✿ Vaidehi✿
"Vaidehi, Vaidehi... where did you go now?"
I heard my mother calling me, and quickly opened the door, walking towards her. Trying my best to hide my excitement. But what about my heart which was pounding against my rib cage?
"Go and bring some milk."
My smile grew much wider upon hearing this, but I controlled myself. What more do you need when your own mother gives you a reason for an excuse? I can go out easily now.
"Arey, Ma.. send someone else na," I tried giving an excuse, just to show I am not so desperate to go out. While my heart is shouting out - Get out you fool, he might be waiting. Don't give excuses when you yourself don't want to.
"Okay then." She turned away, and I slapped myself *twice*, but mentally.
Arey main to mazak kar rhi thi, itni jaldi kaise maan gyi aaj?
(I was joking only, how did she agreed this easily?)
"N-no, no.. leave it, I will go, or else you will keep taunting me the whole day." I pinched myself to hide the smile which was trying to curve my lips.
Hide your wide grin, Vaidehi, or be prepared to die today.
I almost bounded out of the house, my heart racing with anticipation and excitement, paying little heed to the sharp words my mother had thrown my way. He was already waiting for me near the tranquil pond, our designated meeting spot, where the sunlight danced on the water's surface, creating a mesmerizing spectacle.
"Did I make you wait too long?" I asked, my voice betraying my nerves as I approached him.
"You're always worth the wait," he replied with a charming smirk, his eyes sparkling with warmth and affection. A rush of color flooded my cheeks, and I couldn't help but turn away shyly, my heart fluttering with joy at his words.
With my heart pounding in my chest and butterflies fluttering in my stomach, I finally found the courage to confess my deepest feelings to Shlok.
"Shlok, I love you, not just love, I am madly in love with you. My day starts with you and ends on you, your name is the only word which feels pure. I never realized how much I am in love with you."
As I uttered those three powerful words, I felt a rush of emotion surging through me, threatening to overwhelm my senses.
With trembling arms, I wrapped myself tightly around him, seeking solace and reassurance in his embrace. His touch was like a soothing balm against the turmoil of my emotions, grounding me in the present moment and filling me with a sense of calm.
And then, as if in response to my silent plea, I felt his warm hands encircle me, drawing me closer to him with a tenderness that took my breath away. In that fleeting instant, all the worries and uncertainties that had plagued my mind melted away, leaving only the overwhelming certainty of my love for him.
"I love you too , Vaidehi."
And when he finally spoke those precious words in return, a wave of pure bliss washed over me, engulfing me in a sea of happiness and contentment. In that perfect moment, surrounded by the tranquil beauty of our surroundings, I knew that I was exactly where I was meant to be – in his arms, with his love lighting up my world.
"Shlok ek baar to mil lo Bapu se" " I pleaded, gripping his hands tightly as we both watched the sunset together. This is our favourite place and chances of getting caught is less here. Both our fathers are popular figures and we can't risk getting caught.
(Shlok, atleast meet bapu for once)
"Aur agar vo nhi mane to"He squeezed my hands lightly, I rested my head on his shoulder, absentmindedly tossing a stone into the water.Can't we spend our entire lives like this, simply gazing upon the same view, with his hands intertwined with mine?
("And if he didn't agreed then")
"Please, just give it a chance. He might not be as ruthless as you think..."
"You don't understand, Vaidehi. He's the most corrupt and brutal MP in all of Rajasthan, and to top it off, he's the Minister of Culture. How can you expect him to agree to our marriage?" Shlok kissed my cheek gently, and I felt a rush of warmth flood my cheeks, turning them as red as a fresh tomato.
"I know it's a long shot, Shlok, but I can't bear the thought of losing you. Bapu is constantly bombarded with marriage proposals, and he's eager to rid himself of this burden as soon as possible."
"And moreover you knows my father as well.. he is so hell bent to marry me with his friend's daughter."
I stole a glance at him, admiring the way the sunlight played on his features, casting shadows that highlighted his cheek bones and the warmth in his eyes.
"I wish we could spend our lifes like this, watching this sunset"
"We will, but wouldn't it be better if our kids will be celebrating there birthday here?" I asked, my cheeks already looking like a tomato at my own words. Kids? What are you thinking Vaidehi?
He smiled at my response. The same warm smile that made me fall for him.
"You see that fort there?" Shlok pointed his fingers at an old palace, and I nodded, gazing at it with admiration.
"How about if we make it our wedding destination?" he suggested with a hopeful smile.
"Wow! But the dress code will be decided by me," I replied, teasingly.
"Okay, done." He kissed my hands gently, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
"And as for promises, I will give the first three, and you will give the next three," he continued, his voice filled with determination.
"Already decided everything? Aww..my Shlok!" I chuckled, shaking my head in amusement. "And the last promise will be given by both of us together," I added, feeling a rush of happiness wash over me.
"Come," I held his hand, and he started following me eagerly.
"Now, imagine. It is our wedding. You will be standing there," I pointed at one side of the grand hall.
"Here?" He asked, looking a bit puzzled.
"Arey Baba, Shlok, you will spoil everything like this," I chuckled, gently guiding him. "Not there, go there. Yes, perfect!"
"Stand still there, I will make my grand entry. And then, we will exchange garlands," I continued, painting a vivid picture of our future together.
"Hmm... And then I will carry you straight to our car in bridal style. Like this," he said, lifting me up with surprising strength.
"Shlok, what are you doing? Someone will see us," I exclaimed, lightly hitting his chest, feeling a rush of adrenaline.
"Come then, today I will seek permission from your father to lift you like this always," he declared, holding my hands as we made our way out of the hall.
Soon, we were standing outside our huge mansion. Despite having grown up in this grandeur, I couldn't shake the nervous flutter in my stomach. It was the first time I was bringing Shlok here, and I didn't know how my parents would react to it.
The memory of that day still haunts me, etched into my mind like a painful scar that refuses to fade. I remember the anguish in Yashu Di's voice as she tried to reason with Bapu, to make him understand her perspective. But his anger was like a raging storm, consuming everything in its path.
"This girl has gone out of our hands," he muttered, his voice heavy with disappointment and frustration. I could sense the deep-seated fear in his words, the fear of losing control over his daughters' lives.
"Bapu, please," Yashu Di pleaded, her eyes brimming with tears. "I am doing all this for all of us only. I will marry whoever you ask, but please let me do this job."
But her words fell on deaf ears, drowned out by Bapu's wrath. "Let you do this job?" he thundered, his voice echoing through the house like a thunderclap. "You will go to some other country and be romancing around there? I have raised you all these years, only for you to disobey me?"
Yashu Di's pleas grew more desperate, her voice trembling with fear and desperation. "Please, please, I swear..."
But before she could finish, Bapu's hand came crashing down on her cheek with a resounding slap. I watched in horror from my hiding place behind the door, my heart breaking with each passing moment.
"Get out! Get away from here," Bapu roared, his face contorted with rage. "And remember, you are nothing to me now. I will be happy knowing I had only two daughters. And don't you dare to step back anywhere around. Get out!"
Despite her tears and pleas, Yashu Di was forced to leave, cast out from the only home she had ever known. And since that fateful day, Bapu has cut off all contact with her, oblivious to the pain and loneliness she must be feeling.
But sometimes, in the dead of night, when the world is silent and still, she calls me. And in those moments, I can hear the longing and sadness in her voice, a reminder of the deep bond that still ties us together, even across the vast distance that separates us.
I looked at Shlok and our interlinked hands and took some deep breaths. Knowing either now or never.
"Ma," I called out as we entered the foyer, my voice tinged with apprehension.
My mother emerged from the hallway, her expression already soured with irritation, a common sight. "What, Vaidehi?" she snapped, not bothering to look at us.
As her gaze landed on our linked hands, her demeanor shifted from irritation to outrage. "Vaidehi! Shameless girl, what is this?" With a swift motion, she forcefully separated our hands and positioned herself between us, effectively creating a physical barrier.
I could feel Shlok tense beside me, his hand itching to reach out to mine again. But I knew better than to defy my mother's wishes, especially in her current state of agitation. So, I stood silently beside her, feeling a mixture of embarrassment and frustration at her reaction.
"Hey Bhagwan! Yahi din dekhna reh gya tha, are sunto ho, dekhlo kaha muh kala kar rhi thi ye chori" My mother's voice boomed as my father stormed out, his anger evident. I knew he was already in a foul mood today. Was this going to be my last day of freedom?
("Hey Bhagwan! Is this all I had to see? Can't you see what nonsense this girl was up to?" )
"Vaidehi! Who is this boy?" he demanded, his tone sharp and accusatory.
"Bapu, he is Shlok," I stammered, my voice barely above a whisper.
"Who Shlok?" he pressed, his frustration palpable.
"Um... we love..." I trailed off, unable to find the right words.
With a sudden, violent motion, my father's hand lashed out, striking me across the face with a force that sent me reeling. Tears welled up in my eyes as pain radiated from the harsh impact, and I felt the sting of his disapproval like a physical blow.
"Is this why I sent you to college? To indulge in romance? Don't you have any shame left? You girls will not even let me spend the rest of my life with respect," he spat out bitterly, his words cutting through me like a knife.
"Bapu..." I tried speaking, but he forcefully held my cheek in his hand, silencing me with his intense gaze. His eyes landed upon Shlok, and I could see rage burning within them.
My mother intervened, dragging me away from the confrontation, her grip on my arm tight and unforgiving. As she pulled me into the house, the sharp edges of my bangles dug into my skin, drawing blood. But amidst the physical pain, all I could think of was Shlok, standing there helplessly, his eyes pleading with my mother to show mercy.
I struggled against my mother's grasp, trying to break free and return to Shlok's side. But my efforts were in vain as she threw me to the ground, leaving me bruised and broken both inside and out.
"Ma.. please.. ma.. tum to sun lo" I pleaded her but it was of no use now.
(Ma.. please..ma..atleast you listen to me)
She locked me in my room, ignoring my desperate pleas and pounding fists against the door. I was trapped, alone with my thoughts and the harsh reality of my situation, wondering if this was the price I had to pay for love.
"MA..MA...ma .. mar jaungi uske bina" I cried out, my hands thumping against the door before I slid down, overwhelmed by sobs wracking through my body.
("Ma... Ma... Ma... I'll die without him.")
"To mar ja, choriya na hui aafat ho gyi. Ek ne bhi muh dikhane layak nhi choda. Agar tumhare bapu ka bas chale to aaj hi mar dalenge."my mother's voice drifted through the door, her words like daggers piercing my already shattered heart.
("Then die, for all I care! You girls have become nothing but trouble. Not a single one of them left with any dignity intact. If it were up to your father, he'd killed you right now." )
"Ma.. please.. Ma.." I pleaded, my voice cracking as tears welled up in my eyes, and I broke down in uncontrollable sobs. I wiped off my tears but they kept flowing, my face got covered in blood from my wrist. But that moment I cared for nothing, all that I want is my love, my Shlok.
Was this the end of our love? No! Love is the only forever in this world of uncertainties.
Hazaaron mein kisi ko taqdeer aisi , Mili hai ik Ranjha aur Heer jaisi
Na jaane ye zamaana, Kyun chaahe re mitaana
Kalank nahi ishq hai kaajal piya, Kalank nahi ishq hai kaajal piya
Piya, piya, piya re...
Piya re, piya re...
Piya re, piya re, piya re, piya re...
Duniya ki nazron mein ye rog hai, Ho jinko woh jaane ye jog hai
Ik tarfa shayad ho dil ka bharam ,Do tarfa hai toh ye sanjog hai
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Word count - 2234
Can I expect 100 votes? As, I posted this much chapter much earlier than expected.
And thank you for so much love on the first chapter itself.
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Love you all!