Chapter 25

Stunned, Kabir watched Shekhar's exit, observing his route as he headed in the direction of Rachna's home. It was impossible that this was happening now; it made no sense, not when neither Shekhar nor Rachna, wanted this alliance. No, I can only speak for Rachna not wanting this,' he realized. There was no way to know where Shekhar's mind was on this, however he could not help but suspect a change of heart if for nothing else but for the sheer arrogance the younger man had just displayed.

 

Kabir closed his eyes, his jaw clenched in anger; there was no way that he could be so close to his own happiness for the rug to be pulled from under him like this. He closed the door, and remained there stuck in place, contemplating his next move. His first, and absolute insane instinct was  just to barge in on them all, demanding that Rachna's parents release her from this unwanted relationship and instead hand her into his care where she would be treasured always.  He turned, his mind racing, at the unimaginable thought that after all that had happened, that it all could come to an end in an instant.  And unfortunately, unlike their last separation this had the potential to be permanent.  He only became aware that he stood, his hand back on the door knob, when the warmth of human contact brought the realization of another's presence. He looked down to find Daadi, concern etched on her face, standing there, her hand covering his. An obvious witness to what had just occurred, she shook her head denying his exit, "Nay Nanhe beta, have faith that all is not lost. Just as you love her, remember she will be fighting for her love as well. You do trust her don't you?"

 

Rachna halted just before entering her home, allowing Shekhar to catch up to her. She turned to speak to him accusingly in hushed tones, as not to alert their families inside the house, "What have you done, Shekhar, do you think this all a joke; this is our lives you're talking about here, and not just ours. What about your Neeta? And if you think you can separate me from.."

"Rachna Beta , is that you?"

"Ji Mummy." Sending a final glare in Shekhar's direction, she entered her home, ready to face whatever was to come. While it seemed that Shekhar had submitted to his mother's demands; there was no way she would ever agree to any of this.

 

Her mother having approached the entrance door was the first to greet the pair. Rachna watched as Shekhar bended to receive her blessings, which her mother had offered with a smile. "Beta, your parents are just inside, please come in." She had then held Rachna's hand and after gently squeezing it in reassurance escorted her fully inside.

"Namaste Aunty Ji; Uncle Ji"

In turn Rachna bent to receive the blessings of Shekhar's parents, and then took a seat as instructed by her father. Shekhar already seated, moved over to accommodate Rachna, who made her position quite clear when she moved as far away from him as possible. She didn't have any idea what Shekhar had been relaying to his parents, but Rachna was fully prepared to counter any perception that anyone may have concerning the two of them. Whether by deed or word, they would know that from her standpoint, that this was an unwanted alliance. She looked over to the far side of the room where Gunjan stood, her face a mask of worry. Rachna sent her an imperceptible nod, receiving one in return along with a more assured look from her sister; her ever ready ally was in place.  Focusing back on Shekhar's parents who sat across from them, Rachna noticed the shrewd look on his mother face as she stared directly at her. She took a deep breath and waited.

 

"This alliance was proposed six months ago, with the best of intentions, but now matters have come to my attention that perhaps it is not as ideal as it should be."

 

Of all people to speak, never did Rachna expect these words to come from Shekhar's father. Always, as it related to this alliance, it had always been his mother who had been at the forefront; his father had of course offered support and approval of the proposal, but only in a quiet resilient fashion. She gave him her full attention, wanting to hear more, yet fearful to even expect that a solution could be so close at hand.

 

Before he continued he stole a glance at his wife beside him, "No matter what admirable traits we as parents see in those we select for our children; I am of the view that we must consider our own children's opinions and emotions."

 He rose to stand in front of her parents his palms together, "Dayal, Shail, please understand that while we believe your daughter has all the qualities a family would ever want in a daughter-in-law, I cannot consign her to a marriage where there is no hope of her having an equitable chance of a happy married life. My son has advised me, in no uncertain terms, that his affections, his heart even, lay elsewhere, and I cannot in good conscience condone this alliance as such. To do so now fully understanding my son's feelings would be dishonorable to me as his father. I can ask only that you forgive us, and know that in no way is this a reflection of Rachna. "

 

She knew that all of the attention in the room had focused on her, but still she could not stop the tears from streaming down her face. Her father frowned and appeared to get ready to speak, when Rachna saw her mother take hold of his arm, and shake her head with a smile which seemed to soothe him. Rachna sent her father an unsteady smile to assure him that she was fine, and watched him as he sighed in turn. She watched as both sets parents stood and moved into the next room to continue talking.

 

 Shell-shocked, Rachna sat there before finally turning to the young man beside her. She laughed shakily as he handed her a handkerchief.

"Shekhar, did you really just dump me?"

"I would be lying if I said I wasn't tempted for a minute to go through with it. You're a very special girl and it would have been so much easier. But I don't love you, so yes, Rachna, you can consider yourself officially rejected."

"I've never been happier to be so."  She sat there unable to do anything but weep, when suddenly realization hit her of how he had just acted at KT's. She made a fist and landed a few punches on his arm. "You absolute Jerk, what the heck was  all that  My Rachna' nonsense  a little while ago; you knew what would happen yet you still..."

Shekhar grabbed her offending fist laughing, "Ah well, that was just a little payback; Rachna your Kabir really doesn't play well with others at all, you do realize that don't you?"

Recalling KT's interactions with Shekhar, Rachna smiled, "No, when it comes to me, he definitely doesn't, but I love him despite that."

"Just as much as I love Neeta, I'm sure...Rachna please tell me that now you will help me out here."

"You idiot, I had already decided to; in fact I was just about to talk to KT about it when you visited."

"Thank God, so that means that you will take my calls now?"

Noticing their parents re-entering the room, Rachna nodded her affirmation. Both she and Shekhar stood respectfully waiting.

 Apparently their talk had been productive as Shekhar's parents soon prepared to take their leave. Rachna approached them her hands clasped "Uncle Ji, Aunty Ji, thank you so much for considering and understanding your son. He is a wonderful person, and I truly wish for his happiness."

In response, Shekhar's father placed his hand on Rachna's head, conveying blessings on her before walking away to talk to his son. Left alone with Shekhar's mother who was now staring at her fixedly, Rachna began to speak, "Aunty, I would like to apologize..." Stopped by her raised hand, Rachna waited nervously for what would come next.

"Rachna, beta, one thing I have always prided myself on is my instinct which tells me that your recent visit entailed far more than the need to help my son. You took a risky step that day, and I hope that it was worth the effort made." Placing her hand on Rachna's head, she smiled indulgently. "All I ever wanted was the very best for my son, and I saw that in you. I hope that the one you are fighting for truly deserves you." Filled with emotion, Rachna could only nod in agreement. In return, Shekhar's mother smiled as she spoke, "May God bless you Beta."

 

And then their guests left, taking with them the inevitability of a future that she had never desired. Left alone with her parents, Rachna turned to face them; the full extent of her emotions plainly visible for then to see. "Mummy, Papa.."

"Rachna, beta, I know you wish to talk, but for now I think you should have a rest, it has been an eventful afternoon."

"Ji Papa."

It was an equally emotional Gunjan who awaited her in her bedroom. And in her sister's embrace, finally all of her pent up fears found release in the torrent of tears Rachna could no longer hold back. Even as fear gave way to utter relief, she still wept, until sheer exhaustion won and she finally rested.

Wiping her own tears, Gunjan smiled down at a sleeping Rachna as she turned to leave the room.  Before she could Rachna's ringing mobile caught her attention. She smiled as she registered who was calling her sister, "Hi KT, I'm sorry Rachna's actually resting right now; I can get her to call you when she wakes up."

"Gunjan is everything okay... are you crying?"

Knowing it was not her place to share this news, she paused before answering. "KT it will be best if Rachna explains everything when she awakes, okay?"

crtkelly2014-09-07 14:05:56