A/N - Hi loves, just a random question, how many of you gave boards this year? Also, the Tara and Lekh aesthetics below are made by the wonderful azureskies , thank you so much babe, i love the support. If any of you want to send me any fan art just e-mail me at [email protected].

Much love, Aashi xx

L E K H 

T A R A

09 | Nao

He said our.

Tara turned left and right in her bed, that one word had stolen her sleep for tonight. She thought about it again and again. What Lekh said tonight comforted her in ways she never thought Lekh could. His words showed he cared for the baby; she barely cared if he cared about her but it was very important for her to know if he was going to treat the baby right, if he was going to nurture it like his own.

And while this wasn't a solid assurance, it was a start of something new.

It was the first time Lekh had even hinted his concern about the baby; and the part where he got Indira to transfer her property to a child that wasn't yet born was subpar. Indira was going to give both Lekh and her a hell of a time when she found out about it, it would shake up this house. But right now, Tara didn't care. Right now Tara wanted to enjoy the spark of hope that had risen and this hope was something she needed to keep going. This hope was what she needed to wake up everyday and face this family, it was what she needed to stay strong for herself and for her baby.

She couldn't help but feel the butterflies in her stomach; this move had made her beyond happy. She felt ecstatic and she knew the baby did too which was why she loved it even more.

It's very important for a woman to stay happy in the nine months of her pregnancy, it is said it helps the developing baby to grow better. The small undeveloped life needs love and care even before it opens its eyes, maybe that's how important love is.

You cannot even be born without it.

* * *

When Tara felt asleep last night, she didn't remember. But she felt extremely well this morning. She hadn't had such a satisfying sleep in a long time. She took her medicines and got freshened up. Her mother-in-law had narrated a long list of plans during dinner last night and it was anything but comforting. It was going to be a hectic week, there were going to be several preparations, loads of shopping and a lot of social interaction. And while it wasn't included in the list, it was also going to involve a huge intake of aspirin.

Tara felt tired even thinking about it.

Tara went to Ramya's room after she had gotten ready, they were supposed to go shopping today and Tara wanted Ramya by her side. Ramya greeted her with a sleepy face, her kids slept in the bed and she looked like she had just woken up.

"Do you know kids don't let you sleep properly?" Ramya asked as soon as Tara came in. "First they want you to tell them stories, one after another because one just doesn't satisfy them and I am telling you Tara, these little devils sleep like a clock's needle- always rotating. I swear their legs kick my face."

Ramya sat down on her arm chair in a huff while Tara giggled.

"I can see that." She said adoringly as she looked at her niece and nephew sleeping in a very haphazard manner on the bed. She poured a glass of water and passed it to their tired and very annoyed mother.

"Wondering how this one's sleeping pattern's going to be." Tara said patting her tummy.

"It's the suspense that kills." Ramya laughed, "So, what do you want? A girl or a boy?"

Tara only sighed in response.

"Risky question?" Ramya queried.

"Very." Tara deadpanned.

Ramya was the only person who could be blunt about things but also not make the other person uncomfortable. The other person only extended to Tara, everyone else were usually daunted by her bluntness.

They chatted along until Arti barged into the room waking up one the of the children. Ramya's daughter, little Ananya woke up groaning at the loudness of Arti.

"Arti!" Ramya snapped at her sister, "Can you ever be quiet?"

She got up and walked to Ananya and made her lie again, she patted her head and pulled the sheets over her, "Sleep my little angel." She murmured, "Sleep so mommy can have a few hours to herself peacefully."

Arti giggled while Tara laughed whole heartedly at this. Being a mother was a tough job, but it was one she was looking forward to. Because while she felt annoyance in Ramya's words, in her eyes she saw an un-ignorable glee.

When Ananya was asleep again, Arti- this time remembering to tone down her voice started discussing about today's shopping.

"Oh, I can't wait to get new clothes. I need to up my wardrobe." Arti said, sinking in the arm-chair in which Ramya originally called dibs.

"We are going shopping for a wedding, not for your daily wardrobe needs." Ramya retorted.

"It's not like I have to do all the shopping, you guys do all the shopping and while you do that I'll chose my dresses. It's not everyday that mum lets us shop without putting a limit on the bill. It's going to be an unlimited tab today, wuhoo!" Arti said dreamily. And that was something, because the limit put on the Rajput children was what children from humble backgrounds would call five star purchasing.

The Rajputs were an aristocratic family, their ancestors were a part of the royal family. Their hamlet was located a few kilometres away from Jaipur, the Pink City of India. Everyone in the hamlet knew of them, they were involved in every decision of their society, big or small. The Rajput children were the royalties, no one ever bullied them. Indira was the strongest woman in the circle of women who lived off with a silver spoon in their mouths. And then Ranjan Singh Rajput, he was the man to be feared. He was the man.

The bantering went on until Indira herself came to the room looking for all three of them.

"Here you all, I've been looking for you everywhere." She started and then looked at Ramya, disapprovingly. "Ramya, you are not ready. Come on child, I expect you to be the most responsible. Get ready fast, we leave in half hour."

"Which will conveniently turn into one." Arti snuffled.

"You know you should really keep your mouth in check, when you get married your mother-in-law will blame me for your mouth that runs like scissors."

Arti's face immediately turned red with embarrassment. It was so easy for her mother to play the marriage card every time she thought Arti did something inappropriate. Something that would endanger her chances of getting married into a well and respectable house. Everything that Arti did or said would be held in the court of marriage, really. And Indira would be held accountable if anything went wrong.

Being an Indian mother, it was Indira's duty to groom her daughters into the ideal women, so they would become excellent wives, mothers and daughter-in-law and also become a plus one in the statistics of stereotypical women of India.

Ramya was lucky, she got out of the small community and married into a family settled in a city, liberal and outgoing. Arti wasn't sure if she'd have the same luck. Sometime's she wanted to snatch her sister's fate. Arti felt she needed it more, she was the extrovert of the family, the girl from a small town with big dreams. If she married into a house like her own she knew she'd live to see all her dreams get shattered. After all, that is what was happening with Tara.

It was all sugar and honey for Tara when she was away with Kartavya, but after his death Tara had to live like a prisoner in this house. She had several unnecessary duties and obligations to fulfil. She was unhappy, anyone with open eyes would be able to see it.

Arti quickly backed off, she wasn't going to argue with her mother. It shopping day and she didn't want to spoil her mood. She'd take her revenge in the bills her parents were going to have to pay.

"Well, I almost forgot." Indira started again, "Arti you need to stop distracting me all the time. Tara, where's your wedding dress?" she asked turning to her daughter-in-law.

Everyone's eyes immediately snapped to the old lady, she had their undivided attention now.

"Uh, it's with me." Tara stammered.

"I know it's with you, where else will it be. I meant, what is it's condition?"

"Well." Tara said curtly. Obviously it was going to be in a good condition. It's my wedding dress.

"I was thinking maybe we shouldn't invest in another wedding dress, I mean you just wore it once." Indira laughed. Others simply stared.

"Maa, what are you saying?" Ramya asked sharply.

"I am just saying that we just have a week for preparations, the bills are going to be huge and a wedding dress needs time for alliteration. What's wrong in it anyway, I am just asking her to wear a dress she already wore."

Tara felt all the positivity that she had felt this morning bleed out from her heart. Her wedding dress hung in her wardrobe delicately. Every now and then Tara would take it out and reminisce the memories she had with that dress. It was a glittery red with hand made embroidery, it was heavy but she loved it, her husband loved it and she loved that he loved it. But her husband was dead now, and she was marrying his brother while carrying his child in her and her mother-in-law wanted her to wear that dress when she got married again. That precious that dress.

"Maa don't do this." Ramya insisted, more angry than anything. Shame drowned herself in it, how was this woman her mother?

"What did I do?" Indira asked stubbornly.

Arti just sat agape, Tara simply looked at Indira stoically.

Ramya glared at her mother, her children woke up behind her. They were smart enough to not make a sound.

Tara noticed their scared expressions, she wasn't going to let them see the drama that could happen; their innocence need not be tampered here.

"It' fine. I'll wear it." She said with an air of finality.

She wasn't going to her pain, she wasn't going to give the woman standing before her the joy of her agony.

"I'll meet you all downstairs, I just forgot my purse." Tara said and started to leave.

"Why do you need your purse, it's not like you have any money to pay." Indira taunted.

Ramya lost her patience, "Mother."

"What?" Indira asked indifferently.

Tara motioned her sister-in-law to look at her children. Ramya immediately backed off, grudgingly of course.

Indira smirked at the helplessness of her children. Once in a while they had to be reminded of her power, she couldn't let them get so loose. 

********

Also, this is how Tara's wedding dress looks like (turn on internet to see the image) :