Shravan sat with Pushkar, Preeti and the youngest kids at the Eid Feast. The expectant children waited patiently for their mom's speech before starting on any of the food that called to them from the table. Beside him, Rimmi reached out with her finger for the strawberry on the cake, but stopped herelf and made do with a little bit of frosting instead.
The tables were ladden with all his favorites, Shravan did not miss that. Sumo gave him some curious looks as she headed to the center of the lunchroom.
Sumo: Before we start filling our bellies, I would like to say something. I behaved very badly today with the new teacher and I would like to apologize to him, fellow teachers, staff, guests, and all of you kids for that. The way I behaved was unprofessional and mean and I did not know the full details before blaming him (she glared at a guilty Preeta). Even if I knew and was worried about Sahil, I should not have called Mr. Malhotra a mor...I should not have called him names. So I apologize, Mr. Malhotra, publicly for what I did so thoughtlessly publicly.
Shravan looked away when she looked at him. The silence grew as all the people in the room looked to him to offer their teacher and guardian his forgiveness. Not wishing to hurt everyone's evening, Shravan smiled stiffly and nodded.
Pushkar and Preeti looked at each other knowingly.
Sumo smiled in relief: Thank you. Children, never behave the way I behaved today. Let this be a lesson to you all. Now, without further ado, let's begin the Eid Feast!
The kids and adults alike tore into the food, finally having had permission.
Shravan did not touch anything.
Pushkar, mouthful: Aap nehi kha rahe hai, Bhaiyya? Yeh toh aapke favorite hai!
Shravan, annoyed: Bhuk mar geyi.
Preeti: Have a little something Shravan. She made all this to say sorry to you, I am sure, for whatever happened earlier.
Shravan: You guys eat, I am not hungry.
He got up and left the table.
As he was about to leave the hall, Sumo approached him by the exit.
Sumo: Shravan, you haven't had anything yet. Where are you off to?
Shravan glared at her: Aapse matlab, Mistress Tiwari?
Sumo gulped: I made all your favorite dishes, kuch toh...
Shravan was breathing fire: I am not hungry. Good night.
Sumo stopped him with her arm out: I apologized, na? Please. Don't take out your anger on the food.
Shravan: You apologized for being unprofessional with the new teacher because of what the other teachers' would think. You meant for this only to be a teaching moment for the children. This was not about apologizing to me!
Sumo took a deep breath: I am the headmistress of this school, that is how I should have done it.
Shravan: Haaan, kyunki hamara toh bas yehi rishta hai, hai na? I know you speech by now. Par curse karne ke samai yeh saab tum bhul geyi thi, Sumo. Haq se curse out kiya tha tab tumne Shravan ko. You cursed me out! Me! In public. And you just apologized to your new teacher because it made YOU look bad in front of the teachers and students.
He pushed past.
Pushkar and Preeti exchanged glances as they watched Sumo go after Shravan. They busied themselves with the kids as Rimmi, in her love for Simmi, had put cream all over the doll's face and now demanded it be cleaned.
Sumo came after Shravan just as he was closing the door.
Sumo: I apologize to you, please. Don't be angry with me. I regret everything I said.
Shravan, tortured: And? Do you apologize for making Pushkar and Preeti swear never to tell me about what was going on here with you?
Sumo looked away: That is none of your business.
Shravan came and pulled her in by the elbow and closed the dorm door behind him: Kyun? You were homeless, you were struggling, WHY couldn't they tell me? Why isn't it my business?? Didn't I even have that much right!? How could you have thrown me out of your life like that!?
Sumo shot back now: I did not throw you out of my life, you threw me out! We had no relationship, friendship, nothing. You were very clear. Why would I let you know what happened to me after coming here!? I didn't need your help, I didn't WANT your charity!
Shravan retorted: You threw me out first! You chose HIM. You let him give you PCT. I knew right then that you had picked him!
Sumo: You never told me! WHAT was I supposed to do when Nanu pressured me? I didn't know he was the investor, I thought I had earned PCT back and that you helped Adi by giving the land, I was stupid, I made a mistake! And I PAID for it, dearly!
Shravan lost his anger a bit: I didn't know about Papa, Sumo. I wouldn't have misunderstood you, if I had.
Sumo shocked: How did you...Preeti.
Shravan: Mujhe nehi khai sakti thi, tum?
Sumo looked away: Nehi khai sakti thi, Ramnath Uncle is your dad, you would never have believed me. I didn't want to ruin your relationship with him, besides.
Shravan sat down heavily on the bed.
Shravan: I am sorry. I am so sorry.
Sumo hardened herself: You have nothing to be sorry for, it was not your responsibility to pick me up after I fell. I made a mistake by trusting Aditya, I paid for it. That was that. I never held you responsible and did not expect you to come to my aid. That is why I never went looking for you. Besides, you and I ended everything way before the wedding. Even if we were still friends, I would not have taken your help. That is why you have nothing to make amends for...what you were doing here is really not necessary. You should go back. I never blamed you, you have nothing to seek forgiveness for. I was the idiot, I picked him for Nanu when I didn't even love him. I paid. That's it.
Shravan's heart grew cold: Why didn't you come back after you left him?
Sumo looked at him straight: With Nanu gone, I had no reason to look back to Delhi. There was no one. Mama-Mami had gone to the U.S. and Khala-Khalu had just started their new life in another city. I didn't want to be a burden on them again.
Shravan interpreted the silence on him just as she wanted him to, his face gave everything away.
Shravan: Fine, you were too proud to come to me. I didn't give you reason. Why didn't you come to Preeti, kyan bhatak ti rahi yaha sarko pe ek...
Sumo finished his sentence: Ek atim ki tarah.
Shravan lost his breath and looked at her in tears: Don't say that.
Sumo: Nanu saved me the first time, this time I had to feel it for my own. It was my due to be the orphan I was again (Shravan's heart stopped). I had no one and nothing to go back to. Besides, that was Preeti's sasural, I was never going to go back and create problems for her there. Our kind don't even go for a glass of water to the daughter's in-laws.
Shravan stood up in anger: That was my home too! You had everything right to come to me!
Sumo looked away: We have already been through this once. We weren't friends and I didn't need your help! I wasn't going to show up like a burden on Ramnath Uncle's doorstep. I have more self-respect than that.
Shravan angrily: Haan, so much self-respect that you would rather put yourself in danger on the streets as a young woman that go to your friends and family. Smart!
Sumo's eyes burned at the memory of the running from sketchy men she did during those awful few days.
Sumo: I could protect myself!
Shravan picked her up in a hug, unable to help himself: Why are you like this? Why wouldn't you let me protect you?
Sumo fought him off and got down, fighting off tears: I ran into a friend eventually. I was fine. You don't have to worry or feel any guilt. I wasn't in the streets for very long.
Shravan took her small hand despite her struggle and pulled her back into an embrace.
Sumo put up a hell of a fight, trying not to cry, trying not to give in, but he held her tight: You will never be alone again. You were wrong before, Suman Tiwari. You always had me, you always had me after Nanu. You forgot that, but I never did.
Sumo accused, forgetting her pledge to let on how much she cared: You forgot me! You never asked after me! You were engaged!!! Don't PRETEND to care now just because we ran into each other again.
Shravan cried now: I never forgot you, Sumo. Never. You were always in me. I was too proud to ask Preeti. I thought you were living your happily married life with Aditya. I didn't know, my darling, I didn't know (He sank his face into her neck). I thought Sahil was your child with him when we met. If I had known any of this...I would never...
Sumo pushed away this time as he softened his hold in his moment of weakness: It's all in the past. No point talking about it now (she roughly swiped away her tears). As I have said, I don't blame you. You have no reason to do your penance here. I have moved on. THIS is my life now (she opened her arms out). Honestly (she smiled genuinely now through tears) I am very happy, for the first time in my life I feel like I am not a burden to anyone! I BELONG! I made this place on my own for my children. They belong to me and I belong to them and them alone now. What are you doing here Shravan? Why are you here still? You are free, I have nothing to forgive! Please go back home. Why are you hurting your family and your business like this. I genuinely mean it, please, go home. I forgive you, if it makes your guilt feel any better. Please. Go home and live your life. Get married, have babies, they are the best joys in life. Just ask me!
Shravan's eyes were still wet as he said passionately: My dad deserves it. Besides, I am not going home without you. I will never leave you, I told you that. I know now that you did not chose Aditya, you were always mine, I am never leaving you again.
Sumo looked frustrated rather than thrilled: Shravan, I am never leaving these children. I will never go "home" with you. I AM home. I went another way, Shravan. I haven't been waiting for you here, that is your misunderstanding. I chose the life of a mother to these kids and that is all I see in future now. I am not going to orphan these children again. NEVER. That life is not for me anymore, Shravan. You belong in Delhi and I belong here now.
Shravan: You are telling me you want to live like a nun here?
Sumo: Are you asking me to leave these kids!? What? For you? Romantic love is not the most important love, Shravan. I am not going to leave 60 kids to be with you. Your dad doesn't even like me. Stop creating more unhappiness in your life Shravan, go marry Aditi like Ramnath Uncle wants and move on. She really loves you. And frankly, I am not even sure I do anymore.
Shravan buckled: W-what?
Sumo: I am sorry, I am saying whatever comes to mind out loud. But this is how I feel. I care about you, but my heart is too full Sahil and Rimmi and Snigdha...I don't really want anyone or anything for myself anymore. They come from a lot of horror and pain in this world, Shravan. All I think of is their future and their education. That is all that matters to me now. Whatever we had, looks very small in comparison. Leaving all this for some relationship with you looks very selfish to me now. That heart that was once yours has expanded into something very different. I can't think of making a future with you now. It must mean I don't love you that much anymore.
Shravan: Don't say that. (He begged) Please. I love you enough for the both of us.
Sumo smiled sadly: Shravan...I am spread too thin among these children now, I cannot give you the relationship you want. I am sorry.
Shravan: I will stay here then. I will live here with you. It's okay if you love all these children, I don't want them to be abandoned either. You loved me once, if you can find tiny corner in your heart for me again, I will make do with it. I won't take you away from these children. We will live here, with the children, we will make a family of our own.
Sumo harshly: No.
Shravan in trepidation: No?
Sumo: Your life is in Delhi, your family, business, everything is there. You cannot do that. I won't let you.
Shravan: It is MY choice!
Sumo: Please leave, Shravan. I don't have anything to give you. Please go and marry Aditi, don't hurt her. She loves you with all her heart. She can give you all of herself. I can't.
She almost walked out.
Shravan was left speechless. What was she saying? She really didn't love him anymore? How could that be?
Shravan grappled at straws: You are lying to yourself in your Mother Teresa ambition, Suman Tiwari. I know you love me. You can deny it, but this is still your pride talking.
Sumo glared at him: I only love the children now. Don't mock my love for them.
Shravan smirked with intent: Oh, I am not mocking your love darling. I believe you love the children. In fact, I know you do. You love them fiercely. But it is not true that you don't love me too. You held out for me, deny it all you want.
Sumo scoffed: You are deluded, Shravan Malhotra.
Shravan retorted: And you are angry because I stayed away so long and even dared to get engaged. That's why you are pushing me away - back at that dimwit Aditi, a girl who loves nothing and no one like she loves her shopping and fashion.
Sumo: I am done talking here, believe whatever you want. It doesn't matter to me anymore. I have explained...
Shravan: FINE! Fine, then just before you go, tell me why your youngest child is named Sahil. What exactly were you thinking when you saw that he looked like me? Why did you give him the name I told you I would give my son, if I ever had one. Why is he so extra special to you?
Sumo's hands went cold and clammy: All my children are special to me. He's just the youngest, that's why he gets...(she stammered) be-besides, he can't even talk. He needs my attention. It doesn't mean I don't love Rimmi just as much.
Shravan: Don't hedge the question, Sumo. WHY is he called Sahil?
Sumo angrily: This is not your court, Shravan Malhotra!!! Don't cross-examine me.
She tried to shut the door behind her on his face, but he grabbed it and stood over her.
Shravan caught both her hands and pulled her in: You were living a lost dream through him, Suman Tiwari. You imagined he was yours and mine, that's why you named him Sahil. You thought that was the next best thing when you didn't have me.
Sumo spat out when she went bright red: In your dreams...Shravan Malhotra.
Shravan smiled lazily: Nope! In the near future, Suman Tiwari. Sahil will do for now cause he's adorable. But I promise you Sahil #2. Soon (he smirked).
Sumo played her last card, to stave away her humiliation: You said he was like his father. You meant Aditya! How do you know know it is not his!?
A small cloud passed over his face, giving Sumo an evil sense of peace.
Shravan pretended to think hard though he got jealous at first: Sanskari Suman Tiwari, who never married Aditya Ahuja over a small issue like investors, make a baby with him that looks like her best friend?
He burst out laughing at the ludicrousness of this thought when her face blackened with rage at being caught spouting drivel.
Shravan: You are playing mind games with an Oxford barister, my love. Think before you speak.
Sumo stormed away, leaving him booming with laughter.
He called out after her: Now I am hungry, Mistress Tiwari, please send up a tray with my favorite dishes. Thank youuu!
Sumo shouted: Here's your dinner!!!
He ducked when she threw small metal vase at him from the hall end-table. In crashed on the ground with a loud clank.
Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki
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