*****
Chapter 1
"Mummy!" the girl got down from the school bus as fast as she could to race to her mother who was waiting by the bus stop.
"Pooja! Be careful!" said the mother, adjusting her shawl as she hunched down to her daughter's height to cup her face gently and shower kisses to fill the void of her hours in school.
"How was school?"
"Ugh! As boring as ever! Do you know what our Maths teacher did today? She..." and the banter started as she filled in every detail of her in school, her mother nodding approvingly on her side as she held her hands to walk to their apartment.
"Mummy! Let me press the key," said Pooja as she entered the elevator with her mother.
"Ok!" she replied encouragingly.
She rose on her tip toes to reach the buttons but couldn't.
"I hate how high this is!"
"It's because small children should not come to the elevator alone. Here let me help you!"
"This is not the case in my school," she mumbled as her mother picked her up and let her press the button.
Eagerly, Pooja pressed the number to their floor.
"Happy now?"
"Yes, You are the best mom!"
"And, you are the best daughter!"
"I know!" she said putting out her tongue playfully.
They laughed as they exited the elevator on to their floor.
Life couldn't be more perfect, that was until 5 days later.
*****
"Where is dad, mom?"
Priya froze.
She dreaded this day every year. Father's Day!
She had expected to have a sensible conversation, but not this soon. What was she to tell her? And she hated lying to her daughter.
"Pooja..."
"Save it, mom. I know you are not going to tell me. But, it was worth a try. And don't start worrying. I'm happy with you and that's all that matters."
"Pooja, I'm sorry!" she wiped her tears as she bent down to pull her daughter to a hug.
"But...Is he alive?"
To be truthful, she didn't know. But, nevertheless she nodded.
Pooja felt her mom nod against her hair, pleased she returned the hug.
*****
"It's Ramsan mom! I have 2 months holiday. Let's go somewhere. Last time we went to Singapore."
Ah! The Ramsan holidays! How did she forget about that! In UAE, that was the time of holidays and she and Pooja had always been away to some country for vacation.
"But Pooja! We haven't applied for visa and we won't get it in the last minute."
Pooja frowned.
Two months in Dubai?!
No way!
It will be utterly boring.
All they could do in Dubai was shopping and that was one thing that Pooja hated most.
"We could always go to India. We don't need visa," she said thoughtfully.
That did it.
That made all the fear bottled up in Priya come out.
"Ow!" screamed Priya as she cut her fingers.
"Mom, you were supposed to cut lady's fingers not your fingers. Wait! Let me get the ointment!"
She was least bothered for her fingers.
The question lingering in her mind how was she to convince Pooja otherwise?
India.
The one place she didn't want to return to.
The one place Pooja shouldn't be at.
The one place that once she called home.
The one place where Pooja's father was.
*****
In a far away land, to be exact, "Chennai", in a bar,
"Ashok! What are you going to do? It's your girlfriend he is marrying," said a very drunk friend'.
"This marriage won't happen," said Ashok in a menacingly low voice, taking yet another sip of his whisky.
"Are you serious? How are you going to stop this stupid wedding?"
"I have a plan. Don't worry. That Arjun will hate his life, after this."
"But, why wait till the last minute?"
"So that he will be humiliated beyond repair!"
"How?"
"Wait and watch!" he said winking.
"Ok! Ask any help you need."
"I need a girl. Any girl. But I also need a leverage against her."
"Leverage?"
"Yes. Something that I can use to black mail her."
"Hm..."
*****
Back in Dubai,
"Pooja! Please eat!"
"Not until you agree to go to India," said Pooja crossing her arms around her chest and pouting.
"Ok! Fine! Next week!"
"No tomorrow."
"Pooja!" she said warningly.
Pooja was least bothered as she began to walk away.
"Alright. Eat now!"
"Book the tickets first!"
"Fine," she said dejectedly as she made her way to her laptop.
*****
Chennai.
That could be safe.
After all it was Bangalore she dreaded.
She turned to face her overly excited daughter.
"Eat now and then go pack. We are going to India by tonight's flight."
She smiled at her daughter as she squealed in delight.
Maybe it wouldn't be bad after all.
All she could do was hope.
(To be continued)
Part 2
*****
Author's Notes : Yes, Dubai has bus stops. Don't let Vadivelu fool youđ!
Edited by Gisel - 10 years ago
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
