THE UNWANTED DAUGHTER -IN- LAW

EPISODE-2 THE FIRST NIGHT WOUND

It was 11 PM.

Aanya sat in the smallest room of her new house. It wasn't even a proper room. It was a storage room. The walls had damp patches, and there was an old cot where cockroaches scurried around.

On the very first day, her mother-in-law, Kamla Devi, had said, "Daughter-in-law, your room is that one upstairs. Where we keep all the old stuff."

Aanya had just nodded and said, "Yes, Saasuma." She wanted to cry, but the tears didn't come. Her mother had told her before the wedding, "Beta, in your in-laws' house, keep your mouth shut and your hands busy for the first year."

From upstairs, she could hear her husband Rohan's voice. He was laughing and talking to his friends on the phone. "Yeah man, got married. Family pressure. The girl is fine... she'll manage the housework."

"Fine." Just one word. That became her identity.

Suddenly a voice came from downstairs. "Aanya! Get up! Guests are coming. I need tea and breakfast ready by 4 AM."

It was Saasuma. It was only 11 PM now. That meant 4 AM was still 5 hours away.

Aanya got up silently. Her eyes were heavy with sleep, but her heart was heavier with exhaustion.

In the kitchen, Kamla Devi said, "Listen, your sister-in-law Priya and her husband are coming from the city. Cook something good. And wear decent clothes. Don't embarrass us."

Aanya nodded. She opened the fridge. There was flour, vegetables, milk. Everything except respect.

She started kneading dough. Her hands ached. She hadn't slept for 2 days because of wedding work. Her mother had secretly given her 500 rupees before she left. "Keep this with you, beta." That money was still tucked inside a book.

4 AM. The guests arrived. Priya and her husband.

Priya said the moment she entered, "Maa, why is the house so quiet? Where is the new daughter-in-law?"

Kamla Devi shouted, "Aanya! Come out!"

Aanya came out, adjusting her dupatta. Even her slippers were old.

Priya looked at her from head to toe. Then she said softly, "Maa, she looks innocent. But can she work?"

"Work? That's why I brought her. Got a free maid" Kamla Devi laughed.

Aanya's ears turned red. She wanted the ground to swallow her. But she smiled. "I'll get tea, Didi."

In the kitchen, her hands were shaking while pouring hot tea. A little spilled and burned her finger. "Sss..." She quickly covered her mouth. Crying was not allowed.

After breakfast, Priya said, "Maa, I'm staying for 2 days. Get my room cleaned."

"The room upstairs is free. Get that cleaned. That's the daughter-in-law's room now anyway" Saasuma replied.

Aanya worked all day. Mopping, sweeping, dishes, laundry. By evening, her feet had blisters.

At 10 PM, when everyone was asleep, Aanya went to the terrace. The stars were out.

She took out her phone. There was a message from Maa: "How are you, beta?"

Aanya typed: "I miss home a lot, Maa."

Deleted it.

Then typed: "I'm okay Maa. Don't worry."

And sent it.

After that she broke down. Silently. Hiding her face in her dupatta so no one could hear.

That night, she made a decision.

"I will not live here as a maid. I am the daughter-in-law of this house. I have a name. I deserve respect."

The next morning at 5 AM, she woke up first. Today she wore a clean saree. She tied her hair neatly.

Saasuma said, "Up so early today?"

For the first time, Aanya looked her in the eye. "Yes Saasuma. I will do all the housework, and I will do my own work too."

"What work?" Kamla Devi raised an eyebrow.

Aanya gathered courage and said, "I am educated. There is a school nearby. I will apply for a teaching job there. Instead of sitting idle and eating, it's better to work. I can also contribute 2 rupees to the house."

The whole house went silent.

Rohan came downstairs. He looked at Aanya. Really looked at her, for the first time. "You... want a job?"

"Yes" Aanya's voice trembled but she didn't stop. "Do you have a problem with that?"

Kamla Devi yelled, "A daughter-in-law working? What will people say? Stop this nonsense."

Aanya folded her hands. "Saasuma, I promise I will finish all housework. I just need 3 hours. To stand on my own feet."

After that day, the atmosphere of the house changed. The taunts increased. "Working daughter-in-law", "Stubborn daughter-in-law".

But Aanya didn't stop.

A week later, she got a call for an interview at that same school. The school where she wanted to teach.

On the day of the interview, she wore her oldest saree, but she held her head high.

The Principal asked, "Are you married? How will you manage your home?"

Aanya answered directly, "Sir, I am a woman. I will manage everything. Just give me a chance."

In the evening when she returned home, she had an appointment letter in her hand.

8000 rupees per month.

She placed that letter directly in Saasuma's hands. "Here. The first salary will be spent on this house."

Kamla Devi looked at the letter, then at Aanya. She said nothing.

That night, Rohan came to her room. For the first time.

He said softly, "How did you get the courage to do this?"

Aanya looked at the ceiling. "When a person is dismissed with just 'she is fine', then either they break... or they prove themselves."

Rohan said nothing. He just left.

That night, Aanya slept peacefully. Not on that cot. But on the pillow of her dreams.

Because for the first time, she had raised her voice for herself.

And that was the beginning of her new story.

The next morning, sunlight fell on her face through the small window.

For the first time in days, Aanya didn't feel scared.

She tied her hair, wore her old saree, and walked out with her head high.

The war had started. And Aanya was ready to fight.

To be continued.