𝐀𝐍𝐒𝐇
"So, what did you think? Will you let them see her?"
I heard Aryan bhai’s voice behind me.
“Hmm,” I murmured, twirling the paperweight in my hands, eyes fixed on the half-moon outside his office window. My legs were lazily crossed over his desk. Yeah, he’s a police officer — and clearly still too nosy.
He sighed. I smirked a little.
Her face flickered in my mind like a soft memory. I could see her on the moon — and why not? She lives in both my mind and heart. Hell, she owns them.
“So, when are you going to tell her the truth?” he asked again.
God, why do all these police officers ask so many damn questions?
“Never,” I replied.
“Why?”
“Because she won't be able to bear it. I don’t want to mess with her mind.”
“Fir toh woh tujhe kabhi pehchaan hi nahi payegi…”
(She’ll never be able to recognize you then...)
“Main chahta bhi nahi .”
(I don’t even want .)
He exhaled deeply.
“Thik che, mara bhai. Raho bankar anjaan pati.
The one who married her by force, after lying that he was going to rescue his love.”
“Ho gaya?”
I finally looked at him. He was smirking.
But I knew how to wipe that smirk off his face.
“Bohot bakwas karte ho.
“Go bug your wife and kid instead of sniffing around my mess.”
I flung the paperweight at him. He caught it mid-air, grinning.
“Main ja raha hoon.
My nayi nayi biwi must be waiting for her pati-dev at home.”
“I feel pity for your wife,” I heard him shout behind me.
“What a mannerless husband she’s been forced to marry!”
I didn’t bother replying. I just walked out of the station, letting his never-ending taunts fade behind me.
Sliding the key into my Bullet, I revved it up, the engine growling like my heart.
The cold air hit my face the moment I sped off —
It was late at night.
The roads were empty, swallowed in silence, with only a few heavy trucks passing by.
She must’ve fallen asleep by now.
A pang of guilt hit me. I hadn’t even complimented her on her first rasoi. I didn’t give her anything either.
But what could I say? What could I give?
Even words would fall short to describe her.
And any gift would pale in comparison to my Devi.
She’s not someone you flatter.
She’s divine — a goddess.
And goddesses don’t need words to define their divinity.
I sped up on my bike.
That’s when something caught my eye —
A small figure by the roadside.
In the middle of this silent night, a little girl was sitting alone, selling something.
I’m not cold-hearted.
And my circumstances aren’t so cruel that I would ignore someone like her.
I stopped the bike and walked over.
She had laid out handmade women’s earrings, clips, and other trinkets.
“Kya aap inmein se kuch kharidna chahenge?”
She must’ve been ten or eleven — eyes shining with hope.
“Hmm,” I nodded, eyes scanning the accessories.
“Kya kya loge, bhaiya?”
“Saare de do.”
(All of them.)
Her eyes widened in surprise. She began packing the items with trembling hands.
“Why are you here late at night? It's not safe,” I asked, frowning.
She smiled faintly.
“Jab baat pet chalane ki ho, toh safety nahi dikhai deti bhaiya… sirf majboori dikhai deti hai.”
That one line hit harder than I expected.
“What is your name?”
“Jigyasha.”
“You made all of this?”
“ Yes, it's all made by me.”
“Do you study?”
“No, bhaiya… no time, no money.”
“ you want to”, I asked
““Yes I want but I can't leave my mom alone, she's ill, and she needs me on her side”,
I knelt down and handed her a card.
“Here, take this card. Go there when you can. You’ve got talent, Jigyasha — and talent doesn’t belong on the roadside.”,
She clutched the card like it was gold. “Okay bhaiya, thank you, I will definitely go there”.”
I took the packet of accessories, gave her a soft smile, and walked back to my bike.
Riding back home, her words echoed in my head.
Majboori.
Majboori insaan se kya kuch nahi karwa leti...
Jiske paas sab kuch hai, vo bhi majboor hai.
Aur jiske paas kuch bhi nahi...
vo bhi majboor hai.
"Ab meri hi majboori dekh lo...
Shaadi-shuda hokar bhi, biwi se door zameen par sota hoon."
.
.
.
.
.
Parking my bike in the lot, I headed quietly toward the hall.
The house was silent — except for Lily and Rocky, who wagged their tails excitedly the moment they saw me.
I bent down, gently patting their heads.
Climbing the stairs toward my room, I pushed the door open.
And then I saw it.
The bed — empty.
My eyes narrowed as I looked down.
There she was.
Sleeping on the floor.
"Yeh ladki... ek baar meri baat kyun nahi maanti?"
(Why doesn’t she ever listen to me?)
I sighed and walked toward her.
Leaning down, I gently curled my arms under her small frame. She flinched for a second at my touch… but didn’t wake up.
If it were someone else, they would’ve woken up instantly.
But not her.
Either she’s a heavy sleeper…
Or maybe… just maybe… she trusts my touch.
That thought did something to my heart I couldn't explain.
I placed her carefully on the bed.
Pulling the blanket over her, I walked to the window and drew the curtains open — letting the moonlight fall softly across her sleeping face.
I sat on the single sofa near the bed, eyes fixed on her sleeping figure.
Her face… that small, round face looked so peacefully divine.
Her hairline bore the red vermillion of my name — and those long black locks that reached below her hips… they moved like serpents when she walked.
Now tied in a long braid, they still drove me crazy like a possessed man.
Yes, I’m obsessed with her hair. Damn obsessed.
She looked peaceful.
Innocent.
Too innocent to bear the storm life had thrown her into.
And I’ve decided — no matter what, I’ll shield her from every damn storm.
I failed once.
But not now.
Now, I’m capable enough to protect my Devi from this cruel world.
A satisfied smile curved on my lips as I stood, stepped closer, and gently caressed her head.
I leaned down and placed a soft kiss on her forehead.
Then I walked to the balcony.
Looking up at the moon, her face flashed before me again — not Devika’s… but hers.
My mother’s.
I wished she were here… to bless me.
To see how well her son kept the promise he made to her.
"I wish… I wish you were here to see me, Maa."
---
DEVIKA
Golden rays kissed my face, making me stir slightly.
I sat up lazily, rubbing my eyes. My gaze landed on the vintage wall clock.
6:30 AM.
I stretched a bit and placed my feet on the floor…
Wait. Floor?
I blinked.
I had slept on the floor last night, hadn’t I?
I turned and looked at the other side of the bed — the floor was empty.
Even the bedsheet I’d used was gone.
Did… he… pick me up and place me on the bed?
Why didn’t I feel anything?
Was I such a deep sleeper?
Or… did his touch feel too familiar to wake me?
Confused and unsettled, I walked into the bathroom, my thoughts spiraling.
He carried me without my consent… at least he could’ve asked before touching me.
Thirty minutes later, I stepped out, dressed and ready in a simple blue kurti set,
As I opened the door, I saw Rocky waiting outside.
He instantly began tugging at the pleats of my saree.
I scooped him into my arms and walked downstairs.
In the hall, Nani maa sat cross-legged, stitching a woolen sweater with quiet focus.
I placed Rocky down and walked toward her, bending to touch her feet.
“Suprabhat, Nani maa.”
“Arey, tum uth gayi beti? Aao, baitho.”
She blessed me and gestured for me to sit beside her.
“Tabiyat kaisi hai ab?”
“Ji, ab thik hai.”
“Hmm, theek hai beti.”
“Ji… where is everyone? Nobody’s around.”
“Ansh aur Aryan dikra morning routine ke liye gaye hain. 8:30 tak aa jaayenge. Dhritiya aur Dakshit abhi so rahe honge — woh 8 baje uthte hain. Aur Revti chai bana rahi hogi.”
She smiled warmly.
“Tum baitho, abhi aati hogi.”
“Ji.”
She then looked at me curiously.
“Achha beti, yeh batao... tumhare maa-baap kaise hain?”
"Jahannam ki aag jaise," I thought bitterly.
But instead, I forced a smile and replied, “Ji, woh theek hain.”
“ Tumhari zabardasti shaadi kyun karwa rahe the?”
She asked again, her eyes gentle, but sharp.
What do I tell her? I can't even tell the truth…
“Ji… love marriage allowed nahi thi.” I said whatever was coming on my mind,
“Achha beti, chhodo sab. Hum kabhi jaakar tumhare mata-pita se milenge aur unhe samjhayenge.”
Then, her hand rested softly on mine.
“Tum yeh batao, tum hamare Ansh ke saath khush toh ho na? Khayal toh rakhta hai tumhara?”
There was a sparkle in her eyes as she added with a chuckle, without even giving chance to answer me,
“Mara Ansh vada sambhal chhe. Mujhe darr tha kahi koi modern bahu na le aaye, par dekho… kitna kismat wala hai. Jo tum mili use… aur humein bhi.”
(My Ansh is very simple. I was afraid that I might get a modern daughter-in-law, but look… how lucky he is. He got you… and we too.”)
“Kaafi badhiya sanskaar hain tumhare. Humein toh ek jhalak mein pasand aa gayi thi. Agar woh pagla hamein pehle batata tumhare baare, toh hum khud jaate tumhara haath maangne.”
(You have very good manners. I liked you in a flash. If that crazy guy had told me about you earlier, I would have gone myself to ask for your hand.”)
“Kya baatein ho rahi hain subah subah, Nani saas aur pota bahu ke beech mein”, I heard jiji's voice and turned to see her with a tea cup.
(What is being said in the morning between the grandmother-in-law and the grand daughter-in-law?")
“Good morning, jiji, “ I greeted her,
“Good morning Devrani ji” , she greeted me back with a soft smile, kepting the cup in front of Nani maa
“Kuch nahi bahu bas aise hi thodi batein kar rahe the”, she replied and took the cup,
Okay, you two talk, I will prepare breakfast, Raghav also has to go to school, right?
“Rukiye jiji, let me help you”,
“Okay come “, she said and I followed here to the kitchen,
.
.
About half an hour later, breakfast was ready.
I followed Jiji to the dining table where the family was already seated. Everyone looked casual and relaxed — except Dakshit.
He seemed a little tense and in a hurry.
And then... my eyes shifted to him.
My so-called forced husband.
With the corner of my eyes, I noticed he was just… staring at the table.
"Khali table ko kyun ghoor rahe hain ye?
Kabhi kabhi toh mujhe sach mein pagal lagte hain…"
I sighed internally. "Huh, mujhe kya. Mujhe kya farak padta hai?"
After serving him breakfast, I turned to leave — but before I could move away, his hand gently grabbed my wrist.
Without a word, he pulled me down to sit beside him.
He still didn’t even look at me.
Instead, he silently began serving food onto my plate.
Did his mood just… switch? Baap re, ladkiyon se bhi zyada mood swings hain inke.
I didn’t dare look at him.
Waise toh bade bade dialogues maarte hain, aur ab ek jhalak dekh भी nahi rahe. Nakhrebaaz kahin ke.
I ignored him and focused on eating.
That’s when Dakshit suddenly started coughing hard.
“Yeh hapsiyon ki tarah kyun kha raha hai? Aaraam se kha,” he said sharply.
I glanced up to see Dhritya patting her brother’s back, trying to calm him down.
“Ummh… mhmm…”
Dakshit tried to say something but his mouth was too full to speak.
“Chup. Shanti se baith kar kha.”
He shouted again — yes, my moody husband.
But then he calmly passed his own glass of water to Dakshit.
I looked around the table.
Everyone… was still eating casually.
Not a single glance toward Dakshit or Dhritya.
Not even Jiji or her husband…
My brows furrowed slightly.
This... isn’t normal.
Ever since I came to this house, I’d noticed — no one really talks to Dhritya and Dakshit except him… and Raghav.
Even Nani Maa, who is otherwise warm and kind, speaks very little to them.
A happy family, yes — but this part?
This part is not right.
There’s something… wrong.
And I’m going to ask him about it.
“Bhai, vo aaj science exhibition hai college mein,” Dhritya spoke up softly.
“Dakshit head boy hai, toh jaldi jaana hai.”
He nodded.
“Okay. But eat slowly.”
And then he calmly resumed eating.
.
.
After breakfast, Dhritya and Dakshit left for college.
Raghav, too, ran off to catch his school bus.
I was done with my meal.
Nani Maa was deep in conversation with Jiji’s husband and… him.
I quietly stood up and began gathering the plates.
Just as I turned to leave for the kitchen, I felt a sudden tug.
My dupatta…
Was it stuck somewhere?
I turned back —
And what I saw made my jaw drop.
There he was — my so-called husband — casually wiping his wet hands with my dupatta.
My dupattā.
My eyes widened, heart pounding in disbelief.
And then — as if that wasn’t enough —
He calmly brought the cloth up to his mouth, dabbing at it too,
still talking casually with Nani Maa as if this was the most normal thing in the world.
What. The. Hell.
My eyes blazed.
I yanked the dupatta back, but he didn’t let go.
In fact, he just pulled it tighter — drying his hands with even more ease,
not sparing me a single glance.
How mannerless!
Inhein toh main raat mein batati hoon.
(He has no manners. I’ll deal with him tonight.)
I turned away, clutching the slightly damp edge of my dupatta like a trophy of insult —
my teeth gritted, eyes smoldering with silent rage.
After he and jeth ji left for their respective work, I stayed back — still wondering what he actually does.
To be honest, I still don’t know. And I don’t think anyone has told me clearly either.
But whatever.
Right now, I’m with Jiji in the supermarket.
She was going alone, but Nani Maa insisted she take me along.
Jiji walked beside me, checking vegetables and some kitchen accessories, while my mind was stuck replaying the morning — the glass of water, the silence at the table, and more importantly, the strange indifference of everyone towards Dakshit and Dhritya.
Should I ask her?
No, no — what will she think of me?
But I can’t keep this question buried in my heart.
It’ll eat me alive.
“Jiji,” I finally called out softly.
She turned immediately, a bunch of fresh green saag in her hand.
“Hmm? Bolo, Devika. Do you want anything?”
She smiled warmly.
“No… Jiji, actually… vo… can I ask you something?”
“Haan haan, puchho na.”
She turned toward the basket to place the greens inside.
I hesitated.
“Vo… Jiji… vo… are Dakshit and Dhritya not Jethji’s real siblings?”
Her hands… stopped mid-air.
She froze — whatever she was doing, she stopped completely.
Then slowly, she turned to look at me.
The smile was gone.
Her face was blank, her eyes unreadable.
My heart skipped a beat.
Did I say something wrong? Too much? Too soon?
“Sorry… Jiji… I didn’t mean to offend—”
She let out a soft sigh.
“No, Devika… you don’t have to apologize. You’re a member of this family now. You have every right to know.”
A pained smile flickered across her lips.
Then she finally said it:
“Yes. They’re not Aryan’s biological siblings… they’re step.”
*******************************************
Now, a little life update…
Out of nowhere, I got some allergic reaction. My whole body was itching badly 😭
So I had to come back home for a check-up. It’s okay now, and I’ll be returning to the hostel on Wednesday.
From the college diaries... 🎓✍️
In our communication lab, Ashish sir gave us a task on picture description.
After finishing mine, I walked up to him — a little shy — and handed over my notebook.
And guess what?
I don't know from nowhere a single strand of my hair came on the notebook. He didn’t look at me, but softly picked the strand up and said:
“Hair fall ho rahe hai tumhare.” 😳🫣
I don’t know why... but my heart skipped a beat.
He placed the strand beside his desk gently, checked my work, and said,
“It’s good.”
Nothing dramatic happened after that — except my heartbreak.
Because the very next month, he told us he was leaving the college.
He got an amazing opportunity to teach at a big university — a huge achievement for him.
But honestly? I wasn’t happy at all.
I had started to like that bhadwa sa communication skills class because of him. And now, he is gone.
But wait — plot twist:
The college hired another sir for the same subject.
His name? ASHISH. Yep. Ashish again.
But... but... but... he wasn’t that handsome or charming. 😅
Though to be fair — he’s a good teacher and explains things well.
So just like that … my little crush got crushed even before it had a chance to bloom. 🥲
Too bad, na?
---
Radhe Radhe, beautiful people! 💛
Enjoy the chapter and don’t forget to shower it with your love 💌
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