Dawn Of My Life Saraswatichandra Ch 2 (6) - Page 4

Chapter 2

The ride back home was quiet. Uncle had explained me everything about his business, his relationships and contracts and even about his family members. Our families were not so thrilled when he decided to get married after his wife's death. I didn't understand why they were against it, but ignored the thought as soon as it occurred in my mind. It wasn't really my business to worry about.

His family consists of his second wife and their younger son. The eldest one rarely stays in their home, he had said, and that the man would stay in a dorm in the university. Both the Vyas sons were in the same university as I was; I wasn't surprised with that news. I sort of guessed it. Knowing how protective Bapu was, anyone could expect this kind of 'security' he had provided. That irritated me. Why sending me abroad and worrying about my safety on a daily basis?

His wife, Guman, was a symbol of contemporary woman. Her traditional sarees held a kind of modern attire, and she looked like a model, rather than a mother. She must be young compared to Uncle. A part of me noted her stylish behavior as a reason why everyone in our families disliked her for him. But I didn't find that hard or strange. Living in abroad from past 22 years would definitely have its impact on one's physical attire and all that matters was inner beauty. And I was no one to judge her.

Wishing and thanking her after few pleasantries, I laid on the bed in the guest room that they allotted me. The room was spacious, and luxurious. Kusum and I could share this space without a problem, I realized. But everything felt out of place. I felt out of place.

Sleep was nowhere near me that night. I was not used to it. Bapu would talk to me till late night and Kusum and I would usually fight for a place in his lap to lay our heads. It was always me to lay in such a way while we talked about our respective day, while Ma would shrug at out childish behavior. Tears rolled down my cheeks before I notice but let them fall on its own. I cried myself to bed but failed. Giving up that I would not get sleep for a while due to new environment, I made my way downstairs, towards the kitchen to have some chilled water. It was past midnight and everyone in the mansion locked themselves in their room in a deep slumber. Not wanting to disturb anyone, I walked up to the refrigerator slowly and sighed in relief as I drank a whole bottle.

I heard a car halting in the foyer in the calmness of the night and wondered who must that be, but a light brightened up the room from stairs. My head snapped at the direction and I saw a man, not Uncle, walking down the stairs lazily in his shorts that reached his mid-thighs. He noticed me and stopped for a second, smile replacing his frown as he eyed me. It was an uncomfortable gaze. Suddenly, I felt claustrophobic. It was not that I was weak to meet a man in the middle of a night in a new place, although I wasn't used to meet strangers every now and then. But I was strong enough to roam all over my village alone in darkness. In this mansion, with him approaching me with his naked-upper body, I felt self-conscious.

"Hello beautiful," he smiled at me, taking the almost empty bottle from my hand, his fingers brushing mine in the process, "I never expected our guest from a village to be such a gorgeous."

I stepped back, keeping as much distance with this man as I could in that small place, wishing for someone, anyone, to enter the place. It might be his life style, I tried to calm myself, it was a lifestyle in abroad and I wasn't used to such kind of closeness. My village was not a remote one, but it was not highly developed too. We would have to go to a nearby town to access internet without server problems. So it was a natural phenomenon for a girl like me from that background to step back from a half-naked stranger.

Before I could make my numb mind to speak or to find a way to escape from him, I heard the main door opening. My eyes searched for a way, wishing that the person might be Uncle, not really thinking any other than that. But my eyes widened as I took in the person. I could see him frowning a little, but his eyes turned to our direction. Then his eyes mirrored my shock, before he turned his gaze to the man in front of me, who was busy studying me.

The man who entered, or who was for sure going to help me escape from this half-naked man, was the one whom I met back in the university. Saras, my mind vaguely remembered his name.

Never leaving his gaze off the man, he walked up to us and placed his hand on the man's shoulder, pulling him back not so rudely, but not so friendly either. I took the moment to stand straight, keeping my distance off them both, pressed my palm on my mouth, trying to calm my nerves. I remembered how he held me in the office, and how his fisted his palm, in order to keep less in contact with my bare waist. I felt safe with his presence, yet in the same time, I trembled as I felt his fingers still lingering on my body.

"Do you mind putting on some clothes, Raj?" his rich voice broke the silence and I saw irritation flared at the man, Raj, while he shook his hand, but he continued, "This is a home, and not your pub to roam."

"Come on, Bro, you know I hate being ordered. Whatever," he said and turned his back to us but not before winking at me, and I flushed, knowing that my savior noticed his brother's wink at me.

And I realized what my sub-conscious gave me about them. They were Vyas sons, and were in same university as me. The man whom I met and embarrassed myself was the same man who caught me with his half-naked brother in the middle of night. Not that I was having bad intentions, but still, it was him and I was really embarrassed.

Adjusting myself from the thoughts, I raised my eyes to him. "Thank you," I said in a low, calm voice as much I could manage. He smiled and forwarded his hand to mine. I stared at his extended hand for a long second before my numb mind started working. He was introducing himself. Hurriedly, embarrassed yet again, three times in less than few hours, I took his hand in a light shake. I was glad that he had nothing similar as that of his brother, Raj. He was friendly, and had an aura around him that was healthy. He smiled at me.

"Saraswatichandra"

He whispered lightly and my mind flickered back to my Bapu, who constantly praised this man. Bapu, Ma, everyone in my family was very fond of this man, and they all loved his mother, Saraswati Maami. I heard that Maami was really friendly and lovable woman. The man inherited all her good qualities in him. And the man, Raj, was Guman Ji's son, my mind reminded me faintly, and I noticed the difference between these brothers. It was clear and I understood, why my family hated the idea of Uncle marrying her. Realizing that I didn't replied and still holding his hand, I pulled it almost hurriedly and heard him chuckle at my actions. Yet, another embarrassing moment, I thought, shouting at myself, but managed to smile a little while introducing myself as, "Kumud."

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