Seven Vows Part 1- Published

The Sleepless Night

Suman tossed and turned in her bed. She wanted to sleep. For all that has happened Suman was never this sleep deprived post her marriage. White saree hadn't affected her, nor her status in the room. She slept. But neither yesterday nor today she could sleep. Why did he come. And that too look at their relation status. She was trying to block out memories. But his arrival has thrown open the flood gates of that part of her heart which she had kept locked. She remembered the day she had similarly tossed and turned in her hostel room

" Special home made food has come for Suman Rajput" came a bunch of seniors in her hostel room.She was sick because of hostel food and the doctor had asked her to go home to take some rest. But she didn't wanted to miss the classes so she was managing with bread and also the home remedies her mother had given her.

She sat up " Home made food. Who bought didi, from any of your batch mates home" asked Suman eagerly looking at the tiffin box in one of the girls hand" Yes it is from our batch mate but not a she, it is he" the girls winked" He" her roomies Aleena and Gayatri jumped. Who is it didi. Who sent it" Well to be frank it came from Gautham's home, but we feel the hand behind is someone else " they all giggled" What " who , why are you all laughing" asked Suman. 

Because Suman the talk of the college is that you have stolen the heart of most eligible bachelor of AR college. We have tried for years. You managed it in 5 months " Suman grew furious " See I do not have any affair with anyone. Now tell me clearly. I don't need any gossips and I can live in bread "" Suman don't jump like this. Enjoy it dear. Sreedhar Varma has sent this for you. Girls are running behind him to get treated like this. And you are getting Princess treatment and you are denying it" told Shalini didi and they all giggled once againSuman was really angry now. " Give me the tiffin didi". When Shalini was unwilling she snatched it from her and walked out.

She stood before the MH( Men's hostel). Well girls never entered MH. If they wanted to meet a boy, they had to press the bell on the gate. Someone will come and they have to tell the name and batch of the boy they wanted to meet. And that too was allowed till 6pm. Procedure was same for LH( Ladies hostel) also . She looked at the watch. It was Sunday and 5 pm. She was not sure whether he will be there. Sunday boys went for movies and mostly they will come late. Unlike LH where girls were supposed to be in before 7pm, guys could be out till 10pm. She hated such disparity which she was used from childhood, but knew this was not the place to rebel on them. She pressed the bell.An attender came. " Want to meet Sreedhar Varma 1st year MA Economics tell Suman Rajput 1st year BA Mass Communications waiting for him"

She waited there for what seemed like eternity before the gate opened and Sreedhar came out." You send me this " she asked furiously holding up the tiffin carrier" Yes, heard you were not well, so send some home cooked food for you. It is food. What is wrong""

 "Everything is wrong Mr Sreedhar Varma. See I have come here to study that too because my school principal was able to convince my father. I am from a very conservative family Sreedhar Varma. Girls might be coming behind you. You might be dancing with girls. And all this gossip your affair with a girl may not be new to you. But I have no time for such things. I danced with you because it mattered for the college. That's it. Take this tiffin and please don't try to do anything special for me. I don't need it and I can survive on my own" she was angry and tears were rolling down her cheeks as she spoke.She turned but he stood in front of her blocking her way

" Miss Suman Rajput. You told what you have to say. But that doesn't mean you can walk away without listening to what I have to say " I dance with girls for the competition, I do not have interest in dancing with any girl just like that. And what did you tell. Gossip. I do not have any interest to drag a girl's name in mindless gossip. They are not gossiping. What they are telling is truth. I love you, and you are the girl who for the first time has evoked those feelings in me. You feel special to me and your pain I feel it as my own pain."

Suman stared at Sreedhar. She had not expected such straight forward confession and at that point she simply didn't know what to tell. She fidgeted with her dupatta." Miss Rajput I am not asking you to love me. But if you feel you can respect my feelings towards you have the food. You have the full choice to decide whether you want to love to me or not. But don't bring that in taking care of your health or having food that you need the most at this point." he held the tiffin carrier towards her. She hesitatedCome sit here, he said pointing to a tree at the farther side of the hostel which has shade and people could sit under it. She was so numbed that day she simply followed him and started eating food smiling in between though she didn't tell anything else.That night she turned and tossed in her bed. Replaying every second of her conversation with him, thinking about the warm gentle eyes that looked at her and feeling a warmth which she has never felt before

Suman switched on the lights. It was becoming impossible. I cant look into your eyes Sreedhar, if I have to live here, I should never look into your eyes. That eyes they will draw me out. Why did you come Sreedhar, she started crying once again