ACCEPTING 'US'

19.

Sudha sat there and kept thinking about Shyam and his determination. All these years she was born and brought up in a family where there was no problem about finance. It was as if they were abundant and can donate to people in need. But for shyam it was completely different. He worked from God knows when. She doesn't even know if he is aware of the hardwork he is putting just to pay the debt. This much hardwork can be done only when you are not aware about the meaning of resting or enjoying. He might have started working from a young age and since he didn't turn back. He kept trying and trying until he became so strong that there is no one who can beat him in hardwork. His every penny is of his sweat and blood.
" What is my wife thinking about? " Shyam said caressing her cheek breaking her trance.
" About you " she replied not even paying attention. The words slipped out of her mouth and she couldn't take them back. She blushed when he placed his thumb on her lips and she bowed her head.
" Really? And may I have the permission to know about what you are thinking about me? " He said coming closer to her.
" No. You don't " she said and looked away.
" Come on let's go home " he said standing up.
" You will come too? " She asked confused.
" Yes. I don't have work now. So better I spend some time with my cute wife " he said looking down at her and she shook her head smiling. He extended his hand and sudha took it gracefully and got up. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer. Sudha gasped and looked around.
" Someone might show up. Leave me " she said trying to get away from him.
" Then let's go home " he said and held her hand. Sudha and shyam both started walking while talking.
As soon as both stepped into their frontyard shyam lifted her in his arms and sudha squealed not knowing his act.
" Put me down " she said. Shyam shook his head while sudha gave up and surrounded her arms around his neck. He took her to the backyard and placed her in the cot there.
" You are heavier than I expected " shyam chuckled making Sudha gasp. She turned her head away from him in fake anger.
" Hey look at me " he said and made her look towards him by placing his fingers on her chin.
" Even if you are double this size I will happily carry you. So no worries " he said making Sudha blush. Sudha laid in the cot looking at the hut above the pillars. She wanted to climb that and reach the hut and watch the sky from there.
" I want to go there " she said showing towards the hut.
" You may go. Who is stopping you? " he said shrugging.
" You may forget but I always remember that I am handicapped. So it's impossible for me to climb and go there " she said sighing heavily. Shyam's heart ached listening to her words. He immediately made her sit and hugged her tightly. He kissed her forehead, removed hair strands from her face and held her cheek with his right hand.
" You don't have to think like that. You will climb that and I promise you that " he said looking in her eyes.
" But how is that even possible? " Sudha started but he shushed her by kissing her lips. She got lost in the kiss and closed her eyes. Sudha kissed him back with equal intensity as him and smiled when he bit her lower lip slightly. She pushed him away and laid in bed. Shyam too laid close to her as the cot is too small for both of them to fit. He hugged her from behind and kept whispering beautiful things and sudha slowly drifted to sleep.
Shyam got up after sometime and whispered in her ear about his departure and she murmured something incoherent. He smiled at her innocence and went out. It was already evening and he went to the tea shop.
" Heard that you are going to give your yield amount fully to zamindar sahab? " Vikas said to shyam.
" Yes and I don't find another way to pay interest " shyam said slowly sipping his tea.
" But how will you get money for your next crop shyam. Don't you think you will be left with nothing if you do that? " Vikas said concerned placing his hand on his shoulder.
Shyam shook his head trying to shoo away the negative thoughts.
" I will wait until monsoon ends and find a way till then. I don't want to pay more interest. So this is for the best " he said and vikas nodded eventhough he knew how much shyam is suffering internally.
" If at all you need any help don't think twice to approach me " vikas said and shyam hugged him.
" That means a lot my friend " he said with tears brimming his eyes.
.....