Durga

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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