Jee Le Zara
As humans, it is important that we survive. It is the law of nature. But survival has no meaning if you don't thrive in it. Every human being deserves the best that this world can offer, in order to thrive. It is unnatural to not expect toxicity. But it is even more unnatural to continue existing in toxicity. Mere existence is meaningless. And when your heart whispers "Jee Le Zara". Listen to it and find a way to live up to your heart's content.
The day Samrat had dreaded has finally arrived. This family gave him shelter and love, when he was in dire need of it. Each of the members in this house took him in and treated him like his own son. But today, it is his duty to provide shelter and love to another lost and wandering soul. And his family, needs to face with some bitter truths and harsh decisions for it to happen. "Anything for Sai.", he thought to himself.
He found himself being questioned by Badi Mami as he walked into the house. It was 7:00 in the morning and he can't wait for the day to end already.
"Samrat?? Where are you coming from, this early in the morning?", she questioned.
"Badi Mami, I'll definitely tell you. Could you wait for a few minutes until everyone is here. I have something important to share", he requested and saw her nodding tenderly in answer. He couldn't believe, how one person could have so many variations in their behaviour. He sat down to read the news paper and slowly saw his family trickling in. Sonali Mami and Karishma were the last to come in. "Ofcourse, Sai and Ashwini Mami would be in the kitchen" , he thought to himself. He quickly called Ashwini Mami to the drawing room and sent Sai to pack her bags. It's better for her to not see this discussion.
"Samrat, where is Patralekha ? Why isn't she here yet ? She's usually very punctual ?", Sonali Mami, questioned, or rather taunted, trying stir a controversy. Karishma, on cue, giggled like a school girl. How did he not observe their antics all this while?
"That is what I wanted to speak about Mami. A little patience wouldn't hurt". he replied, sarcasm evident in his voice. He was done with pretences. Especially with foxes like these two.
"As I was saying, I have something very important to share with all of you. I have made some decisions regarding my life. I have informed Aai about them and she's happy. I'm informing you because I'm grateful to all the love and care you've shown me all these years". Badi Mami was about to speak something, but stopped at the show of his hand.
"I tooup a job in the private security services to train their recruits. It will be a round-the-clock job and I was offered a quarter to stay near the training facilities and I took it up. I'll be moving with my family-", he was interrupted by Sonali Mami.
"Oh so that might be the reason Patralekha is not here. She must packing right. She definitely has a lot of clothes", she taunted again. Karishma was about to add on but stopped seeing the irritated look on his face.
"Mami, I clearly asked you to be patient. Please, don't make me lose my decorum. As I was saying, before I was rudely interrupted, I'll be moving out of Chavan Niwas today. Luggages are packed. And when I said family, I meant Aai, me and Sai.", he finished dropping the bomb. He stared around at the dumbfounded faces of his family. Should he feel guilty that he was enjoying all this drama??. As expected, Badi Mami broke the silence.
"What do you mean by that Samrat? Patralekha is your wife and you can't leave her behind. And that Jungli Mulgi, why are you taking her? Is she creating problems between you and your wife. Let her come, one slap and she'll straighten up.", he heard her speak and saw red. No one can threaten harm to his sister and get away with it.
"Badi Mami", he almost screamed, controlling himself in the last minute, "Patralekha has nothing to do with Sai. She's my wife and I'm mature enough to not give heed to ANYONE'S meddling in my marital decisions. Patralekha and I have decided to separate. I gave her a choice and this was her decision. The family court proceedings will take time, because our law doesn't have provisions for divorce on mutual consent. But I did not see the benefit of her living here for no reason. She asked me to drop her at her home and I did it in the early morning today. I hope you respect my decision.", he explained, trying hard to not let his temper out.
"But Samrat", Badi Mami spoke, "she is such a mature, understanding daughter and Bahu. How can you do this to her?", she questioned, as if it were her own daughter. "She didn't fight this hard for her own daughter", he scoffed to himself.
"Exactly Badi Mami, she's all that, but a wife, she is not. I did a great injustice to her by leaving her immediately after the wedding and that has turned her into a vile and toxic individual. It is sad to see her taunt the elders of this house like Ashwini Mami and Shivani Mausi. She is absolutely unhealthy to Sai and Virat's relationship. She keeps intervening between them. What is even sadder is that, you let her do all that. I have nothing to do with Patralekha, except for the divorce proceedings. I will not appreciate any interference from any of you in this matter", he declared with a final tone and saw his family resigning to themselves about that fact.
"But Samrat dada, why are you taking Sai vahini with you?", he saw Karishma trying to light the fire that has just been cooled down.
"Ha..Samrat. Why Sai? As it is, she escapes from all the works of the house." Sonali Mami. "Urghh..what the hell is wrong with this woman", he thought to himself. He knew he had to end this here if he wants to have meaningful conversation. The members of this family lose all their rationality when its comes to Sai. But he was surprised to see Badi Mami, silent all this while
"Sonali Mami", he drawled sweetly, as if a predator approaching his prey, "I have seen Sai making breakfast and dinner after coming from her college. If there is one thing, I have not seen, ever since I came back is you or Karishma, for that matter entering the kitchen. What do you guys exactly do in the house?", he questioned, innocence dripping out of his voice. He saw Karishma and Sonali Mami squirm uncomfortably.
"Arey..no Samrat. I help your Mama in his work.", Sonali Mami, stuttered. "Yes dada.. and I help her in helping him. Which is exactly why we're not busy for all these works.", Karishma quickly replied.
"Omkar Mama. I've never seen him work at all. At least before my wedding, I believe he used to do something with real estate. But now, all I see is him sitting at home and drinking tea. Mohit is much better. He is at least giving his best to follow his passion", he shut her up, hitting her in the Achilles' heel.
"Samrat..leave Sonali aside. She's an idiot. Answer me. Why do you want to take that girl with you?", she asked him in a neutral tone. He was bound to answer.
"Mami... I'll be occupied most of the day. Aai will be taking care of house whenever I'm not there. But I don't want her to be alone whenever I have things to do at night. Now that, Virat is also not here, I thought I should take Sai with me. She'll give company to Aai. I saw that it's also closer to her college. It'll be beneficial to all of us", he quickly replied, delivering to them, the twisted version of the truth. He was moving there for Sai, and his Aai, to take care of Sai. Therapy sessions can be quite exhausting mentally, and he wanted Sai to get all the support she can. Revealing the truth to his family would only make them hate her more, irrationally.
"So..that is the reason she's agreed to move. Of course that selfish girl would satisfy her own motive.", Sonali Mami, quipped, giggling along with Karishma.
"MAMI...I have been trying to ignore your comments. Out of my respect to your age. You've been a hyena along with that daughter-in-law of yours. But, if I hear one more word against Sai, I will not hesitate to open a case on your husband for Pulkit's kidnapping. Virat was sentimental enough to not do so. I am not Virat and you know it very well.", he warned, knowing that this will not just rattle Sonali Mami and her husband but also the other unnamed perpetrators.
He turned to Ashwini, and began speaking slowly to her ."Mami, you've been a mother to Sai, all along. And you will remain to be so. But, Virat needs his mother as well. For a while, forget that you have a daughter and help Virat sort out his thoughts and feelings. He is hurting inside and in return, he is hurting Sai. If this continues, you'll lose both of them. I hope I have your blessings.", he requested her. He felt a warm and motherly hand, reach out to caress his cheek. He knew he had her unending support. He couldn't help but be amazed at the large heart that she possessed. He'll truly miss her.
He looked up to hear footsteps coming down the stairs and sure enough, Sai was getting down with her suitcase and books. He knew he was taking her away to heal her and that idea gave him the strength that the conversation with his family, sapped out of him. He saw her walk up to him with a smile on her face and stand next to him.
"I'm leaving along with Aai and Sai now because Panditji said there's some auspicious time. I'll come back in the evening alone, to take any remaining luggage." As he turned around, he felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked around to see a very unexpected person.
"Take care of Sai, Samrat.", his Ninad Mama, requested him. Samrat nodded his head and moved. No more words were needed.
Saying this he walked out of the house, crossing the thresh hold of the house. He was walking into a new beginning for Sai. Walking to the car, all that went on in his mind was his father's favourite dialogue. His father adored Rajesh Khanna.
"Babu Moshai, Zindagi Badi honi chahiye, lambi nahin"
He realised, he was following that dialogue.
He was moving ahead to give Sai, a Badi Zindagi.
A/N
And..we're done with the series. I hope that you liked reading this. I'm obviously emotional for my own written piece and that is really weird and heartwarming at the same time for me.
Also, I have a very weird doubt. Why does Pulkit call Kaku, "Kaku"? Isn't her supposed to call her Aai. I want to imagine our favourite Kaku's reaction at that.
Please excuse any mistakes in the OS.
Bindi
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
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3