PR reloaded-FF-Pt 66 Pg 148, 27/4/11 - Page 96

Originally posted by: toothbrush13

Great work Nikita!

I'm running out of things to say each time. 😆 You never really let me down.Thankyou!

Are the 13 days you mentioned in FF days or real days?They will be FF days.

Hi people! Sorry for making you wait so long! Actually I had my exams. Here's part 58.

PART 58

DEFEATED

Life is ironical, difficult to understand. What we term 'defeat', sometimes gives the first hint of victory.

Waiting in the auto for the traffic light to turn green, Manav thought of everything he had decided to say at the Karanjkar house. He had had a long talk with Vaishali about it, and had pondered on whom he could approach to convince about his side of the story. Finally he had zeroed in on Manohar Baba. After all, it was he who had convinced his family to get Archana married to a mechanic. It was also he who had convinced Sulochana Aai to give Tarun a fair chance. He had shown faith on Manav in the past and it could be renewed, it was known to all that he had a different temperament than his anxious wife and even his hot-headed son Vinod. He was the calm, quiet and mature one, who sometimes got cowed down by family. If Manav and Vaishali talked to him separately and begged him to convince Archana to give Manav just one more chance to prove himself innocent and stall divorce, the situation could still be salvaged.

Manohar Baba it was, thought Manav firmly. All hopes were pinned on him now.

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

"Satish, will you have tea?"

Satish shook his head. He looked grave and thoughtful as Sulochana Aai sat down next to him.

"I'm very happy to know that your parents have no problems with Archu." She said contentedly. "I really didn't want her to get married with the divorcee stigma. If in-laws are understanding, half the job is done."

Satish gave a small smile. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat. He adjusted his neck-tie a little, loosening it. "So Kaku, did you speak to Archana about it?"

Sulochana sighed. "Not yet Satish. You realize, don't you, that Archu needs some time. It wouldn't help to get her married so soon after divorce. She is not going to refuse me, she will obey me like always, I know that, but I still feel she needs to get over everything first- then she would feel more comfortable settling down with another guy. Please give her some time."

Satish looked a bit pensive. "Are you okay Satish?" asked Sulochana with concern.

"Yes," he said trying to relax. "There's no electricity na, so.." he looked at the stationary fan on the roof and then outside the window. It was early evening, and light was flickering in through the open doors and windows. Slowly it would be getting dark. Probably a storm would be coming tonight, it was too windy.

"What is it Satish? Are you reconsidering.."

"Its not like that," he interrupted. "I still stick by what I said.. but actually my parents are looking at other proposals as well, and they said something.."

"Yes?"

"They asked if Archu's divorce was confirmed." He said uncomfortably. "As I know, till now Manav hasn't signed the papers.."

"Yes, he hasn't, but the lawyer Siddhant was saying that in the next hearing they will get the divorce for sure, irrespective of whether Manav signs or not."

Satish was silent. Slowly he raised his head. "Are you sure that its not going to be a last minute backtracking thing?" he said. "Like, Archu might withdraw at the last moment.."

"It will never happen." Said Sulo immediately. "Archu despises him, and she's not wrong. He has cheated her very badly."

"Yes," said Satish. "I understand, but I was.. erm.. thinking.. actually the way she was weeping in the car that day after I gave her a lift when she was arguing with Manav, I just felt.."

"Satish," Sulochana said softly. "She is an emotional girl. I will not deny that in these few months, she had become attached to him. She had actually started giving hints of siding with him. Recent revelations made her understand her mistake. She is trying to recuperate, but old feelings die hard na? She needs a little time."

Satish looked doubtful. "My parents were in talks with one or two girls' families when I told them about Archana. They don't have any problems, but they still wanted me to make sure that Archana is not emotionally involved with Manav and is actually trying to move on. Otherwise, we will both be miserable post marriage. Or if she takes back divorce at the last minute, I will lose out on some good proposals by then. Or if Manav is proved innocent, then maybe Archana would like to go back to him.."

"Satish," Sulochana interrupted. "All this is never going to happen. Trust me, now Archana will never go back to Manav. I will make sure of that. Even if she is emotionally involved, so what? The guy has a bad history, has harmed the whole family, cannot be trusted. I'll tell her to have a grip on her emotions and not go back to him by thinking practically and rationally. Just because she's emotional doesn't mean that I will let her jump in the well."

"But if Manav proves himself innocent.."

"Even then I won't let her go back to him..!!"

Satish stared at Sulochana Aai in shock and bewilderment. "What are you.."

"I'm saying it in all my senses Satish." Aai said calmly. "I won't send Archana back into that house even if Manav proves himself innocent. And the whole family shares this viewpoint. And.."

She looked at Satish, but he was looking at the doorway, embarrassed. She turned to look, and was shocked.

MANAV???!!!!???

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

She got up immediately, and so did Satish. She walked upto him, miffed at him evesdropping on their conversation. "What are you doing here?" she asked in an icy cold voice. "Archu is not at home, and even if she was , she wasn't going to meet you.. and.."

She stopped. In the growing darkness of the evening, she studied his face.

He was looking at the floor as if he was trying to figure things out. He looked confused, hurt, betrayed. Shadows of apprehension could be seen on his face. He looked out of touch with reality. Apparently, he wasn't listening to anything she was saying now. Sulochana felt weird.

"Manav.." she prodded softly.

"Uh-huh?" he looked up suddenly, as if back to his senses. Awkwardly, he looked at Satish and then at Sulochana Aai and immediately started muttering excuses.

"Um.. woh.. I did ring the bell.. but there was no sound.. and I knocked too, but you didn't hear me.. I guess its too windy.."

Sulochana sighed. "There is no electricity." She explained. Both of them stood awkwardly, not meeting their eyes. Both knew that Manav had heard everything.

Moments of silent embarrassment later, Sulochana spoke again. "Did you want something?"

"Huh?" said Manav. Then he realized what she was asking. Why had he come here- he thought to himself. Then remembered.

"I.. well.. I.. I want the lawyer's number." He said instead. "Mr. Siddhant.. whatever."

Sulochana nodded. "Wait."

He stood in the doorway as she went inside to search for the number in Vinod's diary. From the corner of his eyes he looked at Satish who was sitting on the sofa, waiting anxiously. Once again, like old days, he examined Satish from top to toe.

Today he was in his office attire- a light blue shirt with dark blue trousers, and a loose brown tie. He looked a little tired, but not completely exhausted. Why would he be exhausted- Manav asked himself- he probably sits in a big air-conditioned cabin, all to himself, giving orders to his employees and supervising their work. He doesn't have to lie down under cars like me, in a hot and dusty garage, handling grease and rough instruments, straining his eyes. He dresses well on an ordinary day than I dress on special occasions- I could never think of wearing such a nice, light coloured shirt, since it will get dirty pretty soon in the garage. He looked at his own red check shirt that he was now wearing. There was a spot of grease on the sleeve. He immediately rolled up his sleeves to hide it and looked down.

His gaze fell on Satish's shoes which had been placed at the doorway of the house, quite near to where he was standing. His eyes shifted from Satish's shoes to his own feet. He had heard from someone that shoes gave an insight into the personality of the owner. And today he realized that it was true. Satish's shoes were a rich dark leathery brown, the tag of 'LIBERTY' could be seen on the undersoles. Hmm.. brown shoes for brown tie- he thought. They would last long, he knew, they were of the finest quality, comfortable and expensive- while he himself had not even gone into a shop of brand 'LIBERTY' ever. His own shoes- well, no shoes. He didn't like wearing shoes, his feet felt suffocated and sweaty, especially since the garage in itself was such a hot place. He wore them only when he was supposed to look presentable. They were the cheapest shoes, of some local company, black in colour, of 'kaamchalau' quality. He had only asked the salesman if they would survive the Mumbai rains, bas. Right now he was wearing his usual kolhapuri chappals, reddish brown in colour. Savita Aai had bought them for him when she had been to a fair. They had turned out to be very sturdy and it was the second year in the running, even though he could see some cracks on them. He knew that they would easily survive one more year, and he would stretch it to one and a half. If he took it to the cobbler on time, he could make them last for two more years.

He glanced up to look at Satish, and all sorts of old thoughts ran through his mind. He remembered how they had selected the same sherwani, but Satish had graciously let him buy it, since it was his special day, his sakharpuda, and how he had later felt inferior comparing them both. He remembered how he had often told Archana that he wanted a revolving glass door in his office at the garage, because he had seen one like it at Satish's cabin when he had gone to approach him for a bank loan. He could never equal Satish in any way, and that was the blunt bitter truth. Satish had everything that a girl or her family would look out for- good looking, well mannered, well behaved, educated, classy, charismatic, well placed financially, with a good background and a wonderful family. Manav clearly lay at the other end of the spectrum- he was what people would call A CLOD! He remembered how he had always considered Satish to be a mirror which showed him what he himself could have been if life had been a little kind to him, how he knew that he had no chance of winning Archana if Satish was a competitor, and so he had prayed to Bappa to never let Satish come back into their lives..

And now that he had come back..!!??!!

The stare lasted a bit longer. Satish looked up and saw him. The decent soul that he was, he felt bad that the SIL of the house was standing at the door and he was sitting on the sofa. He immediately got up. "Come Manav, sit here and wait.."

"No thankyou." Manav said, trying to give a weak smile. Inside his heart was breaking into little fragments. Now strangers were inviting him inside his own in-laws home. Great.

Satish was clearly uncomfortable. "So.. how are you managing the garage mess.."

"Managing.. somehow.." said Manav slowly.

"Your instalments start from next month right?"

Manav nodded. He was in no mood to talk about his financial matters at the moment. "I will come to the bank one day and clear it out with your staff." He said. Satish nodded, and both of them sunk into silence again.

Sulochana Aai came back with the lawyer's phone no. She wrote it out for him on a piece of paper and he accepted it with a blank, faraway look, as if he did not know what to do with it. "I will leave now." he said. Sulochana nodded.

She came back and sat near Satish. "He seemed very disturbed." He said slowly. "I think he heard what you said, and felt bad."

"Let him feel bad. He will feel bad for a few days, but then he will start with life again. It is better to hurt someone than give false expectations for a lifetime."

"But Kaku.. are you serious, I mean, if Manav proves himself innocent, still you won't send Archana back?"

"Yes." Sulochana said slowly. "This is my firm decision. The reason- Manav's Aai. Satish, you have no idea what my daughter has gone through in that house. From dowry demands to doing all the household chores to keeping up with her ultimatums, staying quiet over her taunts and accusations that she was separating Manav from the family.."

"But.."

"That is not all. After separation, Manav's Aai has abused her so badly on multiple occasions. Publicly, that too. What not has she called her- badchalan, wh**e.. sheesh!!! Sometimes in the open market, sometimes at her chawl home, sometimes in our own colony. Archu literally lived in fear of her- just imagine- an eighth pass girl with such an inferiority complex, having suicidal tendencies, to get insulted in this manner publicly in a conservative suburb like Dombivili!! Waghle street, where Manav lives, was Archu's 'field area' for her NGO work. But Manav's Aai treated her so badly when they separated, that she couldn't work there. She had to get her area changed. I got a heart attack for the same reason- she threatened that she would not be responsible for whatever happens in case Archu returns to that house. I can understand a mother's anger, but THIS??!!?? She has no respect for a woman, she is a vile abusive lady, who does not hesitate in using her own family and her own son- selling them in the marriage market to rich girls. Her cruel intention was always to make sure that Archu wouldn't be able to move in society with her head held high cos she had walked out on her characterless husband. Satish," she held his hand. "You know, when the odds turned against Manav and he lost that court case against Ajit, Archu still felt for him. She rushed to his home to meet him. But Savita Aai threw her out with such force, Archu could have got hurt. She snatched her mangalsutra and abused her in front of everyone. Vinod was with her, he was drawn to tears. That mangalsutra is put in front of God, it is a sin to snatch it in this way from a woman. Manav's Aai, even though being a married woman herself, does not realize this, it seems, and I hope God punishes her for this act of hers."

Satish sat silent and reflective. "But Kaku.." he said, "If Manav is innocent, then you will have to give him a chance na? After all, it will prove that he is a good boy.."

"Yes." Said Sulochana gravely. "A very good boy. Unfortunately this good boy is a devoted son and brother. Unfortunately this good boy worships his mother. Unfortunately this good boy had told me when he first asked Archu's hand for marriage- "I come as a package, so don't expect me to walk out on my responsibilities ever." (Part 13). The husband being loving and handsome is not enough for any girl. When Manav goes to the garage, and the rest of the people to their jobs, then my girl will be with her monster MIL, it is she who has to run that house after all. Who knows what Manav's Aai will do now? No no, I cannot risk my Archu. She is the type who will silently go through all physical and mental abuse but never complain. I cannot put her up through this."

"But why should he suffer for his mother's mistakes?"

"I have given the whole Deshmukhs family chances Satish, I had given them many chances. I knew the family was dysfunctional, I knew Savita Deshmukh's greedy nature and wild side. Still I accepted the family cos Archu's Baba said the boy is good. When they came for Archu's hand, you know what Damodar Deshmukh said- "Sulochana Tai, we will keep her like a daughter."- and what happened? Dowry demands in the first week of marriage! Manav was unaware of it, completely unaware, until Varsha went and flung the jewels on his face. Was it not his duty to be aware of the new brides condition, especially since a meek new bride will never complain about his own mother? Later, he tried to make his mother understand and told Archu to return the dowry. He doesn't know the jewels are still lying in his own house. Till date he really doesn't know about his mother's abusive side, that day when Archu sarcastically remarked on it, he flared up in anger. Tell me, on whom can I place my trust in the Deshmukh family? The 'good boy Manav'? The drunkard sasur, who doesn't know what is going on in his house half of the time? Irresponsible Sachin, who is pratically useless? Or the kids of the house- Vedant Vandita? No, rather than send Archu to the Deshmukhs home, I would keep her in my house all her life."

Satish seemed to be disturbed. "Whatever you are saying is alright from a mother's point of view, but there is something wrong somewhere, don't you think so?"

"I really don't care about wrong and right Satish. All I care about is my daughter. If she is not safe in that house, then I don't care how much Manav loves her or how good he is- as long as he stays with that mother of his, he is a strict No-no. I am ready to fall on his feet and apologize for this, that sorry, I cannot send my daughter to your house if you intend to stay with your Aai. Anyhow, we are venturing into hypothetical territory. Right now, the fact is- Manav is guilty and not worth our trust, and so Archu should leave him." She looked outside. It was getting darker, and a downpour could be expected. "Lights have still not come, and it is time for my evening Aarti."

Satish nodded. "I will take your leave. By the way, is it okay if I meet Archu sometimes and give her lift, as a friend, if nothing else?"

Sulochana nodded. After Satish left the house, she went to her little temple. She lit the diya and sang the shubham karoti. Then she sat down and went over the Ram Raksha Stotra- a powerful mantra that conveys to The Lord to remove all fears of the heart, and protect against imminent dangers and unknown evil shadows. With utmost devotion, Sulochana prayed to the Lord to save her family against any sort of upcoming trouble or bad signs.

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

Out in the streets, Manav walked for a long time, not knowing where to go. Everything seemed confusing and lost. People were running helter skelter towards some kind of shelter, and he simply stared at them. He sat down near a lamp post and tried to think.

His worst fears had been confirmed. Even if he proved himself innocent, Archana's family had no wish to send her back to his house. All the fighting he had put up till now, everything he had done, had been completely useless.

Frustration welled up in his eyes in the form of tears. Since the past 3 and months when this whole fiasco had started, he had been looking for ways to exonerate himself. He had declared in front of everyone that he would get evidence and prove that he had been right all along. It had been taken for granted that Archana wouldn't come back before he presented her with proofs and he had always accepted it as something that could not be changed, and that any person in her place, or her family's place would have done the same thing.

But this?

Why hadn't they stopped him in these 3 and a 1/2 months when he had wasted so much of time, money and energy, fought with his family for Archana's sake? Why hadn't they told him back then that they wouldn't be sending Archana to him come what may? Why had they let him ruin his own happy life??? Why had they not protested then, and why such apprehension now? Why was an innocent Manav suddenly unwanted?

Questions, questions, questions. Only one answer.

Satish.

Obviously!

His head raced to the past. The Karanjkars had never really accepted him as part of their family, as Archana's husband. Sulochana Aai had flatly refused to even consider him when he had asked her for Archu's hand. Who was he after all- a lower class mechanic, couth, rough- not worth their family full of educated, well placed people. He was clearly not in their league. The only reason he had been finally accepted for Archana was cos the Karanjkars clearly had no other choice at that instant- Archana was being rejected from everywhere, and Ajit's brothel fiasco and later the broken engagement with Varun revealing the so-called affair with Manav, had not really left them a lot of options than to accept him as their daughter's fate. Even after marriage, they had been unhappy and had said that he was their daughter's bad fate.

Bad fate, cursed fate, he thought, remembering Archana's words in the morning and her parents discussion during the Satyanaryan puja. Even Archana was tired of this marriage. But her future had hope. Those days had gone when Karanjkars had no choice where Archana's marriage was concerned. Today, a nice guy like Satish wanted to marry her, now that her character in the brothel fiasco had come clean.

Tomorrow, even if Varsha returned and told them the true story, or he got the tape and proved his innocence, why would the Karanjkars accept him back and refuse Satish and his nice family, who had no qualms accepting a divorcee DIL? They were no fools, they knew that their daughter could be a hundred times more happy and comfortable with Satish than with him- Manav Deshmukh, who by the way, had been nothing more than a spare wheel for them. Now that the original was back, why to compromise with the replacement, he thought sarcastically to himself.

Well, what about Archana?

He pondered deeply, remembering the morning conversation at Bappa's temple when Varsha had questioned Archana about why she had agreed to marry him. She had given completely different and fair reasons. She had not married him out of a no-choice scenario. She had married him cos she genuinely had faith that he would be a good husband to her.

Would she want to come back to him if he proved himself innocent?

He remembered his musings few hours back (part 57). Maybe not, he thought. Plus now that her parents were against him, they would never let her come to him. And she would never protest, just like she had never done before. It was useless to ever expect her to stand up for him. At the most, she would only sit and cry. This was what she had done all along.

A lump formed in his throat. This marriage was doomed in every way. Now whatever he had done, whatever he could do, nothing could help. No evidence, no testimony no truths could save this marriage.

And so, was there any use in fighting for it any more and draining himself financially, mentally, physically and emotionally?

Was there any use in going against his family for Archana, who by the way, was never going to return back to him?

Was there any use humiliating himself in front of the whole court?

Was it not better to end this chapter with a little dignity?

Breathing deeply, he took out the paper from his pocket. The lawyer- Siddhant Rane's- number was written on it.

He knew it was what he ought to do now. All that Tarun had said was right. More so now, when it was actually confirmed that there was really nothing he could do to save the marriage. But there was a nagging feeling at his heart.

AJIT!!!

Ajit wouldn't stop here, he knew that well. He wanted cruel revenge from Archana for having broken his marriage and hurting him financially. He had ruined her marriage prospects with Satish, then Varun, now had broken her marriage with Manav as well. His next target would be Satish again. He would make sure Archana and Satish's marriage wouldn't happen, and if it happened, he would create problems again and wreck their lives.

Manav felt restless. THIS WAS WHERE HE WAS GETTING DEFEATED BY AJIT. He had always wanted Archana to be happy, with or without him. But as he saw it, divorce and marriage with Satish didn't really guarantee her happiness. More troubles were on her way.

Unfortunately, now there was nothing he could do. There was no way he could save his marriage now, and he could only hope and pray for her that unlike last time, Satish would not fall prey to Ajit's devious plans and would save 'their' marriage.

'Their' marriage. The words felt like whiplash to Manav, as tears streamed down his eyes. Archana with someone else? He wouldn't be able to bear it, ever. How much he had struggled to be with her, only to end up with such disappointment! God helped those who helped themselves, right? Then why had Bappa meted out such a fate to him.

He sat on the footpath and wept by himself, remembering the bitter sweet moments they had shared, realizing that those moments would never return, that Archana would never return. The tough decision that he had to take would have even tougher repercussions. A life without Archana was hell!!!

He couldn't think further. He simply looked up at the heavens above, as if begging to Bappa for a little strength.

As if in answer, a torrent of rain burst up suddenly, hiding all his tears. In the downpour, among flashes of light on the lonely road, Manav Deshmukh sat and wept.

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

Archana couldn't believe it.

She looked out of the window of the taxi at the buildings racing by, as she and Vinod raced in the taxi towards Siddhant Rane's office. He had called them up immediately even in the rain.

"Manav agreed!!!" he had shouted hoarsely into the phone. "Come here right now and we will seal the matter!"

The family members had heaved a sigh of relief. Archana herself, on the other hand, had been non-plussed.

Manav agreed? Agreed as in- REALLY AGREED? That too for DIVORCE? How could this happen, she thought, perplexed, and that too so suddenly? Till the afternoon, Manav had not relented. What had suddenly changed his thought process?

Her mind went back to her confrontation with Manav in the morning. He had clearly been shocked and hurt when she had used some very strong words against their relationship, and said that he was a nobody for her.

Was it that which had affected him?

She didn't know why she felt all guilty and uncomfortable. Again and again, she wiped her forehead with her pallu, feeling nervous. Why was she feeling nervous, she thought, when she had absolutely no reason to.

She felt a hand on her shoulder. It was Vinod.

"Things will be alright here on, Archu." He said, smiling. "Just relax. I'm so glad that you decided to quit classes for today and came to discuss about the divorce. Its good that you're finally taking interest."

She tried to smile back at him, although she felt her heart sinking inside. Everyone was relieved by the turn of events, but she clearly wasn't. Her thoughts were on Manav. What was he thinking? What was he feeling? How would he face her when he met her- sorry faced and unable to look at her due to shame, or angry at his defeat, or defensive and still not willing to accept his mistake?

Needless to say, she was dreading his reaction, but at the same time, she couldn't help wanting to meet him.

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

He was sitting across the lawyer's desk when she entered- dripping wet. Siddhant greeted both Vinod and Archana, but he did not even turn to look at them.

They sat on the low sofa seats in the corner of the room. Archana studied Manav's face, feeling uncomfortable, dreading his glance. She would look at him from the corner of her eyes while pretending to read a magazine. He on the other hand, appeared absolutely composed, putting his hand in his hair again and again to push the wet hair back. He was again wearing a dirty shirt today. How careless he had become- she thought inspite of herself. He, on the other hand, paid no attention to her or Vinod, neither by behavior nor by expressions. He talked calmly and meekly with Siddhant as if they were the only two people in the room.

"Yet another victory in the list of Siddhant Rane!" said Siddhant gleefully. "I had told na, I would settle this matter peacefully for everyone? See Manav, I was never your enemy, but you weren't seeing my point. And I was just doing my job. No hard feelings okay? After all, we have to work together now. I will be representing both of you for divorce by mutual consent- both of you are my clients now."

Manav nodded silently. "What do you want me to do?"

"Fill up all your contact details first while I check the divorce papers."

Manav did everything he was told to do. He filled in his contact details, his new phone no., everything that Siddhant would require. He did not pay attention to anything else at all, unoblivious to the pair of eyes peeking anxiously at him, waiting for some sort of reaction.

"Here." Said Siddhant, extending the papers. "Sign."

Manav drew in a deep breath as Archana waited anxiously. Was he really going to sign?

For a long time, he kept staring at the papers as she waited with bated breath. What was taking him so long?

Finally he placed the papers a little farther from his face and strained his eyes, trying to read them.

"Are you okay?" asked Siddhant, amused.

"Yes, just that I can't read anything. I need specs badly I think. I didn't know my condition was this bad." He said.

"I understand." Grinned Siddhant. "You might not be doing reading on a daily basis. Should I read them aloud for you?"

"Nah, its okay. As it is, we have wasted a lot of time."

"You should never sign papers without reading." Siddhant teased. Now that things were going his way, he was clearly in a good mood.

"Its okay." Smiled Manav. "I trust the Karanjkars."

The words rushed like acid through Archana's veins. She felt like running away from that room. She tried to focus into her magazine, but couldn't read a single alphabet. Manav meanwhile, took the pen and signed the papers.

"Alright then." Said Siddhant. "So now we can go over the rest of the terms and conditions of divorce- property, alimony and so on."

"Do we have to do all this right now?" Archana heard Manav say, as she looked into her magazine. "I'm really not well."

"But I will have to get papers made for alimony.."

"What is alimony?" questioned Manav.

"Alimony is the financial security that a husband is supposed to give his wife when they get divorced."

Manav seemed horrified by this new aspect. Apparently, he had never heard of it. "So, is it necessary to give this.. alimony?"

Siddhant looked at him as if it was the most stupid question in the world. "Obviously!"

Manav looked confused for a minute. Finally he spoke, "I really need time for this. I was not prepared. I have to sort out a few matters."

Siddhant gave an irritated look, but Vinod spoke in. "Its okay Siddhant, we have no problems in waiting, we can keep the discussions for another day."

"As you wish." Manav stood up to take leave. Siddhant offered him his hand and Manav shook it somewhat uncomfortably. "You made a good decision tonight Manav, ab yahan se kahan?"

Manav gave a little sarcastic laugh. "Pata nahin. Back to my lonely life, I guess."

It was at that moment that Archana suddenly looked up at him. All her confusions about him in the past few days suddenly cropped up again like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle, one that she had been trying to solve but hadn't succeeded. Everything shuffled in front of her- how she had never been able to understand the two images of Manav that she had seen, how there had never seen a link between them, how his 'story' and his 'past' had never made complete sense to her, cos they hadn't coincided with his behavior that she had witnessed.

For the first time, she saw the fog clearing away.

For the first time, she saw the two images, the two personalities, the two Manavs, fusing to become one.

As she was staring unblinking at him, he suddenly turned to go away and it was then that for the first time the whole evening, they came face to face with each other, and looked into each other's eyes.

In this world of victories and defeats, humans have various ways of reacting to defeat and the people who defeated them. Some feel angry and vent out all their frustration at the winner. Some break down and cry or get totally disheartened. Some feel ashamed. Some resort to escape mechanisms- blaming god or other people. Some resolve to take revenge.

Manav's reaction was none of that.

The only thing Archana could see in his eyes at that instant was-

No shame

No anger

No revengeful looks

No tears

Only DISAPPOINTMENT. He had the look of a convicted who had been let down by the judge by wrongly being sentenced to death by hanging.

A fleeting glance, a momentary eye lock. Bas.

Quickly Manav evaded his eyes and walked away. As Archana watched him walk away with quick steps, she realized that many things had cleared up, at least for her. It was then that a thought struck her.

Had she made a mistake by going along this divorce?

OH GOD!!!!!!

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

Heaving a little, Manav opened the shutter of his garage. It made a loud sound, and he got soot all over his hands. He looked all around the garage.

Everything was the same as it had been the day the garage had burnt down. The same soot, the same charred machinery, the black walls. Now cobwebs had started dangling from everywhere, and everything was dirtier and dustier than ever.

He shook his head. How much he had ignored it, since all his attention in the past few weeks had been on the court case and Archana and her family problems. He had neglected his garage a lot. Ideally, he should have started working on it a long time back.

He had really axed his feet, he thought. So many times Savita Aai had warned him, that the Karanjkars would not accept him; that he was wrong in keeping expectations from Archana and risking everything, but he had refused to listen. He had gone ahead to save his marriage like a madman. He had done everything in his power. And he had only lost.

He had lost Archana. His family members were miffed with him. His garage had suffered. He had suffered incredible financial losses. He had become a standing joke in front of society.

A tear trickled down his cheek. "I will always listen to you now, Aai." He thought to himself.

He wiped away the tear firmly. No, he wouldn't cry anymore. He needed to do serious disaster control right now. Things had gone wrong, but they could still be reverted back to normal. He just needed to focus on them. He needed to get back to his family and make up with them. The insurance money would come in a few days- so he had to start working on his own garage alongside handling Girishji's garage- after all, Girishji wanted to make him the Supervisor, right? He needed to go to the bank and settle the matter of monthly instalments which, as of now, he was clearly unable to pay. They were two steps away from a financial crunch, and he needed to avoid the impending storm.

He nodded, taking a deep breath. He absolutely needed to move ahead in life now. Archana's chapter in his life was over now and he absolutely had to get over it. He needed to get back to being normal and focus on more important things, rather than wallow in self-pity. The sooner he made a start, the better it would be, for him and for everyone else. It was difficult, but it had to be done.

With these thoughts in mind, Manav rolled up his sleeves and started clearing the mess.

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

In the silence of the night, a cell phone rang. A figure sleeping on the bed with a plastered leg, switched on the bedside lamp and picked up the phone. He listened silently for a while and then laughed evilly. He disconnected and opened a brown leather bound diary kept on the table.

Three names had been written on the back page.

Satish

Varun

Manav

The first two had been cut with a bold red stroke.

With a chuckle, Ajit took a red pen and cut the third name. He then wrote Satish's name after Manav's. He put a question mark next to it.

"Archana," he muttered under his breath. "Your one mistake made you suffer so much, and its still not over. You humiliated me in front of all by revealing that I two timed and wanted to marry for money. You ruined my business prospects, ruined my marriage. I guess you hadn't bargained that you would be paid back in your own coin- that I wouldn't let you get married or let your marriage survive. Your soon-to-be-divorced hubby is just like you- he should have learned from your mistake and not messed with me. The poor dear is suffering now. Even I'm suffering till today. No one wants to give me his daughter's hand in marriage, and I'm yet to stand on my own feet where business is concerned. It isn't over Archana, your punishment isn't over."

He put the pen back, and lay back on the bed with content.

"Just 13 days for the final axe- the divorce!"

************XXXXXXX***************

Okay people, this was part 58. Waiting for comments, feedback and tomatoes.

I'm sorry it got so long. Actually I felt that the impact of the part would reduce if I made it short. I wanted to make every character's feelings known.