Durga | ✓

09. Job Woes

" Saying?" asked Rudra.

Durga looked at him, devoid of any expression.

" Saying that I wouldn't be able to conceive." said Durga.

Rudra looked at her confused.

" I didn't knew that my womb was weak. But we had surrogacy as an option. Appa had never told me. Due to the accident, surrogacy was ruled out. After getting discharged, Indrajeet drove to home. The drive was very silent. Deadly silent. The silence you experience before a storm hits." stopped Durga. She shivered slightly. Her breathing, which had shot up, was reducing slowly.

Rudra looked at her and clenched his perfect jaw. He didn't know why he was reacting like this but he could feel this was the beginning of the end. Durga didn't notice his behaviour.

" He took me to the room and slapped me. He said both father and daughter are responsible for this. I told him I swear I didn't knew this. He refused to believe. He said I bought shame to him and our family.

After consulting to his friend, he said that we should be visiting Kamakhya Temple. I never really understood how superstitious a person could be? We visited only Kamakhya Temple. We didn't even go for sightseeing. I know we had financial problems but still you went upto Assam, yet you didn't click a photo in the breathtaking tea estates.

I decided to write an article on Kamakhya Temple since I had no job in the house. Also it would serve as a source of extra income for us. I wrote it and it got published. Without his knowledge. I knew he would never allow me. I decided to surprise him extra income. The article got published and... "

" And? What happened? Did he do something?" asked Rudra. He remembered the detective telling him about this incident which he had declined to listen.

Durga smiled slightly and said, "He did what he wanted to do. He was responsible for Appa's death. He did it because he was ashamed of his wife. He was ashamed of me. He wanted property. Yet I waited for four years, thinking that time would heal everything. But he remained as he was. He was a beast. He will be a beast. I tricked him for divorce. I may sound evil but I am glad that he is in hospital. He won't trouble me."

The last sentences made Rudra knit his eyebrows.

How did I forget? Durga doesn't know about the transplant. Why does bad thing happen with good people? Durga has become strong and mature in few months. Yet she won't be able to bear with this truth. Her life would be hell if Indrajeet comes to Mysore. Where did she go?

Rudra looked at the empty chair in front of him. He went outside his room. His office was actually a flat converted to office. It was a two bedroom flat with one of the room converted to Rudra's office. There were five tables laid in the living room. Four people were buried in their work. Just then Ramaiah lifted his head.

Rudra asked him, " Have you seen Durga?"

Ramaiah replied, " Yes Sir, she went out. She was looking very sad. She didn't get the job?"

" She got the job. I don't know why she suddenly left my room." said Rudra and went to his room.

If Durga doesn't come then I won't be able to fulfil Akshad Sir's promise. He has left us but I feel as if it was his last wish.

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Durga slammed the front door. She threw herself on the sofa and looked at a photo frame hung on the wall. The photo had Durga and Akshad in happier times.