The Enchantress

Chapter thirty one

Mahamaya felt her heart hammer as she heard those words. Viraj held her warm hand and whispered gently, "Maai (Mom) was abused since she was married. Women in our homes don't get a lot of freedom and they often get treated badly. That's why, I never wanted to marry you. Look, you are going to marry me and I assure you that nobody can physically touch you but I can't promise anything about emotional or mental abuse and I don't want to destroy another life."

Mahamaya's ears perked up at the second last word. Another? She softly voiced out the word, "Another?" in a questioning tone, clarifying her doubt.

Viraj sighed, rubbing his eyes, looking tired before he confirmed in a low voice, "Yes, this will be my second marriage. I was married eight years ago, when I was twenty one years old. I was young back then and it was through political connections. She was daughter of another Mafia leader, Mafia leader of West Bengal to be exact. I put my everything in the marriage, doing my best to make her feel comfortable, till I found out she was pregnant. I had never touched her Mahamaya, because I was not ready, even though she tried to coax me into sex. I was shocked and told Aaba (Dad) about this. I didn't know he would but h-he shot her as soon as she gave birth, in front of me as I held the just born baby," even though death was something common to Mahamaya because she was a doctor, the suddenness of it still made her gasp. Her lips trembled as she heard about what happened with his first wife. She also realized that what happened with her was similar to what happened with Aarav.

Viraj rubbed his temples, before he continued, "I later found out Aaba was the one pressurizing her to bear a heir and when she finally realized I would take time and she would continue getting more taunts for not bearing a child, she had an affair from another one of our men. When we found out who he was, he was killed too, before she was killed, even though he had done everything out of pity."

Mahamaya's eyes widened as she whispered softly, "What about the c-child? Is it alright?"

Viraj's facial features softened as he nodded, remembering the girl who he had adopted a few days ago after his father died. Everyone thought that she was a random girl but she was his first wife's child who Aaba had given away to the orphanage. The orphanage was owned by him too because it was a good way of turning black money white. Viraj gulped, his emotions thick and said, "I was always looking out for her from far and now my little fairy, daughter of my wife, my Tara, my baby girl calls me Aaba and I love it, I love this freedom I got after Aaba's death and if we do get married," he looked at her seriously, as if making a promise, "I promise I will change how things work. The newer generation, people of my age don't agree with the older generation as it is. I will try my best to protect you but I can't promise that it will be as good as how your parents have brought you up Mahamaya."

Mahamaya felt herself melt at his words. However, the words were not good enough. His first wife was killed and even though she cheated, Mahamaya couldn't even imagine the mental torture she went through before taking such a decision. The environment there wouldn't be good for her, especially for her family because having such relatives would be painful for them in every step of their life. They wouldn't want to see their daughter in pain either and maybe they would suffer more than she would.

She knew her parents would rather keep her unmarried than letting her marry such a household. Not everything in a married life depended on just the spouse in India. There was a famous saying that marriages don't happen among two individuals in India, but rather among two families. However, there was that undeniable fate angle as well. She didn't know what to do. Closing her eyes, she decided to trust God and opened them, looking at him confidently, "I will marry you."

The reply was so sudden for him as he shouted in joy, hugging her tightly, making her squeal in laughter and let out soothing gentle sounding giggles. Everyone in the living room heard this and Mahesh was wondering what they might be doing inside while Ayush was confused on whether to think that this was an unladylike behaviour or if her giggles were melodious. Aabha was feeling scared that Ayush would reject her as a suitable partner of the Mafia Boss and as Mafia Queen after hearing her laughter. It had been years since Aabha had last laughed like that.

Both of the young people exited the room and came outside amongst the elders. Ayush was still eating and Aabha, not knowing if she was allowed to eat or not, had not touched her plate, even though Mahesh and Indrayani kept insisting her to eat.

Viraj sat besides his mother, smiling softly at her, careful not to smile too much because he didn't want an earful from Ayush as soon as he would reach home. However, he had no idea his beloved uncle was busy staring at his to be wife. Mahamaya sat besides her Pappa and Aai and she felt the uncomfortable gaze on her as she coughed and adjusted herself to cover herself more, feeling disgusted in front of his evil stare. His continuous staring however wasn't deterred.

She finally got up, smiling sweetly as she asked all of them, "Would anybody like anything else? I would be happy to bring more snacks if anybody wants anything more."

Mahesh noticed the stare of the old man. The man, who introduced himself as Ayush, friend of Viraj's late father and a father figure to Viraj, looked older than Mahesh himself and with the way he was ogling Mahamaya, Mahesh felt angry as he tried not to clutch Ayush's collar and rip his eyeballs out for eyeing his daughter that way. He had decided then and there that he wouldn't let his beloved daughter marry in a family with members who were like animals like these.

Ayush finally said, "We will take your leave but we liked your daughter and we would like to proceed with the marriage talks."

Aabha felt surprised. However, she felt happy when he agreed to accept her son's love. Mahesh however, said firmly, "We are sorry but we would have to disagree from our side..."