PR reloaded-FF-Pt 66 Pg 148, 27/4/11 - Page 111

PART 65

JANMASHTAMI MAHAEPISODE

SUBPART 1

"WHAT!!!"

Manju angrily looked at Vinod as he was getting fresh after coming back from office. He ignored her and continued to smoothen his shirt.

"Manav said he won't give alimony and you accepted???"

Vinod cleared his throat. "He didn't say he won't give alimony, he just said that he cannot give such a big amount in one go as he is having financial problems right now. He said he will give money on a monthly basis till then."

"Huh!" said Manju arrogantly. "I knew this was going to happen! Nice excuse he has made! Now you see, he won't be giving any money, every month he will make some pretext or another. He fooled you and you got fooled."

Vinod was frustrated. "So what did you want me to do??? Arey, he said it openly, he doesn't have money, from where could I extract alimony from him. Its better that we accept whatever he is giving. Let things be peaceful now, as it is, we are not inviting him for Vaishali Tarun's engagement and he must be bugged bcos of that, just like Tarun is."

Manjusha opened her mouth to say something, but Vinod showed her a finger. "Not one more word." He said strictly. He walked out of the room.

Alone in the room, Manjusha punched her fists in the air angrily. She looked about for her cell, with the intention of bitching to her Aai about what had happened. Only Mommy dearest could put her troubled mind at ease and.. now where was that damned cell??? She looked about here and there, then hunted in the clothes basket. It was nowhere.

"Punni!!!" she shouted. "Have you been playing with my cell again??"

No answer. Aaargh!!! Manjusha felt like screaming. She hunted about the house looking for Punni and then Vinod, but couldn't find both. It seemed both of them had gone out together.

Just then a cell phone rang. "Ring.. ring..!"

Her face lit up into a smile, only to fall again, as she realized it wasn't hers, but Archana's cell. She felt irritated again. "Archana, pick up your phone!!!"

No answer. Where the hell was everyone today? Even Aai was not to be found!

The phone continued to ring. Finally when Manjusha could no longer tolerate the shrill voice, she stomped towards it angrily, ready to give a piece of mind to whoever was there at the other end. "HELLO!!!" she said angrily.

Silence on the other end. "Umm.. Archu Tai??"

Manjusha was confused for a second. "Is this.. is this you Varshu???"

No response, as the call got disconnected immediately at the other end.

***************************

Alone now, MAnjusha was confused with this new twist. Varsha had called? After all these days? On Archu's cell? And why had she disconnected on hearing her voice?

Anger mounted in Manjusha's head as she thought that Varshu had cut the phone since she did not want to talk to her. How rude these Karanjkar sisters were! And especially this particular one- insolent, bashful, and oversmart to a T, she thought furiously. But still.. something didn't seem right. Varsha had never ignored her in this manner before. Normally, both of them always made catty comments to each other. Something just didn't seem right. She checked the call list of Archana's cell phone.

A Delhi no.??!!!!!??

Did this mean Varsha was in Delhi??

Yes, it did, but what was she doing in Delhi??

And suddenly everything became clear to her, as she remembered what Manav had said when Archana had asked him why he had not come on his court hearing against Ajit, which had somehow confirmed all the charges against Manav- cheating Archu and later blackmailing Ajit to confess his crimes.

*****Flashback begins*******

Archana gave him a fixated look, even as her Aai tried to pull her back. She shook off her Aai's arm. "Everything- your 'losing' evidence, the fact that your witnesses were 'threatened' and they 'backtracked', not making an FIR for those guys who hit you, Shravani's 'lies'- everything, is linked to just one fact- What was the oh-so-important work for which you risked everything else? Where have you been???"

"Archana.. please understand." Said Manav, exasperated now. "I.. I.. was with Varsha."

Suddenly everything was silent. Everyone was flabbergasted. How did Varsha fit into all of this? Hadn't she gone to London quietly even before any of this had happened?

Archana's face had an expression of sheer disbelief. "You were with Varsha?"

"Yes," said Manav, looking around and hoping people would believe. "I was with Varsha. She had got into some sort of trouble. And I helped her out of it."

"You mean to say that Varsha is in Mumbai?"

"Yes.. no.. I mean.. yes, she was in Mumbai all this while, but now she is on route to Delhi." Manav knew that Varsha had asked him not to tell at home, but right now things were going topsy-turvy.

"Varsha.." Archana had a tired, sarcastic smile on her face. "Manav couldn't you come up with a better excuse?"

Manav looked horrified. "Archana I.."

"VARSHA IS IN LONDON! Just an hour ago she called to tell that she has reached London safely, and is now staying with her friends. She hasn't got a phone number as of now, else I would have called her and made her rebuke your stupid excuses right over here!!!"

*****Flashback ends******

It didn't take long for Manjusha to figure out what had happened. Yes, Manav was right. Varsha was in Delhi. And this meant.. that all he had spoken was true. Manjusha couldn't help feeling annoyed. How could Varshu trust a stranger like him, and hide facts from her own people? How could she pretend and tell lies so coolly? Did that girl have a conscience or not, she thought selfrighteously, biting her nails.

But those were not the only questions. For starters- WHY was Varsha in Delhi? What had Manav meant when he had said that Varsha had been in some sort of trouble, and he had helped her out of it. Why hadn't Varsha come home for help? Why had she gone to him?

Manju tried to think, but couldn't get any answers. However one thing was crystal clear- Varsha had called to talk to Archana, openly revealing her Delhi no. Unlike previous days, when she had lied to her family about being in London, this time, she had been open about the truth. Or even better put- this time she had intended to be truthful. Why?

A smile appeared on Manju's face. There could be only two reasons- 1.) Either Varsha needed help from Archu 2.) Manav needed help for Varsha to save his wrecked marriage, and support the story he had told Archu.

She dialed the last number (from which Varsha had called). The phone was picked up by a gruff voiced man. "HELLOOOO?"

"Umm hello.. could I talk to Varsha?"

"Who??"

"umm' the girl who made a call to Mumbai just now..??"

"Oh wait!" Manjusha held her receiver tightly. She could hear a lot of confusion in the background, along with.. "Arey us kudi ko bula de'"

Finally, she could hear a nervous voice. "Hello?"

Manjusha couldn't believe it. Yes, it was Varsha! But she seemed so changed. For the first time, she seemed scared. For the first time, she didn't have that haughty tone that she always reserved for Manju. Varsha seemed different, and it pleased Manju, who had always hated her for sheer spunk and speaking against her, time and again in the house.

"Hello Varshu!" said Manju coolly. "I'm so glad you picked up my call. I was so scared that you wouldn't pick up my call cos I caught your lies."

"What lies?" stammered Varsha. "What.. what are you saying???"

"Lies as in'how come you are in Delhi instead of London dear???"

Varsha felt the air being sucked out of her lungs. "It was a sudden trip." She tried to make up a story. "I have come cos of official work. Will be leaving in the evening itself." She said.

"Oooh wow! So now you have such a big post in the company that they send you for international tours???" asked Manju sarcastically.

"What do you mean to say?" said Varsha angrily. "If I wanted to lie to you, I wouldn't have picked up your call."

"Oh yes, that is true!" said Manju, not believing her story for a minute. "Well now that you have called, I want to say that you must start sending some money to this house. If you are at such a big post, then surely you can spend a little on your parents and family who educated you."

Varsha gulped. "I well.. umm.."

"As it is they are very scared." Said Manju. "They often think what has happened to their daughter, why has she forgotten them, is she hiding something from them, has she done something wrong or horrible bcos of which she ran away in this manner.."

"NO!" Blurted out Varsha. "Tell everyone I'm alright here. And.. is Archana Tai there?"

Manju's brain was working furiously. "Archana is not here."

"But this is Archu Tai's cell.."

"Yes, but she doesn't use it anymore. She went back to Manav. Since this cell had been given to her by Vinod, she returned it while going back."

This surprised Varshu. "Archu Tai went back..???"

"Yes. But of course how would you know, you are too involved in your own life to even call home nowadays."

Varshu didn't pay attention to this snide remark. A glow was spreading in her heart. It seemed that everything she had hoped was true and actually happening. But still she wanted to be sure.

"I.. I want Manav Jeeju's no." she told Manju.

"Why?" asked Manju. "You don't have his no.?"

"The no. has changed it seems, I can't contact him.."

Varsha's pathetic situation was becoming more and more clearer to Manju now. Varsha was in Delhi, and not in contact with Manav. Precisely that is why she hadn't come here to advocate Manav's innocence in front of all. She had no idea what was going on at home. And most importantly, she was still in some kind of trouble.

"Even we don't have his no." Manju said flatly. "We are not on talking terms with him. Ever since he harmed my brother, I hate him and so does everyone else. Archu went to that pathetic man against our wishes."

"Really?" asked Varsha. WOW! It was difficult to believe that Archu Tai could have done something like that.. considering..

Considering..

Considering..

Wait a minute!

Something was wrong, thought Varsha. It seemed very unlikely for soft-spoken, docile, respectful Archu Tai to go against her parents. Did Archu Tai really have it in her to be so strong and stubborn? She had always been so sacrificial, so willing to do what her parents said, that such a step on her part seemed Herculean. And anyway, Archu Tai had never even said that she loved Manav SOOO much, that she could leave her parents for them. It all seemed weird. How had the rat become a lion suddenly?

"Archu Tai cannot do this." Said Varsha slowly.

Manju was shocked. "Arey no really.. how can you say.."

"Archu Tai is too emotional and attached to family's happiness to take a step towards her own. She never thinks about herself. She cannot leave Aai and go to Manav just bcos he is her husband. Even if she has started loving him now, yet I somehow don't feel that Archu Tai has that much.. umm.. ARCHU TAI JUST DOESN'T HAVE THAT MUCH GUTS."

Manju couldn't help agreeing in her mind. Even though she had amassed some amount of confidence lately, but Archana had little guts to speak her own mind and do what she thought was right. She couldn't even handle an abusive Savita!

"Love makes people crazy." Said Manjusha philosophically. "I guess Archu too fell pray for it." She realized she was sounding too unlike her real self and maybe that was why Varsha was not believing her words. She tried to sound like her normal self. "Anyway, now that she has gone, its good only. I and Vinod cannot bear burden of three sisters for a long time. Your sister never contributed much to the family income too, and she was always moping in the house. Let her be there now and cry her eyes out. I just hope she doesn't come back home again next season with a baby in her hands if that brothel frequenter gets bugged of her and leaves her high and dry."

Varsha was bewildered. "Don't talk rubbish!" she said angrily. "Manav Jeeju is a good man, I'm sure he will keep Tai happy."

Ahhh! Thought Manjusha. Good response!!!

"I'm keeping the phone now." said Varsha. "Tell Aai that I called and I was asking about Tai and all of you." With this, she hung up.

She sat quietly for a few minutes, thinking about whether or not to believe Manju's talks. It seemed difficult to believe that Archu Tai had gone against her parents . But Manju, even though being a bitter and highly selfish person, was no villain like Ajit, nor was she an enemy of the family- thought Varsha. The only thing she was ever concerned with was expenses. In fact, the way she kept cribbing about expenses all the time, had always made Varsha feel that she wanted the sisters out of the house as soon as possible. She was selfish, loudmouthed and crass, but she wouldn't try to ruin the lives of the sisters, thought Varsha, after all, she was her brother's wife, and Vinod Dada could never forgive her if she did something horrid.

In all probability, things seemed to have worked out well, thought Varsha, though she was still surprised by her Tai. She had never expected something like that from her, but oh-well, people did go crazy in love at times, and Tai anyway had always been an emotional fool. She hoped she could talk to her Jeeju and Tai soon- she couldn't wait to share in their happiness.

*********************

Manjusha, on the other hand, cut the phone with a thoughtful look. The matter had been prevented for now, but what could she to prevent it further?

Cos it was an obvious thing now that she DID NOT want Archana to go back to that mechanic. He had ridiculed her brother, insulted him in public, dragged him to court, beaten him to pulp. Anger surged into her head as she remembered how badly Ajit had broken his bones thanks to Manav. (Writer's note: Ajit had harmed himself and put the blame on Manav. Only Rasika knows the truth, she got scared by such self-destructive nature on Ajit's part and forbade him to get involved in this matter anymore). No way was she going to let that loser win.

Plus, there were other concerns. If Archanaa went back to Manav for WHATSOEVER reasons, in the long term, it would end up being disasterous for her and Ajit. If Archana accepted Manav, then scared of their daughter's happiness and well-being, the Karanjkars would accept Manav too. And what if slowly and gradually, they started believing his truth against Ajit??? Would Ajit be boycotted? Would she be boycotted too, since she had supported Ajit all the while? How would Vinod react? What if they started supporting Manav, and even encouraged him to fight another court case since Ajit had burnt his garage? And, OMG, what if they themselves offered financial aid to him for the legal proceedings? What about her daughter???

No no! Thought Manju. She definitely didn't want Archana to go back to Manav, even though she hated having her in the house. Somehow trouble had been prevented this time, but what about later? If Varsha called again, talked to her Aai and came to know that Manjusha had lied to her about Archana, then??? Wouldn't she tell the family everything???

"I need to have some safeguard against Varsha." Thought Manjusha furtively. "But for that I need to know first, what is that 'big trouble' in which Varsha has fallen. But before that.."

She took Archana's phone, switched it off, threw it in the dustbin, and humming a song, walked off to empty the dustbin in the nearby garbage dump.

"Goodbye Varsha, goodbye Manav!!!" she smiled gleefully.

*****************

Manav gobbled down his food quickly as he sat on the edge of the window, plate in hand. As one part of his brain thought about the dealings of Girishji's garage, the other half admired the decorations in the chawl, for the Janmashtami pooja at midnight.

Savita came and served him some more curry. "I don't want.." he protested. "Eat!" she said strictly. Manav smiled. He didn't dare to argue with her.

"you will never change!" he said lightly, food in his mouth. "By the way, I will come home late tonight.."

"Make sure you come in time for the Pooja.." Savita said. "I have invited Girishji.."

Manav stopped eating. He gulped. "And..??"

Savita feigned ignorance. "And.. who else?"

"Tell tell.. have you invited Shravani also..??"

"Why not?" said Savita coolly. "I wanted to invite Girishji cos he is your boss and a father figure, and it would looked bad to invite just him. So I invited Shravani as well."

Manav shook his head. "This is a family function only for chawl dwellers and their families, not a free party where everyone can be invited. You are not the regulating authority. Pooja committee will get angry if you invite other people."

"Arey haw!!! I will say they are family."

Manav winced. "Aai.. I told you before also.. don't treat Shravani as a family member. She si not one, and she can never become one. By the way, tell the truth, why have you invited Girishji to our chawl function today? "

Savita shrugged. "Just some harmless bonding.."

"No need for this harmless bonding." Said Manav dryly. "I told you my decision before.."

"And I also told you that your decision is wrong. I will not let you ruin your life foolishly. Both my sons are getting a chance to get hitched with good, rich families and I want them to seize this opportunity."

Manav started eating, completely non-interested.

Savita continued. "Today you will also get an opportunity to see how nicely Shravani has mixed with these chawl people and become part of our society. She has accepted our culture, tradition. Lifestyle- everything. Even before marriage, she is willing to make all adjustments and compromises- wah wah wah!- what a good daughter In law she will be, I cannot even begin to imagine."

"Don't imagine!" said Manav. Vedant and Vandita, who were sitting on the table and eating, giggled.

Savita looked angrily at them. "Laugh away!" she said loudly. "But I know what I'm saying. And I shall make sure that I will prove you wrong one day- one day, after your marriage to Shravani, you will come and tell me yourself, how lucky you feel.."

Manav was bugged now. "Aai, all this is NOT going to happen.. accept it now.. I know you like Shravani, but for your happiness I cannot wreck my life.. I cannot allow anyone to ruin my life in this manner by making decisions for me.."

Savita stood silently as she heard the last few words. "So you think I'm ruining your life Manav?" she said, her voice trembling. "You think your mother is ruining your life?"

Manav was horrified. "I.. I did not mean it that way.."

"Oh of course," she said. "How can you trust my intentions? I am not your mother after all, am I? Why would I think well of you? In all probability, I'm just doing all this to wreck your life, to ruin your life, hai na.. okay, then do as you wish.. I forgot that I had come to this house to take care of an 8-yr old child, I cannot expect a 32-yr old to listen to everything I say now. Do as you wish."

With this, she slowly tottered towards her room, as Manav watched with an alarmed expression.

She sat down slowly on the bed in her room. Manav had never spoken in this manner to her ever before. Yes, she was greedy, yes she wanted things to go her way, yes, she was planning things for him, but wasn't it all ultimately in his own good- she thought, trying to justify her actions. What had that girl Archana given him ever since she had come in the house? Nothing! Nothing except disgrace! She hadn't even bought any dowry, rather they had been spending on her, for her fees and her gifts. As soon as she had come, Manav had started siding with her and ignoring his mother. In every way, she had just harmed her and the family. And so when she had left the house, Savita had sworn not to ever let her come back in the house. Rightly too!- thought Savita, her nostrils flaring. Shravani was so much better than her- rich to a fault, pretty, obeyed everything Savita told, never came between mother and son. Her riches would give all of them a comfortable life- the life which Savita had always longed for, but had never got. Was it so much to ask for? Why couldn't Manav simply obey her like he had always done so far? Why did he have to be so ethical all the time? And what was this hullaballoo about 'love'? So what if he didn't love her, living together would certainly bring them closer. Nobody fell in 'love' in olden days too.

She heard the sound of the door opening slowly. "Can I come in Aai?"

"Come in, this is your house, who am I to stop you?"

Manav ignored her words. He went and sat close to her feet. "I'm sorry Aai." He said in a small voice. "I hurt you today."

Savita did not answer. Manav continued. "I know that you are thinking the best for me, and you feel my getting married to Shravani will keep my happy, but I don't feel so.. I have lost all respect for her.. let's not even talk about the fact that she broke my marriage, cos you people feel it wasn't a marriage anyway, but how can you ignore that she painted me as a characterless guy? What lies she has told Archana.. Oh my god! She totally went down in my eyes. You feel time will heal everything, and I should look at the other side of a personality about how nice she has been to me always.. but Aai, I.. I can't ignore all that she has done to me.."

Savita did not say anything for a long time. Manav shook her hand.. "Speak to me na Aai.."

She stayed quiet for sometime more. Finally she spoke, "Do you remember the day you started working in the garage Manav..???"

Manav nodded.

"It was a difficult decision for me, to allow you to work there.. especially when your Baba did not want you to work. I knew that you had dreams, just like your brothers and sisters, and letting you work in a garage by quitting education would ruin all your dreams, you future. You would have to compromise your happiness. But I chose to think practically. I had three other children and a house to run. They needed attention, they needed money, and you being the eldest were the only one who could help me in that situation. So I accepted your help, knowing well that I had crushed your dreams. Everyone accused me of favouritism, saying that I had used you, they called me greedy and selfish, but only when someone gets down into my shoes and analyses, can someone understand how difficult it was for me at that time."

Manav put his head on her lap. "I never thought it that way, I felt you understood me well at that point.."

"The fact remains Manav, sometimes we have to compromise on many things for the realities of life. We all want to be ethical and morally correct and stay true to our emotions, but it isn't possible all the time. You know, when proposal about your Baba came to me, I was a tad disappointed at first. It was a second marriage, I knew I would have to work hard to gain his affection cos there was someone earlier than me whom he had liked a lot and whom I could not replace. And then there was you- in the beginning stages of my marriage, which is a beautiful time for any woman, I was running after an 8-yr old child. This was not the life I had expected or wanted. And later, I came to know that your Baba was an alcoholic. He could never provide for the family. Whenever I needed him, he was not there for me. I ran the house alone, managed the children alone. The respect simply kept on diminishing."

Manav listened with rapt attention.

"Yet we have had a good life." She smiled at Manav. "A nice contented life. We had our bad moments, but finally I accepted him the way he is, respecting him for his good points, trying to understand his depression and failure. I still shout at him, but it has still been a good journey. Are you getting what I'm trying to say???"

Manav nodded.

"Shravani made one mistake Manav." Savita said. "And you are punishing her too badly bcos of that. Yes, she spoke lies, yes she behaved badly, but tell me frankly, was there really any marriage left to be broken? She waited for you all these years, even when Archana left you, she did not do anything wrong, rather she always helped you when you needed her help. She snapped only when she came to know that Archana was going scot-free, getting back her husband and family even when she had not at all been a good wife, while shravani herself was being left high and dry after having supported you in every step. Till the end Archana did not come back to you Manav- accept this. And till the end, Shravani supported you, she still does. She may have called you characterless in front of Archana, but all these years she has given you more respect than the whole Karanjkar family combined. Even today, she never backanswers you."

Manav lowered his head.

"Shravani has been bad, but she became bad when the limit was crossed, when she felt that she was being taken for granted, and Archana went scotfree everytime despite never having believed you. And Manav, that marriage was broken anyway- Archana was anyway not going to come back to you. It like- you are sentencing Shravani to lifetime imprisonment for killing a dead man!! But look at Shravani's behavior in every other aspect- she has been so good to us all Manav. She has been such a good friend to you. Girishji too, is such a kind man. Do you know that Shravani's office people are gossiping now about her and how she was involved with you?"

Manav nodded. "It started when I went to her office to talk to Archana."

Savita drew in a deep breath. "One mistake done in a moment of rage, and look what is in store for Shravani ahead. So much embarrassment, so much pain- inspite of the fact that she has been good to everybody and always been your true well-wisher. You are punishing her too hard Manav. She is you friend - doesn't she deserve at least a chance to correct her mistakes? Manav, I have been unfortunate that I never got a supportive partner or a chance to be happy in life and accepted whatever I got happily, but you have got everything. People call me greedy, stubborn and selfish, yes, I am greedy and selfish. But my intention is not to harm my children. I just don't want them to miss out on anything, like I did."

Manav didn't know what to say. "This relationship won't work."

"Of course it will work. If people focus more on the good points in a person, any relationship works."

Manav looked at the ground helplessly. "If you really consider me you well wisher and your mother, you will think about this." Savita said sharply. Manav nodded silently.

"I will go to the garage now." he said. "There is a lot of work."

Savita nodded. Manav got up and walked out of the door. Damodar was standing at the door. He closed the door behind Manav.

"I can't believe you emotionally blackmailed your son." He said angrily.

"I emotionally blackmailed no one." Said Savita. "I told him the truth. I explained him it is important to be practical. And anyway, all this is in his benefit."

"Yes, but your intention is not 'his benefit'. Your intention is to get rich. Bas. 'His benefit' is just a bonus that comes with it. You are using it to justify your intentions."

Savita was irked. "So you mean to say if it had been a nasty rich girl, still I would have pushed him into marriage??"

"Yes!" said Damodar.

"Pah!!!" said Savita, with a wave of her hand. "I will not deny that I wanted a rich girl, but I would never harm Manav's life in this manner."

"I don't believe your words any more. Nasty woman!" said Damodar with disgust.

"Nasty yourself! Today we have a pooja, and you are still smelling of alcohol- go and look at what sort of person you yourself are before passing judgements on others. At least I'm doing something constructive for Manav, what are you doing, except drinking the whole day and crying for your DIL? Go and live with her if you love her so much."

Damodar was very angry now. "Manav Is an emotional guy and you used his weakness. But I'm sure your plans will fail. The Lord is watching from above. He will do something. I just hope the punishment you get back is not so bad."

With this, Damodar walked away.

*********************************

It was the eve of Janmashtami. Preparations for the Janmashtami pooja had been made in the centre space. The area was decorated with garlands. In the centre, there was a big swing which had been beautifully decorated. It would be rocked at midnight, when Lord Krushna was born, with his idol placed in it. The ambience seemed like that of a fair, and people were enjoying, talking and laughing together, while the children ran about, throwing flowers at each other. One of them bumped into Savita.

"Aye.. why are you doing so much masti?? Go and sit quietly!!!"

"We are getting bored." Said a small boy. Others nodded.

"Arey function will get very interesting now, come and sit!" said Savita, pacing about eagerly. She had called Shravani and Girishji for the pooja and she wanted them to love the whole ambience. "Come come, we will tell you a story!"

She led the children to where a group of elderly women were sitting. One of them was so old that her hair were all snow white and she had no teeth. She smiled her wobbly smile and asked the children to sit.

"Do you know what is it today??"

"Lord Krishna's happy b'day!!!"

"Yes!" said the old Aaji, smiling her toothless smile again. "Do you know by what miracle Lord Krishna's birth took place?"

The children shook their heads. Aaji started.

"Long ago, there was an evil king named Kansa, who was the king of Mathura. He had made life hell for his subjects. His subjects craved to be free from his rule. They prayed to the Lord to come and save them, since they really could not tolerate his deeds any more.

Kansa had a beautiful sister named Devaki. He got her married to a handsome king named Vasudeva who was known to keep his word always, and was very righteous. When he was going to leave Devaki to her new home, thunder and lightening came up in the clouds and a voice was heard..

"The sister whom you are leaving so lovingly, her eighth son will be the one to kill you!!!"

Kansa got very scared and got down from the chariot immediately. Instead of dropping his sister and brother in law home, he tried to kill Devaki, but Vasudeva assured him that he would give his eighth child as soon as it took birth. So Kansa threw them in the prisons of Mathura.

One by one, Devaki bore children, and Kansa killed each child, since he did not want to take any chances. There was high vigil at the prison where Devaki and Vasudev had been imprisoned, and everyone thought it was impossible for the eighth child to come in the world.

However. On the night of Janmashtami, tables turned most unexpectedly.

ALL the guards at the prison fell asleep.

ALL the doors of the prison opened by themselves.

Vasudeva miraculously was FREED of his chains.

And it was in these circumstances, that Lord Krushna was born.

As if in a daze, Vasudeva then picked up baby Krushna, put him in a basket and carried him to his friend Nand's house in Gokul, amidst heavy rain and floods. The river Yamuna made way for the Lord. Nand's wife Yashoda had just delivered and no one had seen the child. He exchanged both the children.

Then he walked back to the prison, and everything turned as it was before. And he forgot everything in the morning.

In the morning, when Kansa saw the poor little child, he laughed and laughed about how this little child was going to kill him. He took it and was about to throw it on the ground with force, when the baby flew out of his hands and stood in the air. It turned into a goddess.

"Fool' you will kill me????" the goddess said. "The one who will kill you has already come on earth, despite all your plans and scheming to not let him set foot. Your end is now certain."

And left Kansa bewildered."

The old Aaji stopped speaking. The children listened, enchanted.

"Then..??"

"Then what? Krushna lived in Gokul and was brought up lovingly by Yashoda and Nand. Many years later, he came back and killed Kansa. So you see, everything did come true."

"But what is the moral of this story???"

"Moral??"

"every story must have a moral right?" asked the children.

"Umm'" Aaji thought. Damodar butted in at this point. "I'll tell you all", he slurred, as people moved away from him, repulsed by the smell of alcohol. "Moral of the story is that the Lord has a plan for everyone and everything. We mortals try to defeat him and outdo him, but we fail. Ultimately, things will happen as per his wish. And what he wishes, is always in the best interest of his devotees. It may not give happiness all the time, but it leads to the ultimate betterment only. Sometimes Lord gives us pain, but even that somehow proves fruitful in the long run. He is a mastermind, and unfortunate events are introduced in our life bcos they have a link to something good waiting for us in the next step."

"There is one more moral." Said Vandita. "If you are good and your heart is pure, the Lord will listen to your prayers and help you. He is very benevolent." Everyone nodded.

One of the children was thinking deeply. "Was Yashoda also a bad step mother?"

This shocked the people. "Who told you this?"

"I'm merely asking." He said innocently. "In Ramayana, Lord Rama had a wicked stepmother who sent him to the forest for 13 years."

"Yashoda wasn't really a stepmother. And anyway, all stepmothers are not bad." Piped in Savita immediately. "Many are good."

"But Kaikeyi???"

"Even she was not a bad stepmother." Said Savita softly. "She loved Ram deeply like her own child. She never differentiated between the children, and that is why Lord Rama loved her as well. But like all human beings, she too had her weak points. She got misled by her maid Manthra cos of her love for her son and greed of kingship, and that is when she started differentiating between her children and became bad. She was a grey character, but not a villain. Life is not a chessboard. Nothing is white or black at all times, there are shades of grey."

As Savita said this, Damodar looked at her. He wondered what she was thinking. Was she introspecting about her behavior to Manav? Was she speaking about herself? Was this an indirect declaration of the fact that even if she was manipulative, greedy and wanted things to go her way, yet somewhere, she did care about Manav as a mother, having shared a close relationship with him for almost 25 years now?

Or were these simply the musings of a tired alcoholic mind???

********XXXXXXXXXXXXXX*********

Okay people, I know you hate me for this part, especially the Manju- Varsha bit. Hopefully subpart two shall make you feel a bit better.😃 Stay tuned.

PART 65

JANMASHTAMI MAHAEPISODE

SUBPART 2

"Yeh kya bheed hai!!!" said Siddhant irritatedly. He turned to Archana. "It will take a long time for this crowd to clear."

Archana nodded silently. Her mind was going back again and again to her meeting with Manav a few minutes ago in Lawyer Siddhant's cabin.

He had appeared very lost today. She didn't know what the matter was, but she knew that something was troubling him, since he could not focus on whatever the lawyer told him about alimony and legal formalities and stuff and all the divorce proceedings that were going to take place in court two days later. He also somehow looked very tired. He kept massaging his temples all the time. She had offered him a tablet for headache, but he had refused saying such medicines were of no use to him, they didn't cure his headache. She had felt very bad, since it was obvious he did not want to take the medicine from HER.

She positioned her hand in the car window now as both she and Siddhant waited for the traffic to clear. But she knew it wouldn't. After all, it was Janmashtami, and the whole city was celebrating 'Dahi handi' with glee.

The ritual of Dahi Handi is carried out with religious observance, in the northern parts of India. Maharashtra is especially popular for the ritual, wherein human pyramid tries to break the Handi (earthen pot filled with buttermilk, ghee and dry fruits) that is suspended from top, with the help of a rope. Onlookers throw water on the pyramid of boys in order to stop them from reaching the earthen pot. The process involves a lot of excitement. During Janmashtami, every other street of Mumbai organizes the Dahi Handi, as a part of the celebrations of the festival. Devotees believe that the broken pieces of earthen pot will keep away negative powers from their homes.

Archana knew that there would be jam cos of Dahi Handi and Janmashtami celebrations. This was the reason she had come early to meet Siddhant, when the roads were comparatively empty. While returning, Siddhant had said he would drop her home, since he was also taking a half day leave.

Finally Archana asked Siddhant if she could use his phone. "I lost mine." She said.

She talked to her Aai who asked her to come back quickly since she was supposed to go saree-shopping with Vaishali. "I had forgotten." Said Siddhant. "Due to the engagement, there must be lots of work at your home na?" Archana nodded.

"I'll see if I can get you a taxi." He said, getting out of the car slowly and indicating Archana to do the same from the other side. He locked the car properly, and together they started crossing the road. There was a lot of pushing and pulling near the square, where a big 'dahi handi' ceremony had been organized. People were dancing and spraying coloured water on each other. Someone threw a coloured water filled balloon on Archana and it hit her on the head.

"Ouch!" she said, rubbing her head. Siddhant held her arm. "Quick!" he said, walking faster than before, dragging her along. However, his hand left hers in the crowd, and she didn't know what to do, as she got pushed about in the crowd. Now she was in the centre, surrounded by a lot of guys. She could see a group of girls standing on the other side, and she hoped she could join them.

Suddenly someone in the crowd held her hand. Not tightly, not lightly, but with complete authority.

She turned back to see who it was.. and was instantly relieved.

"Come quickly," Manav said in his usual gruff voice. "I'll take you to the other side."

She did not wait to be told twice. She held his hand firmly as he maneuvered her through the crowd, all the while keeping her eyes on him. Somehow, he took her out and took her to a corner, where many other people were standing. They squeezed themselves in the space.

"Let's wait for the road to clear up first. No use going in the crowd again." Said Manav.

She nodded.

She was standing close to him with her eyes low, thinking nothing in particular, when someone gave a strong push. She was almost falling, but held Manav's shirt. He slowly put one arm around her shoulder to support her, and looked away.

She looked at him. He was pretending to look at the dancers and not paying attention to her in the least, but just by seeing the beating pulse near his temples, she could understand that he was not unmoved. So much for the way he had ignored her all these days!

Sometimes a single touch spoke so much more than what words could, she thought. He had not talked to her for days and had behaved coldly, but authoritatively taken charge when she needed him. Not once had he hesitated. And truly, such behavior on his part was not surprising, since she had now become used to him being 'her knight in shining armour' at all times. In fact, she had never understood why despite all the claims and charges against him, she had always wanted to trust him, always tried to trust him. The last time he had held her hand this way and said he would take her out safely was when she had got trapped in the brothel. Today too he had done the same. But she had not questioned him then, and she had trusted him today as well. In fact, when she had every reason to believe he was wrong, she had not questioned him and had quietly followed him, placing herself in his hands. Her first impulse was always to trust him, and she didn't know why it was so.

She focused on the way he had held her- not too tightly, but not too lightly. It was a firm, authoritative, confident grasp, so that he would be ready if someone pushed her again, but it had that right hint of gentleness, which made sure she was not uncomfortable or hurt. So much like Manav himself- rough to face the hard, tough world that he had been facing everyday since 16, yet having an intrinsic soft core that made him the warm, hearted, gentle, caring person that he was, who was always considerate to the feelings of others. He was someone in whom you could place yourself, knowing well that he would protect you against every evil eye, and at the same time, he was someone on whom you could count that he wouldn't misuse the trust placed on him. Perhaps that was the reason why he appealed to all, especially to her, even thought the truths she knew about him and his past life were easy enough to repel anyone, even her. Truth was, he was fire and ice both, he was disgust and attraction both, he was one you wanted to hate and love both, he was roughness and softness both, he was trust and betrayal both- such an enigma was Manav Deshmukh. And life with him and his dysfunctional, abusive family, meant self-destruction, but at the same time, life with him meant hope.

She had thought a number of times about how life would have been if Ajit had not revealed the truth of that night when she had entered the brothel. How would her life have been, if she had been unknown to Manav's past life and actions?

All she got in answer to these questions were happy pictures, since she knew well by now, that Manav's love for her had been true, even if he had used the wrong ways to achieve it. Unlike what others believed, Manav wouldn't have left her after his 'needs' were done with. Rather she pictured herself working and studying at Manav's house, taking care of his family, taking care of him. She pictured him fussing over her and vice versa. She pictured herself having a loving relationship with Vandita, a silent respectable one with Vedant, and a naughty playful one with Sachin. She pictured Savita being cordial to her, scolding her over every little thing, but all the same, being okay to her, just like at the time of marriage.

And she imagined herself with Manav. She pictured both of them sharing a loving, caring relationship. She pictured them helping each other with their responsibilities, studying together in the evenings, stealing time to go for pav-bhaji dates and movies. Who knows, she might even have got pregnant and maybe the whole family would have been celebrating???

But alas! None of it had come true. Instead Ajit had brought out the truth in front of everyone and the glasshouse had shattered into a million pieces.

This truth had ruined her life. Earlier, she had been living under the shadow of lie, living with the same man who had cheated her- but it was a fact that at least at that time SHE WAS HAPPY! He might have cheated her, but he had given her happiness in every form and enriched her life for the better, tried to make her into a more confident person. Fact was- TODAY SHE WAS NOT HAPPY!

She reflected on her behavior in the last few days- she knew that she was too attached to Manav, and wouldn't be able to forget him. Now as she stood with her husband suddenly aware of how conscious she was to his memories, his presence, his touch, she wondered how she would survive when he was gone. Her parents would, in all probability, try to get her remarried. Manjusha Vahini had even mentioned it one day. The thought in itself had shocked and scared her. She could not imagine herself as being with another man. The first time Manav had touched her hand in the car after the wedding, the first time he had kissed her hand, the first time he had hugged her, the first time he had touched her lips- everything was as fresh in her memory today as the day it had happened. And perhaps that was why the connection between them was still alive, inspite of the fact that everyone called this marriage 'null''they had treasured each memory carefully and preserved it as a precious secret between the two. She remembered his passionate, yet hesitating eyes at mahabaleshwar- they had not scared her, rather had willed her heart to consent. And she had- without any fear- somewhere knowing that this mechanic might have had a rough life, but would never hurt her.

Would she be able to have such a connection with some other person, she thought. Would she be able to accept someone else in her life, she wondered. The answer was crystal clear in front of her.

"Are you okay?"

She looked up. Manav looked puzzled. "You look worried.."

She felt embarrassed for a minute. "Wait, the traffic has almost cleared. We shall cross the road soon. Give me your purse." He took her sling bag from her, slung it round his shoulder and held her hand tightly.

**********************

Manav's locality too was no exception. Like every other street in Mumbai, there was a Dahi Handi celebration here as well. All preparations had been made in the square at the crossroads, and residents from 4 chawls had together organized the function. Each chawl had a separate team, and the team who broke the handi first was going to win. There was a lot of festivity and fun as people danced with 'Lejims' From the terrace of neighbouring houses, girls threw coloured water again and again as the guys tried to make a pyramid to get to the handi.

By the time Manav arrived in the chawl, the function had already started. The guys had fallen down twice in their attempt to make a pyramid. Everytime they fell, they started dancing and the girls booed them. 😆

For a while Manav stood quietly, observing them in peace. The water drops falling from above felt good. It felt nice to see a happy atmosphere after a long time. He smiled when he saw his Aai chatting loudly with her friends and Vedant and Vandita dancing. He looked at the handi, and he looked at the girls who were cheering the guys. Some of his friends were being pampered by their family members, cheered on by their wives. He felt sad on thinking that his Archana, his wife, was not there to encourage him like others. He wondered if he would miss her presence at every festival and every important event that followed post divorce. His recent encounter with Archana had left him shaky and sad, and he wondered when he would be able to get rid of all this.

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUFC-aqrgB8[/YOUTUBE]

"Arey Manav, won't you take part today?" his friends asked.

"No, you people carry on. I'm not well." He said.

"What happened?"

"I can't concentrate today and.."

"Arey of course my Manav will come, hai na Manav?" piped in Savita. Manav was about to protest but Savita shushed him. "Come on, you take things too seriously these days. Go and have some fun."

"But I don't want to.."

"Oh come on, okay go for my sake, get me the prize money! As it is we are having bad times." she said with a wink.

Manav laughed at her and got up. He cornered with the guys and they started planning.

Archana on the other hand, slowly crept in the area of celebration, looking around to see Manav somewhere. She had forgotten to take her bag from him, and it contained money for Vaishu's shopping. She hoped she could find him nearby so that she wouldn't have to go to the chawl. Ever since Savita had thrown her out of there, she didn't have the courage to go there again.

Oh no! Not again, she sighed, seeing the huge crowd. She tried to wade through the corners when she bumped into someone! "Hey Archana! How are you?" it was a friend who used to work with her when she had been assigned by her NGO to be the person-in-charge for Manav's chawl. Later, her area had been changed by Shravani so they had not met a lot since they had started working separately, though they still met occasionally.

She smiled. "I'm fine." Her friend dragged her along. "Come lets dance!"

"I don't want to!" protested Archana as her friend led her to where all the girls were dancing in one big group. She looked around uncomfortably. She was always conscious of performing in public and this time she wasn't even keen. She looked around, hoping to find Manav in the crowd. She didn't want Savita Aai to see her.

She finally saw Vandu dancing with her friends. "Vandu!" she called out. "Where is your brother?"

Vandu didn't look pleased to see her. "Why?"

"I wanted to meet him. I.."

"Look, it has started now.." someone said. Everyone's focus turned to the guys, who were making the lowest rung of the pyramid by placing their hands on each other's shoulders. A second group of guys climbed on top of them.

Archana was intrigued. She stood to watch them just like others. She wondered why she had not felt inclined to watch the other dahi handi celebration in the morning. Maybe because all her attention at that time had been on Manav. She turned to Vandu again. "Where is Manav, Vandu??"

Vandu didn't listen to her for a while. Archana shook her by the shoulder. Vandu gestured towards the pyramid. Archu followed her finger.

Manav was climbing on the top rung!

"Oh my God!" said Archana, cupping her face with her hands. "Oh my God, what is he doing, come down! Come down!" she shouted. Besides her Vandu was cheering, "Go Dada Go!!!"

"What go!!" said Archana angrily. "How can you cheer him in this manner. Oh my god, he will fall! Manav come down, please!!" she said, very scared. The handi was too high and shaking a lot and she couldn't imagine how badly he would get hurt if he fell. Next to her, her friend was spraying water through a large hose pipe, trying to distract him. "Don't do it!" said Archana, snatching it from her. "He might fall!!"

"Oh come on Archana, is this the first time you are seeing something like this? No na? Why are you getting scared? They won't get hurt. In any case there is an ambulance nearby." She pointed out.

It didn't help. Poor Archana closed her eyes with her hands. "I can't see it," she thought. Then she loosened one finger and saw him through the gap, just as he climbed the top, balanced himself and broke the pot!

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5iJEoN4-Q7Y[/YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5iJEoN4-Q7Y[/YOUTUBE]

Everyone cheered and Archana clapped out loudly, thanking Ganpati Bappa. Her friend pulled her in to dance again, and this time she couldn't help feeling happy and danced with her, somehow forgetting all her troubles after all the thrill, excitement, collective joy (and most importantly- relief!) of this festive occasion. Perhaps this is the beauty of our festivals. Even in our most difficult times, they help in bringing, for a short while, a smile on our faces- reminding us that troubles never end but we have to enjoy life all the time inspite of the troubles.

Excitement and joy prevailed for a long time as people ate sweets, danced and Marathi songs filled the air. Archana enjoyed dancing with her friend, and all the other ladies, and Manav too had a gala time with his boys gang. After a long time, Archana remembered what she had come for and turned to find Manav again. She found him taking blessings from an old lady. She went and stood quietly near him.

Manav was taken aback to see her. "You?"

"Yeah I.." she wanted to say something, but taking her cue from him, she also bent down and touched the lady's feet. "God bless you!" she said. "Are you his wife?" Archana nodded.

"Such a beautiful couple, I hope next year you attend the function with a Baal Gopal of your own." Both Archana-Manav felt very uncomfortable. The lady walked away and Archana turned to Manav. "My bag..?"

"Oh yes!" said Manav. "Wait here, I'll get it from the chawl."

He sped off and collided with Tarun. "what is she doing here?" he hissed. "Can't she leave one function?"

"Tarun!" Manav spoke in a warning tone. "Quiet!" she might hear.

"Then let her hear." He said in an annoyed tone. "Nowadays I don't care about them, cos they don't care about me."

"Tarun why are you saying like this? Honestly, I don't understand why you even kept any expectations that Karanjkar family would invite me? I always knew they wouldn't!"

"Yeah," Tarun grumbled. "I guess I kept my hopes too high, that is why I'm suffering. I was a fool to trust these KAranjkars. Now I don't like any of them except for Vaishali Karanjkar and I hope she becomes a 'Kapoor' soon. I'm tolerating them all just for her sake."

"Ssshhhhhh.." Manav tried to shut him up.

"Who is listening? Archana? Let her hear. I don't care. Even she knows that you ought to be invited but she is mum.."

"Tarun I'll talk to you later now.." he said pushing him away, as Archana stood behind him, deeply embarrassed.

***************

She waited for a long time for him to come back. It was afternoon and she knew she couldn't go to the market with Vaishali now. In all likelihood the shop too would have closed.

She wandered about for a bit and then saw something that made her heart jump.

Manav and Girishji were sitting on a bench and talking. Girishji had his hands folded in front of Maanv and he held them with both his hands. She felt uncomfortable. A little child nudged her sari. "Tai, Manav Dada told me to give you this bag." He said. She thanked him, looked again at Manav and Girishji talking and left the chawl.

****************

"I know that whatever you are saying is right Manav, but tell me what to do now? As a helpless father, what can I do?"

Manav gulped. "Girishji, you are not helpless. Shravani is such a good girl, beautiful, well-educated, why won't she get other suitors?"

"The problem is that she doesn't want to agree. I don't know what to do. She is 29 Manav, and yet not married. I kept trying to convince her all these years, but she kept making excuses. Now I know that she did it- cos of you. Every trick in the book I've tried to make her agree, but she isn't agreeing."

Manav was silent. "So that means you will give in to her demands?"

"Manav, her demand is not wrong in itself, is it? You are someone whom I have always considered a son and I feel you can be a good life partner for her. This marriage keeps everyone happy. And look at the other side also- people at her office have started gossiping about her. Initially I and your Aai wanted to let the matter settle for a while, but Sachin blurted out everything. Now its only better that whatever happens, happens fast. You also need finance. I can help you in that as well. You are going to be a businessman now, I advise you to start thinking like one."

"Girishji please.."

"No Manav please.. think about this.. don't punish my daughter so bad. She has been wrong I accept, but your NO will ruin her life, cos she doesn't want to move ahead without you. Both of you are lonely, and in need of true love. If you come together, life will be beautiful for both of you as well as for your families. I have always thought about the welfare of you and your family, please think about me and my family this time."

And he walked away, leaving Manav to his very perturbed thoughts.

******XXXXXXXXXXX******

Okay people, the countdown has begun! The next three parts will lay the foundation of the moment you were waiting for. ;-)

But I want to ask you some questions:, according to you,

will the divorce be stopped???

Who will stop the divorce?

Why?

When???

Take a guess!!! PM me your answers at nikitagmc- DON'T POST HERE COS I WON'T BE REVERTING TO YOUR GUESSES HERE- ONLY PM ME.. As the three parts come up, you can change your answers as well. Let's see if anyone can predict the story ahead. :-)

Waiting for your comments and feedback as always, Happy gudi padva to everyone!!!😊

Originally posted by: Athena.

Subpart 1:

I LOVED THAT PART! =D

1) Im glad Varsha didnt get to tell Archu. Although Manju is not doing right, the way she behaves ties in with the end of the part. Like you said, God plans everything.. everything happens for a reason. Although what Manju is doing is not exactly right, this will have a good effect later on. Well I hope it does anyway :P 😆 I knew you would like this cos of your last post on this thread. Well, yes, you are right, Manju's actions are meant for multiple reasons which will be brought out later. Point to be noted is- Till now, she was actually a bitchy, selfish SIL who was blindly supporting her brother in his wrong deeds. Till now she was fighting INDIRECTLY. This is the first time she has done something DIRECTLY .😉

2) I loved the story in a story effect you used. I felt like one of the children too, just listening to the story 😆 No matter how many times I read/listen to such stories, I can never get tired! They make you feel soo GOOD =) And it was also effective because whilst I was reading it, I knew there must be reason for you choosing this particular moment to tell it. I was thinking about Manav getting freed suddenly.. It was very nice how you tied it all up :) I liked that! Good one! Manav getting freed suddenly from his chains.. nicely put.

ooo I also want to add I loved that line you used: "...life time imprisonment for killing a dead man". One thing I did not agree with is your POV that Archana has no guts.. She can neither win by listening to her family., nor by going against her family.. She's damned either way =/ Hope u dnt feel bad :) Not at all. 😊 But actually Athena, that's not my POV. That's Varsha's POV, and I only was expressing what she was thinking- Varsha has always seen Archana as a low esteemed, submissive girl, who couldn't fight Savita's abuse and came home crying each time- she feels it is Archana's weakness, and since she is herself so confident, she feels Archana is GUTLESS in comparison. My personal POV on this matter is different. I won't write it out but will show it through the story ahead. And I agree Archu's situation is difficult.

Anyway.. I have work to do and I cant believe you've already updated SUPBART 2! aah, let's see if I can fight the temptation to read it until tomorrow... 😆

Originally posted by: ByteMe

wow an update and I didnt have to nag Nikitagm for it.. yay.. thanks for posting.. 😃

Originally posted by: lunza

okkkaaayyy ... Now i am really scratching my head trying to think what makes archu go back ? tbh , my thinking is the same as varsha.. she doesnt have the guts .. 🤔 ....

hmm ... maybe after the next three parts , i might start liking the archu of your FF .. bcuz frankly i dont like her much ( tarun speaks my mind about her and her family ... )

Originally posted by: scarletthara

I super like it.... such a lovely long post... wow, I am impressed...

Well, I liked this one a lot, for a lot of reasons like its getting more and more difficult for Manav- Archana to unite now, as family members - Manju, Savita, are getting more determined to keep them away from each other, while it was so nice to see Archana - Manav together.... I so wish that Manav, being the emotional person he is.... does not succumb to the pressures building up on him, and stays away from Shravani.... while Archu's feelings are getting stronger for Manav.

I so want to see Archu doing something against her nature... something impulsive, which shows her love and passion for her husband. Maybe a stupid hug, which I would love for sure.... LOL.

It would be interesting to think of the future tracks.... will PM you if I can figure out something fun..... enjoy writing till then !!!!