The Curse, The Revenge…….
Naina was happy. She got married to her long term beau Shankar. Naina was waiting to get married. Not that Shankar did not want to commit, the reason was different. Shankar had some family problems because of which he was unwilling to marry anyone. Naina happened to him 5 years ago. He could not stop himself from falling in love with her. Naina’s bright eyes, tall and slim structure, sharp features, silky hair and dusky complexion made Shankar fall for her. He stopped himself from expressing his love for her, but as they say, love and cough cannot be hidden. Naina was not crazy about Shankar initially. The reason being, he was a shy guy. Reticent and quiet, Shankar was an epitome of patience. He barely got angry, he barely argued with anyone and he barely talked to anyone. With a height of 5 feet 7 inches, curly hair, fair complexion, Shankar was someone who was good looking and immensely intelligent. Love striked Shankar and Naina and then they were known as love birds in the university.
Naina waited for Shankar to marry her, but he kept on postponing. When asked why, he would say, ‘I don’t want to risk your life.’ Naina would ask curiously, ‘What risk?’ Shankar would say, ‘I can’t tell you anything now but you have to trust me.’ Naina waited for 5 years. Finally she said, ‘I can’t wait anymore. I am 30 now. My family will not let me wait more. On the pretext of higher studies I waited a lot. They won’t let me wait more. There is an alliance for me. I am going to say “Yes” to that.’ Shankar froze. He did not want to lose Naina. Hence despite the circumstances at his home, he married her.
When she first stepped into Shankar’s home, which is now her home too, Naina was given a warm welcome. Shankar’s mom kissed Naina’s forehead and said, ‘ This is your home from today. I wish you and Shankar all the happiness in this world. However, there is something I need to tell you. Please listen to me carefully and never ever do anything which will bring problems to you and this family.’ Naina was all ears. Her mother in law, Savita continued, ‘Years ago, before Shankar was born, our family was cursed by a saint. Hence, for years we did not have a child. Then by Lord Shiva’s blessings and our prayers, we were blessed with Shiv and then Shankar. Shiv and his wife Uma,were trying for a child for a long time but then they were not blessed. Again, we started our prayers. A saint blessed us and then Uma conceived. However, the Saint told us that we will be blessed with grandchildren only if we take care of Shivansh and Shivali.’ Naina kept on listening without winking. Savita continued, ‘ Shivansh and Shivali stay in the room adjacent to our garage. Don’t even go there. If you open the door, they might leave. If they leave or if they are hurt, our entire family will suffer.’ Naina was shocked. She asked, ‘Am I not allowed to meet them? I am a family member now.’ Savita patted Naina’s head and said, ‘Yes you are, however, we don’t want you to get into any trouble.’ Naina kept quiet for sometime and said, ‘ Okay Mom, I won’t go into that room, never.’
Days passed into weeks, weeks into months. Everything was smooth in Naina’s home. Naina loved Shiv and Uma’s son Mahesh. He was adorable. Plump and cute, Mahesh was an epitome of sweetness. Since Uma goes to work, Naina took care of her one year old nephew Mahesh.
Today, after giving Mahesh a bath, Naina kept Mahesh on the crib and went to get some milk. When she came, she saw a ‘King Cobra’ trying to wriggle into Mahesh’s crib. The milk in Naina’s hand fell. She froze. If she ran out for help, the snake might wriggle fast, if she cried, Mahesh might get scared and in that the snake might wriggle faster. She thought fast. She took a bedsheet from the bed nearby and flung it on the snake. The snake got stuck. Naina then took a stick and beat it. The snake died.
Hearing all the commotion Naina’s mother in law, who had just come back from the temple, came running. When she saw the dead snake, she froze. She looked at Naina and said, ‘You killed Shivansh????? We are doomed now Naina. We are doomed. Shivali will not spare us.’
To be continued……………………………………
