Maa, Vindhya, " called out Renuka as she ushered Sreedhar in with a apprehensive look. Maheswari came out listening to her bahu's call and seeing Sridhar stood like a rock clutching the dining chair, and his younger bhabi Vindhya Sreedhar could see was trying her best to cover her tears
Sreedhar was perplexed. What is happening. Normally by this time Renu Bhabi would have bought him food and mother would have made him sit on the sofa and would have started her questions with Vindhya bhabi teasing him in between and poking funny questions till his mom asked her to keep quiet with mock anger. But Vindhya Bhabi never kept quiet. Laughter followed her wherever she went. Sreedhar was the apple of eye of the family. Youngest of 4 brothers he was pampered to the hilt by his parents, his brothers and his sis-in-laws.But he was not a spoilt child, but the most bright, handsome and the endearing son of family . And today they all were standing like statues.
" Renu Bhabi what happened? Where is Murali Bhaiyya? Has he joined business this soon leaving my new Bhabi. And by the way where is my new Bhabi. See how much gifts her loving devar has bought for her. Now both of you will have competition to get my attention ok. I would love to be pampered by new bhabi. Tell her, her devar wishes to eat food by her today for dinner"
Sreedhar was going on happily when his mother collapsed on the chair crying. " Maa what happened " Sreedhar rushed to his mother side only to see both his bhabi's were also weeping by now" Tell me what happened" and only thing Sreedhar saw was his mother directing him to the far corner of the room with her eyes unable to speak anythingSreedhar followed the direction of her eyes and stood horror stricken. Unable to believe what he is seeing. There was the garlanded photo of Murali Bhaiyya. He sank to the floor " What, when, how?..." were the only words that he could mumble while Renuka held him firmly by shoulders.
" It was an accident Sreedhar. On the night of his wedding while we were returning. We dont know how it happened, but it happened, the driver, Murali and your bua died instantly on the spot while the car clashed with the truck " spoke Vindhya "And bhabi " Sreedhar asked hesitanginly. He wished she didnt survive because he knew in Rajasthan being a widow on the wedding day what her status will be " " She survived " completed his mother. Sreedhar closed his eyes. He didnt knew what was the pain that was searing through him at that point. More than the pain of his brother's death, the pain that seared through his heart had to do with his bhabi. But why, thought Sreedhar. He had not even met her once, doesnt know her, except for her name Suman which Renu Bhabi had called and told him in college hostel before he left to US