ACCEPTING 'US'

3.

Sudha's POV:

I closed my eyes tightly waiting for rejection. I know I was rejected even before but now I will be openly rejected in front of these new people who seem to be more rich and powerful. I kept sobbing internally and waited for dadi to come. When they announced that he accepted the proposal I was taken aback. Never did I think I will be getting married after the numerous rejections and I already lost hope to get married. I kept a straight face only for dadi. I do not want to disappoint her by accepting the fate but it turned out that God had other plans for me.
I want to do something in life in which I do not have to feel inferior or inequal. I want to be a change. I got a chance through the stories I write to the local newspaper. When they selected my stories I got a small hope that maybe just maybe I could have a life without depending on others or atleast a less humiliating and insulting one.
But I couldn't go against papa. He is the one who wanted me to get married and settled. I do not want to disobey him by telling about my dreams and aspirations so I kept silent all these years waiting to get settled(as papa thinks).Now that he is trying so hard and finally someone accepted me I can assure he is at peace and relaxed a little.
" Ma what are you saying! " Papa said to dadi when she came with the man and dadi took him to a corner.
.......

" Son I know you want to get your both daughters to rich people so that you will get more respect and power. But you do know how many members have rejected sudha till now. You do not know what internal turmoil she is going through all these years. I want her to get married and be happy that's final " the old woman said with exhaustion.
" But ma how will she become a daughter in law to a farmer's family? She is daughter of a landlord. People will talk things if we do their marriage " Tyagaraj whispered irritated.
" Let them gossip I don't care " she said sighing.
" What? " He almost shouted.
" Keep your voice low. It is better for her to get married and stay as a married woman rather than being in this home as unmarried and getting taunted and humiliated everyday " she said with tears brimming her eyes.
" But ma... " He was saying when she showed he hand.
" No buts Tyagaraj. I spoke to the guy and he genuinely seems to be a good man and I don't want to lose a chance of getting her married to a good person waiting for a rich man. I just pray that they develop in future years and become stable and even rich too. So without any other arguments let's continue with the further marriage preparations " she said and went away from there to the hall where everyone were waiting for them.
Meanwhile Jhansi(sudha's step mother) provided them with snacks prepared by Sudha.
" Prithvi go and make dinner preparation for the guests. There shouldn't be any problem " he said to the man working and he nodded immediately.
Tyagaraj too concluded it's better to agree with her marriage and went to hall.
" Sorry for the delay zamindar Bhai I was little busy " Tyagaraj said and he smiled.
" Now I think I will call the pandit ji and ask for appropriate dates for engagement and marriage. What do you suggest? " He asked the zamindar and he agreed.
Pandit ji came and after checking the astrology of both the bride's and grooms he said.
" As per the astrology it's very clear that both the pairs are compatible with eachother and do not seem to have any problem ".
" That's a great news pandit ji. Then tell us the dates on which we can make engagement and marriage? " Dadi asked.
" Both the engagements and marriages can be done together. We can just change the timings. What do you say sir? " He asked Tyagaraj.
" That will be fine then. Tell us the dates we will make arrangements " he replied.
" Very well then. Engagement can be done within a week and marriage can be done the 12th of next month " he suggested and also told all the timings and went away from there.
During this time sudha was in her room immersed in her thoughts. She doesn't have any idea of what was going on out there. No one was there to inform about the arrangements.
Shyam was also sitting in a corner and listening to everyone. He was not really interested but in presence of zamindar sahab his ears perked for even a small information.
Prithvi and all the workers finished preparing the dinner to the guests so he went and informed his owner regarding the same.
" Now that everything is settled let's feed our guests " Tyagaraj said and everyone laughed. Everyone gathered at the backyard where all the preparations for eating were done. One by one all of them started eating talking among themselves but shyam was not eating.
" What happened beta? Why are you not eating? " Dadi asked him concerned.
" That... That my bullocks didn't eat anything since afternoon. Can you please tell me where can I get them fed? " He asked to which dadi's eyes filled with tears.
" Sure son. Come with me " she said and guided him and the bullocks to the place where there were many cows and buffaloes. She asked a worker to take care of his bullocks and took him to the dining area.
She served him food and he took it and started eating in a corner again. He is poor and moreover not equal to his owners so he was not allowed to sit with them to eat so he chose a place where there was no one.
When he was eating he saw a lady with her back standing near the trees. He observed but couldn't guess who it was. Suddenly she turned and his food stuck in his throat when he saw it is none other than sudha.
.......