Hi guys! Welcome to the ninth chapter of 'Dildara'. Hope you all will like it and share your precious reviews ❤️☺️
.𖥔 ݁ ˖𓂃.☘︎ ݁˖
Viraj slowly opened his eyes, the first rays of morning light filtering through the curtains. His gaze immediately found Siya.
She was curled up on her side, hugging another pillow tightly against her chest, her face peaceful like a sleeping child. A few strands of her hair danced over her forehead, and she looked so heartbreakingly beautiful that Viraj forgot to breathe for a second.
A small, helpless smile tugged at his lips.
"I wish I were that pillow..." he thought silently, a warmth spreading in his chest.
But he stayed right where he was, not daring to disturb her. Watching her like this-so unguarded, so serene-was a feeling he didn't even know he craved.
The landline on the table rang loudly. Siya groaned and kicked Viraj's leg, making him flinch.
Viraj sat up quickly and grabbed the phone. His eyes burned with anger at what he heard, but he kept his voice steady as he spoke.
Siya slowly woke up, rubbing her eyes. She sat up and looked around, still half-asleep-until she spotted Viraj standing near the telephone. Her eyes widened in shock. Without thinking, she grabbed a pillow and threw it at his face in panic.
"What are you doing here?!" she shouted, fully awake now.
"Good morning my dear wife! Do you always feel like throwing something at me?" Viraj teased, placing the pillow neatly back on the bed.
Siya blinked a few times, her gaze dropping to her hand, where her bangles jingled softly. And then it hit her- she was married now. Of course, he would be here.
"Sorry... everything's so new, that's why I got scared seeing you," she said in a small voice, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
"It's alright," he said warmly. "In a few days, you'll get used to it... I'm not used to waking up next to you either."
Siya's cheeks turned a light shade of pink. She looked away, fiddling with the edge of the blanket.
"But if you're going to wake up every morning by throwing a pillow in anger, then the days are going to be quite interesting."
"Main sudhar jaungi..." she promised, trying to sound serious but failing miserably.
(I will improve....)
"Sudharna zaroori nahi hai. Aap jesi ha wese hi hume bohot pasand ha," his voice was serious but his eyes were sincere.
(Improving isn't necessary. I like you just the way you are, Siya)
"This man!" Siya mumbled under her breath, her cheeks flushing as she quickly dashed into the washroom.
After freshening up, she picked a soft red saree - the same kind her Badi Maa and Chachi had patiently taught her to drape. Her fingers moved carefully, making sure every pleat was perfect. She wanted everything to look just right.
She then took the small vermillion box, pinched a little, and filled the parting in her hair. Quickly, she began wearing her jewelry.
Viraj stood nearby, watching her. His chest swelled with pride seeing his wife like this. She looked so beautiful, it almost took his breath away.
As she was putting on her earrings, he stepped closer and asked softly, "Why are you dressing up?"
She smiled. "Today is my first rasoi. Of course I have to dress up. I still remember how beautiful Bhabhi looked on her first rasoi."
When Siya glanced at him, she saw he was still in his nightwear, staring at her. She wanted to ask why he was looking at her like that, but she knew he would say something that would make her blush even more. And she didn't want to stand in front of her in-laws with a red face - not on her first day.
Instead, she said, "Go get changed and come downstairs quickly."
When she finally came downstairs, she spotted her in-laws sitting in the main hall. She quickly walked toward them and bent down to touch their feet.
Jeevan placed a hand on her head. "Always stay happy, dear."
Siya then turned to Kamini, who gave a small nod as Siya touched her feet.
"Yes, yes, alright," Kamini muttered without much expression. Then, giving Siya a pointed look, she added, "It's your first day at your in-laws' and you're already late? Go, make something for everyone. And first, make tea... add three spoons of sugar in mine, alright?"
"Yes, Maa ji," she said and hurried toward the kitchen.
Siya walked into the kitchen. The maids greeted her with bowed heads, avoiding her eyes. She found it strange but smiled politely and moved to make tea.
"Didi, you look very pretty," chirped a little girl, hardly ten years old.
Siya bent down, smiling warmly. "You're very pretty too. What's your name?"
"My name is Falguni," the girl beamed. She was about to say more when a woman rushed over and grabbed her hand.
"How many times have I told you not to bother anyone!" the woman scolded in a low tone, then quickly turned to Siya, bowing her head low. "I apologize on my daughter's behalf, Badi Bahu Rani... she's just a child, it was a mistake."
Siya felt something strange again but stayed gentle. "There's no need to apologize. Your daughter is very sweet. What's your name?"
"Uh... Lata," the woman answered, startled.
"Alright, Lata didi, could you please show me where everything is kept in the kitchen?"
Lata froze. Didi? No one had ever addressed her with respect. Even Chitra just barked orders.
"Didi? We're getting late," Siya said softly, breaking her trance.
"Yes, yes!" Lata hurried, gathering the essentials with the other maids.
"The tea smells really good," Falguni whispered, earning a sharp glare from Lata.
"Hmm... then I'll make a cup for you too," Siya giggled, stirring the tea and flipping breakfast on the side.
"No, no, Badi Bahu Rani! That's not necessary," Lata said quickly. "The girl talks too much."
"So what? Can't kids have tea too?" Siya teased lightly.
Lata hesitated. "We're just servants... it doesn't feel right for you to do something for us..."
"You've figured out so quickly what feels right to you and what doesn't to me?" Siya winked, though her heart felt the weight of Lata's words.
Just then, Viraj walked into the kitchen. All the maids quickly pulled down their pallus and stood silently in a corner.
"Viraj ji! The tea and breakfast are almost ready," Siya called, smiling.
"It smells really good," he said, glancing around. The maids, sensing his gaze, silently left them alone.
"Why is everyone so scared of you?" Siya asked, puzzled.
Viraj shrugged casually. "I guess I seem a bit too intimidating."
"You?" Siya giggled. "Intimidating?"
Viraj took the spatula from her hand and flipped the roti expertly. "Maybe."
She paused for a second. Viraj Chaudhary? Intimidating? But he was like a fluffy bear - tall, kind, and with biceps so big she might need both hands just to hold one. She quickly shook her head, pushing away her silly thoughts.
"Oh, stop! All the rotis will burn," Siya rolled her eyes playfully. "Anyway, was there a reason you came to the kitchen?"
Viraj nodded, leaning a little closer. "I came to see my wife."
Siya blushed deep red, suddenly very busy stirring the tea.
The maids moved around, quietly serving breakfast. Siya, standing with a polite smile, carefully poured tea for everyone.
"The tea is really good," Jeevan said with a smile after taking a sip. Siya's face lit up happily.
"It's alright," Kamini said, waving her hand dismissively. "Not like my daughter-in-law's... but it'll do."
Siya laughed under her breath and said sweetly, "But I am your daughter-in-law too."
Kamini just shrugged, not even looking up. "Whatever."
Across the table, Viraj caught Siya's eye and subtly tilted his head toward the chair beside him, raising his eyebrows like Come sit. Siya bit back a smile and shook her head lightly.
He narrowed his eyes in mock anger, silently mouthing, "Baitho!" Siya stifled a laugh and stubbornly stayed standing.
(Sit down!)
Jeevan, watching their silent drama with amusement, finally said aloud, "Siya beta, baith jao. Sabke saath nasta karo."
(Siya dear, sit down. Have breakfast with everyone)
"Ji," Siya said, a little shy now. She quickly took the seat next to Viraj.
(Yes)
As she served herself, Viraj casually slid the basket of roti toward her with a small smirk, like he had won the little battle. Siya rolled her eyes at him, but her smile gave her away.
After breakfast, Jeevan called Siya and Viraj in his office room and gifted jewelleries to Siya and a watch to Viraj. Siya looked at Viraj and he just gave a subtle nod.
Siya returned to her room. The quietness suddenly hit her hard. She missed her family so much that it almost hurt. She had never lived away from them before, and deep down, she knew Kamini wasn't going to make things easy for her either.
But... she had no choice now.
There was a soft knock at the door. Viraj's voice came from outside, "Siya, may I come in?"
"Yes," Siya replied, quickly wiping the corner of her eye.
Viraj entered the room, followed by a couple of men carrying a box TV and a DVD player. They quietly set everything up on a small table. Siya watched, a little confused.
Once they were done, Viraj handed the men some money, and they left with a small bow.
Siya looked at him, puzzled. "All this...?" she asked softly.
Viraj shrugged casually. "You like watching movies, right?"
She nodded, surprised.
"That's all," he said simply, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
Siya stared at him for a second, feeling her heart swell with emotions she couldn't even name.
"I have to go. Some work came up. I'll be back soon," he said, and she nodded.
~~~
After lunch, Siya wandered around the haveli, her curiosity pulling her to explore the old, grand rooms. As she passed by the library, she noticed Falguni sneaking inside a room.
Siya furrowed her brows, confused, and quietly followed her. As she stepped closer to the door, it creaked open slightly, and Falguni froze in place, her wide eyes locking with Siya's. The little girl's face drained of color as she looked terrified.
Before Siya could say anything, Falguni burst into tears, her tiny shoulders shaking with sobs. "Didi... please forgive me... please don't hit me," Falguni stammered between sobs, clearly terrified.
Siya looked around-it was the library.
Her heart twisted at the sight. She stepped forward quickly, her voice soft and soothing. "Falguni, I won't hit you. Why are you so scared?"
But Falguni couldn't stop crying, her hands trembling as she clutched her dress tightly. "Didi... I didn't know... I thought you'd be angry... I thought..." she trailed off, unable to finish her sentence.
Siya bent down to Falguni's level, gently placing a comforting hand on her trembling shoulder. "No one will hurt you, okay? You're completely safe," she said softly.
Falguni swallowed her tears and nodded.
"But what were you doing hiding here in the library?" Siya asked kindly.
Falguni stammered, "I... I was... I..."
Siya gave a patient smile. "Don't be scared. I won't scold you, alright? Just tell your didi the truth."
Falguni sniffled, wiping her nose with the back of her hand. "I... I really like books. But... Baba says girls don't need education... so he never lets me study. He's.... against it." she said, her tiny voice breaking with every word.
Siya's chest tightened painfully at her words.
No matter how much time passes, somewhere, someone is still clipping a girl's wings, she thought bitterly. She silently thanked her stars for the family that had always supported her dreams.
Falguni continued in a broken voice, "One day I came here... there were so many books... I was just looking around... and then Maalkin saw me. She said I had come to steal something... and she beat me badly..."
Fresh tears welled up in Falguni's innocent eyes.
Siya felt her heart twist painfully. How could someone be so cruel to such a small child? she thought, anger bubbling just beneath the surface.
"Then... Bade Saheb came," Falguni whispered, as if recalling a hero from her favorite story.
"He saved me... there was even a verbal fight between Maalkin and Bade Sahab."
Siya's eyes softened. "Viraj ji saved you?"
Falguni's face lit up with a bright smile. "Yes! He's really nice. He told me I can come here and take books whenever I want. No one will stop me... not even my mother."
Hearing that, Siya couldn't help but smile too. At least someone in this house still had a heart.
Siya smiled softly, her heart swelling with warmth. She gently wiped Falguni's tears with her hands and said, "So if Bade Shaheb has given you permission, then what's the need to be scared of anymore?"
Falguni sniffled and gave a small, shy smile. "Well... I still get scared... Maa will scold me. She's still forbidden me from coming here, but I just can't stop myself."
Siya gently squeezed her little hand. "You won't get scolded. And if anyone says anything, you just come to your Siya didi, alright?"
Falguni's face lit up at her words, a spark of hope glimmering in her big, innocent eyes.
"Which book do you like?" Siya asked, glancing around at the shelves lined with dusty old books.
Falguni hesitated, then pointed to a corner where a few brightly colored children's books were tucked away. "Those ones... but... I don't know how to read them completely..." she said, her voice dropping.
Siya chuckled softly. "Oh really? Then we'll read them together. You'll learn little by little, and I'll help you."
Falguni's mouth dropped open in pure excitement, and she almost bounced on her toes. "Really, Didi?"
"Absolutely," Siya said with a wink. "But there's one condition."
Falguni's eyes grew wide. "What is it?"
"After reading, you'll have to tell me a good story-your own." Siya teased, tapping Falguni's nose lightly.
The little girl giggled for the first time that day, the sound like a fresh breeze in the heavy silence of the haveli.
Siya sat down on the soft carpet, pulling out one of the colorful books and patting the spot next to her. "Come on, let's begin."
~~~
The man was on his knees, shaking uncontrollably under Viraj's cold, piercing gaze.
As the head of the town, Viraj had only one rule - loyalty or punishment. And today, someone dared to break it.
Viraj sat cross-legged on his royal-like chair, his voice dangerously calm. "So tell me, Vedi ji... who else did you share our new construction documents with?"
Vedi folded his hands, his voice trembling. "Sir... I swear... I didn't give them to anyone..."
Viraj's eyes darkened."Is that so?"
He tossed a file onto the ground in front of Vedi. "Then what's this? We have proof that you have have been selling our busiiness ideas to others calling them as your own."
"Lies! It's all lies, Sir!" Vedi cried out in frustration, sweat pouring down his face.
Before he could say another word, one of Viraj's loyal men, Lagan, grabbed Vedi's arm and twisted it back brutally, making him howl in pain.
Viraj leaned forward slightly, his voice mockingly polite,"Just because I am a decent man Vedi ji...so you thought it was wise to betray me?"
Lagan leaned in and barked, "Tell the truth! Or things will get worse!"
Broken, Vedi sobbed out, "Yes! Yes... I stole them and sold them for money..."
A nasty scoff escaped Lagan's lips. "He has gambled away everything, even pawned his own daughter, Bade Saheb."
That was it. Viraj's expression turned lethal. Without a word, he strode toward Vedi and motioned for Lagan to step back. Lagan obeyed immediately.
In one swift, ruthless move, Viraj kicked Vedi hard in the chest, sending him sprawling to the ground. "You pawned your daughter?" he hissed - his voice no longer cold. It burned with rage.
Vedi gasped for breath, clutching his chest, crawling backward - away from Viraj's boots, away from the fire in his eyes. But there was no escape.
Viraj crouched in front of him, his voice low and sharp like a blade. "You gambled away your life... and now you've thrown your daughter's into the fire too?"
Vedi shook his head frantically, tears streaming down his face. "Sir, it was a mistake... please, just one chance... one chance..."
Viraj tilted his head slightly, as if considering it. Then, in one swift motion, he grabbed Vedi's collar and yanked him forward until their faces were inches apart.
"Mistakes can be forgiven, Vedi... But betrayal? That earns punishment." His whisper was colder than ice, deadlier than a bullet.
Vedi whimpered, "Please... please, have mercy...I am the only earning member in the....the family. "
Viraj's grip tightened. His jaw was stiff, his eyes burning like fire trapped behind ice. Then, without a word, he shoved Vedi hard to the floor.
He stood up, calmly fixing his kurta, and said, "You're begging for your life by talking about family? And you thought a bastard like you would be spared? We'll send you somewhere you won't come back from."
He raised his hand slightly, signaling Lagan. "Take him. Better clean the filth out of him."
His voice was calm. Too calm. And that made it all the more terrifying. Vedi was dragged out, kicking, begging, pleading - but Viraj didn't spare him a glance.
He simply stood there, silent, hands clasped behind his back. Staring out at the blood-red sunset through the old office window.
He took in deep breath. Thinking about Siya. Because she's the only one who can calm down his racing mind.
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