I pushed the bedroom door open and carried the tray of warm water inside. The doctor was constantly talking about how my husband was lucky to have escaped alive, while Maa nearly had tears in her eyes.

Dadi sat next to Bhairav Ji, panic-stricken, and Bhargav stood in one corner of the room, clearly bubbling with rage at something I wasn't aware of. But I knew for a fact that it was related to Gulzar Sultan and his men.

Aradhya was standing beside Bhargav, secretly holding his hand to calm him down. Keshav, on the other hand, was distracted while staring at some birds out on the balcony. My little brother was awake as well, and he was busy showcasing his monkey to both Janaki and Raghav.

Bhairav Ji glanced at me as I placed the tray on the bedside table. I gave him the glass, "Garam hai..."

(It's warm...)

My husband purposefully enveloped his bandaged hand over mine while taking the glass. I was shooting daggers at him, but the man didn't care at all. He was even smooth about it as he caressed his thumb over my knuckles, in front of everyone.

The doctor had bandaged both his hands and his forehead as well. He recommended a specific medicinal paste that I was to apply over my husband's hip. Added to that, there were more bitter tonics that he had suggested. I'd enjoy making Bhairav Ji drink all that.

It was hard to hold back my smile when the doctor specifically warned him that he wasn't exactly young anymore, so stunts like this could seriously affect his health. Bhairav Ji looked quite annoyed.

After the doctor left, Maa wiped her tears with her pallu. Even Dadi cupped Bhairav Ji's face, "Mera beta... Kisne aisa kiya hai... Kis janwar ne kiya hai...?" She was teary as well.

(My child... Who did this to you... Which animal did this...?)

Then, as though someone had flipped a switch, Dadi turned to me sharply, "Jab tak apna pati sahi nahi hota, uske paas hi rehna. Iska khayal rakhne ka zimmedari tumhari hai. Mere pote ne tumhare wajah se bahut kuch jhela hai-"

(Until your husband gets well, don't leave his side. It's your responsibility to take care of him. My grandson has dealt with a lot because of you-)

"Dadi."

Bhairav Ji cleared his throat, "Aaj tak maine aapse kuch nahi kaha. Hamesha chup raha. Jab main subah chal hi nahi paa raha tha, kuch karne layak bhi nahi tha, tab wahi thi jo meri madad kar rahi thi. Usne meri fikr mein ek pal ke liye bhi soyi nahi. Aur main itna zaroor keh sakta hoon, meri dekhbhaal mere biwi se behter koi nahi kar sakta. Aap chinta mat kijiye."

(I've never spoken anything against you until today. I've always been quiet. When I couldn't even walk in the morning, she was the only one there to help me. She hasn't slept a wink as she was worried about me the whole night. And I'm sure that nobody can take care of me better than my wife. Please don't worry about it.)

There was silence in the room. My face flushed red. Keshav coughed loudly, almost to mask his smile.

The room suddenly felt suffocating. Maa glanced at me, and in that look I felt like her softness had returned. But it felt highly embarrassing and uncomfortable to be in the room with everyone. Dadi didn't speak at all. There wasn't anger in her anymore; she looked shocked.

Raghav grew fussy in his cradle and began crying. I thanked the gods above and immediately went to the cradle to take him in my arms.

"Bhaiya," Bhargav stepped forward, "Ab aap kya karne wale hai?"

(Bhaiya... What are you going to do now?)

There was something both of them knew but refused to share with others. I'd have to probe it out of my husband somehow.

"Yahi baat bolna chahtha tha aap sabhi se," Bhairav Ji replied, "Main agle saal ke chunav mein sarpanch ke pad ke liye khada hoonga."

(Yes, this was what I wanted to tell you all... I'm going to nominate myself as the Sarpanch for next year's election.)

My lips parted in surprise. Everyone gasped at his decision.

"Kya?" Even Keshav was stunned to hear this, "Par Bhaiya aap hi toh kehte the ki siyaasat se door rahenge! Ab achanak yeh kya faisla kaise le li aapne?"

(What? But Bhaiya, you said that you'll always stay away from politics. How come you changed your decision?)

My husband glanced at me once before turning to his grandmother, who looked like she'd cry any second now. Dadi cupped Bhairav Ji's face, "Tumne aakhir kaar mera kehna maan liya!"

(Finally, you've made my dream come true!)

I was very confused. Had she always wanted Bhairav Ji to stand in the elections?

He gave her a weak smile, "Maine Paramesh se baat ki hai. Gao walo ke liye pehle ek vidyalay banauga. Mere daftar ke paas."

(I talked with Paramesh as well. First, I'll build a school near my office for the villagers.)

"Vidyalay?" Maa smiled.

(A school?)

"Ji. Aur yeh waha bacho ko padhayegi," Bhairav Ji turned to me.

(Yes. And she'll teach the children there.)

"Kya?!"

(What?!)

Almost everyone gasped in unison, including my devars. I myself couldn't believe what I was hearing.

"K-kya matlab hai aapka...?" I mumbled, hugging Raghu tightly.

(Wh-what do you mean?)

My husband wasn't fazed as usual, "Jo tumne suna. Agar tum maan jaogi toh apne bhai ko bhi vidyalay bhej sakti ho... Kyu Saarang, dusre bacho ke saath tumhe bhi vidyalay jaana hai na?"

(I meant what I said. If you agree, you can send your brother to school as well... Don't you want to go to school with the other kids, Saarang?)

My little brother, who had looked sleepy a moment ago, came to life suddenly. He climbed on the bed, his little eyes twinkling in excitement, "Mai sach mei vidyalay jaa raha hu, Jiju?!"

(Am I really going to school, Jiju?)

"Agar tumhari didi manegi toh," Bhairav Ji eyed me.

(If your sister agrees.)

The man had cornered me in every way possible!

He knew that I'd do anything to send Saarang to school. I remembered the challenge he had given me when I had been pregnant with the twins. The way he had taunted me was something I'd never forget, but I hadn't tried anything yet because there was no hope in finding work for a woman like me.

Had that argument been for this?

Was he being serious?

"Tum... Kya keh rahe ho beta...?" Maa mumbled, "Yeh kaise... Log kya kahenge-"

(What are you saying, son...? How will she... What will people say?)

Bhairav Ji glanced at me, "Zabardasti nahi hai, Maa. Na bhi keh sakti hai... Phir mai chunav mein kadam bhi nahi rakhunga."

(I'm not forcing her, Maa. She can say no as well... Then I won't stand in the elections either.)

An uncomfortable silence settled in the room. Maa cleared her throat and mumbled that Bhairav Ji was still under the weather. She escorted everyone outside, saying he had to rest. Maa took Janaki in her arms while I busied myself in the kitchen with lunch. Raghu was in my arms as I instructed the maids. Aradhya helped me, of course.

"Jeth Ji aapse bahut pyar karte hai..." she whispered to me in the kitchen, away from Maa's sharp ears. "Bahar dikhate nahi par aapke liye bahut mayne rakhta ha."

(Jeth Ji loves you so much... Even though he doesn't show it.)

I forced a smile at her words. The strange affection he showed me, where he compelled me to do things that were against societal norms... It would be the end of us both.