Chapter 7:
Mr. Bajaj came down in his silk robes, still looking grumpy. Prerna put the food in his place.
Mr. Bajaj startled: It's fish!
Prerna smiled smugly: Why yes, good observation. Fried salmon, no bones to pick, my special recipe.
Mr. Bajaj: I am Punjabi, I don't do fish!
Prerna, unfazed: Now you do.
They glared at each other for a little while before Rishab stabbed his salmon steak with a fork and put a spoonful in his mouth.
Prerna observed him liking it better than he thought and smiled to herself. They sat there eating in silence before Prerna interrupted.
Prerna: I want to know about your background.
Mr. Bajaj, irately: What's there to know? I am the guy who let go of the mother of my child, remember?
Prerna: Further back.
Mr. Bajaj smiled now: Ah, so you want to know about the Basu family.
Prera looked at him evenly.
Mr. Bajaj: It's not important.
Prerna: I wouldn't have asked, if I did not think it important.
Mr. Bajaj: You will think I am unduly trying to influence your decision because my history will give you nothing good about the Basus. So leave it Prerna. When you leave, if you can find it in your heart, just give my daughter a little time, that's all I ask (he stopped before his voice broke).
Prerna: So now you already know my decision? Are you a psychic too?
Mr. Bajaj looked tried, but defiant: You are under no obligation to stay in this marriage. He's all you ever wanted and I got in the way with a responsibility you never asked for. Don't let culture stop you. If you concerned about your mother objecting, tell her about the baby. Then she will understand. (Before she could say thing, he added) and no I never had any issues with accepting the baby. Contrary to what you may think, I am no hypocrite. My original plan after the deal was to make the child my own...as you made Kukki your own.
Prerna: Then why this sudden change of mind as soon as Kukki went off to boarding school? Why don't you want to keep the marriage and the baby now?
Mr. Bajaj snapped: Because this is not what you ever wanted! This is not even half the life you wanted or deserved.
Prerna: You knew that from the beginning.
Mr. Bajaj looked her straight in the eye: Maybe it matters more to me now. (He looked away) Who cares why, you have your chance to walk away Prerna, I suggest you do.
Prerna's pent up rage expressed itself in grief, much to her surprise: What did I do wrong, Rishab? Why don't you want me here anymore?
When he looked up in surprise he also had unshed tears in his eyes.
Rishab softly: I just want you to be happy.
He walked away leaving his dinner half unfinished, but Prerna caught up with him on the stairs and tugged at his sleeve.
Prerna in tears: You want to get married for real, isn't it? To one of those better women you could get anytime. One who doesn't come with any burdens. You like someone else (she thought of how Tanvi looked at him and how often she found Tanvi fussing over Rishab - sometimes in their very bedroom).
Rishab set his jaws in determination and said without looking back: You can think what you like of me. The fact remains that you and Anurag were in love and wanted to be married. I got in the way. I am trying to set things right as best as I can. You will understand someday.
Prerna followed him into the bedroom: If you want it that way, that's fine!!! You don't owe me anything. I set you free. Just let me take Kukki with me.
Rishab sighed in defeat and closed his eyes: Kukki stays with me, some visitations is all I ask for her. Her nanny will bring her over.
Prerna stood behind him in silence, the tears refusing to stop as she trembled.
Rishab broke the silence as he took his things out of the bedroom, his heart beating hard: Pack your things in the morning. I will drop you off at your mother's.
He brushed past her, not looking in her direction as she watched. When the door closed behind her, she burst into tears.
Prerna only packed what she brought with her. Massi and Tanvi had found out by the morning and they tried to soothe her and offer her breakfast, but she couldn't even accept a glass of water from here anymore.
Rishab looked very much untouchable like his old self again this morning.
He said: I will drop you off.
Prerna grimly: I will go alone, just as I came.
He didn't argue.
Prerna went out with her suit case and called a taxi, much to the shock of the staff.
Rishab ran after her: I cannot let you go on a cab alone like this. Amir will drop you off (he signaled a chauffeur).
Prerna was too spent to argue. She just kept her eyes on the ground as Amir came and took the suitcase for the trunk. She followed.
Rishab: Wait!
Prerna looked back, hopefully.
Rishab took off her mangal sutra and her sindoor, tearing her apart in the process. She looked on in shocked silence.
Rishab: Miss. Sharma, if you can, forgive me for what I did.
Prerna: I forgave you a long time ago. (She screamed) But I will NEVER forgive you for what you just did!
She ran into the car before he could say anything and had the driver drive off.
Rishab was left shaken and empty now. A sense of foreboding dawned on him. Had he messed up again?
I was just having an emotional day, so I cried when I wrote this...really feeling for both these characters. I don't know if the writing shows that. Very much want to know what the readers felt...please write to me by replying to this post.
Chapter 8
Edited by Marybarton - 5 years ago