Cursed Bride

by Madhuri Tamse

  Preeti wasn’t able to hear anything. She was almost screaming aloud to talk to him.

  Preeti: Shravan. Don’t worry so much. I will be fine. Will go to the nearest Store and get it. I won’t go to the other store. It’s far I know. Okay??

  Shravan walked hurriedly fisting his fingers.

  Shravan: Concentrate on the Road. But don’t keep the phone. Just keep talking to me.

  Preeti: Okay baba. My God. You are worrying so much Shravan. Just like my Yuvraj. (She chuckled)

  Shravan: Preeti. I am in no mood of fun. I am serious.!! (he said unlocking his car and that’s when he heard Preeti almost yelling in confusion)

  Preeti: Shravan. The Brakes. It’s .It’s not working. Ohh God.!!

  Shravan's heartbeat did increase to it’s maximum and he wasn’t sure what he needed to tell her.

  Shravan: Preeti, get down from that Car. Just open the door and Jump dammit.!!! . Preeti. Preeti???

  For another 2 minutes he did hear her sound full of disturbance and then a loud Accident sound. After which the call got cut and everything was Silent. Silent as if it was the END.

  Shravan : PREETIIIIIIIIIII

  Part 39

  Preeti: Shravan. The Brakes. It’s .It’s not working. Ohh God.!!

  Shravan's heartbeat did increase to it’s maximum and he wasn’t sure what he needed to tell her.

  Shravan: Preeti, get down from that Car. Just open the door and Jump dammit.!!! . Preeti. Preeti???

  For another 2 minutes he did hear her sound full of disturbance and then a loud Accident sound. After which the call got cut and everything was Silent. Silent as if it was the END.

  Shravan : KHUSHHIIIIIIIIIIIIII

  Shravan's heartbeat actually stopped hearing that loud sound. He instantly sat inside his Car and with full speed he drove in the direction of the Market where he thought his wife had headed. His heart was aching with the pain of being left alone. His mind was constantly telling him she wasn’t fine. She was hurt while his heart said she was fine. She was just fine.

  He tried calling her number but to no use. He drove as fast as he could . This tears rolled down from his eyes. He didn’t care. All he wanted to do at the moment was search his wife and make his heart and mind believe she was fine. Even a little scratch on her would only kill him . He can’t see her in pain. He can’t see her hurt. He finally reached the spot where already some people had gathered. He saw his Car being almost turned upside down and people were surrounding the car . He pulled the brakes and got down . He didn’t care anything. He just rushed to the Car moving the people aside and to his shock, he found the Car empty. Preeti wasn’t here. Where was she then. His mind was still hiting his senses telling him that she must have jumped from the car as he had commanded her to do at such a situation but if so then where was she?? He started running in the opposite direction, calling out her name. The road was in middle surrounded by the Bushes and trees on either sides. He didn’t know where he needs to search her. After almost 15 minutes of search in the nearby area, he saw her Dupatta stuck to a Bark of tree aside. He pulled it out and took it in his hands. It was filled with blood. He threw it instantly and then started searching her there. He saw her. He saw her lying unconscious in the small bushes almost 1km away from the accident spot. He instantly rushed to her and took her head on his lap. Patting her cheeks. Wiping the blood from her forehead, he was trying to get her back to the senses. But no use. She wasn’t breathing. She wasn’t breathing.

  Shravan (Patting her cheeks): Preeti. Preeti Enough now. This is not a joke. Open your eyes dammit. I am ordering you. Won’t you listen to me? Preeti?? Preeti???

  She didn’t reply and that only made him more mad. He brought her palm and made it rest on his heart.

  Shravan: Preeti. Are you listening this? It’s My heartbeat. It’s your heartbeat. It’s beating because I know you are Alive. Please Preeti. Just get up. Please.(Shravan Singh Khurana was on the verge of crying and his tears did fell on Preeti's cheeks )

  The sensation of his tears on her cheeks made her blink her eyes a bit and Shravan could feel some motion in her. He instantly took her back in his arms and patted her cheeks lightly making him sit resting her head on his shoulder. In seconds she opened her eyes slowly and saw him.

  She was in her Shravan's arms. She was in her Yuvraj's arms. What else she would wish for?? Shravan was happy seeing her Alive. He instantly pulled her for the hug and cried his heart out. She understood what he was feeling at the moment. To believe the fact that the person whom you loved unconditionally is dead before you, is not that easy. He had faced this fact some years back in their last birth and he was once again going through the same. But this time the only difference was, his Love came back to life ,. He didn’t lose her. He didn’t lose her.

  Preeti: Shravan. I am fine. Don’t cry.

  She tried wiping his tears and he nodded a Yes. She cupped his face and replied back.

  Preeti: This time I can’t leave you alone . You had promised me that you will not let anyone come between us right? How could I break that promise which you gave. I jumped from the Car. I knew you will find me. I believed you Shravan. I believed you.

  Shravan picked her in his arms and then carried her to his Car. She had got a sprain in her Ankle and some minor injuries. He knew he had to take her to the Hospital. Informing his Di about the incident he immediately drove to the nearest Hospital to get his wife treated.

  The entire Khurana Family was at the Hospital and Preeti was been bandaged for her injuries inside with Shravan sitting beside her and calming her down, giving her strength. The Dr did say she was lucky enough that she survived such a major accident and she just looked at her husband.

  Preeti: My Husband's love made me survive Dr. I had full faith in him. In his love.!!

  The Dr Smiled knowing how much she and Shravan were in Love. She asked Shravan to take her back home and making sure she doesn’t walk much. At least for a day or two. He agreed. The family did come inside to see her and there everyone were just giving her strength and thanking God that she was fine.

  Shravan's eyes were all on Raaghav and Maasa. He didn’t know why but he felt something wrong with them. Especially with Maasa.

  Raj Mahal

  Shravan and Preeti were back to Raj Mahal with the family and she was made to rest on the bed while Shravan had to do some investigation himself.

  He walked to the Mandir of his House and started finding the Mehndi that Preeti had brought the other day. But he didn’t find it. His eyes suddenly moved to the Window of this Mandir room and he opened it and peeped out, only to find the Mehndi bowl been thrown outside and all the Mehndi was lying on the grass.

  Shravan (To himself): So this Mehndi was purposely thrown. But who can do this? And why??

  He instantly walked back to his room and then saw his wife trying to get the Water glass in her hands to drink. He rushed to her and handed her the glass making her drink little water.

  Shravan: Need some more?

  She denied and rested back on the pillow while he sat beside her.

  Preeti: Shravan. Don’t be so upset. I am okay now. In next 2 days I will be walking too.

  Shravan: You won’t understand what I went through Preeti. It was just beyond my limit’s. Promise me next time you would never leave alone anywhere. Not even the Bathroom.!!!

  She started laughing for hearing such kind of promise and she did say a Yes to him. He smiled and then held her hand.

  Shravan: Waise. Who told you the Mehndi was not in Mandir?

  Preeti: No one told me. I was searching it on my own. Tomorrow we need to keep that Mehndi before God. It’s Radhika's Mehndi tomorrow. So.!! Now since I am here on bed, someone has to go tomorrow morning and get it.

  Shravan: Someone will do that. Don’t worry. But why did you think of getting it at this time?

  Preeti: Because it was my mistake Shravan. I misplaced it somewhere. !!

  Shravan: Still Preeti. I am sure someone must have talked
to you on this. Who is it? Just remember and tell me.

  Preeti started remembering and there she realized who asked her to .

  Preeti: Radhika. She asked me if the Mehndi is ready or not and I then started searching for it.

  Shravan: Then?

  Preeti: Then . When I didn’t find it, I thought of asking the Driver to get it.

  Shravan: Then?

  Preeti : Then when I came out the driver was. (She started thinking something and then she remembered). Yeah. The driver was talking on phone with someone.

  Shravan: Phone?

  Preeti: Yeah. I told him to go and get and he denied saying he is having some urgent problem at his home so he left and all I could do is drive myself. That’s it.

  Shravan got up from bed and took his Mobile out. He dialed the Driver's number. He wasn’t receiving.

  Shravan: Damm!!!

  Preeti: Shravan. What happened?

  Shravan: Nothing. Just sleep. I will be back in a while.

  Preeti: But Shravan. Don’t leave me alone here. I feel scared.

  Shravan knew his wife needed her at the moment and hence he didn’t leave her alone. He slept beside her waiting for the next morning to come when he would be digging the depth of this Accident.

  Next Morning

  Shravan walked to Radhika's room and there he saw her smiling seeing her own image in the Mirror. He knocked the door and she saw him. Getting up from there, she came towards him.

  Radhika : SHRAVAN. Come in.!!!

  Shravan came inside and she smiled.

  Radhika : Is Preeti fine now?

  Shravan: She is. Radhika. I need to ask you something. And I need an honest reply.

  Radhika: Honest reply? You asking as if you are interrogating me.

  Shravan: Think So then. Just tell me how did you remembered that the Mehndi needs to be placed before God today morning? I mean as per I know you, you are not that attentive in these rituals.

  Radhika: Ohh That!! Yes. I didn’t remember at all. It was Khushboo Aunty who reminded me this. After the ring Ceremony I was going back to my room when Aunty told me this. I said I will ask Preeti and she agreed.

  Shravan fisted his fingers. He still had any clear proof that this was a Planned Accident though.

  Everything would come up only when the Driver is back. But where was he? Why didn’t he come to work today? He immediately asked his manager to get to his Driver's house and then ask him to resume back to work. His manager agreed and Shravan walked back to his room.

  He was still in the corridor and outside Preeti’s room when he suddenly thought something and he looked here and there to check if anyone was seeing him. Finding no one there, he entered Maasa's room as he knew she was busy down with Nani and Daadi. The room was vacant and Shravan just wished to see if he finds something against her.

  After little search he did find a Photo Frame lying beside the bed. He turned the photo frame and was shocked to see it.

  It was a Photo of his and Preeti's wedding. But Preeti's Photo was been crossed mark by a Red Marker as if someone wished to erase her identity from this world. But what was this Photo doing here?? And who did this? Was it Maasa? He had no idea what he was thinking. Will she really do something like this? Will she plan to Kill Preeti?? Why?? He took the photo frame with him outside the room .

  His head had started spinning and he was getting some flashbacks for sure remembering this same kind of situation which had happened before too . May be in their last birth.

  FLASHBACK STARTS

  Almost 5 days had passed for Chanchan's death and still Yuvraj had no idea how she died. When he had reached the place to see her on his wedding day with Princess Diya, she was already stabbed by someone and he could only hold her collapsing body in his arms . How he remembered her last sentences " Wish I could Marry you. ". He can never forget that anytime. His eyes were still seeing his Chanchan everywhere near him and he couldnt bear this much of pain. He was not well. Since the time she died, he hardly ate anything. Kishan was the only one to force him and keep him alive otherwise he would have ended his life long back.

  He was walking in the Corridor of Raj Mahal when he found his Maasa's room open and he thought of checking if she was inside the room or not. The moment he stepped in, he saw a Photo lying on the floor and he instantly picked it in his hands. No doubt he was shocked to see the picture. It was his and Chanchan's Portrait drawn by a famous Artist of those days. Chanchan's Photo was been Cross Marked as if someone wished to take her life and erase her identity forever. Yuvraj was shocked. Who would do that? And why was it in Maasa's room. Walking straight to the Living room where his Maasa was , he took the Portrait with him and there he heard her talking to some unknown Servant and then giving him some Money.

  Maasa: Shaabash . Tum nahi jaante tumne humaara kitna bada kaam kiya hai. Uss Chanchan Ko Iss duniya se hataakar tumne hume woh Preeti di hai jo hum bayan nahi kar sakte. ( Good work. You don’t know how much important task you have done for me. By killing that Chanchan you have given me that happiness which I cannot even tell you what it means to me)

  This sentence snapped Yuvraj's mind and there he came down in anger towards Maasa. Calling his guards he immediately arrested the man who stabbed his Chanchan and then he looked at Maasa in anger.

  Yuvraj: You killed my Chanchan? Why Maasa? Why did you do this? She was my Love. She meant everything to me. I cannot believe you can stoop so low that you can take someone's life?

  Maasa had no repentance. She was just little surprised that Yuvraj came to know all this. She still showed him the same anger, trying to defend herself.

  Maasa: Yes I did Kill her. Because I didn’t wish her to get married to you. What had you thought Yuvraj ? You gave me a Promise that you will marry Princess Diya and forget Chanchan Forever didn’t you? Then why did you forget that promise? Do you think I don’t know you and Chanchan were planning to elope from Raj Mahal on your wedding night?? Do you think I never knew this? I am your Maasa. I know each and everything that you plan to do. How can you break a promise given to your mother? How can you?

  Yuvraj: Because I had given a Promise to my Chanchan too. I wished to lead my life with her. And that Promise was much greater than the forced promise which you took from me. (He roared in anger and the entire Raj Mahal was quiet.)

  Raaghav, Kishan came down hearing Yuvraj's voice.

  Raaghav: Yuvraj. What kind of tone is this to talk to Maasa?

  Yuvraj: You just don’t come between us Raaghav. You don’t know what she did. She killed my Chanchan. She killed an innocent girl.

  Kishan was shocked to hear this and Raaghav was also shocked how could Yuvraj know about it.

  Yuvraj: I now understand what was going in that head of yours. You wished your Son Raaghav to marry her , didn’t you? But why? I cannot find a reason why a Queen like you would like a Maid's daughter for your Son?

  Raaghav: Because I loved her too Yuvraj. And my love was since the time you were not even in Raj Mahal. But she never even looked at me. But when you came, she couldnt keep her eyes away from you. Why? What was in you that she rejected me??

  Yuvraj was surprised. So he too liked her?

  Yuvraj: Destiny had planned it all Raaghav. Her love was only in my Fate and this Maasa even snatched that. She killed my Love. She killed her. And if you think after this I would let her stay here then no. If I wish ,I will kill her myself. But I don’t wish to give her such an easy death.

  Saying that he held Maasa's hand and dragged her outside the gates of Raj Mahal and then pushed her out. Kishan tried to stop him. He knew this was right but everything had a time to do. Raaghav on the other hand didn’t allow Yuvraj to throw his mother out. But when he actually did it, Raaghav was the only one to stand with her.

  Yuvraj: Think Again Raaghav. If you wish you can come back but this lady, I wish she suffers a horrible death, she suffers the same pain she gave my Chanchan .!!

  Maasa was mad. She actually lost her senses and started laughing li
ke a Crazy woman. She started walking away from Raj Mahal not before cursing it for the last time.

  Maasa: You are throwing a queen of Raj Mahal Out Yuvraj, I curse this family . I curse you . You and Chanchan will not meet easily in any births and even when you do, you won’t remember anything about your past. The memories of Chanchan would be back to you only after you find me.

  None of your Birth is complete with her without me getting involved between you two. I promise in every birth of mine, I will not let her be yours. I will be always behind you both to separate you .Let this Raj Mahal will be the witness of this Curse. Hhahhahahhhhaa (She laughed and started walking towards the Village)

  Raaghav followed his Maasa to stop her but to no use. She didn’t stop. She was been removed from Raj Mahal. From her own Palace and she would never come back here till the same person who threw her out, takes her back in.

  FLASHBACK ENDS.

  Part 40

  Shravan Singh Khurana was boiling in Anger. He remembered everything. He finally knew who killed his Chanchan in his last birth. He knew how evil his Maasa was and now he was very well aware that Mrs. Khushboo Ahuja was here for fulfilling her wish which she couldnt in her last birth. So she was been removed from Raj Mahal by Yuvraj and now Shravan was the one to get her back inside which meant her one of the desire was fulfilled. But what about the rest?? Will she again try to separate Preeti from Shravan? Was she still wishing Raaghav and Preeti to be together? Was Raaghav too involved with his mother like he supported her in their last birth? What was Khusboo's true intention of coming back to India ?? Was she by any chance involved in the Accident that Preeti met with? Was she once again trying to kill Preeti for something?