Distorted Lives..... FOUW...Link to Thread 2 Updtd - Page 29

Part 7

Goodbyes

Sameera dreaded entering the living room knowing she was here for the last time. Her luggage had been packed and shifted into her old apartment where she used to live before marrying Maan. Daadima smiled as she saw both of them walk in together but her old eyes could not miss the tension between the couple. Wanting to ease the situation Daadi called out,

Daadi:" Arey you both are home early? Did you go out together somewhere?"

Both of them were trying to as if avoid answering the question. Savitri Devi could no longer avoid the issue. There had been problems in their marriage life but since last three months it had increased. She had hoped her grand child will be able to solve his marital issues. But right now she wasn't getting any good vibe from the couple. Sighing loudly she said in a serious voice," Sit down. I think we need to talk."

Both sat. It was such a thick silence that you could actually cut it with the knife. Sameera was sitting facing the floor and Maan was just running his hands into his hairs.

Daadi:" What is it? "

Maan looked up at Sam who gestured positively. Taking a deep breath Maan finally said the words," Daadima, we are getting divorced."

Daadi:" What?"

Maan:" Yes Daadima, we are getting divorced."

Daadi:"Why? I mean what is so wrong in your marriage that you cannot possibly recover?"

They were both silent.

Daadi:"Maan I am asking you something. Sameera at least you answer me. I mean you both had a love marriage. What could have possibly gone wrong for you guys to think about divorce?"

Sameera who was continuously looking down at the ground looked up finally.

Sam:" Everything can change in three years Daadima. I and Maan, well there's too many issues between us."

Daadi:" I don't want to intrude your privacies. But do you both think that divorce is the only way out? Can't you work on your marriage, may be trying and find a way out for your issues."

Sam:"Some issues cannot be resolved Daadima no matter how bad we want them to resolve."

Daadima:" Maan, don't you have anything to say?"

Maan:" Sam is right Daadi. We tried. You know things had been rough between us from last few months. Well some things changed in past two weeks. We had tried but some things cannot be undone."

Sam looked up and nodded silently agreeing to Maan's words.

Daadima sighed.

Daadi:" I am disappointed Maan and Sameera. I think I taught you better than to give up on relationships Maan."

Maan: "I am sorry Daadi. I know it sounds really lame coming from my mouth but I did try to make this marriage work."

Sam:" Don't be so harsh on Maan, Daadima. All I am saying is that we both are equally responsible for this divorce. We both have done mistakes we cannot undo."

Daadima:" Maan you still want to let this girl go? She is still siding you even when you are on the verge of getting divorced."

Maan:" Sameera is and always will be my best friend Daadi. But we have taken this decision after a lot of thinking and discussions. It was a mutual decision Daadi and we both are equally responsible for it."

Daadi:" You both are adults and it's your life... All I can say is that you are making another mistake. What you still have, majority of people in this world don't have that and are still married."

Sam:" Daadima you know me. I don't want to just settle for something in my life. This marriage is making both of us unhappy. In the last six months the only time we had talked like a husband and wife were when we were discussing our divorce. You know that Daadima. I know you have seen us fight and stay aloof from each other. I don't want to be in a relationship that makes me unhappy. I would rather break it and give both of us an equal chance at finding happiness."

Maan: "I agree with Sam Daadima. I would rather be her best friend and make her happy than be her husband and make both of us unhappy."

Daadi:" I hope that you are taking correct decision. Sameera beta, no matter what the equation is between you and Maan, you will always be welcomed in KM and you will always find a Daadi in me. Our relation shouldn't change because of this divorce."

Sam:" Not in a thousand year Daadi! You had been a mother to me after I lost my mom. I love you Daadi."

Daadi:" So... when??"

There was again a pregnant silence before Sam spoke out.

Sam:" I am leaving tomorrow early morning for my shoot and would directly go to my previous apartment from there... This is my last night in KM."

Daadima stood up and gave a motherly hug to Sameera.

Daadi:" I am not sure if we will meet tomorrow beta. But I bless you with all my heart for finding the happiness you are searching for. Don't forget this old daadi ever."

Sam:" I will never forget you Daadima. You make it sound like we will never meet. But Daadima we are going to live in the same city... We will always meet."

Daadi:" Hmm... Have you told about this to Annie?"

Maan:" No Daadima. We will talk to her after dinner tonight. Hope she understands."

Daadi:" You know how immature she is. It is going to be tough to explain her things."

Sameera:" Actually Daadima, Annie is too young. She still believes in fairytales and happily ever after. I don't know how we would explain her that life is not a fairytale."

Daadi:" You can't explain that to someone. Only way someone can learn that harsh truth is when life teaches you stuffs like that. Look at you both. Five years ago if anyone would have told you that you are not meant to be's then you would have laughed at that person yet here you are ready to get a divorce."

Maan:" Nothing is a lie a Daadi. That was the truth of five years ago and this is the truth of today. None of us can deny that I and Sam had loved each other. "

Sam:" Loved is the keyword. The fact that Maan is using it as a past tense is the reason our marriage can't work Daadi. "

There was again a silence as none said a word. Daadima left for her room while Maan and Sameera looked at each other wordlessly before proceeding towards their bedroom last time as a couple.

Once in the vicinity of the room nothing but silence engulfed them as Sameera stood stupefied. She had decorated each corner of the room with many dreams and those were just shattering in front of her today. But she didn't want to be weak. She loves Maan enough to let him go. The moment he had uttered that he did not love her anymore Sameera knew she won't be able to stay. Her pride wouldn't let her stay with a man who did not want him. If he is not happy with her, then she cannot be happy with him either.

Maan was watching Sam minutely. He had wanted to give the marriage a chance but that was more for the society but he couldn't help but feel a certain kind of relief as they art their ways. The marriage had made them bitter. He did not want to feel bitter about Sam. He had loved her once, loved her enough to marry her or even think of starting a family with her. Today, if he cannot love her then at least he wanted to respect her however their personal choices were at war with each other. They were too strong personalities to bend down. May be that is the main reason behind this divorce.

Maan:" Umm... Sam..."

Sam:" What Maan? Do I get a goodbye speech now?"

Maan was silent.

Sam:" I don't need a good bye speech Maan. I hate goodbyes, especially the ones without a promise of reunion."

Maan:" I am sorry Sam for hurting you..."

Sam:" Maan...don't... I want you to remember us without any guilt feelings. What we had... it was special at least to me..."

Maan:" It was special Sameera...you were special...but "

Sam:" I hate this statements ending with but. They always complicate things. So, why not we quit it at this? That would maybe salvage whatever is left of it."

Maan nodded his head and they both went on with their respective works. A strange silence filled the room. It wasn't that of neither the thick uncomfortable one nor the peaceful one saying million things words cannot convey... This was the type of silence that fills the emotional gap between two people who had moved so away from each other that they cannot even come back even if they tried... This was the silence between two people who has nothing left to say.

******

Annie had sensed their distance for a long time. First it was her Maan bhai who had suddenly stopped going for Sameera's premiere shows or other programs and then it was her bhabhi who stopped attending Maan's business parties even if it was hoisted by the khuranas. Then both had turned into serious workaholics not as if they had been any better earlier. However they had grown apart more tangled in their own world each too stubborn to accept that maybe they had needed the other.

But now when they announced their impending divorce Annie realized how much apart they really are. Annie didn't say a word, just quietly finished her dinner and left to her room. Even if their relation hadn't been very cordial in the initial days but Annie had grown to love Sameera as the elder sister she never had. Now she felt betrayed. Was it so easy for Sameera to leave the house?

Unknowingly tears slipped out of her closed eyes when she felt someone enter the room. Annie knew who it might be but she did not lift her head up. For once annie was not ashamed of her tears.

Sameera:" Annie..."

A silence answered her query.

Sam:" Annie... don't you have anything to say?"

Annie:" Do you even want to hear what I have to say?"

Sam:" You are my little sister. Of course I care about you and you're every word, even the unsaid ones."

Annie:" I feel otherwise."

Sam:" Why?"

Annie:" I was the last to know... Freaking last one, bhabhi."

Sam:" Does it matter?"

Annie:" Even that idiot divorce lawyer knew before me."

Sam:" Annie, answer me. Does it really matter?"

Annie:" I thought I was more than just your sister in law?"

Sam:" Do you truly think you were the last one to know? I feel you were the first one to know about the drift in my and your bro's relation Annie."

Annie:" But still...Divorce is such a big step. You could have told me earlier you know. Maybe, before you were packed and all ready to go away."

Sam:" What is divorce really? It is a legal document separating two persons whose heart had done the job long time ago. You knew when it started and was barely noticeable. You were there with me in each stage of the wreckage. Does it matter now anymore?"

Annie:" I don't want you to go."

Sam:" Wake up call Annie... Fairy tale romances aren't real. Happily ever after doesn't exist. Real life sucks. It's harsh and painful and you find loneliness as your only true friend."

Annie was quiet. Sam sat beside her after venting out. Once Sam regained her wits she however held Annie's hand and said," I promise you something though Annie. Our relationship will never break. We don't need Maan as a common thread to have this sister bond with each other. Only difference is that you can call me di since I am no longer your bhabhi."

Annie:" You are my bhabhi even if you are divorced with bro."

Sam:" Clinging on to relationships will only increase complications Annie. Better accept the reality as your first step towards growing up."

Sam had an early morning flight so she got up to leave. She did not want to vent out but it seemed like Annie was talking to her like how years ago how she herself would have talked. It kind of reopened the wounds she had stitched carefully.

As she was about to walk out she heard a firm voice speaking," Call me stupid Bhabhi but I still haven't lost my faith in love. Fairy tales are over rated and happily ever after is a clich but love...now that is an entire different thing and I still believe in it. "

Sam looked back to watch the conviction in Annie's eyes and said softly," For your sake Annie, I hope you are right about love. Goodbye..."

And just like that all goodbyes were done and Sameera Khurana was ready to leave the house, the man she loves and her surname and everything associated with it taking along with her only what memories can hold... But she was lucky at least she need not have to let anyone know ever how broken she was from inside. She was a strong woman and she would leave this house exactly like she came in...Head held high and without looking back...