Matham Ki Lal
Multitudes of tiny red fragments dropped down from her arms. Many of them giving her fair arms painful red kisses. She watched the droplets of blood mixed with broken bangle pieces with a detached fascination.
So beautiful her mind echoed in his voice.
That was all he would be now. Echoes of moments spent together. What had been her life only a few months before seemed like an eternity away from. He lived only a few kilometers away from her . But the cost of reaching him was too high. It was her son's life.
She closed her eyes , willing the memories of few hours past to go away. To leave her alone
Baldev stood before her. Eyes downcast. Never before had he found it difficult to look her in the eyes. Her eyes had always endeared to him.
"Sudha ,you must understand. I cannot take you to Lal Mahal. My father has threatened to ..." he could not complete the sentence.
"To what Baldev? Did we not know the risks beforehand? You always knew where I came from right. What I was called. I warned you to stay away and yet you kept coming. What is stopping you now? For God's sake Baldev , we are married!" Sudha ended in a desperate scream.
"He will kill Narottam" Baldev said in a voice little more than a whisper.
Sudha's hands - red with mehendi - clenched on her red dupatta. No , this couldn't be. She caught Baldev's arms.
"Where is my son Baldev? Where is Narottam" she pleaded.
"Right here" a hard voice said from behind Baldev.
She saw the Maharaj of Lal Mahal standing with her baby son in his arms.
Narottam was waving at her cheerfully. He was always such a happy boy. She made to step towards him. Instantly a muscled mammoth of a man took the boy from Maharaj. Slight pressure from him and her boy would be no more. She understood that without a fraction of doubt.
"Pl...pl...please don't hurt him" Sudha cried, tears now flowing ceaselessly.
"He will be safe and will be raised in Lal Mahal. On one simple condition - You will stay away from my son. It was folly on your part to presume that the scion of Lal Mahal would be ever allowed to have a courtesan for wife" Adiraj gave his son a hard look.
Sudha's eyes took on a steely glint
"I did not coerce him or drag him to marry me. He came willingly" her voice faltered "We love each other"
"A mere hormonal fault of youth. Nothing that cannot be remedied by time" Adiraj quipped.
He came as close to her as his revulsion would let him.
"I am not asking you to leave empty handed. You will be handsomely paid. Just forget that you ever had a husband and son. Keep silent. Or else" his eyes showed the danger her Narottam was in.
She turned to Baldev
"Have you got nothing to say?" she shouted
"Lower your voice" Adiraj thundered.
"Father please!" Baldev pleaded "Sudha , please understand that this is for the best. We will never be allowed to live in peace and I cannot risk Narottam's or your life" he cupped her face with his hand.
"You promised to protect us. All those where vacant words, is it?" Sudha asked.
Baldev had no answer. Finally Sudha saw the man within. He was nothing against the might of his royal family. In the slackening of her shoulders, Adiraj saw his victory.
"Come Baldev, it's time to go. Your wedding celebrations must have begun" Adiraj said with a sly smile.
It was like a knife into her heart. He was marrying again. No not again. This would be his only wedding for the world. Their marriage cannot be acknowledged if her son is to live.
"At least give me some moments with my son" she pleaded.
Adiraj gave a hard look but nodded. He took Baldev's arm and dragged him off.
Sudha went to the bodyguard holding her son. Narottam was still smiling. She showered him with kisses while he looked at her bewildered.
"I love you my son and will always love you. Remember that my heart" she whispered holding him close to her chest.
Moments later he was taken from her. Narottam eyes clouded. He wanted his mother. The boy's lips trembled but before he could see his mother's heartbreaking fall to the ground , he was whisked away to the grand prison of Lal Mahal.
On unsteady legs Sudha moved to stand facing the mirror. An exquisite red dress clung to her complementing her curves. The red duppatta with little gold beads , the golden and red intermixed bangles - now broken , the gold necklace , all made her look like a princess.
You look like a queen ...My Queen.
She wanted to strangle the voice in her head. She should be wearing white , not red. All colors had after all bled away from her life. She had lost the light of her life, her son. With nowhere to return, she was back in the khota from which she thought she had finally escaped. She was born in this wretched place, how was that her fault? She was untouched by its vile but why would anyone believe her? To the world appearances mattered. In appearance she was after all a courtesan. Maybe now she should start being one.
Her tears had long since dried. What was the point in crying? She was never one to wail for long. In her world one needed to learn fast to survive. She had made one huge mistake. It was time she learned from it. She would get what hers back, in time.
"Tab tak mere liye matham hain. Aur matham ka rang lal " she whispered.
Afternote:
Inspired by Sudha's words "Mere liye matham ka rang lal hain".
It was quiet depressing to write. Being a mother especially.
Do leave your comments.
Edit :
Sorry, I do not know the character name of Baldev's father. Please forgive the mistake and do please mention his name in comments.
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