House Of Gold

Chapter 4: Blooming Flower Turn To Ash! (Part 1)

I watched the news with my mother-in-law and sister-in-law, Shreya, in the living room. It doesn't sound exciting, trust me, I know, but I have to try my best to get along with them. However, I couldn't think of anything because Ranjit said we'd consummate our marriage even if I cried a river of tears today.

I hope he forgets about it and won't force me to do anything against my will. I mean, why would his mom talk about us giving her grandchildren? We only got married yesterday and are already talking about children. I was deep in thought when my sister–in–law screamed, and my attention went directly to my mother-in-law, whose breathing became shaky.

Then, my attention went directly to the television when the news lady said Ranjit Sharee's name, 'What do you mean murdered? Ranjit was fine when he left home today. No, it can't be.' I continued to shake my head, and Shreya signaled me to call an ambulance for my mother-in-law. I immediately dialed the number with shaky hands.

An hour or so later, the ambulance came, and my mother-in-law was rushed to Hyacinth Hospital. Shreya ushered me inside the ambulance, and I was holding onto her hand, praying that Ranjit would be alive. 'He has to live, please. I don't want to live as a widow at seventeen, and worse, I don't want anything to happen to auntie.'

Upon arriving at the hospital, my hand was still holding Auntie's hands tightly until the nurses told me to sit outside and wait for her to be rushed to the emergency room. Shreya approached me, and I had been trying to be strong, but seeing her made my tears fall uncontrollably because they had been laughing and teasing each other just this morning.

'How could this happen in such a short time? And Why?' She gestured to me to sit down and placed my head on her shoulder, "Mina, please don't cry. Mom and Ranjit will both be fine, trust me!" she said.

"This is my fault. Your mom will blame me and think I brought bad luck to your family, don't you think?" I managed to reply in between my sobs.

"No, it's not. My mom is not superstitious, so please don't blame yourself. Is that okay? Ranjit wouldn't like that," Shreya assuringly said.

We're still waiting for the results, and the doctor leaves the room. "Are you two Neha Tamhanakar and Ranjit Sharee's family?" the doctor asked.

"Yes, I'm her daughter, and she's her daughter-in-law," Shreya replied.

"Wait, did you say my husband is here at the hospital?" I asked.

"Yes, Miss. Your husband is currently in urgent care, and we're trying our best to save him," Dr. Munim replied.

"How's my mom?" Shreya asked.

"Your mom is stable now, but she's resting in room 304," he said.

"Mina, please go and be with Mom. I have to call my dad and tell him about the news, okay?" Shreya said.

Dr. Munim escorts me to the room; "Thank you so much, Dr. Munim. Please help my husband," I said. He patted my back comfortingly; I knew he couldn't make any promises because Ranjit was stabbed, according to the news. 'Will he survive this? Will I become a widow at seventeen, and worse, what would my mother-in-law's reaction be to losing her first son?' I took a deep breath and slowly opened the door; my mother-in-law faced me and immediately yelled at me to leave the room. I hesitated to leave her alone in the room, "Mom, I'm sorry. Please forgive me," I pleaded.

"This is all your families' fault. If your father and grandfather had convinced his grandfather, my Ranjit would still be alive. Get out. I don't want to look at jinx like you," she yelled.

Shreya ran into the room, "Mom, please don't yell at Mina. She didn't do anything besides Mina called the ambulance, and she was so worried," Shreya convinced. However, it was unavailable because my mother-in-law continued to scold me for leaving the room.

"I'm sorry, auntie. I'm sorry, Shreya. It's my fault, and I will try my best to pay everything back in my life," I replied.

"Get out of my house, you wretched girl," my mother-in-law said.

I would've walked out of the hospital when Dr. Munim stopped me. "Mrs. Sharee, I'm sorry for your loss. We couldn't save your husband, Mr. Ranjit Sharee," he said.

"What? My son is gone," my mother-in-law said.

Then, suddenly, she collapsed on the floor, her head hitting the floor; I immediately ran to her, and Shreya pushed me away, "Don't come any closer. My mother was right: you're a witch and a jinx. You and your family are nothing but trouble; we'll never forgive any of you for Ranjit's death," Shreya screamed, sobbing uncontrollably.

"I'm sorry, Shreya. Please forgive me. You can curse at me, but please don't curse my family," I said.

"I curse you never to find happiness again. You think I don't know that you didn't love Ranjit and that everything you showed us was fake. I hate you, Mina Shetti. Get out of her and stay out of our lives," she screamed, pushing me away.

My head dropped to the ground, and I walked out of the hospital, looking back at them with a remorseful expression. I arrived at the house and found my suitcase outside, "Miss Sharee informed us not to let such bad luck in here," the maid said.

"Mrs. Bhatt, please, not you too. I'm sorry, and this was never my intention. I wanted Ranjit and me to have a happy marriage," I replied.

"I don't want to hear; please leave here. Don't let your unlucky fate linger on these grounds any further," she asserted.

I sorrowfully dragged my feet behind me and still couldn't believe that marriage had ended with such a tragedy, and now, my in-laws all believed that I was unlucky, a witch, and a jinx. 'Why must I have such an unlucky streak regarding my happiness?' I arrived at the bus stop and sat down, letting my tears fall uncontrollably because I couldn't hold them any longer.

"Ranjit Sharee, I'm sorry. I never wanted you to die. I mean, I didn't love you, but I still want to cooperate with you and be a good and faithful wife to you. Why does fate have to end our love so tragically?" I muttered. Then, my older sister Leela's car stopped before me, and she rolled down the window.

"I had a feeling it might've been you. Come on in and get in the car; we should get you home," Leela uttered.

I hesitantly placed my bag in the trunk and sat in the backseat, "Are you okay? I saw the news," she said. I didn't say anything because my tears were still falling uncontrollably, "Don't cry, Mina. It's not your fault, alright?" she said. I know that she's trying to comfort me, but 'How could I not blame myself when my in-laws blame me for my husband's death?'