Chapter 9- The Mirror "Mom" Gautham looked on as Supriya walked in. " What do you think I am an idiot not to understand any of you. Not to understand that all of you are in deep trouble. I am a mother Gautham" " Mom Sreedhar and Suman.. " " I know " Supriya cut him in between. " Gautham a mother senses a lot. You used to bring your friends here from the time you have joined college. But girls, girls have come always from your batch. The day you bought Aleena and Suman to the house on a weekend for lunch with Kailash and Sreedhar I had red alerts running. Only thing was to ascertain who. And to be frank I was suspicious of you and Kailash. Not at all Sreedhar. But then I knew it was him. You will ask how. Once when you had come here and I was serving hot water fell accidently on Suman's hand, and the pain was most in Sreedhar's eyes , that he couldn't get up and hold her hand, which Aleena was doing.She walked upto Sreedhar and held his shoulder. Sreedhar fell on her shoulder and cried. Supriya could see the other 3 was also breaking down. She called them to her. And allowed them to shed their tears and pain. Once settled, she took Sreedhar and made him stand in front of the mirror.
" Sreedhar look into the mirror" Sreedhar looked. He looked miserable in every way. Eyes were red, shoulders stooped, hair dishelved" he looked a complete mess. He didn't like himself, he was never like this. He was never so forlorn. Success was his middle name. But he failed, failed miserably in the most important aspect of his life. He couldn't protect the woman whom he loved, whom she has trusted.
" Success is your middle name Sreedhar " told Supriya aunty.
" Aunty you still stay success is my middle name. You told a thing. That will Suman come if you call. No she wont. And interesting point is that I wont call her. I cannot call her. If I do that I will be jeopardizing her character and my family's honor. Already she is shut in a room. If something of this is known in my place she might be dragged and burned. I don't even know how my family will take it in the given circumstances. My parents might not take it lightly "
" Beta I didn't ask you to call her. The fact you cannot call her, does that make you a failure. No. I just wanted you to realize in this condition accepting yourself a failure you cannot win her back. Look Suman might have given up. But you need not give up. You can still fight the battle. In your way. For that you need self belief. You have to have strength not only for yourself, but you have to be her strength also. You loved her. She loved you. Well in present circumstances forget that aspect. Try to be a friend from distance without disturbing anything. First thing Suman needs is confidence. From the room, bring her outside. Secondly her fear will have to be addressed. That nothing will happen to you, if you marry her. It will be a very difficult thing to do, which you might not be able to do. For that you have to create allies within the system with your actions. You can reunite with her only within the system Sreedhar. And that battle you have to wage. For your sake, for her sake. You cannot be weak. And as a first step all you please wash your face and come and have food" she hugged Sreedhar and looking at others told " Now you 2, don't give him any fancy ideas. I know Sreedhar, he is not like you both" Gautham and Kailash were looking down. " Aleena beta please come and help me to lay the table " Aleena nodded and followed Supriya aunty.
Suman opened her bags. She had not opened them at all. Well she didn't needed them. But now to teach Namrata she will be needing her dance notes, her ghungroos. She took them and she took Ghungroos, a pair of payals fell. She took those payals.
" Suman a solo performance for me. Today is full lit moon" Sreedhar was smiling at her and they were on the terrace of ladies hostel
" Sreedhar for what I will dance and if the sounds of my ghungroo is heard. Warden will come. I have told you not to come at night sneaking around. When I came here I have heard Sreedhar Varma does not look at girls. But look now what is Sreedhar varma doing"
He held her by waist put fingers on her lips " They told Sreedhar varma doesn't look at girls, but now Sreedhar is in love, he is not looking at any girl, he is looking at his gf, his would be wife. Well if you had that much problem, who asked you to come to terrace" she held her head on his chest " You know I will come, but I cant dance "
" You will dance look here. " He had a pocket Walkman. " And no ghungroos is needed, payal is enough. You are not dancing to the audience. Only for me"
Suman came out of her reverie and she stared at the mirror in front of her. Open hair and white dress. She broke down once again. She had no right to dream
Mangal Lakshmi
Bade Achhe Lagte Hain
