the rites & rituals".
"Papa", she said slowly, "What are you trying to say ?"
"Simply this, if you want to come and live with me here, the villagers would never accept your marrying Akash. Even today, they hold these traditions close to heart. We have almost abolished child-marriage here. But even now, on some auspicious days parents still at least get their children betrothed !".
Miu was shocked, it never struck her that a marriage she didn't even remember would become an obstacle in her marrying Akash.
"I'm not going to worry my head about this preposterous marriage. Once I get you and Mama together, Akash & I will go back to Delhi and get married", she replied hotly.
Her father just smiled and said," Now I have to go out, you stay home and relax. When I return, I'll tell everyone the truth about you."
Miu returned to the kitchen, Prabha was trying to get Sunheri sit down and have her breakfast. Miu smiled looking at the Mother-daughter duo, they were so lovable. She couldn't imagine what kind of man would abandon such a lovely family.
Sunheri saw her and called out, "Didi will you have breakfast with me ? I don't like eating alone".
"Well I've finished my breakfast, but I will sit with you, now stop troubling your mom and sit here"
Soon the three of them were talking and laughing like old pals. Sunheri was a riot, she was a good mimic and began mimicking everyone from Kalki to Lakhan and Datha. Her act on Prithvi was spot on and it had Miu in splits.
"You know, Di" said Sunheri suddenly "Prithvi should get a wife like you ! You stand up to him and give him as good as you get. A lesser girl and he'll walk all over her, with you he'll be on his toes ! Sighhh '. I can imagine the two of you together !"
"For heaven's sake Sunheri", laughed Miu uneasily," Stop letting your imagination run away with you". The recent disclosure by her father was still fresh in her mind and she simply couldn't joke about it.
Just then Kalki entered the kitchen and Miu excused herself and left the place. She could feel Kalki's eyes boring into her.
But today was a very happy day for her and she wanted no confrontation, so she made her way to the terrace.
Though she had laughed at Sunheri, her innocent remark made her pretty uneasy. If her father was to be believed, she was Prithvi's wife ! It sounded ridiculous, Suddenly her thoughts turned to Prithvi, how would he react if her was told the truth ?
And did he remember anything of the wedding ? After all he was older than her. She shook herself, she shouldn't even be thinking about all this. She would call Akash ! Thinking about Akash made her feel better and she dialed his number.
He answer on the first ring, "Miu, when are you going to return from that back-of-beyond ? Have you forgotten your fiance is waiting her for you? Or, that your mother is ill? "
"Please, Akash" said Miu "I have something very important to tell you. Datha has finally accepted that I am his daughter, today he'll be announcing it to his family !"
"That is great news," said Akash happily, "then I want you back here by noon tomorrow, ask that Datha's Muscle-Man Prithvi to drop you off in the station and take the first train out of there".
"That is not possible Akash" said Miu hesitantly. "This disclosure will lead to a lot of reactions in the village, and not all will be happy".
"Why?" asked a puzzled Akash, "Why would anyone be unhappy if Datha is reunited with his wife and daughter ?"
"It's a long story, Akash", said Miu "I'll tell you later. I may have to stay here for a couple of days more".
"As usual, you get your own way in the end, But please hurry up, my Mom is pretty mad at me for letting you go, with the wedding fast approaching".
"Akash '" said Miu and hesitated. Should she tell him about her child marriage? Though she knew that he would scoff at it just as she did, she was a little hesitant.
"Miu, I have to go. I have some important clients to meet. Call me later. Bye" with that he hung up.
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
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