Sudha sat there and kept thinking about Shyam and his determination. All these years she was born and brought up in a family where there was no problem about finance. It was as if they were abundant and can donate to people in need. But for shyam it was completely different. He worked from God knows when. She doesn't even know if he is aware of the hardwork he is putting just to pay the debt. This much hardwork can be done only when you are not aware about the meaning of resting or enjoying. He might have started working from a young age and since he didn't turn back. He kept trying and trying until he became so strong that there is no one who can beat him in hardwork. His every penny is of his sweat and blood.
" What is my wife thinking about? " Shyam said caressing her cheek breaking her trance.
" About you " she replied not even paying attention. The words slipped out of her mouth and she couldn't take them back. She blushed when he placed his thumb on her lips and she bowed her head.
" Really? And may I have the permission to know about what you are thinking about me? " He said coming closer to her.
" No. You don't " she said and looked away.
" Come on let's go home " he said standing up.
" You will come too? " She asked confused.
" Yes. I don't have work now. So better I spend some time with my cute wife " he said looking down at her and she shook her head smiling. He extended his hand and sudha took it gracefully and got up. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer. Sudha gasped and looked around.
" Someone might show up. Leave me " she said trying to get away from him.
" Then let's go home " he said and held her hand. Sudha and shyam both started walking while talking.
As soon as both stepped into their frontyard shyam lifted her in his arms and sudha squealed not knowing his act.
" Put me down " she said. Shyam shook his head while sudha gave up and surrounded her arms around his neck. He took her to the backyard and placed her in the cot there.
" You are heavier than I expected " shyam chuckled making Sudha gasp. She turned her head away from him in fake anger.
" Hey look at me " he said and made her look towards him by placing his fingers on her chin.
" Even if you are double this size I will happily carry you. So no worries " he said making Sudha blush. Sudha laid in the cot looking at the hut above the pillars. She wanted to climb that and reach the hut and watch the sky from there.
" I want to go there " she said showing towards the hut.
" You may go. Who is stopping you? " he said shrugging.
" You may forget but I always remember that I am handicapped. So it's impossible for me to climb and go there " she said sighing heavily. Shyam's heart ached listening to her words. He immediately made her sit and hugged her tightly. He kissed her forehead, removed hair strands from her face and held her cheek with his right hand.
" You don't have to think like that. You will climb that and I promise you that " he said looking in her eyes.
" But how is that even possible? " Sudha started but he shushed her by kissing her lips. She got lost in the kiss and closed her eyes. Sudha kissed him back with equal intensity as him and smiled when he bit her lower lip slightly. She pushed him away and laid in bed. Shyam too laid close to her as the cot is too small for both of them to fit. He hugged her from behind and kept whispering beautiful things and sudha slowly drifted to sleep.
Shyam got up after sometime and whispered in her ear about his departure and she murmured something incoherent. He smiled at her innocence and went out. It was already evening and he went to the tea shop.
" Heard that you are going to give your yield amount fully to zamindar sahab? " Vikas said to shyam.
" Yes and I don't find another way to pay interest " shyam said slowly sipping his tea.
" But how will you get money for your next crop shyam. Don't you think you will be left with nothing if you do that? " Vikas said concerned placing his hand on his shoulder.
Shyam shook his head trying to shoo away the negative thoughts.
" I will wait until monsoon ends and find a way till then. I don't want to pay more interest. So this is for the best " he said and vikas nodded eventhough he knew how much shyam is suffering internally.
" If at all you need any help don't think twice to approach me " vikas said and shyam hugged him.
" That means a lot my friend " he said with tears brimming his eyes.
.....

On the other side Devamma was working in kitchen that day as the cook who usually cooks is on leave that day. She was doing everything as per the instructions by the zamindar's wife but she kept interrupting her asking about the food preparation. Already Devamma's mind was a mess with shyam and his decision and with her interrupting her work and thoughts was not helping her.
" I said you should add little less spice to that. You got that? " She again questioned entering kitchen and Devamma nodded stirring the curry in pot.
" I am asking you something. You better answer me " she shouted at her. Devamma was holding a jar with ingredients in it slipped due to her sudden voice and broke into pieces. She got scared looking at the lady. She was throwing daggers at her and Devamma shivered internally.
" I am sorry sahiba ji. I will clean it immediately " she said while removing the pieces from the floor.
" People like you are fit for nothing. Clear the mess and the food should be ready within half an hour. If you are late for even a minute then you will see my wrath " she roared and went away.
Devamma's head started spinning. She never was this worked up. She would do the work without any complaints from anyone. But with her it's different. No matter how much she does she never seems to please with her and always finds ways to taunt her and disrespect her.
Devamma got up with a lot of difficulty, drank water and again started cooking. This time she was able to concentrate as sahiba was not disturbing her. She sighed in relief and placed all the dishes on the place satisfied.
" From tomorrow if I see you not working accordingly then you will be out " she said commandingly. Devamma didn't even understand what she did wrong. All she did was working and here she was scolding her for no reason. Nonetheless she nodded and went away to carry on with her other works.
.....

Sudha got up after shyam left. He said he was going out but she wanted him to stay. But he went out. The good thing was that she was able to spend time with him in afternoon. She smiled thinking about that when her maaji entered home.
" Maaji sit. I will prepare tea " she said and started preparing tea. Devamma smiled looking at her. She felt relief knowing that no matter how tired she was sudha would always lift her spirit with her talks and cooking. She came back after few moments and handed her tea. She started sipping and her tiredness slowly disappeared.
" Maaji I want to make laddus " Sudha said to her maaji.
" Sure beta. But what's special that you suddenly want to make them? " Devamma questioned.
" Umm...maaji actually my birthday is tomorrow. So every year I make a sweet and offer to God. That's why " she said looking down.
" Oh really. I don't know that. I will help you make them " Devamma chirped happily.
" Sure maaji. But I want to call dadi once and talk. It's been a while since I talked to her. Can I go to the telephone booth to call her? " Sudha said. She wanted to speak with her dadi for a while but she didn't voice out her will.
" Sure beti. Go and talk with her to your heart content. Let her know that I asked about her well being and health " Devamma said with a smile.
Sudha soon went to the telephone booth she saw when she came to temple and dailed the number.
" Dadi its me " she said happily as soon as she heard her dadi's voice.
" My goodness sudha. I was actually waiting for your call. You didn't call me for a long time. You forgot me after marriage " her dadi said to which she chuckled.
" Yeah I am very busy with my husband and maaji here " she replied smiling.
" Oh then it's a good thing " dadi replied.
" Dadi I am going to make laddus for my birthday tomorrow " she said.
" I know sudha. You will never forget no matter what happens. And enjoy your day beta " dadi said with tears in her eyes. Her daughter in law(sudha's mother) loved laddus a lot. She would make them for every occasion. So when dadi shared this information with sudha, she made laddus on her birthday and would offer to her mother and God. This tradition continued from the time she informed about it and sudha would never forget that.
" Sure dadi and do offer laddus to maa tomorrow. I will offer them to God here " she said with tears in her eyes.
They both talked for sometime and sudha went back to home to start preparing laddus.
Both sudha and Devamma started making laddus but sudha didn't allow her maaji to do any work. She strictly ordered her to just pass the things as she will be tired after so much work. Devamma nodded and kept chatting with her.
When the process was completed both of them sat and started making round shapes by applying ghee on their palms.
" You are too skilled in kitchen. I never knew you are this perfect in culinary skills " Devamma praised sudha.
" It's all because of dadi. She is the one who taught me everything. So the credit goes to her not me " she replied with a smile.
" And one more thing maaji. Don't tell your son about anything. I will first offer these to God tomorrow morning and then surprise him with laddus " sudha said slowly as if someone will hear her. Devamma chuckled and agreed with her. Both of them placed the plate of laddus in a corner where shyam would not see.
When they sat to have dinner shyam got suspicious.
" Maa why do I smell something sweet? " Shyam asked smelling the air more.
" You are just imagining things shyama. We don't smell anything. Do you sudha? " Devamma asked to sudha. Sudha immediately shook her head in negative.
" Maybe you are right " he shrugged and finished his dinner. When he went out to wash his hands both of them giggled like kids and kept silent as soon as shyam entered.
Sudha finished her daily chores and entered bedroom. She went to her side of bed to sleep. Shyam immediately enclosed his arms from behind and kissed her neck making her shiver.
" Sudha you look irresistable to me sometimes " he whispered making a shiver run down her spine and goosebumps appeared on her skin.
" You will not hurt me right? " Sudha asked out of nowhere shocking shyam.
" Why would you ask like that? I would not do anything that will hurt you " he assured her kissing her head from behind.
" Just slipped out of my mouth. Just forget I ever asked, " she said.

Okay guys this is it for this chapter.
And happy Diwali/Dhanteras/Deepawali 🎇 🪔 to everyone. Enjoy the festival guys.
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Till then bye...