CHAPTER 30 - We are Family
When Swadheenta reached home, she did not find Suhasini there. The domestic help said she had not yet returned. Swadheenta got anxious and was about to call her when she saw her enter, talking very agitatedly to someone over the phone.
"I gave that man a chance to correct his ways but he has taken undue advantage of my kindness. Now he will know what happens to those who try to mess with my family... I had seen his men waiting in the car and then drive off after the shooter was caught, but not before I had made a mental note of their car number. Now even the most expensive lawyer in the country cannot save him. How dare he attack my son."
Suhasini Sinha was roaring like a wounded tigress
"Yes, you arrange for a hearing as early as possible. I shall make sure the chargesheet is filed at the earliest. The police has a record of their phone calls. The car has also been apprehended. The shooter's confession is on its way.
Suhasini put the phone down.
Swadheenta was looking at her mother in law in awe. The woman's brain worked at lightening speed. How quickly she traced the mastermind and gathered evidences as well. She still had a lot to learn from her.
"So you were the one who informed the police about involvement of the Bawejas."
Swadheenta asked
Suhasini had not noticed her, she was caught a bit offguard by her question.
"Ah..yes. I told them the car number and asked them to check if it belongs to Bawejas. Perhaps this time they were not careful enough. The car is registered under their name. The only thing we need now is the confession of the shooter."
Don't worry about that Mom. Adarsh will definitely get it done"
Swadheenta remarked
"Let's hope for the best. You start your preparations for the case. Make sure they get their comeuppance."
Suhasini declared. Then she sat down on the couch and asked,
"By the way, I did not know Adarsh was returning today. You told his stay got extended."
"I too had no idea that he was fooling me. Actually he wanted to give me a surprise. He came to the court directly from the airport.
Swadheenta said in embarassment. She realized she had started blushing.
Suhasini smiled seeing her,
"You two look so good together. I am glad I learned my lesson on time and did not create any further obstacles in your marriage."
"Mom, I know Adarsh should not have shouted at you this morning. Sometimes he really behaves very irresponsibly"
Swadheenta was feeling sorry for her husband's behaviour.
"I know. He just freaks out when he sees his loved ones in danger. Funny thing is I can't even get angry on him for this. I have wronged him so many times earlier that now he starts suspecting me even when I am not guilty. Guess it was needed. I now realize how it feels to be accused of a crime that you have not committed."
Suhasini sighed.
After some silence,
"Swadheenta, I am sorry but I overheard your conversation the other day. Adarsh was talking about applying for a transfer. If he wants you to stay with your Mamu Mami , then there is nothing wrong in it. Don't worry about us. Manohar and I are completely okay with it."
"Didn't you once say that the bahu of this house never leaves?"
Swadheenta asked
Suhasini smiled,
"We have to change with the changing times. I meant that I would never ask her to leave, which I did though in your case once. But if you want to leave, I can't stop you. It is your life after all."
"But I don't want to leave"
Swadheenta retorted
"Adarsh wants you to. I am not asking you to follow him blindly, but this is too trivial a matter to have differences upon. He doesn't want to stay in this house anymore, and it would hurt him if you do."
Suhasini tried to make her understand
"And you can't see him hurt. Am I correct ?"
Swadheenta asked
Suhasini looked the other way to hide her feelings.
Then she turned back and took Swadheenta's hands in her between her own and said,
"Can you give him a message? Please tell him that he has not lost his mother. Whichever part of the world he is , I will be there for him as long as I am alive. Please don't give up on me so soon."
Her eyes were desperately pleading before her.
Swadheenta felt so bad that she wanted to hug her tightly and assure her that neither she nor Adarsh were going anywhere. But she had to keep quiet for now, so she just nodded with a smile.
At Mr Ahuja's place,
Mr. Ahuja heard about the attack on Adarsh and was enraged,
"Don't worry Adarsh puttar. The Bawejas have called their own doom by trying to harm you."
"Yes, but I won't let them go scot free. I heard they are planning another factory and this time also the files would be coming to me for clearance. I guess that is why they were trying to eliminate me since they know I cannot be bought."
Adarsh remarked.
"You should definitely drag them to court this time. I will support you fully"
Mr. Ahuja assured.
"That means a lot to me, Ahuja uncle. We are going to show them their place this time"
Adarsh said firmly. Then added,
"Actually, I came here for some other work. Actually Mom is not well, and she has been missing Amana a lot. If you give me the permission to take Simmi and Amana along with me just for a day. I promise you that this time I won't let anyone hurt her."
"Ok Adarsh puttar. Even Simmi has been missing you all. She has always regarded Samdhanji as her mother and the betrayal just broke her. But I believe you. You can take her along. She is there in her room."
Adarsh entered and found Simmi struggling to calm down the baby. She was four months now and very naughty. Simmi saw Adarsh and smiled.
"How are you Bhaiya ? When did you return from the trip ?"
"Just sometime back. Amana seems to be giving a lot of trouble to her mother"
Adarsh said
"This one is a little devil, I don't know how Mom used to handle her. Ever since I came here , I feel she has become more cranky. Sometimes I can't stop myself from shouting at her and the next moment I feel so bad about it"
Simmi looked so miserable
Adarsh chuckled and then said,
"You know when the child is so small, she won't blame you if you hurt her in any but you yourself will realize your fault later and it will break your heart. Every parent falters Simmi, no one can be perfect. And it applies to our parents too. I agree that Mom has hurt you, but she has realised her mistake and the guilt is eating her away. Please don't punish her more by keeping Amana away from her. You know she is her life."
Simmi - "She has not only hurt me , she has hurt Abhay too. Not only when he was alive, but also after that by trying to take his last memory away from me."
Adarsh - "You cannot imagine how guilty she feels for that. But you know what, I know Abhay very well. He was not the one to keep any grudges, least of all with his beloved mother. I am sure he has forgiven her a long time back."
He found her shedding silent tears, but he nevertheless continued,
"You have always had a very sheltered life Simmi. You never had to take any responsibities. First Ahuja Uncle and then Abhay looked after all your needs. After this baby came, you realised the meaning of responsibilies. The worst thing about them is you can't expect anything in return. Now you not only have a responsibility towards your father and your kid, but also towards Abhay's parents. Please come home just for one day. I won't ask you to stay there forever, but Mom is not well and she needs her family at the moment."
Simmi stood up, tensed,
"What happened to Mom ?"
Adarsh - I shall tell you everything in the car. Get ready fast and come out. I have talked to Ahuja uncle. He won't mind."
Soon the three of them were on their way home.
Cricket
