I Want To Breathe – A Sai Joshi TS
Chapter 1-
“I want an heir from the two of you until next Diwali and this is final,” Kaku told or rather ordered Sai and Virat, dominance reeking in her body language.
There were more than a hundred retorts Sai wanted to shoot at all this rubbish being spewed, there were more than a hundred ways Sai wanted to silence Kaku but all of it died down in her throat. She simply couldn’t form any sane words. She was exhausted, very exhausted to even utter a word. She had been brave and had fought valiantly for a year. She had shut the mouth of every person who had dared to force their regressive and orthodox viewpoints upon her. She had said and done everything possible to be a free lioness in this house called Chavan Nivas. But what had it lead to?
Nothing! Absolutely nothing!
Here she was, standing in the huge hall of the huge Chavan Nivas, hearing out Kaku who seemed to be unperturbed by the tears that were rolling down her cheeks. Was she even the same woman who was treating her exactly like a mother treats her adorable daughter just a few days ago?
“Mother, huh,” Sai scoffed with a humourless chuckle and mentally reprimanded herself for believing that this woman could ever mend her ways.
Sai quickly looked around the room to observe everyone’s expressions. Karishma was of course staying in her character and enjoying every second of this free entertainment that was being provided. Sonali and Omkar had this evil smirk on their faces conveying their contentment at the drama that was getting unfolded. Patralekha had this absolutely horrified expression on her face but Sai knew it was not of support or sympathy. It was one of disbelief and fear, fear that her loving brother-in-law cum ex-boyfriend may get laid that night. Once again, Sai humourlessly chuckled, this time with a little anger. Mansi Bua had this blank and stoic expression as if she wanted to leave right away and listen to her favorite pop music. Ashwini Aai, Ninad Baba, Mohit, Shivani bua and Samrat, all held a similar expression on their faces. Their faces showed displeasure and worry but only Sai’s Samrat Dada seemed genuinely sad for both her and Virat, especially her. Rest of them were worried for the wrong thing it seemed. Sai was too scared to even imagine Virat’s reaction. She didn’t even try to look at him. What if she was met with grave disappointment?What if she saw something that would break whatever little that was left of her soul?
Why can’t things, for once be smooth and placid for her?Why did life ruthlessly subject her to endless suffering and agony every time things seemed to get better? With Kunal back and Virat becoming her pal, a new emotion filled her being, an emotion that was relatively new to her- Hope. Sai was just too scared to hope, this word haunted her as much as the word ‘loneliness’ did. But still, this time she had hoped that with Kunal’s useful guidance and Virat’s prudent and heart-warming behavior, her relationship with her Virat Sir would get better and it even was. There was no more bitterness, no ugly fights and no more trying to kill each other with words. No more screaming, shouting or mocking. There was just warmth, care and affection and she now knew things about him she never knew in an entire year. She was finally able to breathe freely with her heart’s contentment but, alas! Once again, all her hope came crashing down. Here she was, standing in front of the entire family, being humiliated and spoken to as if she were some commodity to be used.She was being ordered in the most derogatory manner one could imagine. It was unbelievable that she was being told to produce a baby when she was just 19 years old. What did Kaku think of her as? Some baby producing machine? What she wanted was to fulfill her Aaba’s dreams and set his soul at peace. She wanted to chase and achieve her aspirations. Giving the insane family an heir in return of a stupid pearl necklace was not what she wanted. Forget that, she didn’t even share any such kind of a relationship with her husband who was now her friend. Even before she could see their relationship in a new light and let it grow organically, Kaku had successfully killed whatever progression she had made.
As anger, anguish, sadness and embarrassment rolled down her cheeks in the form of tears, the only thing she wanted was to run to her father and stay in his embrace forever. She knew that he was the only one who could wipe her tears in the truest sense. With time, even her tears would evaporate but what about the immense agony her heart held?
She was brought out of her reverie when she heard Virat’s voice for the first time since Kaku’s inconsiderate order.
“Kaku, why are you even doing this? Sai has just recovered from an accident and all what we share right now is a platonic relationship. So why even discuss this topic when it is practically void?”Virat asked with discomfort and despair evident in his voice. He could very well see Sai being extremely upset and all he wanted to do right now was to calm her nerves and soothe her soul.
“The matter is not void, Virat. It has been made void by you and your wife. I am pretty sure you have no issue with having a normal marital relationship. Sai is the one with issues and that’s why I am clearly telling her to sort whatever issues she has and become a mother to your child until next Diwali. This friendship saga of yours is something I will never appreciate nor agree with. Sai has to fulfil all the duties of being a good daughter-in-law and I want no more excuses or arguments on this matter. Better see your relationship in the light in which it is supposed to be seen.” Kaku ended her short speech with firm authority in her voice. She spoke to Virat but her words were for Sai, something which Sai understood quite well.
Virat had nothing much to say in response. He had tried to stay calm and tackle the situation in his own way and had of course, failed miserably!
Sai was disheartened hearing all this. Kaku’s words were like spears which caused a lot of damage to Sai’s heart. And she then decided to do something she had recently learnt to do. Endure!
“Okay, Sai, life is once again throwing you in a pool of mess. Try to stay brave and not react much, after all this something you are habituated with, isn’t it?” With this thought in her mind and eyes filled with a fresh set of tears, she silently turned back to retire to her room when she was met with what could be best described as a shock.
There he was, with clenched fists and his face boiling in sheer rage, his eyes so red that blood might just pour out of them. Dr. Kunal Mahajan stood near the door of the mansion, ready to spill some facts to the imbecile bunch of residents of this mansion or rather, ready to EXPLODE!
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So here we go with the first chapter! So I had written the first draft of this chapter with the introduction itself. You see,I was very excited to write the last part which is a full-blown confrontation and that's why I hurried with the first part🤣. But then on re-reading, I was not really satisfied so I edited some parts and added some lines. Now I think it is better than before but I would love to read your views on this chapter which was not really easy to write. Writing someone's pain is difficult, you know😔
And yes, last part will be delayed because I am going to write it slowly. That bloody confrontation is the reason I even wrote this story! So till then, see ya :-)
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