Chapter 3 - A GIrl Nobody Loved
Later that day...
Meher led Ashlesha into her home in Ludhiana. Kuljeet Maan was waiting for them.
"Maasi I'm here!" Ashlesha cried, as she ran right into Kuljeet's arms.
"Ashlesha my child it's so wonderfulfilling to see you again!" Kuljeet exclaimed, as she tried her hand at impressing her niece with some English.
"Wonderful maasi, not wonder-fulfilling," chuckled Ashlesha.
"Han Han...whatever," said Kuljeet. "The driver arrived with your luggage hours ago, aur main sooch hi rahi thi ke tum kahan reh gayi (and I was wondering what was keeping you). Here...let me get a good look at you. You grow prettier and prettier every time I see you. How is your mother? And...Ack!! What happened to your clothes?!"
"Mom is fine, and she sends you her love," smiled Ashlesha. "As for my clothes, we were in Ambala and this guy..."
"You were in Ambala?" asked Kuljeet. Her expression instantly changed from a smile to a frown, as she cast an angry glare at Meher. "I suppose this was all your doing?"
"Woh...I...we just...I mean...the farm...it was on the way...and we only stopped for a little while," Meher stammered. With eyes down-cast, she nervously toyed with the end of her dupatta.
"On the way!" cried Kuljeet. "So that's your excuse?! Because it was on the way?! How many times have I told you that I don't want to hear about you going to Amabala or your mother's stupid farm?! The wretched woman is dead but still not gone from our lives, because you simply refuse to move on!"
"Please...," Meher whispered with tears welling up in her eyes. "I'm sorry. Please don't bring my mother into this..."
"This is my house young lady!" cried Kuljeet. "And I refuse to be told who I can or cannot talk about!"
"Uff ho Kuljeet, what's wrong?" asked Balraj, as he entered the room. "Why are you shouting?"
"Why don't you ask your beloved daughter?" scoffed Kuljeet.
Balraj Maan looked sympathetically at his teary-eyed daughter. "What happened now Meher?" He asked.
"I'll tell you what happened," said Kuljeet. "Ashlesha's mother has called five times already since this morning wondering if her daughter reached Ludhiana safely. I just learned she's several hours late because your daughter decided to take a detour to that cursed farm in Ambala. You know how I feel about her going there, don't you? How much I suffered...we suffered over there! I've worked very hard at getting over our loss, but it's very unsettling when someone goes and brings back the painful memories. But of course...your daughter could care less how I feel."
"It was never my intention to hurt you, I swear," protested Meher. "I only wanted to...be close to Ma because today..."
"Why?! Why?! Huhn?!" Kuljeet didn't let her finish. "Have you forgotten...I'm your mother now!" She turned to her husband and threw her hands in the air. "You see how conniving she is Balraj! She willfully stands between us as a constant reminder of the woman whose place I took. I'm sure she'd love nothing more than to put distance between us, and despite her numerous attempts over the years, I've never let her succeed. What really hurts is that after everything I've done for her, she's never really accepted me as her mother."
"Kuljeet," sighed Balraj. "You're being a little dramatic, aren't you?" He glanced at Ashlesha and offered her a weak smile. "And we do have company."
"Speaking of company...just look at Ash's clothes", said Kuljeet. "It looks as if she's been trapsing around in the mud."
"Actually Maasi...this is just ice...," tried Ashlesha.
"Really Balraj," Kuljeet continued to complain. "I'm at my wits end. I don't know what to do with this child. I thought maybe...maybe if she associated with my niece she'd be exposed to culture and higher society, but no...all she wants to do is run back to that old farm every moment she gets and wander in the fields with the horses like a wild child. It all reflects poorly on us, you know. I'm sure people take one look at her and assume that her mother never taught her anything. Little do they know...her mother really never did teach her anything."
Kuljeet frowned as Meher wiped a tear that had rolled down her cheek, then quickly left the room. Balraj shook his head and followed after his daughter.
"Oh sure, go ahead and cry," Kuljeet called out after them. "Win your father's sympathies and make me look like the bad guy as always! I swear that girl will be the death of me one day!"
Meher ran into her room, dropped down to the floor and sobbed quietly near the foot of the bed. Why did Kuljeet always have to be so mean? She wondered. Over the years she had withstood numerous incidents of abuse from her. Meher recalled how when her father was away at work, Kuljeet would regularly beat her over little things, deprive her of food, and make her clean the entire house. How when her father had once gifted her a new salwar kameez suit for her birthday, Kuljeet had torn the dupatta by pretending to accidently step on it just as Meher was getting up. The other day she had lit a match and held it just inches from her face threatening to burn her with it, because she felt the vegetable curry Meher had prepared had too much salt in it.
Meher seldom complained to her father about her step-mother's misdeeds. He had a weak heart and was under enough stress from work as it is. Kuljeet had also made it clear to her that if she complained her suffering would only increase. Nothing however, hurt her more than when Kuljeet spoke ill of her mother. How she missed her right now! And how she wished she was still alive. Just then she heard someone at her door, and quickly wiped her tear streaked face.
"Knock Knock," Balraj said, as he tapped his knuckles lightly on her door. "Meher, are you alright?"
"Yes Papa-ji", Meher said, giving her father a brave yet weak smile.
Balraj came came in and sat next to Meher, then passed his hand lovingly over her head. "Meher beta, I hope you don't take Kuljeet's words to heart. She has a harsh tongue but she means well."
"It's alright Papa-ji," Meher sniffled. "I'm used to it."
"Meher...," sighed Balraj.
"I'm sorry Papa-ji. I didn't mean to hurt or upset anyone," said Meher. "I was missing Ma so much today, and the farm was on our way home. I just wanted to feel close to her".
"Because it's her birthday today?" smiled Balraj.
"You remember?" Meher asked in surprise.
"12 years Meher," Balraj sighed. "It's been 12 years since your mother passed away, and there isn't a single day that goes by that I don't miss her. I don't say anything because it upsets Kuljeet. For better or for worse, she is my wife now. She came into my life when I was lost and needy, and gave me some sense of direction. She took care of you, when I knew I couldn't do it all alone."
Meher frowned and looked away. "I could have taken care of both of us Papa-Ji," she muttered.
Balraj smiled. "Look Meher," he said. "I know you and Kuljeet don't always see eye to eye."
"Eye to eye? She hates me!" Meher blurted out. Then as if suddenly realizing her out-burst, she lowered her voice. "I mean, I don't know what to do. No matter how hard I try, I can never do anything right as far as she is concerned."
"I'll admit Kuljeet is set in her ways and can be difficult Meher," said Balraj. "But she is your step-mother. Perhaps you can try a little harder."
Meher's mouth fell open in disbelief. He wants me to try harder! She thought.
"She wasn't always like this you know," added Balraj. "I have no one but myself to blame. If only the baby hadn't died..."
Meher saw an agonizingly sad look wash over his face. "You're absolutely right Papa-ji," she said. "I really should try harder." Trying to change the topic, she quickly got up and pulled a small rectangular box from her purse. "I...uh...bought these bangles for Kuljeet Ma while I was in Ambala today, but she was so upset just now that I didn't have the nerve to give them to her."
"Well go ahead and give them to her now," said Balraj, his face brightening up a bit. "I'm sure she'll love them."
"You think so?" said Meher.
"Absolutely," said Balraj. "She is after all your step-mother Meher. She cares about you. She'll appreciate your thoughtfulness."
Meher nodded. She took the box of bangles and slowly made her way to Kuljeet's room. The door was ajar and excited chatter could be heard coming from inside.
"Oh my dear it's absolutely gorgeous!" cried Kuljeet, grinning widely as Ashlesha presented her with a red jewelry box containing a beautiful gold necklace laden with small gemstones. "Your mother has the most exquisite taste." She grabbed the necklace greedily and quickly fastened it around her neck. She was admiring herself in the dressing table's mirror, when she spotted Meher's reflection and frowned. "What are you doing standing outside my door?" she demanded.
"I was just...," stammered Meher.
"...spying?!" cried Kuljeet. She jerked Meher's arm with such force that the box she was holding fell scattering the bangles it contained all over the floor. "Uff ho! What a klutz you are! Now that's another mess you'll have to clean up."
Meher quickly bent down and began to collect the colorful glass bangles. "Ji...woh...actually...I bought these for...maine...maine..."
"Stop stammering like a goat!" cried Kuljeet. "I'm going to take Ash to her room and get her settled in. The poor thing must be exhausted from her trip. When you're done here, go make yourself useful and get dinner started. Come Ashlesha, let's get your bags unpacked. I'm dying to see the clothes you've brought. The latest fashion from London and Paris I'm sure. Oh my Rabs (God)!! I could never afford such things. Chalo, tumhari cheezay dekh ke main bhi khush ho jaoon gi (Oh well, I'll be happy just getting a glimpse of your things)." As she led her niece away, Kuljeet stepped on the bangles Meher had yet to collect, breaking several of them in the process.
You were wrong Papa-ji, thought Meher, as she picked up the broken pieces of glass. Kuljeet doesn't care about me.
Later that evening...
The Maans and Ashlesha were sitting down to dinner.
"Everything looks delicious Meher," remarked Balraj.
"Meher cooked all this?" Ashlesha asked in surprise. "Wow! I'm impressed."
"Thanks...", said Meher, but Kuljeet interrupted her.
"Yes well, we had to let the cook go last year. He was charging us an arm and a leg and your uncle only earns so much," explained Kuljeet. "The hotel shut down for renovations and much of the staff was let go. They kept him, but he did have to take a deep pay cut. Everything worked out well though. I put Meher to work in the kitchen right away...uh...for her own good of course. Being a good cook comes in handy when a girl gets married."
"Mmm," Ashlesha said, as she took a bite of her food. "It really is delicious. I don't know how you do it Meher. You work part-time at the flower shop, tutor kids on the weekends, cook, clean, paint, sew, and do embroidery...Is there anything you can't do?"
"Well, it's not like...", said Meher.
"I taught her everything she knows," Kuljeet spoke up again.
What?! You did not! Thought Meher. As if reading her mind, Balraj patted her hand reassuringly.
"Whoever marries Meher will be one lucky guy," Ashlesha smiled as she took another bite of her food. "Me...I don't even know how to turn on the stove."
"And you don't need to either my love," smiled Kuljeet. "You're Rishap Rampal's daughter. Tumhare papa toh tumhare liye chefs ki line laga sakte hain (Your father can afford to line up the best chefs for you). And I'm sure the young man seeking your hand will be nothing short of a prince. Meher on the other hand...well..."
"Don't you worry about Meher," Balraj spoke up. "Jab Meher ke liye rishta aaye ga sab dekhte hi reh jayenge (Her marriage proposal will leave everyone stunned). Meri beti hai hi itni achi (My daughter is that wonderful)". He smiled as he saw his daughter blush.
"Ho gya (Are you done)?" Kuljeet said, rolling her eyes. "Big dreams don't suit people with empty pockets."
"Well, perhaps our pockets won't be empty for too much longer. I'll soon be getting my full pay back," smiled Blaraj.
"What?" asked Kuljeet.
"I was notified by the head office today that my boss, is finally sending someone to supervise the reopening of the hotel in Ludhiana...one of his sons in fact," explained Balraj. "A fully operational hotel will mean things can go back to as they were before".
"That's wonderful!" smiled Kuljeet.
"Meher...," continued Balraj. "You may even be able to quit your job and go back to university."
"Oh my Rabs!" cried Kuljeet. "Why on earth would she want to do that?"
"But...my final year...," said Meher.
"Now now Meher," said Kuljeet. "It's better to be on the receiving end of money rather than giving it away to some silly institution in exchange for a fancy piece of paper you can only hang on the wall."
"But...," tried Meher.
"The hotel hasn't reopened yet nor has your father's full pay been reinstated. We'll talk about you returning to university when it has," Kuljeet said firmly. "Now...pass me the roti."
Meanwhile...
Preet was lying on one of the double beds in the hotel room, lost in thought, when Gaurav returned from the washroom with a toothbrush in his hand.
"I don't believe this! There is no running water in the bathroom," He complained.
"Hmm...I know," Preet answered absentmindedly. "There's a washroom down the hall that has water. You can use that one."
"There is no air-conditioning either," said Gaurav.
"So, we'll enjoy a bit of fresh air tonight," replied Preet.
"That's because someone left big open spaces in the wall where windows should have been...did you notice that?" asked Gaurav. "What if someone sneaks in at night?"
"We're on the 5th floor," Preet pointed out.
"And what about the mosquitoes?" frowned Gaurav.
"Oh come on Gaurav. Stop being such a sissy," Preet sat up and said. "We already checked a couple of hotels, and none of them had vacancies for tonight, remember? Maybe if we hadn't gotten lost when it was your turn to drive, we would have gotten here earlier and had better luck."
"Hey, it was an honest mistake," Gaurav said defensively. "It was that mean girl's fault. She totally ruined my mood, and I lost my focus. It could have happened to anyone."
"Look, I'm sorry," sighed Preet. "I know you expected the hotel to be in a better state, so did I. Believe me this room is a lot better than some of the other ones I checked. I mean, I thought this place would up and running in a week or 2, but someone has apparently been misleading Prem Bhaiya and Bauji about the status of the renovations here, and I have to find out who and why. I've scheduled a meeting with the managerial staff first thing in the morning. Perhaps we can find out what's wrong and get things back on track. I promise I'll try to find us a better place to stay tomorrow as well, but I'm really tired after the long drive, so for tonight please bear with me."
Gaurav shrugged his shoulders picked up his towel and toothbrush. "Yeah well...I guess it could have been worse," he said before heading out to use the washroom.
Preet smiled as he watched his friend leave, then lay down to rest again. As sleep took over his weary body, his thoughts drifted back to the pretty girl he had seen earlier today. For some reason he could not get her out of his mind.
So there you have it. Hope you all liked the update. Please remember to hit the like button and leave your feedback. 🤗
Chapter 4: Preview: Preet sees Meher again.
Link to Chapter 4: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/129919965
Link to: Table of Contents
Edited by Fatima_Q - 9 years ago
CID
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
