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Till now you have read – Kusumita  a young girl from a poor family is forced to marry Nihaar Singh who is heir of a rich family of Delhi.  Soon she comes to know the reason behind their marriage as Nihaar has a dark past, his first wife Radhika’s mysterious death. 

In last part 11, you read how Nihar once again tried to come close to Kusumita. 

Part 12 : dew and the Mist

The mist !

Next day

Kusum opened her eyes as the sunlight blinded her for a moment. She noticed that curtains were drawn. She immediately got up and looked for Nihar. To her relief, he was not in the room. She was now curious to know about his whereabouts. She looked up at the watch and realized that she was quite late. She hurried, took bath and went to the dining area. But he did not come for breakfast. No longer she could suppress her curiosity and ask Dadimaa.

‘Dadimaa, have you seen Nihar?’

‘Kusum, Nihar has gone out of Delhi.’

Kusum noticed Dadimaa was hesitant to say further, so she asked, ‘Out of Delhi….?’

Dadimaa responded without looking at her, ‘Yes, he has gone to Manali. Tomorrow he would be back.’

Surprised, Kusum asked, ‘Why?’

‘He goes every year to Manali for Radhika’s Barsi. That’s the place where she met with that horrible accident.’

Kusum couldn’t believe what she just heard. Last night he was with her, fighting for his rights, making her know that he is her husband; showing his anger, his frustration and today he has gone for Radhika’s Barsi? She almost sank in the chair and a very low voice she uttered, ‘Oh, he didn’t tell me anything.’

Dadimaa was concerned by her reaction, ‘Kusum, he doesn’t like to talk about Radhika. He will come back tomorrow. Don’t worry.’.

Kusum was bewildered, completely muddled up and came back to her room thinking about him. As she sat on the rocking chair, she tried to put all logic behind his action to convince herself.

‘Kusumita, you know it very well. He is still attached to Radhika. He has told you that no one can take her place in his life.’

‘Yes, I also thought so but then last night? Why is he so adamant to be with me when he is in so much love with Radhika? It is so confusing. He was so upset last night when I denied him. Once I think I have understood him, suddenly I see another side of him. I simply can’t understand him.’ She was now very restless to find out the answer, and then remembered his diary and decided to have a look. She went inside his Study, took out the diary and started turning pages. Suddenly she saw a few lines about her on one of the pages.

My love,

You know it very well; I don’t want to get married. I cannot think of any other woman in my life. I can live my whole life with your beautiful memories but Dadimaa, she is so adamant; what shall I do? Other than you, she is the only one whom I care for and I have promised her that I will marry again. Please forgive me, I love you dearly.

I am going to see the girl tomorrow. I promise you, she will not take your place in my life. Never will I let it ever happen.

Nihar

Hurriedly she turned the page and read,

Dear Radhika,

I met Kusumita today. She seems to be a nice girl; her eyes have the same innocence as you. I have said YES but my heart is still revolting. I cannot understand why Dadimaa wants me to marry. Why cannot she understand, I can spend my whole life with your love in my heart.  I don’t need anyone in my life.

Nihar

Kusum turned a few more pages but didn’t find any further reference to her name.  She closed the diary with mist eyes and throat blocked. She is the one who intruded on his life, he didn’t want anyone in his life yet she entered. She now wanted to talk to him. She almost forgot he had injured her womanhood; the insult which she had felt so much, was now full of worries for him.

Rakhi Sunil Kumar