Polemic Jackanapes #2: [COMPLETE] Chapter 13-27B - Page 84

Chapter 26

"Yes Jiji... I'll talk to Shashi about it... Yes, I promise... We'll see you next week... Goodnight Jiji."

Garima sighed in relief and put down the phone, frowning as she saw Shashi chuckle at her predicament. "Stop laughing!" she chided, "You can't handle your own sister and pass me the phone, and I have to tolerate all her tantrums and whims."

Leaning back on the headrest of the bed, "You take her too seriously, Garima. She'll forget about this as soon as the next of her fancies finds its way to her." said Shashi casually.

"Not this one, this one seems to be stuck with her like stink on cheese. Our daughters are young. They are yet to live their lives, make their careers. Why would she want them to be married so soon? I mean, Payal is a doctor for God's sakes!"

"I think she is getting back at us for going against everything she and every one else believed in when we were young." Shashi shrugged, and earned himself a smack on shoulder from a visibly angry wife.

"How can you say that!" she bellowed, "Jiji was the only one who supported us throughout that time!"

"I was joking, Garima. Relax." he said as he put his arm around his wife, bringing her closer to bring her head to rest on his shoulder.

"It seems she knows this wonderful man. Yet again. And you won't believe it, this time she suggested we think about Khushi's marriage with Arnav. Because I told her Payal would never agree to a marriage, especially now since she plans to go to the States. Can you believe it? Khushi... our little girl! She isn't even out of college and Jiji is suggesting marriage!"

Garima felt Shashi's arm tighten around her and she moved closer into his embrace.

"There's no way we even think about Khushi's marriage at this point.", Shashi said firmly, his timbre firm and serious this time. "Just tell her that and ask her not to bring it up again at least for the next few years. If she says anything, I'll handle it."

"I think you need to talk to her now, Shashi. This isn't just one of those things she harps about for a few months and then switches to something new. She sounds serious and she has been after it for a long time."

"I'll talk to her, okay?" he reassured her. "I'll put an end to it when we go to her place this weekend."

"It will be difficult. It looks like she is convinced that if we don't get Khushi married, she'll soon be having a child out of wedlock. I don't know whats gotten into her!"

"Her neighbours, I'm pretty sure. Always sincerely concerned about the happenings of others' families. Don't worry Garima, I'll take of this, okay?"

Garima nodded but kept quiet; she got off the bed to fold her saree which was hanging on the chair in front of her dresser.

"You still look worried" Shashi remarked. When would his wife of almost three decades understand that she couldn't hide her worries from him? "Look, neither of our daughters will be married until they are ready. I won't let that happen... don't you believe me?"

Garima placed the folded saree inside the wardrobe and close it shut with more force that necessary. She sat down on the bed again and reached for the bottle of lotion kept near the pillow. She squeezed it roughly to pour some of the lotion on her palms; closing the lid, she placed the bottle back where it was. She bent forward to apply the lotion on her feet, but she could still feel Shashi's eye on her. He wouldn't probe, but he also wouldn't go to sleep until she talked to him.

"I am actually finding it hard to believe you." she said, not bothering to mince words. "I want to, but I am not able to. Not fully."

"Why do you say that, Garima?" Shashi asked, the concern and the disbelief evident in his voice.

Her hands that were still on her feet stilled; turning to him, "What do you expect, Shashi? Your sister supported us when we lived together. She was the last person I expected would insist on us marrying off our daughters because of societal pressure. And you, a man who has always believed in independence and making one's own decisions - you didn't let your own daughter make what was perhaps the most important decision of her life. You decided what she had to do in life. How am I supposed to be convinced that you won't also force her into enter a marriage as long as you think it's right?"

She didn't know when or how the tears found their way into her eyes and down her cheeks, or the way her voice broke towards the end. It pained her even more to watch the shock and the hurt on her husband's face. But she'd rather share what she felt than forcing them both keep on edge around each other.

Shashi was a strong man, one who bent for no one in the world except his wife and daughters. When she saw his shoulders droop and his head bend in dejection, she felt a knife twisting through her own heart. But it had to be done - for their own sakes and for their daughters. She had allowed him to have his way once, but she wouldn't allow Shashi to force his daughters to do anything against their will ever again. Whatever it took.

"You know why I did what I did, Garima." Shashi spoke with some effort after a few long minutes. "Do you think it made me happy to do that? To see her so sad and to watch her so disappointed in me? But it had to be done, Garima. I don't know what I can tell you that I haven't said before. You know everything. I forced this one decision on her so she has the luxury to make every other choice in future without being constrained by anything or anyone. Its already happening, isn't it?"

She looked at him, stunned and speechless. Was he just saying that casually or did he know more? The look on his face betrayed everything; "You know" she said softly and looked away, trying to come to terms with what this could mean. He knew! How? For how long? Why hadn't he said anything? What would he do now?

Shashi smiled softly and stretched his legs; turning to Garima, "I'm her father, Garima. She doesn't have to tell me herself for me to know about what's going on in her life. In any case, I was expecting this. If I am her father, she is also my daughter. No one can really hold her back.", he explained.

"The publisher guy, Karthik called up on the landline once and I happened to pick up. Now stop gaping at me." he added, chuckling.

Garima realised she hadn't even blinked in the last few minutes, so stunned was she. "You don't have a problem with that?", she managed to ask.

"Why would I have a problem?"

"Isn't this exactly what you didn't want her to do? She is writing. She has been in touch with a publisher." she was perplexed. What was going on?

"And the publisher is a cousin of one of her colleagues from where she was working." he said confidently, clearly enjoying the constant widening of his wife's eyes. "And you misunderstand me, yet again. It was never about what I didn't want her to do. It was always about what I wanted to make sure she did do. She isn't quitting college, is she? She is getting that degree. She is working hard on her dissertation. That's all I need."

"You aren't angry she kept this from you?" asked Garima, still trying to wrap her mind around the whole thing.

"I didn't leave her much of a choice, did I? Especially after I forced her to give up that course at JNU. She'll come to me herself when she feels it's time, I'm sure of it. Until then, I wait."

Garima lay down on the bed with a thump, still speechless. What was she supposed to say?

Lying down next to her, Shashi spoke softly. "I honestly don't understand why you look so surprised, Garima. I am not saying something out of the blue, am I? I am saying what I have always said, what I have always maintained. Why do you look so baffled?"

"I don't know what to say." Garima whispered, and turned her head to face him. "I need some time to... understand what you're telling me now. I know everything yet it has taken me by surprise. For now, just promise me you won't force Khushi to give up on her writing this time?"

"I won't. " he promised as he held her hand.

"And you won't ask her to get married."

"That I definitely won't." he said; she smiled and he did too, and then he hugged her close. "Where is she any way? I haven't seen her all day?" he asked.

"She was with her professor this morning. And she is with Arnav now. It seems tomorrow is a big day, something about a case he is handling. I hope this time around things are smooth. God knows that boy deserves all the success."

"He does," Shashi sighed. "You know, Khushi can decide to get married any time she likes. But it's such a relief just knowing that Arnav is in her life. I could never find someone more worthy of my daughter."

"Yes, it's a blessing, isn't it?" Garima smiled. "I always wished that my daughters had with their partners what I have with you. I am glad Khushi has already found that person. I do hope the same for Payal. Do you think this thing she has going on with Aakash is serious? I mean, she hasn't even told us about this yet. It's another matter that this is the worst kept secret in history."

"I don't know, Garima. Payal is not the easiest person to be in a relationship with. Aakash is a nice boy, hardworking but easy going. And I'm not sure if someone like him can be happy with Payal. She is very demanding but holds herself back when it comes to her."

"You are right, Shashi. And sometimes that makes me worried for her. She holds herself back so much, and I understand that she isn't easy to love. How will she ever find someone?"

"She doesn't need to find someone." Shashi replied. "Both our daughters are strong. Khushi, she thrives on love. The love she has for her people makes her stronger. So I'm glad she has Arnav. Payal on the other hand, her strength is regardless of all that. Her passion drives her. Her faith in herself will get her through everything in life. If she still finds herself in need of support, we are always there. But I am very sure, we don't need to worry about her. Our girl is a fighter. Both our girls are." he spoke with a smile on his face, his eyes shining with pride for his daughters.

Garima held Shashi's arm tighter, and asked after some thought, "Do you mind me saying something, Shashi?"

"Of course. Why are you even asking?"

Garima bit her lower lip, trying to think of the right way to phrase what she wanted to tell him. "Please don't get me wrong... But, I wish you had more faith in Khushi. It pains me to see that we have come to a point where she is forced to keep things from you. And I know that hurts her too. I know all your reasons and I understand them, and that's why I stood by you then. But I didn't think it would come to this. I think what hurts her most is the feeling that you don't trust her or her talents."

Shashi blinked when he the tears threatened to choke him; he swallowed painfully and managed to speak. "You know that isn't true, Garima. And one day, she will know it too. But I still stand by what I did. She is a few months away from that degree. Then I will never ask her to do something she doesn't want. More importantly, she will be free to do whatever she wants. I know her, Garima. She is talented but she is idealistic. Idealism is often cruel to anyone who holds it dear. I want her to have something to fall back on if that day ever comes. I know she'd never come to us; instead she'll do anything to keep it from us so we wouldn't be sad. But now, I don't have to worry. I thought you knew this, Garima."

"I do." she sighed again. "It just really hurts me to see you both so sad. I don't know if I can take it much longer, Shashi." she moved closer to him and placed her head on his chest.

"You won't have to. It won't be like this for long, I promise. I'll speak to Khushi soon." he said, rubbing her back softly.

"You promise?"

"I promise."