Chapter7 The New Reality
Weeks turned into months, and Gahna's life settled into a monotonous routine. The girl who once had dreams of teaching and inspiring children now found herself trapped in a life she never wanted.
Her days began early and ended late, filled with endless chores and the constant pressure to meet her husband's and in-laws' expectations.
One evening, after a particularly exhausting day, Gahna sat down with a heavy sigh. Vikram walked in, observing her with a critical eye. "You look tired, Gahna," he remarked.
"I am," she replied softly. "It's been a long day."Vikram's expression hardened.
"You need to keep up with your duties, Gahna. There's no room for laziness in this house."Gahna bit her lip, fighting back tears.
"I'm not being lazy, Vikram. I'm doing my best. But it's hard."Vikram's eyes narrowed.
"You need to learn to manage. We all have to make sacrifices. Apna kaam kro bahane mat maaro "Gahna's voice trembled as she responded.
"I understand that. But sometimes it feels like I'm the only one sacrificing everything. Aur mai bahane nhi maar rhi hu"
Vikram scoffed.
"You have a roof over your head, food to eat. What more do you want?"Gahna's heart ached at his words.
"I want to feel like I matter, Vikram. Like I'm more than just a servant in this house."Vikram's eyes flashed with anger.
"You are my wife. Your duty is to fill this family needs. Accept it." She didn't say anything and get annoyed by his words.
"Tumhe karna hi kya hota hai bas Ghar ka hi kaam Krna hota hai usme bhi tumhe thakan hojati hai kabhi bimaar par jaati ho. Aurat hokar bhi tumse aurto wale kaam nhi ho rhe agar ye sab nahi karogi to phir kya krogi ye sehi kabhi thakan ka bahana kabhi bukhar ka bahana Marti rhogi to kaam kaise chalega mere saamne ye sab bahane na mara kro jao aur ja kar kaam karo." He said. Tears started to come into her eyes and she wiped and went from there.
"Bas aanso baha dene hote h magarmach ki tarah kaam na karne ke bahane" he said in anger
Months passed, and Gahna discovered she was pregnant. The news brought mixed emotions. While she felt a glimmer of hope at the prospect of new life, she also felt the weight of her circumstances even more heavily.
She knew that the child would tie her even more tightly to this life, making escape seem even more impossible.When she told Vikram, his reaction was far from what she had hoped.
"You're pregnant?" he asked, his voice devoid of warmth."Yes," Gahna replied, trying to find joy in the moment. "We're going to have a baby."Vikram nodded, his expression unreadable.
"Good. Maybe now you'll stop talking about those ridiculous dreams of yours and focus on what really matters."Gahna felt a pang of sorrow.
"I thought you'd be happy, Vikram. This is our child."Vikram's eyes softened slightly. "I am. But remember, your place is here, taking care of our family. That's what matters now."Gahna nodded, her heart heavy.
"I know. I just... I hoped it would bring us closer."Vikram's face remained stern. "Focus on your duties, Gahna. That's what's important."As her pregnancy progressed, Gahna found herself increasingly isolated.
The physical toll of her condition, combined with the emotional strain of her circumstances, left her feeling more alone than ever.
She longed for the support and understanding she had once hoped to find in Vikram, but it remained elusive.
One evening, as Gahna rested on the bed, her mother-in-law, Kamla, entered the room. "Gahna, how are you feeling?" she asked, her tone softer than usual."I'm managing, Ma," Gahna replied, her voice weary.
Kamla sat down beside her. "Pregnancy is hard, I know. But it will all be worth it when you hold your baby."Gahna nodded, tears filling her eyes.
"I hope so, Ma. I just... I feel so alone sometimes."Kamla's eyes softened with understanding.
"You're not alone, Gahna. You have this family. We're here for you."
Gahna looked at her, desperation in her gaze. "I need more than just duty and responsibility, Ma. I need to feel loved, supported. I need to feel like I still matter."Kamla sighed, her expression sad.
"I know, Gahna. But life doesn't always give us what we want. Sometimes, we have to find strength within ourselves."Gahna nodded, though her heart felt heavy.
"I'm trying, Ma. But it's so hard."Kamla placed a hand on her shoulder.
"You're stronger than you think, Gahna. You'll get through this. And your baby will bring you joy, even in the hardest times."As the months passed, Gahna's pregnancy advanced, and with it came new challenges.
She struggled with the physical demands of her condition while still fulfilling her duties. Vikram remained distant, his focus on his work and his expectations of her unwavering.
One night, as Gahna lay in bed, she felt a sharp pain in her abdomen. Panic surged through her, and she called out for Vikram.
He rushed into the room, concern etched on his face."What's wrong, Gahna?" he asked, his voice tinged with worry."I think... I think the baby is coming," she gasped, clutching her belly.Vikram's eyes widened.
"We need to get you to the hospital."The journey to the hospital was a blur of pain and fear for Gahna. But amid the chaos, she found a sliver of hope.
Perhaps the birth of their child would bring a change, a new beginning for their fractured relationship.Hours later, Gahna held her newborn baby in her arms, tears of joy and exhaustion streaming down her face.
Vikram stood by her side, his expression a mix of awe and uncertainty.
"It's a girl," Gahna whispered, looking up at Vikram with a fragile smile.Vikram nodded, a rare softness in his eyes.
"She's beautiful, Gahna."In that moment, as Gahna looked into her daughter's eyes, she felt a surge of love and determination.
This child would be her anchor, her reason to keep fighting. No matter how difficult her reality became, she would find a way to give her daughter the life she deserved.
As the days turned into weeks and Gahna adjusted to the demands of motherhood, she found a new strength within herself.
The challenges were immense, but so was her resolve. She would endure, she would survive, and she would find a way to reclaim her life and dreams, not just for herself, but for her daughter.
In the quiet moments of the night, as she held her sleeping baby close, Gahna made a silent vow. "I will be strong for you, my little one. We will find our way, together. This is my promise."And with that promise echoing in her heart,
Gahna faced her new reality with renewed determination, ready to take on whatever challenges lay ahead.
Namaste(नमस्ते)🙏 everyone, I hope you enjoyed reading my story. Please kindly share your thoughts on this chapter in the comments.
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GAHNA: A Fire
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