Five months had passed with the constant torment from my mother-in-law and Rakesh for not bearing them an heir. Each day only grew worse, and Rakesh had become more unbearable with every passing night. There was never a single conversation between us except for his nightly cruelties. My body was growing weaker day by day.
Radhika sister had been kind; she spoke to me every day. I would pour my heart out to her, and she would listen with pity in her eyes. I often felt she had something to confess but was struggling against the thought. I never asked, because she was the only person I had and I couldn’t risk losing her. We shared secret dishes we cooked, and the terrace had become my little heaven.
She often advised me to leave this hell, but I couldn’t do it. She used to joke about poisoning the mother and son, and we would laugh together, finding a little comfort in those dark jokes.
In these five months, one thing had changed—my father-in-law.
One day, I wasn’t feeling well and couldn’t cook. My mother-in-law screamed as usual and forced me into the kitchen. My father-in-law, who had always been a silent spectator, quietly stepped in. Without saying a word, he took over and cooked the meal himself. Once he finished, he left silently. I served the food to my mother-in-law, who didn’t even seem surprised.
He never spoke much to me, but sometimes he would give me a faint, pitying smile that disappeared just as quickly. On some mornings, he even made coffee or cooked breakfast before I entered the kitchen. I would thank him softly, but he always left without a word. At least he had a heart and had finally begun to see what was happening to me.
Now, my mother-in-law stood dressed in a rich silk saree, adorned with heavy jewels. I fidgeted with my pallu, waiting for Rakesh to arrive. When he walked in, dressed in a formal outfit, his eyes travelled from head to toe with a smirk. I knew that look—it was his way of taunting me, reminding me that every piece of cloth I wore was bought by him. The silk saree and simple jewels felt unbearably heavy on my body, but I couldn’t refuse. He had chosen them and warned me to wear them.
I still had no idea where he was taking us. We walked out, leaving my father-in-law at home. My mother-in-law sat in the front seat beside her son, and I sat quietly in the back. I was sure he wouldn’t kill me, not with his mother accompanying us or perhaps they were together, planning something worse.
My mother had finally given up calling me, and strangely, I felt relieved. There was no one left who called me anymore. Only Rakesh would call occasionally, just to inform me if he wanted something special for dinner, like ordering a maid to cook.
My train of thoughts came to a halt when I saw the place we had arrived at. I was utterly shocked—it was Kavitha aunty’s house. I looked at Rakesh through the rear-view mirror, and he smirked at me.
Without a word, he got down from the car, and I had no choice but to follow. Thankfully, Priya was the first person we met. She hugged me tightly, and I managed a faint smile.
“Meera, you’ve changed so much. I missed you a lot,” she said warmly.
I just hummed in response, glancing around at the beautifully decorated house.
“What’s the occasion, Priya?” I asked.
Before she could reply, I heard Kavitha aunty’s voice. She walked out carrying a baby and smiled at me.
“It’s Manoj bro’s daughter, today is her naming ceremony.” Priya said cheerfully.
I froze in surprise. Kavitha aunty approached me and she was about to place the baby in my arms, but my mother-in-law quickly stepped forward, snatching the baby before I could hold her.
“You’re so lucky that your daughter-in-law gave birth to a daughter,” my mother-in-law said mockingly.
Kavitha aunty gave me a tight-lipped smile, clearly uncomfortable. Then she glanced behind me, and I turned to see what caught her attention. My parents and brother were talking to the devil and his wife. They were smiling and chatting comfortably as if nothing was wrong.
I rolled my eyes and turned back toward the baby in my mother-in-law’s arms. She looked so beautiful… a pure soul born to the wrong man.
When it was time for the naming ceremony, Kavitha aunty gently took the baby back from my mother-in-law. I stood beside Priya, ignoring the taunting looks from Rakesh and his mother, who had now joined my parents.
My mother walked up and stood beside me, but I didn’t bother to greet her. The devil and his wife laid the baby in the cradle and named her Swathi. Everyone blessed the child, and Rakesh looked at me, giving me a signal. I understood and stood beside him. He placed an envelope in the baby’s tiny hand and touched her cheek.
A wave of disgust washed over me. Men like him didn’t deserve a child in their life.
I stepped away and returned to stand beside Priya. My mother immediately grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the backyard.
“Meera, what happened to you? Why don’t you answer my calls? You haven’t spoken since the day you left after the wedding. Did you think you could get rid of us with your marriage?” my mother asked. I chuckled and wrenched my hand free from hers.
I took a step back and looked at her properly. She looked good — dressed in a nice saree, years seeming to have been kinder to her.
“You sold me to a man to give your family a better life, I don’t think a slave should return to the old master. I’m grateful to the new master who bought me. That should be enough.” I said, my voice steady.
Amma looked terrified by my words, but I didn’t care. I started to walk away when she gripped my hand to stop me. She seemed to calm herself and touched my head—an old gesture of love that felt foreign now.
“Meera, I don’t know why you’re so angry, We did what we thought was best. Rakesh ji is settled — you won’t struggle for food or clothes anymore. Now you must focus on holding this life together. Look at Manoj’s wife; she’s already had a daughter. Should we consult a doctor for you? Don’t waste your life, Meera. Think about having a child.” she said softly.
My patience snapped. I stepped toward her, eyes flashing.
“For once, can you think about anything beyond food and clothes? I worry about more than that. There’s no point talking to you—so carry on with what you’re here for. Leave me alone.”
I turned and walked back into the hall. The guests had moved to the front yard and the terrace, where the food was being served. I started to leave, but then Manoj appeared, carrying his daughter and smiling indulgently. He hadn’t noticed me at first.
I thought of ignoring him, but something in me snapped. I stopped and waited until he looked up. His smile vanished, replaced by a frown, his brows knitting with unease. He opened his mouth to speak, but I raised my palm to stop him.
“I know you have a lot to say, a lot to blackmail me with, I m curious, what did you feel when you touched your wife? What would she feel if she knew what you did to me? What would she do if she saw the video you plan to use to ruin me?” My grin was small and bitter, I said, my voice cold. His jaw clenched.
For the first time, I had the upper hand, he fell silent. I looked at his daughter, at him.
“Your daughter is beautiful — like an angel. Make sure she stays safe. You aren’t the only monster in this world. Your father and my husband are no less than you, in fact, they’re partners in crime. It won’t be long before they find a new prey. I hope you spend every day in hell, raising your daughter in fear, because I was someone’s daughter too and you ruined me. My only blessing to your little angel is that she never falls into the hands of devils like you.”
He instantly hugged his daughter to his chest and I walked out head high.
I saw Rakesh talking with my father and my mother in law was nowhere to be seen. May be she has gone to fill her forever hungry stomach.
My father smiled at me but I just ignored him and looked for Priya. She was with her friends so I didn’t disturb her and sat in a corner waiting for Rakesh and his mother to leave the place.
My parents lead Rakesh inside and served him specially. Wish the baby pee or poop in his food but I know that wouldn’t happen with a lot of diaper brands in market now.
An hour later finally they were done with everything and we returned to the car. I got in the back seat and closed my eyes leaning on the window knowing well what would happen now. My mother in law turned on her recorded words.
” Everyone are having baby except for you Rakesh. I don’t know what did you see in this stupid girl. She can’t even give birth to a child and we are spending money on her for nothing. All she does is eat and sleep. Wish we found someone like Manoj’s wife. She is educated, her parents gave dowry and she gave birth to a child in a year. You had to go all the way to that rural village and spent so much money to bring this barren into your life “
Tears rolled down my cheeks but I refused to open my eyes.
” Amma, lets go home and talk about this ” Rakesh said but whom are we speaking about ? My mother in law wouldn’t stop cursing me until we reached her home.
Yes, this isn’t my home. I never had a home in my life all these years.
I got down the car and rushed to the room. I shut the door and threw the saree and jewels and got changed into a faded old saree which I used more often. I opened the door and saw Rakesh standing with his jaws clenched.
” Did you see the baby ? Aren’t you ashamed you couldn’t bear a child ? And here you are showing me attitude ? Why did you shut the door knowing well I would entering the room ? ” he screamed and I just moved from his way giving his way to enter.
” I asked you a question. Why did you shut the door ? Are you hiding something from me ? ” he asked and slapped me for no reason.
I held my cheeks and looked at him and got rewarded with another slap. Before he could slap me further I rushed out of the room.
” I should leave this hell. I don’t deserve to be ruined by anyone in my life. I need to find a way “
I entered the kitchen and saw my father in law serving food to his plate. Seeing me he moved out and I saw some food left in the pot.
Kind man cooked for himself and left something for me. I served the food to the plate and sat on the kitchen floor.
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A/N:
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