Part 4:
Preeti: I know she broke your heart. She had no choice. Nanu had asked for a pledge and your dad too. She had no choice but to give up what was most dear to her - YOU! But why did YOU GIVE HER UP!?
Shravan squeezed his eyes shut in shame as he walked back to his hotel.
What had he done?
Sumo had loved him all along...and he unleashed all his vitriol on her when she was under so much pressure from all sides. All for what? Because he was hurting? What about her hurt? How could he not see it?
Sumo switched from side to side but sleep never came. Humiliation was burning her up. Yes, she asked people for money, but not from him.
He had thrown money at the problem. Again. This time to appease some kind of guilt, no doubt. She made up her mind, she would throw the money back at his face first thing in the morning.
Yes.
No...no she could not do that. That would prove him right. He always accused her of being irrationally proud at the cost of what benefited her and this money would surely benefit the children. She could not give up all this money when it would buy the kids' books for at least two years. No. Showing anger would also tell him that she still gave a damn.
Shravan got off the phone with Aditi's irrate father. His own Papa came to mind. How could Papa do such a thing? He knew how much Shravan wanted Sumo.
Only because she reminded him of Nirmala Ahuja?
He had told Papa that his heart pined for Sumo since childhood, how could Papa not see that Sumo's departure would leave his heart in pieces?
And every one of those pieces still loved her these four long years...even with the understanding she was spending her days...and nights with Aditya (he wiped a tear).
He recalled all the times he taunted her by calling her "bhabi" during the wedding preparations. How he left bruises on her intentionally every time he grabbed her. He knew his own strength, he knew how a small touch could bruise his little Sumo. How that must have hurt her.
Then Nanaji passed away and what did he do? Just told her that is was good that she and Nirmala "Deviji" was were heading back to Mumbai for the wedding because no one wanted her here anymore.
When had he become so cruel...
So much time, lost forever...
As soon as day broke, Shravan showered, put on some fresh clothes and checked himself out in the mirror.
Shravan whispered to himself: Wish me luck, Nanaji. Aapke beti ko manane ja raha hoon. I will need all the luck you can send my way.
The school was in full swing. He could hear the children rhyming a poem. He could see that little girl from last night through the school room window, apparently this school allowed you to take your doll along to class. It put a smile on his face.
They were mispronouncing everything with their baby voices. It gave him an odd sense of hope.
Shravan walked in.
Seeing the "Headmistress' Office" marked at the far end of the hall, he walked toward it, only to be stopped midway by a large hand right on his abdomen.
He looked down.
Shravan: Hello, Preeta.
Preeta was fuming in silence rage: Get out.
Shravan took a deep breath: I know you are mad at me, I don't blame you. But I want to make amends.
Preeta: And so you strode right in? You think you can just walk in and out of her life like that!? OVER MY DEAD BODY! Get out before I call the police.
Shravan pleaded: Preeta, I am really sorry. I am. Please, mujhe usse milna hai. Bat karni hai...kehna hai ke...
Preeta: I am calling the police (she took out her cell phone).
Sumo interrupted from behind with a scolding voice: Preeta.
Sumo looked warningly at Preeta and looked at the group of teachers gathering to see what the commotion was all about. They made themselves scarce, fast.
Shravan's heart stopped at the sight of her. She was wearing an unreadable expression.
Sumo's skin had goosebumps from the chill she felt, but she was burning up inside.
Sumo: Mr. Malhotra, if you will come with me please...(she gestured).
Shravan's insides trembled. Mr. Malhotra? He was a stranger to her now? He realized that this was really the only time she had even spoken to him directly. Shravan looked at her earnestly and followed her lead in trepidation when she did not acknowledge it.
Sumo could only think of those mahongany eyes looking at her as she led him into her office and shut the door behind them.
They were going to be in one room again, after a lifetime. Sumo got her bearings together and gestured him to sit.
Shravan warily sat down. His Sumo. Only his. Not Mrs. Aditya Ahuja. Never his bhabi. Only his Sumo. He looked her up and down as she went behind her desk, did her back just go a little straighter?
Sumo tried to sound as even as possible: I assume you came for the tax rebate, Mr. Malhotra. Koi peon bhej dete. You did not have to come all this way just for a simple tax document.
Shravan looked at her confused.
Still standing, she signed the form with a flourish and handed it to him roughly - giving him a paper cut. He flinched as the blood oozed out.
Sumo's insides shriveled at the accident but she forced her voice to stay even and offered him no band-aid.
The tension was crackling.
Sumo: My apologies. Please. Here you go, thank you for your generous donation to the children of the Raguvar Tiwari School.
It sounded like a rehearsed speech for donors. Only for him it was extra dry, Shravan noted.
He looked up at her, blinking: I did not come here for this, you know that. Last night...
Sumo joined her hands together: Namaste. Thank you for coming.
Shravan was silenced.
He tried again: Sumo, please.
Sumo, icily: Mistress Tiwari.
Shravan pleaded: Sumo...I don't even know where to start...I know...what I did was...unforgivable, but I didn't know everything. I was heartbroken that you picked Aditya over...me (more silently). Sumo...
Sumo repeated with patience as if nothing else in his words mattered: Mistress Tiwari.
Shravan swallowed hard and looked down: Mist-ress Ti-wari...(he thought he would start again with the present) I did not know. I thought Sahil was...
Sumo: I know what you thought.
Shravan was looking up at her with renewed love. She could see it clearly. It made her bitter now. He was about to be engaged, again. And here he was emotionally pulling her, again.
Shravan got defensive: You didn't tell me about Aditya, how could I have known? I didn't mean to be unkind to the boy...I didn't know that Nanaji asked you to...
Sumo interrupted, incredulous: I am sorry, but who are you Mr. Malhotra? My ex's step brother? (His heart plunged at the reference). My ex-devar-to-be? Why would I tell you of all people that the marriage was off?
Shravan blushed.
Sumo: I am afraid I have a class to teach now. I assume you know the way out?
Shravan sighed: Humara bhi koi rishta tha, Sumo. You could have told me of your troubles. Tumhara mujhpe hamesha se woh haq tha.
Sumo sarcastically: Oh? I am afraid I am not in the habit of telling strangers my...troubles. In any case, I am sure no one wanted me in Delhi (that stabbed him in the right place). I am wanted here, by all these children, and it is to them I would like to get back if you will show yourself out please.
Shravan stood up and tried to talk again, but she was having none of it.
Sumo: Good day to you, Sir.
She walked out when he was showing now signs of taking any more steps.
Not that good, this part, huh?
Edited by Marybarton - 9 years ago
Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki
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