Chapter 16

Sherry24

@Sherry24

[MEMBERSONLY]

[NOCOPY]

Epilogue

Old habits die hard, and its difficult to break a reputation. Hence, mostly habits don’t die they sometimes remain dormant intentionally or unintentionally & reputation stays intact……Trust doesn’t come easily. It’s a two-way sword, a boon, and a doom! Like every cloud has a silver lining, so does this one.

Chavans’ are celebrating!

But something was unusual about this particular celebration. The smiles were genuine, and the blessings and wishes were heart felt. That in itself was a peculiar. Something that was rare for the Chavans…Oneness! But the most surprising aspect of the evening was Patralekha’s absence from this event and none seemed concerned. Samrat rose from his seat to gather unified attention of his family. But each pair of eyes that turned lost the smile and was replaced by gloominess and concern as Samrat came into their target view.

Flashback

After Sai and Virat had returned with Samrat, they had together cleared all their differences and concerns. But one thing was still constantly lingering in their minds, the threat looming over Sai. Virat & Samrat and Mohit had taken a clear narrative of the sequence of events from Sai that led to her kidnapping and till the point she crossed path with Samrat. However, the most bizarre thing that they couldn’t place in the order was Mohit’s phone being used to trap Sai. Mohit was sure that his phone went missing in CN, which meant that someone from the family had to be involved. It wasn’t then difficult to zero in on the suspect who was betraying them by supporting Jagtap. But they wanted to be certain and also be extremely cautious in every move from thereon. The first step was to keep a close watch on Patralekha and her movements, to catch on anything suspicious. However, they also had to ensure that she never realises that they had doubts on her. The next step was to mirror Sai’s phone and put it on tracking. Patralekha had played it very ingeniously, and none were able to place a finger on anything out of character…until Samrat one day noticed Patralekha stealthily walking upto Virat & Sai’s room and peep in through the keyhole. He didn’t want to alert Patralekha, hence he quietly left and simultaneously dropping a message to Virat that Patralekha was outside, listening to their conversation. Though they couldn’t still confirm Patralekha’s involvement since this behaviour was not unusual. Hence, Samrat got the house wired to keep a watch on the movements inside the house. It was then that they saw Patralekha sneaking in and out of the house without the knowledge of anyone. They had called the entire family together when Patralekha had stepped out and exposed Patralekha’s true face with proof to everyone. Bhavani was not ready to believe, but when she saw the recordings she flared up. She wanted to rip apart Patralekha for her heinous act. But the brothers calmed her and told her that she will be penalised in due course. For now, she was the person who would lead them to Jagtap which was crucial for Sai’s safety. The whole Chavans came together as a pack to face the inside and outside threat to their family. Everyone was assigned tasks, and Patralekha was always on the radar by one or the other member. Her every breath was watched and movement closely monitored. Virat decided to get Patralekha’s phone on tracking as well. But before he got any leads, the next day Sai got the pictures from the previous night. However she gave into the demands of Jagtap despite everyone’s instructions to raise an alarm and notify them incase of any danger, due to threat on Virat’s life. She knew that they would get to her, Virat would. But for that he had to live, he had to live for her. And it was all about a single moment and things could take a turn for worse and would be irreversible. Virat saw the images sent on Sai’s phone and her conversation with Jagtap. The pictures proved it was Patralekha who had sent them to Jagtap, but before he could plan his next move, Sai had made her decision. Virat had called Samrat, but Sai had already left by then. The moment everyone realised that Sai was kidnapped, there was a havoc in the entire household. While Virat and Samrat left in search for Sai, with Jagtap’s number now on trace, the others ensured that Patralekha was never left out of sight. They did not want any form of information or update being passed on to Jagtap to alert him. This was also done tactfully without revealing to Patralekha that she was under surveillance. When Sai came home safely, Patralekha was furious. All she wanted was to strangle Sai with her bare hands. All her efforts had gone in vain. But she checked herself and smoothed any expressions that gave away her true feelings. She couldn’t afford to let anyone know that she was an accomplice in the crime and was discreetly providing information to Jagtap. So, to cover up she had acted her piece of having moved on and giving her life a new chance with Samrat. It was a classic scene played out wherein everyone was enacting their part. Patralekha felt her words had obtained their objective and the Chavans had fallen for her tears. Unaware they were inwardly having their own secret laugh, passing each other looks at the spectacle Patralekha was presenting of herself. 

Next day Patralekha was a pure saccharine dipped sack in her interactions with everyone especially Sai & Samrat. However, she was unaware of the storm that was about to hit her soon. She was surprised to see her parents arrive and became perplexed when she realised that Bhavani had called for them.

Patralekha – Aai, Baba how come you came unannounced? Its such a pleasant surprise. I was missing you both so much

Shailesh – Bhavaniji had called for us to discuss something important

Patralekha (looking at Bhavani) – Badi Mami, you didn’t tell me anything. Hope all is well. Why have you called for my parents?

Bhavani only looked back to see Samrat arrive on que with some luggage.

Patralekha – Samrat, where are you going? What is happening? Don’t tell me you are leaving again? And that is why Badi mami called for Aai and Baba?

Samrat – These are not mine. These are your stuff that I have packed to save you the trouble. It is not me but it is you who is leaving this house and our lives….forever

Patralekha and her parents stood stunned at Samrat’s words. Patralekha looked around the hall to see all the faces, but none bore any element of surprise. They all stood quiet with a solemn expression.

Patralekha – Fine. You got me. It is some sort of prank that you all are playing on me. Right?

Bhavani – No Patralekha, we don’t fool around on such serious topics. But you definitely seemed to have played with our emotions and betrayed us.

Vaishali – But why are making her leave the house? What has she done?

Ashwini – Why don’t you ask your own daughter, about her conspiracies behind our back

Patralekha panicked. She could sense the doom

Patralekha (Stammering) Co..con….conspiracy? Me? What are you talking about Ashwini Mami. I told you all that I’m now over my past and want to give my marriage with Samrat a chance. Yet you have fuelled every one’s mind and turned everyone against me. Even Badi mami

She started to cry out loud in her attempt to gain sympathy

Patralekha – Why does every one keep insulting me like this? Anyone in this house can just do my beiz..

Ninad – Enough Patralekha. No one here is interested in listening to your stale cry on your beizatti and crocodile tears anymore. You only reap what you sow. You should now be prepared to pay the price for your deeds.

Patralekha – But what have I done?

Before she could question the TV screen came alive and the name “Jagtap” echoed in Patralekha’s voice

Patralekha stood rooted as she was exposed by Virat, Samrat, Mohit & Sai. They narrated the entire story to her parents, with the pictures, audio calls & recording from CCTV. Shailesh & Vaishali stood there staring at their daughter unable to meet the eyes of the Chavans. Eventually Shailesh walked upto Sai with folded hands.

Shailesh – I don’t know what to say to you Sai. But only apologise for my daughter’s ill deeds and for everything you went through because of her.

Sai (Folding her hands) – Please don’t apologise to me. You are elder to me, more like a father figure. It’s not your fault and you can’t take accountability of your daughter’s misdeeds. I have nothing against you or your wife. You have raised your daughter well and tried to give her the best upbringing. What she does of her life and consequences of her decisions and actions are solely her responsibility. She and only she is liable of the repercussions and any of the castigation or punishment that follows it. I can’t and I won’t hold you responsible for any of it.

Shailesh turned towards Patralekha who had started to get some color back on her face after going pale at the revelations.

Shailesh – I had always taken pride in you, in my upbringing. But today you let me down. I still can’t believe that my daughter can stoop so low that she can endanger someone’s life.

Patralekha (knowing she had nothing to lose) – What about me baba? Virat duped and dumped me. And this Sai has always been the obstacle in my path. She was trying to take away what is mine. How can I forgive her? Who suffered in all this? Me. Don’t I even have the right to fight for my happiness when everyone is trying to snatch it away from me

Vaishali – Shut up Patralekha. I’m ashamed to even call you my daughter. After doing all this you stand here and justify yourself instead of apologising. But how can I blame you? It was me who encouraged you. I should have stopped you when I saw the first signs of your jealousy. Instead, I stood by you, supported you. Now you have gone way beyond redemption. It’s all my mistake.

Bhavani – Shaleshji, Vaishaliji, I have always been confident about my choice and understanding of people. I adored Patralekha, treated her like my own daughter, infact more. But she let me down. I always supported her against Sai, but I never imagined the venom I was breading in her. We don’t want to stretch this anymore. None of the men of this family have divorced before. But we are left with no choice. We can’t accept Patralekha as our daughter-in-law anymore. Please take her with you. 

Patralekha – I will not leave this house. Do you hear me? I will not leave this house. I will file a case against all of you. I will charge you of mental harassment and Virat of cheating me

Sai – And I will file a counter case against you for mentally harassing me, conspiring against me posing a threat to my life and lastly sexually harassing my husband. And we have enough proof to prove all these allegations. You have none. We have nothing to lose. 

Samrat – Sai is right Patralekha. If you want to fight ugly we are in for it too. You will lose, because you have nothing to prove your allegations. And, if you want to drag us to the court, we will be forced to expose you, and that will not be a pretty scene. It will taint your reputation forever. So, leave while we give you the chance to move out peacefully. Or else we will start off with filing a complaint against you for your involvement in Sai’s kidnapping. We can’t guarantee what Jagtap states in his statement, but we will not accuse or file a case against you. As long as you agree to move out of our lives forever. Anytime you decide to return remember we have the evidence that can destroy you. So go.. live and let live. We will start the divorce proceedings shortly.

Shailesh – Patralekha, you have done enough. I don’t want to listen to another word. Let’s go.

Shailesh folded hands and apologised to everyone again.

With nothing else left to fight for, Patralekha walked out of the CN and their lives with her parents in tow.

Present day

Samrat – I know you all have been worried sick for me and my future. But today I want to make my stand clear. Past is in past now. I will treat it as a bad dream and move on. But this experience, has not dampened my spirits or risked my faith in love and the institution of marriage. A broken marriage has not shaken my credence and I will continue my pursuit for a compatible life partner.

He raised a toast, and everyone joined in with moist eyes with the tint of happiness that welled in their hearts at Samrat’s words. Virat stood up and went towards Samrat

Virat – Jeeva, somewhere I have been the reason for all the problems we all had to face, most importantly you and Sai. I can never apologise enough for it

As Virat glanced sideways to Sai to convey the message, she joined him, clasping her palm in his and entwining their fingers and holding them in a grip that sent a thousand messages, without a single word spoken. Her eyes smiling, twinkling with the pure love she felt for him blatantly, unabashedly.  He knew that she would never hold him responsible, never accuse him of anything that she suffered, but he could never forget what he had brought upon. He would always strive to live upto all her expectations, and forever try to keep her happy. 

Samrat – Shiva, I have never held you responsible for anything. It was destiny. You did what you thought was right, and I don’t doubt your intentions. You meant well. But that doesn’t mean you will hide anything from me ever again (he gave Virat a fake threat with a glare)

Bhavani – I’m finally at peace. It makes me feel so grateful, and blissful to see the entire family sit together like this and enjoy and be happy. Khandoba, I thank you for this happiness. Please bless my children and my family. I just hope that these smiles never fade away. Only if I had smelled the disruptive force in my family, I would have ousted her long back. Contrary I gave her my support to ruin my own family.

Ashwini – It’s all in the past Vahini. Let’s be thankful for having made it out of this. We are all together happy and content

Bhavani – You are right Ashwini.  Let’s offer our gratitude. And Sai, don’t think that this gives you license to do your will. I will still be as strict with you as before. Mind it. You still are not the one approved by me.

Sai looked at Bhavani, her eyes gloomy with the statement. She looked down disappointed, when she heard giggles around. Her eyes went up to see the entire family cracking up with Bhavani in the lead at tease.

Bhavani – Why are you staring at me? Only you can play pranks? I’m older than you in age and experience. So be ready to face me.

Sai went and hugged Bhavani with Ashwini and Ninad standing on both sides their hands caressing her head and back. Virat affectionately looked at the love bestowed upon his wife. Well, she very much deserves it, he thought. This was his family, at their happiest, and healthiest. He couldn’t ask for more.

Samrat interrupted his train of thoughts, as he came up behind him and placed his arm on his shoulder.

Samrat – You should never regret anything Virat. This was all destiny, and it was this destiny that gave you Sai. And I can’t be happier for you. Thank you for giving Sai to me, this family. But most importantly to yourself! She is your silver lining.

Virat nodded in agreement and as if sensing his thoughts Sai looked up at him. Their eyes met acknowledging the trials and tribulations they had gone through, the ones in store in the future, with the promise to face them together, holding each other close and their love closer. The clouds may come move on, or pour over, but they will continue to shine as the silver lining for each other.

The End!

[MEMBERSONLY]