A bright morning brings hopes, believe and new beginning. Sometimes those beginnings are happy and sometimes it's painful, but no matter what we have to accept what reality is giving us.

Sunlight was peeking through the half open window, a lady was sitting on a mattress leaning her back against the wall holding her new born baby, a warm smile was kept on her lips when she was looking at her tiny baby. Tears were silently running down her cheeks when she was looking at her baby. She wasn't feeling any pain holding the baby even though anyone can say she was tired by looking at her eyes. Everything was quite and peaceful... quite the previous state of a dangerous strom. She was happy, overwhelmed and.... scared.

An elderly lady in her 50's came inside the room opening the door with a loud thud.

Rukmini became stiff looking at the person in front of her. She wanted to say something but the fear buried in heart didn't let her utter even a single word.

Her hold tighten around her new born, she held the baby tightly near her heart, if it was possible she could possibly burry the tiny life inside her heart.

The elderly lady looked at her in disgust and anger. "Tharo beta hi hua hai na?" the elderly lady said, a hint of pride and desperation reflecting her voice.

Rukmini: "Ji ... wo.. wo" she tried speaking with her stuttering scared voice.

Bimla Devi: " la... mare la, mare mere pote ko ek nazar dekh ne to de" She came near her and forwarded her hand to grab the baby.

Rukmini: " ji maa sa woh... " her throat was paining as she was trying to hold her tears.

The day has come she had feared the most.. what she will do now?

Bimla Devi: "are kya woh woh kar rehi hai?.... gungi ho geyi hai kya?" She said with her loud voice that made Rukmini jump in fear in her place.

Bimla Devi: "la de mare mere pote ko dekhne de" she grabbed the baby harshly and snatched her forcefully from making the baby cry.

Bimla Devi's eyes got widen when she moved the cloth from the baby.

Bimla Devi: "iye chori pyda kiya hai tune... mene tujhe kitni naar kaha tha ki agar pota nehi de payi to khud bhi mar jana aur chori ko bhi mar dena" She said in a angrily dangerous voice which left Rukmini speechless.

Bimla Devi: "ek to chori pyda kiya hai upar se kali.. iska byhaa kase kawage mera beta... kon karge is batsurat chori se shaadi... hai ram hamri to kismat hi footi hai, puri samaj mein ab hamri nak katega" She said while putting the baby harshly beside her.

Rukmini quickly hold her baby in her arm and started to pat her to stop her from crying when her own tears was rolling down her tears. She was listening to her every harsh word not able to utter any word.

Bimla Devi: she harshly hold her hair in her fist and said roughly "sun... is batsurat chori ko na mein apni poti manungi na hi me apni bete ko is chori ko apnane dungi"

"Bara thath thi na tera mera bete se saziz karke shaadi ke bad se ab mein dekhungi ab woh kaha jata hai" She left her hair harshly leaving her in pain .

Rukmini: " par maa sa iye..apki.. iye unki beti hai" She said, her eyes burry with tears

Bimla Devi: "woh manega tab na"

"Ae sun le chori.. mein apni bete ki phir se shaadi karungi ... whoa par apni manhoos sakal uthake na chali ayio"

Rukmini's eyes got widen in fear, she wanted to say something but couldn't... she knew if she does her daughter has to suffer it. She believes her husband will never do such thing.

Rukmini and her husband Ram Vishwas loved each other so much. Even though his mother has never accepted Rukmini as her daughter in law from the very first when her son told her she was a farmer's daughter, she kept searching the ideal wife for her son but he never agreed. At last she has to accept their love and marry off her son but deep down she never accepted her.

Rukmini knew no matter even if the world got upside down her husband will never leave her side. She kept her silence.

Bimla Devi left from there in anger without even sparing a second glance at the baby.

Rukmini kept crying holding her daughter near her heart with hope that her husband will make everything alright.

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It had been seven days since Bimla Devi visited her, no one came to know Rukmini's whereabouts after that, not even her husband.  She was worried, horrified not having the only piller, her husband beside her. But she she kept telling her heart that he must be busy as he was the head of his village.

Rukmini stayed at her mother’s house in the small village of Phoolgaon, recovering from her childbirth under her mother’s gentle care. Even though she was staying at her mother’s since her seventh month has started as her mother-in-law believed a woman should bear her children's at their parent's house but her husband used to visit her every weekend to know her health.

She was feeding her daughter when her mother came inside her room in rush.

Kamala Devi : "Rukmini tharo dhyaan kaha hai ?... tune suna nehi jamai sa aye hai" She said while wiping her tears in happiness.

A tear left from Rukmini's eyes. She knew her her husband will come to take her home.

Author's pov

Rukmini tried to get up with her weak trembling legs holding her daughter, she was happy, excited and desperate to show her, their daughter to him. When someone entered the room opening the room with a loud thud.

It was Ram Vishwas. Seeing him there Kamala Devi fixes her vail properly.

Kamla Devi : "aree jamai sa aap... andar daithiye ... Rukmini kitne dino so apka apeksha kar rehi thi.... ghar me sab thik thak to hai na?" She said, her face covered with vail while her voice was reflecting happiness.

Ram Vishwas  : " ji sab thik hai... woh gaon ka thoda kam tha to thod thoda bayst ho gye the hum" he said with a small smile but his eyes were blank.

Rukmini kept standing there holding her daughter, waiting for him to come and hold her in his arm. She knew he was waiting for this day so excitedly only to hold his child in his arm.

Kamla Devi: "aap dono batein kijiye... mein thodi apke liye sarbaat leke ati hoon ap zaroor thak gye honge na...."

Ram Vishwas nodded with a small smile.

Kamala Davi went from there to bring refreshment so they can talk for while and fix the matter by themselves.

Rukmini : "kaise hai app?..." She whispered, her voice low from the emotions she was holding in her throat. Her heart pounding in relief, believing everything would finally be alright.

Ram Vishwas : " thik hoon... tu kaisi hai?... aur iye bachcha?" He said gazing at the little baby she was holding. His voice cold and distant, there was no emotions in it.

This was the first time his eyes fell on his daughter but their was no emotions in his eyes. His emotionless gaze on his daughter didn't go unnoticed by Rukmini.

Rukmini  : "mein thik hu... aur iye bhi thik hai... abhi soyi hai... aap dekhenge ise?" She clutched her dupatta tightly in nervousness, her heart racing with anticipation of him seeing their daughter for the first time.

Ram Vishwas: "  nehi ". One word was like a slap for her.

Rukmini  : "nehi ?" She asked again, not from disbelief but from the hope that he will change his answer.

Ram Vishwas  : " mein iss chhori ko nehi apna sakta, Rukmini" He said with no hesitation.

His finality left Rukmini in disbelief.

Rukmini  : "kya... kya keh rehe hai iye app... iye apki beti hai". Her voice trembled, her knees weakened, she was looking at him like a drowning person.

Ram Vishwas : "meri maa thik kehti thi, na rang mila na nasib. Log hans rehe hai mujhpar... iye chhori meri izzat le dubegi". Shame buried in his face, nor for what he was doing but for what people will say in future.

Rukmini's heart scattered in pieces. The source of hope she has in life was also gone.

Rukmini  : "toh... toh ab?" Her voice barely came out. Every second felt heavier than the last.

Ram Vishwas  : "agar tum mere sath ghar wapas chalti ho... iss chhori ko ehi chhod kar... to sab thik ho sakta hai. Warna... maa ne ek achhi ladki dekh rakhi hai ... mein usse shaadi kar lunga" He said in cold voice while looking straight in her eyes emotionlessly.

Rukmini  : "ap mujhe mere maa hone ke saza de rehe ho" She looked at him with blurry eyes, not able to control her tears anymore.

Ram Vishwas  : "mein tumhe moka de raha hu... soch lo. Thakur ke ghar kali chhori pyda huyi hai. Mein puri samajh mein apna muh kaise dikhaunga?... isi liye bol raha hu agar chain se jeena chahti ho to laut chalo mere sath is chhori ko iha chhod kar" He looked away, his voice filled will shame.

Rukmini : "mein apni beti ko nehi chhod sakti" She said in a firm, painful voice.

Ram Vishwas  : " soch lo Rukmini... iye samaj kya kahegi ek aurat ko .. jiske pati ne use chhod diya hai" no shame, no hesitation in his voice.

Rukmini's eyes got widen in distrust. She never in her dream imagined her husband who once has fought with his mother for her now is ashamed to accept his own daughter.

Ram Vishwas  : "aur kabhi kabhi tu ise dekh ne chali ana"

Rukmini's tears are nowhere to stop, her stomach was hurting by standing gor so long but this mere pain was nothing in front the pain he is giving her.

Ram Vishwas  : "mein tujhe ek hafte ka samay de raha hu. Mein ek hafte bad tujhe lene aunga... tab tak tera faisla badal jana chahiye"

He turned around and went away from there without even sparing a single glance at her.

Rukmini stood there frozen, her daughter felt heavy in her arms.

He saw Kamala Devi standing outside the room holding a trey tightly, he knew she definitely heard him but he said nothing and went away from there.

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Later that night Rukmini was having dinner with her parents. Her daughter was sleeping on a mattress beside her. She kept staring at her blankly, tears were rolling down her cheeks.

Kamala Davi : "Rukmini... beta ro mat .. teri tabiyat kharap ho jayegi... khud ke liye nehi to kam se kam apni beti ke liye to rona band kar..." Her voice was gentle yet heavy with pain.

Rukmini  : "kaise maa... unhone meri beti ko apna ne se mana Kar diya hai.... kya ehi pyaar tha unka mere liye?" Her voice was bitter.

Kamala Devi : " mein samajh rehi hun par beta... ek aurat ke liye uska pati hi uska sabse bada sahara hota hai... bina pati ke naam ke jeevan narak ban jati hai"

Hari Sing : "mein samajh sakta hu beta.. ki tere upar kya bit rehi hai par sach iye hai ki duniya sirf sawal karti hai... iye samaj tujhe jine nehi dega" Rukmini's father who was sitting quitely till now spoke up. He looked away, unable to meet her gaze.

Rukmini  : " to aap mujhe apni beti se alag kar denge... sirf is liye ki samaj kya kahegi mere bare mei?"

Kamala Devi : "tu chinta mat kar beti... iye chhori meri zimedari hai... mei iska apne beti ki tarh khayal rakhungi... tu mujh par bharosa kar... mein teri maa hu, mein tera bura kabhi nehi chahungi... tu ja beta.. apna ghar bacha" She held Rukmini's face, a promise shimmering in her eyes.

Hari Sing : "aur tu har mahine is se mil ne chali ana par abhi ke liye tu jamai sa ke sath chali ja" His voice cracked.

Kamala Devi : "tujh se zyaada dard mujhe ho raha hai ... par mejhe meri beti ki zindegi aise barbad hote huye nehi dekha jayega" She kissed her daughter's forehead and looked at the little baby sleeping beside her lovingly.

Rukmini didn't say anything and kept silent.

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Well, guys this story is dedicated to one of my story from whose life I got inspired to write this story. This is inspired story but with a little bit fictions of mine.

Guys this is my first novel on mangatoon so do like and comment to encourage me so I can continue it.

Author's pov

A week has passed in moments, after thinking for days Rukmini has deciding she will go back with her husband, her heart was heavy but she couldn’t do anything. She knew it wasn't possible for stay here for long. People will question her, harass her most importantly they will question her parents. Never in her life she wants her parents to suffer for her. She knew it's wrong to leave her daughter but she couldn’t do anything, she believed her mother will take care of her daughter more than her.

Early morning the sky was pale, covered with heavy clouds, seems anytime rain will start. Kamala Devi was cleaning the backyard with a broom while Hari Sing was bringing the cows back at their cowshed before the rain. Rukmini was sitting at her room holding her daughter while breastfeeding her for the very last time before going back. Her heart was numb, even though she wanted to cry but could not as if all her tears have dried.

A bullock cart stopped in front of Hari Sing's house. Ram Vishwas stepped down, adjusting his kurta. Seeing him Kamala Devi came forward leaving her broom to welcome him.

Kamala Devi  : "are jamai sa ayiye... iha udhar bathiye.. mein apke liye thoda sarbaat lekar ati hu" She said fixing her vail till her chin.

Ram Vishwas  : "koi zarurat nehi hai iye sabki... Rukmini taiyar ho geyi hai to use jaldi se bhej dijiye... hume jaldi nikal na hai" His tone flat, no emotions were present in it.

Hearing him saying those things Kamala Devi nods slowly then went inside to call her daughter.

Kamala Devi  : "chal Rukmini jaldi uth ja... jamai sa tujhe lene aye hai" She said entering in her room.

Hearing her mother her heart started pounding rapidly in her chest, the moment was heavy. She stood up holding her daughter, while her mother took her bag.

She came outside holding her daughter near her chest securely.

Ram Vishwas  : "taiyar hai?" He said in cold tone, avoiding the gaze on the baby in her arms.

Rukmini noticed his avoiding gaze, she gulped a painful lump and spoke up.

Rukmini  : "kya aap Durga ko ek bar dekhenge bhi nehi?" She said painfully.

Yes, she named her daughter Durga.

Ram Vishwas  : "nehi"

Rukmini knew no matter she says, Ram Vishwas will not turn back his words.

Rukmini  : "iye so rehi hai.. iske uthne ke kya hum chal sakte hai?" She asked her last time hoping she will get a little time to spend with her daughter.

Ram Vishwas  : "utna samay nehi mere pass... mujhe panchayet ke kaam se bhi jana hai"

Rukmini nods, not able to say anything else. She saw at her daughter's face with love and affections, a tears left her eyes, although her husband said he will let her come to visit her but it was difficult for her to let go her daughter. She kissed her daughter's forehead many times then gave her to her mother.

Rukmini  : " iska dhyaan rakhna maa... mein ise milne aungi" She said painfully.

Ram Vishwas  : "mein teri baba ko iske  kharchhe ke liye thoda paise de diya hai, aur mein aise paise bheja karunga .. to chinta mat kar... maa iska dhyan rakh lenge" He said in a consoling tone.

After that Rukmini left from there taking her parent's blessings and looking at her daughter for the very last time when she was sleeping in her grandma's arms. She gave her promise that she will come back to visit her.

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After Rukmini went from there her parents started taking care of Durga like their own daughter. As Rukmini promised, she came to visit her often byt after one year she got pregnant. This time her mother-in-law let her come to her parents house. She didn’t even come to meet her daughter but Ram Vishwas used to send some money as he told. After nine months Hari Sing got to know his daughter had a son. Everyone was happy, including her mother-in-law. But something changed. After Rukmini's son was born she didn't come even once to see her daughter not even tried to know how she was. Hari Sing saw her very happy when she went to see his grandson but his heart broke when Rukmini didn't even ask about her daughter.

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16 years had passed. Durga has grown up at her grandparents small, broken house, where affording even two meals a day was struggle. Her same three old clothes were always wrinkled, patched and faded. Her frame was thin, her skin dark and sunburnt, her face e lacked the softness people find beautiful. Her hair was always tied back in a rough braid, her oversized uniform hung loosely on her bony shoulders. She goes to school, not to learn but for the free midday meal. She never listen to her class, she didn't have almost half of the book, a torn bag which she is using for than 5 years now. She used to spend most of her time outside of the class as punishment. Teachers stopped noticing her and friends... she doesn't really have anyone to call friend. No one ever tried to talk with her in school. For her, she was just trying to survive in this small world of her.

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