Saumya mine....

Saumya woke up with a start as she felt the words being whispered in her ear. She looked around to find the room empty. But her erratic heartbeat refused to slow down.

Saumya had been led to Rudra's room to rest after the ceremony ended. She had sat at the living room for a brief time to get introduced to the close knitted members of the family. Rudra had left right after the wedding
. His sister, Reema had informed Saumya so. And Saumya was grateful for it as she didn't know how to face the man or what to say.

The marriage had happened spontaneously. Saumya's brain had stopped working as she saw her mother's breakdown. In the past years, Gauri had stayed strong for her sake. Had always supported her. Not once had she cried in front of her daughters. And today when Saumya saw her like that she realized how much pain she had hidden inside. Combined with the memories of the past, it had stunned her to the point of numbness. Where she felt or acknowledged nothing.

But now that the clouds had cleared up and her consciousness returned, she realized what a mistake she had made. How could she do so? How could she betray him like that? How could she marry someone else? How could she take the vows with someone else? How?!

Saumya's breath felt constricted inside her and she found difficulty in taking a proper breath. She hurriedly went near her bag that was kept on the couch and took out her medicine. After gulping down the drug, she relaxed somewhat. She remained seated on the couch staring at the ceiling. Her eyes dropped slowly as the memory of that day made its way to her mind unhindered. The day when it all started. The day when her feet carried her to her destruction. The day when she met him for the first time.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Everything is good sir. He can't escape."

An officer informed his senior. They had been tracking a shooter for the last few days. It was crucial for them to catch him today. According to the information received from their informer, the shooter was going to pass this checkpoint in a few minutes. So, the officers had blocked the road and was checking each and every vehicle. The civilians were irritated by this blockage and was cursing them while waiting as they couldn't back away too. It was a one-way road and reversing was not allowed by the officers. So, they were stuck only.

The senior officer nodded and took his sunglasses off.

"Excuse me?"

A voice called him from behind. He turned to find a girl standing there with a police officer looking at her in annoyance.

"I'm sorry Sir. I tried to stop her. But she didn't listen and stromed here." The police officer apologized to the Major.

He gave a slight nod to the police officer and signed him to resume his work.

"Yes?" He asked to the girl while quickly scanning her from head to toe.

"What do you people working in the defense think of yourself? Don't we, the civilians have any work? Whenever you wish, you start blocking the roads. The government has made these roads for transportation, not for your hide and seek games. What are you looking for here anyway? Let me guess. Nothing! And here because of you, I'm going to miss my exam. Do you even know how important this paper is to me? Because of you I'm going to miss the exam. Because of you I'm going to fail. Because of you my Maa will stop my studies and tie my knots with some loser. And thus, because of you this country is going to lose a great doctor!"

Just as the girl finished her speech and took a deep breath, a loud sound was heard and a few drops of red liquid fell on her white coat. Her eyes grew wide as she realized the man in front of her had been shot in the arm and it was his blood that smeared her uniform.

But the man before her remained unfazed by the wound and instead grabbed her arm to shield her with his body.

She closed her eyes tightly as a few gun shots were heard along with screams of people before it fell silent. She opened her eyes to see a body being carried away by two officers. As the situation was under control, a young man rushed to the side of the wounded one. His right arm was bleeding though he didn't seem to be in any pain or discomfort.

"Sir?! Are you alright?"

"Yes."

The young man's eyes fell on the girl who was staring at them in fear.

"This all happened because of you. You distracted sir and he got shot."

The girl lowered her eyes as she felt guilty too. Her tantrum had distracted the officers and the shooter got the chance to take a shot.

"Madhav." The wounded man called him casually, but Madhav had been working with him for enough time to know that his sir didn't like the way he talked to the lady.

"Sorry sir."

The wounded officer glanced at her once before addressing Madhav again.

"Drop her to the medical college. This country should not lose a great doctor."

The girl upped her eyes hearing that and unintentionally her eyes collided with the dark black abyss which held such fervour that a shiver ran through her spine.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Saumya opened her eyes as it felt like those eyes were still staring at her soul. She looked at the wall clock to find it was already 7:00 in the morning. Neither had anyone come for her nor had Rudra returned from wherever he was.

She huffed a breath and got up to take a shower. After showering, it was time to chose something to wear. Saumya looked at the pile of clothes that had been kept for her before grabbing something from her trolley bag. As they planned to stay here for a few days, she had thankfully brought some clothes with her.

It didn't take much time for Saumya to get ready. She looked at herself one last time in the mirror before going outside.

***†***

Servants were busy in arranging the breakfast table as Singhaniya family sat in the hall. The family consisted seven members only. Apart from Raj, Mira, Rudra and Reema, Raj's younger sister, Neeti also lived there with her two kids, Soham and Sonia.
Most of the guests had already left the house. And the few that stayed were staying at the outhouse. Sudhir, Gauri and Sia though had remained here and joined them at the hall. Gauri's eyes repeatedly went towards the staircase. She was only waiting for Saumya ignoring the light chit-chat that was going on.

"Rudra?"

Her attention went to the entrance at Mira's surprised tone. Rudra came inside wearing the same sherwani he had worn at his wedding. Telling them that he had only just returned after leaving the previous day.

Rudra wasn't in the mood to answer any questions. So, ignoring the questioning eyes, he decided to go upstairs at his room. But his feet stopped as his eyes fell on Saumya coming down.

Everyone at the hall was astonished once again as Saumya came down wearing her old white clothes. There wasn't a single sign of being married on her. The two of them passed each other like strangers. Saumya went to the dinning table and Rudra went to his room.

Gauri hurriedly came to Saumya and held her hand.

"What are you wearing Saumya?"

"Is there a problem?"

"Of course, there is! You're married now. Why are you still wearing these white clothes? You should have worn something nice and colorful today."

"Just because you succeeded in forcing me at your will yesterday?" Saumya asked impassively.

Gauri was going to say something again, but refrained herself as others joined them at the table.

The awkwardness at the breakfast table was not missed by anyone. The woman kept throwing glances at Saumya from time to time though they remained quiet. Mira was both angry and worried. Rudra was already going through a heartbreak and Saumya's attitude told her she would only create more problems than mending anything.
To break the ice, Raj cleared his throat to get everyone's attention.

"Saumya, I know this marriage happened suddenly and I can understand what you must be feeling. But we're a family now. There's no need to hesitate or feel uncomfortable. If you are in need of anything, you can tell us freely. Now, this is your home too." He addressed his daughter-in-law with a warm smile.

"I have some work today. I will be gone for a few hours." Saumya said nonchalantly which astonished the family more.

"What do you mean by you'll be gone? You're the new bride. Moreover, your reception party is going to be held at this evening. How can you even think of going anywhere?" Mira couldn't keep quiet anymore and confronted her with a frown.

"It's important and pre-decided. Besides I didn't know there'd be a bride missing." Saumya replied.

Mira stared at her with mouth agape. How dare she talk like that! She was going to say something else, but her husband signed her not to. Instead he turned to Saumya with a smile and told her that it was okay as long as she came back before the function started.

Saumya was just about to leave the house when Reema turned on the television and the news telecasting hit and vibrated the walls of Singhaniya mansion like a storm.

"Breaking news....
The young business tycoon of India who has won everyone's hearts with his magical voice, Mr. Rudra Raj Singhaniya has officially gotten married yesterday.

There's a saying that charity begins at home. So, has he done just that by marrying the widow of an army officer?

Or is there some other story behind this unusual matching?"

***†***

It's just starting...

So, how do you find it? Do VOTE if you like and comments will always be appreciated.