Journey of Hope

CHAPTER:- 5

A FEW HOURS LATER

Adyasha felt someone's presence beside her, who was caressing her forehead. The touch seemed familiar to her. She fully opened her eyes and looked around to find herself in her bedroom. It was Sunanda Bharadwaj, her mother sitting beside her. As much as She had remembered, she was in the bathroom when she felt dizzy and fainted.

Adyasha was confused How did Sunanda come there! The most important question, that troubled her, was how was her mother there with her? Where was her mother-in-law? And How did she allow her mother there to talk with her, and that too alone?

Her questions were justified, as Sirisha never allowed her to have alone time with her family, thinking that she will reveal everything to them. Whenever Adyasha wanted to visit her parents, she faked illness to make her stay. Adyasha understood her drama but stayed silent considering Pratik's presence.

“Are you going to stay inside the bathroom for the whole day? Hurry up. Or you are doing this knowingly so that you will be free from your works!” These were the exact words of Pratik, she had heard before fainting inside the bathroom. Maybe Pratik brought her to their room, She heard his voice outside the door before losing her sense. Seeing her conscious, Sunanda patted her head lovingly. Being her mother, she understood that Adyasha was confused, and smiled at her.

"Thank God, you are back to normal" Sunanda's voice held gratitude seeing her daughter conscious. She continued her speaking before Adyasha could understand anything. “I am so happy today. You can't imagine the boundary of my happiness.” Sunanda said caressing Adyasha's hair, while Adyasha looked at her being confused with her sudden arrival. Her face was shining in happiness, and Adyasha was anxious to know the reason behind it.

'Why would be she happy knowing her daughter being fainted?' Anxiety knocked on Adyasha's mind.

“How are you feeling now beta ?” Sunanda lovingly asked.

“Are you serious Mamma? For God's sake, your daughter fainted and here you are smiling. My head is again spinning seeing your weird behavior and doesn't know what's going on.” Adyasha yelled massaging her forehead. She was feeling irritated, and for the first time after her marriage, she got her mother beside her to bear her tantrums.

“Don't stress yourself beta! It's not good for you and the little life growing inside you for three weeks.” Sunanda said. Her face held the happiness giving Adyasha a sign of what has happened. And It took her a few minutes to digest the fact that finally, she was going to be a mother. There will be someone who will be solely hers'. She roamed her hand over her belly to feel a foreign feeling which provided her immense happiness. But soon thoughts of that terrible night captured her mind. She shivered. And her face dimmed.

“No, I don't want this child.” She sternly said with an expressionless face.

“Are you mad? Do you know what are you blabbering? Adyasha heard her mother who was giving her a gasping look.

"But I really don't want this child, Mamma." Adyasha repeated her decision again, expecting her mother to understand her emotions.

Sunanda was flabbergasted with her daughter's strange behavior. She knew Adyasha better than anyone. Adyasha couldn't even think of hurting an innocent child in her dreams. It was hard for Sunanda to digest the fact that her daughter wanted to abort an innocent soul, who was growing inside her as a part of hers'.

"The one growing inside you is a part of yours, who is going to complete you as a woman. A single scratch to it and your heart will bleed. But you are saying you don't want this soul growing inside you? Are you thinking to abort this child? But How can you even think so heartless?” Sunanda said giving her daughter a pitying look, who sat there being unaffected.

Being frustrated, Sunanda shook Adyasha's shoulder and this time Adyasha looked directly into her eyes before bursting into laughter like a madwoman to end her sad face.

In the next moment, the smile vanished from Adyasha's face. For a moment she went back to the past and that night when her innocence was destroyed. And she started to shiver vigorously. Tears came out of her eyes, wetting her dried lips. Sunanda couldn't understand her behavior. She went near her and embraced her in a hug. Adyasha broke down, feeling her mother's warmth. She cried as a kid, while Sunanda kept caressing her hairs in order to comfort her.

“You know Mamma, I was not ready to submit myself on our wedding night. But I gave in front of Pratik as you advised me to never say no to my husband. I fulfilled my duty as a wife giving my body, soul everything to the same man whom the world considers as a perfect husband. With passing time, I realized that all my husband wants is my body only. And needs me to fulfill his manly needs. But I stay silent and continue to do my duty as a perfect wife. There is no love from his side in our relationship. Never his eyes held love for me. But still, I tried to give a double amount of love from my side to maintain the balance. I loved him without any expectations.

I left my home, my Baba, my Mamma, my everything for him. I tried to accept his mother like mine. I tried to build his home like mine. But all they cared for is their greed for my Baba's property. When I denied to hand over my Baba's hard earnings, they started to torture me both physically and mentally. But I sustained every torture. There was a hope that one day I will gain my love's love. But in this battle, I lost my love only. I never gained his love, Mamma, I never ever..."

Adyasha detached herself and looked at her mother in teary eyes. Holding Sunanda's hands near her chest, she shattered into tears.

While Sunanda couldn't even utter any words. Her throat jammed with the tears, that she had suppressed from flowing. She stayed strong to comfort her daughter.

"Three weeks back I was feeling weak as Mom had given a day off to all the servants and I had to do all the house works by myself only. I did everything as a perfect daughter-in-law. From waking up in the morning, I was running like a machine, not for even a minute I was free. I felt as if I have to find another day to breathe properly. In the night, when I needed rest, I said Pratik to let me sleep for that day only. But he started to abuse me saying bad words about my femininity. He couldn't understand me. His words were unbearable for me. So I told him that I am not an object whom he would use and throw.

In a reaction to my bold self, he crushed my soul and destroyed my innocence. You know Mamma he r***d me. He brutally r***d me against my wish. When I stopped him, he slapped me and beat me. I cried. I cried loudly. I screamed for help. But the soundproof wall prevented my voice to reach outside.” Adyasha continued to share her agony staring blankly at the ceiling. Her eyes were blank, so as her face. There were no tears, the pain was too much to be expressed in tears.

“So you are regretting conceiving because it will remind you about your husband's monstrous torture?” Sunanda said, earning a disbelief look from Adyasha.

“Do you think so low of me Mamma? How could you? I agree that the life growing inside me is proof of my dreadful suffering. But what's the fault of this innocent soul in this? What if he/she suffers the same? Why will I blame someone for my ill fate and here that someone is my flesh, my shadow, my child! Your daughter is not that much heartless, Mamma.” Adyasha said keeping her head on her mother's shoulder while Sunanda patted her daughter's back to calm her down.

“Then why are you not happy with the news of you being pregnant?”

“Because I don't want that innocent soul to have an ill fate as mine. I don't want my child to be tortured by that heartless monster who is unfortunately none other than my husband and my child's father.”

“Nothing sort of this will happen ever, Adyasha. Your life will be blessed after the arrival of this new member. Maybe Pratik is not a good husband for you, but he will be the best father just like your baba.” Sunanda said distantly.

“No Mamma! Don't compare that monster with my baba. My baba was a perfect man, unlike this devil who wears a facade of goodness.” Adyasha stated sternly. Her eyes failed to notice the changed expression of her mother.

There was a moment of silence prevailed in the room, until Sunanda decided to break it. She knew what her daughter was feeling. The exact feeling she had felt during her pregnancy. At that time, her mother had assured her of a better future, and this time she was going to do the same. She had to comfort her daughter and to do so, she had to narrate her the past - that had left a permanent scar in her heart. All these years, she carried a smile to hide those scars from Adyasha, and somewhere that innocent smile of Adyasha had healed her all scars.

“It was two months to our marriage when your father faced a huge loss in business. Everyone blamed me as bad luck for him. Raghav's mind also started to accept these thoughts, and he started to hate me for all the misfortune in his business. Every time he faced rejection, I became a doll for him to release his frustration. And my voice couldn't reach to any outsider. I couldn't find words to tell you about those black days of my life. Then you come as a hope to bring light in my dark life. With your arrival, our company started to get new deals, and Raghav started to consider you as his lucky charm. But actually, it was my father who started to pursue other companies to deal with your father sacrificing his own deals, as he didn't want you to be tortured by my in-laws. Then time healed everything, you really become our lucky charm, and see today Raghav is in the top.” Sunanda smiled looking at Adyasha, but couldn't hide her tears for a long time. Adyasha was in shock. The truth was bitter for her. Raghav was her role model. She couldn't believe her own ears.

“Beta! Trust me, everything will be fine. You are my hope and now your hope is growing inside your womb and... I know that it will be a girl, just like you, a moon, a princess." Sunanda suddenly changed the topic hearing the opening sound of the door.

"Yes Sunanda, my princess will give birth to another beautiful princess." Raghav added near the door smiling in joy. Adyasha looked there to find Pratik, and her mother-in-law smiling happily. “My baby princess is going to have her own baby princess. I still can't believe it.” Raghav said approaching near Adyasha and lovingly caressed her hair.

“Yeah, sometimes we couldn't believe the truth." Adyasha said gazing his face as if examining the truth. Her heart prayed every minute to make all this a lie. Her father was always an angel for her.

“But it's better if we will accept the truth as soon as possible. Life will be beautiful.” Sunanda said squeezing her daughter's hand under the blanket. They shared a glance, and Sunanda assured her through eyes that everything was fine now.

"How are you feeling now?" Raghav asked sitting beside Sunanda. On the other side of Adyasha, Sirisha sat and Pratik stood beside his mother.

"Fine." Adyasha said, not looking at her father.

"More beautiful days are waiting in your ways." Sunanda said with a smile.

“Mrs. Bharadwaj! I agree with you. But to make life beautiful we have to secure the future. The way our company is facing loss nowadays, I am really worried about your little prince's future.” Sirisha faked a worried face. Pratik was too busy admiring his fatherhood to notice his mother's lie. While Sunanda noticed the eagerness in Sirisha's voice while addressing the child as 'prince'.

At that moment, Sunanda ignored her instinct and begged Adyasha through her eyes to divert the topic. But, Adyasha stayed silent. She was no longer protective of her father's property - which was actually not earned by his hard work. Her grandfather had sacrificed his own deals to protect Adyasha and Sunanda. Now Karma played back, and maybe Raghav was going to suffer the same fate. Adyasha still loved her Baba, but now she was hating her mother's husband.

“Don't worry Mrs. Ahuja. Until I am alive, my princess and her little one won't face any problem.” Raghav said. “I am getting old too. Also, I am thinking to transfer all my business shares under Pratik's name.” Sirisha' face lit up suddenly, and she came near Adyasha and caressed her stomach.

“My lucky charm! Only the arrival news of yours, and we survived a huge loss in business. I can't wait to hold you as my luck in my arms.” Sirisha's eyes held a shine. Adyasha examined her face to find out the reason for her happiness - was it to welcome her grandchildren, or to welcome Raghav's money. Adyasha knew her better to guess the actual reason.

“Mom! Let her take rest now.” Pratik said. Everyone smiled at his care while Sunanda eyed Adyasha stating that she was right.

And Adyasha was feeling a little happy as the first time after her marriage, Pratik uttered something for her to care about her. Sunanda eyed Raghav to go outside. Sirisha followed them, to discuss the legal procedures of properties with Raghav.

Adyasha was left alone along with Pratik and the little life growing inside her womb.

“Adya! I can't wait to welcome our little one to this world. I will put the sky on his feet.” Pratik said adoring Adyasha. His eyes held the love and admiration that Adyasha was in search of for so long. She didn't oppose him to address their children as a boy. The smile on his face was all she desired to get, and she was enough happy to be the reason for his happiness.

She thought about her mother's words and realized that her mother was right. Her hope was growing inside her womb. And she could see the ray coming slowly in Pratik's behavior.

But a part of her was still wondering if Pratik's love was because of her Baba's words about transferring the property, but whatever it was, her inner self was experiencing the marital love she once dreamed.

Pratik sat beside her and then went to kiss her stomach, where their little baby was growing.

To go on with the flow, Adyasha added "It will be so handsome like you Mr."

Pratik laughed and patted himself. "Yeah, my boy!, I will love him so much! " Pratik added.

"Really? But I will love him more, and he will love me more too." Adyasha too laughed.

Pratik kissed her forehead, and she hugged him, while her tears were rolling down on his back.

"Hey, what happened?", Pratik said wiping out her tears. For the first time, he had noticed her tears.

"No, nothing... Tears of happiness", Adyasha replied and started to cry more.

Sirisha came again along with Raghav and Sunanda. Seeing them, Adyasha wiped out her tears fast. Sirisha handed a pill and a glass of water to Adyasha. "Take your medicine beta. From now on, You have to take medicines on time and rest without any tantrums." Sirisha faked sternness while pointing her index finger towards Adyasha.

Adyasha could feel the reason behind the sudden change in her mother-in-laws' behavior and Sunanda also noticed her fake concerns, but they stayed silent in a hope that everything will be alright soon.

"I never knew that my daughter could get her own mother in you. Thank you." Raghav said folding his hands in front of Sirisha.

"No need to thank me, it's my duty to care for my daughter, and Adya is so childish with us. She reminded me about my own childhood days. You don't worry Mr. Bhardwaj." Sirisha started her web of lies.

"Yes Mrs. Ahuja, She's my only daughter, so we never said no to her for anything, and she remained as a child only. Thanks for taking care of her. It's rare to get persons like you in today's world." Raghav conveyed his gratitude to Sirisha.

Suddenly, they heard something fell down and breaking sound. Maybe something made of glass fell. Sirisha, Pratik and all rushed towards the drawing-room, while Adyasha stayed in the bed as she was still not feeling well. She kept looking at the sunbeam coming into the room and directly fell into the portrait of her marriage hanging on the wall.

Moving her right hand on her belly, she whispered, "I love you, little princess, bring all the hopes I have always been in waiting!" For some reason, she got an instinct that the child was going to be a girl. Not that she had any problem with having a boy. And again she flew away to her dreamland, where she was sitting in a garden with Pratik, while their little princess playing in front of them.

From the doorstep, Sunanda was observing her daughter hiding behind the curtain. Tears were flowing continuously from her eyes. "I still can't believe these words are true. It feels like a nightmare, but no, this is the reality and my own daughter is crying on my lap. This is hard to accept. I still remember the first day when Adyasha heard about marriage and her face dimmed, but after hearing Pratik's name, she blushed. But Her happiness burst just like a bubble. I can't believe Pratik behaving this harsh to my innocent daughter. I regret not understanding another face, that Pratik and his mom wear. But there's nothing left now, and it can't be turned back again. My life is almost completed and has seen everything, but Adyasha is new to this, how will she face this society! How will she fight back and how will she hold the courage to save her baby from all these?

Adyasha was brought up like a princess in our home, but we ruined her life by binding her life to this hell like home. I want to take her from this hell to us again, but will this society shut its mouth? I have heard so much earlier. But I can't see my daughter suffering like this. I always called her in her full name. Adyasha means the first hope, that she is in my life. Maybe this little soul will bring hope to her life, and everything will change." Sunanda prayed inside her mind and went towards the drawing-room.