ACCEPTING 'US'

10.

The house fell into normalcy with shyam going back to his field work and Devamma going back to her work in zamindar's house. Sudha was alone till her mother in law arrived. She would just clean the house and then prepare lunch by plucking the vegetables from the backyard. She would take whatever she felt like cooking. Devamma really liked her a lot and also appreciated her cooking skills.
Shyam was slightly aloof from them. He stopped talking much with sudha confusing her. It has been almost a month now and she didn't seem to understand her husband. He was being reserved unlike the beginning. He would just talk when necessary or else reply to her. The only time he was normal was during the night while sleeping. He would just hug her from behind and sleep. No kissing the cheeks or being flirty. Sudha was slightly concerned with his behaviour. She liked him being jovial and free with her but now he did not entertain her talks. It was as if he built a wall around himself not allowing her to enter.
Shyam's behaviour changed from the time he met Laxmi in the temple. Not only her but also his friends think he has taken a wrong decision by marrying her. Although he brushed off those thoughts hearing them repeatedly made him regret his decision. He did not understand what to do or how to console himself. More importantly he was not able to understand how to control himself around his wife. He thought of her being from a rich family she would expect many things from him but to his surprise she was completely different. She would adjust with whatever was there at home. She didn't even complain once regarding her living in his home. Even his mother got well acquainted with her. He was the one who was not able to approach her. She tried many times to talk with him but he ignored her by acting as if he didn't hear her or by just closing his eyes as if asleep. During the night he would just hug her and feel content but still he did know life will not work this way. He need to come more close to her and open about his feelings.
Sudha was cleaning the house one day when she found photos frames. She recognised one of them to be her father in law by the close similarities with Shyam. And there was also another photo frame of a girl who looked too young. She removed the photo from its place and examined it but didn't know who it belonged to.
" Maa ji. I was cleaning the room and I found a photo frame there. May I know who it is? " She questioned when her mother in law came to have lunch.
" That one belongs to your father in law, my husband " she clarified and sudha nodded as she already guessed it.
" And that one? " She questioned showing the other photo.
" That's...that's my daughter, Shalini " she said with tears in her eyes and sudha was shocked.
" Daughter? What happened to her maa ji? " She questioned further.
" She died due to pneumonia. We tried to save her but it was too late. She was just ten. Shyam was thirteen then " she said tears escaping her eyes.
" I am sorry maa ji. I didn't knew " sudha said her own eyes filling with tears.
" I have you now. Are you not my daughter Sudha? " She asked with a smile
" I am maa ji. I am " she said and hugged her. Then both of them had lunch.
" I am going to Shyama. Is his lunch box ready sudha? " Devamma asked and sudha handed her the pack.
" Maa ji. If you don't mind may I come with you? I will again return back to home with you " she said with hope.
Sudha was getting bored sitting in home all day. She wanted to ask her husband to go outside but due to his distant behaviour she couldn't voice out her thoughts. Now that her mother in law accepted she felt relieved.
Both of them left after locking the door. It was afternoon so mostly all the people were indoors which was a relief to sudha. She didn't want to see people who judge her based on her disability.
" This way. It's not too far Sudha. If you want to come anytime without me you can come too. You don't have to ask me " Devamma said to Sudha who nodded.

Shyam's POV:

I was working in field when I heard vikas calling me.
" Hey Shyam. What happened? You haven't been coming to our meeting spot regularly. Is everything alright? " Vikas asked.
" Nothing Vikas. I am just busy with field work " I replied trying to avoid the most awaited question.
" So? " Vikas asked.
" What so? " I questioned further still not looking at him.
" Shyam stop pretending. I can see something is off. You cannot share with me? " he further pressured me.
" I am not pretending Vikas. And moreover why would I pretend? " I asked still busy with my work.
" Okay don't tell me. I think your wife is also coming with your mother today " he said and I immediately left the work in hand and looked in the direction where both of them were coming talking with eachother. Vikas went away after giving me a side glance.
I washed my hands and came out of wet mud and washed my legs too. Sudha was talking freely with mother unlike me. I want to talk with her but I am not able to do so.
" Shyama see who came with me today " ma said smiling and moved away to reveal Sudha. I pretended to be surprised and smiled her way. She smiled too. She looked at me hopefully but I diverted my attention towards food.
Mom served me lunch while sudha was busy watching around curiously.
" If you want you can go around and look sudha " mom said to her. She immediately smiled and started going towards field. She walked slowly on the borders with her hands holding the saree tightly not allowing it to wet in the mud. She kept walking and I observed how happy she looked. After sometime she washed her feet and sat near us.
" I used to go to our field with dadi back in my home. I kinda missed it. Now I am really happy " she said in a daze looking at the surroundings.
" You can come whenever you want to sudha. Right Shyama? " Ma asked me and I nodded. Her face glowed with happiness.
" Shyama why don't you both go to town today evening. It's been a long time since you went and Sudha will also love a change in environment " ma suggested.
" But ma I have to pick vegetables in the evening " I answered trying to avoid going.
" I can do that. You don't have to worry about anything. You both go and have some time for eachother " she said.
" Sure ma. I will be home by four. Then we will go " I said looking towards sudha who was smiling widely.
As planned we both went to town in our cart. Sudha kept talking about her experiences in town when she went before marriage and I absent mindedly nodded now and then. She seemed upset that I was not answering her but she didn't ask me anything and kept silent after a few attempts to talk to me.
" You want to buy something? " I asked her after taking the necessary grocery items and pesticides for field. She shook her head in negative and kept walking with me.