Sudha got up early in the morning and started doing her routine. After bathing she went to sweep the front yard and made a rangoli after sprinkling water. She then went to her room and did her hair. She woke her grandma who was deep in sleep.
" Good morning sudha " she said and went to freshen up. Meanwhile sudha went to the kitchen and started making breakfast.
" Is the breakfast ready yet? Your father is going out and asking if it is ready? " My step mom enquired.
" Yes it is done. I will serve it right now " she said and served him breakfast.
After sometime she and her grandma had breakfast.
" Grandma I am going to wash our clothes. Till then you take a little rest " sudha said.
" No no. I will help you wash clothes " she said determinedly.
" Yeah then later you will make me massage your back which will hurt due to stress " sudha said while laughing.
" Whatever. But I think we should also give our clothes to that person who washes everyone's " she said while muttering something.
We do have a dhobi(person who washes clothes) who washes clothes. But my step mother asked me not to give my clothes to him to wash. She said I have to learn everything including washing clothes so she wanted me to wash my clothes by myself. I do know why she said like that. But I just ignored the underlying meaning and washed mine and grandma's clothes. At first dadi was adamant not allowing me to wash but I insisted on her saying that I do not have much work to do so I will manage. She gave up after I showed my puppy eyes.
" I will get bored dadi " I said while washing clothes and she nodded.
After washing me and dadi prepared lunch together. My step mom doesn't know how to cook. Whenever she cooks she will put too much salt or spices and mess up the whole kitchen so we both cook every meal.
After lunch I started thinking about the story I was writing.
Like this a week passed by and a letter arrived in the name of papa and I was filled with anxiety. I hope everything is alright with the proposal.
" Maa I received the letter from my friend and they will be arriving here in two days so make sure everything is arranged properly " papa said to which dadi agreed.
In those two days dadi helped me pick up a nice dress to wear and all the necessary accessories but I don't know how it is going to turn out.
After two days I woke up earlier than usual and completed the work before time.
" Dadi I will go to the temple and come quickly " I informed her after waking her
" Sure child and I believe God will definitely hear you " she said and I nodded with a smile.
I prayed to God and went back home and prepared all the items which needed to be served to the guests. Grandma was also busy with me in the kitchen itself.
" Hurry up. Your papa says they can be here any moment " my step mom said from the outside and I did the last items as quickly as possible and ran out of the kitchen after informing our maid to arrange them in plates.
I took a bath and wore the saree grandma selected for me. I put bindi and then applied kajal to my eyes. I put the veil on my head after I felt I was done. I do not know but my heart was racing incredibly fast today. My hands were getting sweaty without any heat. I rubbed the sweat off my forehead but still it keeps appearing.
" What happened dear? You look worried? " Grandma asked when she saw my condition.
" Nothing dadi I am just ...worried. ever... everything will be okay right? " I questioned already tears appearing in my eyes. Dadi hugged me tightly seeing my condition.
" Why are you so worried sudha. I am sure everything will be alright this time. Trust me and trust yourself. Okay? " She said and I nodded encouraging myself.

Meanwhile in a village:

The zamindar was reading the letter carefully calculating each letter. He is known for his power and energy. He is the most powerful and rich zamindar of the ten villages nearby.
He has a friend with whom he wanted his son to get married. He saw the girl in the marriage and thought she would be perfect for his son but the problem was her elder sister who was beautiful as well but handicapped and he did not want to marry his son to her. He saw Devamma working in his place and a wicked plan came into his mind.
" Devamma come here quick " he ordered authoritatively. She left the work in hand, washed her hands and ran to him hurriedly.
" Yes zamindar sahab " she bowed before him.
" I heard your son Shyam's friend got married and is going to be a father soon? " He asked raising his brows.
" Yes. It's vikas sahab " she said confusedly not really understanding what he wanted to know.
" Don't you want your son to get married then? " He asked straightforwardly.
" That I...I... " She stammered.
" What is it Devamma? " He questioned making her shiver in fear.
" Sahab... That we are still paying the debt to you and..and I think we should wait for sometime to get him married " she said quivering with fear.
" Oh so it's me who is stopping you from getting your son married? " He said rather angrily.
" No sahab it's not like that. We...we will look for a girl soon and get him married " she said assuring him.
" In that case I have a girl in my mind " he said now coming to the point and smiling inwardly.
" Sure sahab my son will marry that girl only " she said still fearing for his wrath.
" Good then tell your son to be ready the day after tomorrow afternoon. We will be going to their house to see the bride " he said.
" I will sahab " she said still not knowing how her son would react to this proposal.
In the evening when she went home she informed the same to her son who was shocked.
" Why are you doing this ma? We could wait for some more time for my marriage " he said holding her hands.
" I know son but how can I go against him. We need to pay him debt and if I deny him he may ask for the money and you know we will not be able to give it now. So he will take away the land and house from us. Then we will not have anything to do " she said dejectedly.
" But still I think this is not the right thing to do " he said.
" Don't worry son. Everything will happen for a reason. And be ready on time or else you know him " she said and went to sleep.
He went to sleep but sleep was far away from him. He kept thinking how to avoid the marriage but he knows that his hands are tied and can't do anything. He sighed accepting the situation and slept off.
He got ready and went to the zamindar house. He was told to go in his cart while they will come in their car. He nodded and started his journey. It's a three hour journey and it's been long since he travelled so long.
He reached the village and found the car in the street far away.
He got down and sat there as he was informed to stay there and come inside only after zamindar sahab asked him to.

Sudha's home:

All the guests settled down and were talking among themselves when they asked to bring the prospective bride. She was seated there and everyone looked at each other with dejection. The way she walked did not go unknown by everyone.
They started whispering among themselves and the groom too was not happy with the bride.
" We are sorry to say this Tyagaraj Bhai but we are here to betroth your younger daughter Radha " the zamindar said making Sudha and everyone gasp. Tears formed in her eyes for getting rejected directly and that too they are here to see Radha.
" But I cannot do that. I will not marry my younger daughter before Sudha " he said with finality.
" I already know that you would say this. That's why I found a solution to your problem " zamindar said.
" Solution? What kind of solution? " He questioned curiously.
" There's a boy named Shyam in our Village. He is a farmer and a very good person. His mother also works in our home. I think he will be a perfect match for your daughter " zamindar said and everyone started whispering among themselves. Sudha was overwhelmed with everything going around.
" Farmer? You want me to marry my daughter to a farmer? I will not agree with this " Tyagaraj said.
" Think about it. He is the only son and he stays with her mother as his father died. There is not much to worry about family problems and all. They will live peacefully. And he is here outside. I will call him in and you can see for yourself " zamindar reasoned but Tyagaraj kept thinking.
" I would like to see him. Please call him in " grandmother said and everyone looked at her.
" Why are you saying this ma? " Tyagaraj interrupted but she just shushed him and asked shyam to come inside.
Shyam who was sitting outside and looking everywhere found that the bride is rich and from a very reputed family. When he went inside his heart beat increased and everyone turned towards him. He wanted to dig a hole and hide himself but he couldn't do it. He approached where everyone was waiting for him.
" Come Shyam. This is Sudha, the bride " zamindar said pointing towards a girl who was sitting with her head down.
He looked at her but couldn't see her face. When she raised her head he got stuck by her beauty.
Those beautiful hair adorning her face, those cute cheeks which he wanted to pinch, those beautiful lips which were full, her eyes which were cast down and finally her complete face. He was completely attracted by her beauty and couldn't take his eyes off her.
" I would like to have a word with you Shyam beta if you don't mind " grandmother interrupted his trance and he nodded.
She guided him to the backyard.
" Did you like her beta? " She asked him directly and he nodded not understanding what he would say if he opened his mouth.
" I have to tell you that she is handicapped. I know you just saw her sit but when she walks you will understand that she is not like us " she said making him shocked. He didn't know that she was handicapped. The way she looked was truly ethereal but he never expected this.
" I know you are not aware of this. That's why I am telling you before anything goes further. Are you alright to marry her? " She asked with hope.
" I think I am " he replied as he does not  have any option rather than accepting his zamindar's words.
" Even when you say you are ready I can feel slight denial in your voice. I will be honest with you beta. My Sudha is a rare diamond you cannot find. She is a very obedient and hardworking girl. You will not regret marrying her in future. I promise you " she said with tears spilling her eyes.
" You don't cry dadi. I will take care of her " he said not sure how to console her.
Then they both came inside and accepted the proposal.
Radha also got ready and she was immediately accepted by the zamindar and family.

I am going to give two or three updates a week and no update on Sunday...
If you like the story do vote and comment..