First Chapter of Romantic Novel 'NARMADA'

In those days, I was pursuing my Engineering from I.I.T., Delhi. I only had few more exams left for third year. 30th April was the last day for exams. It was convenient as well as difficult to study in a hostel. My parents lived in Bhopal. Our bungalow was on the Bairagarh Road. My father was the contractor for the construction of bridges and roads for past two decades and was mostly busy in contracts given by Madhya Pradesh Government.
He got a big tender in Baitul valley last year. Around four hundred labourers were working together on a daily basis and our company was growing persistently.
I was 22 years old and my parents were constantly discussing about my marriage. When they wanted to know my decision for the same, I gave my consent. First they proposed Varsha’s name (our ex-neighbour Vermaji’s daughter) before me. She was pursuing M.A. in English Literature from Bhopal itself. We had good relations with Vermaji’s family for the past ten years.  I and Varsha often used to play, hang around and eat together. For the past two years, she started avoiding confronting me. Whenever I asked the reason, she would smile and walk away.Nearly six months ago, I met Varsha in a social programme in Bhopal. While talking to me, she asked my hostel’s address. After that, she even wrote some letters to me, but I did not reply for even a single time.Once the exams got over, I started preparing to return to my home in Bhopal and wrote a letter to my mother and informed her. On the day of journey, I boarded an Express Train from New Delhi Railway Station at 7 in the morning and reached Bhopal Railway Station at 4 pm on the same day. Our car driver had come to receive me. At 5 pm, I was at home.It was summer and was very hot. As soon as I reached patio our maid 'Jaanki' opened the door and greeted me. Drawing room cooler soothed my mind. I felt silence at home. Till now, Mom would have welcomed me with words - “Oh! Son, u came”.Housemaid Jaanki came and said - “Have bath. Tea is ready”. I ordered her to bring tea and said - “I’ll have tea before shower”. I thought Mom would be sleeping in her room. I went to have bath and got dressed. Then Jaanki asked if she can serve the breakfast but I asked her to awake Mom first.She told me that Mom has gone to Baitul Valley. It was being ten days since she was not at home. Jaanki said - “Ma’am has wrote a letter for you.”I asked - “Where is that letter? Show me.”She went to Mom’s room and I followed her. She picked up the letter lying on the table and handed it to me. I started reading the letter:“Dear Babu (My Name),I got to know that you are coming home from Delhi. I am leaving for Baitul Valley due to some reason and have to stay there for some days. After reaching home, you too come here.Rest is fine. Your Mom”
What could be the reason that Mom went to a lonesome place leaving her home behind? I was in a doubt after reading the letter. If Dad were out of town, maybe she was needed there for superintendence. But Dad was never confident about Mom’s management.Once I thought she might have been there because it was too hot here. But I guess I was wrong as it was mentioned in the letter that she had to leave due to some reason. It was better not to predict. I stood up to ask Jaanki and all of a sudden my eyes were stuck on some dresses hanging on the rack.There were some beautiful design green scarf, long skirts and loose blouses. Then I saw slippers and sandles. It seemed that we had some guest. All slippers and clothes were seemed to be of a young lady.Mom used to keep the cupboard’s key below the bed’s mattress. I took the keys from there and opened the cupboard and was surprised on seeing literature books. In a meanwhile, Jaanki had served the breakfast and asked me to come. While eating I asked Jaanki if we had guest at home. In a reply to this, she narrated a long story -Last month Mom and Dad visited Baitul Valley. My Mom met ‘Narmada’ over there. She is a grand daughter of the laborers’ incharge. Narmada had pricked her leg on a thorn. When she tried to scratch it, pus oozed out. Her foot swelled up. Mom got acquainted with this incident and brought Narmada along with her for the treatment.Mom was fascinated by her playful, mercurial behavior, harmonic sweet voice, beauty, black eyes and long hair. Mom treated Narmada as her daughter on her cleanliness and way of living.Mom loved her (Narmada) cooking and she became Mom’s family member in a very short span of time. Once Narmada expressed that she was missing Baitul valley and would like to go there. Mom asked Narmada if she would like to come back to Bhopal? “Definitely, only if Grandpa gives me permission”- said Narmada. That is why Mom personally went to see her off and she was with her for the past ten days.Narmada was born and grown up in a labor family. Four years ago, her parents died in an accident during digging a mound of soil. It was a turning point of her life. On seeing her condition, a couple who were doctor by profession, gave her shelter. With this, she had notable changes in her way of living. Two years later, that couple shifted abroad and she again returned to her grandfather’s cottage. I was amazed on having brief introduction of Narmada. After dinner, I lay down on bed and started thinking about Narmada.‘Narmada’ - I have heard this name several times earlier as well. Undoubtedly, she was an innocent girl, but she was very beautiful and attractive too, I had heard so.Jaanki told about Narmada in a coquettish manner and actually whatever she had said was true. My guess was all correct. I fell asleep thinking about Narmada.