Part 9:
Aditya went to the bathroom and washed his face with cold water. Why was he reacting like this when he knew she already had a baby? He had only himself to blame for not giving Imlie the rights and recognition she deserved as his wife. What kind of man kept that a secret and married again without addressing the first marriage?
His mother had been right, he could have told the police, but he did not. Not contesting meant he believed that marriage to Imlie in his heart of hearts. Then, why did he overcomplicate matters by marrying Malini? Truth was, he froze. He thought he was doing the right thing by keeping his promise to Malini, but he had done a grave injustice to Imlie. He should be happy this young girl had managed to take the reins of her life and move on as she had. He had no right to feel this way.
He knew now how Imlie felt. God, did he know. Imlie was at least welcoming to him in her home, he on the other hand had only ever made her feel like a burden, a liability, unloved, unwanted. He deserved this.
Emily blew her nose and threw the wad of issue in her nearly full waste-basket: He doesn't deserve this. Not from me.
Alex, thoughtfully: On the contrary, I don't see why you are being so hard on yourself about this. You extricated yourself from a very difficult situation. How were you to know that they divorced soon after anyway?
Emily: I would have if I let him get in touch with me! But I banned him from getting in touch with me or anyone of mine. It's because I knew he would come after me, he always did. I wanted to cut him off because I was angry. I wasn't just letting him go, I wanted to pull the plug on him. He never remarried, Alex! He never moved on...(she bawled).
Alex: Shouldn't you be happy about that?
Emily's hiccupping sobs stopped and she looked at him for a moment: What?
Alex: He waited, just like you did once for him. But he did it for much longer. Perhaps he paid his dues.
Emily wiped her eyes: I don't deserve him. I made a mess of everything. I took 10 years from his life. He will never forgive me.
Alex: Well, he shoulders a lot of that blame. You did what you thought was best for him, angry or not. You had a right to feel that way after all you had been through.
Emily: He will never forgive me, you don't know him.
Alex took Emily's small hands and mock pouted at her: A man who can recognize you by your touch after a decade can find a way.
Emily threw herself at Alex and had a good cry.
Alex held her tight and said soothingly: When did I become such a sap?
Emily couldn't help but laugh: I know, player that you are! I have had a bad effect on you these past years.
Alex lost his smile as he buried his face in her luxurious hair, his throat was tight: Never.
Aditya saw Imlie applying the mehendi on Malini's hand. Imlie, in deep humiliation, eating the shagun for the poor with a smile on her face. "Tum hamka bihake seher ley aye...Din bhar hamko tana marath ho ke hum tuharo life barbad ka dis! Heh? Ka lagath hai, hamka baat feel nehi howath he? Dil toooot jaat hai...Mere paas kya hai? Ek Amma this, wu bhi pische soot gawa. Abka hamse Sita Maiyya bhi chin loge?"
Ting ting ting ting!
Aditya startled awake, breathing hard against the tightness in his chest: Hhhh...Imlie.
It was raining outside. The pitter patter of the drops against his French window was rather soothing in contrast to his mood.
Aditya's hands were shaking as the arti's sound came in through his door. She still did all that?
Aditya freshened up and prepared to face Imlie, Alex, and their child. He could be happy for her. He had taken everything from her, including her joy and she claimed it all back and flourished. He was so proud of her.
Aditya came out just in time for see Imlie run out giggling while carry Emmaline with her. She ran out the door - straight into the rain.
Imlie: First rain, Emmy, it's your first rain! How do you feel, baby!? Look, raindrops! Raindrops are falling on Em-my, raindrops are falling on Em-my... It's rain. Say ra-in.
Emmaline looked initially confused as the drops prickled on her face, then burst out giggling.
Emmy: Wain! Wain!
It was that twinkling baby sound that gave the heart hope. Aditya smiled as he watched Imlie hop around in her front yard with Emma clutched to her chest.
Alex.
Aditya looked behind him, no one was there. Maybe he was still asleep.
Imlie looked back at the house, nearly ready to come in. Aditya was looking at her with a smile on his face.
Imlie suddenly lost her thrill and walked back in with Emmaline.
Imlie, softly: She's almost one, I thought she can experience rain without total confusion now.
Aditya: Looks like she liked it.
Imlie: Yes, I better go change her. Don't want her catching a cold.
Emmaline grabbed a fistful of Aditya's shirt as Imlie was brushing past. Emma stuck out her tongue at him, making Aditya laugh.
Aditya: She's your daughter alright.
Imlie: What do you mean?
Aditya: That's all you did when I first tried taking pictures of you.
Imlie, awkwardly: Oh, ha - I nearly forgot.
Aditya stopped smiling: I am sorry, I don't mean to make you think back. Sorry.
He walked away, feeling awkward about reminding her of the past when her present was so visible around them. As she said, she forgot that past.
Aditya looked away, blinking fast: I will get breakfast started while you change. Is Alex up yet?
Imlie turned around: Why would Alex be up here?
Aditya looked surprised: I mean, if he's coming to breakfast.
Imlie looked this way and that: He's at home having his own breakfast, I am sure.
Aditya: But he came last night.
Imlie: And he left. (She squinted at him) What are you suggesting, that he stayed over?
Aditya struggled to make sense of things under Imlie's glare: I am not suggesting anything.
Imlie stepped forward: Wait a minute. Are you saying you think we are a...thing?
Aditya stepped back: It's none of my business. I am sorry I said anything. I will go make breakfast.
Imlie grabbed him by the sleeve and turned him around: Emmy needs a change so I am going. But we are going to talk about this, you understand? I have had it with you and your assumptions.
Aditya: I didn't...I, Imlie! What am I supposed to think when you took him to your room?
Imlie snapped: That's my office! He's my partner. We work together!
Aditya faltered as he saw Imlie's temper flaring.
Imlie, slowly and deliberately: Stay. right. here. I will be back.
What will happen now?
No wonder, the workaholic he always was!
Bollywood
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
