Chapter - 6
Siya went inside, and her brother immediately stood up and hugged her.
"Sorry, baccha," he said, "I got late for breakfast. I told Mom I'd come for lunch instead.
She told me you went to college because you had something important, but I know you were angry with me, that's why you came a little late, right? "
Siya glanced at her taiji, who silently signaled with her eyes for her not to say a word. Her taiji had not mentioned anything about her son and daughter-in-law coming because she didn't want them to spend time with Siya.
"It's not like that, bhai," Siya replied. "I went to the temple, so I got a little late." She then greeted her bhabhi warmly.
Dev smiled and said, "It's okay. You get ready, and then we'll go out for dinner.
" Siya knew that if she agreed, her taiji would scold her and maybe even slap her once her bhai and bhabhi left.
So, she quickly responded, "No, bhai, I'm not feeling well.
We'll eat at home. You came after so many months, and if we go out, we won't have much time to spend together. "
Dev thought for a moment before nodding. "Okay, then go freshen up. Tara will make tea for you, and we'll order your favorite food."
Siya went to her room, and after a while, her bhabhi brought a cup of tea for her.
The two chatted for some time. When it was time for dinner, Siya and Tara went outside, where her brother had already ordered Siya's favorite food.
He told her to sit at the dining table. Siya only ate there when her brother was present.
They all ate together, but it was Siya and her brother who did most of the talking.
Siya's tauji and taiji didn't seem pleased, but they didn't say anything, not wanting to upset their son.
Natasha was not at home, as she had gone to a party.
After dinner, Siya's tauji and taiji went to their room, and Siya and her bhabhi, Tara cleaned the kitchen together.
Dev made coffee for himself, his wife, Tara and his sister, Siya. They all gathered in Dev and Tara's room. Dev looked at Siya and asked, "How is everything?"
"It's fine, bhai," she replied. Then, she asked how things were going with their work, and they talked for a bit.
Tara then took out some gifts she had brought for Siya.
First, she handed Siya a beautiful maroon printed kurta set with a matching dupatta.
Siya loved it. Then, Tara gave her some silver earrings, as Siya loved to wear them.
Siya thanked her brother for the gifts, but Dev smiled and said, "This time, it was only your bhabhi who selected the gifts, I was too busy."
Siya then thanked her bhabhi as well.
Dev looked at Siya and said, "After you finish your graduation, please come with me, and you can complete your further education there." Siya knew that her tauji and taiji would never allow this, and she couldn't say no to her brother, so she just nodded.
Dev also gave her some cash, but Siya tried to refuse. "Please keep it," her brother insisted. "I didn't get you a gift, so if you accept this, I won't feel guilty."
Siya hesitated but finally took the money. "When are you both going back?" she asked.
Dev's expression softened. "I'm sorry, baccha, but I have to leave tomorrow morning. But I promise I'll come next month."
Siya felt a pang of sadness but didn't say much. Dev noticed and said, "Baccha, why don't you start using a phone? I'll ask Mom to get you one, so you can call me anytime."
Siya's heart sank at the thought. "No, bhai," she said quickly. "I don't like phones. I'm fine without one."
Dev didn't press her further and said, "Okay, if you don't want one, you can always call me from the landline at home. You already have my number, and I'll give you my office number too."
After a little more conversation, Siya went to her room. That night, she slept peacefully, feeling happy that she had spent time with her brother and bhabhi.
The next morning, Siya woke up early, wanting to meet her brother and bhabhi before they left.
She got ready in the same suit her bhabhi had gifted her the day before, and she also wore the silver earrings Tara had given her.
She then went to the kitchen and made tea and coffee.
After preparing the drinks, she went to her taiji and tauji's room and gave them the tea. Then, she gave coffee to Natasha.
Finally, Siya went to her brother and bhabhi's room and knocked on the door. Tara opened the door and smiled. "You look beautiful, Siya," she complimented. "Why did you make the tea and bring it here? I was going to the kitchen anyway."
Before Siya could reply, her brother walked in. "Because she knows I miss her tea," he said, smiling.
The three of them sat together and drank tea, chatting for a few moments. Just then, Siya's taiji, Meenakshi entered the room, clearly displeased by Siya's presence but not saying anything. "Dev and Tara, have you packed your things?" she asked coldly.
Tara nodded, "Yes, Mummy ji." Meenakshi then handed Tara some homemade snacks and pickles, telling her to pack them.
Dev and Tara made their way to the living room to meet Suresh and Natasha. After a brief meeting, Tara gave Natasha a dress and the two left. Suresh and Natasha retreated to their rooms.
Meenakshi, fuming, turned to Siya. She grabbed Siya's hand tightly and demanded, "Whom did you ask to wear this new suit?"
Siya, fearful, answered softly, "Bhabhi gifted it to me."
Meenakshi tightened her grip on Siya's hand, growling, "Go and change into something else. You don't deserve to wear anything my daughter-in-law gives you. Change now and give me the suit. Start making breakfast. You've already wasted enough time."
Siya didn't argue. She went to her room, washed her face, and changed into a simple suit.
she headed to the kitchen to prepare breakfast and set the dining table.
When everyone arrived for breakfast, Siya ate in the kitchen, cleaning up afterward.
Afterward, she went back to her room to grab the suit her bhabhi had given her, along with her college bag.
As she passed through the living room, she stopped to place the suit on the table in front of her taiji.
But as she began to walk away, Meenakshi's voice rang out, angry and loud.
"Siya!"
Fearfully, Siya turned around. "Ye-yes, taiji?"
"Come here," Meenakshi ordered.
Siya walked slowly toward her taiji, who grabbed her hair roughly, pulling her closer. "How dare you?" Meenakshi shouted. "I told you to stay away from Dev and Tara. What were you doing in their room at night?"
"T-taiji, bhai told me to...," Siya stammered, but her taiji cut her off.
"Shut up! I don't want to hear anything from you," Meenakshi snapped. "Lately, you haven't been listening to me at all. Today, I'm going to teach you a lesson that you'll never forget. You won't do anything without my permission."
"No, no, taiji, I'm sorry. Please forgive me," Siya pleaded, but Meenakshi slapped her hard across the face, sending her crashing to the ground.
"I said, shut up!" Meenakshi hissed. "I don't want to hear your useless voice."
She grabbed Siya's hair tightly again and dragged her toward the store room. "Taiji, sorry! Please, taiji, don't do this," Siya begged, but Meenakshi ignored her pleas.
Once inside the dark, cold store room, Meenakshi slapped her again. "Stay quiet," she ordered, before walking out.
A few moments later, Meenakshi returned holding a belt in her hands. Siya's heart sank. It had been a year or two since Meenakshi had last used the belt, and Siya feared the worst.
"Please, taiji, no! I'm sorry. I won't repeat it. Please forgive me," Siya begged, her hands folded in front of her.
But Meenakshi was unmoved. "I've told you many times to stay away from Dev and Tara.
But you didn't listen. After this, you will remember to obey.
" She swung the belt, hitting Siya's body several times.
Siya cried out in pain, begging her to stop, but Meenakshi didn't care.
She enjoyed seeing Siya helpless, crying, and in agony.
After five or six strikes, Meenakshi stopped.
She stood over Siya, her eyes cold. "You'll stay in this store room for five days," she said.
"You'll only get one meal a day, and only water for the rest of the day.
You've already eaten today, so you get nothing but water at night.
Don't make a sound. I don't want to hear anything from you. "
Meenakshi left the room, locking the door behind her. Siya was left in the dark, her body aching, her heart broken, and her tears flowing uncontrollably.