Behind Closed Doors

Chapter 3

The thunder startled Nandini and she stared out of the window in worry as the rain poured heavily and the skies had darkened.

"Nandini, Jamai Sa se puch kaha reh gaye? Mausam kitna kharab ho raha hain," her father said. Nandini nodded, walking towards the landline, dialling Manik's number.

The phone rang twice before he accepted the call and said, "Hello."

"Baba puch rahe hain aap ko kitni der lagegi? Mausam bohot kharab ho raha hain bahar," Nandini asked. It had been five days since the night he had snapped at her; they hadn't conversed after that. He had been busy with his work and Nandini didn't want to disturb him or talk for that matter. It was just yesterday that she had gotten a call from him that he will be arriving today to pick her up.

"Bas das minute. Baarish ki vajah se thoda zyada waqt lag raha hain," Manik replied.

"Theek hain," Nandini said, declining the call. She informed her father about the same. As she was about to sit, her mother said, "Nandini, Jamai Sa aur aap raat ko humare kamre mein aaram karna. Apna samaan vahi rakh lijiye. Main, Baba aur Romi bagal vale kamre main soh jaayenge."

"Lekin aap teeno vaha kaise soyenge. Woh kamre main ek insaan bhi bohot mushkil se soh paayega. Ye aur main soh jayenge usme. Main niche chitayi bicha lungi," Nandini said.

"Nahi. Pehli baar Jamai Sa ghar aa rahe hain. Esse acha nahi lagega," her mother exclaimed. "Shukar hain tumhari Bhabhi apne Maiyke gayi hain. Yaha hoti toh bawal khada kar deti." Nandini sighed, not saying anything else. She moved towards her room, shifting the packed bags in the other room.

Minutes passed by and as she stepped out of the room, she heard her mother saying, "Sune, Jamai Sa ke liye aapka sone ka kadha aur Nandini ke liye humne apni vaaliya nikal di hain. Dekhe toh. Ye halke toh nahi lagenge na? Neyonika Ji aur baaki parivaar ke liye kapde mangava le kya?"

"Itna kharcha nahi utha sakte hum Sushma. Abhi shaadi ka bhi pura karza nahi chukaya humne. Kangan aur vaaliya bohot hain ek baar," her father advised, his forehead lining with frowns in stress.

"Magar esse khaali haath nahi bhej sakte," her mother said, "Parivaar ke liye kuch toh bhejna padega. Bache pehli baar ghar aaye hain."

"Sushma, ameer log hain woh. Bohot hi santusht honge sab cheezo se. Aur humne kuch bhej bhi diya toh kya pata unhe pasand aaye ya naa aaye. Woh toh dekhte bhi nahi jo hum khareed te hain," her father said.

Sushma started to speak, stopping as the knock on the front door resounded through the house. Nandini blinked back her tears as she walked back to the room, to compose herself. Her parents had already sold almost everything to wed her off and keep up with society's expectations, yet it felt like this would continue the whole life.

Sushma immediately stood up, arranging her dupatta and smiling as she opened up the front door, welcoming Manik. Manik bowed out of respect, touching her feet and taking her blessing. He greeted the rest of the family with a smile before sitting with his father in law and conversing.

A few minutes later, as the frequent sound of anklets rang in the house, Manik stared towards the source, frowning on seeing Nandini covering her face with a long veil. He nodded as she greeted him, masking his disdain.

Nandini walked towards the kitchen where her mother was preparing snacks and evening tea. Her mother casted a look twice towards Nandini and asked, "Chori, itna bada ghunghat kyu nikala hai? Kya zaroorat hain iski? Jamai Sa hi toh hain."

"Tabhi toh nikala hain," Nandini replied dryly.

"Ye khusar pusar band karo aur chai leke jao. Thandi ho rahi hain," her mother scolded her, handing her the tray. Nandini carried the tray outside while her mother brought the hot pakoras and samosas, serving the men. Nandini felt Manik throwing her a glance or two from time to time, but she refused to acknowledge, avoiding partaking in any conversation altogether, just agreeing to everything.