Anupama was uncharacteristically silent.
Hasmukh Shah sat in front of her. The calm and cozy atmosphere of the coffee shop did nothing to sooth his heart. Even though Anupama has ordered his favorite masala chai, he didn't have an appetite for the beverage.
Truth was, he missed Anupama. It has been 2 months since Vanraj and Kavya's affair came to light. Anupama was ill for two weeks following the revelation, her treating doctor said she was emotionally traumatized.
After she pulled through, she packed her bags and shifted to her friend Devikas place, leaving the Shah family behind, including her children.
She called him occasionally, asking about his health and reminding him about refilling his meds, but Samar talked to her everyday, he assured them that his mother was fine, has found a part time job at a dance school and still kept the teaching job at Pakhi's school. Apart from that she didn't interact with anyone.
5 days after she left, pakhi had called her, crying about missing burger day and asking her to come back home. Anupama had cut her crap and told her to order it on Zomato.
Without Anupama to manage the household, things have become chaotic at Shah house. There were 7 adults in the house, but they couldn't take care of themselves, let alone that house. Cooking and planning meals had became a struggle, Kinjal tried to manage everything initially. But she got fed up with Leela's taunts about her cooking and quit after a huge argument. Thankfully she was smart enough to call her mother Rakhi , who promptly sent a team of cooks and maids. Now Leela bothered them all day while Kinjal worked peacefully.
But it wasn't just same. Hasmukh missed that 'ghar ki baat' which only anupama could bring. Samar has completely frozen out Vanraj and started calling him Mr. Shah. Pakhi had became an insufferable brat, she would lash out at any chance she got. Toshu decided to move to Rakhis penthouse, siting need of mental peace.
And Mr. Vanraj Shah, was now publicly dating Kavya, feeding the gossip mill of their mohalla.
Hasmukh had asked to meet Anupama. After all how can a daughter refuse her father anything. He was surprised when Anupama gave him an appointment with set date and time, saying her schedule was full. How could she be too busy to see him?
Now that he sat in front of her, he didn't know what to say. She had truly changed after moving out. Smartly dressed in a Cotton kurta, pants and dupatta set, her hair up in a pony tail, she was a picture of Confidence. Her face radiated with peace, as if someone had lifted a weight from her shoulders. She looked.... Happier.
And that happiness was causing dread to hasmukh. How can she be like that? Didn't she miss them, her children.. Her husband!
"Kahiye babuji, aapko kya baat karni hai mujhse? "
Hasmukh took a deep breath to calm himself, and organized his thoughts.
" Ghar laut aao Anu, hum sabko tumhari yaad aati hai. Kuch bhi pahle jaisa nahi raha waha. Tumhare bina sab kuch soona lagta hai. Mano ghar se khushi hi door chali gai ho. "
Anupama sighed, she was expecting this.
" Sorry babuji, lekin ye nahi ho sakta. Maine kafi mehnat se apne liye nayi jindagi shuru ki hai. I can't return to my old habits now. "
"Beta I know you are deeply hurt, but think about your children, how will they live without you? How will I live without you? ”
Anupamas patience was waning, this was her only day off from work, and she wasn't in mood for emotional blackmail.
" Tell me babuji, are you getting your meals and meds on time? All household chores are getting done perfectly and on time? Do you get tea and snacks whenever you want? ”
Hasmukh was unsure where she was going with this, he decided to entertain her.
"Yes, all gets done perfectly and in timely manner. I don't have to lift a finger. "
"Then I am not needed there. "
"What!..... Beta what are you saying, we all miss you. "
"No babuji, you all just got used to having me around, you will get used to my absence too. If you wish to see me, you should call me. We will meet when I have free time. "
"Don't be like this beta, your marriage.....
Anupama interrupted him, " My marriage was over long ago, when your son cheated on me before pakhi was born. "
This was news for hasmukh, how many affairs did vanraj have?
"Mr. Shah was never faithful to me babuji, he was out fulfilling his desires while I slaved away at your home. I never had a day of rest, I was never appreciated for the efforts I made, I was never encouraged to be the best version of myself. No one stood up for me when your wife and son kept abusing me. You call me your daughter, but even you were a silent spectator of my torment. I suffered for 25 years, thinking that at least my husband loved me, but that was all a big fat lie. "
" I am sorry anu, I didn't stood up for your rights, but look, I have corrected my mistake, see, you now own 33% of our home." Hasmukh hastily showed her some papers.
Anupama carefully read those papers, taking her time, and gave them back to Hasmukh.
" What will I do with 1/3rd of a house? "
Hasmukh smiled, " You can come back to live with us, nobody will be able to throw you out, we can be a family again. "
" What you mean, is that I can be a punching bag again. I will not live with my abusers, no matter what. If you want me to come back, then ask Vanraj and your wife to leave. That's my only condition. "
Hasmukh was perplexed.." Anu how is that possible, I can't do that. "
"Of course you can't, one is your wife and other is the only earning member of the house. Of course they get a free pass to do what they want. But I won't be allowed to even wear what I want.i will be told to be silent when Leela will taunt me endlessly and Vanraj will bring his affair partner to the house. Tell me babuji, where will i stay? You don't have even a spare room for me there. And if I needed money tomorrow, I won't be able to sell or mortgage the house, cause it's co owned by my tormentors. Can you even give me one reason to come back to that hellish place? "
"Your children are there beta. "
" My children are fine. I will be moving to my own place soon, and Samar will join me there. Pakhi and toshu are also grown up. They can visit me there."
"But who will take care of me..... " Hasmukh was dejected now..... Who will keep the peace...
"You have a son and a wife. Rest is being handled by maids and cooks. I am earning my own money, so you don't have to worry about me. "
Anupama signaled the waiter to get their bill.
" I have to leave now babuji, I have already called a cab for you, you will reach home without any problems. Jai shree krishna. " She left after putting some money on the table.
Hasmukh was stung, she didn't even touch his feet before leaving.
Anupama sat inside the auto after telling the driver her destination. She held up strongly in front of hasmukh, but now her head was aching, anxiety flaring inside her stomach. She called Devika,
"Hi devu, ha mai therapist se milne ja rahi hu..... Yes it went well... Yes he wanted me to come back..... Of course I refused.... I just need to gather my emotions again..... No I didn't have a panic attack..... That's a huge improvement... Yeah pick me up after 1 hour. Cu... Bye. "
Anupama has really changed.....after so may years.... She felt grown up. Her journey was nowhere near the end,...... But it was a good beginning.
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