Dil Pe Lagi Chot

Chapter 4

Climbing onto the next cab that stopped by her, she made her way to Gupta house. Determined to solve the issue.

Just stopping the cab behind their's, she climbed out. Paying off the fare she made her way towards her house.

On the way she could hear the neighbours mummering about her but not paying a ear towards them, she sprinted inside.

Climbing the stairs, she saw Garima hugging Payal.

"Amma" she called from behind. That's when the four of them turned and saw her.

"What are you doing here?" Madhumati angered.

"Buaji, please-" she was cut off in middle.

"Payal, tell her to go away. Before I throw her out."

"Buaji, don't say like this. I am your daughter, your titliya (butterfly)."

"Your were. Now you are nothing. Nothing at all." She scoffed at her.

"How can you say like this. I am the same sankadevi. Your niece. Buaji, I know I did a mistake by marrying without telling anyone. But please listen to me why I did that." She said, her eyes immediately held tears listening that now, she meant nothing to them.

"We don't want to hear anymore. Now leave. And by the way, you did not commit a mistake, it was a sin. A sin. You are a sin. Do you know what all we had to hear because of you. Do you? No, You don't!. Those neighbours, they say that we had made you marry him so that our future will be secured. That we weren't able to give you proper preachings so you elloped with a rich man. It was us who compelled you to do that because we were forcibly making you marrying Shyam." Madhumati lost her breath and struggled to take one. Holding her chest, she rubbed it hard gasping for breath.

Payal rushed inside to get her pump while Khushi crotched down beside her. Garima held her,making her sit on sofa. Khushi forwards a glass of water but she threw it away wavering her hand at her.

Payal pumped the pump in her mouth that made her breathe normal after few a while.

"Are you alright jiji?" Garima asked and Madhumati nodded holding her head.

"Nand-kishore." she breathed.

"Bua-ji, how are you feeling now?" Khushi asked, keeping her hand on Madhumati's thigh.

"Awful. Dirty. Bad. And if you go away from our lives, we would all get back to normal. Everything will fall back in it's place. Anyways, we are planning to settle back in Lucknow now after the little stunt of yours. Afterall we can't stay here anymore and listen the taunts for lifetime, for no mistake of ours."

"Bua-ji." She whispered shock, hurt.

"Leave before I die."

"No. Don't say like this." She cried, covering her mouth to stop the sob.

"This shouldn't affect you. Whether we live or die. It shouldn't concern you anymore."

"Bua-ji--"

"Leave. Payal show her the way outside!"

"Bua-ji, please. Amma at least you listen. I was helpless. Please. Babu-ji, do you also think that I can do this!" She went over to Shashi and knelt before him. Holding his hand, she asked.

Shashi shook his head with tears streaming down his face. He tried making some words but failed and mere whispers came out. Khushi wiped his tears away and thanked him with a small smile and hugged him.

"Thank you babu-ji." She whispers only audible to him.

"Parmeshwari. Why don't you listen us? Are you happy seeing us suffering? Will you be happy if we die just because of you? I guess yes! She won't leave untill then." Madhumati lost her temper and screamed at her face before turning her to face them.