As I wrote down English letters on the blackboard, a squirrel appeared on the classroom window. I found myself smiling automatically as I reminisced about how Bhairav Ji used to call me his squirrel. He had given me that name when I was young because I used to be quite restless.

"Masterni Ji, Masterni Ji, hum kya yeh sab likh sakte hai?" Anamika asked. She was the newspaper vendor's daughter, and the only girl in my class, but she was the most studious one. The other boys, including my own brother, competed with her aggressively, but Anamika wasn't one to lose easily.

(Ma'am, Ma'am, can we write down everything?)

"Bilkul beta, jaldi likho. Aur kal mai aap se jod ke sawal puchungi, bhulna mat."

(Of course, dear. Take it down quickly. And tomorrow, I'll ask you questions on addition, don't forget.)

The class agreed. There weren't many students, just a handful. None of them had gone to school before and came from quite poor backgrounds. The richer families, like our own, sent their children to the school closer to the city.

It had been nearly a year since the school was established properly, and so far, I had managed to establish three grades. The ones who hadn't gone to school at all, mostly the younger kids, were taught by a retired professor who had settled in the village. He used to teach Keshav in college, and that was how he had agreed to the post.

The students in second grade had a basic understanding of things, and they were taught by a young couple who had approached me one day seeking a job in the village. They were both high school graduates, but considering their family situation, they couldn't leave for the city, so I took them in.

Meanwhile, those in third grade, including Saarang, had already learnt all the prerequisites and now they were learning a more advanced syllabus so that they could eventually get their certificates. I was mainly in charge of that class, but considering the old professor wanted a day off, I took over.

We also had a daycare facility for children below the age of five. Widows of the village had gladly signed up for it, and in that way, I didn't have to be apart from my children.

Soon, it was time to send everyone home, and after allotting homework, I went to the other room to check on my kids. Janaki was fast asleep on the floor while Raghav was drawing something. Most of the other kids were busy playing with toys or each other.

"Thakurain Ji," Vimla Kaki smiled politely as I sat beside Janu and ran a hand through her hair.

"Janu beti toh aaj subah se itni khel rahi thi ki kuch der pehle so padi..."

(Janu dear had been playing so much since morning that she fell asleep a while back...)

"Ah... Koi baat nahi," I smiled, "Aapki pagair ke baare mei maine apne Devar se baat ki hai. Do dino ke baad aap daftar jaakar unse le sakte hai."

(Ah... That's fine. I've talked about your salary with my devar. You can meet him at the office after two days.)

"Ji," she joined her hands respectfully, "Shukriya."

(Yes, thank you.)

Soon, all the children returned home, and I stayed back to clean the boards while Saarang played cricket with his friends outside.

"Maa... Bhuk lagi hai..." Raghu whispered. I had made him sit on the teacher's chair, but the moment I turned, he climbed onto the table.

(Maa... I'm hungry...)

"Maa!" Janaki pulled my pallu next. She was lying on the floor, pretending to be sleepy, but also annoyed that I wasn't paying much attention to her. "Sari chodo," I sighed and pulled it out of her hands before wrapping it around me again.

(Let go of my sari.)

"Jaldi se kaam khatam karke, ghar jaakar khaana pakana bhi hai," I sighed.

(After finishing work quickly, I need to go home and make dinner.)

My hand froze at that time when I heard the familiar whirring of an engine. "Janaki, utho," I lifted my daughter and compelled Raghav to get down from the chair as well.

(Janaki, get up.)

Saarang appeared at the door, panting, "Didi... Woh log... Aa gaye!" He mumbled, struggling to catch his breath.

(Didi... Those people... They're here!)

"Kiski baat kar raha hai, bachhu?" The snake appeared, and he slung his arm around my brother's shoulder with a wide grin.

(Who are you talking about, kid?)

"Itni achhe se khel raha tha... Chodkar kyu aa gaye eh?" Baldev nudged him even more.

(You were playing well outside... Why did you leave your friends?)

"Aapke kaam mujhse hai," I spoke up, catching his attention, "Bachho ko bahar jaakar khelne dijiye. Saarang, inhe le jao."

(Your business is with me. Let the children go outside. Saarang, take them with you.)

"Par Maa-" My daughter tried to protest, but I glared at her, "Jao."

(But Maa-)

(Go.)

Saarang dragged them away quietly without any questions. Baldev smiled as he leaned against the doorframe of the empty classroom. It had become his favourite pastime to harass me after getting drunk. I could smell the horrendous scent of liquor from where I stood.

Baldev took slow steps towards me, but I made sure to stay on the other side of the table at all times. No matter how close he tried to get, I just hated everything about his presence.

"Zaroori kaam tha..." He mumbled, "Par tumhara haseen chehra dekhkar sab kuch bhool gaya," he stated. It was a pathetic attempt at flirting. I truly wondered why he did that.

(I needed to discuss something important... But after seeing your pretty face, I forgot about it.)

Just because I was a widow now, it didn't mean I was openly accepting invitations for more men to ruin my life.

Whenever I thought back, I realised that Bhairav Ji had actually been such a nuisance. He overrode every decision I tried to make and kept using me mindlessly for his pleasure. The man gave me no rest.

How had I loved someone like him?

Baldev pressed his hands on the table and leaned forward, grinning, "Kya tumne nishchay kiya?"

(Did you make your decision?)

"Aap jawab pehle se jaante hai," I glared.

(You already know my answer.)

He smiled, "Duniya mein mere jaisa mard kahin nahi milega... Tumhari har gunah maaf karne ke liye taiyar hoon, Sanjana."

(You'll never find a man like me in this world... I'm willing to forgive all your mistakes, Sanjana.)

"Baldev Ji," I muttered, really getting annoyed now, "Maine aapse pehle bhi kaha hai, mujhe chain se jeene dijiye. Sirf isliye ki mere pati ka dehant ho gaya, iska arth yeh nahin ki main punah vivaah kar loon. Mere do bachche hain, aur main unki parvarish akeli kar sakti hoon. Mujhe kisi sahare ki avashyakta nahin hai. Main apni zindagi ke faisle khud karungi."

(Baldev Ji, I've told you before as well. Let me live peacefully. Just because my husband is dead doesn't mean I'm going to marry again. I have two kids and I can take care of them alone. I don't need any help. I can decide things for myself.)

His smirk only widened a little, "Aise auraton ke liye pagal hu, pata hai?"

(I'm really crazy about women like you, you know?)

The audacity of this man!

If I could, I'd slap him ten times over.

"Jaanti ho na? Agar mai ek ungli uthau toh yeh vidyalay puri tarah se band kar sakta hu. Gulzar Sultan ka gaon hai yeh, aur hamara niyam chalta hai... Ek hafte aur tak samay dunga... warna Thakurain Ji apna samaan baandhne ke liye taiyar ho jaiye."

(You know that I can shut down this school of yours with the click of my fingers? This is Gulzar Sultan's village, and our word is law... I'll give you another week to reconsider. Otherwise, get ready to pack your things, Thakurain Ji.)

A man cleared his voice behind him. Baldev turned to find Paramesh standing there, hands in his pockets. He was in his lawyer's attire, and I realised he was returning from court.

"Aisi dhamki aur dabav IPC Dhara 503 aur 506 ke antargat apradh maane jaate hain, aur kisi mahila ki maryada bhang karne wala vyavahaar IPC Dhara 509 ke daayre mein aata hai. Iske alawa, Bharat ke Samvidhan ke Anuchhed 21 ke mutabik har nagrik ko izzat ke saath jeene aur apni niji zindagi apne tareeqe se jeene ka adhikar hai."

(Such threats and coercion are considered offences under Sections 503 and 506 of the Indian Penal Code, and any conduct that insults or violates a woman's dignity falls within the scope of Section 509 IPC. Furthermore, under Article 21 of the Constitution of India, every citizen has the right to live with dignity and to lead their private life in the manner they choose.)

Paramesh smiled, mostly at me, "Agar main aapki jagah hota, to Thakurain ji ko pareshaan karne ki bhool kabhi na karta."

(If I were in your place, I wouldn't bother the Thakurain Ji.)

Baldev looked quite annoyed as he turned to me once again, "Ek hafta... Yaad rakhna."

(One week... Remember.)

He could go to hell. I had already made my decision, but some men couldn't accept the word no.

After Baldev left, I took my things and went out to the hallway. Paramesh caught my hand, "Ek shukriya bhi nahi?" He smiled innocently.

(Not even one thank you?)

He had been my second headache since Bhairav Ji died. I didn't understand what they even saw in me. At least, Baldev secretly wanted to make my life hell as revenge for humiliating him in front of the whole village. He was already quite successful at that.

But Paramesh?

Even though I always knew him as a sly fox, I never expected him to stoop this low when Bhairav Ji went out of the picture.

"Shukriya. Ab mujhe der ho rahi hai, Paramesh Ji. Haath chodiye," I pulled my hand out of his grasp.

(Thank you. But now it's getting late, Paramesh Ji. Let me go.)

"Mai aapko ghar tak chod sakta hu," he offered again, with a kind smile.

(I can drop you off at the haveli.)

"Koi zaroorat nahi hai," I replied politely, "Keshav gaadi bhejte hi hoga."

(There's no need for that. Keshav will send a car.)

"Ah..." He seemed a little disappointed. "Sanjana," he cleared his throat again and stepped closer. "Thakurain." I corrected him with a glare. The last thing I wanted was to let him be so informal with me.

"Baldev bahut khatarnaak aadmi hai... Tum jaanti ho. Jo kuch bhi Bhairav ke saath hua... Mujhe ab bhi vishwas nahi hota ki sab Naman ne ki hai."

(Baldev is a dangerous man... You know that. Everything that happened to Bhairav... I still can't believe that Naman did it all.)

I clenched my fist when he brought it up again. The kind of rage I felt whenever I thought of how stupid my husband was to endanger his life and family was unexplainable.

A part of me couldn't forgive myself either.

As people said, he had become softer after getting married. He was more vulnerable since the kids were born.

Maybe if he had been as ruthless as before, nobody would have dared to touch him. He would still have been alive... He... He would have managed to annoy me every day.

It was so insanely painful to even think of him now.

"Aap ab bhi jawaan ho... Akeli ho... Aur aapke jaan ko bhi khatra ho sakta hai, Thakurain Ji. Mai sach batau toh... Pehle nazar se aapse mohabbat karta hu."

(You're still quite young... And you're alone... Your life is also in danger, Thakurain Ji. If I'm being honest... I've been in love with you since the first time I laid eyes on you.)

I froze at his confession.

What?

Was he kidding me?