The Arranged Dilemma

Chapter 1

LUCKNOW, INDIA 1948.

She looked at the elderly figure who just entered the house, he was wearing a white dhoti and white cotton kurta which was matching with his silver hair and receeding hair line. His age was growing but still the handle bar moustache did not leave the grip, like his personality completely stern. He took the shawl which was around his body keeping him warm from the february winter chills and kept near the table but nobody missed that how his face looked devastated and vulnerable even with that moustache which showed authority. The stressed was quite evident on the face, in the room.

Who won’t feel like that when his own daughter betrayed him?

She got up from the seat where she was playing ludo with her little sister, though she was only 10 years old but she had taken the responsibility of her 6 years old sister very efficiently.

They say that whenever the younger sibling is born whatever the age of the elder be he has to take the responsibility and like that she took the care of not only her younger sister's responsibility at the age of 6 but took responsibility of her younger brother too, who was two years old. Little Shyama was taking completely her responsibilities seriously and wisely.

"Shyama go inside and take meena and sukhi too."

Came an authoritative voice of Krishnasagar Srivastava, who was a 33 years old advocate and her father.

He married suhasini devi when she was in tender age of 15 and he was 21, being educated at that time was a big deal in Slave India and Suhasini's father wouldn't leave the opportunity to get his daughter an educated man. Krishnasagar came from upper class kayastha family which was known to be educated and literate and his father didn't leave a chance to get any of his children even though his daughter being deprive of education. Education for their community was very important but, in those times only rich could afford it irrespective of any community you belong to. And, Krishnasagar followed the path of his father, at the age where girl's birth was a sin Krishnasagar not only planned to get his daughters educated but also planned their future well and secure. Yes, the were just 10 and 6 years old to be future planned about but still they had their future concretely planned.

Shyama nodded to her father's order and took them inside, Suhasini devi brought a tray of biscuits, two cups of tea and kept in front of the aged man and her husband.

They both complimented each other very much though Suhasini devi had only studied till 4th standard as academics never interested her but she made sure she makes her self capable for her highly qualified husband and make her presence well in front of his class of people. Krishnasagar always knew about his wife's lack of interest in studies but he sure didn't force her to do so, because he was captivated by the beauty of the 15 years old girl who was wearing green loose salwar kameez which did not do justice with her figure at all but her pale skin and big black eyes did captured his heart. And the genes did pass it on to the young shyama who was replica of her mother in looks but her brain was sharp as her father, indeed a perfect combination.

Shyama stood near the door and tried to listen to the conversation which was going between the three.

"Krishna my reputation is ruined,my daughter is found no where and here when I am fighting for the Bharat udyog party against the muslim,my own daughter ran away with one."

"Calm down Rameshwarji, we will find her and make sure she's safe." Krishnasagar relaxed the 45 years old man, who was his friend and and his collgue, he worked for the Bharat udyog party whose legal duties were performed by Krishnasagar himself.

Rameshwar mishra, a high class brahmin was working in Bharat udyog Party, who were working efficiently on the development of the nation but still was not able to fight the social discrimination and Hindu-Muslim riots in hyderabad had only tensed the situation making it worse. And at this point of time if there is spread of news about the brahmins's daughter running with a muslim, it would have not only affect Rameshwar's family but Bharat udyog party too as he was very important member of the party.

"I don't want her to be safe, just kill them and make sure nobody will find their body I will tell everybody that she died in the accident. I cannot see her face right now or forever, she proved to be disgrace." Said the brahmin with full rage in his eyes, his hatred for his own blood was shocking to Krishnasagar.

Young shyama who was listening to their conversation got scared and hid underneath the bed, Meena, the younger sister didn't know the reason of her elderly sister’s irrational behaviour , she looked at her with horror at her and ran to call her mother.

When Suhasini devi entered the room she heard the sobs coming from beneath the bed. She looked down at the little figure in the foetal position crying. She gave her hand which shyama gladly accepted and Suhasini devi placed the little girl on her lap, wiping the tears from her face.

"What happened my little one?" Suhasini devi asked with her soft voice unaware of her daughter’s horror. Shyama was looking meek and scared, tears all over the face. She was in a frock with two plaits and red ribbons tied at the end, making her look so innocent but tears in her yes was not something Suhasini devi liked on her children’s face.

Like a beautiful and efficient wife, she was a very loving mother. Though Shyama took care of the siblings. Suhasini devi was just allowing her to help. She made sure that her girl’s studies or other activities should not get disrupted due to this. She always wanted to be a friend to her child and guide at the right time.

"Will they kill her?" Her voice was innocent and filled with concern after all she was her Vimla didi who eloped, who used to take care of her and play with her.

But sometimes love takes out the sanity in you have and may be love can define the reason that what possesed Vimla to run with the muslim guy as she was always obedient to her parents and not a rebel to do so. Vimla was the one who was efficiently doing her studies and taking care of her household in her mother’s guidance. But this news about her came like a shock to everybody in the community.

Maybe love makes you do unexpected things?

"I hope they don't." Suhasini devi could not bring herself to lie to the young girl. She knew men in the community can be very firm when it comes to their reputation in the society, especially when it comes about their children. They will give their children the best education and make them independent but will make sure they never take their own decisions irrespective of anything carreer, marriage or life.

"Mom is love a sin?"

"No darling its not?"

"Then why Vimla didi is getting punishment for it?" Suhasini devi was confused and could not say anything to the girl but she knows once she grows up she will understand the reason and hopefully accept it also, but now it was time that Shyama accept the rules of the society.

"Shyama today I am going to tell you an important lesson remember it always, if you love your dad never fall for anyone except your husband. Please, promise me?"

The 10 years old girl promised in the fear of getting killed but who knew the promise she did was capable of fulfilling it or not.

After two days the news spread in whole lucknow city about the death of Vimla in car accident when she was going to college, who knew the truth was something else.