Part 6
*knock knock*
"Maa!
An involuntary gasp left geet's lips as she saw her mother-in-law entering her room. Well considering their equation in last year and half she hadn't even in her dreams expect this and thus no words left her mouth. However she stood up immediately in nervousness not knowing what else to do, how to behave.
"Geet. Baith jao.
Shobha asked her to sit beside her in bed after she'd settled herself. Geet slowly, hesitatingly moved and sat by the edge.
"I wanted to talk to you about your marriage.
Geet controlled another gasp that was about to escape her mouth, though her widened eyes pretty much compensated for that.
"Jj..., ji maa
"I want you to say yes to this alliance and get married immediately.
Geet was unable to believe what she heard. She didn't even hear the last of that alliance after her talk with papa last week and assumed that papa must've said no it being unable to convince maa. But this... this was totally out of her imagination.
"Pp... par maa
"Meri baat abhi puri nahi hui hai.
She stopped her rudely and continued.
"I can't tolerate you around in my house anymore. Every time I see you in front of my eyes I can only think of how I have been robbed off all my happiness slowly. If only it were the matter of my son... I tried to support you that time. I thought that it was destiny that we lose our son so early in life. I was still sane thinking of my grandchild who would fill this void. But you... you snatched my last hope also. You snatched all my happiness and left this house barren... just like you.
She turned away from geet in disgust and a sob escaped geet's lips on the mention of the darkest part of her life. Yes that's what it was, maa held her responsible for her miscarriage that she had immediately after aditya's death. No, actually maa thought she killed the baby... how can a mother kill her own child she mused?
It was the grief of her own son's death that she couldn't take another such great loss or the enlightenment through the words of society's hypocrites. After all which girl would have such a cursed fate as to lose her husband and her child in quick succession.
Words like bad omen, kaal dosh, mangal dosh, etc. followed by suggestions of extensive purification process performed by well-known priests was suggested. She though that would be the worst she'd have to face ever but it was not over yet.
"If that was not enough, now I am having trouble with my husband because of you. I think he's right, it's time you go away from here forever only then I will be able to live rest of my life peacefully.
Shobha left the room immediately after that not even sparing a second glance. Perhaps she'd lost her heart as well, while mourning for all that she lost, she even forgot what she's left with.
She cried now, and hard, relentless it was. Grief such that she never knew before crashed over her being. It broke whatever was left of her heart in innumerable pieces. Her mind betrayed her as no thought came to its grasp except this feeling. She wasn't even sure what this feeling was, whether it was a pain; or a burn; or as if all the blood was draining from her body. She absolutely failed to fathom it.
She woke up next morning feeling heavy on head after all the last night's crying. However her mind was clearer now and she wanted to take a decision now rather than get wasted in self-destruction. She wanted to get married if that's what maa wanted from her. She would have agreed to papa anyways, she can't refuse them, only maa's reaction was holding her back. And now knowing that she was in pain due to her presence she wanted to relieve her of this pain at least because she can't return maa what she has lost because of her already.
Maybe it would be difficult, no definitely it would be difficult. But she has to think of happiness of others, that's exactly what she's been doing since her happiness got buried with aditya. Now she just has to change her path.
She looked at the time and decided to meet papa at his study before he left for office.
"Papa...
"Geet?
"I wanted to... talk to you.
"Yes.
He gestured her to take a seat and continue.
"About that marriage thing...
"Yes.
He showed surprise when she approached the subject. He was expecting this but not so soon.
"You can tell them I am ready.
She spoke next and he could clearly make out the lack of emotions in her voice.
"Why so sudden?
She looked up at him, till now she wasn't meeting his eyes but this was an unexpected question.
"I thought you wanted that...
"I sure did. And I want to know the reason of your sudden change of heart too.
"I... You told me that I agree if maa has no problem. Last night she told me she wants me to move on.
"So, you're ready when she asked you and not when I did. You've clearly shown me my place in your life.
"No... papa it's not... Not like that. You have the right to decide for me. I just didn't want to hurt anyone with my decision
"You didn't take any decision geet. You just succumbed to what Shobha said yet again. Did you once think about yourself in all this? That day you said no, today you are saying yes both on the basis of her convenience. It seems that your decision has nothing to do with your choice. Is that how someone takes decision to marry?
She gulped hard, he was right.
"Well... you have chosen him for me. I trust your decision.
She tried to defend herself.
"I don't want to argue with you further. I am glad you agree to marry. But I don't want you to take any decision in hurry. It's difficult for you to go through this but you have to fight your own battles.
She nodded. She was so overwhelmed with his love, even her father wouldn't have done what this man was doing for her. He was giving her back the right to control her life, take her own decisions.
"Maan is a nice guy. I am sure he is right for you, but at the same time I want you to be well acquainted with him before you decide. Meet him and find out.
She looked at him surprised. Was he really asking her to meet this guy and figure out if they were compatible?
"Yes. I'll ask him to pick you later today. Hopefully it'd be good as you guys already know each other.
He read confusion on her face and added.
"Maan told me you two were friends back in college.
A distant memory resurfaced and she remembered her college group. Yes, Maan. She remembers him.
"So, is that a yes?
She smiled. She'd practically said yes to marry whoever he chose for her and he was asking if she'll meet and consider the proposal.
"I'll meet him.
"Great.
"And geet...
He stopped her as she was about to get up to leave. She looked at him questioningly
"Maan has a daughter she's about 4 or 5.
"I... I don't...
"I know you don't have a problem. I didn't want that information to catch you unawares. Be ready at the evening I'll tell you the time.
"Thank you papa. And papa...
She stopped hesitating.
"Tell me.
"Wo I don't want him to pick me can you ask him to meet me at heaven's caf (it's an imaginary name) near India gate. You can confirm time with him and tell me.
He smiled nodding yes.
Raj watched geet as she left the room. He was happy today finally things were falling into place. Initially he was apprehensive.
He'd asked maan to give him some time that day but couldn't have taken him for granted. One thing was clear that Maan cared about geet and that was the only thing that made him hold on to this alliance. God knows what alternative they will get otherwise? He clearly remembered the options he had in initial days of groom hunting. He shuddered to think of that 40 year old man, or multiple times divorced guy. No! Clearly this was the best choice and he wouldn't want anything less than that for geet. Unless she feels otherwise, this marriage was happening.
So he decided to talk to his wife for the last time before taking extreme steps. But she wasn't the one to relent. She kept avoiding him and refusing to have any discussion. He got frustrated and decided there was only one option left for him and he didn't hesitate to put forward his plans to action and waited for results.
And results it did show. Just yesterday he had it sorted out with his wife and the conversation was still fresh in his mind.
*Tring tring*
"Sir I have Mrs. Kapoor waiting to see you.
Raj sighed loosening his tie as his secretary announced his next appointment. He was expecting this, and prepared himself for the face off.
"Send her in...
He replied calmly to his assistant but before he could keep the phone back he heard back.
"Er... sir, may I inform you that she's not in her best of the moods.
And just a couple of seconds must've passed when his cabin door was banged open and there stood his flustered wife with an envelope in her hand. He gestured her to close the door and sit to which she banged the door again, this time to close it.
"What brings you here?
He asked her calmly, only making her rage fire up more.
"This...
She threw the envelope in her hand on his table harshly and the papers spilled out. She met her fire-spitting eyes to him and shouted.
"How dare you! How dare you send me divorce papers?
He didn't reply, calmly took the papers and flipped them.
"I see you haven't signed them.
He asked making her even more furious. It was an hour ago that she received these papers through post. At first she couldn't believe that it was true, but when their lawyer confirmed she was mad. What shocked her further was they were signed, she couldn't believe this was happening to her. She was also told that it was divorce by mutual consent and she could demand any amount in alimony. She didn't want any alimony, she wants her husband.
Seeing him calm and not affected, made her cry. She thought her anger would make him back off but when it didn't she opted for her last resort.
"Why would you do... do this to m...me?
She asked half sobbing half angry.
"I realized that we want different things in life, we've hardly spoken in last 20 months and I am angry with you most of the time. That is not how a marriage works and since I figured you wouldn't mend your ways so I decided it is better we separate before things turn more bitter and I start to resent you...
"You want to divorce me for that outsider girl. That geet, first she snatched all the happiness from my house now she snatched my husb...
"LET ME COMPLETE...
He shouted making her silent and scared at once.
"It's a long time that we agree with each other, or you respect my decisions. Is this the way you behave with your husband?
He questioned her looking directly at her eyes to get the message across. Even his assistant knew something was off with the way she's been behaving while he's taking everything calmly all the time. Seeing her sober expressions he continued.
"I told you before that Geet is my responsibility, and after long time happiness is returning in her life in the form of this alliance. I don't want anyone to be a hurdle when things are going smooth and anyone includes you.
"What... what do I do?
She asked defeated, she didn't want to lose her husband at any cost, none at all.
"You have one, just one chance to save your marriage. Tell Geet you don't have a problem with her remarriage and keep yourself away from her till her marriage is completed successfully. I will forget about this and we will be back to our relation like nothing happened.
"... But one word, one word about this divorce reaches her and I will make sure that's what happens next. Am I clear enough?
She nodded slowly not having an option.
"I want your words.
He stated firmly.
"I... I will do as you said please don't leave me.
He melted a bit seeing her state at that moment. All he wanted was to hug her, and console her that she wouldn't lose him and that they will overcome their loss together. He knew somewhere she was deep in grief just that her way was taking it out was wrong and as her life partner he has to mend it. Nevertheless he had a hard time keeping this cold mask on but it was important.
"You have my words, you can leave now.
And he immediately turned to his file not wanting to spare another glance, he could sense that her eyes was on him all the time as she left waiting for one soft look, but it was important to get the message across.
He sighed. It was a way of life he supposed otherwise... well there would have been better ways to make his wife see sense.
Precap: A date ?
Next on - 21/04
Shiv Shakti
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