The next morning, Devi was sitting in the veranda, sipping her tea with a stern expression. She looked around impatiently before calling out:
"Reeta, where is Mayra? Go and call her."
Reeta (who was busy arranging utensils in the kitchen) replied softly:
"She is already awake, Maaji."
Devi raised her eyebrows. "Awake? Then what is she doing right now?"
"She is making her bed," Reeta replied carefully (her voice carrying both caution and respect).
Devi placed her cup down with a sharp thak on the wooden table. "Good! Then tell her to clean all the rooms and the bathrooms too. A girl must learn these things before she goes to her in-laws' house."
Reeta hesitated, then said nervously:
"But Maaji, she cannot do everything at once. She is still so young. Give her some time."
"Nonsense!" Devi snapped (her voice cutting like a blade). "If she cannot handle a house, what will her in-laws say about us? That we raised her without teaching her responsibility? She is not a guest here, Reeta—she must know the ways of a household. Otherwise, what face will we show to her in-laws?"
At this, Pinku (who had been sitting nearby) frowned and asked curiously:
"But Dadi, why are you always saying this? Why should she do everything alone?"
Devi looked at him with authority and replied:
"Because, child, after marriage she will leave this house. She will go to her in-laws' house—and there, no one will help her. She must be prepared. Once she goes, she will not come back. That will be her real home."
Pinku's innocent eyes dimmed with worry. He whispered:
"Okay, Dadi…" and fell silent.
Meanwhile, Mayra (who had been standing quietly in the corridor) heard everything. Her small hands trembled as she clutched the end of her dupatta. She wanted to speak—to say she was trying her best—but the weight of her grandmother's words pressed on her like a mountain. She swallowed her tears and said nothing.
At lunch, the clinking of plates filled the room. Mayra sat silently in a corner, lifting a morsel to her mouth. But Devi's voice rang out again:
"Eat less, Mayra! A girl should not eat too much. What will your in-laws say if they see you eating like this? They will laugh at your family. Do you want that?"
Mayra lowered her gaze. The rice on her plate blurred as tears welled up in her eyes. She forced a smile (though her heart was breaking) and swallowed her food quietly.
Reeta looked at her daughter with helpless pain. A storm raged within her, but in front of Devi's authority, her lips too remained sealed.
Thus, Mayra's day began not with laughter and freedom, but with commands, comparisons, and the constant reminder that she was never truly a part of her own home.
Kalicharan said (his voice filled with disbelief, eyes widening as he looked at his mother):
"Maa, what are you saying?"
Devi replied (with authority in her tone and a cold look in her eyes):
"I am saying the truth! You just stop it."
Mayra said (hesitant, her soft voice trembling, yet holding a hidden fire):
"Yes, Grandmother…"
Devi ordered (her tone sharp, her face stiff like stone):
"Go and wash all the dishes."
Mayra replied (angrily, her cheeks flushed, her hands shaking as she tried to be bold):
"I am not going to do it. I will never belong to this house. Why should I work for it? Do whatever you want!"
Devi stood up (furious, her eyes burning with rage) and slapped her (a sharp, echoing sound filling the room):
"Don't you dare talk to me like this!"
Kalicharan was shocked (his heart sinking as he saw the change: the once sweet, calm, and respectful girl—loved by all—was now turning into a cold, fearless, and brutal soul).
Mayra walked away (her footsteps heavy, her silence louder than words).
In the evening (as if nothing had happened, her carefree nature still alive), she went outside to play.
Reeta called (worried, her voice shaking as she watched her daughter):
"Mayra! Don't you remember what just happened yesterday?"
Mayra replied (sternly, with sharp eyes that hid both pain and strength):
"I remember everything properly. You don't need to tell me what I remember or not."
Reeta said (angrily, her patience breaking):
"Then also, you are not going to play."
Devi stepped outside (her presence heavy, her voice like a whip) and asked:
"What is the problem here?"
Mayra replied (coldly, avoiding her grandmother's gaze):
"Nothing…"
Devi said (commanding, her tone final, leaving no space for argument):
"Then move inside."
Evening in the main hall; the ceiling fan hums softly, utensils clink in the kitchen, and a tense stillness hangs in the air.
Devi said (her tone sharp and commanding):
"Do all the household work!"
Marya replied (boldly, with a smirk on her face):
"I will definitely do it—if you pay me for it."
Everyone was shocked (the air in the room turned heavy).
Reeta asked (confused and worried):
"Why do you want money?"
Marya replied (coldly, her eyes unblinking):
"As I don't belong to this house, I want my fees to work here."
Devi asked (her voice rising):
"What do you need?"
Marya answered (without hesitation):
"Nothing much… just 75% of your property. That's all I need. The remaining 25%—you can give it to Pinku. I don't need it. That's enough for me."
Devi shouted (furious, her hands trembling):
"Have you lost your mind? He is your younger brother—you should respect him!"
Marya replied (with bitterness in her voice):
"Grandmother, you forgot… I don't belong to this house. I have no right to call you Grandmother. As for Pinku—I don't even call him bhaiya. The only person I know in this house is my dad. Other than him, I don't know anyone here."
"Stop it at once! Go to your room!" Reeta said (angrily, her eyes filled with tears).
Marya climbed the stairs (her steps slow but heavy) and sat in her room. A small lamp was lit beside her, casting long shadows on the wall.
Kalicharan knocked softly and asked:
"Can I come in, my love?"
"Yes, Dad… you can," Marya replied (her voice calmer now).
Kalicharan walked in (his face lined with concern). "What happened to you, Marya? You have really changed. Why are you like this?"
"Dad, I can't explain…" Marya said (her eyes moist). "I am really frustrated with Grandmother's behaviour. It's disappointing me. I never thought I would live in this type of condition—not in this family."
Kalicharan replied (gently, trying to console her):
"It's okay, my child. She is an old lady. She thinks like this because she too faced everything like this in her childhood."
Marya said (with quiet anger):
"Grandmother's parents spoiled her childhood. Why is she trying to spoil mine?"
"It's okay, my child… I am with you," Kalicharan said (placing his hand on her shoulder).
"Yes, Dad… one day I will definitely win. No one can stop me. And everyone will be proud of me," Marya said (her eyes shining with determination).
"That's what I hope from you," Kalicharan replied (his voice soft but full of trust).