Inkaarverse : Black Coffee without sugar, a Rakhi and Kinjal story

Kinjal was nervous.

She shouldn't be feeling like that, it was kind of stupid. Why was she nervous in front of her own mother?

"No." She thought, she wasn't nervous about talking to her mother.

She was scared of facing The Maya Dave, the corporate shark, the entrepreneur, the force to be reckoned with, the one who didn't take crap from anybody.

She had seen her mother's business persona in action, and while she was in awe of her strength and ruthlessness, she didn't want it to be targeted at her.

But kinjal didn't have anywhere else to go. If someone could solve her dilemma, it was her mother.

Rakhi was studying Kinjal. She knew something was bothering her daughter. She wasn't known for being patient when it came to work, but for her daughter, she always made time. "If only she tried to understand my perspective... "... Rakhi sighed in her mind.

" Mom...... "... Kinjal tried... But words seem to fail her. She didn't have the courage the tell her mother about her dilemma.. .. She fumbled... And instead asked her, " How can you stand that black coffee? It's so bitter. "

Rakhi smiled. She daintily sipped her coffee and closed her eyes, content with the flavor.

" Bitterness is just part of the parcel baby. It's the strongest suit of the coffee. But once you start understanding it's depth, your taste buds will open up to a world of wonder. You will taste the strength of it's roots, the nuttiness of the pod, the harsh and gentle weathers where the plant grew, the summer breeze, the frosty winters, and the blissful springs.... It's all in there.

This is coffee in it's rawest... Most naked form.... With no artificialness".

Kinjal looked intently at her mother. It seems they weren't talking about just coffee anymore.

"You know kinjal, you should try it sometimes, you live with so much artificialness these days, a little bitterness will awaken your mind."

Kinjal looked down at her lap, her hands folded, fingers interwined. She took a deep breath, now or never.

"Why did you stay with dad after he cheated on you? "........ There she said it.

And to her surprise.... Rakhi started cackling... Like it was the funniest joke she has ever heard.

" That what you wanted to ask?... Hahaha.... "... She exclaimed.. Trying to catch her breath.

" Ohh sweety... I did it because you deserved to have your father close to you. But I have regreted that decision everyday of my life. If I could go back, I would have kicked that good for nothing man out of our lives. "

Now Kinjal was rendered truly speechless.... That's what Rakhi felt about her dad?

Rakhi glanced at Kinjal's face, sensing her confusion and continued,

" I should have told you all this long ago, but in my intention of protecting your innocence, I ended up failing you. "

" When I found out about his affair, all I wanted to do was divorce his a**. But you were still very young. I thought, by staying with him, at least you would have your father and I could keep an eye on him. I wasn't active in the business those days. "

"Well he did get involved in fatherhood, but only in the fun part. When you were playful and happy, he would play with you, only to handover you to me once you started crying. He was never an involved parent. "

" Then one day, I found out that he accumulated a huge debt, trying his hand in different business ventures which failed back to back, and we were going to lose everything."

"I wanted to give you a secure future... So I got involved in business.. I had to struggle a lot, I gave up sleep and sometimes food too, just to get out of the hole your dad had put us in, you were in school by then and i couldn't spend a lot of time with you.. And it was breaking my heart.. But i had to keep the roof over our heads. "

"You used to go to your friends homes, see their mothers in kitchen... you would ask me why I didn't cook for you everyday... But baby... You never asked your dad the same question. You never noticed that your friends had responsible dads. You never noticed that your dad sat on the couch all day and didn't go to office. That he never helped me with anything. "

" By the time I got our finances on track, you were a teenager. You got busy with your friends and studies, you were friends with your dad, but barely talked to me. "

" I learned to live with it. Not gonna lie, it hurt seeing you so open and accepting of a cheater, but you are your own person. I focused on my life and business.. It gave me purpose. "

"But baby, I shielded you from ugliness from life so long, that you couldn't even recognize it when it stared you in the face? "

Kinjal was confused... " What do you mean mom? "

Rakhi tool another sip of her coffee, she neeed her strength for next part.

"When you brought Paritosh here, I talked to him privately, tried to understand him as a person,..... And he reminded me of your father. "

" He was in awe of my wealth, the splendor of our home. When I asked him about his future plan, he was intent on marrying you, but didn't say a word about his career aspirations. You both were doing MBA, but he couldn't answer simple questions about corporate world. He was just directionless."

"And the cherry on top was the Shah family... Oh gosh.... They should be named TamaShahs"

Despite the direction of the conversation, Kinjal chuckled at the remark... Rakhi was right somehow.

" You totally ignored how everyone was so dependant on Anupama, but treated her like dirt. I could see that Paritosh and Vanraaj were completely embarrassed by her, Baa was openly abusing her, pakhi was a brat.... And you thought this was an ideal family to become a part of... I couldn't believe it. For such a brilliant mind, you were really foolish. "

Contd......

Contd....

Kinjal gulped and looked down uncomfortably.

"And worst of all... You were idolizing Anupama.... Who couldn't even stand for herself. Who accepted abuse in the name of family"

" I cursed myself for not divorcing your father that day. If only I kept him away, if only I had told you the whole truth, maybe you would have known what a normal, loving family is like."

"Is that why you were against my marriage? " Kinjal couldn't help but ask.

"Yes.... And since you made Anupama your hero, I knew she will mold you like herself. You would become a doormat who will take anupamas place. "

"I am not a doormat mom! "

"You are not? Then why didn't you press charges when Toshu stole your money? Why didn't you file a case of kidnapping against him? Why didn't you file a case of harassment against Dholakiya? Why didn't you speak for yourself and demand more help around the house when anupamas mom was sick? Why did you ignore my discomfort when that creep mama was drooling on me? Why did you keep quite when baa was calling your own mother A Naagin! "

Kinjal looked at her mom wide eyed.... Her mother's infamous temper now on full display... And she was the target.

" You claim to be independent kinjal, but all i see is another anupama. Just this one has a job. "

Kinjal gulped, before asking another question, " You know about Toshu? "

"Ahh.... Of course I know. He tried to use my name for his business in the beginning, I put him in his place. If he even thought about using my brand, he will be neck deep in lawsuits. "

"Mom, you would really do that to him? He is still legally my husband. "

Rakhi scoffed, " Husband? Please.... If he was truly a husband, he wouldn't have behaved like this. He is an incompetent parent, an unreliable employee, a gold digger , a cheater and a con man, but he isn't a husband. I am not like Anuj Kapadia who lets a stupid man like Toshu sully his business name. "

" Look kinjal, I know my opinion doesn't matter to you. You are free to live your life. But ask yourself... Do you want Pari to grow up surrounded by the Shahs? Do you want to spend your youth in that house, being their breadwinner and their maid? "

What was Rakhi saying?... She wasn't a maid, if we ignored Toshu, the Shahs loved her and treated her well.

Rakhi could sense her confusion, she tried to control her temper and explain another way..

"Tell me kinjal, what will you do once you reach home? Give me a list of your chores. "

" Well that's easy, I will buy veggies on the way, when I go home I will put everything away, then I will give Pari a bath, feed her and put her down for a nap. Then I will get the clothes inside and iron them and fold them. Then I start making dinner... I also have dishes to wash..........

She trailed off...... Starting to realize what her mom was trying to say.

"I won't stand in your way baby...all I want you to do is think carefully and re evaluate your life. I know toshu is creating problems for you everyday there.. Do you want pari to think that it's normal?"

Rakhi was done for the day.... Now the ball was in kinjals court. Let's see if she makes a rational decision.

Kinjal got up and hugged Rakhi.

"Thanks mom. " She said sincerely.

Rakhi smiled contentedly, closing her eyes. Kinjal rearely talked to her, such hugs were even rare.

Kinjal left for shah house soon. Instead of buying veggies on the way, she stopped at a coffee shop. She placed her order and sat down at a table, opening an app on her phone and ordering groceries online.

" Here's your black coffee mam. " She looked up and thanked the waiter. She took a sip of her beverage, making a face at the bitterness but continued drinking. She had finished half her cup... By then she started understanding what her mom was talking about.

Her phone rang, Kavyas phone no. Flashing on the screen.

" Hi kinjal, I am going to Mrs. Savitris home today, her husband is a CA and has agreed for a consultation. Do you want to come with me? "

" Yes, let's go together. I will order some thalis for tonight's dinner." Kinjal replied.

Part 1- page 1

Part 2-page 2

Part 3-page 3

Part 4-page 4

Part 5-page 4

Last part-page 6

Wonderful👏simply loved it ❤️

And I won't lie but you are such a brilliant writer, you made me want to have black coffee and I actually hate it🤣🤣

What a wonderful reality check for Kinjal! I sometimes wonder if the actors/chars know what they have been turned into. Do they loathe those transformed chars?

I wish they show something like this on TV. Very well written!!

Hahaha... Thanks. I actually drink black coffee for breakfast everyday. 😁

Thank you. I couldn't sleep yesterday and ended up writing this.

Originally posted by: Loveforworld

Contd....

Kinjal gulped and looked down uncomfortably.

"And worst of all... You were idolizing Anupama.... Who couldn't even stand for herself. Who accepted abuse in the name of family"

" I cursed myself for not divorcing your father that day. If only I kept him away, if only I had told you the whole truth, maybe you would have known what a normal, loving family is like."

"Is that why you were against my marriage? " Kinjal couldn't help but ask.

"Yes.... And since you made Anupama your hero, I knew she will mold you like herself. You would become a doormat who will take anupamas place. "

"I am not a doormat mom! "

"You are not? Then why didn't you press charges when Toshu stole your money? Why didn't you file a case of kidnapping against him? Why didn't you file a case of harassment against Dholakiya? Why didn't you speak for yourself and demand more help around the house when anupamas mom was sick? Why did you ignore my discomfort when that creep mama was drooling on me? Why did you keep quite when baa was calling your own mother A Naagin! "

Kinjal looked at her mom wide eyed.... Her mother's infamous temper now on full display... And she was the target.

" You claim to be independent kinjal, but all i see is another anupama. Just this one has a job. "

Kinjal gulped, before asking another question, " You know about Toshu? "

"Ahh.... Of course I know. He tried to use my name for his business in the beginning, I put him in his place. If he even thought about using my brand, he will be neck deep in lawsuits. "

"Mom, you would really do that to him? He is still legally my husband. "

Rakhi scoffed, " Husband? Please.... If he was truly a husband, he wouldn't have behaved like this. He is an incompetent parent, an unreliable employee, a gold digger , a cheater and a con man, but he isn't a husband. I am not like Anuj Kapadia who lets a stupid man like Toshu sully his business name. "

" Look kinjal, I know my opinion doesn't matter to you. You are free to live your life. But ask yourself... Do you want Pari to grow up surrounded by the Shahs? Do you want to spend your youth in that house, being their breadwinner and their maid? "

What was Rakhi saying?... She wasn't a maid, if we ignored Toshu, the Shahs loved her and treated her well.

Rakhi could sense her confusion, she tried to control her temper and explain another way..

"Tell me kinjal, what will you do once you reach home? Give me a list of your chores. "

" Well that's easy, I will buy veggies on the way, when I go home I will put everything away, then I will give Pari a bath, feed her and put her down for a nap. Then I will get the clothes inside and iron them and fold them. Then I start making dinner... I also have dishes to wash..........

She trailed off...... Starting to realize what her mom was trying to say.

"I won't stand in your way baby...all I want you to do is think carefully and re evaluate your life. I know toshu is creating problems for you everyday there.. Do you want pari to think that it's normal?"

Rakhi was done for the day.... Now the ball was in kinjals court. Let's see if she makes a rational decision.

Kinjal got up and hugged Rakhi.

"Thanks mom. " She said sincerely.

Rakhi smiled contentedly, closing her eyes. Kinjal rearely talked to her, such hugs were even rare.

Kinjal left for shah house soon. Instead of buying veggies on the way, she stopped at a coffee shop. She placed her order and sat down at a table, opening an app on her phone and ordering groceries online.

" Here's your black coffee mam. " She looked up and thanked the waiter. She took a sip of her beverage, making a face at the bitterness but continued drinking. She had finished half her cup... By then she started understanding what her mom was talking about.

Her phone rang, Kavyas phone no. Flashing on the screen.

" Hi kinjal, I am going to Mrs. Savitris home today, her husband is a CA and has agreed for a consultation. Do you want to come with me? "

" Yes, let's go together. I will order some thalis for tonight's dinner." Kinjal replied.

Bold : Truer words especially after divorce when instead of staying with her own mother ,she went on to do sewa of baa baapuji all by herself.

AWESOME WRITING... PLS CONTINUE ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️💮💗

Originally posted by: Loveforworld

Hahaha... Thanks. I actually drink black coffee for breakfast everyday. 😁

Part 2

Kavya and Kinjal were all smiles when they left the meeting with the CA. They managed to come up with a fool proof plan for investing their assets. He was even sure that in 6 months their investments will start generating a passive income. Kinjal was going to put all of it in a trust fund for Pari.

"You know, keeping so much cash at home is never a good idea. " Kavya said.

"You are right kavya... Thank got I have some savings at least, otherwise we won't be able to pay the bills this month. "

"So true. At least I don't have to worry about loans like you and Samar do. "

Kinjal was now confused. What loans Kavya was talking about? She didn't sign up to pay anything.

Kavya realised what was happening, so she pressed further, " You know, that mortgage loan from when Anupama kept the house collateral? Anupamas medical bills from the resort? The money we got from Anuj? "

Now Kinjal started feeling like a dumbo. She completely forgot about all those bills. Anupama never brought up the medical bill, so she thought it was paid off. As for mortgage loan from Rakhi and the money from Anuj, they were family. They didn't ask for repayment.

When she voiced her thoughts, Kavya was left astonished.

" No Kinjal, just because they are family the loan can't be just forgotten. Its millions, not a few thousand rupees. Samar has been paying it back to Anuj. I just assumed you are also helping him. "

Kavya couldn't help but ask back, " Are you contributing too? "

Kavya scoffed. " No, I didn't sign up for them. With Vanraj being chronically unemployed and only seeing short term benefits, I had to save as much money as possible. Otherwise we would be on road. "

"Doesn't papa has his savings and investments? " Kinjal was confused now.

"He spent all of his savings on the cafe, didn't listen to me then. 90% of these new cafes fail within the first year. He has a small earning from his investments, but he is going to spend it cleaning up Thoshus mess. We are living off my money alone since past few months. No one asked me before taking those loans, why should I start paying them back. "

Kinjal disagreed with Kavya. It was everyone's responsibility, they were a family after all. But then she was overwhelmed with shame..... Even she hasn't been paying anything towards the loans.

"Look kinjal, if it's everyone's responsibility, then we should all come to an agreement about a payment plan. Unfortunately, that rarely happens in our house. Their priorities are spending lavishly for different festivals and occasions, not assets and liabilities. "

Sometimes, kinjal couldn't decide whether kavya was selfish or smart. But she knew one thing, if things went South financially, she was the only one coming out unscathed. Meanwhile, Kinjal was getting worried about Pari's future.

At least when she lived with her mother, she didn't have to worry about finances. Money wasn't everything, but it was an important resource.

When they reached home, Baa's booming voice welcomed them.

"Ae kinju baby, why didn't you cook something at home. Ordering food is waste of money. " She lectured while finishing her meal. Kinjal glanced down at the nearly empty thali. So she didn't have qualms about finishing the meals, just it's origins.

Vanraj and bapuji asked kinjal for a cup of tea, they were sitting on the sofa, chilling. No one even asked her for a glass of water. She looked around, Kavya had already escaped to her room. "Smart." Kinjal thought.

She went inside the kitchen. After the day she had she knew there was a need for changes, no backing off now. She called Rakhi.

" Hi baby. What do you need? "

A mother always knows, Kinjal smiled inwardly. " Hey mom, I need 2 cooks and 2 maids for the house. "

Rakhi exclaimed in delight. " Finally! I will send everyone tomorrow. If Leela gives you any grief....

Kinjal interrupted her, "I will deal with her. And can we hangout this Saturday, you didn't get to spend time with Pari."

"Of course baby. Let's meet. "

Rakhi was grinning ear to ear," I guess my daughter isn't a complete emotional fool." She thought to herself.

Kinjal made the tea and went to her room, where her daughter was sleeping peacefully.

"I will make a better home for you Pari."

She thought, " I won't fail you. "

Brilliant 👏🏻. Absolutely brilliant.