*
Punita walked inside Gopal’s home along with Nita and he waved them to couch in the living room. A flower pot was kept on the table with fresh roses inside it.
“So, tell me what happened?” Gopal’s eyes darted between Punita and Nita.
“You know, my brother is after me and Nitin. His men have beaten Nitin who is recovering in the hospital. I need your help.”
“Well, do you love Nitin?” Gopal asked.
Punita was embarrassed and her face reddened. She waited for a few seconds before she answered. “Yes, we love each other.”
“So, your parents and bother are against your marriage,” Gopal said.
Punita nodded.
“How is Nitin now?”
Nita looked at him. “He is getting discharged tomorrow, and will be all right in a couple of days.”
“Okay, you can decide to marry each other at the temple in the city outskirts. Thereafter, we’ll immediately register your marriage and later on you can seek your parent’s blessings,” Gopal suggested.
“I too think we need to speed up the things. Otherwise, your brother can do anything to you and Nitin.”
Punita pondered. She needed to give her consent at this moment. She didn’t want to lose Nitin, and it was wise for her to marry Nitin earliest possible.
“All right, coming Sunday, we will try to assemble at the temple at sharp ten.” Punita rose. “We will go now, and if Mohan gets to know that I’m here, he may do harm to us.”
Nita rose and Punita walked out of the main gate towards her scooter.
*
Punita readied herself with a dark red sari woven with gold threads and kept her ornaments inside her bag. She didn’t want her mother to be suspicious of her by wearing them. She walked downstairs and her mother was busy in the kitchen. Mohan and her dad were not around, and she paced outside the living room towards the veranda. She started her scooter by taking it outside the gate and headed towards the city outskirts.
When she crossed the main street to join a country road, her phone rang. It was Nita.
“Hi, Nita, I am on my way to the temple,” Punita said.
“Yeah, it’s good. But I’m sorry; I will not be able to make it for the event. I have told Nitin and Gopal to be there by sharp ten. They must be already waiting for you,” Nita said.
“Oh, Come on, Nita. Why’re you not coming?”
“I am sorry; I’m going out with my Dad to my estate. I can’t avoid it,” Nita said.
“It’s okay, but you try to make it for the registration office by noon. We will meet there.” Punita disconnected the call.
Punita started her scooter again and drove to the temple. The temple premises were deserted with no around. She walked inside and offered her prayers to Lord Hanuman. She looked around for Nitin but neither Nitin nor Gopal were present, let alone the priest.
When she walked back of the temple her heart missed a beat, and adrenaline rushed through her body. She held her face covered with her hands. Nitin was hung to the tree branch with a noose around his neck. His stomach was mutilated with knife marks. Punita’s glance shifted to a nearby well.
___________
Thank you for reading my short story, The Wounded Hearts. Please consider leaving a review at your favourite retailer’s website, your feedback is important to me and helps me decide what types of stories to write in the future.
Best Wishes,
Vijay K Kerji
About the Author:
I'm an engineer, worked in software organizations, including Siemens and Intel. Later on, my vast experience in design and development was useful for various students in technical colleges while giving lectures on software subjects. I had a passion for writing and I'm thankful for the electronic media like SmashWords.com for giving opportunities to fulfil writer’s aspirations, and making their dreams real. I like spending time with my family and playing with my daughters. I live in India.
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