ACCEPTING 'US'

8.

Everyone was staring at Sudha as she made her way towards them for eating. Everyone appreciated her beauty but soon when they saw her walk they all had bitter expressions on their faces.
No one told anything to Devamma or shyam regarding her but they all are not happy with him marrying her. They think Laxmi was perfect girl for Shyam.
" Come and sit here " one lady gestured towards her. Sudha went towards her and greeted her before taking blessings.
Kusuma cursed under her breath before going towards her aunt to bring her food.
" What is your name child? " she asked.
" Ji I am Sudha " sudha replied as the woman looked wickedly towards her.
" I heard about your mother. What happened to her? " She asked further making Sudha stunned. Her throat parched suddenly and no words came out. Soon she gathered some energy to answer her.
" She...she got fever when I was one. Su..suddenly she died after a we...week " sudha stuttered.
" So the other lady is your step mother right? " She asked to which sudha just nodded. Her hands were shivering not knowing where this conversation was going.
" So you are habituated to have a step mother. Then there won't be a problem if shyam marries someone else " she chuckled while sudha's world stopped. Tears collected in her eyes. She don't know how to reply her back. She kept her eyes low and few tears fell on her hands.
" Don't cry child I was just joking " she added further making Sudha uncomfortable.
Kusuma who overheard their conversation came running towards her and made sudha stand up. She wanted to shout at her for insulting her bhabhi but she cannot utter a word because she is her husband's aunt whom she is supposed to respect no matter the situation.
" Come bhabhi " she took hold of her hand.
" I hope your children won't be like you Sudha " that lady said making kusuma go mad with anger.
" Don't worry aunty. Their children will definitely be like her and not someone like you. Amen " she said and went away from there. She knows that the lady heard whatever she said but kusuma don't want to deal with her right now. So she took sudha in the room and sudha started crying more now.
" Shh... Don't cry bhabhi. She's just a mean and cunning woman who will not understand other people's heart and soul " kusuma said consoling her. When she was not stopping her crying session she hugged her tightly and rubbed her back calming her down.
After sometime she stopped crying and released her. Kusuma rubbed her tears away and took hold of her hands asking her to speak.
" I.. I am born like this. I don't know what is my fault. Why do people keep taunting me for something I am not responsible for? What I am supposed to do if I am born like this? Even papa tried in many ways to treat me but there was no result so what more can I do? Tell me? " Sudha said her tears continuously falling on their intervened hands.
" Don't say like that bhabhi please and don't cry. I cannot see you crying " kusuma said and when she turned around shyam was standing there hearing their conversation. Kusuma left her and came near Shyam.
" Take care of her and ask her to eat I brought breakfast " she said showing the plate. Shyam nodded and went near sudha who was in her own world of weeping.
" Sudha " he called her. She looked at him with tear filled eyes. He slowly rubbed her cheeks with his thumbs and held her face.
" Please don't take her words to heart. I am sorry for what she said " shyam said.
" You didn't do anything. You don't have to say sorry " she said after she composed herself.
" Now come on have breakfast " he said and handed her the plate. She nodded though she didn't want to eat.
" Okay " she said and started eating looking down but her mind was still rewinding the words of that lady. Shyam sighed in relief and went out to give her some privacy.
" Is she fine now? " Kusuma asked as soon as she saw him coming towards backyard.
" Yeah she is eating now. But I don't know if she is completely fine " he said.
" Why did you even invite this snake to the marriage Bhai " she crushed her teeth tightly looking in that lady's direction who was simply talking to another lady.
" Calm down Kusuma. However she is not going to be here forever. So leave " he said and went away from there while kusuma went near sudha who finished her breakfast.
She took water and handed it to sudha who thanked her trying to smile.
" Kusuma did you check if everyone had breakfast? " Devamma asked her coming into the room and kusuma just nodded. When her gaze turned towards her daughter in law she became concerned. She looked pale and dull compared to yesterday.
" What happened to you Sudha? You look dull " she voiced her thoughts and kusuma held her hand and took her outside.
She explained everything happened earlier and Devamma became sad too.
" Poor child might have felt heartbroken. I went  out to look after some work and people started raising hands towards my daughter in law " she said devastated.
" She is fine now. And make sure you keep everyone busy while I will be with bhabhi here " kusuma said.
" Sure. I will send few of your cousins. Maybe they will lighten her mood " Devamma said and went away.
Kusuma came back to room and found sudha in deep thought. Meanwhile her other cousins who are younger than her came to room and sat with her.
They started talking about their studies and stuff and also made fun of eachother. Sudha smiled looking at them. They all looked similar to her own cousins.
" So bhabhi tell us what happened last night? " Kusuma asked making everyone gape and suddenly they all chuckled. Sudha's cheeks flushed after hearing her. She still remembered how he embraced her in night. And also how he held her face in his hands few moments ago gave her goosebumps. She was so engrossed in crying that she didn't feel anything but now when she rethink about it, it was making her shy.
" Come on bhabhi. Tell us we don't share anything with anyone. What say girls? " She asked and everyone nodded with excited expressions. Everyone sitting there were slightly aware about what happens on wedding night because of kusuma. She is the naughty girl who would make all the unmarried girls shy away with her silly talks. And now sudha being married gave her a positive note to pull her leg even more.
" Not...nothing happened " she stuttered.
" Oh really bhabhi. Then I think I should tell Bhai to do something so your answer will change from nothing to something interesting " kusuma winked making Sudha gasp and eyes wide.
" What do you suggest bhabhi? " She asked and sudha closed her eyes in embarrassment.
" Awwww... " all her cousins shouted in chorus making Sudha turn her face in shyness. Everyone laughed looking at her innocence.

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