PART 57
BLINKERS REMOVED
"Mr. Manav Deshmukh, what do you have to say about the allegations made by your wife, Mrs. Archana Deshmukh against you?"
Manav looked at Siddhant, a tall, dark and handsome young man in his early 30's standing in front of him in the family court at Bandra. Dressed in a lawyer's robes, he looked very authoritative.
"Mr. Manav, everyone is waiting for your answer- what do you have to say about the allegations made by your wife?"
Manav was still gazing with his fiery eyes at the lawyer. He spoke the first word that came into his mind. "Bulls***!"
The court was stunned. Siddhant immediately came forward and questioned if this sort of behavior was acceptable in a court of law. He pressed the charges against Manav again, asking the court if Archana was wrong in asking for divorce from a man who had cheated her, caused people to question her character, and had a horrible past. In strong words, he pointed out what a demon of a man Manav Deshmukh was, and how he had caused so much of pain and grief to his wife.
All through the speech, Manav sat silently, looking at Archana, who was seated a little distance away from him. He stared intently at her, wanting to see her expressions when she occasionally raised her head to look up- she had been gazing down at her hands ever since Manav's questioning had started. Once or twice she had looked up, stared at him nervously and guiltily and pretended to cough and looked away again.
That was the time when his 'brothel frequenting past' had been discussed in detail. The lawyer Siddhant, had not spared him even a tiny bit. He had asked all sorts of highly embarrassing questions to Manav repeatedly in front of the whole court, in the hope that he would buckle down and accept his 'guilt'. But Manav did not say anything. Instead he looked again and again at Archana, to see if she would react to this humiliation of her husband in public. Any moment he expected her to stand up and stop the lawyer or say something in his defence- maybe shout that she believed him no matter what the proofs showed?
It was all wishful thinking. Nothing of that sort happened. Throughout the hearing Archana kept evading his questioning, begging, pleading eyes. She looked down, deeply embarrassed. Unknown to Manav, her ears burnt when she heard Siddhant asking Manav questions like since what age had he been frequenting brothels, why had he got married if he was already getting what he wanted beforehand without any restrictions, how he afforded to spend so much, and even when he asked Manav why husband-wife had never slept together. She had seen Manav's angry eyes focused on her at that instant- he must have been angry that she had revealed such personal details in front of an outsider- she thought- and given him an opportunity to ask such questions. He tried to give explanations from his side as much as he could, and his lawyer- Mr. Paranjpe too butted in, but Siddhant towered over everyone.
In the whole hearing Manav was accused and Archana did not say anything. But she could feel his gaze on her throughout, and she could not understand why SHE was feeling guilty when HE was the culprit (as she thought). She felt a hundred ants crawling over her body. But what could she do? She had herself signed the divorce papers. She had known that Manav wouldn't sign. She had known that the matter would go to court. Yet she had not protested then. Then what was the use of doing so now?- the lawyer was simply doing what he had been paid to do- highlighting Manav's mistakes and flaws, his inadequancies in front of the court, even exaggerating it, so that the court would order Manav to divorce her. She knew Damodar Baba and Sachin were sitting in court, and she shuddered to think of what they must be thinking of her.
Tarun however could not take it any more. "Enough of this nonsense." He shouted, getting up suddenly from where he was sitting in the audience area. Everyone looked up at him angrily. "Order!" the judge shouted.
He was unfazed though. He walked angrily towards Archana, even as a police constable tried to stop him. "Have you no sense?" he shouted at her. "How the hell can you put him through so much humiliation? Even if you think he is wrong, do you have absolutely NO feelings for him to stop your lawyer? He is your husband, not some stranger or terrorist. WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO YOU! OPEN YOUR EYES AND SEE THE TRUTH- ELSE IT WILL BE TOO LATE TOMORROW AND HE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO ACCEPT YOU AT ALL.-EVEN IF YOU REALISE YOUR MISTAKE."
"Order Order!" the judge shouted angrily. Tarun however was in no mood to relent. He struggled against the constable's hold. "You have no idea of anything! ANYTHING! Like a thoughtless, you have dragged Manav to court! Your people can afford to spend on a lawyer and a case Archana, it is not so difficult for them, but do you know how Manav is fighting this divorce case?- HE USED HIS MEDICAL INSURANCE TO GET MONEY TO HIRE A LAWYER!!! And yet you have no regards- neither of his goodness, nor of his love, and not even of all that he has done for you and your family! You are one ungrateful lady! It would have been better if Manav had left you in the brothel that night instead of saving you!!"
Manav was horrified. Tarun was clearly going way out of line. He got up from his chair and tried to force Tarun to come outside with him. "Come Tarun!" he urged. Tarun fought back, he had more to shout, but everyone forcefully pulled him out of court, as Archana's soul pricked her even more and tears streamed down her face.
Once outside the hall, Manav blasted Tarun. "Are you mad???" he said angrily. "Why are you shouting such things in court?"
"And what these people are doing.."
"Tarun I knew it would happen! I was prepared for this! My intention is just to prolong the case as much as I can. But if you shout this way in court the judge will get angrier at us."
Tarun looked like a raging bull. "Manav, I hate this woman. I am tolerating her just for Vaishali's sake. I tell you, leave her! You will get a much better girl than her! You DESERVE someone much better than this woman who does not value or respect you at all. I'm sure everyone in your family agrees to thiv by now.."
Manav looked pensive. "Tarun, for God's sake, let me handle this. See from her point of view na, she has been tricked very badly. And she is still living under a shroud of lies. If I fall weak now, then everything will collapse."
"Then do what you want! I am not going in!" said Tarun, and walked off angrily. He came face to face with Archana, who looked down guiltily. "Aha!" said Tarun sarcastically. "Now you can't even face me ha? Well I would like to see how you face Manav once things clear up. I'm sure you will die of shame. Fact is, Archana, you are BLIND. There is no other explanation for someone like you."
Archana felt very bad as Tarun walked away. "He called me Archana- not Vahini." She thought, as she looked uncomfortably at Manav. He walked towards her. "Let's go in." he said. But Archana shook her head. "The judge has adjourned the case. Next hearing will be after 13 days." She said. Manav grimaced, and walked away in the courtroom again. His lawyer, Mr. Paranjpe, was trying to convince the judge. Manav went to them.
The judge shook his head firmly. "Nothing saying," he said, adjusting his papers. "Enough tamasha you all have made in court today. First hearing, and I'm already sick of this case. You!" he said pointing to Manav. "Do you recognize me?"
Manav shook his head. The judge sighed. "You had saved my little girl once when she got lost in the Dussehra fair." The judge said. "I don't know you personally, or whether the allegations against you are true or false, but I felt I owed it to you since you had helped me once. So I postponed the hearing- otherwise let me tell you- your case is very weak. You have two weeks- get something to strengthen your stand, or talk your wife out of this divorce s***. Else after two weeks I will have no other options."
Manav was horrified and relaxed at the same time. Nervously, he folded his hands and tried to thank the judge, but the judge had walked away by then. Disheartened, he sat down on a seat. The lawyer sat beside him.
"Don't worry." He said, patting him on the shoulder. "We will win."
Manav gave him an angry look. "How will we win?" he asked. "You did a shoddy job in the hearing today. Did you see how well prepared Siddhant Rane was? Point after point he was putting forward so clearly, everyone- even the judge, is already sympathizing with Archana."
"Don't worry!" Mr. Paranjpe said carelessly. "In the next hearing, everyone shall sympathise with you."
"But how?" asked Manav , very confused. Mr. Paranjpe laughed. "Arey why are you worried? Don't you trust me? I haven't lost a single case till today- I'll make you get what we want- in court as well as in your personal life. You are unhappy na that you got humiliated today- don't worry- in the next hearing, Archana shall ask forgiveness. She shall herself come back to you."
Manav was amazed. "But how?" he said. "I want to know."
"Later.."
"No, now."
Mr. Paranjpe laughed. "Okay, okay I'll tell you now. Take your pick- phenyl, poison or any other."
Manav didn't understand. He stared at him for a moment, and suddenly it sunk in. "You are telling me to.."
"Yes!" said Mr. Paranjpe. "On the next hearing, a little before hearing starts, consume a bit of poison or phenyl- just enough to make you sick but not die. I will rush you to hospital and inform everyone else too." Manav looked shocked. "This formula always works." Continued Mr. Paranjpe. "Women are such emotional fools- you'll see, Archana will come running to you and fall in your arms or over your sick body. She will apologize to you and ask you not to do anything like this again. I'm sure even her in-laws will forgive you and accept you back wholeheartedly. Case will be dismissed by court. It will be a happy ending for everyone. Hai na achha plan?"
Manav's face clearly didn't show any appreciation of this 'good plan'. "Are you mad?" he asked skeptically. "I am not going to do anything like that."
"But you will get back Archana.."
"I want Archana but not in this manner." Said Manav. "I want her to come back to me with the same feelings like before- with trust and respect. If I follow your advice, I will get her back in my life, but it won't be the same- she won't truly trust or respect me, and it will be like a compromise to her as well as everyone. Even I won't be happy. I'd rather wish Archana wouldn't come back to me at all rather in this ridiculous manner."
Mr. Paranjpe got irked. "Arey but you are on the side of truth, hai na?" he asked. "If you want us to win, it will have to be in this way only."
"But this is foolishness." Cried Manav, jumping up. "I have my old parents, and Archana has too. Why put them through all this grief? And what impact will it have on my younger siblings who look upon me as a role model- commit suicide to force others to do what you want? PAh! Ridiculous!!!"
"Then do what you want!" said Mr. Paranjpe, very angry now. "Go and get defeated. And then, like an impotent, watch your wife getting married to someone else. Heard na what the judge said? Your case is WEAK!"
"All because of you!" retorted back Manav, himself very angry now. "If you hadn't done such a lousy job today in the court, it wouldn't have been so! Who says you are the no. 1 divorce lawyer over here? I wonder if you've even passed your law exams- instead of fighting the case in court like a man, you are telling me to use the emotional card and win over everyone again. Don't you have a little ggggguts?"
Mr. Paranjpe flared up royally now. "First you call my idea ridiculous, then you question my credibility, and now you are challenging me? Hold your tongue!! If I leave your case right now, you will be stranded! Then don't come begging later!"
"Dhamki kisko deta hai bey???" said Manav angrily. "Enough I have tolerated you! Go to hell loser! I don't need you and your stupid plans. I can handle things better than you."
"Fine!" said the lawyer, removing his coat and handing Manav his papers. "13 days later, I'll come to court just to see how you 'handle your case'. I'm done with you. I'm resigning from your case now." and he strode away angrily.
"Haan haan ja!" said Manav. "I will take things in my hands now. Come after 13 days to see how the divorce gets cancelled." He shouted.
*************************
"The hearing went well today." Said Siddhant, flashing his broad smile. "I'm sure, the next hearing will declare the verdict in our favour."
Archana smiled and tried to look grateful. "But even though you said everything today itself, yet things have not gone according to plan.." said Vinod, frowning.
Siddhant shrugged. "God knows what happened to the judge. Anyways, in the next hearing, I'll open up such things in the court that the judge will have no option but to grant divorce. And Manav, he will regret that he didn't sign the divorce papers quietly, and let things progress so much."
Archana got scared. "What will you say?" she asked in a small voice.
Siddhant laughed. "Hee hee haa haa! In this hearing, I stuck only to the complaints about Manav and his character and how he cheated you- next hearing I'll do full izzat aarti of his whole family- his Aai who has abused you multiple times, dowry taken by the Deshmukh family, details of his affair with shravani- everything. I will tell everyone how badly you suffered in that house, and how his own Aai told tales against him. He doesn't know it right now- does he?" Archana shook her head. "He will come to know in court that it was his Aai who told everything to you, called him characterless and thus broke up his marriage- I would like to see if even this truth does not make him break down in court and give up. I'm telling you Archana- after the next hearing, Manav and Deshmukh family's prestige will be destroyed so badly that I don't think any father would ever think of getting his daughter married in that house. I won't even be surprised if after the news of the abuse or dowry coming in front of the law, the judge orders an enquiry into the matter or opens a separate case on the Deshmukh family, or gets them arrested even. I'm 100% sure that if Manav doesn't give you divorce, the judge surely will- he will have no choice but to order Manav to divorce you. In fact I wanted to point out the dowry and abuse thingy today itself, but the judge adjourned the hearing. So much I ran after Manav for mutual consent divorce- he didn't agree. Okay- suffer now." and Siddhant sniggered.
Archana stared open mouthed in horror. The news of Manav's Aai would have to be broken to Manav in a proper manner- not in front of so many people- it would be too embarrassing, and would really shatter him to know that his Aai was responsible for so many hurtful things and the ultimate giveaway in the whole fiasco, that too in front of all those people. And goodness, what if the judge opened a separate case against the Deshmukh family for taking dowry and abusing her? Life of all the siblings would be ruined. More embarrassment for the Deshmukh family and Manav was in store at the next hearing.
"Isn't it a little too much?" she said in a small voice. "Don't bring the dowry and abuse thing please, matters could turn really bad.
Siddhant looked at her in amazement. "But it is a sure shot criteria for divorce. See how today even though things were in your favour, judge still adjourned the case. He won't be able to do it at the next hearing. Your case will be THAT strong."
"What happened Archu?" asked Vinod with concern, as Archana looked very teary. Archana looked up at him.
"Its not right Dada," she said. "I'm separating from Manav anyway. But if this all comes in front of him, he might break away from his Aai as well. I don't want the Deshmukhs to fight lawsuits for the dowry and abuse case- why do we have to end things with so much of negativity?"
Siddhant was irritated now. He couldn't stand Archana's concerns for her soon to be in laws. "See Archu, what they did was an offence and very much punishable by law. We aren't doing anything wrong. You have been wronged in that house far too much. And now you're not wrong to demand justice on these grounds. Simple."
Archana could see through Siddhant's plans already. All he wanted was to malign Manav to the point that he couldn't take it anymore, break him up emotionally in the next hearing, and somehow get him to agree to sign the divorce papers, or make her own case so extremely strong by stating every reason ever justified for divorce- dowry demands, abuse and infidelity, so that the judge would not be able to adjourn the case again next time . Manav would lose his wife for sure, but would also maybe lose his family at the end of the hearing. And more lawsuits- Good God!- thought Archana worriedly. Why hadn't Manav agreed to divorce by mutual consent? All this mudslinging could have been avoided.
She walked away from Siddhant, who was gloating in happiness to Vinod. In a trance she walked along the long corridors of the family court, not knowing where she was going. She stopped when she heard loud voices arguing.
"I want another lawyer!" said Manav. "I fired the last one!"
"Did you fire him, or did he dump you?" asked Tarun skeptically, but Manav looked back at him angrily, "All that doesn't matter- I want another lawyer!"
"Arey halwa hai kya?-' I want another lawyer'- from where will I get you another lawyer?" protested Tarun. "Like a fool, you are wasting your medical insurance on this court-kechahri, getting nothing except humiliation in return. What stuff are you made up of man!"
Archana felt terrible when she heard this. Manav was still not giving up, and in her heart, she knew he wouldn't give up either. Ultimately, all he would get would be a loss of his precious savings, emotional heartbreak and news of betrayal in a full court, and some more fresh humiliation. And of course, divorce. Why wasn't Manav understanding that divorcing with mutual consent was so much more easier and cleaner for everyone.
Tarun saw Archana standing close and got up. "Try and drill sense into her." He said in a loud voice to Manav, and walked away. Manav came near Archana.
"Archana WHAT are you doing!" he said, in a hurt voice. "months of separation could not break our bond. Even though we were apart, yet we always felt together. But now, this step of yours is ruining everything. I don't know what to say to my family members when I go back home. Tamasha bana diya hai tumne iss rishta ka."
Archana looked at Manav in the eye. "Is there anything left to save in this relationship Manav? In fact, has there ever been anything in this relationship worth preserving?"
Manav was taken aback. "Archana.." he said in a small voice. "how can you.. how you can just say there was nothing in this relationship? Four months we have been together, and known each other little by little, tried to understand each other, shared our little joys and sorrows and.."
"Yeah right!" said Archana. "Maybe that is sufficient for you. But look at the larger picture. Four months we have been living SEPARATELY. What have both of us ultimately got in this relationship Manav that you are still hankering upon it? A normal marriage consists of physical and emotional fulfillment to both partners- I have got nothing except betrayal, lies and hurt to my family members. You have yourself got nothing except humiliation and stress. Why don't you want to accept the truth Manav? The 15 day stay at your house wasn't our marriage- what we have gone through in these 4 months- that is our marriage- it has been so horrible and disappointing for both of us that anyone who is thinking of entering matrimony will shudder if he/she comes to know our story, and will wish that he/she never gets married. Our marriage is the worst example of a relationship, so you know that."
Manav squirmed uncontrollably. He knew all of this, but had never wanted to accept it. "See Archana, you are thinking about the past, but we can have a very good future together. In those 15 days, we were happy na? Then why don't you think that we can happy in the future as well? All our little joys will return, everything will be same as ever if you give just give me one chance to prove myself right. But for now, please stop this divorce."
Archana looked at him with sorrowful eyes. "I'm tired of all this, Manav. Tired of the endless wait. Tired of giving you chances. Tired of facing the looks of people. Tired of trying to convince my parents. Tired of trying to convince myself. Tired of everything. Why can't I have the life of a normal girl? And for that matter Manav, don't you want a normal life too? What are you accomplishing by all this humiliation? It isn't making you a hero in anybody's eyes. Agree for the divorce quietly, and start a new life all over again separately, and let me be happy too."
Manav rushed forward to hold her by the shoulders, but she moved away. He felt embarrassed. "Archana, I want to keep you happy, bas, that is why I'm saying, just give me one more chance.. I.."
Archana shook her head. Why did Manav never understand the delicacy of the situation? Why was he making it so difficult for her, and more so for himself?
"Archana please.."
She was irked now. "MANAV ARE YOU BLIND?" she said angrily. "I really cannot fathom why you want this disappointing marriage. You might love the feeling of enduring pain, but I am not so. I have no wish whatsoever to say in this CURSED marriage."
The words hit Manav like lightning.
CURSED MARRIAGE?
So was this all that this marriage meant to Archana- a curse?
He stood in front of her dumbstruck, staring in horror at her face bristling with anger. "Archana," he said slowly, "Is that all this relationship means to you?- a burden?"
Archana tried hard not to look at his disappointed face. "Yes," she said, looking in the other direction. "I'm tired of this now, and want this whole tamasha to end. We cannot live together in peace, at least we will lead a contented life living separately. We have anyways been living separately since the last 4 months. What difference does it make?"
Poor Manav did not say anything. He looked down in shock. Archana could not stand it. She turned to go, but Manav held her hand, she turned and saw that he was looking hopefully at her. "Archana," he said, "In these 4 months, have you never developed any feelings for me? You don't feel like staying with me even? Have you never.. loved me.. even a teeny weeny bit???"
Archana looked into his eyes then and saw the scared look on Manav's face. She remembered the moments they had spent together in the last 4 months- how she used to look at the watch again and again every night during her last class at her school, waiting for Manav to pick her. She remembered how he had always been helpful and sweet to her, and she had reciprocated by slowly starting to talk again. She remembered how they had gone out together on Manav's b'day. The trips in the crowded local, talking to each other about their family problems, discussing solutions, consoling each other- she remembered everything. She remembered the dreams she had woven of coming back in the Deshmukh house, of having a son who had Manav's smile and her own facial features, of romancing in the garage with him. She remembered their first kiss, the passionate hug in Mahabaleshwar and more.
Her silence gave Manav a little more hope. "Well?" he said, feeling better. "You want to be with me, right?"
Archana's eyes shot up immediately. "No." she said quietly. "I don't want to be with you. I've never loved you for that sake. You were just an unfortunate incidence in my life."
She turned to go, but Manav caught her more firmly now. "You are lying!" he said, his heart sinking. "If you never cared about me, then why did you talk to me all the time? Why did you make a sweater for me? Why did you.."
"Cos I didn't want to make my situation bad in case I HAD to return to you someday." Said Archana bluntly. "I didn't want you to hold grudges against me then, and not forgive me."
Manav felt disheartened. "And I thought she had done it to make me feel happy." He thought, a pang of desperation hitting his heart. But he was not satisfied. "Why did you hug me in Mahabaleshwar? Why did you say in Mahabaleshwar that you were waiting for me to take you back home? Why did you.."
"Cos humans make mistakes!" she said. "Can't I make a mistake- of getting mildly attracted? But attractions are always dangerous!- and so are you! I was emotional that day cos Vaishali was lost, and I was worried. If you mistook my emotional vulnerability for love, its not my fault. These feelings were born due to the fact that you were my husband, and it was my duty in some ways to be with you, that's it. For Manav- the person- I have no feelings or respect. The little 'whatever' was there, died the day I came to know the truth about you. And I have no intention of basing my future life just on 'feelings'. If they are wrong and dangerous, they need to be controlled. Now I cringe whenever I think that your name is still attached to mine, and people still call me Manav Deshmukh's wife. I hate to be associated with a man like you!"
That was the ultimate blow. Manav suddenly left her hand, hesitantly turned, and strode away, walking quickly, his gaze on the ground and his own steps. Archana did not have to think hard to understand that he did not wish to cry in front of her. She simply stood numb, watching him go away. Vinod came at that moment looking for her, "Let's go Archu." He said. Absent mindedly, she turned to look at Manav again and again, and was just in time to see Manav crashing against a glass window that someone had opened suddenly into the corridor.
"Manav!" she shouted, as her impulses took the better of her, and she ran. Vinod ran after her. She knelt down to where Manav had fallen and was now rubbing his already bandaged head. "Are you okay?" she said softly and guiltily. Manav seemed embarrassed to see her. He nodded slowly. People had gathered around him now. "Its okay." He said. "Zakhm bhara nahin tha, usi par chot lag gayi na, isiliye takleef zyada ho rahi hai," he said, looking at Archana, who couldn't bear to meet his eyes. "Where is the washroom?" he asked someone. A man directed him towards the washroom.
*********************
As Archana stood at the taxi stand waiting for her brother to catch a taxi, she couldn't stop her tears.
Manav's shocked expressions- when she had told him that she wanted to be free of this disappointing marriage- still haunted her. They had pierced her heart. She could imagine him very well crying to himself, and she felt very bad for him.
Or was it another drama on his part to lure her back? Were these tears of realization true or were they crocodile tears? Did Manav really care about relationships to feel bad about what she had said?
Archana didn't know. She slowly sighed to herself, and wondered if she could ever understand the 'real' Manav Deshmukh. All she had seen of him, known of him, understood of him- pointed to a most decent, cultured, and loving man. But what situations and circumstances had painted was an ugly portrait of a devil.
Which of them was true- she wondered? Both the personalities were as different as chalk and cheese! Who was Manav- a bad guy or a good one? There seemed to be no point of fusion of these two personalities- no explanation. She had heard a number of times that behind every wrong deed was a personality and a story, here she could not understand it at all. She could not even understand why Manav was fighting for his marriage so badly if he had only intended to use her and throw her away.
And that was what troubled her- his actions NEVER complied with the truth that had been shown to her. Could it be false- all that Ajit and everyone else had said? That Manav had not cheated her? After all he had always been so supportive, so caring, so helpful and so understanding- had never wanted anything from her. But Manjusha Vahini always said that it could have been an act to fool everyone.
Point was, how much could a person act? 24X7 for the last 6 months, ever since she had known Manav?
She grew restless- Manav's Aai had herself said that Manav was the guilty party hai na? Agreed, Savita Aai had been bad to her, but never to Manav. She had heard Manav talk a number of times about how Savita Aai had always been very good to him, and how he trusted her a lot. When she had stayed in the house for 15 days, she had witnessed Savita 's bond with her children- Savita pampered Sachin, dismissed Vedant-Vandita as 'kids', but trusted and depended on Manav the most- so much, that she had started feeling insecure and jealous when Manav had started spending more time and money on Archana. She was abusive, hot headed and not so cultured, but she was not a liar. If anything, she was so publicly blunt that it got embarrassing at times. No- thought Archu to herself- for all her faults, Savita Aai- a caring mother- could never LIE about her child in such a disgraceful fashion.
But then it meant that whatever she had said was true!
And this 'truth' didn't blend with the happenings around her. Not one tiny bit.
Archana sighed. She would go mad, she thought. Everything was just happening around her, people were making decisions, but she simply wasn't able to, cos she couldn't grasp the reality of the situation at all. Many a times, she thought of explanations to convince herself, but to no avail. There was simply no explanation to this whole story- it was as if Manav was suffering from some kind of a multiple personality disorder, and these were different personalities, all surviving within him together, unnoticed by each other.
She would never understand all this. For the sake of her sanity, it was better to give up on it, even though she knew she wouldn't be getting any sleep at night again.
Her thoughts went back to Manav and his grief stricken face when she had called their marriage a curse and a burden. They had been very strong words- but not wrong. And someone really needed to fling this truth to Manav that he was running after an impossible dream, and would suffer in the future, if he kept persisting- so she had done it. Divorce would happen one way or the other, but she didn't want Manav to suffer more. Her heart still cringed at the thought of Manav using up every penny for the divorce case. Even though it had sounded bad and hurtful, if this bitter pill helped him in moving ahead, she was all for it. He needed to be told off the truth in frank, blunt terms.
At least he wouldn't be humiliated any more, she thought. She didn't know why his silent, sad face and his teary eyes tugged her heart strings so strongly that each time she had a difficult time controlling herself.
The truth was that even though Siddhant was waiting for Manav to break down, it was Archana herself who was feeling nervous about emotionally succumbing any minute.
*********************
"Manav!" Tarun knocked at the door of the gents washroom. "It's been twenty minutes."
No response.
"Manav!"
No response.
"Manav if you don't come out now, I will break the door and come in, and I seriously don't have any problems in it, since I know you are not doing what everyone thinks you are doing inside."
There was silence for some time. Slowly the door opened. Manav was sitting on the covered toilet seat, his eyes red, sniffing. Tarun patted his shoulder. "We need to talk."
"Speak." Said Manav in a heavy voice.
Tarun looked around. "This is no place to have a pep talk. Come outside."
Manav got up and they both walked out of the washroom and to the bench in the park outside. They sat silently for some time, as Manav sniffed. Tarun eyed his head carefully. "We better go to the hospital from here." He said. "This is the second time you got hurt so badly."
"No need to waste money," said Manav gruffly. "The doctors will again ask to get an X-ray done, or whatever other tests are there.. CT, MRI whatever. I am in no mood to go through all this torture."
"Yeah sure!" said Tarun in an icy voice. "Wasting money on a losing divorce case is so much better than wasting money on hospital expenses, hai na?"
Manav did not say anything. "What was Archana saying to you?"
"She was confessing her hatred for me." Said Manav, as a knot formed In his stomach. "She doesn't want to think things over, she doesn't want to give me any chance, and she has absolutely no feelings for me- this is what she said."
"Did she say it in a fit of rage or.."
"I don't know."
They sat silently once again. Finally, Tarun looked at him gloomily. "You know Manav, I was the one who always encouraged your love for Archana, even when you hadn't realized it I sort of pushed you into being with her. And so I feel, that today, I should be the one to tell you that you seriously need to back off now. I understand that you love her, but this relationship is a very destructive one. No good has ever come out of it for ANYONE, and particularly for you. But okay, let bygones be bygones. My point is- your running after this marriage isn't helping anyone. Your case is weak, and now you don't even have a lawyer. Who will fight for you in court? Who will take up a case that is already on the verge of defeat? This divorce WILL HAPPEN Manav, whether or not you want it. The only difference is, if you accept defeat now, then it will be less hurtful- else you will have to go through more humiliation in the next court hearing."
Manav did not say anything. Tarun continued. "We have got to be realistic in life sometimes yaar. Love is not the only thing in life. Till today you did a lot for Archu.. but ab bahut zyada ho raha hai. I mean.. seriously.. you used up your MEDICAL INSURANCE for the court hearing!!! You have no security for any kind of emergency now! Tujhe kya ho gaya hai Manav, you were always so practical. Why can't you be a little bit practical now? Honestly Manav, you have done ENOUGH! If things are still not working out, you need to accept it and move ahead."
Manav still remained quiet. "Manav, sometimes in life, it becomes very important to accept defeat. Else, in the end, a person breaks down on seeing the magnitude of catastrophe that occurred because of the battle. Tomorrow if both of you get divorced, Archana will go back to a loving family and her career and stuff. What about you? You are rapidly getting distanced by your family members, you are extinguishing all your sources of money and security on this court case. Jitna kiya utna kiya, but not more. I don't want to see you getting more hurt emotionally."
"What are you saying?" said Damodar, shocked, who had been listening, standing behind them. Tarun turned to look at him, but Manav was still gazing on the ground. "Kaka.. I.."
"You want Manav to agree for divorce? Arey he won't be able to live without Archu.."
Tarun shrugged. "The way I see it, divorce is going to happen anyway. Manav needs to think about his future now. He needs to start concentrating on garage and sort out his family problems. Till now he hasn't been able to do it cos he was 'fighting for his marriage'. Once this tamasha gets over, he can finally move ahead. He's been stuck in a rut for so long. Archana is showing least interest.."
"But tomorrow, when Varsha returns and tells Archana the truth, then? That girl will go through hell then! What will she do? Arey someone needs to fight for this marriage right now.. so let it be Manav."
Tarun threw up his hands. "Till Varsha comes back Kaka, your son will become bankrupt! He will end up with intense humiliation! He will lose his family- as it is Aai and Sachin are angry, and now Vedant- Vandita- the kids of the house also don't want Archana back, cos everyone is fighting because of her. By the time, Varsha comes back, your son might end up losing his mental stability- I mean.. what the heck.. he used up his MEDICAL INSURANCE to save his marriage!! Sheesh!! As for your 'poor' Archana- she is not in any sort of trouble or worry as of now, she hardly values Manav anyway, and will be fine even after the divorce. The divorce will happen anyway, but at least Manav should get a dignified exit!!!"
Tarun turned away with an angry look. Sachin butted in. "I agree 100%. Baba, you like Archana Vahini and want her back, fine, but for once, don't think only about your DIL, think about your son."
Damodar looked back at Manav who was still sitting quietly, looking at the ground, listening to every argument. "Manav, DON'T DO IT! I beg of you, please don't do it! Varsha's telegram came na 2 days back ha? Soon we shall be able to contact her."
Manav looked at his Dad. Yes, Varsha had indeed sent a telegram, only mentioning 'reached safely' and sent it by a false name (and address too, he presumed). He had understood that it must be Varsha, since it couldn't be anyone else who would try to inform him of reaching safely. But other than that, he had no help. He had asked Vaishali to talk to Varsha next time she called home and explain the situation, but she called home very infrequently. Her Aai was always worried on that account.
Archana's words rang again in his ears. It was not the first time she had expressed her anger and disappointment against him. But he had been in a state of denial till now, and tried to make excuses for her anger- calling it 'understandable'. Till date, he remembered their happy moments, and had fought for the marriage thinking that the divorce must be breaking Archana, and that she would feel even more terrible when the truth came out in front of all. He had felt that there was a bond between them which needed to be preserved. But recent revelations showed a completely different side of the story. The sweetness of marriage had gone- or maybe it had never been there. Tomorrow, if the truth came out, Archana would come back to him apologising, but only cos he was a legal husband who had proved himself right. Cos she ought to come back. The 'relationship' part had totally vanished in this marriage- or maybe even that had never been there. It was all about evidence, legality, and rights.. bas.
He remembered Tarun's words- 'DIVORCE WILL HAPPEN ANYWAY'- yes, chances of his victory were bleak now. But what he was interested to know was, if divorce happened, and LATER the truth came out, would Archana come back to him? He did not know, but felt depressed as he realized that chances were that maybe she would not- she would feel very sorry of course, she was too conscientious, but maybe she wouldn't come back. After all, she wouldn't have any legal obligation to do so, and she had never had any feelings vested in this relationship anyway, which would make her want to marry him again. Moreover, too much water had flown under the bridge. Relations between the two families had become very dirty. All that remained after divorce would be unpleasant memories, and he didn't know whether Archana would go as far as getting remarried to him to come back to a husband she did not love and a household who did not love her, and work on her marriage from a scratch- just because she felt guilty that she had been wrong the first time. Love never sprouted in a day, so in the scenario he was considering, it needed immense will power and dedication to make things work again.
In one line, he was having thoughts that Archana would not return even if Varsha testified for him later, simply cos things would have been destroyed a lot by then, and Archana had no emotional involvement in this relationship to desperately fight back for him. And so, if this 'fighting' for marriage really gave no results, was there any use in fighting?
At the end of the day, the moral of the story was- the charm of the marriage had gone. Poof! The reunion, if it ever happened now, would be a sad one with both of them sadly introspecting where they had gone wrong.
Damodar shook Manav. "Say something," he said. Manav looked gravely at the ground. "One last attempt I shall make from my side. Marriage is no joke, I am not in favour of taking any hasty, emotional decisions." He said. "And after that, I'll make my final decision."
He got up and started walking. "Where are you going now?" called out Sachin.
"Karanjkar house."
**************XXXXXXXXXXXXX******************
Hi people! In the days of ArMan reunion, I have given you such a sad part na?
But what to do.. track hi kuch aisa hai. Its surprising that when there was happiness in this FF (till court case started) there was gloom in PR. I hope when happy times start in the FF, serial PR doesn't become gloomy.
Chalo, guess why next hearing is after 13 days????
Waiting for comments and feedback as always.
Real Estate
