Something that popped up in my mind. Please do let me know what you think of this. If you want to maaro tamatar only organic ones please and no rotten ones please (I believe in recycling) đ đ
Backdrop
Anandi has refused Shiv's rishta. Shiv had already told his parents about Anandi when the news came about this. Shiv's parents had already decided to come down because they wanted to meet the girl who had stolen their son's heart. They were also concerned about their son marrying a divorcee and wanted to make sure he was not being taken for a ride. Then they received a call from a heartbroken Shiv because he has been informed of Anandi's decision. They tried to leave immediately but could not because of Shiv's father's work but left after 10 days. Shiv knows they are coming and is looking forward to being with them. Anandi has been avoiding him and her family is extremely sorry for putting him through everything.
A chance meeting that changes everything
Shiv's mother was concerned about her son. They had arrived last night and she had watching him since. He hid his grief well and was trying to be cheerful but a mother knows when her child is hurt. She wanted to meet this Anandi who had hurt her child. She seemed to be a manipulative kind who first made her son fall in love with her and then rejected him so cruelly. Her son was such a nice person. She had no idea why this happened to him. She decided that she was going to the temple to pray for his well being. Then she would come back and cook for him and take care of her child.
She left for the temple and arrived at the temple a short time later. She had told the driver the night before and he was ready and waiting for her, so it was a short trip. It was early enough that there were only a few people around. She went into the temple and offered her prayers. It was so calm that she decided to sit down in this place of god and think. So she picked what she thought was a secluded corner and sat down. It was then that she heard the sniffles. It was very quiet so she initially thought she was imagining it. Then she heard the sound of bangles and she decided to investigate.
As she started looking around she came upon a young girl heads buried in her hands, face to her knees sobbing softly but pretty badly. She felt bad for this poor girl whoever she was who came to the temple to cry. The mother in her just needed to comfort her. So she went up to the girl and touched her and the girl lifted her head startled. She lifted her head, wiped her tears and turned away to compose herself. She then turned to her and apologized to her for disturbing her. As the girl turned to leave Shiv's mother could not stop herself. There was such an air of vulnerability around this girl. She was still sobbing softly. She offered her some water and the girl refused. Shiv's mom refused to take no for an answer and told her that she would not let her go until she felt she was fine.
The girl apologized profusely for her breakdown and as she turned to leave that was when Shiv's mom recognized her. This was Anandi - the girl her son loved but what was she doing crying alone in the temple. Shiv had told her she had a large family. Shiv's mom was intrigued. She decided to try and find out what had happened? As Anandi was leaving she called out to her "Beti you seem to be in lot of pain." Anandi said " Nahin toh bas aankh mein kuch chala gaya tha". Shiv's mom persisted "beti think of me as your mother and tell me what happened. I promise I will not tell anyone. I don't even know anyone here. I am just passing through. Woh kehte hain na kabhie kabhie aap ek ajnabi ko woh baatein bata sakthe hain joh ap apnon se nahin baant sakthe." Anandi looked at her trying to decide if she was trustworthy and trying to hold herself together. But the mention of her mother reminded Anandi of Sumithra who was in America and knew nothing of what was going on. This unleashed a fresh flood of tears.
Shiv's mom took her in a hug and let her cry her heart out. After some time Anandi's tears subsided and she apologized to Shiv's mom. Shiv's mom waved off her apologies and held her hand and said to her "Kya hua beti. Aap mujhe apni maa samaj kar batha sakthi ho."
Anandi sat quietly for a little bit and then asked "Hamare samaj mein betiyon ko boj kyun samjha jaatha hai?" Shiv mom said "Aisa kya hua toh tumhare mann mein yeh khayal aaya?" Anandi replied "Humare ghar ke sare log humein boj samajthe hain. Humare divorce ke final hone ke pehle hi humari doosri shaadi ki baat karli. Kyun Kyun. Kya mai itni badi boj hoon? Kya mujhe apni zindagi par koi adhikaar nahin hai? Aapko patha hai unhone meri shaadi ki baat ki aur mujhe bataya tak nahin"
Shiv's mom told her "Beta they care for you. Is the boy not good? Do you not like him?" Anandi looked at her and said "Oh no he is very nice. He is a very good person and very dedicated to his job. But there are many reasons why our alliance is not a good idea." Shiv's mom was confused and said " What reasons?"
Anandi explained "I just got a divorce from my husband of 18 years. That was a relationship I thought was going to last a life time. But he left me for someone else who he thought was a better fit for him. I changed myself after that. I became more independent. I do not want to be dependent on any man for anything. It leads to heartbreak. We were married for 18 years and I am still coming to terms that it is finished.
Shiv mother asked "Do you still love him?" Anandi looked at her and said " I don't know. In some corner of my mind I will always love him because he was my best friend since childhood. But do I love him after what he did to me, No. He was unfaithful to me and brought his new wife to live with us. I wish no other woman has to go through what I did. He insulted me and degraded me at every turn. I will never give anyone else the opportunity to do that. "
Shiv's mother said "Beti I understand your fears, but you told me your would be groom is a good man. Does her know about your divorce?"
Anandi smiled and said "He knows and he agreed to marry me in spite of that. My grandmother ensured that she threw us together so that we could get to know each other better. I did not even know what was going on. I felt so stupid when I finally realized what was going on and that too once they had actually asked for his hand in marriage and he had already agreed. I am not completely sure why he agreed to it but I think it know. I think he did it because he pities me and wants to give me a better life. I do not need that from anyone. I can take care of myself." Shiv's mother saw the fire come back into Anandi's eyes when talking about this and so she said "Have you asked him why he wanted to marry you? Maybe he likes you or even loves you?"
Anandi looked surprised and confessed she had not. Then she said "It does not matter. I will not marry him. His friend Ashimaji loves him and I will not take what belongs to another woman. I was at the receiving end of my husband's unfaithfulness and will not be the reason for another woman's pain. I also feel that Ashimaji is the better choice for him. He is a great guy and he needs a woman like Ashimaji who will love him unconditionally and not someone like me who has lots of baggage and has lost interest in marriage. I wish he would marry Ashimaji and live happily. " Shiv's mom asked "What will you do?" Anandi told her "I have to make a huge difference to society. I want to ensure child marriage is stopped everywhere. I have a lot of work to do in this place also. That is where my happiness lies."
Shiv's mom was now getting a clear idea of the whole scenario. This girl was not scheming vixen she thought. She was a genuinely nice person who thought Shiv clearly deserved someone better than her and that was a motivation for her to refuse this alliance. She was also extremely confused. She had just ended a long relationship and needed time to heal before she was ready for another one. Shiv's mother respected her sentiments in saying no to the alliance rather than jumping on it because she knew her son was a price catch. She seemed to genuine care about her son and even that scatterbrain Ashi.She was going to need to have a chat with her son about the Ashi angle but that would be later.
Shiv's mom took Anandi's hand in hers and spoke "Beti as a mother I can tell you this. Your grandmother and everyone else in your family wanted you to be happy and secure. I am not condoning their actions but I understand where they are coming from. Have you spoken to them about giving you some time. Tell them you need time ' maybe six months or a year. You need that time to find yourself. Tell them to tell the groom you are not ready now and they can talk about this when you are. In the meantime if the groom gets married elsewhere, this will not be a problem anymore. Anandi brightened up and said "Do you think this will work?" Shiv's mother nodded and said "Try it. What harm can it do?" Anandi rose and so did Shiv's mom. She touched Shiv's mom feet and said "Whoever is your child is very lucky to have a mother like you. Thank you so much. We may not meet again but thank you very much. Who kehthe hain na "Jab hum pareshan hothe hain, toh bhagwan khudh nahin aa sakthe toh kisse farishtey ko bhej dethe hain. Mere liye aap kisse farishtey she kum nahin hai. Main kinn shabdon mein aape ki shukriya ada karoon?" Shiv's mom said "Humesha kush raho aur hamesha hasti raho. Yahi meri shukriya hogi."
Anandi smiled and left with a lighter heart. Shiv's mom made a decision ' Anandi was the right girl for Shiv. She was going to be her daughter-in-law. She needed to get home and tell him about this meeting. She was going to give him an important piece of advice.
Shiv's mom arrived home and Shiv and his father were sitting ready for breakfast. After they had breakfast she told Shiv she wanted to talk to him with a very serious face. Shiv was worried and so was his dad. Once they were all seated his mom dropped the bomb "I met Anandi in the temple." Shiv was stunned and started talking fast, protesting and saying this was unfair. He saidf he loved Anandi and would only marry her. His mom said "Let me finish. I like her." Shiv's jaw dropped and his father looked stunned. He ran to hug his mom and after a bear hug his mom said "But you need to listen to me. Listen carefully." Shiv was all ears "You need to make sure you have a love marriage with Anandi. An arranged marriage is not going to work for you. Make her fall in love with you and want to marry you" Shiv stood there with his mouth open at what his mom was saying.
Shiv's mom continued "Court her but not now. She needs time, maybe a few months. She is recovering from a nasty divorce. Leave her be. She needs a friend not somebody trying to court her. Can you do this for me and for her?" Shiv agreed to do that and was hugged his mom again. Shiv's dad broke in and asked "Aisa kya hua jo aap ne 180 degree ka turn liya Anandi ke bare mein? Ye na haan mein kaise badal gayee?" Then Shiv's mom explained her conversation with Anandi and Shiv said "how on earth did she get this stupid idea about Ashi and me. We are just friends." Shiv's mom rolled her eyes at her stupid male offspring and told him to explain that in very clear terms to Ashi if he wanted Anandi in his life. Shiv understood the situation and went off to make the call. Shiv's dad came and said to his wife "So you are ok with this?" Shiv's mom said "She will understand Shiv and help him in his efforts. She is also very strong and can handle my stubborn son. What more does a mother want? Are you ok with it?" Shiv father told her "If it is ok with you, it is ok with me. I just want him and you to be happy."
Shiv's mom and dad sent prayers heavenwards so that their son's dreams comes true.
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