Rudrani PoV:
I woke up the next morning to find myself sleeping on my husband's chest. The feeling of being loved just made me blush! I stayed like that for a couple of minutes watching his every feature and that's when I heard him.
"Stop it dear. I am yours for the whole life. But now we have college to attend"
I just couldn't speak anything. I just looked in opposite direction to avoid another embarrassing situation.
Ashu just laughed out loud and went into the washroom.
We both got ready and we're having breakfast with our Parents.
"Ashu, Today is Saturday right. Ahmed called and said that they have arranged for you both a small party in your favorite pub. She tried to call you. But your phone was switched off. So he told me to inform you.You both are going right?" Mom said looking at both of us.
"No Mom, Actually the thing is.. " Ashu was trying to say something looking at me and then at mom.
" Yes we are going Mom, Actually am so excited to go to a pub. I never went to a pub before." I said giving Ashu a smile.
" Oh! That's nice Rudrani. Don't worry this pub is a very sophisticated and a decent one. And anyway Ashu will be with you always. Is it not Ashu? "
" ... Yes mom! Obviously! I am always with her. "
He said lightly squeezing my hand he was holding under the table. I just looked down blushing.
" Rudrani, are you sure about this? Do you really want to go to pub or is it because of me? I don't want you to be uncomfortable." Ashu asked
while driving on the way to college.
" No, I really want to go to the party. They are your friends and they love you so much. I don't want you to neglect them for me. Even I would like to see new places.Thats why I agreed"
" I am not neglecting them Rudrani, You are my first priority and my life. I just don't want you to compromise in anything."
I felt happy towards his concern and understanding. Slowly I am becoming comfortable with his company. At evening he picked me from college.
"Sweet heart, I brought a gift for you. I hope you will wear it for party" he said.
I opened the cover and thrilled seeing a beautiful gagra in it.
"Gagra for pub?" I almost got shocked.
"Sweet heart, there is a salwar kameez too in the cover. That gagra is something which I liked so much. So, I thought to buy it for you. Wear the salwar kameez, if you like. I can understand that you don't like to wear modern dresses" he said to me.
I wore that salwar kameez and accompanied him to pub. As we reached there, I held his hand tight with nervousness. He smiled looking at me and held my hand.
"Don't worry, I am with you" he said and I nodded.
We both went inside and his friends waved hand to him. We went there and joined them.
"Rudrani, they are my friends Vishnu, Ahmed and Tina" he introduced them.
I smiled and said hi to them.
"Tina, where is our devil Artika? Even her mobile is not reachable. Is she fine?"
"I hope so. Actually she sent a message to me saying that she is going for mountain trekking" Tina replied
"Oh, I called her to invite for my marriage. But I couldn't reach her"
"Let's wait for her return. We can't do anything than that and now let's enjoy" his friend said.
"We are so sorry Rudrani. I know you are going through a tough phase of your life" his friend Tina said.
I didn't say anything though I don't like others to show pity on me.
"Ya Rudrani, no one should face this. It's really tough to live after those many surgeries and facing the words of everyone around you" his friend Vishnu said.
"Stop it guys. Enough. I don't understand why you people are showing pity on my wife. Look, she is not in a position to show pity. She is strong and courageous. She is an inspiration. You should be pity on those people who spoil their life, though they have everything.
Rudrani is a great girl. She know how to fight against the odds and create a history by inspiring others with her guts. I am proud of my wife. You people might be thinking beauty is everything but for me, attitude is everything. Even a beautiful girl looks ugly to my eyes, if her attitude is not good. But, my Rudrani has a kind heart and good nature. Try to learn from her rather than showing pity on her" Ashu said making me shed happy tears.
"We are sorry Rudrani. Ashu is right, you are a strong woman. There's nothing to pity on you" his friend Ahmed said and Tina, Vishnu nodded.
Ashu asked for my hand to dance. I gave my hand to him. He took me to dance floor and started dancing with me. While dancing, Ashu came close to me. His eyes met mine making me shiver. His eyes are so beautiful and they show genuine emotions and feelings. Having a person who loves me truly is really a blessing. I hope I am blessed but still I am unable to trust him completely. Does he really love me? Is it really a rehearsal where Ashu proposed Artika? I really hope so.
"Your eyes are beautiful" Ashu said bringing me out of my thoughts.
I blushed. After dancing for some more time, we returned home. I washed my face and came to room changing into night suit. He looked at my face as it's not covered with mask now.
"Rudrani, why do you wear mask all the time? You look beautiful as you are. Why do hide your face as if you have done something wrong where as the culprit roaming freely without any fear" Ashu asked me.
"Ashu, who told you that only people who do wrong cover their face with mask? They are many reasons for using scarf. It may be because of pollution, dust allergy, tanning etc. Why don't you think in other ways?" I asked.
"Fine, tell me about you Rudrani. Why do you use scarf?"
"I didn't want anyone to feel uncomfortable seeing my face or show pity on me"
"Look Rudrani, you are living for yourself. Not for others. In ancient days, women used to hide behind curtains and are not supposed to show their face as it's a custom. But now women are coming out to get a recognition to their identity.
Don't hide yourself from others. I don't want my wife to hide her face from the world. From this second, don't wear this scarf" he said taking away scarf from my head.
How can he decide it on behalf of me? I felt hurt and my freedom was curtailed. I stayed silent as I know I need time to understand him completely.
"Rudrani, I didn't want to hurt you. You are free to do whatever you want. But hiding your face thinking what others may think is something which I don't like" he said hugging me from side.
"Tell me one thing. Are you habituated to use scarf even before this incident?" He asked softly.
"No"
"So this is a change after the incident. It means you are not doing it heart fully. I don't want any changes to come into your life because of this incident, that's the only reason behind asking you to remove the mask. If you feel offended, it's upto you. But however you are and whatever you do, I love you as you are" he kissed my forehead.
I slept beside him thinking about his words. I decided to take off the mask. Why should I change for someone? I am not habituated to wear scarf before this acid attack. Then why now? I should be as I am.
In the morning, I woke up and went to kitchen to help mom in preparing break fast. Ashu came downstairs getting ready. I don't know why but he didn't talk to me from morning. I too hesitated to talk to him.
"Mom, can you please give me a coffee" he asked mom and not me.
"I will bring it. It's ready" I said slowly without looking at him.
"Ok, bring it to room" he said to me and went off.
I went to room with coffee. I gave it to him.
"I am sorry Ashu, I didn't mean to hurt you. Actually I too decided to take off my scarf from today"
"No Rudrani, you didn't do anything wrong. It's your life and you have every right to take decision. It's my fault to force my thoughts on you. I am sorry for that. Feeling guilty, I didn't talk to you from morning. Hope you understand" he said.
I smiled. I am about to talk but hearing mom calling me, I went downstairs followed by Ashu. There I saw my father waiting for me.
"Dad" I said and about to go to him but stopped as Ashu held my hand.
"Go to our room Rudrani" he said very seriously to the extent where I get frightened.
"Ashu, her father came to meet her. Let her meet him" mom said.
I looked at him.
"Didn't you hear what I said? Go to our room. I wilk talk to you" he said and left my hand.
"Mom, now I am everything to her. The moment he sold her, their relationship was broken completely. Now she is not his daughter as no father sells his daughter. So, I don't want my wife to meet a stranger or such a father" he said looking seriously at my dad.
"Beta, I came here to return the money which you gave to me. I don't want this money. I came here to apologize my daughter for my past deeds. Please let me talk to her once" dad said requesting him.
"I never have a habit of taking the things which I gave once. I will think that I have donated that money on my wife's name. Now you can leave" Ashu said with same serious tone though dad had tears in his eyes.
"I want to meet my dad. You can't force your decisions on me Ashu" I said to him.