A few days later, Mohini and Sonalika were eagerly awaiting the arrival of the prospective groom’s family. Mohini came to stand next to Sonalika and said, “This was possibly the best idea you could have come up with to get rid of that ominous girl.”
Sonalika haughtily replied, “Well what did she think would happen, I mean she simply won’t leave my husband alone. I simply had to come up with a way to get her out of our lives.”
Mohini maliciously replied, “I just hope this guy takes her far away from Kolkata, so that she won’t ever disturb my son again.”
“Lets just hope he agrees,” Sonalika added with caution, “One never knows what these families are like.”
“And why shouldn’t they? The family will be getting over a million in dowry for her. And to be honest, I don’t care what they do with her, just as long as they take her from here.”
Just then Debo approached them to announce the family’s arrival.
“Come,mother-in-law, they have arrived.” Sonalika said leading the way to the reception hall.
The family from Delhi appeared to be average middle class people, causing Mohini to look down her nose at them. Forgoing all rituals, the family was shown into the house and invited to sit. Mohini checked over the women her gaze for a moment resting on the boy, he was nothing in comparison to her Anu, so he would do.
“Who will bespeaking on behalf of the groom?” Mohini demanded, and with satisfaction noted the family’s discomfort.
The looked between one another before finally the one woman spoke up. “I am the elder here so I shall speak.”
“Then speak,”Mohini haughtily demanded.”
Again the family members looked amongst themselves, the father nodding for the woman to go ahead, “While you know why we have come here, we ant to meet with the girl first.”
Astonished at their request Mohini outright asked, “What is this? The terms were made simple enough for people like you to understand.” Her tone then became more coaxing as she said, “We have sent you her photo and qualifications. We have also explained the circumstances around this. There surely is no need for all this.”
The elder firmly spoke up, with possibly more verve that Mohini had expected, “That may be so, but you would not be the first to try and marry off a useless pregnant girl”
Mohini was visibly affronted and sharply demanded, “Is that what you think we are doing?” She gestured around them and said, “Look around you. I, Mohini Basu, would not waste my time in fixing the wedding of such a girl.”
“We would still like to meet with her before proceeding. We need to know if she will fit in with our family.” The woman gestured to their surroundings and added, “Girls from such wealthy families are well known for being lazy and demanding spendthrifts.”
Sonalika in her manipulative manner replied, “We have been upfront with you regarding this matter. We also explained to you that Prerna’s not available at the moment and thought you understood this and respected. Prerna is a precocious girl who made a mistake. Her self imposed mortification is what prevented her from disclosing her condition earlier. We are however willing to overlook your uncertainty and proceed with the arrangements, you seem like a decent family.”
The elder however was having none of it, she looked between Sonalika and Mohini before outright demanding from Mohini, “And just why are you so keen to get this girl married off? And that too by offering such a large dowry?”
“Is there a problem with the dowry?” Sonalika challenged, “In my experience most families would be welcoming of one-point two million, it could provide a comfortable living for the couple even allow for them to set up a small business.”
“Perhaps with those you have dealt with,” Elder countered, visibly frustrating Sonalika when she added, “We have other questions that need answering. Akash is the pride of our family, we cannot simply marry him off to anyone.”
Mohini just looked condescendingly at the boy, before demanding, “So what do you want to know?”
The elder again spoke, “You have to understand that it is uncommon for such a beautiful and educated girl to be married off in such a manner. Then there is also the matter concerning the unborn child’s father, How much trouble will he give us?”
“He will be no problem at all, “Sonalika quickly countered.
The elder however continued to address Mohini, seemingly oblivious of Sonalika’s response, “Madam, I’m certain that given your background you would be well aware that in such circumstances, it expected of the father of the child to marry the girl, especially since she could be carrying the legal heir. We just don’t want any such complications later. You know people can be strange with these matters.”
“There will be no such complications,” Mohini assured.
“We also need to know if she has any intention of keeping the child or whether the child will go to the fathers family or be given up for adoption? I know there are some girls who simply cannot live with the thought of facing their mistakes head on everyday, and I would not want for the child to be neglected if she does not really want to keep it.”
Mohini looked to Sonalika, but it was Mohini who spoke up, “Why ever would you ask that?”
“We know it is not uncommon if the father was married or remarried that the baby would go to his family. We don’t want any such troubles to arise after the wedding.”
Yes, Madam,”Sonalika answered, “We fully understand your concerns, so allow me to put your mind at ease. As far as we know, Prerna intends to keep the baby. The baby’s father has no interests in the child, they were married, but they have since divorced and he has no interests in the child.”
“This does not make any sense. You said she made a mistake and that she regrets it, but now you claim that she and the father were married. If that is so, why then did she divorce him and why will he not support his child. I feel that this is just some scam.”
“No madam, it is nothing of the sort.” Sonalika said, “Look we know Prerna made a mistake by marrying the man without either families consent, and had she spoken sooner we could have done something about it, but I’m afraid she was too caught up in the moment to think of the consequences.”
“Why then are you doing this on behalf of her family. This is a little unorthodox, her mother should at least have been here.”
“Madam, you must understand that her family feels deeply ashamed for their daughter’s situation,and that is why we are acting on their behalf. Please understand it is a difficult situations for us as well.”
“Oh, I’m well enough aware of how difficult the situation is for you.” The elder cut Sonalika short, “Especially given the rumours that are going round.”
“What rumours?” Mohini demanded.
The elder addressed Mohini, “That the unborn child is that of your son and her husband.” The woman pointed to Soanlika. “It is said he abandoned Prerna at the wedding dias and ran off to marry this woman.”
“That is absurd.”
“Is it?” the woman challenged.
Mohini shot up from her seat and angrily shouted, “I will not be spoken to like this in my own home. You! You take your family and get out!”
“If you feel uncomfortable with such accusations then tell me, tell me how we are supposed to answer the questions that will surly arise. People will surely ask us why we accepted her as the daughter in law of our house.”
“Mother-in-law,allow me to explain as they have obviously heard some wild rumours about this.” Sonalika said in an overly sweet voice. “Prerna was married to Mr. Bajaj at the time the child was conceived. They divorced around about the same time my husband and I got married. There’s not even the slightest possibility that my husband can be the father of the child. I will even request copies of the divorce papers from the court, if that will make things easier for you.”
The elder looked at the others and shook her head. “I don’t think this alliance is a good one.”
“What?” Sonalika demanded.
“There are far too many facts being withheld or only divulged under duress. I cannot tell if they are being honest about the situation or not. This entire thing makes me an uncomfortable. I think it is better if we don’t proceed. If they were open and honest about it and allowed us to meet the girl and decide for ourselves then I might have been willing to proceed, but I am feeling that this is some sort of a scam. The dowry is far too high, they are unwilling to allow us to even meet the girl, what’s to say that when Akash gets to the dias that it will even be the girl in the picture.”
“How dare you!”Mohini demanded, “Just get out! Get out of my house. You middle class people have no respect.”
The boy’s family stood to leave, however ignored all the expected rituals and made their way to the door. As Debu opened the door to allow them out, Bajaj stepped into the house carrying a folder.
“What are you doing here?” Mohini demanded, outright.
“I’m with them,”Bajaj said, pointing to the departing family, adding, “Thank you,” as the took the phone from Akash. He then turned his full attention towards Mohini and fixed her with a stern glare, “I was informed that you are tarnishing my name with false claims, so I came t o confirm them, “ Bajaj held up the phone. “Your conversation was recorded and will be used as evidence in the case to be filed against you.”
“What case?”Mohini demanded.
“You have cast out the legal daughter-in-law of this house and invited this chameleon into your house in her place.”
“Prerna is not my daughter-in-law!” Mohini seethed, “I don’t know what she’s told you, but that is not true.”
“Prerna and Anurag are registered as legally married. My attorney submitted the papers to the court the same time my divorce papers were submitted. So according to law they are married and Prerna is the official daughter-in-law of this house.Moreover, offering a large amount for dowry is considered to contravene the dowry act. Meaning that not only have you wronged your daughter in law, you have tried to marry off a legally married woman and offered the grooms family a substantial dowry in order for them to accept her. Then I have not even started on the issues of slander and deception.”
“Who do you think you are to come into my home and threaten me!”
“Your home?”Bajaj questioned, “You only still have this house because of Prerna. Just as your son was set free thanks to her. Mrs Mohini you have a bad habit of repeating your mistakes. You should rather learn from them.”
“Get out!”Mohini angrily instructed.
“I will leave once I have spoken with Anurag.”
“He is not here,” Mohini angrily threw back.
“He will be here soon,” Bajaj said.
Just then the doorbell chimed, causing Bajaj to turn to the door and say, “That would be him now.”
Debo opened the door and allowed Anurag in. Anurag moved forward but then halted, hesitating on seeing Bajaj.
“Anurag so good of you to join us.”
Anurag’s entire body stiffened as he demanded, “What are you doing here?”
“I’ve come to sort out a misunderstanding.”
“What misunderstanding? Anurag demanded.
Bajaj lifted the phone and pressed a series of buttons on it. Moments later Anurag’s phone bleeped. Bajaj then walked over to Anurag and held the folder out toward him.“Here are the papers for your divorce from Prerna, please sign them and get them back to me.”
“What?” Anurag demanded.
“As I said, I’m here to clear up a misunderstanding. The last time I left this house, I said to you to look after Prerna, and that if you don’t I will have to come back and do it.” Bajaj the turned and pointed towards Mohini and Sonalika, “It seems that your mother and fake wife thought it a good idea to marry off your legal wife and child to someone else, throwing in a substantial dowry with it.”
“What?” Anurag asked confused. “My legal wife?”
“But before you marry this one,” Bajaj said gesturing to Sonalika. “You may want to compare her DNA to the one included in the file. I, personally, am against having anyone in my home who has ill intentions towards my family, but there is seems to be the norm.” He then turned to look at Anurag again and said, “So just do me a favour and sign those papers so we can have your marriage to Prerna annulled, I plan to remarry her at the earliest.”
Stunned, Anurag looked at Bajaj and said, “I won’t let you take her again.”
“Well you certainly don’t seem to want to look after her, so just let her go,” Bajaj said starting for the door before stopping and adding, “Oh, and don’t be so quick to believe your mother when she starts explaining away her actions. I intend to file a charge against her for libel – but I fear that is nothing in comparison to all the lies she has fed you in the last few months.”
“Mom?” Anurag asked.
“Anu, I –“Mohini started only for Bajaj to cut her short.
“For once Mrs. Basu, speak the truth. Heavens alone knows what you have subjected Prerna to,but from what I saw during the time we lived here, I doubt atonement for the next four lifetimes would suffice. And to speak frankly, I would easily welcome her back into both my home and life. Prerna is one of those rare souls that can be bent but never distorted.”
“Then take her and that child of yours that she’s carrying and just go.” Mohini angrily retorted.
“But that is where you are very wrong, I knew that Prerna was pregnant with Anurag’s child even before I married her.”
“Why then did you marry her if you knew?” Anurag demanded.
“Because it suited my agenda.” Baja flatly stated, “Now, if you will excuse me, I have somewhere else I need to be.”
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