ACCEPTING 'US'

11.

Sudha's POV:

The journey to home felt nostalgic. I never felt how much I missed home until I was going back. Radha was very silent and most importantly what caught my attention is that her hair is wet that the backside of her saree was getting wet too. I want to ask her but she was lost in her own thoughts not really aware of the fact that I too was with her. Papa was busy conversing with the driver so I was left alone with my thoughts.
What was he trying to say from morning? Was he regretting for what he had said? Does he really think that I only care for money and richness? All thoughts were swirling in my mind and we reached home.
" Sudha, my child. I missed you so much " dadi said and hugged me tightly and too hugged her tightly. I felt as ease after embracing her and all thoughts flying away in thin air. Radha hugged her mother and both of them broke into tears while mine was the same condition. I don't want to start crying so I started taking my luggage.
" Jhansi stop crying and take her in. She will be with you for a few days till then take care of her instead of crying " papa said to which both of them nodded and smiled.
Dadi also hugged Radha and exchanged few words. Prithvi took our luggage to our respective rooms and I sat on bed.
I rememberered how my bed is back in home. That bed is not too smooth and soft but I liked it however. But now that I am back here I can enjoy this bed too. No matter what, I am just a guest in this house now.
" Sudha come and have lunch dear. I prepared all your favourite items " dadi said making me break my trance and I nodded. First I freshened up and went to have lunch.
While eating I remembered how we three would sit and eat together. How much ever I try I am unable to forget and stop comparing here and there.
" Dadi where is Raghu? I didn't see him. Where did he go? " I asked remembering my brother.
" Yes ma where is bhai? " Radha too asked curiously.
" He went back beta. His college started and last week he left " my step mother replied our query.
" Don't be saddened you both. That idiot is just making lives impossible with his attics " dadi said.
" He is just young ma. He will get used to world very soon " papa said. I know Raghu is very worrysome kid from childhood and always pulled dadi's leg for no reason.
After lunch I and dadi sat in bed while chatting. I put my head in her lap while she kept updating me regarding everything in my absence. I was not really paying attention since my whole mind was roaming somewhere else.
" Sudha you got a letter recently. I thought of sending it to your home but I don't really know your address " dadi said catching my attention. I immediately got up. I don't get any letters from anywhere except for one place. Realisation hit me and I asked her to give me the letter. She opened the almirah and handed me the letter. It's the letter from the newspaper editor. I opened it hurriedly and scanned it. I sighed heavily after reading it.
" What happened Sudha? Is everything alright? " Dadi asked concerned.
" This letter is from the newspaper editor where I used to write short stories " I replied showing her the letter in my hands.
" So what happened? " She asked further.
" They are asking me to work in their newspaper as they see my capability and writing skills matching for the person they are searching for " I replied thinking.
" What are you thinking beta? " Dadi asked.
" I don't understand what to do dadi. One side I want to continue this writing and other side I want to leave everything aside and live my life forgetting about everything " I said holding my head in hand.
" Sudha can I give you an advice? " Dadi asked after sometime.
" Is that even a question? " I asked raising my brows.
" Sudha I know you are confused about everything right now but remember married life is not as simple as it seems. And moreover you are newly married. You should concentrate on your life now rather than any other things. Coming to this writing profession I know you have always been passionate about this. Who says you not to do it? I am saying for now don't do it. After everything is settled you can get this. I know with your hardwork and brain you can easily get a job anywhere you wish for. And wait do your husband know about your education or any of this? " She questioned gesturing towards the paper.
'Yeah my husband just thinks me to be born in a rich family with all comforts. Nothing more ' I want to tell her but I just shook my head instead.
" No he doesn't know anything " I replied looking down.
" See you should first tell your husband about yourself slowly then you can ask him about whatever is written in this letter. So be patient sudha " dadi said. I thought for sometime and nodded.
Whole day went with me telling dadi about my life excluding about the things between us as well as the conversation before coming here.
" Dadi I want to eat mangoes. It's been a while I want to eat them " I said dadi the next day.
" Oh my child it completely slipped out of my head. You go and take some rest while I go to our garden and pick the best ones and come back " she said and I nodded excitedly.
Since I came back dadi didn't allow me to do any works. She strictly said all the workers to take care of me and I was just confined to my room. I opened my almirah and removed a book to read. It's been a while since I read any book so I wanted to pass time by reading now.
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