Note : some of the conversations will be in Telugu but will be translated
Present
Vikas POV
When I reached Gupta's home, there were so many people. I stepped inside, thinking about Nidhi and Rhea. Three years back Rishi uncle died and now Sneha aunty. They became Nidhi's grandparents truly, she calls them grandpa and grandma. Rhea is crying near Sneha aunty's body. She looked so broken. Everyone is going one by one to Rhea, saying consoling words. I went there, put flowers near aunty's legs, closed my eyes, folding my arms.
'Aunty, you and uncle gave me this life... whatever I'm is because of you. I swear on you that Rhea is not alone'
Where is Nidhi? Why isn't she here?
Then I went to Rhea and called her, she hasn't seen me yet, immersed in grief. Rhea looked at me in tears. I felt my heart bleed looking into her eyes, she looked so vulnerable.
"Rhea... I..." I don't know what to say.
"Nidhi fainted seeing mom, doctor is giving IV, stay with her" Rhea said in broken voice. I wanted to go but didn't feel like leaving Rhea alone.
"I'm fine, go to her. She needs you"
I went to Nidhi's room, she is laying on bed unconscious. There is a nurse and doctor. After an hour Nidhi woke up.
"Dad, I want grandma... how can he leave me? Please bring her back" She cried, hugging me. I patted her back
After few minutes Rhea came, Nidhi got down from bed and hugged Rhea "mom, I want grandma, she said, she will take me to exhibition this weekend... she never breaks promise. Wake her up... she will listen to you..."
"Mom did so much for us Nidhi. Today is our last chance to repay her... we have to pay final tribute to her properly. I can't do this alone, I need you" Rhea said. I can't believe she is the crazy girl I met 11 years back.
Maid came with food tray. She took plate and started to feed Nidhi... Nidhi tried to feed Rhea "I can't eat Sweety, I need to fast till...everything is over...you fainted, have to eat something" Rhea said
"Vikas... it's mom's wish that you lit her pyre... can you please..." Rhea begged
"My honor"
"Thank you, I kept white dhoti in your room, Ramu will help you... priest said, auspicious time is at 2pm... we have to start in an hour" she said. I went to my room, Ramu was outside my room. I took shower and Ramu helped me with dhoti. Rishi uncle tried to teach me but I couldn't. I promised him that I will learn one day but I never even tried
We went to burial grounds and performed final rituals in Hindu tradition. After that 3 of us took dip in lake, changed dress and went home. It was eerily silent.
"Stay with Nidhi" Rhea barely got the words and rushed to aunty and uncle's room.
"I'm fine dad, mom needs you... she is pretending to be fine for me... I will get food for her... go" Nidhi said. I knocked on the door
"I'm fine baby, just want to stay here alone for sometime" Rhea said after a minute, she is trying hard to control her voice but I could hear how broken it is
"It's me Vikas" I said
"Give me 2 minutes" she said after long pause. Looks like she washed her face
"Is Nidhi ok?" She asked. I nodded. Just then her phone rang
.......
"Nenu baane unnanu..."(I'm ok)
......
"Vaddu Arya... ni pani api ravoddu...."(no Arya, don't leave your work)
.....
"Nidhi is ok... dad poina f Inka recover avaledu... ippudu mom..." she broke down(Nidhi is ok... didn't recover from dad's death yet... now mom)
....
"It's ok Arya, I just need sometime... edaina help kavali ante I will definitely ask, I promise..."(it's ok Arya, I just need sometime.. I will definitely ask you if I need help, I promise)
...
"Hmm, I know... I can always count on you... bye"
I couldn't understand her Telugu but I see that she has great bond with this guy. Who is he?
Nidhi came with food
"You both have food, I will... I..." Rhea couldn't find excuses
"We will wait for you" I said and walked out with Nidhi. Rhea came in 5 minutes, she served us food and then little in her plate. I served her 2 more rotis "complete the food, both of you" I said. Rhea went to her room after that, I sat in living room with Nidhi, she just laid down with her head in my lap, silently. Around 7pm few men came
"I already told you, why the hell are you asking me?" Rhea shouted
"Maam, I thought you would want to arrange at your home, decorate the house..." he stopped mid sentence with Rhea's glare
"I don't give a f..." she paused, looked at Nidhi... "I don't give a damn, what you think. Do as I say. Don't you have decency that it's mourning home? You are hired to do as I say... if you can't do it, I will find someone. Just arrange lunch in all orphanages and old age homes" Rhea shouted, he left in hurry
"What happened mom?" Nidhi asked
"Dumb fellow, ignore..."
Rhea came after sometime with glass of milk, "drink, go to bed early, wake up early and study, your exams start day after tomorrow. I don't want anything less than 100%" she said. Nidhi wished us good night and went to bed
"There is milk on your nightstand, if you go to bed late, have dinner, it's on dining table" Rhea said and turned to leave
"Can I talk to you for a minute?" I asked. I have been dying to talk to her from the time I came, want to know how she is
"Do you want to take Nidhi with you?" Her question startled me
"Please don't take her now, I have no one" she begged in tears
"Rhea... I will never separate Nidhi from you, I just want to talk to you..."
"How are you?" I asked after we settled in sofa
She just nodded
"You are not alone Rhea, I'm always there for you... I know the feeling of loosing family..." Rhea broke down into tears, I sat next to her, wrapped my arms around her shoulders... she hugged into my chest and cried more
"I'm sorry, I... thank you..." Rhea pushed me and ran to her room after sometime.
YOU ARE READING
Bound by Baby
General FictionShe has been in love with him ever since she met him when she was 11 and he was 16. She doesn't know when the infatuation turned into love. He married her when she was 18 unknown to him. She was delighted that god blessed her love. She keeps it secr...
