Chapter 7 - The Fast

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Savitri Devi informs Guddan and Akshat about the "Karwachauth Vrat" that Guddan has to observe the following day.

Akshat - Kya? Maine thodi kaha hai mere liye bhuki maro?

Guddan - Haan, waise bhi gaaiy ke bhooka rehne se saandh ki sehat pe koi asar nahi padta. Aur aap ke liye hum kyun koi vrat rakhen? Abhi mana kar ke aate hain Maaji ko.

But she couldn't deny her doting mother-in-law. 

Guddan (thinking) - Ek taraf ye zabardasti ki shadi aur dusri taraf Maaji ka pyar. Kya karen? (Half-heartedly, she agrees)

Guddan is arranging "Puja ki Thaal" for "Karwachauth ki Pooja".

Savitri Devi - Guddan beta, lalla kahan hai? Dikha nahin aaj subah se?

Guddan - Kamre mein honge Maaji.  

Savitri Devi - Usse bula de zara.

Guddan - Hum bula ke laate hain. (Guddan starts to walk towards the stairs)

Savitri Devi - Aare beta, awaz laga de na. Aaj vrat hai na, toh takat bacha ke rakh. Shaam tak bhuke rehna hai. Upar jaane ki kya zaroorat hai, yahin se bula le na.

She realised that she hadn't addressed him by his name ever - neither AJ nor Akshatji. The only word coming to her mind was "Khadoos". It was awkward. Nothing came out of her mouth.

Guddan (going upstairs) - Koi baat nahi Maaji, hum bulake laate hain na. (and she informed Akshat that he was needed downstairs)

Akshat (coming downstairs) - Ji Maa. Bulaya aapne.

Savitri Devi - Haan, woh aaj 7 baje ka muhurat hai, Karwachauth ki Pooja ka, tu samay se aa jana.

Akshat - Pata nahi Maa, shayad late ho jaye. Aaj bahut sara staff chhutti pe hain na.

Savitri Devi - Guddan ka pehla karwachauth hai. Mujhe kuch nahi sunna. Tujhe aana padega 7 baje.

Akshat - Thik hai, koshish karunga. 

Guddan is getting ready for "Karwachauth Pooja" in her room.

Guddan (fixing her Dupatta with pin and murmuring) - AJ, nahin nahin, suit nahin karta Khadoos ko. Akshatji, chheh, bilkul nahi. Kuch aur sochna padega. Khadoos ka naam aisa hona chhiye ki sunkar lage........(Pin pricked fingertip) Aaahhhh.........

Akshat (entering the room) - Ab kya ho gaya?

Guddan - Humara khoon......(about to faint, on seeing her own blood)

Akshat (rushing to hold her) - Guddan! Utho! Guddan! (Guddan opens her eyes slowly) Nautanki kahin ki. Doo boond khoon dekh ke hi behosh.

Guddan (filmy style, placing her wrist on her forhead) - Ek boond khun ki keemat aap kya jaane, Jindal Sahaab. (shaking her finger) Aaahhhhh.....

Akshat - Tumhara kuch nahi ho sakta. First Aid box hai cupboard mein. Band-aid laga lena. (picks up a file and leaves)

Guddan (putting band-aid on the cut) - Jindal Sahab (Her eyes glow and smile appears on her lips) Han yeh thik hai, suit karta hai Mr. Akdoo ko, jaisa kaam, waisa naam. Jindal Sahab. (giggles)

After "Karwachauth Pooja", all the women gathered on the terrace for breaking their fasts. All the husbands were there but Akshat was nowhere to be seen.

Savitri Devi (with a forced smile) - Lalla shayad der se aayega. Phone bhi nahi utha raha. Beta, tu apna vrat kholde. (and she leaves)

Guddan could clearly notice the sadness behind her smile.

Guddan and Akshat - Made for Each Otherजहाँ कहानियाँ रहती हैं। अभी खोजें