Malaal-Chapter 26

CHAPTER 26

“Rashi.”, Jigar said as he entered her room slowly. It was night time and everyone was asleep except the two. Rashi was tucked in her bed and turned away. Jigar’s heart ached. He slowly went and sat on a chair facing her.

“See Rashi, I am sorry for whatever happened today. I am sorry on behalf of Kakiji. I know you were excited about the day and it was ruined.”, he said quickly.

Rashi closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

“No, it was my mistake. I shouldn’t have let you in my life again. It just gives pain. Mr Modi please leave and let me sleep now. Goodnight.”, she said and switched off the bed lights.

Jigar sat there silently, looking at Rashi’s face, all her words playing in his head.

“I shouldn’t have let you in my life again.”

His fists clenched and he stomped out of her room. Rashi turned to look at the door and smiled sadly.

“I am sorry. But I had to do this.”, she thought.

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“Kakiji! Open the godamn door now!”, Jigar shouted as he violently knocked on Kokila’s door. Everyone woke up and surrounded him.

“What happened Jigar dikra?”, Hetal asked him in panic. He didn’t answer. He just kept on knocking the door.

Rashi was hearing it all from her room. She just closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

“Time for a relieving sleep Rashi.”, she told herself and snugged in her quilt comfortably.

“But Jigar would you even tell what’s this all about?”, Chirag shouted on him.

Kokila opened the door, Parag standing behind her. She was afraid for a moment when she saw the anger in Jigar’s face.

“What happened Jigar?”, she asked softly.

“What happened? Exactly what you wanted to do! I should’ve known that you didn’t bring all of us here to sort my life, get my love back, but to get YOUR daughter in law back! The woman who follows YOUR values, who returns as the daughter in law of the Modis, so that you can save your face in the society! You never wanted me and Rashi to be happy isn’t it? You just ruined everything...”, he said as he broke down. He was out of control.

Kokila stood there dazed. She couldn’t take so much accusations from her own family member.

“Jigar! What are you saying? Mind your words!”, Ahem shouted on Jigar and stepped forward to grab him, when suddenly Jigar punched him straight in the face. Ahem fell down, more due to shock that his brother could think of hitting him.

“You don’t understand my pain Bhai! You never would. You don’t know what it feels like living without your wife for so long, being so lonely in a house full of people and getting hate and resentment from her after waiting for a long time. Do not dare to intefere in my life y’all from now on! I said DO NOT!”, he screamed.

Rashi heard the noise and now even was worried a bit; Jigar was getting too emotional. Maybe she had hurt him too much, but she had no choice.

Slap. Jigar held his cheek as Hetal withdrew her hand from his cheek. Jigar looked at her, then at Kokila and walked away.

Everyone stood in the corridor, shocked at the behaviour of their most sober son.

“What has happened to him?”, Hetal cried, while Gopi tended to Ahem’s wound. Only Kokila stood there silently, understanding everything that Rashi had done.

“Rashi Di, there’s been a fight among them!”, Gaayu said as she came running to Rashi’s room.

Rashi didn’t even open her eyes. “Yeah Gaayu, I know. They are our guests and nothing else, why should we be concerned about it? Let me sleep okay, goodnight.”, she said in a casual tone.

Gaayu stood there for a few moments, surprised at Rashi’s indifference. She turned around to leave.

“Gaayu, Mr Modi might’ve skipped dinner I suppose. Take some food in his room. He would refuse, but tell me I sent it, he would eat then.”, Rashi spoke from under her quilts.

Gaayu smiled. “And you also haven’t had dinner. Shall I bring it for you too?”, she asked.

“No. I am tired. Goodnight.”, she said slowly and went to sleep.

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