"And you're sure he understands the situation? He knows his limits?" Daadi had already asked Indu Daasi the same questions twice already, but despite the younger woman's reassurances she still felt conflicted about the plan they had set in motion.
Her cousin-sisters had convinced her that this was the best course to take. Abhi and Pragya both needed a shock to their systems. They were dealing with an urgent situation with far too much hesitation. They needed to be faced with what a future without each other would really look like.
And Pragya, at least, needed to be given a better option than pining after Abhi for the rest of her life.
That was why Angad had been invited to Mehra mansion. He would have the five days until Abhi's tentative wedding with Tanu to woo Pragya - and make her realize that only Abhi was the right man for her. In the meantime, Abhi's possessiveness would hopefully force him to take stronger steps to solve the Tanu problem.
If, somehow, Abhi and Pragya did not behave as expected, then Angad was ready to really marry Pragya. He wasn't there to play with her feelings. If she agreed to the marriage, there really would be a double wedding in the week ahead.
Daadi dearly hoped it wouldn't come to that.
She didn't want to believe that Tanu was pregnant, or that if she was pregnant, that Abhi could be the father of the baby. But even if all the tests were true - and it was hard to believe they could all be false - Daadi didn't think Abhi and Tanu should get married.
There had to be some solution other than that.
She had tried talking to Abhi, Pragya, Tanu and even Tanu's parents to find some compromise that could suit everybody. But Abhi was adamant that he wasn't the father and shouldn't have to do anything about the situation. Pragya was insistent that Tanu and her baby deserved a proper place in the Mehra family. Tanu threatened not just abortion but suicide if Abhi wouldn't accept her, and Tanu's parents had claimed that they couldn't interfere with their daughter's decisions.
With none of them being reasonable, Daadi was left with the underhanded road as her only option.
And though Daadi hated to play games with the lives of her children, she didn't feel she had any other option.
"I promise Didi, he is a good boy. He knows exactly what to do and what not to do. And he is very, very good at what he does. TV star bas yunhi nahin ban gaye, (He's not a tv star for nothing)," Indu Daasi said. Her pride in Angad's achievements shone through in her voice - as well as her conviction that their plan would go as intended.
"Phir bhi...Indu, humein aise nahin karna chahiye," (Still...Indu, we shouldn't do this) Daadi said, still unable to quell her doubts.
"Arre! Didi, you have to stay strong. If you show doubts, then what will happen to Abhi and Pragya? Waise, how did Abhi take it when you explained that Angad is here to court Pragya?"
In her mind's eye, Daadi saw again how Abhi's face had flushed with rage. For a moment he couldn't even speak, and when he finally did his voice sounded just barely controlled.
"This cannot happen, Daadi," he had said, his declaration firm and his tone deadly serious. "Pragya is my wife. I will tear Angad to pieces if he even thinks of marrying her."
She had been heartened to see such evidence of his attachment to Pragya. Taking it as a sign that their plan would work, she had recruited her resolve and continued playing her role.
"You will do no such thing," she had commanded. "Pragya has gone to great lengths to assure your future, and it's only fair we do the same for her. Angad is a good man, and if they get along -"
"They won't."
"- then I can be at peace knowing I helped her move on from you."
"She doesn't need to move on from me! Daadi, I've told you, this is all a lie. Tanu is not pregnant. I certainly didn't get her pregnant. And I am not going to marry her, so Pragya won't need -"
"If that is so, Abhi, then you don't have much time left to prove it. As things are, we cannot risk that Tanu will carry out her threats."
"She's bluffing, Daadi! She's too vain to commit suicide, and since there is no pregnancy there can be no abortion!"
After that, Daadi had used her sternest voice to quash Abhi's protests. She had reminded him that she had not raised him to run from his responsibilities, and pointed out that as he had no solution to the problem the least he could do was respect hers.
She hoped he would take that as motivation to fix things his own way, but when he left the room he was in such a brooding mood that she couldn't tell if he planned to do anything more than sulk for the rest of the time until his dreaded second wedding.
It bruised her heart to see Abhi like this, but she had lived long enough to realize that sometimes such pain simply had to be borne. She was doing what she could to make things turn out right. If it didn't work out...well, that was a different level of pain. And that would have to be dealt with when - or if - it ever came.
Daadi snapped back to the present as she caught sight of Indu Daasi still standing in front of her, waiting for an answer about Abhi's reaction to their plan. Thinking it over, she informed her cousin, "He doesn't like it, Indu. But right now he is so angry and confused, I don't know if he will do what we want him to."
"He will," Indu Daasi says confidently. "He will grow more angry and less confused as he watches Angad and Pragya get closer. And he will do what he needs Didi, I'm sure of it." She squeezed Daadi's hands affectionately and then stepped away to fetch her water and medicine.
"It's time for your pre-dinner dose, Didi," she said cheerfully, pulling the pillbox from the night table drawer.
"Please, let me take care of that, Daasi. You go and freshen up before dinner."
Daadi and Indu Daasi both looked to the door, where Pragya stood with her arm against the door frame.
Daadi felt an urge to burst into a smile, pleased to see her laadli bahu come to give her medicine after several days of melodramatic neglect. But she knew she had a role to play in front of Pragya, too, so she kept her face neutral and her voice even as she said, "Hanh, theek hai. Tu yahaan aja, Pragya, aur Indu tu jaa aur Angad ko bol do tayyar hone ke liye." (Yes, alright. Come here, Pragya. Indu, you go tell Angad to get ready.) She waved at Pragya to invite her further into the room, and nodded to Indu Daasi to hand over the medicines.
"Ji Didi, main jaa rahi hoon." Indu Daasi patted Daadi's shoulder before she left, nodding silently at Pragya as she passed her. She closed the door behind her, and then Daadi and Pragya were left to face each other.
Pragya couldn't hold Daadi's gaze. Instead she busied herself with picking out the right pills, and handed them to Daadi in order as she swallowed one after the other. When Daadi had taken all her medicines, Pragya put away the box and refilled her water glass.
Then, finally, she knelt at Daadi's feet for the second time that day.
Daadi immediately reached out to touch her head in blessing, and then she tipped up Pragya's chin and smiled at her. "Aise nahin, beta. Come up and sit beside me."
Pragya seemed reluctant to comply, but at Daadi's prompting she finally got up. She sat down next to Daadi and reached for her hands.
"Daadi...I never apologized for how rude I've been. I don't know how I can even say sorry -"
"No, beta, you don't have to. I understand now, and it's all forgiven. And we have plenty to think of without bothering on past matters, hmm?"
"Yes...I...Daasi explained to me, about...about your hope that Angad and I will get married."
"I know, beta, I should have spoken with you first before taking such a big decision on your behalf. But there is no force here, you understand? We just want you to spend some time with him, decide for yourself if you like him. If you don't want to marry him at the end of five days, that's fine. I just want to try to give you a happy ending," Daadi concluded, hoping she sounded believable.
"A happy ending...Oh, Daadi. I'm not...is that really the answer? To go from one compromise marriage to another?" Pragya paused and looked down at her lap. Her hands were fidgeting but she didn't seem to notice. "And - and doesn't Angad deserve more? What can I offer him Daadi? My track record as a wife -"
"Not another word." Daadi cut her off. She knew where this was headed, and she would not allow Pragya to keep thinking so negatively of herself. "It was a mistake, my mistake, to bring you and Abhi together in hopes that you could change him. You mustn't blame yourself, when he never gave you the chance to be a wife," Daadi said firmly. "With Angad it will be different. He just wants a quiet, happy life, with a family to call his own. That's all you've ever wanted too, isn't it dear? And that is what you can offer Angad. Your commitment and your honesty. He knows not to expect your heart, but I think, in time, you will find a way to share that too."
"Is this truly what you want Daadi? You want me to move on from - him?"
Daadi took hold of Pragya's hands, squeezing them reassuringly. She met the younger woman's gaze and smiled fondly. "My love, if I could keep you with my as my bahu forever, I would. But we have to face reality. With the baby coming, I cannot hold you bound in a relationship that has no future. So then yes, my wish now is that you at least consider the option of moving forward with Angad."
Pragya took a deep breath, letting out a sigh heavy with heartache. "I - for your sake Daadi, I will try. If he's come all this way just to get to know me, then I'll...I'll spend time with him, with an open mind."
"I would prefer if you could see it for your own sake, beta." Daadi suggested gently. Pragya did not reply. Daadi continued, "But even if for mine, I'm glad you have agreed. Thank you."
Pragya looked up at her with startled eyes. "No - no don't thank me Daadi, please. Not for doing what little I still can to fulfill your wishes."
"Now, now, no more of that Pragya. I know this has all been hard on you, but you know, everything happens for a reason. As difficult as the situation is, we must embrace it and make the best of it." Daadi gave Pragya a hug, patting her back soothingly to reassure her that everything would be fine.
Pragya returned the hug. For one long, silent moment, she rested her head on Daadi's shoulder, as if to gather strength from her. Finally she sat up and said determinedly,"Ji Daadi...as you say. Thank you for - for arranging this on my behalf. It means so much to know I have your love and support in this way -"
"Chup! Beta, if you can't hear my thanks, neither can I hear yours. Let no more be said on this, hmm? Get to know Angad, and decide in a few days if he suits you or not."
"Ji Daadi." Pragya stood up. "I better go see Robin about the place settings for dinner -"
"Oh, no no beta. I have made a different plan or you." Daadi also got to her feet. She made her way to the wardrobe and continued explaining, "Angad will take you out for dinner, so you can start learning about each other."
"T-tonight Daadi? So soon?" Pragya sounded shocked, but Daadi couldn't see the expression on her face as she searched the wardrobe for a certain package.
"Our time is short, beta, so we must use as much as we can!" Daadi answered over her shoulder. "I know it's a surprise for you, but we were going to warn you. Angad's early arrival has disrupted things a little."
"Alright, Daadi. I'll go, since you want me to. Do you need some help there?" Pragya asked, stepping forward to assist her at the wardrobe.
But Daadi had found what she was looking for. She carried the package to the bed and indicated for Pragya to join her. "Since you are starting on a new path on life, I would like you to wear something new, too," Daadi said. She opened the flat white box to show Pragya what was inside.
Pragya gasped. She reached her hand out to touch it tentatively, just brushing her fingers against the fabric. "Daadi...how can I wear this? It's too much."
Daadi shook her head. "Nonsense. It is just the thing." She took the new outfit out of the box and laid it out so Pragya could look at it fully.
It was a deep purple anarkali with extravagant gold detailing. A leaf motif sprawled across the bust, with a tapered gold band defining the waist. The skirt featured a layer of net above the silken inner slip, and the gold band was repeated along the pleats which fell to ankle-length. The long sleeves were sheer, ending in embroidered cuffs. The dupatta was a confection of purple net with a bold zari border in gleaming golden thread.
"I was saving it to give you for a festival," Daadi told Pragya. "But I want you to wear this tonight. You are lovely inside and out, and you should look the part."
Pragya tried to refuse the gift several times, offering different reasons for why she couldn't possibly accept. But Daadi held firm, and finally Pragya accepted it. Daadi gave her another hug before sending her off to get ready in her room.
When she was alone again, Daadi sat down heavily on her bed, holding onto one of the bedposts for support. She looked to her portrait of Waheguru and offered a silent prayer. The plan was now in motion, and they could not afford to fail.
After watching Pragya leave with Angad, Abhi found that he didn't have enough appetite to join the family for dinner.
He mumbled an excuse to Daadi and went up to his studio. There was a song he needed to work on, but instead of picking up his guitar and notebook, he sat down at his drumset.
Pragya's...disclosure kept playing in his mind. He'd really been drunk enough to...to what? Almost force himself on her?
He couldn't imagine it. But...she didn't lie. And she hadn't wanted to tell him.
He thought back to that night, trying to remember how it all happened.He had been angry about that video, thinking that his wife had been sneaking around with a lover. He had drunk a lot in Aaliya's room, and she had told him the world would think he'd been an inadequate husband.
Just as Daadi had told him today, though for completely different reasons.
Or were they different reasons?
He had never given Pragya the best of himself. Never wanted to give her any part of himself, really; had given her, at best, grudging tolerance.
And now...he was going to lose her.
And even Daadi thought that was the right thing.
He couldn't stand it.
And now he somehow had to solve this disaster about Tanu and her supposed baby.
He was sure it wasn't true. It couldn't be true. Tanu was damn careful about protection, she knew the risks. But then again...no protection was truly failsafe. If something really had happened between them that night...
But could he really have been that stupid? That angry and unreasonable, that he took one woman to bed when he wanted another?
He couldn't believe it...but he couldn't know, either.
All these weeks, he had never known what he had done - or tried to do - with Pragya.
It stood to reason that maybe he had in fact done something with Tanu...and just never known.
A sinking feeling of despair made him toss down his drumsticks. He dropped his head in his hands. If even he could no longer believe himself innocent, what hope was there for getting out of this mess?
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