Ratan Singh knew how to play the dirty game of power. He knew he couldn't question Ved directly, so he hit on his weakest nerve that was Vedita.
The next day, rumours were flying in the air about Vedita's secret visit with someone, her character was questioned. Once again she was one who was blamed by everyone to bring shame on the village.
Vishal didn't let Vedita go out of the house even for a second.
He loved his sister but his family's reputation was his first priority. He didn't want the people of the village to blame his sister for something she didn't even do.
It was almost night when the courtyard outside Vedita's house got filled with tense murmurs. Neighbours had gathered, some pretending to be concerned but most there to feed on gossip.
One of the men hired by Ratan Singh stood at the center. His voice was ringing with venom.
“Kya izzat bach gayi is ladki ki? Raat ke andhere mein ladke ke saath milti hai… ab samjhe, kaisi hai yeh!"
(What honor does this girl have left? Meeting a boy in the dark… now you see what kind she is!)
An older woman from the crowd spat her words like poison.
“Main toh pehle hi keh rahi thi… manhoos hai yeh . Jis ghar gayi, usi ka sukh chhin liya. Pehle apne hi maa-baap ka aur apne bhai-bhabhi ka”
(I told you before… she’s a bad omen. Whichever home she goes to, its happiness is taken away. First her parents and now her brother and sister-in-law)
Vedita stood still. Her was face pale, her heart pounding. Their words were knives, cutting deep but she refused to let her tears fall in front of them.
She was shaking with fear from inside but still stood quietly
Meena’s mother smirked and took the chance
“Bas aur kya… ek hi toh kaam bacha hai, ise ghar se bahar nikal do, warna kal ko aur koi kalank lag jaayega.”
(Exactly… only one thing left — throw her out of the house, or tomorrow a bigger shame will come.)
Vishal clenched his fists, caught between family honor and his sister’s dignity.
He was standing in front of her, shielding her from people's eyes but he couldn't bring the courage to say anything. He never thought that his Vedita would bring him at such point of life where he'll become so helpless.
He didn't know if the villagers were saying the truth but it was sure that somewhere she was the reason they got a chance to object to her dignity.
A few women started taking steps towards Vedita to drag her away.
Vedita closed her eyes and tried to hide herself in Meena's embrace who was trying to comfort her.
Just then Vishal shouted at top of his lungs
“Bas ab bahut hua, koi meri behen ko haath bhi nahi lagayega. Tum sab hote kaun ho faisla karne wale, kya saboot hai isne kuch galat kiya hai...haan bolo hai koi saboot...?”
(It's enough now, no one will dare to touch my sister. Who are you all to paas the judgement, what's the proof that she did something wrong... Tell me is there any proof?)
One of the men spine again
“Arey humne khud dekha hai, chup chupa ke kisi se milte hue isse aur—”
(We have seen her meeting someone secretly and—)
But Vishal didn't let him complete
“Toh usse kya sabit hota hai, meri behen ne kuch galat kiya?“)
(So, did it prove my sister did something wrong?)
They didn't say anything for sometime but then Ratan Singh's men spoke
“Arey toh bhaiya chup chupa ke toh galat kaam hi karte hai na log. Kya pata tumne kaise sanskar diye hai apni iss manhoos behen ko”
(Arey brother, only wrong doings are done secretly. Don't know what kind of values you have given to this bad omen sister of yours)
Vishal was about to slap him when Sarpanch of the village arrived there.
“Shaant ho jao sab, sahi aur galat ka faisla ab panchyat karegi. Agar Vedita doshi paayi gayi toh usse saza zaroor milegi ”
(Calm down everyone, right and wrong will be decided by panchayat. If Vedita found guilty then she'll get punished for sure)
Villagers shouted in unison
“Haan....Haan...Chalo abhi sab panchayat ke paas.... Aaj faisla home rahega ”
(Yes....Yes.... Let's go everyone to panchayat... Today decision will be final )
On the other side Ved was unaware about everything going on in the village. His mother's health wasn't good today so he didn't step out of haveli even for a second.
-------
Ved was seated on the veranda, going through some account papers when Arjun stormed in, breathless.
“Ved! Tu yahan baitha hai aur wahan Vedita pe sabke saamne ilzaam lag rahe hain! They’re calling her characterless… bad omen…! Usse panchayat mein le ja rahe hai saza dilane ke liye”
(Ved, you're sitting here and there, they're blaming Vedita. They're taking her at panchayat to get punishment)
The papers slipped from Ved’s hands. His jaw tightened and eyes burned with fury.
He stood instantly but before he could move, a hand gripped his wrist — his mother’s.
“Ved… yeh tumhara kaam nahi hai. Auraton ke mamle mein… mat padho. Panchayat sab sambhal legi.”
(Ved… this is not your place. Don’t get involved in women’s matters. Panchayat will handle everything)
Ved replied coldly with controlled rage in his voice
“Aurat ke mamle mein nahi, maa… insaaf ke mamle mein hai.Aur aap acche se janti hai, woh jisse milti hai woh kaun hai toh sabko bhi pata lagna chahiye ”
(It’s not about women, Maa… it’s about justice. And you know it very well whom she meets so everyone should know too.)
She shook her head, holding on tighter.
“Log kya kahenge, beta? Tumhari izzat—”
(What will people say, son? Your reputation—)
Ved cut her off in a steel voice
“Izzat insaan ke kaam se hoti hai, maa… aur aapke bete ne aisa koi kaam nahi Kiya jisse aapki,meri ya iss khandan ki izzat kharab ho. Ja raha hu, kisi ki izzat bacha ke hi laaunga.”
(Respect comes from one’s actions, Maa… and your son hasn't done anything which is going to harm yours, mine or this family's reputation. I’m going now and I'll be back saving someone’s respect.)
Without another word, he pulled free from her grip and strode out. His steps were fast and his eyes were blazing with determination.
He didn’t care who was watching or what they would say. Today,the storm had a name — and it was Ved.
-------
A storm of accusation was swirling in the air. Vedita stood in the middle of the panchayat surrounded — a caged bird with no escape.
Everyone's words were roaming in her mind
"Bad omen!"
"Characterless!"
"She is the reason every bad thing happens!"
Every word struck her like a lash.
Then Sarpanch asked her
“Tumhe, apni safai mein kuch kehna hai Vedita.”
(Do you want to say something in your side Vedita)
Not even a single word came out of her mouth. She knew that they already assume her guilty, so there was no point of fighting.
As a member of panchayat samiti,Ratan Singh was also present there. He was so frustrated that Vedita didn't take Ved's name into this matter. He wanted her to drag Ved so that he could play his next move.
He cleared his throat and asked everyone
“Mujhe toh lagta hai jitni yeh ladki doshi hai utna hi woh insaan bhi jisse yeh milti thi, sahi kaha na?”
(I think as much as this girl is faulty, the person who used to meet her is equally at fault, am I right?)
The village just blindly said yes ... And started questioning her again
“Bolo kaun tha woh?”
(Tell, who was that?)
“Kiske saath apna charitar kharab Kiya hai?”
(With whom you spoiled your character?)
Vedita closed her ears with her hands and sat down crying
Just then — the iron gate creaked open.
Ved walked in, not rushing but each step was deliberate, heavy with a controlled rage. The crowd turned.
Ratan Singh spoke in his sugar coated poisoned words
“Accha hua aap aa gaye, Thakur Shahab … ab hi puchiye, raat ke andhere mein kiske saath milti thi yeh waise bhi aapki toh acchi jaan pehchaan hai na isse?"
(It’s good you came, Thakur Shahab… now you only ask her whom she used to meet in the dark of night... anyways you know her really well right?)
Ved looked at everyone calmly and announced
“Main acche se janta hu Vedita kisse aur kyu milti thi”
(I know very well whom Vedita used to meet and why?)
Vedita closed her eyes tightly.
Whispers and murmurs spread once again in the whole area when Sarpanch asked him
“Toh aap hi bata dijiye, kaun hai woh?”
(Then you only tell, who's he?)
Ved looked at Vedita and she nodded her head in no but he blinked his eyes assuring her.
"Woh insaan aur koi nahi balki main hu....
The whole village was shocked including Vishal while Ratan Singh smirked and signalled his men and a loud voice asked from the crowd
“Kya rishta hai aapka is ladki se? Kis hakk se milte the usse?”
(What is your relationship with this girl? From what right, you used to meet her?)
Ved didn’t answer. His eyes locked on Vedita — pale, trembling, clutching her dupatta like it was her last armour.
The voices pressed in as crowd joined
"Bolo, Thakur!"
"Sach batao!"
He inhaled sharply and his jaw clenched, then he turned without a word… and strode to the small roadside temple of Mata Rani just a few steps away.
The crowd watched him with confusion.
Ved climbed the two steps in a single stride. His hands shaking with fury. He reached into the mandir and dipped his fingers into the thaal of sindoor before the goddess. He came back — the crimson dust blazing on his fingertips.
Vedita’s breath caught.
Without breaking eye contact, Ved closed the distance between them. In one swift motion, he raised his hand and filled the parting of her hair with the deep, sacred red.
Gasps sliced through the silence.
Ved's voice boomed between the gasps
“Yeh hai mera rishta. Ab yeh meri patni hai — Vedita Ved Pratap Singh.”
(This is my relationship. Now she is my wife — Vedita Ved Pratap Singh.)
The crowd fell dead silent. Ved’s hand rested protectively on her head. His gaze daring anyone to speak again.
Ved announced coldly after scanning every face
“Jo kehna hai, mujhse kaho. Iska naam zubaan pe laaya, toh zubaan tod dunga.”
(Whatever you have to say, say it to me. If anyone utters her name again, I’ll break that tongue.)
Vedita stood frozen, her heart pounding in her ears. For the first time, someone had claimed her — not as a burden, not as shame — but as his own.
--------
The heavy clang of the courtyard gate still echoed in the silence inside. Ved had just left with a promise to return the next day for proper rituals.
Vishal paced the room like a caged lion, fury radiating from him.
Vishal shouted at Meena
“Bina pooche, bina bataye… usne yeh kar kaise diya? Shaadi koi khel hai kya?”
(Without asking, without telling… how could he do this? Is marriage a joke?)
Meena softly tried to calm him
“Par ji… usne Vedita ki izzat bachayi. Agar aaj yeh kadam na uthata toh log uska jeena haram kar dete.”
(But brother… he saved Vedita’s honour. If he hadn’t done this today, people would have made her life hell.)
Vishal stopped but his breathing still heavy.
“Izzat bachane ke aur bhi tareeke hote hain. Usne… bas…”
(There are more ways to save honour. He... just...)
Meena gently interrupted him
“Aur kaun karega yeh sab? Kya aap chahte the koi aur ladka aake yeh kare? Kam se kam Thakur Shahab… aapko pata hai woh kaise insaan hai. aapki behen surakshit rahegi.”
(And who else would do all this? Would you have wanted some other man to step in? At least with Thakur Shahab… you know the kind of man he is. Your sister will be safe.)
Vishal’s glare softened. He sank into the chair, rubbing his forehead.
His tone was quieter now
“Main bas… chahta tha uske liye sab kuch theek se ho. Uski shaadi… uski zindagi… bina is tarah ke tamashe ke.”
(I just… wanted everything to happen properly for her. Her wedding… her life… without such drama.)
“Kabhi kabhi,ji... izzat bachane ke liye tamasha zaroori hota hai.”
(Sometimes ji... Drama is important to save honour)
A long silence then Vishal finally nodded.
“Thik hai… subah sab rasmo ke baad uski vidaai kar dete hain.”
(Alright, in the morning we'll bid her farewell after all rituals.)
------
The next day Meena came into Vedita's room
She brought out a carefully wrapped bundle. She placed it on the bed and unfolded the cloth — revealing a rich, old bridal lehenga, its zari work glinting faintly in the lamplight.
Meena smiled softly
“Yeh teri maa ka shaadi ka joda hai. Tere bhaiya ne mujhe di teri shaadi ke din tujhe pehnaun."
(It's your mother's wedding attire. Your brother gave me so that I can make you wear it on your wedding day)
Vedita’s eyes welled with tears
As Meena helped her dress,she detail — the drape of the dupatta, placement of the jewellery. Her voice was tender but carried the authority of an elder sister-in-law.
“Sasural mein bolne se zyada sunna padta hai… kam se kam shuru mein toh. Aur… apne pati ka har haal mein saath dena.”
(In your husband’s home, you have to listen more than speak… at least in the beginning. And… always stand by your husband.)
Vedita just nodded, her fingers fidgeting in her lap.
Meena hesitated, then leaned a little closer, her tone dropping to a conspiratorial whisper
“Aur… aaj raat… jo bhi tera pati chahe, use mana mat karna. Pehli raat hoti hai, samjha karo.”
(And... tonight... whatever your husband wants, don't say no. It's first night, understand )
Vedita’s cheeks flushed instantly. She bit her lip and lowered her gaze, the weight of everything — the day’s events, the impending vidaai, the strange new world ahead — pressing on her chest.
Meena cupped her fa
ce with a warm smile.
"Tu bahut acchi patni banegi, Vedita.”
( You'll become a great wife, Vedita)
That's it for today
•I wanted to ask a question my dear reader, how do you want to see Vedita as a wife — bold, mature which surprise Ved or timid and innocent who has no idea about romance?
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