Saras knew Kumud was feeling the pressure, though she had bravely taken her responsibility in front of Guman. He vowed to Kaka to bring him back to the house rightfully and moved in with the Desais to show his disapproval of what his mom had done. Kumud had lashed out at him saying that there is no way their earnings now could buy back the house from an owner who didn't want to sell and she was not going to accept his financial help. Things were possibly worse between them than they ever could be but still...there was something.
Amid all the family accusations Kaka was suffering from Bari Kaki for losing Yash's inheritance and the daily hurdles of adjusting to a farm life, she was being quite tolerant toward him. Almost as if she didn't care if he stayed or left. Saras hoped that they could be friends again and said has much but she played the role of a disinterested host more than anything. If her heart felt anything more, it never got past her eyes when he was not looking.
They both went about life with heavy hearts. Broken.
Saras completed his daily routine of working on the new high school construction and going to pick up Kumud from her elementary school. They walked back, mostly in silence except for the occasional family talk. Today, however there was a surprise awaiting him.
As Saras approached the school, he spotted Kumud in her resplendent grey and melon dress talking to a man of about 30-35. He wore a khaki kurta-paijama and leaned, arms crossed against the wall. While very handsome, there was something off about him. He had seen this man before! Saras remembered now, this man was in the bazar drinking and making a scene the other day.
Saras' guard went up as he saw the guy put her hair behind her ear affectionately. He approached them.
The man saw him first.
"I will be going then. Think about it and let me know."
Kumud looked where he was looking and saw Saras. Alarmed at first, she quickly nodded at the stranger and walked toward him.
Saras and Kumud started walking home.
Saras: Who was that?
Kumud: Pramad.
She said nothing more. Just kept walking on in silence as is "Pramad" said it all.
Saras was losing his patience: Who is Pramad?
Kumud glared at him: He's the village head's son. The one who cut my kite during Uttarayan thanks to you!
Saras childishly: Oh, him? Kaka said he was the biggest badmash in the village.
Kumud: Humph.
After a few minutes of silence when Kumud did not volunteer any information about him, Saras asked again.
Saras: So what was he doing here? (Touching your hair, he wanted to add).
Kumud: He was expressing his sympathy for what happened with us.
Saras was silenced by her barbed reply: That's it? Why did he ask you to think about something and get back to him?
Kumud bristled, first he would reject and then inquire why other men talked to her: Why do you care? He has known me since he was a child. He can ask whatever he wants of me. You have no right to pry!
Saras felt the sting now: I have no idea why you have to be so short with me. I did not do this to your family. My mom did and I left her to take your side. As soon as Dad comes, we will fix this. I only asked because Kaka does not seem to approve of him and with good reason because I saw him at the bazar the other day, drunk.
Kumud: You can tell me nothing about him that I don't already know. Bapu doesn't approve of him much because of his carefree attitude. But today he was here to show he really cared for the kind of situation we were in and he asked me to marry him. Happy?
Saras froze. Everything shattered around him.
Kumud kept walking, leaving him behind.
Saras whispered: And what did you say to him?
Kumud's voice broke as she tried to avoid looking back at him and answered: I said I would think about it, of course. I have always known he has feelings for me. That's why he would always tease and fight with me.
Saras astonished: You can't be serious about marrying a drunkard just because you are in hard times now. And you don't like him anyway, I saw how you didn't want to give up the kite he won. You wouldn't even let him touch it!
Kumud swished around: I can do whatever I want. We are not just in hard times now; we are in it from now ON!. A teacher's salary and a dwindling karkhana will not keep such a big family going. And my parents are worried about my marriage now that I have been so publicly rejected. If I married him, all our problems will be solved. He's very wealthy and he has promised to take care of my family with his influence in this village.
Saras heart was threatening to burst: You cannot marry someone for money Kumud, you are not like that!
Kumud swiped at her tears: I can do anything for my family. And you are not going to get in the way. Just because you didn't want me doesn't mean nobody else does!!! He loves me. He's not perfect but he offers me everything I need right now, despite the badnami your mother has spread about me in the whole village. That is enough for me. I was not sure until now what to say to him but now I am sure. I will say yes to him, as soon as I have Bapu and Ma's approval!
She turned and started walking adamantly toward their farm.
Saras stood aghast at what she was about to do. She was retaliating, against him. Yes, she managed to break his heart very thoroughly with that speech but he would not stand for her intentionally ruining her life.
He ran after her and grabbed her hand: I will not let you do this.
Kumud angrily hissed: Let. Go. Of. My. Hand.
Saras: I know you are heartbroken because of my decision, but I will not let you ruin your life because of your family's hardship or what I did.
Kumud challenged: I would like to see you stop me.
Saras angrily: Then, I will! Your family's hardship is a temporary thing, I swore to your father that I will return him to his rightful place.
Kumud screamed: I don't want your charity! (She pressed her hands together) Thanks a lot for all you have done for us. First your father took advantage of his friendship and then your mother decided to show her true colors. You all have done us enough good, please ab hume baskh do. Let us deal with our own problems and go on our own way. If you try to do us any more good, there will be nothing left to ruin.
Saras cried now: I can't believe that is how you see it. I left everything to be here with you!
Kumud: Yes, your commitment is so impressive. You can reject me and then stay in the same house with no awareness of what that does to my reputation. Pramad knows me since I was a kid, thank god he doesn't believe the crap going around about me.
Saras: He is not good enough for you! He's only taking advantage of that fact that you are in reduced circumstance now. How can you not see that!?
Kumud: Oh, I see that alright, but at least he's offering his hand and meaning it. You were supposedly good enough for me, but I wasn't good enough for you, was I? So you rejected me. You have had your chance Saras, why do you care what happens to me now?
Saras: Because I love you!
Kumud took a deep breath, her eyes were sparkling like ice: Too late.
Cricket
