"Who are you to tell me what is right and what is wrong?'' Barkha shouted at the top of her voice,
Laajo without flinching with confidence answered "I am your son's wife, I am Laajo Nikhil Bharadwaj". Laajo continued without any pauses "I agree that maybe I don't deserve to live with you in Delhi as I may not be like those high class girls but I am no less either. I have proved again and again that I can be a good wife and above all a great human being".
Nikhil who came in at the right time heard this whole conversation and said "Mom all these years you have made me feel unloved and insecure and now you are doing the same thing with my wife".
Barkha was shocked to hear all this and wanted to clarify her stance but Nikhil interrupted her and asked her "Why does my wife have to prove herself to you isn't it time that you proved yourself of being my mother".
Barkha felt dizzy she felt her heart thump with anger, she glared at him and started to speak but yet again she got interrupted by Baba "Bahu you cannot blame Laajo for all those things that unfortunately happened with you, that was my mistake that I couldn't understand my son's love for you but now you are making this same mistake again of not understanding your son's love".
With these words everyone was silent for what seemed like eternity, Laajo broke the silence and came up with a perfect solution "If Mom wants me to prove myself then I wouldn't do it but not by living separately from my husband, I will go to Delhi complete my studies and then prove that I can be a part of Mom's society". Nikhil thought about this and he agreed to give his full support to this idea, he also added that "I also will prove myself by getting a job and being independent so that in future my mother does not feel embarrassed of her son".
Baba appreciated their stance and gave them his blessings and advised them to be each other's support in good as well as bad times. Barkha was standing there looking very dumbfounded she couldn't believe that her plans had failed and she no words were coming out of her mouth to convince Nikhil.
After a few months
The couple had formed for themselves a daily routine which they liked it a lot, they did face some difficulties but they didn't give up. Laajo continued her studies in the college and was very happy that she was doing something which she had always dreamt of doing she was studying nursing. She wanted to be doctor but then she had thought that the studies would be difficult to handle as she also had to go for English classes along with dancing classes which she used to teach in an institution. She was happy that she could be a nurse as she had always wanted to help other people. Nikhil initially had a tough time finding a job due to his lack of experience he got a job recommended by Samraat even though he had initially refused he finally agreed as he thought that this would be a good starting point for him and he could learn new things also. Inder and Nani were really proud of Nikhil and Laajo, and they could see that they both were working very hard to accomplish their goals.
Barkha on the other hand was living a very lonely life she hardly left her room and was angry with the world, with Laajo, and was angry even with her mother.
Months passed into years, after 2 years to be exact Laajo finally completed her studies she was officially a nurse and she even luckily found a job in a good hospital. Nikhil in those 2 years really flourished, he also completed his studies alongside his job he decided to do part time MBA, and after he left the job recommended by his uncle he joined another prominent company and that to without any family reference. Within a year he was also promoted as he used to work very hard and he used to enjoy his work. Nikhil would go to his brother's room sometimes and feel content as he used to think that his brother would be so proud of him as when they were children Akash would always advice to be dedicated in whatever work he did.
In those 2 years something had changed in Barkha too, she was tired of hating everyone and on recommendation by Nani she started visiting a counselor. Barkha started changing herself for the good through the counseling process she started to understand herself better, she started letting go of her irrational thoughts and finally for the first time she made peace with Aakash's death. She started understanding that Nikhil could not be responsible for that infact no one was responsible it was all in her head. At home she started making amends slowly, firstly made amends with her husband. Nikhil started noticing some real changes in his mother how no she would eat with everyone at the dining table, how she would try and start a small conversation with him. Nikhil also reciprocated with small steps from his side, he would ask her wellbeing and they both became more tolerant with each other's presence.
One night when Nikhil arrived late from he was surprised to see his mom there waiting at the dining table instead of Laajo, in order to avoid any awkward conversations he was going to his room when Barkha stopped him.
"Nikhil I know I have really hurt you, I have always disappointed you and honestly I feel very guilty about it, please will you have dinner with me today?" Barkha asked in a pleading voice
Nikhil couldn't walk away and sat down next to her when tears started to flow from both their eyes no one remembered "Mom why cant you forgive for what happened to Bhaiya?"
"Nikhil I have already forgiven you in fact I am the one who should be asking for forgiveness for being there when my son needed me the most I forgot that I also had another son who had lost his brother too" Barkha says with a heavy voice
They both embraced each other to Nikhil it felt like he was the some little boy again who was for the first time receiving his mother's affection and to Barkha it felt like after so many years she has finally got her son back.
After a while Nikhil was about to leave when Barkha asked about Laajo "That girl Laajo she tried to explain me all this but I never listened to her" after a small pause she asked "Do you love Laajo?''
"Mom with all my heart I love her and it pains me to see that my own mother could never accept her"
Tears welled up in Barkha's eyes and she said "I have wronged her too I used to think that she was not worthy of being your wife when infact all these years she is the one who had your best interests at heart".
The next evening Barkha had thrown a lavish party to celebrate Ayesha's engagement. Ayesha and Adhiraaj had got engaged a few weeks back very quietly as Ayesha thought that her mother would never approve. But Barkha being the changed woman she is understood her daughter's happiness and overall she liked Adhiraaj for being a man with ambitions and good morals.
Barkha was standing at the stage to give a speech when she called up both Laajo and Nikhil to join her. Barkha says to the guests present "I threw this party to celebrate Ayesha'a new journey and to also welcome Adhiraaj into the family but there is another reason for this celebration also, its high time I welcomed another member of this family also and she is none other than Laajwanti Bharadwaj".
Laajo couldn't believe her ears she quickly looked at Barkha to see whether she was joking, Barkha gave her a look that conveyed patience and continued speaking "She is my son's wife and is someone whom I have misunderstood. I didn't believe that she could keep my son happy or she could ever adjust here in the big city but I am so happy to say this that she has proved me wrong. I am proud to say that my Bahu who came from a simple village is more smarter than me, she is intelligent, educated and above all a loving person who has given nothing but love to this family".
Laajo who was standing besides Barkha felt tears forming in her eyes, she couldn't believe her ears, not knowing what to say or do she immediately bent down and touched Barkha's feet and Barkha placed a loving hand on her head also.
Barkha continued after this exchange that "Laajo has proved herself that she very much worthy of being a part of this society and that other people who make fun of people like Laajo should learn about dedication and till what extent one can go to fulfill their dreams. Laajo has done all that and she has proved that she can do anything in life as long her morals are still intact".
With this Laajo officially breaks down in tears and Barkha hugs, Nikhil places a hand on laajo's shoulder and Barkha announces that today her family will finally be complete. With these words Baba and Anuradha walk in and they meet everyone after many years. As everyone was getting emotional due to this whole exchange Nikhil pulls Laajo in the corner and whispers in her ears "Thank You Laajo for entering in my life, for making my family whole and for showering me with your endless and selfless love" .
Pls Leave your comments, I want to know what you all thought about it đł
Anupamaa
