kahani pyar ki (Tk)

49.

TAE  POV.

Today, I told Jungkook 'I love you' while in his arms. I never thought I'd say this to anyone, but Jungkook is the only one I can say this to for the rest of my life.

When my parents discussed marriage, I didn't want to get married. I wanted to run away, but I couldn't. Since childhood, I knew I was a burden.

My mother made me do household chores and kitchen work from the 6th grade, saying I needed to learn as I'd go to another's house after marriage. My brother supported me, saying I should focus on studies, but Father silenced him, saying I needed to learn.

I cried for days but later realized my friends did similar chores. As I grew older, my parents worried about finding a good groom for me. But I didn't want a good home through marriage; I wanted to study and become a doctor, my childhood dream.

I worked hard, topped my 12th grade, and thought Father would arrange my college admission. Instead, he started searching for marriage proposals.

I felt terrible that my wishes weren't being considered. I told my mother, but she couldn't do anything. I didn't have the courage to speak to my brother and father.

My brother had initially agreed to the marriage, and he told Father to cancel it. But something changed, and they became silent.

Then, Jungkook's parents came to our house with a marriage proposal. They liked me at first sight, but I wasn't happy.

I listened to their conversation from the kitchen; they seemed like good people. Everyone seemed nice.

I also heard that they wanted their daughter to become a doctor and continue her studies even after marrying my brother. Their words amazed me; I'd never heard anyone willing to educate their daughter-in-law.

And they agreed to my marriage proposal. But they declined bhai and jin marriage and I saw sadness in my brother's eyes, and I also noticed Jin wiping away tears. I couldn't understand why.

But I couldn't think much because I was lost in my own thoughts. After they left, we all went inside, and we heard a loud noise. When we went outside to check, we saw Kamal's auntie's husband hiting her.

But no one stopped Kamala's auntie's husband. I kept watching him hit her, and my heart stopped. I was extremely scared, thinking what if something similar happens to me?

Since childhood, I've seen my mother being hit, and others being abused. But for them, it's not a big deal; my father just slapped my mother, nothing more. Yet, even that slap is a significant issue.

I was terrified, extremely scared, as my marriage was approaching, and I'd become someone's wife or daughter-in-law.

No matter how good they are, they keep daughters-in-law like this, as I've heard since childhood. But not everyone is like that. I realized this when I came to their house. They treated me with utmost respect, and Mummy ji, Papa ji, Didi, everyone took care of me, making sure I didn't feel any lack. They considered me their daughter, not just a daughter-in-law. Jungkook showered me with love beyond my imagination.

Everything was good and still is; everything is perfect. I'm receiving so much happiness that I feel I don't deserve it. Jungkook supported my dreams, and everyone backed me instantly. I never expected this. I'm incredibly happy; I can't express it to anyone.

Now, another joy is entering my life - my child, who will soon arrive. I'm grateful to God.

Now, I'm sitting with Jungkook near India Gate, enjoying the views. I'm feeling incredibly happy. I looked at Jungkook, who was gazing somewhere. I followed his eyes and saw him watching a group of boys.

I couldn't understand why he was staring at them until they noticed me and started laughing strangely. Then I realized why Jungkook was looking at them. I looked away and hid behind Jungkook so they couldn't see me.

I checked my clothes to ensure everything was in order. I covered my head with my pallu to hide my face. Jungkook probably noticed and pulled me closer, and I snuggled up to him, feeling shy.

There aren't many people around, just a group of boys and a few families sitting far from us.

We didn't say a word to each other, because being together was enough. The silence wasn't awkward; it was comforting. My head rested on his chest, and I could hear his heartbeat, which brought me immense peace.

Then Jungkook said, 'Let's leave from here.' I looked at him and then the boys approaching us. I nodded, and we stood up. I adjusted my pallu, and as we began to leave, the boys asked, 'Where are you going?'

Jungkook held my hand and positioned me behind him. I followed without understanding, and we faced the boys, whose faces had strange smiles, staring at me.

Jungkook asked, "kya hum apko jante hai?" (Do we know you guys?) The boys laughed and said, "jaan jayenge bethe toh humare sath, aur ye apke piche jo humari bhabhi hai unhe bhi sath betha lenge " (We'll get to know each other if we sit together, and we'll make your bhabhi join us too.) Their words made me feel awful. They were addressing me as 'bhabhi' and disrespecting the term. A bhabhi is like a mother figure, and their words were disgusting.

I looked at Jungkook, his jaw clenched in anger. I tightly held his hand to calm him down and said, "chalte hain yaha se"  (Let's leave.) He looked at me, took a deep breath, and said, "haan chalo" (Okay, let's go.) We began to leave, but the boys said, "lagta hai bhabhi Sharma gyi" (Looks like Bhabhi is feeling shy.)

Another boy said, "bhabhi aao hum apko acha feel karwa de" (Bhabhi, come, we'll make you feel better.) As soon as Jungkook heard this, he let go of my hand and turned towards them. Their eyes widened in fear.

I followed him, trying to stop him, but it was too late. He grabbed the boy's collar and punched him in the face.