She entered the room, hesitant, her eyes scanning the unfamiliar faces. As she did, a woman was passing by with a plate brimming with marigold flowers. Halima stopped her gently. "Radha kaun hai?",she asked, and the woman gestured toward a group of women seated in a corner.
(Who is Radha?)
Taking a breath, she approached the group and called out to the stunning woman in the orange saree who was busily attending to the ladies. “Aap Radha hain?”,she asked softly. But in the lively chatter of the room, her voice barely reached Radha’s ears.
(Are you Radha?)
She shifted uncomfortably, catching the curious gazes of a few women standing nearby, who seemed to be observing her.
Once more, she tried, her voice a bit louder, “Suniyeee…”,But Radha was too absorbed in serving tortillas and puris to the others, laughing warmly as she chatted with a woman beside her. Halima couldn’t help but admire her, captivated by the brightness in Radha’s eyes as she shared a laugh with another woman.
(Excuse me…)
One of the women standing beside Halima noticed her anxious expression and offered a friendly smile. "Radhika ka bulai rahi ho?",she asked knowingly, catching Halima's gaze.
(Are you calling Radhika?)
Halima nodded, feeling a wave of embarrassment. The woman beside her chuckled and called out loudly, shaking her head with a playful smile, "Rakhika bitiya..… Ee dekhna, koi tohka bulavt hai!"
(Radha, look! Someone’s here to see you!)
Radha looked over, her gaze landing on Halima. She stood up, adjusted her saree’s drape gracefully over her head, and made her way toward Halima with a warm smile,her movements were Sure and Elegant.
“Jii…?” she greeted, a gentle smile lighting up her face more. Halima, lost in thought, took a moment to respond, mesmerized by Radha’s beauty. When Radha smiled, her dimples appeared, and her large eyes crinkled, enhancing her charm. The maroon lipstick on her lips was sone par suhaga—"the perfect touch"—to her lovely face.
(Yes!)
“Wo… Mai… Mai… Unki biwi hun,” Halima stammered, her voice trembling slightly.
(I… I am his wife.)
Radha looked at her, bewildered. “ Mere Unki?” she asked, her brow furrowing slightly.
("My...His?")
Halima swallowed, the awkwardness of saying his name feeling almost impossible. “Woh… Mai Faizabad se aai hun, Halima Ra-za Chaudhary…” she said, her voice hesitant as she forced herself to say her full name, hoping Radha would understand.
(I… I’ve come from Faizabad, Halima Ra-za Chaudhary…)
Radha’s eyes widened in surprise, and a delighted smile spread across her face. She looked at Halima with open excitement before pulling her into a warm hug.
“Hyyyyee… Ramji! Raza ki patni hai aap… Milkar bohut khushi hui!” Radha exclaimed, her laughter full of joy as she hugged Halima tightly.
(Oh my! You’re Raza’s wife… It’s such a pleasure to meet you!)
Halima hugged her back, caught between shock and amusement, feeling the warmth and welcomed in Radha's embrace.
"Accha, thodi derr intezaar karo, bass do minute mein aati hoon… Bhookh lagi hogi na? Mere saath khaogi ya abhi yahin?” Radha asked curiously, her eyes warm with concern.
(Alright, just wait a moment; I’ll be back in two minutes… Are you hungry? Will you eat with me, or right here?)
Halima paused, unsure of what to say, then replied softly, “Aapke saath… Mai intezaar kar leti hun, aap apna kaam poora kar lein.”
(With you… I’ll wait, you finish what you need to.)
Radha’s face brightened, and she smiled, calling over her sister-in-law. “Shweta… Inko nashta karao, mai bas aati hoon sabko dekh kar,” she instructed, smiling warmly at Halima before returning to the gathering.
(Shweta… Serve her some snacks, I’ll be back after checking on everyone.)
Shweta led Halima to a cozy corner where a sofa was arranged. She gestured for her to sit and brought water, sweets, and other treats, but Halima only ate a little, her mind distracted.
As she looked around the spacious room, she noticed how lively it was—every corner filled with laughter and conversation. The decoration was both elegant and vibrant, giving a festive feel to the place.
After what seemed like half an hour, Radha came hurrying over to her, her friends trailing behind, a playful energy surrounding them. Radha’s face lit up as she approached, a delighted sparkle in her eyes that matched the warmth of the room.
“Hum kahe the inko ki tent mein auraton ko khila dein, yahan sab bhand ho jaayega. Par humko toh bewakoof samjhte hain ye,” Radha muttered, a trace of annoyance in her tone as she glanced around the bustling room.Then, catching sight of Halima, her expression softened instantly, a sudden smile breaking through as if swept by a wave of mood swings.
(I told him to serve the ladies in the tent; it’ll become chaotic here. But he think I’m foolish.)
“Waise, aapka naam kya hai?” she asked with curiosity. But before Halima could answer, Radha quickly added, “Yahan khana laayen ya wahan chalengi?”
(By the way, what’s your name? Shall we bring the food here, or would you prefer to sit over there?)
Halima looked from Radha’s friends to Radha herself and replied, “Halima,Aap jahan chahen…”
(Halima...Wherever you wish…)
Radha smiled, and a few minutes later, they were seated where the others were dining. Radha chatted warmly with Halima, her friends joining in, each of them making an effort to put Halima at ease. As they ate together, the cheerful Gossips around the table started to relax her.
In the course of their conversation, Halima learned that the Thakur family had four sons. Radha’s husband, Aditya, was the second son. The eldest, Omkaar, was married to Preeti. Halima came to attended the wedding of the third son, Vivek, and his to be wife's name was Vidhisha. The youngest, Shivam Thakur, was still unmarried. Among the four brothers, there was one sister, Shweta, who was the youngest of them all.
Surrounded by this vibrant family, Halima felt both the warmth and weight of it, each voice around her telling a story, each smile pulling her a little further into world.
“Kal raat ko toh khaana khane ka bhi waqt nahi mila tha hume…” Radha’s elder sister-in-law, Preeti, said, her voice tinged with mild frustration.
(Last night, I didn’t even had time to eat...)
“Haa haa… Kyu milta? Aise hi kamre mein sone ko thodi kaha gaya hai,” Radha teased, and the room erupted in laughter. After a moment, Halima, realizing the implication of Radha’s words, felt her face flush crimson with embarrassment and shyness.
(Yes Yes... Why would you get time? It’s not like he told you to only sleep in a room or anything.)
“Arey nahi Radha, aisi baat nahi hai. Inko jagah badalne par neend nahi aati hai, is liye kamre mein hai,” Preeti quickly defended herself and her husband, trying to keep her little secret which was not a secret anymore, while everyone laughed even harder.
(Oh no, Radha, it’s not like that. he is not able to sleep well when he changes the place, that’s why he sleeps there.)
“Accha Jijji, humko na batao ye sab! Unko neend nahi aati,Aur aap ka kya? Jethji bacche toh na hain, jo akele na so sake?” Radha teased, her eyes twinkling mischievously. Preeti shot Radha a shy glare, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. Watching their playful exchange, Halima couldn’t help but smile, enjoying the warmth of the moment.
(Okay sister, Don't tell me all this! He can't sleep, What about you? Brother-in-law is no child that he can't sleep alone there.)
As Radha sat beside Halima, she placed a hand gently on her shoulder and leaned in, her voice soft yet filled with warmth. “Aap toh hum sab ke saath yahan letengi na?”,she asked, her smile inviting Halima to join in Ladies room.
(You’ll stay here with all of us, right?)
Halima's thoughts drifted to Raza and the warmth of his embrace of Raza every night around her for a moment. She wasn’t sure what to say, but then, without thinking, something slipped from her lips. “Humko bhi jagah badalne par neend nahi aati…” she spoke softly, unaware of the weight of her words.
(I also can’t sleep when the place changes...)
The room burst into laughter at her innocent confession, and Radha’s eyes widened as she took in Halima’s shy face.
“Halima…aapki Jagah toh waise bhi aaj badal hi gayi hai. Aapka phirse Faizabad jaane ka irada hai sone ke liye?” Radha asked with a teasing curiosity.
(Halima… The place has already changed today. Do you plan to go back to Faizabad to sleep?)
Halima froze, realizing what she had just said. She saw everyone laughing, but her gaze landed on Preeti, who was trying hard to stifle her laughter.
In that moment, Halima realized her lie had been caught. She hadn’t thought through her words. She was in Ayodhya, not her village, so of course, she wasn’t going back to her room to sleep. But what she couldn’t admit aloud was why she had lied so desperately. The truth was, she didn’t want to sleep alone. She longed for the comfort of Raza’s arms.
“Toh kya karein ab? Humare saath ya aapke pati ke saath raat mein maze karne hain?” Shreya, Radha’s friend, asked with a mischievous grin.
(So, what do you want to do now? Have fun with us, or with your husband tonight?)
Halima, embarrassed but still naive, hesitated for a moment. Then, with a soft voice, innocently, she replied, “Unse pooch lein hum ek baar?”
(Should I ask him once?)
Radha, clearly in awe of Halima’s innocence, exchanged amused glances with the others. They all nodded, unable to hold back their admiration for Halima's purity.
“Waise hum toh bichari Vidisha ke baare mein soch rahe the, kaise jhelegi devarji ko,” Preeti said, sipping her water.
(By the way, I was thinking about poor Vidisha, how will she tolerate our brother-in-law?)
Radha glanced at Preeti with a playful smirk and retorted, “Jaise aap jeth ji ko jhel rahi hai… Waise asli maza toh aap kar rahi ho.”
(Just like you're tolerating brother-in-law… but You’re the one truly enjoying yourself.)
Preeti raised an eyebrow, teasingly warning her, “Radha… Taang na kheecho humari, hum khichne par aaye toh bolti band ho jayegi, Bitiya…”
(Radha... Don't pull my leg, if I start pulling yours, you'll be speechless, my dear...)
Radha’s friends smirked, and now it was Radha’s turn to turn as red as a beetroot, caught in the playful banter.
“Bhabhi, batao na… Ye jo sabke pol kholti hai, hum sab ko bhi toh pata chale,” Shreya teased, unable to resist poking fun at Radha.
(Sister-in-law, tell us, the one who spills everyone’s secrets, we’d like to know too!)
Radha coughed hard, clearly flustered, while Halima, watching the exchange, couldn’t help but smile, enjoying the lighthearted atmosphere.
“Jijji… Nahi…” Radha started to speak, but before she could finish, Preeti cut in with her own teasing confession.
(Sister...Noo..)
“Humne dono ko kitni baar pakda hai, kal raat mein hi, kehti hai ke yaha thi, par raat mein jab mai paani lene aayi thi tab Aditya devarji aur ye kamre mein the aur aisi aisi awaazein aa rahi thi. Prabhu kshama kare, dono chichore hai,” Preeti said, grinning mischievously.
(I’ve caught them so many times, even last night, she said she was here, but when I went in kitchen to get water, Aditya brother-in-law, and she were in the their own room, and such sounds were coming from it! God forgive them, both are shameless!)
Everyone burst into laughter, and Halima’s face flushed with a mix of amusement and shame, as the playful teasing continued.
They burst into laughter, but Radha, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment, felt like she could crumble under the weight of the revelation. Her dirty little secret, one she had kept hidden, was now out in the open. The previous night, while everyone slept soundly, it was Aditya who had come into room, his eyes dark with threat, forcing her to go into their own room with him,she remembered how hard he went on her that she was screaming his name.
“Jijji… Hum aapko kabhi maaf nahi karenge,” Radha said, her voice trembling with a mix of frustration. Finishing her meal quickly, she stood up, trying to flee from the embarrassment.
(Sister-in-law... I will never forgive you.)
“Haa bitiya, jab sehne ki himmat ho, tabhi humse ulajhna,” Preeti replied with a sly smile, unfazed by Radha’s glare.
(Yes, my dear, when you have the courage to endure, then you should only tease me then.)
Radha shot her a glare, her eyes narrowed, and stormed off, walking briskly away from the group.
"Kuch na hua isko,Abhi bhaagti aayegi phirse,humare beech chalta rehta hai ye sab hamesha", Preeti said and smiled at Halima who just nodded.
(Nothing happened to her. She will come running back again, this always happens between us, it's normal.)
Halima, her face burning with a mix of confusion and shame, also stood up after some minutes, her thoughts in turmoil. With a quiet sigh, she followed Radha, unsure of what to say or do.
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