War For Love

~Thirty Three~

Love. Siya never thought that one day she would love someone so passionately, so fearlessly that she would allow a man to kiss her. It was so magical for her, when his lips brushed her forehead, kissing her with respect and in love. She didn't care that Sahib's house had no door, she didn't care if people saw her in his house at such hour of darkness. She cared about nothing but him. Only him. All her way home, the smile was persistent on her face and her cheeks were red as she could still feel him on her. All over her.

Siya draped her dupatta (scarf) securely around her blouse, her eyes had a thick layer of kohl. Her hair braided on the side. Today was a special day. Today was the day, Siya had to break Mamta's wedding with the landlord and make sure the landlord gets the punishment he deserves. Vedika knew it was the day Siya would take her first step into educating women of their rights and rage the war against people like landlord and Mamta's parents, who thinks it's their right to sell their daughter like some commodity. And the day was indeed different because Vedika would be participating for the first time.

"Are you ready, Jiji?'' Vedika nodded her head before she gripped Siya's arm, smiling nervously at her sister.

"We should inform Ma first, no? What will they think when they won't see any of us during the lunch?" Vedika said and Siya rolled her eyes, a smile stretching on her face. How sweet was her sister. Who tells a cop before stealing a car? Vedika, perhaps.

"That Siya had made her sister a rebel too. And your marriage will be shifted a week early as a punishment, maybe."  Vedika's eyes widened and Siya laughed, shaking her head. How gullible was her sister, Lord Shiva!

"Wha— what really? But I'm not......."

"I was kidding, Jiji. No-one will make you marry before your actual wedding date. And until I am alive, I won't let anyone force you for anything." Vedika glared at her before she let out a sigh, looking at her sister with a soft smile.

"I know, Siya. Let's go, hm?" Siya nodded her head as both of them walked out of their house.

Vedika was indeed scared. After all, it was her first mission and not to mention very risky mission. Things could go wrong today. Landlord could kill them for the humiliation and disrespect. The officers may betray them. Siya might get arrested for a longer period this time. So many  questions raced in Vedika's mind and that day she realised, how brave Siya was. When Vedika felt her heart beating loudly in her chest, Siya looked composed. Calm.

Vedika slipped her hand in Siya's and the latter looked at her sister with an assuring smile. 'I'm here with you.' She said silently and Vedika heard her promise through her eyes. She had to be the change, she wanted in the society. And to gain victory, one must always eliminate their fear out first.

They stopped at the backyard of the landlord's house where Mamta was expected to get ready. Landlord was the richest man of the village and hence even the rituals changed for him. The bride was getting ready in the groom's house itself because Mamta's house was too small for him. Vedika looked at Siya in confusion. What were they doing at the back of the landlord's house?

Siya looked at the two storey house with fire in her dark eyes. Mamta was on the top floor, probably getting ready for the marriage. Siya had to sneak inside her room, first; so that she could explain her plan to Mamta and to persuade her.

"How are we supposed to go in the room Mamta is getting ready?" Vedika asked and Siya looked at her with a smile on her face. A smile that scared Vedika from within.

"By climbing up, of course." Siya said nonchalantly and Vedika's eyes widened as she looked at the top floor with horror before glaring at her little sister.

"Are you jesting with me! How can we climb up with...... with these ghagharas (heavy skirts)?" Vedika asked and Siya let out a breath, looking at her sister with determination.

"This is why women needs to wear dhotis." Siya mumbled. "Jiji, we need to climb up to save Mamta from this marriage. If I walk in by the main door, no-one will allow me inside. After all, I am the woman who went to jail." Vedika closed her eyes to take some deep breaths before she looked at Siya with her large eyes.

"Isn't there any other way instead of sneaking in her room like thieves?" Siya shook her head, as she held the long pipe on the wall which reached beyond Mamta's room. Siya hoped Mamta to be alone in her room.

"You can wait down here, Jiji. Or you can come from the main entrance. After all, you're Mamta's friend. They won't stop you." Vedika sighed, slightly narrowing her gaze at her younger sister.

"If you're climbing up by the pipe, so will I. I just hope on my first day of protest, I don't get killed." Vedika mumbled and Siya rolled her eyes as she started climbing up, using the pipe.

"You may get injured but death? There is a very less possibility for us to die, Jiji." .

"That assures me so much, Siya." Vedika said sarcastically and Siya chuckled in return.

It was hard. Siya could feel her palms going red and her body aching as she tried to climb up, as quietly as possible. Vedika felt like she was climbing a mountain. Her palms kept sweating and she feared, she would fall down any moment now.

"I'll fall down, Siya. I can't hold this pipe anymore!" Vedika whisper yelled and Siya swallowed down as she climbed up more.

"It's all in your mind, Jiji. Think positive and besides, we're almost there."

"Siya, can I please use some unladylike profanities? Because climbing up like some monkey is damn hard!" Siya giggled at her vexation, shaking her head.

"Curse as much as you wish, Jiji. I'll teach you some unique expletives too, if you wish." Siya said with amusement and before Vedika could have said anything Mamta looked down from her window.

"Why in the name of God are you both trying to sneak in my room like thieves?"