ACCEPTING 'US'

5.

Sudha's POV:

After everyone left my room I removed all my jewellery, placed in the almirah safely and laid on the bed. Dadi was still outside looking after something so I don't have any company as of now.
I did not remove the kangan gifted by my in-laws as instructed by dadi. They are beautiful. The intricate design of them is truly marvellous. They are not the latest designs which I would often find in the shops. They are different. It's an ancient design which looked like art. I traced my fingers on the design and found how my would-be husband made me wear them. His hands are rough and fingers long contrasting my small and soft hands. I didn't see his face but I couldn't ignore the gossip of my cousins of him being handsome. I wish I could see him but I was asked to keep my eyes low most of the time and I obeyed it without fail.
Even when we were together I didn't dare to look in his direction. Though I saw his lower body while eating with eyes low I didn't get a single moment to steal a glance at his face.
Nonetheless I will be married within a few weeks then I can see him. Right? I blushed and turned to the other side.
" You didn't sleep yet Sudha? " Dadi asked coming inside the room.
" No dadi I was waiting for you " I lied smoothly. I was actually thinking about my husband, I thought and smiled.
" I was making sure all the guests are settled in properly or else they will complain that my hostility is not good " she chuckled and I hummed.
" I must admit that your husband is very handsome " she suddenly said and my heart came out.
" What ? " I asked confused.
" What what? " She said and I looked at her furrowing my brows.
" Can't I even say that your husband is handsome huh? All your cousins are kinda jealous of you now " she said.
" Why jealous? " I asked.
" That you will get a very charming husband " she giggled and I blushed.
" But I didn't see him " I murmured.
" What? " She got up now.
" I promise dadi I didn't even glance at him " I said and placed my index finger and thumb on my throat as if promising.
" But why? You were sitting with him almost all the evening and you didn't even see him. How's that possible? " She said throwing her hands in air dramatically.
" I was told by aunty not to lift my eyes so I did that only " I explained.
" God what am I going to do with this girl? Sudha it doesn't mean you cannot look at him once. You could have just looked at him " she shook her head disappointed.
" It's okay I will see him on the wedding day " I said slowly.
" Sure you will " she said sarcastically rolling her eyes.
" It's over now don't fret over it. Just sleep " she instructed. I nodded and covered myself till knees with a blanket and slept.
.......

When the engagement rituals were going on Tyagaraj called the zamindar and Devamma(Shyam's mother) in a room.
" I am sorry for disturbing you while you were busy with the engagement ceremony but I want to discuss about something very important " he said to the both of them.
" What is it bhai sahab? Is there any problem? " Devamma questioned worried.
" No no there is nothing like that. I want to talk to you about the dowry I would give to my daughters " he said. Zamindar nodded his head.
" Bhai sahab I don't want to upset you by saying this. But sending your daughter to my house as my daughter in law alone is the biggest gift and I don't expect anything more than that " she said folding her hands.
" Don't say like that sister. My both daughters are equal to me and I will give them both equal dowry. So I decided I will write ten acres of my land on the east on both my daughters name each five acres. Along with that they will also get all the jewellery and necessary things " he said.
" I am okay with that Tyagaraj " zamindar sahab said. It's not like he is poor but if he gets another five acres for free then he would be delighted.
" As you wish bhai sahab. But I have a request " Devamma said.
" Tell me whatever you want to " he said assuring her.
" This land which you give to your daughter will be solely hers and we both don't have any right over it. She will use it for her purpose only. And I don't want you to disclose this to anyone other than us three. You can tell her when you want her to know but not now. And coming to the jewellery and other accessories is your wish and I admit that my house is too small so keep that in mind before you gift her anything huge which will not fit in our home making her upset " she said a little sad at the end part.
" I will definitely keep that in mind and I promise we will not disclose this in front of anyone " he said and zamindar sahab also nodded. He was quite happy that Devamma is not after the property but the person. He felt peaceful that his daughter is getting married in a good family. After all his mother was right all along.
.....