Meera
I was in the kitchen when Bua ji came outside. I gave her tea then touched her feets. My husband and the kids had their breakfast and went to their respective destinations.
It was just me and Bua ji at the home. I too ate my breakfast when she was watching television. Then I decided to go to my room to write in my notebook. While I was climbing the stairs, Bua ji called out "Bahu kaha ja rahi hai?"
(Daughter in law where are you going?)
"Bua ji woh apne kamre mei"
(To my room Bua ji)
"Ghar ki safai Kon karega"
(Who will clean the house)
"Bua ji naukaro ne subah hi kardi hai"
(Bua ji servants already did that)
"Tu idhar aa. Dekh kitni dhool hori hai. Baad mein kario aaram"
(You come here. See how much dust is getting collected. Rest later on)
I nodded and walked towards her. She directed me to start dusting the tables, sofas, images which were hanging on the wall and the antiques kept for decoration.
"Acche se kar. Kuch seekha kar nahi bheja kya tere ma baap ne" she said and I just kept on working.
(Do it properly. Haven't your parents taught you anything)
"Chal isse chord ab. Pocha laga de ab tu"
(Ok leave this and go sweep the floor)
"Ji Bua ji kaha se lagana hai"
(From where?)
"Aree poore Ghar mei lagana hai. Kaam karne se baccha bhi swasth rahega. Chal ab jaldi kar" She said sitting on the sofa.
(Aree sweep the whole house. Don't be lazy)
I didn't know how was I supposed to sweep the whole house. We even had 3 people to just clean the house. But I still decided to do it. I didn't want to upset Bua ji.
I asked the maids for the cleaning cloth and a bucket full of water.
"Aree malkin humme bataiye kya karna hai?"
(Ma'am tell us what we have to do?)
"Nahi mein kar lungi"
(No I'll do it on my own)
"Malkin malik ne hume kaha tha ki aap aisa koi kaam nahi karegi" the maid said looking down.
(Ma'am sir has said that you will not do any of this work)
"Koi nahi Mamta mein kar lungi" I said smiling at her.
(It's alright Mamta I can do it)
I knew We had a big house but while cleaning it, it almost seemed endless.
I started sweeping in the hall area where Bua ji was sitting.
"Aree bahu kaise laga rahi hai? Dekh waha se reh gaya" she said pointing out the place which I had already cleaned. Suppressing my emotions I cleaned it again. The whole ground floor took me an hour. I vomited twice while cleaning.
(Aree Meera how are you sweeping? See you missed that space)
"Bua ji hogaya" I said finally.
(Done Bua ji)
"Aree abhi kaha hua. Upar Wali manzil toh reh gayi aur sabke kamre bhi. Ja kar unhe. Itni kamchori thik nahi bahu"
(It's not done. Upper floor is still left. Go and sweep that too. So much laziness is not good)
"Bua ji meri tabiyat kharab si lag rahi hai" I told her honestly
(Bua ji I am not feeling well)
"Bahane mat Bana bahu. Tujhe Bhairav ne Sar par baitha rakha hai. Accha hua mein dekhne aagayi warna pata nahi kya hota. Chal ab ja kaam kar"
(Don't make excuses Meera. Bhairav is coddling you too much. It's a good thing I came here otherwise who knows what would have happened. Now go work)
I just nodded and started sweeping. After I was done cleaning I took a bath, it was almost time for my husband and kids to return. I went to the kitchen and started preparing food.
On time everyone returned and I served them food.
"Aree Sakshi itna mat khaya kar pehle hi aisi si hai tu" Bua ji said taunting Sakshi even though Sakshi was of right weight for her age.
(Sakshi don't eat too much look at your figure)
"Bua ji Sakshi ko jitna khana hoga wo khayegi. Aapko batane ki koi zaroorat nahi hai" My husband said in serious tone.
(Bua ji Sakshi can eat as much as she wants. You don't need to tell her)
"Aree beta Mera waisa Matlab nahi tha. Wo yeh badi hogi toh iski shaadi bhi Karni hogi. Mein toh yahi soch rahi thi"
(I didn't mean it like that beta. When she'll grow up she Will get married. I am just looking after her)
"Phir aapki shaadi kaise hogyi" Aarambh said quietly making me giggle.
(How did you get married)
"Bas bohot hogaya. Sab chup chap khana khao" he said shutting everyone up.
(Ok quiet. Everybody eat your food silently)
"Meera tu bhi khale" he said looking at me.
(Meera you also eat)
Before I could reply him, Bua ji interrupted and said "Aree beta kha legi wo, tu kha aaram se"
(Bhairav she'll eat later, first you eat)
He listened to her and then looked at me. He didn't say anything but from his eyes he gestured me to pick up the plate and eat. I did so, smiling.
Bhairav
When I looked at her in the morning she was literally glowing now she looked so tired. When Bua ji and the kids when to hall. I walked behind her in the kitchen.
The maids bowed to me and just left. When Meera turned around she was shocked to see me.
"Aap?"
(You?)
"Haan Jaan aur kon hoga?"
(Yes love who else?)
She blushed at my words but her eyes looked so tired.
"Mera Matlab aap yaha kya kar rahe hai ji? Kuch chahiye tha kya aapko? Mujhe bol dete mein le aati"
(I meant what are you doing here? Do you want anything? You could have said to me)
"Nahi Meera kuch nahi chahiye mujhe. Mein bas tujhse baat karne aaya hoon"
(No Meera I don't want anything. I just want to talk to you)
"Ji" she looked at me expectedly with her doe eyes. They were literally mesmerizing but I wouldn't forget what I came for.
"Kya hua hai tujhe? Teri tabiyat theek hai?"
(What happened to you? Are you not feeling well?)
"Ji mein bilkul theek hoon" she said with half smile. I didn't believe her words.
(I am completely fine)
"Toh itni thaki hui kyu lag rahi hai?" I enquired
(Then why are you looking so tired?)
"Wo bas aise hi. Bohot ultiyaan hori haina isiliye" she said stammering in between.
(That's because I am vomiting a lot)
"Dawai li tune?"
(Did you take the medicine)
"Ji"
(Yes)
"Sach Meera"
(Really Meera)
"Haan ji"
(Yes ji)
"Theek" (Ok) I said and was about to go but looking at her tired smile, I stepped forward and engulfed her in a hug, kissing her forehead. She immediately melted in my arms. I held her closely caressing her hairs.
"Kuch bhi ho mujhe bata dio"
(If something happens just tell me)
"Ji" (Ok) she said hugging me tightly. Even when we broke our hug she was still holding my kurta tightly and looking down.
"Tere liye aate huye kuch lau?"
(Should I bring something for you while returning ?)
She shook her head.
"Pakka?" I asked looking down in her eyes.
(You sure?)
She just nodded. Squeezing her hand slightly for the last time I went.
YOU ARE READING
Tumhari Preyasi
RomanceThe story is set in late 1980s. A woman who has full faith in her husband and loves him to core and a man who'll do anything to protect his family but finds it hard to express his emotions. Will there story be like every other couple in that era or...
