Part 5
The nurse informed her "aapka husband abhihi soya hai." and left. As Armaan turned to pass her she asked "can we talk?"
He thought for a moment. He didn't want to talk here. He said "come with me" and headed out to his car. She followed him with the lunch bag in her hand. As soon as she sat he drove off. After 5 mins they reached a tea plantation. He turned off the engine and turned to look at her waiting for her to talk.
"Armaan," she began tentatively, "maine jaan bhujkar kuch nahin kiya. Us holi ke din mujhe bhaang itni chad gayi thi ki mujhe sirf dundhli si yaad rahi. Doosre din subah paanch baje hi aankh khuli thi. Shower ke baad main jab kitchen mein coffee banane ke liye gayi tho dekha papa and maa bahut tension mein vahan baithe the. Mujhe dekhkar dono ek dusre ko dekhne lage. Phir papa ne kaha "Riddhima humein tumse kuch zaroori baat karni hai." Tab papa ne bataya ki Sanjeevani is going through a severe financial crunch. He had tried all possible means but couldn't get loan from any source. Mr. Modi, our family friend in Chandigarh, was prepared to pump in some funds but on condition that I marry their son. Mr. Modi and papa were childhood friends. He was a very rich businessman and was very fond of me. I too liked him and his wife, who seemed very sweet natured. We had never seen much of Abhi from his teen years as he was schooling abroad in some elite school. None of us gave much thought to the precondition for the loan because Sanjeevani was foremost in our minds. I couldn't see papa so helpless. I felt this was the least I could do for him for all that he had done for me throughout my life. I impulsively agreed to the marriage. Papa and mama also felt they couldn't have found a better family even if they had searched for one. The boy was a MBA from Boston University and good looking (they had seen his photographs). The family was very affluent with a big house and many servants. My parents thought "hamari beti wahan raaj karegi."
A: But didn't you give any thought to our love?
R: You remember, we were not on very good terms then. I thought we were not suited for each other and that we could never be happy together because of our diverse natures.
A: But the previous afternoon only'
R: Honestly Armaan, at that time I could not recollect anything that had happened that afternoon. I was shocked when I realized I was pregnant a month after my wedding.
A: A month?
R: Yes till then I only thought my periods were delayed. Abhi and I had no such relation. I lied to him on our wedding night that it was those days of the month and avoided any intimacy. Somehow I couldn't bring myself to get intimate with him though I had married him willingly. Some sixth sense seemed to warn me against him. It was probably the vulgar jokes and cheap behaviour of his inebriated friends at our wedding. I even used di's departure to the US as an excuse to avoid going on a honeymoon.
But I have never been able to understand why Abhi agreed to marry me. Maybe to stop his parents from nagging him or maybe he thought I am a very simple girl, so can pull wool over my eyes and have his flings on the side.
He used to come home drunk most nights to such an extent that he didn't know where or with whom he was. It was then that I came to know that all the haste about the wedding was on the hope that a wife would make him change his ways. His parents knew me well enough to know that I would never go complaing about all this to my parents as it would make them feel guilty of their hasty decsion. I was confused and wondering what I should do, when one day I found Abhi making out with the maid servant. When I told my mother-in-law about it she immediately dismissed the maid and literally begged me not to reveal it to anyone. She assured me she would make sure that Abhi mended his ways. I was still undecided what I should do when I started getting morning sickness, though at that time I thought it was some stomach infection. One day, about a month after my marriage, I fainted and a doctor was summoned. After doing the necessary tests she confirmed that I was pregnant. Everyone was overjoyed, except me. I was sure it was a mistake. But when I got the tests done again I was shocked with the result. It was then it struck me that something had happened on the holi day.Till then I had not given much thought to the events of that day as too many things had happened immediately after that. I tried my level best to recollect but could only remember you bringing me home, my confession and asking you to stay'.. So I immediately tried to get in touch with you but no one knew your whereabouts. I tried my level best but'.." She paused, as tears rolled down her cheeks. "I was ashamed to even tell maa and papa the truth. I thought Abhi would challenge me but when he didn't, I just let things be."
"But when Akshat was born didn't anybody question you about the colour of his eyes?" he asked. She hesitated for a few seconds and replied "Maa had perhaps guessed as soon as he opened his eyes. She was shocked to say the least. But before she a chance to question me papa came in and took the baby. He just glared at me .I couldn't even look them in the eye. I haven't seen them or heard from them after they left the hospital that day. As for my in-laws, they were very happy with their blue-eyed grandson. Abhi was never sober enough to see or ask anything." Her tears continued to flow non-stop.
Armaan knew all that she said was the absolute truth. His temper cooled down. But he couldn't bring himself to forgive her.
A: Were you ever planning to tell me about him?
R: Not till I saw you here. Here I knew you were bound to see him one day or the other. But I wanted to put it off as long as possible. I didn't think I had the stamina to face your accusations and questions alongwith Abhi's.
"We had better get going, Akshat will be waiting for you", he said abruptly. She just nodded. She wasn't sure if he believed her or not.
R: Armaan a lot of things need to be talked about and sorted out. Please give me some time. Meanwhile you can spend time with Akshat whenever you wish. Thanks to your colored lenses no one will guess anything. When he didn't reply, "please Armaan" she pleaded. He just nodded and drove on silently thinking
Kabhi Dil Ke Kareeb, Tumhe Mere Naseeb
Yun Laayenge Socha Na Tha
Ek Chahat Ka Pal, Sab Savalon Ka Haal
Yun Paayenge Socha Na Tha
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nL9IvhElpIw
Riddhima was worried as it was nearly 2 hours since she had dropped Akshat at the Kid Center. But when they reached there they were shocked to see him excitedly playing a video game with the other 2 boys. He had scored well so he extended his arms out and shouted "yes" (making the action). Riddhima saw Armaan smiling at Akshat's antics.
R: Akshat'.
Ak: Mama ek minute. My 5th level pahunch gaya hoon. Zara wait karo na.
Riddhima went up to him and pulled him by the hand saying "Kal khel lena. Ab ghar chalte hain. Apne friends ko bye karo." Akshat just walked out angrily. Armaan tried to pacify him saying "Chalo main tum logonko ghar chod deta hoon."
R: Nahin hum chale jayenge. Paas hi to hai. Tumhe hospital jaana hoga na?
But Armaan didn't listen. He opened the front passenger seat door, put Akshat on the seat and buckled the seat belt. Riddhima had no choice so she opened the back door and got in. When Armaan asked Akshat for directions, he kept his face puffed up and refused to talk. Then Riddhima guided him. When they reached their house, by the time Armaan got out and came over to his side, Akshat had unbuckled the seat belt and bolted out without a word to him. Riddhima noticed the hurt look on Armaan's face as Akshat did not speak to him. So she invited Armaan in for a cup of coffee.
Armaan followed her. As soon as she unlocked the door Akshat dashed in, removed his shoes and just threw it in the corner. Riddhima motioned armaan to sit down. Then she looked at Akshat and said in a raised voice "Akshat gandi baat. Shoes aise phekte hain kya?" Then she went into the kitchen. Armaan tried to give Akshat a side hug sitting beside him on the sofa. But he just scooted to the other end of the sofa. Once again Armaan felt very hurt and just kept looking at the angry kid wondering how to pacify him. Riddhima soon came with 2 cups of coffee and milk for Akshat in his favourite Popeye mug. She handed Armaan his coffee and offered the milk to Akshat. He just pushed away the milk saying "Aap bahut gandi ho. Main doodh nahin pioonga." The milk was about to spill, so Riddhima just raised her hand as if to hit Akshat. Armaan involunraily caught her raised hand. Then he realised what he had done and left it saying "sorry." He put down his coffee cup and moved closer to Akshat. He pulled him on his lap and asked "Aap Popeye jaise strong nahi banna chahte?" Akshat replied "Popeye to Spinach khake strong bana hai." Armaan thought to himself "Tum to apne baap se bhi do kadam aagey ho beta." But he didn't give up. He rolled up his sleeves and exhibited his biceps to Akshat, who was very impressed.
Ak: Aap to popeye se bhi strong ho.
A: Main bahut doodh peeeta hoon na, isliye. Agar tumhein bhi mere jaise muscles banani hai to tumhe bhi doodh peena padega.
Ak: Dhoni bhi doodh peete hai na?
A: Of course, is liye to woh itna achcha batting karta hai.
Ak: Main bhi roz doodh pioonga.
At once he picked up the cup and drank up all the milk in one go and smiled victoriously at Armaan. He looked very cute with his white moustache. Armaan pulled out his handkerchief and proceeded to wipe it out. Riddhima sat quietly on the opposite sofa watching the duo and sipping her coffee. Akshat said "Uncle rukho main aapko ek cheez dikhata hoon"and ran inside.
R: Armaan, your coffee must be cold.
A: It's OK. He picked up the cup and started sipping the coffee.
Riddhima noticed that he looked pleased now. Just then Akshat returned with his new toy car which had head lights, tail lights and made weird noises as it moved. Armaan admired it and even played with him for a few minutes. Then he got up saying "muje chalna hoga". Akshat was reluctant to let him go. "Hospital mein kaam hai" he explained.
Ak: Aap kal aaoge?
A: Shayad kal nahi lekin phir kabhi aaonga, bye. He turned towards Riddhima and said "Main chalta hoon" and left.
Edited by ssh57 - 15 years ago
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