“It is never wise to seek or
Wish for another’s misfortune.
If malice or envy were tangible
and had a shape, it would be
the shape of a Boomerang”
Even after so many years of construction, the Mansion looked as if it was built yesterday, a magnificent, enormous fort built to protect the people inside from outside threats. It was a subject of awe and envy for the people who passed this mansion, ‘such huge mansion’, ‘I wish I had a big home like this’, ‘people who live hiin this house must be so lucky’ were some of the conversations that discussed among them. But were they lucky? thought a woeful Chandrika Raisinghania as the car entered the gates of VR Mansion.
‘No, the people outside did not know anything that goes on inside. If given a choice she would have happily accepted a smaller house but a happy family. It’s not as if they were an overly joyous family or something, every one of these family members had an ulterior motive and negative personality. She did not remember a day where she lived with normal happy family members after her daughter-in-law’s death. She hoped yes, she dearly hoped that someone will come into their lives and teach her family members the value of home, family, and relationships.
That hope came in the form of a sweet innocent girl Riddhima. When suddenly her grandson decided to get married to a girl named Riddhima, she was confused at first but happy, nonetheless. If anyone had told her to find a suitable match for Vansh she could not have found anyone better than her.
Vansh and Riddhima both complemented each other very well. Him silent, brooding and her sweet but thoughtful girl who stood up to him if required. Though Riddhima was an orphan Siya and her accepted her readily with open arms. The same can not be said about others but again she hoped they will adjust and with time may come to accept her but alas.
Engrossed in thoughts she did not realize when she reached the door.
“Dadi, bahar itni thand hai. Har roz mandir jana zaruri hai kya?” Vansh stopped his grandmother near the door
“tu to janta hai ki main kyu mandir jaati hu? Fir roz puchna zaruri hai?” She asked in return
She saw her grandson’s eyes harden but he did not say anything more on the matter. It seems he was leaving for the office.
“Main aur Angre office ja rahe hai. Late hoga, do not wait for us” he informed his ever-watchful grandmother
“Late toh roz hi ata hai Beta, jis din jaldi ayega tab bata dena” she extended her hand though she knew his answer “ye le prashad le”
Vansh shook his head and side stepped her “I am getting late, chalo Angre”
She looked at their retreating backs and sighed nowadays it is hard to even get a glimpse of her grandson and son in law. Now they will return late at night when everyone will be in the confines of their room. She did not know what Angre did surely, he did not go to Ishani. On the other hand, her grandson will drink and play some piano remembering his beloved wife, and torture himself for his wrongdoings or cry till he finally falls asleep till again it’s time to get up and leave for work.
She walked through the gloomy hallways of VR Mansion and reached Ishani’s room. Sia was with her. That is the only good thing that has happened after this calamity struck them. Ishani forgot her anger on Sia.
God has punished them all for treating a pure soul with such hatred and malice. No one was spared. Her throat felt heavy as she looked at the sweet child Sia, once again in a wheelchair. It was only for a day or two that she stood on her own two legs, walked like a normal person. That was the happiest day for all of them and of course, it was due to the contribution from the certain person who was not with them now because they were too arrogant to recognize a good-hearted person.
“Don’t worry Ishani, Ek din sab thik ho jayega” Sia patted her sister’s back and looked helplessly at her.
“Ishani, lo beta Prashad lo. Aaj Mangalwar hai na toh badi Puja thi Bappa ke mandir me.” Chandrika RaiSingania entered the room. This was the daily occurrence. She knew the reason of Ishani’s cries but who can help her? She bought this upon herself. There was a day when she had a family of her own. A child and a loving husband. Today she has lost her child and is on the verge of losing a husband.
It was with a huge effort that they managed to calm Ishani and left her room.
“Aangre came a while ago and informed that tomorrow they have to be present in the court for divorce hearing and informed rudra chachu to drive her to the court. She is crying since then…” Sia informed her grandmother silently
“Ye toh hona hi tha, after what Ishani did with Aangre we can’t expect him to be with her. Kis muh se jaye hum uske samne?” She did not know if she should feel sorry for Ishani or should be angry with her. As it is Ishani was facing her share of problems which did not seem like ending anytime soon.
“Chanchal chachi and Rudr Chachu went to meet the Aaryan today. It looks like someone has beaten him up real bad. She was shouting at chachu and Vansh bhai to do anything possible to free him from jail”
Chandrika RaiSinghania tensed “beaten up? Vo thik to hai? Vansh ne kya kaha? Baat ki commissioner se?”
“Bhai ne toh kuch nahi kaha, bas bola ki this is not in my hands. Aaryan should have thought about it before doing something so…” Sia could not complete “Chachi has locked herself in the room since then. Chachu is with her. But she is not ready to eat anything”
“Main thodi der me Chanchal ke paas jati hu use thoda shant hone de but abhi tu chal. Doctor aate hi honge check-up ke liye”
“Dadi do you really think? Aaryn bhai can do something like this?”
“Maan toh nahi manta but saare sabut toh yahi kehte hai. Aur Vansh toh is bare me kuch sunne ko hi tayar nahi hai. Bas ek hi baat kehta hai. Galti ki hai toh saaza bhi milegi. Agar yahi vo pehle karta toh…” Dadi stopped
“Dadi?”
“Haan Beta?”
“Bhagwan hume saaza de raha hai right? Riddhima Bhabhi ke saath sabne aisa” tears rolled down her face
“Sia jo ho gaya usko hum badal nahi sakte, bas bhagwan se maafi maang sakte hai”
“Will she forgive us?” Sia asked with little to no hope
Dadi gave her a sad smile “Agar yaha hoti toh jarur maaf kar deti, aur shayad hume ye din bhi na dekhna padta”
“I wish she will come back” Sia whispered
“I wish the same, isiliye toh humesha mandir jati hu…”
Chandrika Raisinghania closed her eyes it was hectic meeting Chanchal. She was not keeping well, with her one and only son in jail which mother would. Sia was right it was god’s way of punishing them.
She stood firm for her family until now but till when? after her first heart attack which she received immediately after Aaryan’s imprisonment she was not sure she can handle anymore shock or another storm.
God give my family strength to endure this storm, everyone deserved one chance to rectify their mistake. They needed a second chance which only God can give them now.
She wished to have a peaceful life a new beginning for her family. Can she ever get that? is it too much to ask for serene dawn?
*****
Note:
Tried my hands on OS for the first time. Let me know how is it. The motivation for writing this is I am fed up with Riddhima torture in IMMJ, and really want to see some justice served but obviously we may not get it there so wrote it down here😆
Shiv Shakti
Madhubala - Ek Ishq Ek Junoon
