Chapter 3

[MEMBERSONLY]

[NOCOPY]

Chapter - 2

After intital moments of shock and surprise was over, every one got seated. 
Bhavani tried to start the conversation to break the awkwardness.

Bhavani - How have you been Mansi? I have been so worried about you. But you seemed to have forgotten all of us

Mansi - (Eyeing Patralekha)Vahini, It is you who disregarded and chose others over us. Why are you complaining now?

Bhavani was taken aback by this new Mansi. She had never heard her speak in this manner, atleast not with her.

Bhavani - (Faking a laugh) You have misunderstood me. You will always me our family. You and Samrat will always be dear to me. I never wanted you both to leave CN, but then I knew Samrat was disturbed. Hence, I didn't object. And then it was always good to have someone from family around in tough times. So I didn't stop you from going with him either.

Mansi - I may have been stupid all those years, ignorant of anything and everything that was happening around me. Not anymore. So no one can fool me with their saccharine dipped words.

Ninad - (Trying to estinguish the tense situation) Leave all of that. Tell us how have you both been? And what are you both doing here?

Samrat- Ninad Mama, we are doing fine. I'm currently on my annual leave. We had just gone to the mall closeby to shop.

Mansi - (Interrupting) Yes, and this is a family vacation. It's always nice to spend time with family so we came over here.

She had bitter edge to her tone as if she was taunting.

Bhavani ignoring the subtle mock, nodded her head in affirmation. 

Patralekha was standing in a corner, stiffly. Samrat's presence was making her uncomfortable, not because he was her ex-husband, but him reconnecting with Virat. She was dreading the impact this would have on her plans. And now that Samrat was here along with his Aai it would be difficult to  speak to Virat about their marriage. Even if Virat had no objection he may feel obligated to his brother. Virat was capable of giving up on anything for the sake of his brother. He had done it once and he was capable of doing it again. She couldn't afford that, she was not ready to be the sacrificial lamb again. Since the time they had entered, she had barely been able to look them in their eyes. They were trouble. Trouble in caps.

Breaking her train of thoughts, Mansi started to cough vigourously and the woman who had accompanied her stood up immediately and helped her with a glass of water, that the maid had placed on the table. The expression on her face making her concern for Mansi evident.

Mansi - Thank you Nandu beta. I'm fine. Don't worry.

That's when Bhavani suddenly noticed the young lady who had accompanied Mansi and Samrat. She was a beautiful young woman, who was very elegantly dressed in a saree. 

Mansi (caressing the woman's cheeks lovingly she said proudly) - She is Nandini, my daughter-in-law,.. Samrat's wife. We lovingly call her Nandu.

There was glint in her eyes when she spoke, that expressed her happiness.

Everyone around was shocked with this revelation. Just when Nandini got up to take blessings from everyone she was halted in tracks by Bhavani's outburst.

Bhavani - Samrat got married and you didn't inform us. How can you do that to us? Don't we deserve to know about such an important thing as part of the family. Were we not supposed to be involved in this.

Mansi - (Hinting at Patralekha) My son had already been through a lot, with no fault of his. With the obvious reasons that we left CN, we deemed it right to conduct this wedding in a simple, quiet, close knit manner. You all had made your preferences clear to us long back. We found the perfect girl of Samrat and she makes my son happy. So nothing else mattered. 

Bhavani was intelligent enough to not probe further. She knew it could open the pandora box.

Bhavani - I understand the discomfort. Anyways I'm happy if you all are happy.

Looking at Nandini she continued

Bhavani - You are lucky Mansi. You seemed to have got yourself a beautiful and caring DIL. I know that you hold our family lineage with utmost importance, so you would have chosen carefully. One look at her and you can say that she belongs to a reputed, high class family like ours. Which family does she belong to? Do we know them already?

Samrat was getting irritated and he saw Nandini feeling uneasy with the questions.

Samrat - I don't think the family matters Badi Mami. Nandu is the perfect life partner for me. 

Bhavani was stunned, more from Samrat's tone than his words. He had never interrupted her nor had he ever spoken so disapprovingly to her.

Bhavani (getting a hold on herself and turning to Mansi) - What does that mean Mansi? 

Mansi - Exactly what Samrat just said Vahini.  And to answer your questions, she is a well educated girl, who belongs to good middle class bengali family and has had a good upbringing. She may not fit your parameters for an ideal girl, but for us she is the perfect one. How good did the girl you chose turn out to be? She ruined my son's life. Samrat is happy with Nandu. She takes care of me like her own mother. I don't need anything more and nothing else really matters. It's Samrat's life and I'm happy as long as he is happy. And I know he is very happy. Nandu brought that smile, that happiness back into his life. Before you say anything further Vahini, I want to make one thing very clear. I will not tolerate any unwanted comment or taunt against Nandu. So please refrain yourself from any unpleasant talks to keep things cordial between us.

It seemed like Mansi's words had zipped Bhavani's mouth. She went completely quiet.

At Mansi's nod, Nandini and Samrat went around touching the feet of the elders who gave their blessings, most of them half heartedly. Ashwini hugged them both and kissed their forehead, blessing them with all the happiness (she passed them both a knowing smile)

Shivani was her usual self, refusing to be called Bua, she went on to tease them both. Mohit hugged Samrat and side hugged Nandini. Karishma also went on to hug Nandini. But there was something different about how Ashwini, Shivani, Mohit and Karishma met these two than the rest of the family. The love in their eyes apparent.

Shivani - So love birds, where else are you planning to go?

Samrat - Just stay here and spent some quality time with family. Nandu also prefers that. 

Nandu - True. This is so much more fun. Don't you agree Sammy?

Samrat nodded and they looked at each other lovingly, completely besotted with each other. Just then Shivani Bua interrupted them clearing her throat.

Nandini - (Blushing)I will go and prepare some tea for Aai and Sammy. Would anyone else like to have tea or coffee?

Ashwini - No beta. We all just had it.

Nandini smiled and walked into kitchen, giving a nod to Patralekha with a smile as she crossed her. Patralekha was not sure whether to be relieved that Samrat had moved and was not happily married or worried about his presence here and current equation with Virat. She remembered that she was cooking for Virat and hurried behind Nandini. 

Kitchen

The pan and it's contents was in completely burnt state. Pakhi lashed out at the maid.

Patralekha - What were you doing? How did you let this get burnt? I had made it for Virat. Now what will I do? He will be back home any moment.

Maid - You had asked me not to touch anything and not do anything without your orders

Patralekha - How dare you accuse me? And how dare you talk to me in that tone? Mind your language. You are only a servant here

Nandini - (Calmly interrupting) Jaya didi didn't intend to insult you. She is a very nice lady. Virat dada holds her in high regards and trusts her completely.

Patralekha - (Venting out her irritation at seeing them here) I know you are feeling insecure and finding an opportunity to score over me. But Samrat is my past and we didn't have a relationship even when we were married. I understand that you may feel jealous of me in your current situation, because I was his first wife, but frankly I have never been interested in him.

Nandini (smiled with a smirk) - It seems more like you are insecure by our presence here. I'm very secure and comfortable in my space. I love Samrat and he loves me. Whether he had a past with you or not does not bother me. Because that was his past. Today he loves me, only me and thats wants counts. I'm very content. Infact I'm thankful to you, because if you both had not got divorced Samrat would not have come into my life. So thank you. You never valued him so he moved on. For me he means more than my life. In the entire deal you are the one left alone.

Just then the door bell rang again and Patralekha forgot about the argument and the retort she was planning and ran back to get the door. She did a quick check on her appearance, putting a broad smile on her face as she answered the door.

But yet again as if on que, the smile faded, the blood drained from her face as she stood frozen by the door.

Chapter - 3 Threads of the past weaved up the future?

[MEMBERSONLY]