Shyam wanted to join some work but Devamma silenced him with a sharp gaze. She was very much worried about his health all these days and now he is feeling better. That doesn't mean he would immediately join work and get tired. She wants him to rest at least until the panchayat is over.

" Fine I will stay home as you insist " he said sarcastically leaving home when Devamma was preparing to go for work. She sighed knowing that her son will not stay home unless his legs are tied.

Devamma was very much happy and relieved knowing that the money was arranged but she didn't know that it was not the full amount. She went to work with extra energy and enthusiasm. She talked with people around with a smile making everyone confused. They shrugged off not caring much about it.

Sudha was at home doing her regular chores when her dadi said while cutting vegetables.

" Sudha I want to ask something " dadi said. She had been observing her granddaughter for a while now and it was crystal clear that there was some problem between her and her husband. Both of them would exchange few words but the affection between them was amiss. She would have shut off the thought as her imagination but her old age gave her enough experience to know when relationships are in rough patches.

" Sure dadi. What is it? " Sudha asked stirring the contents in the bowl.

" Is there a problem between you and shyam beta? " She questioned and looked at sudha whose movements stopped and lips formed in a thin line. She was not wrong after all.

" It's just that he...got to know about my studies and job " she whispered. Dadi handed her the vegetables which she finished cutting and stood up.

" Look sudha I can understand how you people might be suffering from staying away from each other. It's not even six months since your marriage and you people are behaving distant. Your relationship is new and it takes time to grow that bond and love between you both but it also takes necessary action from both parties which will make them understand that they are trying to stay in a relationship. So someone should break this invisible wall between you both and then see how the other person will automatically clear the coast for you. Just trust yourself sudha and try to talk to him. I am sure he is also waiting for you to close this distance " dadi said making Sudha think. What dadi said was true and deep. She was certain that someday both of them should break the ice and become one.

Shyam met his friends and explained about his financial status. Everyone was deeply thinking about something to arrange money.

" I would have helped you shyam but you know we already used all the money in the crop. I have to wait for a month or so to get but within two weeks is highly impossible " vikas said with sadness. He really wanted to help his friend but he couldn't and he was helpless.

" Even I cannot help you man. I am so sorry " Kalyan said.

" No need to apologise kalyan. I understand " shyam said. Kalyan is from a poor family. He works hard to meet ends. His father being a drunkard doesn't help him much except increasing debts in village here and there. So his hands are almost empty to help.

" I could try to help shyam. I will let you know once I check " bhairav said thoughtfully.

" That would be a great help bhairav " shyam replied.

All friends discussed casual work but somehow Shyam's mind drifted back to his conversation where sudha denied him to talk. He wanted to know her reasons and for the first time she denied him. That felt odd and strangely exciting as he was able to see her other side of personality.

.......

Days passed by and the house fell into regular chores. Shyam was rarely home trying to go into the village and ask someone who may help but after getting to know their situation it was highly impossible for him to ask for help. He always tried to be as casual as possible but they themselves opened about their financial condition warning him that they couldn't help him financially.

Aabida was going to her mother's place along with her husband and she was unaware of the problems going on in the house of sudha. She talked to Devamma and she happily said the money was arranged and she was delighted to know the news but the reality was none knows that the money was not full.

It was the day of the panchayat already and sudha was anxiously waiting for some wonder to happen. She was not able to sleep the whole night with anxiety and the same goes to shyam. He tossed and turned and finally was able to take a nap but his mind was completely filled with the panchayat. He got up early and started to get ready while sudha absentmindedly started making breakfast. She did not understand how to face the panchayat without the full amount. Devamma on the other side was happy and cheerful as today all her family's problems will be solved and everything will be fine.

Everyone gathered to have breakfast and after that they got ready to leave for the panchayat. Shyam looked at sudha who was equally tensed as him. His friends also arrived to see them all worked up and they were feeling extremely sorry for not being able to help him.

" I decided that I will tell zamindar sahab to give another month to give the remaining money. I am sure he will accept as it is only 20% of the original amount. I hope he will accept " shyam declared making Devamma gasp as she was coming back with money in her hand. She was thinking that the money was arranged but after hearing him her worst fears took over.

" Why are you saying like that shyam? We already have money right? " She said handing him the money.

" Yes ma we have money but it is not a complete amount. We needed a little more and that I was not able to arrange " he said making her almost cry.

" Do not worry ma. I hope zamindar sahab will accept this " he said confidently but Devamma was not ready to agree with him as she was aware about the judgements.

Aabida heard their conversation from outside. She came last night from her place and she was not aware that shyam was having problems arranging money. She believed everything was arranged but she was shocked to hear their conversation. She immediately went inside her home to discuss this with her husband.

Everyone started to move to the panchayat but the mood was gloomy as they didn't know what would happen. Aabida came back to see them leaving and called sudha.

" Sudha wait. It's urgent " Aabida shouted making them halt their steps and everyone turned towards her.

" What happened aunty? Is everything alright? " Sudha asked holding her hands.

" I need to talk to sudha immediately. Please come with me " Aabida said making everyone frown.

" We are off to panchayat aunty. Whatever it is I will come back and discuss. Please aunty " sudha said but Aabida shook her head.

" Sudha go with aunty and vikas will stay with you. You both come after talking with aunty. If we also stay we will be late for panchayat " shyam said making her nod in agreement.

Vikas and sudha went along with her to her home to see her husband counting money. Sudha was nervous to see the situation but asked her the reason.

" Sudha I thought money is arranged but I heard it is not " Aabida said with worry.

" Yes aunty we were able to arrange but still we need some money " she said looking tensed.

" Here take this and clear your debt " her husband said handing her the money. Sudha and vikas looked at each other with shocked expressions.

" Un...uncle I can..cannot take this money " sudha stuttered looking at the money.

" Look child I know what you are trying to say. This money is to buy a place here in the town and build a shop for me to start any business after he retires but seeing that you are in dire need of money we are helping you. Please accept it " Aabida said placing her hand on sudha's shoulder.

" But aunty I cannot accept money just like that. Although we are neighbours I cannot take money like this " sudha said.

" Okay then if that's the reason you give your house papers to us as security and whenever you finish the repayment you can take back your papers. There is no force in that. Okay? " Aabida said.

" Yeah that is alright but now I don't know where the papers are aunty. And moreover we need to go to panchayat " sudha said after a while.

" No problem beti take the money and go. After shyam comes discuss with him and do as I said. Vikas will be the eye witness. What say vikas? " Aabida said looking at vikas who nodded.

Vikas took the money from her hand and counted. It was more than required so he gave back the remaining money back to Aabida.

" No vikas keep this extra money and tell shyam to start the crop again. After all he will be eager to repay my money. And I know how much that boy loves farming " Aabida said making him shocked.

Sudha fell in their both feet in gratitude and Aabida wiped her tears with care and kissed her forehead.

" You are like my own daughter sudha. Please don't think otherwise. Now go soon. The panchayat might have started " Aabida said. Sudha once again hugged her and left with vikas.

Vikas and sudha started in the cart as it was already late for the panchayat. They need to hurry up before anything turns against them.

....

Shyam reached the panchayat and found people gathered already waiting for the final judgement. They are waiting for zamindar sahab now. Gangadhar was present with his father as usual and smirked at shyam.

Zamindar sahab arrived after a few moments and sat in his place.

" Good morning everyone. As discussed a month ago shyam here should repay the debt amount to me so that gangadhar will apologise to him. And if he fails to return the money he is supposed to apologise to the panchyat, gangadhar and villagers. So tell me shyam are you ready to repay the money or not? " Zamindar sahab said with full authority.

Devamma visibly shook with fear and shyam also was scared a little. He took the money from his mother and handed it to the zamindar sahab. His smirk fell off as soon as he saw him extending money and gangadhar was tensed now. Zamindar sahab handed the money to the person beside him who started counting the money.

Everyone waited patiently for him to finish counting. There was pindrop silence except for the sound of money counting and the leaves moving with wind.

" Sahab this amount is not full. I counted two times to make sure but there is still a little amount less " the person said and gangadhar's smirk increased.

" Sahab I was saying.... " Shyam started to say but was interrupted by Sudha who came and held his arm stopping him from speaking further. Vikas came forward and handed the remaining money to the same person to be counted.

" Sorry sahab my husband seems to have forgotten to take the full money in a haste " sudha said making shyam frown. He zipped his mouth and looked forward.

" Zamindar sahab the money is full. Shyam's debt is over now sahab " the person said making gangadhar restless.

Everyone sighed in relief and there was a proud smile on sudha's face. Shyam held sudha's hand tightly and closed his eyes to control his emotions.

" So as decided gangadhar should apologise to shyam in front of everyone " zamindar sahab said looking at gangadhar.

" I...I am...so...sorry " gangadhar said but his lips were not following his instructions as he is well versed in cursing people rather than apologising. His father fisted his hands in frustration and gritted his teeth. He never imagined that a poor person like shyam would arrange money within a month. He was deeply insulted in front of the village and he wanted to kick his son to no end.

Shyam closed his eyes in relief after hearing him and his eyes filled with tears seeing him apologize.

I don't want to extend this money matter that's why ended this here. From now on there will be only our couple shyam and sudha💗💞
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