CHAPTER 43.
Sugni knocked on the door of the guest room the next morning, she entered to room to find Champa getting up from where she obviously slept on the floor.
"hey..good Morning..."
"Good morning Mallkin...'
"Here I brought you some fresh clothes and some other stuff you will need." She said handing her some clothes and a bag of toiletries.
"Malikin...you did'n ...:
"Please don't start with that...now freshen up and you can come join us for breakfast hmm..." She said as she left her.
A short while later as they were all sitting at the breakfast table Champa came down. She stood quietly in the cornor of the room until Shanti caught sight of her...
"Come champa...please join us" Sugni said. "Champa this is Thakkur vickramSingh...you did not get to meet him yesterday na..."
"N-n- Namaste Takkur Mallic." She stammered, lookingat the floor with her hands clasps.
"Namaste...come sit ...:
Breakfast was a quite fare, Vickram , Sugni and Maaji discussed the progress of the project, Shanti was filled with curiously about the guest. Champa was more or less picking at her plate awkwardly.
After the meal Sugni led Champa to the Vickram's office so that they could talk . Vickram sat behind his desk as Sugni and Champa sat opposite him.
"Champa..." Sugni began. " We would like to help you in any way we can...Thankur Mallic and I had a long talk about your situation last night... and what happened to you was very wrong. And I think that the one who did this to you should be punished. "
"What?" Champa asked looking at them confused. " I am sorry ma'am but that won't happen. I mean He already made an offer for my Sardakhi and , punished...that won't happen."She said softly. Her eyes filling with tears.
"Champa..." Vickram said. " Tell me this ...You do not want to do your Sardakhai from this Thakur?" She shook her head. "Who is he.?" He asked.
"He...He...he.." She started to cry...
"Shh..." Sugni said wraping her arms around her..."It's OK..." She said.
"Alright..Champa...You stay with your uncle?...can you tell me where?" he asked
"Yes...on the River lane... the corner house..."
"His name?"
"Kalidas..."
"Ok ...I am going to talk to him and see how I can assist you..I promise you...nothing will happen that you don't want hmmm." He said as he got up to leave. "Until I come back you can stay here...then we will see what to do ok." He said. She nodded.
Vickram asked Sugni to walk him out as he was leaving as he wanted to talk to her alone.
"Listen...I am going to talk to her uncle, see if I can get him to understand. Meanwhile...see if you can get her to tell us the name of the Thakur. I know she is scared...but if we know I can try to talk to some people in the village council and maybe they can at least try to do something...it's difficult, but at least he won't be running around unknown to us. I mean We also have a reputation to protect, from scum like that who spoil it!'
"I understand...I'll talk to her. " Sugni said
"Yes, and I'll see if the uncle tells me anything..."
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"Thakur Mallick I understand what you are saying.!" Kalidaas said to Vickram as he stood in his yard. "but it is the best we can hope for for her. I mean thank god he made an offer for her...other wise what would we have done...and now...by running away. Even that is gone now..."
" are you saying Kalidas?...how can you speak like that about the man who spoiled your nieces life..." Vickram Shook is head out raged, instead of being outraged, Kalidas was acting as If this Thakur was doing them a favor by making an offer for Champa after he violated her!
"Kamal hain...it is one thing to accept and d your Sardakhi, but it is another when it is being forced on you...do you understand this man? And make no mistake that child dose not want this...who would want to go to the person who hurt them in such a way...and instead of supporting her you are pushing her to it Wah..." he said
"What else can I do Thakur Saab... who would listen to us!" Asked the frail looking old man. He had to be over sixty judging by the looks of him, thin and beaten down.
"The village council will!...Look I know you don't trust us...but Kalidaasji...if you stay quite on this ...Champa will not be the only one...then what is the point of these traditions, when people are running around like barbarians doing as they please. Thakur's have a reputation also, and there is a way these things are done...When a bedni chooses Thakur it is because he made her an offer that she is happy with and she agrees to willingly. But that has been so mixed up and twisted , than sometimes the greed of her family stops her from making that choice and they make it for her!, or like Champa...she is treated as public property!. And in all of this it is the girls who suffer..."
"But Thakur Mallick...what else can she do..."
"Anything she wants!...Just because she was born a bedni does not mean she has to be one...Kaalidaas she can get a job and have a life she wants...I can guarantee that part...all I would like if for you to tell the village council Who is this rouge Thakur...please..."
*****\\\\\\///////*****
"Champa I know you are scared , but you don't have to be. Thakur Mallic and I will do everything to help and protect you...this is my promise. All we want is for you to muster the courageto say who he is so that he can be punished"
"No Ma'am you don't know him he is very dangerous... If I go against him them not only me but my uncle will be in trouble...Ma'am you want me to go to the council?...he is on the council...Please I just want to forget this...and maybe try to move on. I know you helped me a lot...the kindness you showed to me...but please...
"Ok you don't trust the council...we can go to the higher authority. The police. Have him arrested. Champa..if you leave this as it is, he will continue to do this to others...and you think he is going to stop harassing you now? NO that will continue, because he will think he is above the law. He is not! " Sugni said looking at her, hoping to convince her to step up.
Deciding that she could not pressure her Sugni decided to leave it alone. She already been though a lot and She had no right to pressure her any more. She sighed softly. Taking her hand she placed it on top of Champa in a comforting gesture.
"I am sorry Champa...I did not mean to sound like I am pressuring you..." She apologized.
"no..no ma'am...
"You have been though a lot..if you don't want to do this...it is quite alright. You can relax...we will help you, as long as we are here you'll be safe... and in a few months we will be leaveing...if you want we can take you with us, help you start over fresh, away from this." She said.
"You would do that...for me?" Champa looked at her in shock,that was not an offer she was epecting.
"Of course I would ." She said. "you know Champa ...you remind me so much of myself...and I know all I wanted was a chance to get out...so if I can give you that chance...I will." She said genuinely.
"Bu..but you're a Thakurine..."
" I was'nt always ...Like you I was born a bedni but never wanted to be one..." She said as Champa stared at her..."oh yes...I know exactly what the bedni life is about, you see..." She said as she told champa her life story, of her life before Vickram, how they met, broke up and eventually married.
Champa looked at Sugni for a long time digesting it. "Wow...that is an incredible story..."
"I know I am very lucky and blessed to have him in my life...but you know, all is not lot and if you are determined to leave this all behind somehow some way , Sita Miya makes it happen>
They were silent for a few moments each lost in their thoughts. After a while Champa said...
"Ma'am I'll tell you...you and Thakur Mallick have been so kind to my, and I know you are trying to protect others from Thakurs like him...and if I can help in that I will..."She said determinedly
"You Sure Champa...because it is a big step...and if you are doing it because you think I am pressuring you or anything like that..." Sugni said
"No no Ma'am I am not...I am doing it because you are right...and I want to..." She said. Sugni sighed gratefully. "Thank you Champa...for trusting us...I promise we will do everything we can to help you and get you justice..." She hugged her warmly.
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Sugni stood in the kitchen mindlessly stirring a pot, her mind racing with the information she just learned. She wondered how were they going to handle this situation. On one hand she had promised Champa and she wanted to help her, but on the other hand was Maa Thakur and Vickram and she knew more than anything they just wanted to get out of here as soon as the Temple was done, and the last thing they would want now was to get mixed up in this...
"Sugni!!!' She jumped out of her thoughts at Vickram's voice calling her.
"Ji...coming...! ..: She answered, telling one of the servants to watch the pot, she left to go to the hall.
"Yes Thakur Mallick?" She asked as she came out.
"Come I need to talk to you!" he said turning to the stairs and going up.
Sugni followed wondering what had him looking so worried, she had a feeling it was the same thing that had her worried.
"come sit!" he said as she entered. She sat.
"What's wrong Thakur Mallick... things did not go well with her uncle?" She asked.
Vickram shook his head. As expected he was stubborn about it, thought this wa the best offer she could get. I tried talking some sense into him but he wants some time to think...Did you talk to her?"
"Yes...and she said she was willing to speak out against him...bu-but Thakur Mallick I don't...I mean I am not sure now..." She stammered looking away from him. She began wringing her hands nervously.
"Sugni?" Vickram said placing his hand ontop of hers.
"HUH?" She answered.
"I know what you are thinking..." He said as he smiled slightly.
"You do?" She asked, even she had no idea what she was thinking at the moment.
"Yes ...I know you are having doubts about whether we should get mixed up in this or not right?" he said.
She stared at him astonished.
I know for a moment I had the same thoughts...but right is right and if we don't take stand on this , well he won't stop would he?" Vickram said.
She nodded "But Thakur maalick maaji... she won't like this..."
"She will support us I am sure!" he said confidently. "My question is you...are you okay with this?" He asked looking at her seriously.
"Are you?" She answered
"No but..." He shrugged. She nodded . She understood. As she turned her hand and clasped her hands with his. Silenatly giving him her answer.
Vickram chuckled after a few moments..."Well I guess this is it for me wanting to keep a low profile around here...things are about to get rough I am sure!" He said.
"I know...but you know Thakur Mallick...maybe it is fate. I mean...he got off before ...and maybe he thinks he is invincible...I mean what are the odds that we would come back here , or that I would meet Champa. Maybe you are the one to stop him!" She said. "After all there is only so much you can do before you actions catch up with you." She said
"I don't know about that Sugni...Yes Vijai Sigh did get off for my sister. And yes there is not another person I despise more...I could not help Kuhu, but if I can somehow get Justice for Champa maybe I can make up for that!" He said
Sugni rubbed her hand on his back comfortingly. "He will pay I am sure! "
He nodded.
"Well we have some work...I was thinking about going to the council..."
" I suggested that to...but she feels that it would be biased you know since he is a part of that council...and I think she has a point..."
"Well we could go stight to the police...but I don't trust that inspector there...I'll call my lawyer and I think he will tell us the best step to take hmm?" He said . She nodded.
"Thank you... Thakur Mallick..." he rolled his eyes. "I mean Champa will be very greatful " She said.
He laughed.
"So...I guess Thakur Vickram Singh is again going to be the talk of the town...hmmm...?" She said.
"Yeah... I mean it is after all what WE were once famous for around here.!" He said "You ready for that?
"Yes...as
long as we are together...I am ready
for anything!" She said.
CHAPTER 44
It took some convincing but somehow they got Maa Thakur to support them in pursuing this , as she was not comfortable with getting mixed up with Vijay Singh again. As she said she had enough of that bad shadow.
But after Vickram explained that by allowing him to get away with this would add further insult to Kuhu's memory and would just make him more evil, she agreed that he should be stopped somehow. She was concerned over their safety , but she also know her son was capable of taking care of his own!.
After subtly bringing the matter up among a few of the village council members, Vickram could not say he was shocked by their responses. Some were embarrassed that one of their own did something like that.
Some were angry that he was spoiling their reputation. But none of them as far as he saw showed much concerned over the victim. After all she was just a bedni...and according to one, these things happen, no bedni in her right mind would refuse a Thakur...
The ones who did sympathize with her, did not want to get involved and go against the council member as it could affect their business!. He shook his head in disgust over this.
So he decided the best course would be to go to the law and let them deal with it unbiased. The report was made and the police had no choice but to arrest Vijay after Vickram, Champa and her uncle made the report against him.
Champa eventually went back home after her uncle came for her having thought about Vickram's words . He told her that he would support her decision . things were looking up for them.
With the arrest of Vijay Singh the entire community was in shock that such a thing could happen. A bedni against a Thakur . It was an outrage.
Vijai of course was saying to anyone who would listen that the charges were bogus and he had nothing to do with it. In fact he kept blaming Vickram and Sugni saying they were just out to get him because of upcoming council elections . It did not matter for he was out of jail within hours thanks to his police cronies and lawyers.
Eventually with the testimony of the doctors, herself and her uncle ...Vijai I was found guilty and sentenced to seven years in jail hard labor.
After a few months the temple was completed and thee was a grand ceremony / Puja...
Vickram was asked to oin the village council by some of the Thakurs who also wanted change. He was happy to see that at least they were willing to make some changes, and he willingly gave his advice ...
Soon they returned to the City and their lives. Champa came along where she was enrolled in a night school while she worked in the house. She worked on rebuilding her life.!
The best news was not long after they arrived, Amrita announced that she was pregnant, followed by Sugni a few weeks after...so it was double celebrations all around.!!!
Life was good . Life was settled. After all the hardships trials and turmoil. Everything worked out.
THE END