The New Bride

by Agrini Bhattacharya 

When Radhika’s eldest brother got married, she was very upset. She had two more elder brothers and an elder sister. She was everybody’s pet and did not want any strangers in the house.

Plus she didn’t want Uday to get married. She thought that he would not pay attention to her if he got married. And she had seen Uday give that horrible Sarita a nice big present. She envied her.

She was very unhappy.

When all the ceremonies were done, she went into her bedroom and locked it. Lying awake, she kept on thinking about how to take revenge on her bhabhi (sister-in-law). She started weeping.

Ma was passing by her room. She went in and asked her what the matter was. Radhika told her everything. But before Ma could say anything, Baba called Ma because some guests are asking for her. She kissed Radhika on her forehead and went away.

Radhika kept on thinking and ultimately fell asleep. In the morning she refused to come down to breakfast. At the table, Uday asked Ma “Where is Radhika? Still sleeping?”

“No. She is angry with you. She says that you have forgotten her and will now not play with her.”

Uday went up to her bedroom. She was reading a book.

Uday said “Are you upset?”

Radhika nodded. “Why?” asked Uday. She told him the reason.

Uday said “I will play with only you. Sarita is so much older, and she doesn’t even know how to play ‘tag’. Happy?”

At that moment Sarita came in. She sat down and said sorry. She  gave Radhika a big gift. Now Radhika was happy.

But two months later another new bride…………….

Agrini Bhattacharya is a 12 year-old from Delhi, India. She is a student of class VII in DAV Vikaspuri. Her one enduring interest is reading.