Preeto says in a sharp tone " I need my bahu. I have something to discuss with her." The word caught Harman off guard and he stared at Preeto unable to believe himself. "What for?"
Preeto replies in a calm tone. "I have an errand. Now can't I have a chat with my own bahu ? Or I have to take even permission for that?!!" She erched her eyebrow.
"No. You can't. First you have to tell me the reason. I don't trust you as simple as that Preeto." Harman says flatly.
Preeto smiles sweetly. "Fine. As you wish. There's a Pooja tomorrow and I wanted her to accompany me to the bazaar, we have to buy things. I need her for helping me in shopping. "
For a moment Harman was silent then he spoke up "I don't see why you need her, you seem to dislike her, you don't even consider her a human---then how come today you suddenly feel that you need her for help ? ? That sounds fishy!"
"Harman---you don't trust me. I'm your mother beta! Have some faith."
"No I don't trust you Preeto, not with Soumya. You can ask me for anything--I'll do. But I can't allow you to have Soumya alone. I know what you're after. No need to brainwash her. We have enough problems as it's. I don't want any further." He completes his sentence in a flat tone, there's no taunt Preeto realises. Harman meant every word he had said. She could see there was nothing she could do other than surrender to him. She gave one last try. With a desperate voice she called Soumya, her eyes teary and pleading "Soumya beta-- don't you trust me? Have I ever hurt you since you're back? Can't I have you for a second? Tell your husband I'm no enemy but his mother and that means I'm nothing but a mother to you too!" she wipes her tears with her thumb and glances down. Soumya couldn't help but feel bad for her. She had lost her own mother, hence the word "mother" tugs at her heart and she bites her lip, feeling the pain of having to lose her own mother. Slowly she moves forward and grasp Preeto's hand. "Please mammi ji-- don't shed tears. You're like my mom! I can't see you like this. I shall come with you!"
Harman starts to object but Soumya has made her mind. Although she feels a little bad for the intimate moment that was lost , still her heart feels for Preeto strongly and she tries to smile and nod to lighten her mother in law's mood.
"I'll help you with the Pooja. " she says with a gentle smile and though she knows Preeto had never been nice to her so this sudden kindness could mean nothing but more harm, still she is unable to watch Preeto this way. Something at her heart breaks when she sees a mother in tears, she can't stand it no matter who the person and how the person is. "As long as Harman ji is with me nothing wrong shall happen--" she tells herself inwardly and starts to follow Preeto. Harman interjects but he sees in her eyes there's no point in arguing. Soumya has made up her mind. He heaves a sigh and recedes back to the room, alone.
***************
The mobile rings, when Harman looks down he sees it's Survi. He takes the call.
"What is it Survi? Is everything ok?"
"Nothing is ok with Di juju. I have known her since we were children and I can tell she is hiding something. Something quite big!" Survi's voice turns excited and trobled. "Jiju --- I think you should do something to know what it's. I tried --- but --- she won't tell me." she hesitates.
"Very well--" Harman sighed. "Your Di has a habit of hiding things. Nothing new. Everytime I bring her back-- she does something drastic---that brings her into more trouble!" his words come out amused. "But don't worry. Harman hey na--- I'll look after her. Afteral what's a husband for? And this is Harman you're talking to. A hero and hero doesn't rest until he finds a cure." Harman grins, although Survi can't see his face she knows well her Jiju. She laughs out loud forgetting the current situation and smiles widely. "Thanks Jiju. But I want you to do one more thing. It's a request actually. "
"Of course Survi, go on. What is it tell me."
"I want you to take Di out of the city-- some place far--- where you two could spend time. And that way you'll also be able to talk to her since there will be no one to intervene. "
"Great Idea Survi! Awesome! " he gives a wide smile. "You have suggested the right thing! I'll do it right away. I'll book tickets today itself. But Survi remember one thing-- no one should know about this-- not even Soumya. Got it?"
"Yes Jiju. You don't worry. I'll do as you say. Just make sure Di goes."
"Your di will come. If she doesn't I'll carry her away." He laughs.
Survi smiles too, she feels light and a little free of worry after a long time and exhales. "Ok fine then. I'll hang up now." Survi cuts the calls and decides to hurry as it's her first day in office.
************
Soumya comes back to her room, tired and hungry, she grabs the water bottle and drinks water. Her face is sad and troubled. Of course the little outing wasn't fine. It as usual turned out to be Preeto's mission and she had constantly pressured Soumya to make Harman agree for marriage. Soumya feels herself at the verge of crying. Her whole body shakes as she sobs gently, soundlessly. She can't face Harman now, which is why she decides to spend her time alone in her secluded room of outhouse. She doesn't want Harman to see her tears, he would certainly doubt Preeto and charge her and she wants nothing of that sort. Soumya exhales staring at the framed photo of their wedding and more tears well up in her eyes. 'She can't lose him-- no she can't.' She tells herself again and again, 'there has to be some way, there has to be.' But even she fails to see what that could be. And who would help her and why. She considers telling Varun since he had been nice to her since the beginning but she doesn't know for sure if she can trust him. She decides to think about it before doing anything. She has to stay in the house and most of all she has to find a way to Mummi ji's heart. She knows there's a mother somewhere beneath that rough exterior, and she tells herself that she would appeal to that mother who loves her son and her family much more than she does. Surely then she won't unhear her plea.
*************
Harman paces in his room. He has made the arrangements. The tickets are in his pocket but he's in deep thought. His brows knit and an intense impression of worried line appears on his face. He knows he has to convince Soumya somehow. "Come on Harman it's you. Soumya will do anything you ask her to." thinking he smiles and goes to the wardrobe and opens it.
************
Soumya looks at the moon through the window and realise just like the moon hidden beneath the clouds, her identity too has been lost somewhere in the way. She has to retrieve that identity, the lost pride of her existence. She too deserves happiness even if it's for a trifle second. Soumya wonders in her thought when she hears a voice and jumps around, only to see Harman standing with a plate full of food. It has daal, sabzi and paratha.
He moves towards her and places the plate down as he sits on the couch and asks her to join him. At that moment Soumya realises she is hungry. She gently moves to where Harman is seated and feels touched by his love and concern for her. Apart from her mom, nobody has cared for her as much as Harman and for that she thanks God every single day.
Harman takes a slice of paratha and offers it to Soumya. "You must be hungry. Eat it. If you don't I won't be able to as well." Soumya feels her own eyes water but she checks her emotion and takes the paratha. Kindered with Harman's love the food feels heavenly and sweet. She relives every bite she takes and stares at Harman without blinking her eyes. "Are you going to eat me-- or the food Mrs.Harman?"
Soumya feels her cheeks redden as she gazes downward and hides her smile. She had literally forgotten that she was in the couch eating. Her entire thought had been about nothing but Harman and his care. She smiles upto him and nods. "Nahi ji--I was only thinking how come you care for me so much. How lucky am I ! I don't know if I deserve it but---" Harman puts a finger at her lips to stop her from saying anything further. "Not a word Gulaboo. You deserve more than what I do. My heart is always at your service. It beats only and only for you!" Soumya is aware of the blush that comes up to her face and almost makes her hide in shame.
Harman is straightforward with his feelings. He had always been. But Soumya feels herself to be the luckiest human. She is a kinnar-- a transgender, hence the care and love Harman bestows seems sometime like a dream to her, but she also knows that whatever Harman had just said is true. His love for her is complete and dedicated and had surpassed every thick and thin. Together they have crossed many barriers but still nothing had ever been able to part them. They are two bodies but One soul.
***********
An hour later they are standing in Harman's room.
After they finish their lunch Harman tells her there's a surprise for her but that she has to accompany him. "Where?" She asks baffled. "You shall see. Now no more questions. Just hurry up and get ready in that yellow saree." Soumya averts her eyes towards the bed in Harman's room where she finds a new saree packed in a box. She hesitates. She has to convince that she can't take it from Harman, but she fails to utter a word about it. She knows Harman will be angry with her and seeing how happy he is, she feels reluctant to ruin his mood. She wants him to be happy forever'-- wasn't that what she wants? Then how can she snatch everytime he is happy and wants to share his time with her? Soumya realises she is unable to spoil his mood so she goes and picks up the saree without a word, smiling at the thought that Harman has brought it for her.
When Soumya steps out from the change room, she has minimal make up on her face. Her eyes and two thin lips glow with natural beauty. The saree drapes perfectly around her petite frame and for the first few seconds Harman forgets to blink. He stares at her unfazed and smitten. His heart beats so erratically that he thinks it will explode. He moves toward her and takes her hand, " Gulaboo you are just like a flower!! Sometimes i am afraid my touch will break you!"he chuckles. " come. You shall see what surprise I have for you."
Soumya feels a secret joy creep up in her heart and she blinks at him with her soft brown eyes, her gaze full of love and trust for her Harmanji. She asks no more questions and follows him to the black sedan. She gets surprised at the proposition to travel but she doesn't object. The car takes the road once they're seated and Harman holds her both hands in his own. The journey begins!
*************
Preeto screams at the top of her lungs when she hears Harman and Soumya has left the house together. She charges everybody but no one seems to know about where they are. Defeated and furious she calls Varun and orders him to find about Harman and Soumya as fast as he can.
**************
The flight takes off as Soumya finds herself wrapped in Harman's arms. He snuggles close to her and whispers. "You can't hide from me forever Gulaboo! Do you hear?" Soumya shyly shakes her head. "Why would I hide Harmanji? " she asks innocently. "Because you always do! But listen one thing-- No matter what happens--- You're mine Soumya! ---- and nobody can take you away from me. Not even you. " he smiles. His lips brush against her cheek and she shivers. She dare not protest even though people might be watching, she knows how precious these moments are and she doesn't want to lose them by preventing Harman. One man even smiles looking at them. Soumya notices and averts her eyes, feeling shy. She accepts his touch and marvels in the way his lips linger at the back of her hands and she tucks her head to his breathing chest and feels relief and happy for the first time in a long time. Soumya feels the touch of an eternal bliss she wants to keep FOREVER.
To be continued...
Please share what you think about this chapter. Tell me if you're liking the twist and turns. Take care. Love you all. ❤️
P.S. next is coming many intimate moments of Harman and Soumya! So stay tuned. 😉
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