KAFILA - Journey Towards Freedom (Part 2)

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Bittersweet Partings:

The tears had dried up but her eyes were red and swollen. the kajal smudged under her eyes and staining her cheek. Rukaiya didn't at all look like a happy princess married to her prince, her love of life. But she did look like a newly married daughter bidding goodbye to her parents forever before a new beginning. She still hadn't changed her red saree. How could she? her father had given it to her with so much love and fondness, even going out of his way to do so. She was leaving this old, haggard, poor and beloved father of hers behind. All morning Rukaiya has gone up and down the memory lane several times. Her childhood playmates, her visits to the village fair riding merrily on her father's shoulder, those warm afternoons spent with her mother in the courtyard preparing pickles, her favorite red frock the most expensive thing she ever had given by her aunt, the hunger ridden nights when there wasn't enough money for food. All these memories ran back and forth in her mind each trying to compete each other to mark their position as the fondest. She closed her eyes for the last tear drops to fall out. It was time to go. Admist chaos and tears and hugs from friends and family, Rukaiya bid goodbye to her beloved father, to her caring mother and to the small mud hut where she had spent 16 years of her life. It was a bittersweet parting. She looked one last time at her parents, before holding Rafique's hand tightly and boarding the bus for Dhaka. Lets start a new beginning, she said to herself.

Beyond Borders:

Rafique's parents were already dead and he didn't have any close relatives in Dhaka who would have given Rukaiya a grand welcome. It didn't matter much to her, as Rafique was all that it mattered to her. The journey from her village to Dhaka was a mere 5 hours journey, but Rukaiya tired from the all night marriage celebrations and her morning crying fit, felt dog tired. she had fallen asleep the moment the bus hit the highway  and was in that state until they reached Dhaka.

As Rukaiya looked around the small one room flat of Rafiques's in Dhaka, she was already building her small world in there with her husband. One small wooden almirah, a table a chair, a wooden partition dividing the small dingy kitchen and a shoddy single bed. The bathroom was a common one outside in the courtyard for all the residents in that building. Rafique has promised to her that as soon as he collects some money he would move out of this small flat and keep Rukaiya in comfort. But as usual Rukaiya didn't mind , she had lived in worse conditions than this, all that she wanted was her husband by her side. Rukaiya  plopped down on the bed, still tired from the journey, Rafique was out to get some food. Hunger and fatigue attacked Rukaiya together and she was again sound asleep in no time.

A constant rattling grow louder with every minute awoke Rukaiya up. She sat up on the bed with a start and wondered where she was for a moment. When it all came back to her, she finally paid attention to the persistent rattling of the doorknob and also Rafique's voice calling out her name. Quickly she opened the lock and let Rafique in.

" What took you so long?", asked Rafique, concern and fear dripping from his voice.

"Nothing, I just fell asleep, I was tired", answered Rukaiya secretly pleased to see her husband's concern for her.

"Have the food and then go to sleep. Sleeping with empty stomach will make you ill and then I have to cancel our trip tomorrow"

Surprised Rukaiya asked, "What trip?". With apprehension and Rafique said " A trip to India, Kolkata actually. My distant chacchi (aunt) lives there. We'll get her blessing as well as have our honeymoon there. I wanted this trip to be a surprise so I didn't tell you before. Hope you are not angry."

Rukaiya was silent for a moment, she really didn't see this coming. She was happy but she also had a lot of questions going on in her head. Looking upto Rafiques's eye she saw apprehension and fear even in that dim yellow light. She was amused to see her husband afraid of her wrath. This brought a smile to her face.

" I would love to go to kolkata, but shouldn't you have kept the money to move out to some better place than this?? and we also dont have the official papers to go to India"

" Don't worry about papers I have friends and I have arranged all, and honeymoon comes just once in a lifetime and I want to enjoy some time with just you. I'll work double hard and then whisk you to somewhere better. Don't worry about that, your happiness and safety is now my responsibility." , said Rafique with a broad grin on his face.

Rukaiya's heart filled with love and happiness and contentment at her husband's loving words.

 After their dinner, when Rukaiya went to bed, sleep was the last thing in her mind. She was excited and nervous with butterflies in her stomach. It was her first time.  Giving a sly glance at Rafique she crept up beside him on the small bed. Her body was in constant contact with Rafique's  on the small bed and she could feel the invisible current flowing through her everytime  she touched Rafique. The room now lit only by the street lights, Rafique slowly turned towards her and looked at her big brown eyes. Rukaiya's heart skipped  a beat or two but then zoomed to a thousand beats. Yes, she wanted Rafique, to feel his touch and his warmth. As if Rafique had read her mind, he slowly bent towards her and slowly and softly he kissed Rukaiya. At that very moment she was lost in a world of her own. It was as if time had stopped in its path to give Rukaiya the pleasure to enjoy her first kiss. Rafique kissed her as if his life depended on it and a glowing warmth spread through Rukaiya's body, making her shiver in the humid weather. But after what it seemed like ages Rafique let go of her lips.

" Ruku, I would love to continue this magical moment all night, but we have a long journey tomorrow and you are tired from today. Rest well, I don't want you droopy eyed on our honeymoon. I have lots of plans for it", said Rafique with a naughty smile.

Rukaiya's heart screamed a big no at Rafique's words. It was just the beginning but her mind did get the logic behind his words. Though disappointed  she knew quite well that patience comes with sweet results, so she let go. In the protective arms of Rafique Rukaiya soon fell asleep thinking about her lovely marriage and the magical honeymoon that awaited for them.

(To Be Continued .....)