ACCEPTING 'US'

1.

Sudha's POV:

It's been a while since they left. The groom and his family are from the village nearby. They are well known everywhere. They have acres of farm, a rice mill and also other properties.
" What happened beta? You seem upset " my grandmother asked my father who was seriously thinking about something.
" What's there to not be upset? " He questioned irritatedly. I was standing near the door frame and hearing their conversation.
" Our sudha is going to get married soon. They were really impressed with her. I am sure they will fix the marriage soon " she said enthusiastically while my father laughed.
" Seriously ma you thought they would reply to us. No. They didn't like that she is handicapped. And yes they liked the way she looked but as soon as she went inside limping they changed their expressions and denied when they left " he said sarcastically and my grandmother gasped.
" But how can they do this? Now what will happen to her? Even Panditji said that she should get married before she turns twenty or else she will never get married " she was saying and tears kept rolling down my cheeks.
" I am trying my best to get her married. But what can I do when they reject her? Even Radha is at home who is of marriageable age. I don't know how she will get married if sudha is not married " he said while my grandmother also started thinking with a pale face.
I am well aware of people who will say they like me and later never return. I had faced way too many rejections that I cannot count on them with my hands.
My mother passed away when I was just an year old. She had severe fever and she died after a week. Later dad married another woman. She is good but never cares for me like a daughter. She just cares for her daughter and son.
Radha is my sister who also doesn't talk to me. My brother Raghu is the one who truly cares for me. He is in city with his uncle to study. Whenever he comes he brings many gifts for me and pampers me a lot.
I consider them both my own siblings but Radha had always been distant like my step mother.
My father does not like me for two reasons. One for being handicapped and second for my mother's death. He believes that I am responsible for her death.
My grandmother(father's mother) is a sweetheart. She had always been with me in every situation. She supported me to get education and to be strong in every mode of life. After my mother's death she had taken care of me and never left my side. Now she is adamant to get me married to a good person and I hope she will succeed soon.
I competed my intermediate. I know it's difficult to study here but my grandmother fought with everyone to get me educated. She want me to pursue further education too but my father stopped her saying I should get married.
I love studying. I was literally only girl in my class during intermediate. All the teachers would praise me and support me. Although it was good to study I was also taunted by everyone for studying with boys and also in this condition. I did not take their words to heart and continued studying for those two years. After that I started living in home when my brother Raghu encouraged me to do something out of my education. So I started writing short stories and novels to the local newspaper. There is a huge demand for such things in society so I took that as a chance and gave it a try which worked out. I write about the lives of people too sometimes. I also received money for my work which I safely kept in my almirah. Only grandmother is aware of this as she is the one who helped me and supported me.
I was currently writing a short story but I got stuck because of the rejection and I was in no mood now.
" What happened Sudha? Did you finish writing the story? Give me I will post it in the post office " she said encouraging me but I can see how she was worried about me.
" Why are you hiding dadi? I know you are trying to act positive but I already know that I am rejected " I said dejectedly playing with the pen in my hand.
" Do not worry dear. May be God is planning to send you a person who will understand you for what you are and who you are and not someone who is merely a village girl " she said placing her hand on my shoulder and tears started coming out of my eyes.
" Why is this happening to me dadi? Papa is also worried because of me. I don't want to be the reason for anyone's worry but I cannot do anything for being like this " I said showing my left leg.
" Don't say like that sudha. You are the one who brings happiness to me. You are not worrying any of us " she said and I hugged her tightly.
" Now don't cry. Everything will be alright soon. Go to the temple and pray. I think God will guide you " dadi said wiping my tears and I nodded.
I went to the near by temple and started praying.
" God please help me. I never ask anything about me because I am happy with whatever you have given. But please this time send me a person who will marry despite my condition. Please God I don't want to upset papa more " I said in front of the deity and sat there for sometime.
I went to home and was about to go to my room when my step mom came in front of me.
" Where are you roaming? Go and cook for everyone. It's already getting late " she said angrily and I nodded. I know she is already aware of the rejection so it's common for her to boom at me.
I quickly gathered the vegetables and started cutting them when dadi came and helped me.
With a slight talk we both completed cooking and left kitchen to wash ourselves.
During dinner everyone were sitting in their respective places. There was a tension in room although it seemed everything is alright. I closed my eyes tightly when papa cleared his tone.
" I wrote a letter to my friend a few days a ago to get his son married to Sudha " he said. Everyone's attention was on him and I was waiting nervously to hear his confession.
" I got a reply a few days ago in which he agreed to it. But I didn't send him any letter further because I thought the proposal which came today could help us but it didn't. So I am going to send him a letter today to accept it " he said to which everyone nodded.
" Do it beta. I hope this time it will be positive " dadi said.
" I hope so too " he said and got up.
Papa being a landlord and also a panchayat member everyone respects him and fears him. This is the reason why he is looking for the suitors who are rich and well known in the village. But I am not looking for someone like that. I want someone who accepts me for what I am.
" Dadi why is dad looking for groom from a rich family not from a normal family? " I asked when dadi and I laid to sleep.
" You know your papa sudha. He wanted to increase his power and respect by making rich men his son in law's " she said.
" But I am not interested in marrying any rich man dadi. I want a simple life with a simple person. But I don't know what is written in my fate " I said hugging her tightly.
" Do not fret over it sudha. You will definitely get what you wanted. Your happiness is what matters the most to me " she said and I nodded.

This is starting of her journey. Soon you will see her progress.
It's a village story as well as 1990's story. So it will be different from my previous book.
Let me know your thoughts...