The Medics' Unplanned Wife

26

Chapter 26

Banishree picked up her dupatta from the bedpost and wrapped it tightly around her neck before making her way downstairs. She found her paternal uncle, Vibhushan, sitting with her maternal uncle, Raju, sipping tea and chatting casually.

“Arey, Baniya! Kitne din baad dekh rahe tumka. Jamai babu kahan hai, dikh nahi rahe. Sab theek toh hai?” (Ah, Bani! It’s been so long since we’ve seen you. Where’s your husband? He’s not around. Is everything alright?) he asked, his sharp eyes studying her.

Banishree nodded and mumbled, “Ji” (Yes).

“Phone karo jamai babu ko, Amma bula rahi hai.” (Call your husband, your grandmother is asking for him.) Her uncle's words made her shift uncomfortably from one foot to the other.

Seeing no reaction, Vibhushan’s expression hardened. “Ruko, hum khudai call kar lete hain jamai babu ko.” (Wait, I’ll call him myself.) He began pulling out his phone, but before he could dial, Banishree snatched it from his hands, startling him.

He looked at her, both confused and angry, his brows furrowing.

“Humara ab unse koi rishta nahi hai.” (I no longer have any relationship with him.) Her voice cracked, but she tried to hold her ground, tears welling up in her eyes. “Hum chor diye unhe. Nahi rehna hume unke saath.” (I’ve left him. I don’t want to be with him anymore.)

The truth had finally slipped out. She couldn't hide it any longer.

And just like that, Banishree found herself standing in front of her grandmother, who sat with an air of authority. “Kuch bologi ki nahi? Kahan hai tumhara pati?” (Are you going to say something or not? Where’s your husband?) her grandmother asked, her voice firm and demanding.

Banishree stood silently, refusing to speak.

Her aunt, Rupa, chimed in with a smirk, “Arey, kuch bolo. Tumhari zuban toh bahut chalti hai. Ab kya hua?” (Come on, say something. You usually have so much to say. What happened now?)

But Banishree remained still, her lips pressed together.

“Nahi rehna oo sehri doctor babu ke saath biyah me aur?” (So, you don’t want to stay married to that city doctor anymore?) her grandmother asked, a hint of disappointment in her tone.

Finally, Banishree lifted her gaze and shook her head. “Nahi rehna.” (No, I don’t want to.)

A heavy silence fell over the room, everyone processing her words.

Her grandmother nodded after a pause, her face hardening. “Theek hai,” (Alright) she said. “Vibhushan, oo sarpanch ji ka beta vilayat se aaya hai na? Baniya ka biyah usi se karwa denge.” (Vibhushan, the village head’s son has returned from abroad, hasn’t he? We’ll arrange Bani’s marriage with him.) She turned to Vibhushan. “Baat karo sarpanch ji se rishta ke liye.” (Talk to the village head about the match.)

Banishree stood there, stunned, as her future was being decided without her consent, her heart sinking deeper into confusion and despair.

Arjun and Chola arrived in Dholpur under the hot afternoon sun, their clothes dusty from the journey. As they walked through the narrow village lanes, they could feel dozens of eyes on them. Whispers followed wherever they went, the villagers already well aware of Banishree’s return and the news of her upcoming marriage to the village head’s son, Viraaj.

When they finally reached Banishree’s maternal home, Arjun's heart raced. He stepped forward and knocked on the door. After a moment, her maternal aunt, Rani, opened it slightly. Her sharp eyes scanned Arjun, and before he could speak, she began closing it.

Quickly, Arjun touched her feet in respect and greeted her, "Namaste, Mami." His voice was polite, hopeful.

Rani’s expression hardened, remembering all that her niece had shared about Arjun. She barely looked at him before saying coldly, "Idhar Bani nahi hai." (Bani isn’t here) And with that, she slammed the door shut, her message loud and clear.

Arjun looked at Chola, disappointed and desperate. "Mami, meri baat toh suniye, please!" (Mami, please listen to me!) He kept knocking on the iron gate, but there was no response. Frustrated and running out of time, he exchanged a look with Chola, and without another word, they decided to climb over the tall cement pillar, trespassing onto the property.

Once inside, Arjun found Rani standing in the courtyard, watching him with folded arms and a stern face.

"Mami, maine Shree ko dhoka nahi diya. Galti fehmi hui hai." (Mami, I didn’t betray Shree. There’s been a misunderstanding.) Arjun's voice was earnest, almost pleading. "Shadi ke baad mera koi parayi stree ke saath rishta nahi hai. Vishwas kare humara." (After our marriage, I haven’t had any relationship with another woman. Please believe me.) He glanced over at Chola. "Aap chahe toh Chola se puch lijiye." (You can ask Chola if you want.)

Chola nodded in support, "Mami ji, Arjun sach keh raha hain." (Mami, Arjun is telling the truth.)

Rani stood there, silent for a moment, thinking. She saw the sincerity in Arjun’s eyes, and the fact that he had come all the way from Delhi in search of Banishree touched her. He had no reason to lie.

With a heavy sigh, tears welling in her eyes, Rani finally spoke. "Beta, der kardiya tumne aane mein." (Son, you’ve come too late.) Her voice broke as she continued, "Baniya ka biyah hone wala hai Sarpanch ke bete se kal subah." (Bani’s marriage is set to happen with the Sarpanch’s son tomorrow morning.)

Tears began to flow from her eyes. She knew that because of a misunderstanding, her niece’s life was about to change drastically. She saw the pain in Arjun’s eyes and felt the weight of the situation, unsure if there was still time to stop the impending disaster.

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Hare Krishna