Cursed Bride

by Madhuri Tamse

  Preeti (Who was now sitting ): I am fine. How did I come here? And what happened to me?

  Anjum: We found you unconscious at our Gates. It was raining heavily last night and you were fully drenched. Shravan got you in and that’s how you are with us. (She said with a smiling face)

  Preeti: (Confused): Shravan??

  Radhika: Yeah. We mean. SHRAVAN. My Elder brother. (She said pointing towards Shravan who was waiting for this formal introduction of his with this girl and he never expected it to happen so soon)

  Preeti's eyes surely widened knowing he was the last Sibling who was missing that day. Which meant the family had got his Proposal for her?? Her head started spinning once again now.

  Preeti: (Remembering something): I. I need to go. (She tried getting up from the bed and everybody were just surprised.)

  Shravan: STOPPP.!!!

  His commanding voice was always a reason for his family members to fear him and obey his decision. But Preeti wasn’t one among them. She still Continued her efforts to get up from the bed . Anjum tried to hold her and stop her but she found her almost collapsing. The moment Preeti closed her eyes , Shravan was the first one to walk hurriedly towards her and hold her firmly in his arms. She collapsed completely losing her balance on him which made him pick her and place her back on the bed.

  Shravan: Rajeev. Call Dr Suman

  Rajeev left and the other family members also left outside not to congest the room and scare this girl anymore. Preeti wasn’t fully unconscious. She had opened her eyes back now and she could see and feel everything. The way this man before her came to her rescue, the way he placed her back on the bed. The way he asked his brother to call the Doctor immediately, everything. Was he even realising what made him think of her and care for her all of a sudden??? This was her only question to herself.

  In next 1 hour.

  Sheetal was here in Raj Mahal. She met Preeti in the Guest room and also the other Khurana family members. The best moment for her was seeing Shravan Singh Khurana before her. She had always seen him on News And some pics of his on the Magazines. Never ever in her life she thought of meeting him anytime and here he was standing before her with his Family in the Living room. But then in next few minutes he got some official call and he left the House.

  Sheetal: Umm. I don’t understand how can I thank you all for helping Preeti .

  Anjum: You are Preeti's friend?

  Sheetal: Yeah. Actually I work for Mehra's in their Delhi Office and me and Preeti share a friendship too.

  Radhika: That’s sweet .!! And you don’t need to thank us. It’s all destiny after all. I mean who expected we would be seeing Preeti again after what happened in Chaddha House. (She said smiling but The moment she saw her Daadi looking at her furiously she closed her lips from her hands just to stop herself from blabbering anything else)

  Saroj: But where were you when Preeti left the house?

  Sheetal: Preeti had some work. She asked me to meet her at the Airport. I waited for long and when I couldn’t reach her mobile, I thought of calling the Chaddha House and confirm. She had started for Airport long back. After few hours when we got a call from your family, we understood what had happened. I have informed Aarti Ma’am too. She has started for India.

  Devi: Ohh . Her mother must be worried. Just inform her she is fine now. She is safe with us here.

  Sheetal gave a broad smile to the curtesy that this family showed towards her and Preeti. That’s when the Maid of the house got the Red Dress which Preeti had wore the last night. She had washed and dried the dress. She gave the bag of her Dress to Sheetal.

  Maid: Ma’am. This is the dress that Preeti Ma’am was wearing .

  Sheetal thanked the maid and was little surprised seeing it. Saroj was curious to know what made Sheetal look so surprisingly at that dress.

  Saroj: What happened? Why did you look like that?

  Sheetal: Ohh No . !! Just wondering since when did Preeti start wearing Red?? I mean I don’t know how much everyone believes in such things. But Preeti is not allowed to wear Red.

  That was something really surprising to know for the family.

  Devi: What?? Not allowed? Why?

  Sheetal: I don’t know Ma’am. But Aarti Ma’am doesn’t like her to see in Red. And Preeti obeys her Mother's words. I don’t understand what made her wear this Red Dress suddenly?

  Saroj was getting all the feelings which were not good for this family at the moment. The young generations of this House took it lightly but she couldn’t digest these things.

  Saroj: Devi. I guess we are getting late for meeting the Priest. Should we proceed?

  Devi agreed and they both left the Raj Mahal asking the other family members to take care of Preeti.

  Part 6

  Holy Temple

  Priest: I have looked at the Kundali's of Radhika and Kishore. Everything is fine in it. Radhika would need little more time to get marriage Yog. Even Kishore's Kundali shows a Marriage sign after a year. I am not worried for that. But then when I looked at the other two Kundali's I was shocked.

  Devi: You mean Shravan and Preeti's Kundali?

  Priest: Yes. I was given it by you to check if it’s matching or to see if there are any marriage signs of them both together. But what I read in it was completely surprising. Where did you find this girl for Shravan?

  Saroj: Just a proposal from one of our family friends. Why ?? What is the problem?

  Priest: She is not the one destined for Shravan beta. Infact she wasn’t destined to meet Shravan or your family.

  Saroj: But. If this wasn’t destined then why did it happen?

  Priest: There is something which has dragged this girl from a different country to here at your place.

  Saroj and Devi looked at each other all worried.

  Priest: By any chance did this girl cross the entry of Raj Mahal? Did Shravan beta saw her in Red anytime? Did Shravan show any kind of possessiveness towards this girl?? Like if anyone tried to touch her, did he get angry?

  Every question that the Priest asked them , the answers were all "YES". Everything had started happening the way it shouldn’t have happened. The Priest himself was little shaken to know that everything was happening so quickly. He finally replied back to them.

  Priest: Make sure this girl doesn’t eat anything that Shravan has left in his plate. And I would suggest you get Shravan Beta Married to someone within a Month from now. If this doesn’t happen then it could lead a problem to your family and mostly to Shravan.

  The words that the Priest uttered were really too much to digest for the two old ladies. They still agreed to it and then reached back to the Palace. Now Saroj had to pay extra attention towards this girl Preeti. She thought of asking the Chadda Family to come and take her back to their house. That would help in creating the situations where she comes in touch with Shravan. As soon as they entered the House, they saw a Lady in an Orange Saree sitting with Preeti at the Couch along with the other members of the family and talking. She was Aarti Mehra, Preeti's mother. Anjum saw her Nani and Daadi and she immediately introduced Aarti to them. Though these ladies didn’t have much conversation with Aarti , they had a formal Hi Hello only. Anjum could notice some depression sort of on the Grannies faces and she didn’t knew what was wrong with them.

  Aarti: Saroj Ji, Devi ji. I don’t understand how can I thank you both for saving my daughter and allowing her to rest in your house. This really means a lot to me and Preeti.

  Devi: No Aarti. You don’t need to thank us. It just happened that Preeti bitiya was found unconscious before our house and we helped her.

  Saroj: But Preeti. How did you fall unconscious ? And that too before our house gates? (She asked straight as she was curious to know that)

  Preeti: Actually I was driving for the Airport but then my Car broke down on the road just 30 minutes from here. I tried getting some lift but couldn’t. Kept walking but then it was raining heavily and I was fully drenched . I myself don’t know how long I walke
d and then fainted all of a sudden by excessive cold.

  Anjum: Yes Daadi. We have sent Maakhan kaka to get the Car repaired.

  Preeti was now leaning her head on her mother's shoulder. She wanted to be taken care , she wanted to feel her mother’s warmth now just like every kid does when they are ill.

  Malti: Aarti Ji. Why don’t you stay with Preeti here till she is perfectly fine? I mean staying with us would be more comfortable than staying with the Chaddha's. (Malti never liked the Chaddha family and hence she always tried to show them inferior before them and this time she had got the best opportunity. She would be making the best friend of Mrs Chaddha stay in her house. )

  Saroj and Devi looked at each other and then at Malti who had no idea how much she had angered them by saying this. Well it wasn’t her fault. She had no idea about what was happening behind her .

  Anjum: (Smiling): Haan Malti. You are absolutely right. Aarti aunty and Preeti , you both have to stay with us.

  Aarti: No Anjum beta. It’s ok. Mrs Chaddha would feel bad.

  Radhika: No Aunty. She won’t feel bad. If you think then Malti would call her and inform her this. Nobody would say anything after that. Right Malti?

  Malti: Yes Yes. Why not. I am glad to inform this to the Chaddha Family.

  Saroj and Devi couldn’t get an opportunity to deny this Mother daughter staying here. So they gave up. Now they had a task to do. They had to make sure Preeti doesn’t get a chance to eat anything that is already been shared by Shravan. Currently their Shravan was not at home so things were Ok. But once he was here, they had to be cautious.

  Shravan was on call when he entered the House. The whole day he was busy enough in his work to even think of anything else . But as soon as he entered his home, he realized what had happened a night back. He hoped she had left this house long back. The reason was simple. He himself was feeling some sort of pull towards this girl since last night. Why? He didn’t knew. He never wanted to know. Maakhan saw him entering inside and he rushed to take his laptop bag as usual . Shravan handed his laptop bag to Maakhan and then cut the call and started walking upstairs towards his room with Maakhan following him with his Laptop bag.

  Shravan: Why is the house so silent today? Where is everyone?

  Maakhan: Shravan, Hukum and the others are in the Garden having Snacks.

  Shravan: Garden?? Daadi never preferred having Snacks in the Garden.!!

  Maakhan: It was the Guest's idea. (He said placing his Laptop bag on the table and bowing his head down)

  Shravan: Guest?? You mean that girl . Preeti???

  Maakhan: Jee.

  Shravan: Unbelievable. !!!! Fine. Get my tea and sandwich here in my room.

  Maakhan nodded and left his room.

  In the Garden

  Saroj and Devi had a keen eye on Preeti. They still didn’t knew that Shravan was at home.

  Preeti: Radhika. Can you pass me that Jug of water?

  Radhika: Ohh it’s empty. Wait I will get it from inside.

  Preeti: Ohh No. Please don’t. I will get it myself.

  Radhika: Come on Preeti. You aren’t well still. I can get it.

  Preeti: If I keep sitting like this at one place I would feel more sick. Let me get it.

  Saying that Preeti got up and even Radhika.

  Radhika: Let’s go together then. What if you faint again? (She said smiling and Preeti in turn smiled too nodding a Yes)

  Saroj and Devi though heard this , they ignored. According to them Shravan was still not at home. So. They all continued sitting in the garden and enjoying their evening snacks.

  Radhika: But Preeti. I didn’t understand one thing. I mean it’s not that I am forcing you to rethink. But still I feel you were fit to be the Bahu of our family.

  Preeti suddenly remembered how she hated to discuss this topic.

  Preeti: Radhika. It’s not that I didn’t like your family or I am not comfortable with them. You know why I denied that day. It was just because I can’t leave my mother alone there.

  Radhika: Then get her settled here. That way you could be close to her too.

  Preeti: Come on Radhika. It isn’t that easy.

  Radhika: If you wish SHRAVAN can help you in that.

  Preeti stopped and looked at Radhika.

  Preeti: Right. And that’s what I don’t want. Infact the second reason I am not ok with this marriage is that same SHRAVAN. I can’t even think to be his wife. No way.

  Preeti and Radhika again started walking ahead.

  Radhika: But why Preeti? I mean only because you fought with him at the first instance?? ( Preeti had told only Radhika today about how she and Shravan had met first and fought for that Cart Owner)

  Preeti: You know what he said that day at the end??? He asked me to just walk my path and never cross his. A person who has so much of attitude in himself can never keep others happy.

  Radhika: Ohh!! So that’s the problem. Okay. Now I understand. But know what. !! I guess destiny doesn’t want that to happen. That’s the reason, you walked on his path and by fate crossed his and entered our house. I wished I could have shooted the moment SHRAVAN carried you in his arms inside our house. Such a perfect Picture that was.

  Preeti stopped again and looked at Radhika angrily.

  Preeti :Radhika. If you are willing to continue this topic on YOUR SHRAVAN. Then I can go alone and get the water. I don’t need help.

  Radhika: Ok I am sorry. I just thought of giving a try. But then I won’t trouble you again. Come.

  Radhika took Preeti along with her and they walked to the Kitchen. That’s when Makkhan got the Plate of Shravan back from his room.

  Radhika: Maakhan Kaka. Who left this Sandwich?

  Maakhan:He said he was full with only one bread. And so he asked me to take the second one back.

  Radhika picked that Sandwiched from her brother's plate and stood with Preeti.

  Maakhan left outside for the Garden.

  Saroj: Maakhan. Keep the Tea ready. Shravan would come home anytime.

  Maakhan: Shravanji is already home Hukkum. He had his tea and snacks.

  Saroj and Devi immediately excused themselves from the rest and started walking inside the house. They had to see where Preeti is. They had to see if by no chance Preeti gets to eat anything from his plate. But they were late enough. As soon as they reached the Kitchen they saw Radhika putting the Sandwich in Preeti's mouth in order to save herself from her next words. Radhika had once again started praising her SHRAVAN and was indirectly hinting Preeti to rethink and before Preeti could once again open her mouth and command her not to advise her, the sandwich which Radhika had took from her brother's plate was been stuffed in Preeti's mouth.Preeti had no option but to munch the sandwich . And after that she started running behind Radhika chasing her for making her eat this.

  Preeti (Running behind Radhika): Radhika. I won’t leave you today. How could you feed me that Sandwich from your brother's plate?

  Radhika: (Trying to hide): Preeti. That was a coincidence. I just wanted to shut your mouth. (She said laughing and running in the Kitchen)

  Both the old ladies were in shock. They were trying their best to handle this situation but things were supporting them. The Destiny wasn’t supporting their effort. They could do nothing now. Only one thing was left and that was to get their Shravan Married to some girl as soon as they can. But this wasn’t as easy as they thought. For this they had to convince their Shravan which was next to impossible.

  Part 7

  Saroj: No way Devi. You can delay this. But not me.

  Saying that Saroj walked towards her Shravan's room. It was already late night 11:00 and everyone were resting in their rooms. Devi followed Saroj. And they both finally knocked Shravan's room. He opened the door and was surprised to see his Nani and Daadi there at this time.

  Shravan: Daadi?? Nani? Is all ok?

  Daadi: Shravan. We wanted to talk to you something very important.

  Shravan was little more confused at this sentence
but he nodded and allowed them inside his room.

  Guest Room

  Aarti: Preeti. But I don’t understand one thing. What was that work for which you asked Sheetal to go ahead and wait for you at the Airport?

  Preeti was brushing her hair before sleeping and she wasn’t expecting this question from her mother. But she had to reply. So she turned back and answered.

  Preeti: Surprise Mumma. Surprise.!!

  Aarti: What Surprise? And for whom? (She asked commandingly.)

  Preeti got up from her place and walked to the bed , then hugged her mother.

  Preeti: Surprise is a Surprise. Shouldn’t be disclosed. But yes I can tell you whom it was for.

  Aarti: I am waiting to know that.!!

  Preeti: Ofcourse you Mumma. I wanted to gift you something and for that I had to visit the Jodhpur market once again.

  Aarti: IS it?? Ok then where is that gift? Now I am here. So don’t you think you should be giving me that?

  Preeti had no answer to this. Yes she lied to her mother. But she couldn’t help. She knew if she tells the truth she would only be upsetting her mother's mood.

  Preeti: Mumma.Dont you trust me ? You think I was doing something wrong?

  Aarti: No Preeti. I didn’t mean that. I am just worried for you that’s it.

  Preeti: Worried? For what? I am not a Kid now. Mumma is there something you wish to tell me but aren’t comfortable? I mean I have seen your worries when I told you I would be leaving for India. You were so panicked? As if there is something evil here which would harm me.