The girl keeps crying. We are about to reach the mansion.
"Chalo, hamare saath," I ask her to come out.
"No! I won’t come. You will beat me," she says, shaking her head. Her eyes are red and swollen. Her nose ring shines, making her look even more beautiful.
"Why would I beat you, huh?"
"My father sold me to you. Now, you will also beat me like he did," she says in a broken voice.
What!
"Come with me," I say, pulling her gently towards the hall. She struggles, hitting my arm again and again, but I don’t feel the pain.
"Chup karo!" I say firmly.
My mother is standing there, watching us.
"Beta, who is she?"
"Maa, I will tell you everything. Please take her to a room."
She keeps staring at me, her big eyes full of fear.
"Nandini, go and take rest," I say again. But she doesn’t move.
I look at my mother, and she understands. She takes Nandini to a guest room.
Night:
"Bhagwan! How can a father be so cruel? She is just a little girl!" my mother says, shocked after hearing the truth.
I nod. My mind is full of thoughts.
"What should I do, Maa?" I ask.
"Viraj beta, she is still a child. She will stay here in this house. After a year, we will find a good man for her. Anyway, your sister is coming in a few days for her delivery. Nandini can help her," she says.
I nod again.
After dinner, I ask the maid if Nandini has eaten.
"Saheb, I tried many times, but she refused. She didn’t even touch the plate," the maid says.
Why is she making things difficult? If she doesn’t eat, it’s her problem, not mine. When she gets hungry, she will eat.
I push the thought away and go to my room.
But when I close my eyes, her face appears in my mind.
I sigh. I should check on her.
I open the door to her room.
But she is not on the bed.
I look around carefully.
And then I see her.
What is she doing there?!
"Nandini! Nandini!"
She is sitting in a corner, hugging her knees, her body shaking. I touch her forehead—burning hot.
I rush outside and call my men to bring a doctor. In a few minutes, the vaidya arrives and checks her.
"Thakur, she has a fever because of fear and too much crying. I have given her medicine. She will be fine soon," he says.
I nod.
I sit beside her and lift her chin.
"Nandini, why are you crying for a father who sold his own daughter?"
I wipe her tears gently with my thumb.
Suddenly, thunder crashes outside.
Before I can react, she throws her arms around my waist.
I freeze.
My heartbeat stops for a second.
This is the first time in 25 years that a girl has touched me.
A strange heat spreads through my body.
"Nandini…" I whisper.
She quickly pulls away, moving back to the headboard of the bed.
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