-: Rajeshri :-

"Beti, come here and help me," my mother's voice boomed in the whole house and I passed my baba a sheepish look. He was back from the farm, and I was giving him a foot massage when Ma decided to give me another chore.

Uff, I was tired from all this. Running from one corner to the other and doing all the household chores was really tiring. But I couldn't let Ma do everything alone. After all she was also a human.

"What is it ma?" I asked, strolling into the kitchen.

"Why don't you ask Adi? He is capable enough of helping you," I grumbled under my breath, but one glare from ma, and my lips froze

"Cause he is a boy, and he doesn't need to do this thing. Now, cut the vegetables. I really need to go and visit Vimla Maasi once. She is suffering from typhoid."

"Ok ma. Go and take your time. I will take care of everything here," I mumbled. She was always biased about Adi, never letting him do anything. Vimla maasi was our neighbor. She lived alone, cause her sons had left her and went to the city to look for jobs.

I was stirring the pot when baba entered the kitchen and gave me a look full of adoration. Pride was shining in his eyes.

I gave him a smile and asked, "Do you need something baba?"

But before he could answer, a little body collided with baba's leg, a squeal breaking out of his throat. "Baba, see what I drew at school!"

Adi's chirping was the antidote of our gloominess. He was a lively kid, talkative and very naughty. And he owned a big part of my heart.

Baba pulled him up in his arms, and tickled him causing his to break in a fit of giggles. The 7 year old was so cheerful all the time, that sometime he has the power to drove away all our energy.

"What did you make rajkumar? (Prince). A smile grazed my lip at the endearment. Baba always called me, princess and Adi, prince. And for me he was my King.

Adi showed Baba the piece of paper where he drew an island and sea birds, and Baba praised him, kissing his head. Adi's head whirled towards me, and be jerked in Baba's hold, trying to come to me. As soon as baba out him down, he ran down to me, and hugged my leg.

"Didi, look at my painting. Isn't it awesome?" he squealed out. I laughed at his enthusiasm and took the piece of paper from his hand, giving a good inspection.

"Wow Adi sir, I didnt know you were this amazing painter." I praised him and a look of pride flooded his face. He always loved it when I refer to him as 'Sir'.

"I am going to show this to ma." Kissing my cheeks, he ran out of the room in search of ma.

Baba shook his head and chuckled looking at Adi's retreating figure. Coming towards me he gently patted my head. "You have grown up so much meri bacchi. I still remember the day when you were just born. You were crying and throwing a fuss but as soon as I took you in my arms you snuggled into my chest and stopped crying. That was the best moment of my life dear."

His eyes were shinning with unshed tears and I hugged baba, unable to control my emotions.

"Baba, I would always be your rajkumari (princess)."

"Ofcourse beta, but now it's time for me to hand you over to someone who would treat you like a queen."

As soon as Baba's words registers in my brain, I lost my smile and my arms loosened around his torso.

"Baba?" 

"We would go to Mukhiya ji soon, to talk about your marriage. You are 19 beti," he said, with a gentle smile.

My baba was very proud of me. Our village was still back dated and many people clinged to old values. They believed that girls should not be educated or they would grow a tongue and would spoil the name of their family. Baba made sure that I finish my intermediate education, going against almost every other person in this village.

But as soon as Baba saw my blank face he lost his smile. He gently stroked my hair and asked, "Is there someone beti, who has your heart? Whom you love and wishes to marry?"

Yes, this was my baba. So open minded and liberal. Unlike, many other father, I had seen several examples of cruel fathers in my village. Specifically my friend Sunita. Her father burnt her alive when she told him that she loved a guy from the other town. It was a case of honor killing but they got away.

I still remembered that horrific day.

I sighed out and looked at baba. He was so loving and empathetic that I always thank the almighty for giving me him as my father.

Time to tell him about Daud. I just hope he would see beyond the religious barriers. Daud was a muslim, I was not. But I trusted my father and I was in love with Daud since the age 16. We loved each other more than anything.

"Um, yes baba. There is someone," I mumbeled and looked down. Heat creeped up on my neck.

He chuckled and patted my head."Is it dear? Who is the lucky guy who got so fortunate to get the love of my beti?" Baba asked lovingly.

Crossing my fingers behind my back, I opened my mouth and finally decided to tell him the name.

"Daud Akhtar."

There was approximately 10 second silence. Pin drop silence. My nerves started free freezing and I looked up at him. But as soon as I did, my breath hitched.

He had not only lost his smile, but his face was twisted into an angry scowl.

Oh, no.

"What?" My mother strode into the house and glared at me, crossing her hands on her chest.

I decided to avoid my Ma cause it was only baba who mattered at that time for me. I have never seen him giving me that kind of a look. As if he was loathing my choice.

"What is it baba? I told you the nam..."

He turned his back on me and looked at ma.

"Shivani, tell her to go into her room and sleep. Tomorrow morning we would go to Mukhiya ji to talk about her wedding. I will tell him to look for a decent guy."

My heart cracked and my throat clogged at his statement. I just told him I loved Daud and he was taking about marrying me off to some other guy. This wasn't my baba.

"Baba?" I asked, my voicee cracked.

"Girl, go," ma ordered and pointed towards my room. I wiped the lone tear that had escaped my meye and decided to obey baba for now.

Maybe he needed some time. I was hoping he would be okay with Daud by morning. Maybe he needed time and space to analyze my words. I knew it was difficult to accept a muslim son-in-law. But my happiness was with Daud.

"Good Night baba," I said, and walked into my room.

-: Shamrat :-

I curled my hand around her hair as she bobbed her head up and down my groin. Shivers shot through me as my release was approaching fast. After a few hard storkes with her hand I groaned out and found my release. The white semen speared on her face as she licked her lips and stood up from between my legs.

Damn, that was a good release after a stressful day.

Taking out two thousand rupees note from my wallet I threw it at the prostitute and she scampered out of my room after collecting her payment.

I finished signing a few last documents and called my PA.

"Yes sir," Arnab asked, walking into the room with a nervous face.

"I want you to arrange my meeting tomorrow with the new merchants. I won't allow any new traders into my village unless I am genuinely impressed with their products."

"Okay sir, duly noted." Arnab wrote everything on his notepad and swallowed down nervously.

Hmm...

"What is it Arnab? You seem nervous," I finally decided to ask.

"Uh, um nothing sir. Its...It's just that Mukhiye ji wants to meet you tomorrow. Will that be fine? Shall I arrange the meeting then?" He asked, rubbing the cold sweat off his face.

I hated that scoundrel. He was a cheap and spineless bastard. But, he had been asking to meet me for the last few weeks.

"Okay, call his secretary and arrange the meeting. But I don't want his filthy paws here. I would go to his office," I ordered, collected my jacket and strode out of my office.

Rolling into my SUV I ignited the engine and drive away from the compound. It was already late. I just hope ma won't be waiting for me with dinner.

When I drove into my haveli, it was 11:30 pm. The guards opened the door and I walked into my house. The living room lights were off but a dim light was still on in the dining room.

Maa...

Discarding my jacket on the couch I walked into the dining room and found maa sleeping. Her head was resting on the table and her body was bent in an odd angle.

I sighed out and strode towards her. She never listened to me. I was a busy man, and it was obvious that I was needed to spend more time at office. After all I was the pradhan (leader) of my village. It was dependent on me. Every small thing needed my attention.

"Maa," I gently nudged her shoulder and sat down on my knees infront of her. She stirred and fluttered opened her loving eyes. Her lips curled into the most beautiful smile I had ever seen.

"Beta, you are home finally." She said, storing my cheek lovingly. I grasped her palm and gently kissed it.

"Ma, how many I will tell you. Don't wait for me. You are growing old ma, you shouldn't be sitting here at night." I said.

Her face twisted into  irritation. Oops, I shouldn't had called ber old.

"Mr. Shamrat Rathore. Did you just called me oldie?" She asked, in a low angry tone.

I grimanced and wrapped my hands around her, pulling her into a hug. Oh, ma...

"No, maa. You are my darling. How can you turn old?" I asked and gently kisssd her head.

She sighed and rubbed my back. My ma was everything for me. I would not ever hesitate to lay down my life for her.

"Shamrat, can I ask you something beta?" She said.

"Ofcourse ma, anything."

"Promise me, this time you won't turn me down."

Uh, auh. This was not going into a good direction.

"Please get married now beta. You are 30 already. I want to see me son settled down before I decide to start my venture towards heaven." She requested me.

"Ma, please don't say that. You are not leaving me anytime soon." I said, and tightened the hug.

She had asked me several times to get married already. But everytime I refused her. I was not yet ready to say goodbye to my carefree single life. Where I was allowed to fuck any woman I set my eyes on, do anything I want, go anywhere I desire without someone holding me back. Marriage was a lifetime commitment and I wasn't ready for it.

"No beta, it's my last request. Please don't say no." She grasped my hand and pleaded me

"Ma, please don't." I kissed her hand softly and tried to convince her. It was not like I wasn't looking for a perfect woman. But who ever I had met, all of them wanted to be with me for my power or money. They were gold-diggers.

"Okay, do whatever you want. I won't ever ask you anything," she said, turned her back on me and start going out of the dining room.

No, I could never see disappointment in my ma's eyes for me. I had always tried to please her and make her happy. And now, if she wanted me to get married I would.

"Okay ma, I am ready." I spoke out and she stopped in her track.

Turning back towards me with a reluctant look she asked, "You are sure na? I don't want you to change your decision in future."

"Yes ma. If your happiness lies in my marriage then I am ready to get married," I said and sat down on the chair, giving her a loving smile.

She ran towards me with a wide smile and gently kissed my head.

"I am so happy beta. Just wait and watch now. I will find the best bride for my son." She beamed and took the plate to serve me my dinner.

"Okay ma." I said and smiled at her.