Sanjana turns 18 finally 🫣 And Bhairav is 30 🍭

I want to remind everyone that Bhairav has never been himself with Sanjana, because she USED to be a kid...🫡

I pushed the door open softly. Keshav was at his table, his textbook open, but he was sleeping on top of it. "Devarji, so rahe ho kya?" I asked in surprise, and he startled awake before glaring at me.

(Devarji, were you sleeping?)

"Pooch kar nahi aa sakte?" He snapped.

(Can't you knock before coming in?)

I didn't say anything. He had been in an awful mood for the past week. Baba Ji passed last Sunday. The house was weeping. Bhargav and Bhairav Ji were in the city, busy with work. Keshav was struggling with college. Maa Ji hadn't left her bed, and even Dadi wept every day. I instructed the maids regarding the chores and cooked everything for the family. It was challenging to manage everything alone... But I had been in the haveli long enough to be independent.

"Maaf kijiye..." I mumbled, "Maa Ji ne chai dene keliya kaha hai... Isliye aa gayi. Pakoda bhi hai." I placed the tray on his bed. He glanced at everything before mumbling Okay.

(I'm sorry... Maa Ji told me to give you tea. That's why I came. There's even pakodas.)

At the same time, I heard a car outside. My heart raced. Keshav got up from the chair and went out to see who it was. I fixed my veil properly and informed Maa Ji and Dadi that a car was outside. I stayed in and peeked through the kitchen window while the others greeted the visitors.

I gasped when I saw Bhairav Ji and Bhargav. They had left only last week after performing Baba's last rites. Maa hugged my husband and sobbed, "Kaha gaye the mujhe chodkar?!" Even Dadi was overjoyed to see them. My husband and Bhargav had been in the city for the past two years, working together. They rarely came home, but at least it was more often than when Bhairav Ji was alone in the city.

(Where had you gone, leaving me behind?!)

Despite that, I had never initiated a conversation with him. Whenever he visited, I would stay away and watch him from afar. If he asked for something, I'd get it for him... But besides that, we didn't talk at all. It had been five years since we got married. I was eighteen now. His visit was unexpected. But probably it was because he had lost his father only a week ago.

"Main ab kahin nahi ja raha, Ma." Bhairav Ji said softly while caressing his Mother's hair.

(I'm not going anywhere again, Ma.)

She pulled back, stunned. Even I was stunned to hear this. What did he mean he wasn't going anywhere?

"Bhaiya ab se ghar rukenge, Ma. Woh Thakur jo hai," Bhargav gave his Mother a soft smile.

(Bhaiya is going to stay home from now on, Ma. He's the Thakur after all.)

I pressed a palm over my mouth. Shocked, terrified, excited... There were so many emotions that I felt at the moment. I couldn't describe them. My heart pounded wildly. If he were going to stay home, I'd have to be even more careful. I could put up with Dadi and Ma's wrath... But not my husband's. He was... Terrifying... In every way possible.

"Bahu, humare Thakur laut kar aaye hai! Aarti karni hai!"

(Bahu, our Thakur, has returned. The aarti has to be done!)

"Aayi, Ma," I called from inside the kitchen and quickly prepared the aarti plate. With my veil low, I stepped into the verandah and did aarti for both Bhairav Ji and Bhargav. My husband's eyes were glued to my face as I drew a tilak on his forehead. Then, out of respect, I bent down and touched his feet.

(Coming Ma.)

Bhairav Ji briefly placed his hand on my head, but didn't say anything. Everyone entered the house. The maids and I served water and refreshments. Bhairav Ji and Bhargav sat on the couch, talking with the others. I realised that I'd have to cook a lot more for dinner, so I got to work immediately.

The hours passed, and villagers visited with their troubles and condolences after knowing that my husband was home. He sat in his Father's chair, his right leg over his left, sitting like a King. Bhairav Ji smoked a cigarette and asked me to bring an ashtray as well.

All the while, I felt strange, as though I was being watched. Whenever I glanced up, my husband's eyes were on me. Even Maa Ji noticed his gaze, but didn't say anything. As soon as Bhairav Ji came home, he had to leave with the villagers. I wondered when that man would stay in one place. It seemed impossible.

"Lagta hai... Jo ladki use sheher me mili thi, wo bhaag gayi," Dadi Ji taunted as I served her evening tea. I could feel my heart burn with jealousy. Whenever my husband returned home in the past, ignoring my presence completely, this was what she had said. There was a woman in the city who managed to keep my husband happy.

(Looks like the girl he found in the city ran away...)

"Aisa kuch nahi hai, Amma..." My mother-in-law replied as I sat beside her. "Apne dekha nahi, Bhairav ki nazar aaj isse hata nahi," she gave me a teasing smile. My face flushed, but I didn't react anymore.

(There's nothing like that, Amma. You saw how Bhairav's eyes hadn't left her for even a second today.)

"Ah... Ab toh bachi nahi rahi na... Aurat ban gayi ho. Bas patni banna baaki hai," Dadi spoke, and I stood up immediately, clutching my stomach.

(Ah... After all, she's a woman now, not a child. Being a wife is all that's left now.)

"Arey, kya hua? Kaha bhaag rahi ho?" Maa questioned.

(What happened? Where are you going?)

I swallowed, "Woh... Mahine... Lagta hai... Pet me dard hai..."

(I... My period... My stomach is hurting.)

Dadi's eyes narrowed into slits, "Rasoi se door rehna. Aur mere pote se bhi. Kamre se bahar mat niklo... Aur bistar par letne ki sochna bhi math." I was used to her rules, but she always repeated the same thing. Maa didn't say anything because she was raised with the same rules as well. I retired to the room to use a clean cloth.

(Stay away from the kitchen, and from my grandson. Don't come out of the room and do not even think of lying down on the bed.)

It was late at night when Bhairav Ji returned home. I could hear the Jeep outside. Maa Ji was the one who greeted him while I was in the bedroom with Dadi, massaging her sore legs with warm oil.

"Sanjana kaha hai?" I heard my husband's voice outside.

(Where's Sanjana?)

"Woh... So gayi hai..." Ma lied, but I could tell that Bhairav Ji was already tired and not in the mood to be irritated. His loud footsteps stopped outside the bedroom door, and I froze as he pushed it open.

(Uh... She's asleep...)

"Maa rasoi mei akele kaam kyu kar rahi hai?" He barked at me. I was seated on the floor at Dadi's feet as I pressed them. Both women didn't speak initially, and I stuttered with my words, "Ji, woh... Mai... Mai..."

(Why's Maa working alone in the kitchen?)

(Ji, I- I-)

"Kya mai mai karke baithi ho?" he muttered, losing his patience.

(Why are you stuttering?)

"Woh rasoi mei nahi aa sakti aaj, beta..." Ma finally whispered. Bhairav Ji turned to frown at her, but then he seemed to realise what the trouble was.

(She can't come to the kitchen today, beta..)

"Theek hai," he sighed irritably. "Par aaj yaha mat sona."

(Fine. But don't sleep here today.)

I blinked at him. Was he planning to kick me out?

"Mere kamre mai aa jao."

(Come to my room.)

With that, he left, leaving the women and me dumbstruck. After Maa left to serve him dinner, Dadi gave a sigh of relief, "Aakhir panch saal ke baad akal aaya hai usko..."

(After five years, he has come to his senses...)

I stared at her in bewilderment, but she warned me again, "Par aaj raat usse door rehna. Kuch bhi ho jaaye. Niche so jaana, theek hai? Mahine kahatam hone tak intezar karo."

(But stay away from him tonight. Whatever happens, sleep on the floor. Okay? Wait until your periods are over.)

"Ji Dadi..." I mumbled.

As the night grew, I entered Bhairav Ji's room and sat on the floor. Just as I was dozing off, Bhairav entered, startling me. "Niche kya kar rahi ho?" He looked irritated.

(What are you doing on the floor?)

"Woh... Dadi ne mana kiya hai... bistar par sone se..."

(Dadi told me not to... Sleep on the bed...)

His sharp glare fell on me, "Waha se uth aur bistar par let jao."

(Get up from there and lie down on the bed.)

He began unbuttoning his shirt in the mirror, and I only stared at him, refusing to move. Something in Bhairav Ji snapped. He marched towards me and grabbed my arm. I groaned in pain, trying to break free.

"Pati ka kehna nahi manogi kya?!"

(You won't listen to your husband or what?!)

"V-vinti karti hoon! Aaj ke liye..." I clenched my eyes shut. It was hurting as he tightened his grip. My husband knelt on one knee to match my height. His hand was suddenly on my neck, and I began breathing heavily. Was he going to kill me?

(I'm begging you! For today... Please...)

Bhairav Ji paused. His hand was just there... almost as a warning. His eyes were stormy as he looked at me, gritting his teeth. It felt like he had raised his hand to hit me, but the slap never came. I blinked at him, trembling in his hold. I squeezed his hand for mercy, begging him to leave him alone.

"Ashudh hu... I- isliye... Jaanboochkar n-nahi... maaf kijiye, Ji..." I whispered, begged him.

(I- I'm impure... That's why... I-it's not on purpose... Please forgive me...)

Bhairav Ji withdrew his hands. He turned off the lights and went to bed. I hugged my knees and watched him for a while. His back was turned towards me. Even the cold floor offered me no comfort.