Fairy Tale Of A Village Girl

When Akash reached into the room, he did not see Varsha there. He also checked the washroom and no sign of Varsha. He felt fearful whether she really has fallen ill seriously and is taken to the hospital. He prayed to G.o.d silently and pulled his phone out from the pocket to call Ira. He opened the balcony door and walked out and put his phone to his ears. But soon his anxiousness disappeared when he saw her sitting in the garden beside the stream, her back facing toward him.

He removed his phone away and pressed the call end b.u.t.ton. He stood motionless and looked at her. She is sitting beside the stream like a statue, looking ahead immersed in some thoughts.

Varsha is still sad and remembered that he once told her to be more presentable in terms of what she wears. He said that she should do so because she is his wife and she represents his image. She was very happy to hear something like this from him. She does not know why all those things seem like a dream. She is afraid that those things will not repeat again because she does not know how should she face him without annoying him.

The best thing for a woman is to feel protected and be able to rely on her husband. But when she tried to tell her sorrow to him, he told her to solve her issues by herself. Thinking that she has to rely on herself gave her a feeling of heartbreak and loneliness.

She felt heartbroken and decides that whatever happens in life, she will never complain. She will always solve her own problems and if she can not, she will just bear with it. She really does not wish to think this way but how can she bear to complain again. His words are more hurtful. Her tears again started falling.

She did not know how long she kept thinking about different things. She could feel her tears flowing now and then. Finally, she wiped off her tears and laughed on herself for being a cry baby. But Akash can see from the balcony that she is crying. He can see her act of being in a daze and wiping her tears. He could feel how painful it must be for her to be rebuked in a way that he did. It was her first time when she asked him for something and that was to listen to her yet he failed her. He felt a strange type of restlessness inside himself.

Akash looked quietly from the balcony for some time. He thought of how a girl left her family to come into his family depending on him and he made her cry. She has always been obedient and always trying to please everyone. She just complained once to him and he rebuked her harshly. It was just an innocent act from her side but has become a rude awakening for her. He saw her wiping her tears and felt like something has torn his heart. A spontaneous outburst from him has caused her so much grief. He remembers that he has never done anything to make her happy but that girl who was always cheery no matter what is now crying because of him.

She might feel marrying him might have been a wrong choice. Suddenly this thought that Varsha might feel the decision to marry him wrong, made him feel uncomfortable. If Varsha feels this way, it means he is not caring and responsible enough and this thought is very unsettling to him. He brought the chair in balcony and started reading a book to disguise his action of looking at her.

After sometime Varsha controlled her emotions and washed her face in the stream and wiped it from her sash. Around 5:00 PM Ira also came back from college and joined her in the garden. Akash has been in the balcony for almost one and a half hours and his back is hurting sitting straight on the chair for so long. He stood up and started stretching his arm muscles.

This is when Varsha looked toward the balcony seeing some movement and found Akash looking at them. She got startled and turned her head in another direction. Akash could not help but smile from her shy action. Seeing that she is no longer alone, he went inside the room to take care of some of his work.

In the evening at the dinner table, the whole family is present. Varsha also joined and sat alongside Ira. Everyone is concerned about the health of Varsha. Akash is also concerned and that is why he is listening to the talk of everyone attentively.

Akash looked toward Varsha who is eating slowly. She has avoided looking toward Akash till now and her eyes are lowered on her plate. She looks extremely dispirited today. Now he found how good it was to see her stealing glances at him and waiting for him to say something. Even if he scolded her, she will always be happy. He wanted to ask her how is she feeling now but he felt like he can not talk to her. He felt guilty and unworthy.

Between her bites, Grandma asked "How are you feeling Varsha dear?

Varsha raised her head and looked toward Grandma and smiled. She said "Grandma! I am feeling much better than before."

"Much better than before." Hearing this Akash felt anxious. Does she not mind that he made her sad? Has she got over even without any explanation from him? How can she be feeling much better when her not feeling well is due to him. He has been always calm but this feeling is really unnerving to him. He looked at the face of Varsha and seeing no indication of a different meaning he felt a bit calmer but an unknown fear is born inside him.

"That is great to hear. By the way, try not to skip a meal even if you are not feeling well. Our body needs energy in any case. Skipping the meal is not an option." Grandpa smiled and said.

Varsha looked toward Grandpa. Seeing the concerned face of Grandpa, she smiled and said: "I will remember in future."

Everyone continued eating quietly after this. Youngest members of family Arun and Aditi kept playing with each other while eating. They are sitting between Grandma and Grandma and will behave for a few minutes after receiving their warning glances sometimes. Another mischievous person is Ira who will whisper in ears of Varsha time to time and giggle earning curious gazes of others sometimes.

Akash is more keen and observant today because of the silent treatment he is receiving from Varsha today. He is conflicted and trying to find an opportunity to make Varsha at ease toward himself. When he looked toward Arpit, he found him nodding toward eldest uncle. Akash knew that Arpit is planning to make things difficult for Varsha. Although Akash thought these things childish but today he felt irritated.

After finding a signal from his father, Arpit said "Sister-in-law! It"s good that you are feeling well now. You should remember that party is tomorrow and any mistake is not allowed. You must not make any mistakes due to your old ways." He hinted her village background and made it like look like he is reminding kindly.

The first person to get fired up is obviously Ira who retorted "I know how sad you must be inside due to not able to flaunt your girlfriend in public. But sorry brother! we can"t bring any waste in our house to represent our Patel family without marriage. We are just too old fashioned to do that."

The words of Ira are bra.s.sy as per the manners of Patel family and the moment she uttered these words, Varsha knew that Ira is going to receive a good scolding now from elders. Varsha looked toward Arpit and found him not willing to argue and a mocking smile on his face. Varsha knew that Arpit is waiting for Ira to be reprimanded now. Varsha unknowingly looked toward Akash with her pleading eyes. She hoped situation to not turn bad for Ira. But to her surprise she found Akash looking at her only. She found her face heating up and did not know what to do next.

Akash heard the words of Ira and wished to scold her himself but the moment he saw the expression of Varsha, he held back his words. He remembered how sad she was the whole day and he did not wish to make sad Ira as well.

Akash said sternly "Stop, both of you." then he looked toward Ira and said, "Control your temper and also watch your words."

Hearing the words of Ira and Varsha both looked sad. Seeing their faces Arpit made scornful expression which further infuriated Akash.

Akash kept his expression calm and looked toward Arpit and said in a firm tone "I am the one who should be concerned about the thing you mentioned. I will take care of this matter. You should not overburden yourself with additional responsibilities."

After Akash said this, there is no further argument. Arpit shut up and Ira got saved from the scolding and also her sad expression became a happy one. Varsha looked toward Akash and for a moment her gaze mirrored the feeling of love and pride she has for him. But she could not forget the sadness she has been feeling from yesterday and her mood turned gloomy again. She lowered her head and started eating her food but she felt like the taste of food seemed a bit better now.

Akash did not miss the flicker of happy expression on the face of Varsha. Although she reverted back to her sombre expression, he felt good after this. He suddenly felt like a weight has been lifted from his shoulders. His mission is accomplished and that is also without lowering himself. Now he has to concentrate on his food.

But there is a devil Ira who could not control herself and said laughing "Yes. Arpit big brother is already having so many responsibilities in the family. He should not overexert himself. Ha ha ha."

Akash raised his head and gave a threatening glance at Ira silencing her. Next, he looked toward Arpit who is planning to argue back but the gaze of Akash made him stop. Grandpa and Grandma are enjoying the change in Akash and they exchanged smiles seeing all this. Although it is not much, at least he is involving himself and it made them happy.

After dinner, Akash stood up to go up in the room and told Ira "Ira! Talk with your sister-in-law about the dress and footwear for tomorrow"s party. This party is a type of business gathering. So, select something for the occasion."

After saying this, Akash did not stop to hear the response of Ira and just went to his room. He also has to complete a few things and send to the team handling one of the implementations in his business. Akash worked in his room for more than one hour and it is almost 10:00 PM and Varsha is not yet in. It seemed to him that Varsha and Ira are planning dresses and accessories for tomorrow"s party.

Sometime after 10, Varsha entered the room quietly. Akash has already kept his laptop away and is watching TV. He saw her sombre expression and felt bad. She walked slowly without disturbing him and entered inside the quilt on her side and lied down turning her back toward him. Akash also switched off the TV and prepared to sleep.

Akash wanted to ask her whether she has decided the dress and accessories for tomorrow"s party but seeing her back, he felt helpless. Normally when she comes into the room, she will wait for him. She will sit on her side of the bed and look at him or watch what he is watching. Now he understood what she must have been thinking all that time. She always waited for him to talk to her but he only did so when he wanted or felt like it. It is hurtful to be ignored and Akash has felt it now. He could feel her sadness and hurt now but his pride won"t allow him to do something about it.

Akash is confused whether he should talk to her to explain himself and console her but he could not. He decided to make her feel more comfortable and talk to her softly when they talk next time. He promised himself not to hurt her and make her cry again because he has understood how good it feels to see her bright and cheery face. She is quietly trying to sleep and he also is in his own land of thoughts until they both drifted away into the dreamland.