CHAPTER 26 - Fall from Grace
The next morning Adarsh was busy doing last minute packing for his field trip. He had not told Swadheenta about what happened the previous day. It was not as if he wanted to hide it from her, he was just too occupied with the thoughts cluttering his mind. But Swadheenta had noticed that something was off with her husband. She did not ask about it last night, but she could not let him leave with something bothering him like that. Therefore she asked cautiously
"You don't look happy to go on this field trip."
"No, it's nothing like that. In fact I am more than happy to leave this place for a while. The environment is so suffocating here"
Adarsh asserted
"Are you talking about the pollution ? If so, then you are completely right"
Swadheenta knew this was not the reason
"It's not that. Listen Swadheenta, I am going to apply for a transfer after I return. If you want to continue your practice in Delhi , you can stay with Mamu-Mami"
Adarsh declared
Swadheenta raised her eyebrows in disbelief
"What are you saying ? How can you think of leaving Mom and Dad alone when Jaidev bhaiya is also not there "
"They are going to be fine, you need not worry. Even your parents are alone in Chennai"
Adarsh tried to reason
"You are not making any sense Adarsh. You know your parents have been through such a big tragedy. Just because they don't show it does not mean they are completely over it. Infact Mom ..."
Just then there was a knock on their door. Swadheenta opened it and found her mother in law standing. She wondered if she had heard their conversation. She could not make it out from her face.
"Can you both come to the living room for a few minutes ? I know Adarsh has a flight to catch but I won't take much of your time"
Suhasini paused for their reply
Swadheenta nodded and said,
"Of course Mom, we will be there"
When the couple reached the living room, they were surprised to find all the members of their family already there. Manohar, Simmi, Jaya and Jaidev, even Mr. Ahuja. Jaidev had arrived the previous night to take Jaya back to Shimla.
Seeing them arrive Suhasini announced,
"So everyone is here now. I think I should begin. You must be thinking why I called all of you at such a short notice. Someone made me realise that all this while I had been living a lie. I thought that I could control the lives of people, and in this misconception I have committed certain acts that you might deem unforgivable."
She paused to look at Adarsh, then she turned to Simmi and said,
"Anyways, I think I should come to the point now. Simmi, you had asked for a DNA test to establish the identity of Amana. Till then you were not even ready to touch her. In those few days , I developed such a strong attachment to her that I was not ready to let her go in any case. Therefore I asked the doctor to send fake reports if they come negative, but fortunately they were positive."
"Such a big deception ! Who gave you the right to..."
Mr. Ahuja stood up in anger. Simmi was still too shocked to react. Suhasini looked at him and said,
"Please sit down Ahuja Saab, I am not done yet"
Her words had the desired effect. Mr. Ahuja went back to his seat. Suhasini then continued,
"Adarsh, remember on the night of your engagement, I told you how Swadheenta had accused me of conspiring to break your alliance. Well, she was correct. I did not want the marriage to happen. I thought Swadheenta was not the suitable girl for you and our family."
Adarsh was about to get up and leave, but Swadheenta held him back.
Suhasini continued,
"I almost ruined my eldest son and daughter in law's life by fixing an alliance without his consent. Fortunately, because of Jaya's patience and perseverence, they have managed to build a sweet relationship out of it. And Abhay..."
Her voice choked , she cleared her throat and said
"I have brought up my children with certain ideals, but I myself failed to live up to them . I won't try to justify my actions. I admit I was wrong on all these counts. May be many other counts as well. And now I should be prepared to face the consequences. That was all I had to say."
As soon as she had finished, Simmi got up and stormed out of the room.
"It is already getting late, I think we should leave now."
Jaya told Jaidev and both of them left.
Mr. Ahuja looked towards Manohar and said,
"I had thought that my daughter has been finally accepted by this family as its own, but I was wrong. Samdhanji has always tried to put me and my daughter down , and this time she has crossed all limits."
Just then Simmi entered carrying baby Amana in one hand and pulling the handle of a trolley bag with the other. She said to Ahuja,
"I cannot stay here any longer Papa, come , let us go home"
Manohar tried to stop her,
"Please Simmi, don't go. I am apologising on Suhasini's behalf. You are our daughter, this is your house now."
"You may think that but it is obvious everyone does not. I am sorry Dad but I have to go"
Simmi was determined
"Please Simmi, don't take any decision impulsively. We can sort this matter by discussion"
Swadheenta urged
"There isn't anything to discuss. I cannot put up with anymore treachery and deception. I should have left long back."
Saying this she walked out followed by Mr. Ahuja
Manohar looked at his wife and said,
"Look what you have done. This time you even kept me in the dark. I had not expected this from you"
Suhasini did not answer, it looked as if she did not register what he said. She sat there like a statue, her gaze following the baby in her daughter in law's arms until they went out of sight.
Swadheenta got up to go and console her but Adarsh held her hand and dragged her towards their room
"I am sorry Swadheenta, I am sorry for everything my mother did to you. Do you still want to stay here ?"
Adarsh asked his wife when they were in their room.
"You don't have to apologise, it's between her and me. And yes , I still want to stay here. Remember when I decided to defend Haider Mamu , everyone in this family wanted me to leave, it was only Mom who was against it. She never ran away from her responsibity as a mother in law even though she believed I was wrong. So, how can I run away from my duty as a daughter in law just because she has admitted to her mistakes. I remember you were so proud of Dad when he owned up. Then why not Mom ?"
Swadheenta demanded
"She accepted them because her mask has fallen, and she had nowhere to hide. And I doubt whether she is genuinely repentant or is there again a plan behind this. I don't know what you are made out of. I don't have such a big heart. I am finding it impossible to forgive her however much I try. I was able to forgive Dad much more easily because I could see where he was coming from. I knew he was a a bit weak, not always capable of holding his own in the face of adversities, but Mom cannot give that excuse. I thought she was perfect. You know her flawless image in my mind has now been riddled with so many blots that I fail to recognise her. Anyways , I won't force my decision on you , still I would be happy if you decide to be by my side."
Adarsh looked at her expectantly
"Not when you are wrong. This time you will have to be by my side. I shall wait for you."
Swadheenta said with a knowing smile
Adarsh did not answer. He closed the zip of his bag and left the room after kissing Swadheenta goodbye. Swadheenta followed him to see him off.When they reached the hall , they found Suhasini still sitting in the living room , all alone. Swadheenta signalled her husband to go and take leave of his mother, but Adarsh walked straight towards the exit door.
"Mom...Mom"
Swadheenta called her twice. Suhasini did not seem to hear. She then gently put her palm on her shoulder. Suhasini turned towards her.
"Has everyone left ? What are you doing here ?"
She enquired . There were no emotions on her face. Her eyes too were completely dry.
Swadheenta nodded and said,
"Everything is going to be fine Mom. They will come back soon"
"Everything seems so meaningless now, everything that I have done, everything that I had planned. All my life I have tried to balance on this tightrope between my principles and my ambitions, my family and my career but ultimately I failed. I couldn't even keep my family together. I have failed as a wife, a mother and mother in law. I deserved this, isn't it?"
Suhasini sounded defeated.
Swadheenta shook her head ,
"No Mom, you.."
"You are getting late for work Swadheenta. I think you should leave now. I will go and see if your lunch has been packed."
Suhasini did not let her complete her sentence . Then she pulled herself up and staggered towards the kitchen with slow, laboured steps.
Swadheenta was suprised to see the transformation in her mother in law. She was never the one to give up so easily. She had always fought her battles to win them. She would have never considered herself a failure. This was so unlike her. Swadheenta wondered what was wrong. Nowadays , it looked as if she was constantly struggling with herself. Something was definitely going on with her which she was not ready to share with anyone.
CID
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
