GAHNA: A Fire

Chapter 6 Hopes dashed

The first rays of the morning sun filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow over the room. Gahna lay in bed, her body aching from the events of the night before.

She stared at the ceiling, her mind a tumultuous storm of despair and determination. She had to find a way to survive in this new reality, even if it meant enduring unimaginable pain.

Vikram stirred beside her, his presence a stark reminder of the nightmare her life had become. She turned her head slightly, watching him as he woke.

His face was calm, almost serene, a stark contrast to the turmoil he had inflicted upon her.

As he got up and began to dress, Gahna took a deep breath, summoning the courage to speak. "Vikram," she said softly, her voice trembling. "Please, can we talk?"

Vikram glanced at her, his expression unreadable. "What is there to talk about, Gahna? I thought we had this conversation last night."

Gahna swallowed hard, fighting back tears. "I just want to understand, Vikram. Why can’t we find a way to support each other? Why can’t I pursue my dreams and still fulfill my duties as your wife?"

Vikram’s eyes narrowed, and he walked over to the bed, towering over her. "You don’t understand, do you? This is not about your dreams. This is about your duty to this family, to me. Your place is here, taking care of our home and our future children. Hamare yha ladkiya shaadi ke baad sirf Ghar ka kaam krti hai aur sab ki sewa karti h. Patni dharm nibhati h."

Gahna’s heart sank. "But why does it have to be one or the other? Why can’t we find a balance?"

Vikram’s face hardened. "Because that’s not how the world works, Gahna. You need to let go of these childish fantasies and accept your reality."

Tears welled up in Gahna’s eyes. "They’re not childish fantasies, Vikram. They’re my dreams, my aspirations. They’re a part of who I am."

Vikram’s voice grew cold. "Your dreams end here, Gahna. You will do as I say, or you will face the consequences."

Gahna’s voice cracked with emotion. "What do you want from me, Vikram? I’m trying to bridge the gap between my dreams and this reality. I just need a chance."

Vikram’s eyes were unyielding. "Understanding? I don’t have the luxury for such things. You will do as I say. If you think you can defy me, you will face the consequences."

Gahna’s hands trembled as she tried to compose herself. "I’m not asking for luxuries. I’m asking to be myself, to hold onto a piece of who I am. Can’t you find it in yourself to understand that?"

Vikram’s voice grew colder. "You’ll need to make a choice. Either you adapt to this life, or you will face a life of constant struggle."

Gahna’s heart ached. "I’m afraid of becoming a shadow of who I once was. Can’t you see? Teaching was more than just a job to me. It was my passion. It was the light I carried with me."

Vikram’s gaze softened slightly, but his next words were sharp. "Life is harsh, Gahna. I’m only trying to prepare you for it. Dreams are not a priority here."

Gahna took a shaky breath. "I know life is hard. But if I can’t hold onto my dreams, what’s left of me? My spirit? Can’t they have a place too? And before marriage why do your parents ask for my education certificate? Agar aap logo ko mujhse jhadu pochha hi lagwana tha to."

Vikram was silent for a moment, the weight of her words hanging in the air. Finally, he spoke, his voice a mixture of frustration and resignation. "You will do as I say, Gahna. Or you will face the consequences."

With that, he turned and walked out of the room, leaving Gahna alone with her shattered hopes. She lay back on the bed, tears streaming down her face. The weight of his words pressed down on her, suffocating her spirit.

For the next few days, Gahna moved through her new life like a ghost. She performed her duties as a wife, cooking, cleaning, and serving Vikram’s family, but her heart was not in it. She felt like a prisoner in her own home, her dreams and aspirations locked away, out of reach.

One afternoon, as Gahna was washing dishes in the kitchen, her mother-in-law, Kamla, approached her. "Gahna, you need to understand that this is your life now. You must forget about your past and focus on your duties here."

Gahna looked up, her eyes filled with tears. "But, Ma, I just want to teach. I want to help children and make a difference."

Kamla’s face softened for a moment, but her voice remained firm. "Dreams are a luxury, Gahna. We cannot afford such luxuries here. You must accept your role and do what is expected of you."

Gahna nodded, the weight of her reality pressing down on her. She knew that her fight was far from over, but she also knew that she had to find a way to survive in this new world. Her hopes may have been dashed, but her spirit was not completely broken.

In the quiet moments of the night, Gahna would lie awake, her mind racing with thoughts of escape and rebellion. She knew that she couldn’t let her dreams die, that she had to find a way to reclaim her life, no matter the cost.

As the days turned into weeks, Gahna began to form a plan. She would endure, she would survive, and she would find a way to pursue her dreams. She would not let Vikram or anyone else dictate her life. The journey would be long and arduous, but Gahna was determined to find her own path, one step at a time.

Will she able to find a way to pursue her dream?
What do you think?

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