"My Goodness Simmi, where have you been the whole day ?Don't tell me you have been shopping since morning...don't mind dear but you have been wasting too much time and money buying things which you don't even use"
Suhasini said when she saw Simmi coming in with a shopping bag in hand.
"Don't mind Suhasini ji, but when her father and husband both are earning so much why should she worry about spending."
Said Simmi's mother Mrs. Lata Ahuja who followed her daughter into the living room.
Abhay was also coming behind them hidden behind a pile of shopping bags. He stopped in his tracks when he heard the conversation. Suhasini had very less patience with Mrs.Ahuja. And Abhay's mother in law was also no less. Every time she would say something that would irk his mother to no end. On top of that she had been talking nonstop about Suhasini and her lover while returning in the car. Abhay himself had to exercise a lot of self control and keep quiet against these allegations. Therefore he had fervently prayed that Suhasini was not at home when they would reach. But fate had other plans. Suhasini was right there in the living room changing the cushion covers.
"I perfectly understand that Lata ji, but wouldn't it be better if she helped her father earn the money instead of spending it"
Suhasini said politely.
"And how is that going to happen? Are you suggesting that...
Suhasini :"Yes, I am suggesting exactly what you are thinking, that she helps Mr. Ahuja in his business. She is your only child, she has to take it over from her father at some point of time."
Mrs Ahuja: "Don't worry about it Suhasini ji. Abhay puttar is there na, he will manage everything. Anyways Simmi doesn't understand a thing about business."
Abhay had never heard about this plan earlier. He already has a job and he was very happy with it. What makes them think that he was going to take over their business. And look at them, they are telling this plan to his mother out of everyone. Abhay didn't like the direction where this was going but he just stood there hidden behind the shopping bags. If they saw him, they would start another tug of war with him in the middle.
"Abhay already has a job, how can he do both?. That is why I was asking Simmi to complete her education. Then she would start understanding the basics of business and rest she will learn from her father. She would anyways be soon bored of this shopping and parties "
Suhasini was being extraordinarily civil with her Samdhan today
"We Ahuja women never get bored of parties and shopping. They Infact rejuvenate us. It is studying that stresses my poor little baby"
Mrs. Ahuja looked at Simmi sympathetically.
"Once she finds her field of interest, it would no more stress her. And being financially independent would boost her confidence also "
Abhay was surprised that his mother was still trying.
"Please don't mind Suhasini ji but I have seen financially independent women get out of control of their husbands"
Uh-oh, the needle was pointed directly towards Suhasini this time . Abhay just waited with baited breath and closed eyes for his mother to explode. But he was surprised when he heard Suhasini laughing
"Well I don't know about that Lataji, but one thing is for sure that independent or not, no woman can keep her husband in control the way you do. I have to give you that...Anyways leave that. I am sorry I didn't ask you earlier. So what will you take tea, coffee or anything else? Wait ,I will send nimbu paani . Must have been a really hectic day for you"
Saying this, she left leaving Mrs.Ahuja totally tongue tied. Abhay wondered what has come upon his Mom. Was it the new found love? What happened the next evening left very little doubt.
The brothers had returned early from work and were busy repairing the table tennis set when Simmi came up to them running frantically
"Come here fast guys, I have to show you something."
"Relax honey, did you again see that smiling cat? "
There was a stray cat which would often venture into their compound. Now Simmi believed that whenever the cat saw her it would smile. She had shown both Adarsh and Abhay but they never found it smiling. So Simmi was bent on proving her point and would call them whenever she saw the cat.
"No, come na... don't ask any questions. "
They followed her. Simmi asked them to hide behind the door and wait
"What is it. Has some burglar broken into the house.?"
Adarsh was confused at her behavior
"Can't you brothers keep quiet for some time? "
Simmi was irritated
The next moment they saw something that left them totally speechless.
Was that their Mom??
Suhasini was coming down the stairs. Looked like she was dressed for some special occasion and God she was looking stunning ! She had given her usual cotton sarees a break and was dressed in a beautiful black chiffon saree matched perfectly with pearl necklace and earrings. She seemed to have also got her front locks curled and they kissed her cheeks teasingly.
All the three of them could only stare with their mouths wide open. They knew their mother was beautiful but tonight she looked just out of the world. There was an unusual radiance on her face that just complimented her looks.
Their stupor was broken by the honking of a car. They looked outside to find a Porsche pull over just in front of the entrance. A middle aged man dressed in a black suit came out. They remembered this was the same person whose picture they had seen with their mother.
As Suhasini walked up to him he took out a rose and presented her. Suhasini took it, with a little laugh. Then he held her hand and took her towards the car. They heard their mother say,
"You rented a Porsche? This must have cost you a lot. You shouldn't have... "
The man interrupted her,
"Sshh...Suhasini, don't say anything. Tonight was supposed to be my treat. I want this date to be a memorable one. I never thought of the money that I am spending. So you too should not."
He held the door for her.
Suhasini smiled and got into the car.
Seeing them drive off Simmi said,
"Is there any other proof you need ? Now tell me whether you are with me or not. Come hell or high water I am going to talk to Mom tonight itself. And you are not going to stop me."
The brothers just nodded. This was the first time they saw their mother going out with someone other than their father. It was too difficult for them to digest this fact. The picture that Simmi showed didn't have as much effect as it did tonight when it happened in front of their own eyes. Abhay specially has not been able to accept their parents' separation till now . Today he was feeling more betrayed by his Mom than his Dad. They definitely needed some answers .
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