CHAPTER SIXTY NINE

Jwala :

"Madam, call for you," the driver said.

"What? Who called you for me?" I asked in shock.

It's a cab. Who will call a cab driver for me? Am I trapped? I took the mobile without showing fear on my face.

"Hel... Hello!"

"Welcome to India baby!"

"Idiot, where are you? I expected you to receive me."

"I am a bit busy sona, so booked a cab for you."

"Is it that important to you than me?"

"Yes, it is important than you."

"What is that which is that important to you than me?"

"Your happiness and smile that makes your face glow," he said making me smile.

"When did Mr Agni become this romantic?"

"I didn't notice exactly, but the credit goes to my unromantic wife."

"What? Who said that I am unroma...." I stopped recognising that I am in a cab.

"Let's talk after reaching home my dear husband," I said, and he laughed out for my words.

"Jwala, I sent the address to him. He will bring you safely to me. I will be waiting for you. I love you."

"Love you too," I said and returned mobile to the driver.

After one hour, I reached a temple. I got down from the car and went inside the temple. Vedika came to welcome me. I hugged her.

''How are you Jwala? I miss you, my sister," Vedika said.

"I am fine. How about you? I miss you all," I said, and my eyes searched for my life, i.e., my idiot husband.

"Change your dress in the room and come."

"But why?" I asked her.

"Come on Jwala; there is no time," Vedika said.

I went into the room and wore a sari and jewellery placed over there. I got ready as a bride. I didn't understand what is going on. We were walking into the temple.

"Where are Agni and Jagni?"

"I think my sister is so excited to see her husband, isn't it?"

"Not at all. I am not going to talk with Agni at all. I am dying to see him, and he is playing this kind of game with me," I said pouting.

Someone blindfolded me. I smiled recognising the touch.

"Agni," I said and turned towards him.

I hugged him and kissed on his cheek.

"Jwala, just now you decided not to talk to him, did you forget?" Vedika asked.

"I said I would not talk but I never said that I am not going to hug or kiss him," I said.

"How romantic!" She said and left from there respecting our privacy.

"Welcome to your home which is my heart," Agni said kissing on my forehead.

"You have a surprise, come with me," he said.

I went with him, and in the temple, I found arrangements for marriage. I understood the surprise. He tied the knot to me and kept vermilion on my forehead. We took seven rounds around the fire making promises from the heart. The priest blessed us, and we reached home. Maid welcomed us by Aarti (lit camphor), and I stepped into my housekeeping right leg as per Hindu ritual.

On the floor, I found flowers decorated beautifully in the form of "Welcome." I went inside and rose petals showered on me. I lightened the Diya (lamp) before the God. Agni lifted me in bridal style and took me to our room. He placed me on the bed slowly and kept the baby in my lap.

"We love you," he said

"I love you both," I said kissing my baby.

"Thank you so much for forgiving and marrying me again," I said becoming emotional.

"You are mine, and I can't miss you. Now stop crying and change your dress. After having food, we have to go somewhere that makes you happier."

I nodded. We had food, and I am playing with my baby. Now she is three and a half year old. She is talking, walking and doing a lot of things. I missed everything all these days.

"Jwala, come downstairs. You have a surprise or shock," he said acting weird.

"What? Okay, I am coming," I said.

"Baby will stay in our room," he said.

I nodded and went downstairs. I found my maternal family there. I looked at him. I tried to leave, but he held my hand.

"They came for you!"

"Why? Do they need money or did they find a new customer for their daughter?" I shouted at them with anger, maybe the pain.

"Come on Jwala; They changed now."

"Agni, please stop it. I am not ready to trust anyone except you."

"I was the one who invited them."

I looked at him and went to the kitchen. I prepared tea and brought tea with snacks. I served to them and Agni.

"Shall I go to my room?" I asked him.

"I didn't get you," he said.

"As they are your guests, I served them tea and snacks. Now I am going to my room."

"Look Agni, Only you and Jagni are my family. I don't want anyone else," I said and left for my room.

I stood on the balcony and heard his footsteps approaching me. He kept his hand on my shoulder.

"Are you angry with me, sweetheart?"

I turned towards him and hugged him. He caressed my hairs.

"It is alright! It is not the time to cry, time to cheer up. Everyone will change at some point. We have given a chance to each other and today; we are so happy with our baby. Provide a chance to your family too," he said.

"I can't do that. My parents tried to sell me for money. I can't forgive them," I said.

"I am not asking you to forgive them because it depends entirely on you. Jwala, I don't have a mom. Though my father is alive, he is dead for me. At least, you shouldn't miss your parents. That is why I talked to them,"

"Jwala, your parents, are not bad but their needs and debts made them wicked. I cleared the debt and gave a job to your brother. They came out of their financial problems. So, they don't behave wrongly anymore. I am not asking you to get close to them or accept them. Just talk to them. Give them a chance, and if they didn't use it properly, I promise you that I won't leave them this time. Trust me, baby," he said.

"I trust only you," I said

"Okay, leave it. I asked your parents to leave. If you don't like, I will never invite them to our home in the future. Now go and get ready. We are going to a place."

I nodded and got ready in a sari. I was about to keep Vermilion, but Agni kept it with his hand on my forehead.

"This is how I always love to see you," he said kissing me.

"Shall I bring baby too with us?"

"No dear, let her be with Vedika."

I nodded, but I don't want to leave the baby even for a minute more. Baby is close to Vedika and Agni but not to me. If I didn't share the love with her now, she might not accept me ever.

"Don't think much, everything will be alright."

"What?"

"Baby is your child. So she will become close to you. However, it's true that you need to put an effort for that," he said.

I got down from the car when he stopped the vehicle. I looked at the board of the building.

"Jwalaagni Home for Girls and Women"

I looked at him.

"Repentance needs action. I can't go back into the past and correct my mistake. So, I decided to found this home for victimised women. It's my gift to you. In the past, you were a broken soul, but from today you will be the one who heals broken hearts. I will never break your heart in my life."

Before he completes his words, I hugged and kissed him.

"Jwala, I found the proofs for that message you got from my mobile and the jerk who misbehaved with you," he said.

I smiled. I don't have any doubt on Agni now, and proofs are unnecessary. I trust him completely. We went inside the Home, and Agni introduced me to the women who were rescued and given shelter here. He explained how it works and other things to me. We were back to our home. Agni shifted his belongings to my room, making it our place. Finally, Agni forgave me completely. To be frank, I didn't expect this from him. I thought he would torture me forever for leaving him and marrying that b*st*rd.

"So, what is your plan? Are you going to join me in our business or want to start another firm?" Agni asked me.

"No, Agni. I am planning to take a break for six months. I want to give my whole time for our baby these six months. I want her to feel my love and care for her which was never experienced by her in the past," I said

"Okay, that's not a problem. However, you should plan your career from now."

"I want to establish a school."

"Okay!" he said.

I slept hugging baby and Agni beside me. I felt delighted as I returned to my family. In the morning, Agni went to his office by the time I woke up. He kept a message saying he has a meeting.

I had my breakfast and fed the baby. I was busy in teaching alphabets to baby and Agni returned home. I smiled at him, but he didn't. Instead, he threw a cover on the bed.

"Are you fine, Agni?"

"Open the cover," he said

I opened the cover and saw a few photos which were taken in the US when I visited a pub there with friends. I thought to share it with Agni but forgot as he was busy with work at that time.

"Agni, it's not what you are thinking. I will tell you everything," I said

"Shut up! Who is that with whom you were dancing and held your waist?"

"No Agni, actually..."

"Did you go to the US for this? Why didn't you share it with me? Didn't I tell you that you shouldn't hide even a single thing from me? I gave you the freedom to build your career but not to behave as if you want. Seeing that photo, I can understand that you were drunk too. I didn't expect this from you," he said.

"I am sorry, Agni."

He left without listening to me. What should I do now? It's not what he is thinking. Yes, I should call Aneesh. If Aneesh says what happened precisely, Agni may understand.