Chapter 2

*Nisha Pov* 

“Please eat a little bit more Aunt.” I pleaded her like everyday, but still she pushed away the plate after eating little. 

“Mom! Please make her eat.” I said, giving Mom the plate. 

“How is she doing?” Bhabhi asked, and I took Jai from her. 

“She is still mourning. It is just one month, right.” I replied, and she nodded. 

“I have been meaning to ask you but didn’t get time. You are not thinking about going through Indu Di’s wish right?” She asked frowning. 

“No Bhabhi! She was under emotional stress and with fear because of which she talked about all those things. And it is wrong if I go through that.” I replied. 

“Thank god! You are too young to get married right now Nisha, and you also have dreams to study more.” Bhabhi said, and I nodded at her. 

“Be careful about what you are saying Sangeetha. If Mom hears you, then you are dead.” Bhai suddenly said coming behind us. 

“I know, I know! Stupid tradition in this family.” Bhabhi said scoffing. 

“I can’t hate that completely like you because it would have been a few years late for me to meet you if not for that tradition.” Bhai said shrugging. 

“And I hate it for the same reason.” Bhabhi said, and I stopped myself from smiling. 

“Anyway, I just hope they will leave me alone for the next few years regarding marriage. I mean, even after knowing the tradition I was shocked when Mom talked about it two years back saying I am eighteen now, and I should get married.” I said shaking my head. 

“Your brother became a hero saving you from that nightmare.” Bhai said ruffling my hair. 

“But I wish they stop their taunts on you.” Bhabhi said frowning. 

“All in the good time, but tell me how is Indu Di’s daughter. I don’t know anything about her.” I suddenly asked, remembering about her when Bhabhi brought the topic about the hospital which I have blocked completely. 

“She is sad and poor kid at the age of five she lost her Mom.” Bhai said frowning. 

“I will see her soon. Where is she staying?” I asked Bhai. 

“With Sudhir! But she will come here today.” He replied, and I nodded at him. 

We three get into the work around the house as there are many relatives still staying at Aunt’s house. 

“Nisha! Come here.” Mom called me from the living room, and I walked towards her along with Bhabhi. 

“What is it Mom?” I asked her frowning. 

“Is the registered office, ok for you?” She asked looking at me. 

“For what?” I asked her confused. 

“For marriage!” She replied, frowning at me. 

“No!” I said, shaking my head. 

“Do you want a proper wedding? Even we want that, but everyone is still grieving for Indu. So it is preferable to do it in the registered office. Your Uncle brought the license yesterday from there.” She said and then I looked at Aunt and Uncle sitting on the other side hearing us. 

“Mom! I... I can’t go with it.” I mumbled slowly so that they can’t hear. 

“What do you mean you can’t? It was her last wish.” Mom said shouting. 

“Aunty! It is her life.” Bhabhi slowly said and started calling Bhai. 

“You stay away from this, Sangeetha. We need to fulfill the promises we make.” Aunt said walking towards us. 

“Mom! You do not seriously want this, do you? She is just twenty for god’s sake.” Bhai said walking towards us. 

“So? Is it a crime to get married at twenty?” Mom asked him. 

“No! But she has dreams to chase Mom so let her live her life on her wishes.” Bhai replied, placing his hand on my shoulder and Bhabhi stood beside me. 

“I can’t believe this. My Daughter on the death bed wished only one small wish, and you all are not going to fulfill it.” Aunt shouted at us. 

“Aunt! She was under her own pressure and at those times, we wish for something which we don’t want.” I tried telling her. 

“No! For the past one week, before she left us, she was saying something similar to that. She was saying she doesn’t want her daughter to go away from all of us and that just makes sense for this.” Aunt said. 

“Even if he marries someone else Ayesha will always be your granddaughter so don’t think like that, Aunt.” Bhai said. 

“See, what your children are doing Parvathi. They are ignoring my only daughters wish.” Aunt said slowly crying. 

“Will you guys stop putting this emotional pressure on her? Did you guys even forget that he is nearly eight years older than her?” Bhabhi asked, raising her voice, and I held her hand. 

“Don’t be so selfish, Nisha. Think about the small kid who needs someone in her mother’s place right now.” Mom said and I bit my lip. 

“Mom! He will find somebody for himself. And then she will get all the love she needs.” I said pleading her. 

“What if she doesn’t care for that little kid properly?” Aunt asked. 

“And we all are here to make you treat the kid with love and not like some stepmother.” When she added this, I rubbed my forehead. 

They don’t trust me but are just thinking that they can control me like they wish. 

“Uncle, please say something.” I said, looking at him. 

He just sat there numb and didn’t open his mouth. I don’t even know what to do to make them understand this is not needed. 

“If you can’t keep your promise, then I will disown you.” When Mom said that I just looked at her in hurt. 

Can’t she understand my thoughts here? 

“And also your brother with his family.” When she added that my eyes went wide. 

“Mom! You can’t do that to Bhai” I whispered, completely shocked that she is even going to these measures. 

“And you can’t emotionally blackmail her using us.” Bhabhi said, and Mom closed her eyes understanding what she said. 

“Sudhir! At least, you tell them what they are doing is wrong.” Bhai asked suddenly, making me turn around to see a guy standing at the door with a little girl in his arms, but I can’t see her face, but I can see his face which I have already seen a few years back. 

“I too don’t want this, but she made me promise on my daughter. I love my daughter, so I am going with it.” He replied with a complete blank voice. 

Then slowly the little girl turned towards us making me say that one word which changed my life after staring at her for a few minutes “Yes!”