For as long as Niharika could remember, she led a simple life overshadowed by her own misery. Despite belonging to a well-established family and being the youngest child, she was the neglected one, living her life as an outcast.
She never hoped or d...
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"hmm, so Thakuryaan calls you," Dada Sa said.
"Ap..ne... ne... b..bulaya mujhe?" Niharika asked, looking at the old lady.
"Han, thare se baat karni thi, or tujhe kuch dena tha toh manne socha tujhe yahaan bulaana sahi hoga," Dadi Sa said with a cold and strict demeanor.
"As you are now part of the family, jabardasti yeh hamari Razi se, you should know our customs and history," Dadi Sa continued, placing both her hands forward in a regal manner.
"Thara naam?" Dadi Sa asked, still being cold and strict."Nih..." Niharika began to speak, but Dada Sa cut her off, saying, "Niharika," completing her sentence with a smile.
"Acha, idhar pehle hi parichay ho chuke hain. Thakur Shaab, why don't you just go and read your newspaper like every other day. I will manage my work here," Dadi Sa said to Dada Sa.
"Hanji, bilkul, hume chalna chahiye," Dada Sa said, fixing his kurta. He was old yet not failing to give off an aura that screamed attention and royalty.
He then got to Niharika's level, showing one hand and speaking in a low yet warm voice."Bahu beta, don't take this old lady as rude. She and your mother-in-law, both are from Haryana, descend, so, it's their way of speaking. They are actually not rude; they talk this way with everyone," he said.
Dadi Sa interrupted, "I can hear everything, Thakur Shab," acting cold. Dada Sa nodded and went away.
Dadi Sa waited for him to disappear and then spoke, coming forward.
"Chori, to tu kitna jaanti hai Prithvi ko? Usne thare se prem vivah kiya hai. Saare Raj Parivaar ki marzi aur bina badho ki izzat ke. Toh kya alag tum dono ne ek dusre mein dekha?" Dadi Sa said, Already knowing the whole truth but still asking the question with interest to hear what Niharika would reply in this situation.
"I..." Niharika started to speak, looking down here and there on the floor.
Then she paused, and Dadi Sa's hand unfolded as she looked at her.
"S..sorry!" Niharika said.
"Arey, ghabraaye na. Chod, maine tujhe idhar darne ke liye nahi bulaya," Dadi Sa said, placing her hand on Niharika's head.
She then moved and grabbed the box that was already placed on the side table, saying, "But to give this," Dadi sa said.
Niharika looked up in question."Aaj thari muh dikhaai hein , saas re mein phela din thara" Dadi Sa said, softening as she saw Niharika.
She again composed herself and said, "Ab log aa kar dekhenge Chouhan Khandan ki bahu ko. Toh thare ko unke samne aise hi nahi bhej sakte na, yeh haar thare liye."
"Khandani hain, maane Prithvi ki Beendni ke liye ib tak sambhal ke rakha tha, aaj mhari pratiksha poori hui," Dadi placed the box in her hand.
"I c..can't t..ake this," Niharika said, pushing it back.
