The Seventh Circle

The Seventh Circle

The moment Zoravar uttered those words, and she saw Ranbir’s horrified face, the strength of the anger that rushed Meghla surprised even her. For a second, her feet lifted up to go to the man and give him a tight slap. How dare he? How could he even say this to his own son. The waves of anger continued to crash over Meghla’s consciousness as she now felt everyone’s guilty glares on her, including her own husband. How is this fair? How could they blame her for the words uttered by someone else. Force her to make this choice. Feeling her father’s hand on her shoulder, she showed her tortured expression to him, hoping he can provide a solution. But if was as if her father suddenly became blind, as he said “For now Meghla, you stop going to Guruji for practice. You focus on taking care of Adrija. Let her get better and then you can start again.” Meghla shook his hand off her shoulder, the sense of betrayal now intensified remembering her Guruji’s words and took off to the bedroom, ignoring her name being called. She shut the bedroom door, before Ranbir could enter and broke down into heartfelt sobs. Her emotions which were suppressed for so many days now burst out like a pressure cooker whistle. It seems as if now her own father, Guruji and husband also consider her expendable to their wishes.

Her anger was so strong now, that it blinds her to everything and everyone. And she didn’t care. It was too much now. All her life, since she was conscious, she had to fight for her singing. No one ever understood why, but she knew that her singing was her way to cope. If she didn’t sing, and didn't forget the state of her life for a few moments, she would explode. And the explosion would not be pretty. She thought her father understood, Guruji understood, Ranbir understood, but their behavior today shows her that even they couldn’t understand why she strived so much to protect her singing. That only left them. The people who were silent supporters till date. She needed them to make sense of her life now, to gain back control. Because she knew that in that moment, if she didn’t gain back control, she would lose everything and everyone.

Taking her phone out, she scrolled down to the number that she hadn’t dialled a long time ago. Hearing the phone pick up on the 2nd ring, and a surprised voice saying her name, she broke down again and says “Di, I am broken.” And for hours and hours, she poured her heart and strategize with the sister who never left her behind, who never tortured her and who always silently supported her.

After 10 days,

Ranbir enters the bedroom and heaves a sigh of exasperation, seeing the bed already made and no sign of Meghla in the room. Ever since the confrontation, his wife has now become like a ghost. There are signs of her, yet no sign of her. She never spoke, never sang and never even expressed anything. Ranbir felt conflicted. On one hand, there was a sense of guilt for asking Meghla to give up her singing especially after her confrontation with Guruji also, at the same time a part of him was relieved because then there was no more conflict now. If Guruji didn’t support her also, then Meghla would have to give up her singing.

But he couldn’t help wonder, why his family and he were so intent on punishing, for something that he knows logically was never her fault in the first place. But enough was enough. Adrija seems to be on the road to recovery. It's time to give his wife the right to make her own choices back.

Coming down to the living room, he sees everyone chatting with Adrija pleasantly, with the cups of tea that he knows Meghla must have already made. Turning around, he headed to the kitchen hoping to catch her before she disappeared again. When suddenly Adrija calls out his name, he closes his eyes in irritation and turns to face her with a grimace. Adrija seems to be intent on gaining his attention no matter what. Past couple of days, he noticed how she always seemed to demand focus on herself only whether it was him , his family members or her Mom and Dad.

Seeing a bright smile on her face, Ranbir was surprised by the parcel. Adrija said “Thank you so much, Ranbir. I didn’t know that you had heard about the dress. But thank you for buying this.” Ranbir brows furrowed as he tried to recall what dress she was talking about. Before he could deny that he had given any present to her, Adrija tore open the packet and opened it. And the next moment frankly surprised everyone. Adrija screamed as a clown popped out of the box but in the next moment, she stood up and walked backwards without any hesitation. Everyone stared at her in shock. Feeling someone walk up to him and stand, Ranbir glances at the side to see it was Meghla.

Yet, it was not her also. For the first time, Ranbir notices that her smile did not contain that sweetness that he was used to. In fact it was a smirk, designed to enjoy when others were in torment. There was an enjoyment in her eyes at Adrija’s suffering, as if she was happy that her Didibai received her due comeuppance.

She said sweetly yet with sarcasm “Didibhai, wow what a miracle. You can stand up and walk also.” Adrija stares at her legs in shock and then looks up at everyone’s horrified and surprised expression. Ranbir said “Adrija, what’s the meaning of this? You can walk. So you have been pretending all of these days not to.” Adrija’s Mom because no way can Ranbir call her Meghla’s tried to come up with a justification but even she came up empty. Finally Meher demanded “Adrija, have you been pretending all of these days not to walk? Why? Why would you do this? We have been taking care of you because you are Meghla’s sister. And you decided to take advantage of us.” Meghla then spoke up “Excuse me, but Ms Adrija is not my sister.” Now everyone is shocked by her announcement.

Mahua said “Meghla, what are you saying? She is your sister.” Meghla looked at her so-called Mom with a mock confused expression, and said “Really, well if she is my sister and you are my mom, then for so many days why am I enduring the words like bad luck, orphan? Why didn't you speak up then and claim that I am a part of this family. When all of them were taunting me and saying that my parents left me on the side of the road, that time why didn’t you speak up and say that I am still your daughter. Where was this so-called sisterhood then, when Ms Adrija was soaking up all the attention on her and didn’t speak up even once to defend me. And by the way, who are you to call her my sister? Are you my mother? Because all these days, I don’t seem to recall my mother coming and even defending me against these taunts.”

Meghla’s harsh statements, perpetuated everyone’s consciousness. And all of them including Ranbir finally realized what Meghla’s silence in all of these days meant. She wasn’t accepting her fate as they thought so. She was slowly planning her revenge on all of them. And Ranbir sensed that this was just the beginning of the drama.

This time, Adrija came up with an alternative strategy to make sure everyone turns to her side. She said “I don’t know that I could walk. I really thought that I couldn’t do so. If Ranbir hadn't given me that present as a joke……” Ranbir broke in between by saying with an irritated voice “I didn’t give you that present Adrija. And I have no clue who did so.” Meghla’s folded hands and her triumphant expression, clued everyone who did give the present. Adrija said in shock “You gave me that present Meghla? How could you? You know that I hate clowns?” Meghla raised her eyebrows and said “Who are you to ask me this question in the first place. You are our guest. And you had a reason to stay. As Ranbir’s wife, my job was to take care of you until your reason is taken care of. I took care of the reason. Now, get out.” Before anyone could do anything, she walked up to Adrija, took her by the arm and dragged her literally to the doorstep. Pushing her out, she looks at Mahua with a dead expression and says “Do I have to give you an invitation also?” Mahua opens her mouth and says “Beta…” But Meghla broke in between by saying “Auntyji, your daughter is standing outside in the cold. I would suggest taking her home and making her comfortable. Otherwise, who knows what sort of accident she might get into?” Mahua glanced at her in conflict. But she stepped out to the doorstep and felt the door slam in her face.

All of Ranbir’s family members stood in shock, unable to process what just happened. Their demure daughter in law, who till date was just enduring their insults, seemed to have taken matters into her own hands. And what a way to do so!

For some hours, everyone was in shock over what had happened. They wanted to speak with Meghla, but she seemed intent on pretending that nothing had happened. She was humming, when she was moving around the house. Yet her humming also had a sense of doom to it. Ranbir couldn’t help but feel that this was just part 1 of Meghla’s act. There was still something pending. His instincts turned out to be right.

The doorbell rang, breaking everyone’s thoughts and they all wondered who it would be now. Not Meghla. Her eyes lit up seeing the message on her phone and she immediately rushed to open the door. Opening the door, she smiles at him and says “Hi Bhaiya.”

Everyone was again shocked on hearing this. Her brother. Ranbir felt jealous seeing how handsome he is. But now, he also notices that he was dressed as a lawyer and the sense of dread deepened in Ranbir. His Mom, Meher also exchanged a worried expression with her husband Zoravar.

Meghla brought her brother lawyer, asking whether he wanted juice or water. Armaan shaking his head in a negative says “Abhira is waiting at the court to submit the papers. Let’s start with the procedure, shall we?” Meghla nodded and took the papers, Armaan handed them to her. Turning, she walks to Zoravar “Please sign this.” Suspiciously, he asked, “What is this?” Meghla simply said “Well, this is division of property. You are signing 25% of your wealth to Ranbir. You didn’t expect us to leave from here, without demanding our share, right?”

Well, now everyone was stunned. Division of property. Meher says “What are you doing? Demanding your share. Are you trying to break up this family? How could you be so selfish?” Meghla looks at her coolly and says “May I kindly remind you Mrs Meher, that your husband Mr Zoravar suggested this idea in the first place. And by the way, I am not demanding my share. According to you, I am not part of this family right. So what share do I have, when I am not part of your family. But I am Ranbir’s wife. And as his wife, I feel there is a threat to my husband. When this man who claims to be your husband, and Ranbir’s father, can callously use his son to justify his own ego, then according to the values that have been taught to me, this man is disgusting. Because he does not value the relationships around him, he will use them. And according to the values that I have been taught, when someone doesn't value relationships, it is better to cut them away like a diseased root. Otherwise, they will end up affecting the entire plant.”

Ranbir’s grandmother says snidely “And those same values made you throw your mother and sister out.” Meghla gives a sarcastic laugh “What mother? What sister? What father? When your family decides to become silent spectators to your humiliation and seek enjoyment from it, then they lose the value of being called family members. Only when there is trust and respect on either side of the relationship, that is when the relationship progresses. Wasn't it you who has been teaching this to the kids of this household? After all you have been repeating this for the past so many days.”

Ranbir couldn’t control himself anymore “Enough Meghla.” Meghla looks at him and for the first time, Ranbir is afraid. There is a deadness in her expression, yet a steel resolve, as if she won’t stop at anything today. She will make sure to hold everybody accountable no matter what happens.

Taking a deep breath, to calm himself down, he says “Meghla, I get it. You are angry. But this is not the way to handle this.” Meghla gave a cruel smirk to Ranbir, and said “You know what I have been thinking, for the past 10 days. That you have an interesting way of getting what you want my dear husband. You married me, but for the past 10 days, you have been behaving as if Adrija is your wife. For the past 10 days, your family has been behaving as if Adrija is their daughter in law. And you know how every single one of you including Guruji have been treating me? As if I am the other woman in this relationship. Interesting right? What song was that Bhaiya? Ek taraf hai gharwali, Ek taraf baharwali….. But this family has a very interesting concept of this. Baharwali ko gharwali, or gharwali ko baharwali bana diya.”

Everyone felt their heads bowing down in shame, but Meghla was not finished. She said “And by the way, the feelings I have for this family and my family are way past anger. It's disgust. I am disgusted that a family who claims that they have working women in their family, don’t even have the decency to realize that every woman in the family, whether working or not, deserves the same level of respect. And you know the irony, Ranbir? And that it is the women of the family, who made sure that there were reasons not to respect me. Who made sure that I had to prove myself at every step, that I belong in this family. What an irony right!”

Meher tried to gain control of the situation by saying “Meghla, we are the elders of this family. We have the right to scold and guide you so that you can become a good daughter in law in this house.” Meghla looks at Meher with cold eyes and asks “Okay Mrs Meher, Let’s call Simran bhabhi’s family here. I dare you to call her a ‘panauti’ in front of her family members. I dare you to tell Simran bhabhi in front of her family how much time she doesn’t spent at home. And how you are disappointed in her, that she is not giving time to the house. After all, you and Bijji were discussing about this yesterday, right?” Simran turned her betrayed eyes to Meher. Meher shook her head and said “Simran beta, I was just trying to make Bijji understand that your profession is very important.” Meghla interrupts by asking “Who are you decide Mrs Meher what profession is important and not important? What hobby is important or not important to maintain? Tell me where it is written in our culture, that it is okay to support one daughter in law in profession, and okay to call another daughter in law, an orphan, bad luck charm and ban her from the kitchen also.”

Ranbir lost his temper by then and says “That is enough Meghla. This is not the way to speak with my mother.”

Meghla looks at Ranbir coolly and says “I am not speaking to your mother Ranbir. If she was your mother, then she would have the decency to at least respect the partner you have chosen for yourself. I am speaking to my mother-in-law, who is holding me to a standard that she knows I cannot reach. I am speaking with the woman who holds the responsibility of maintaining this house’s peace. I am asking her, how is calling her daughter in law panauti and an orphan going to make her comfortable with the household. Comfortable with calling her a mother. I am asking everyone over here, how is it okay to support one woman yet demean another woman. Is this culture you have grown up with Ranbir?”

Megha looked at Zoravar “Now we have deviated a lot from this topic. Sign the papers Mr Zoravar. Prove you value your son more than the money you have earned.” Zoravar hesitated and Ranbir felt his heart break for a minute. Zoravar said “You are a homewrecker Meghla. You come here demanding your rights as Ranbir's wife. But the truth is that even Ranbir is confused whether he made the right decision marrying you. But today, you proved it yourself that Ranbir was wrong in marrying you. If you think that me signing these papers proves my love for my son, then you are completely wrong. Even Ranbir can see that you are intent on breaking up this family. And this truth removes these blinders from his eyes.”

Meghla stared at Zoravar with a bored expression. Not even an ounce of regret or guilt was seen in her eyes with Zoravar's words. Meghla simply asks “Are you signing the papers or not Mr Zoravar?”. Zoravar said with an irritated voice "No, do whatever you want. I am also Zoravar Bajwa. My army of lawyers will crush this little rebellion of yours." She looked at her lawyer brother, Armaan and asked, “You got that?” Armaan took a voice recorder outside of his pocket and clicks the stop button. He said “Yes, this evidence is enough to file a domestic abuse case against Mr Zoravar.” Everyone was in complete shock now.

Meghla coolly looks at Zoravar, who had a stunned expression on his face. She said “I never even mentioned once that I was planning to separate Ranbir from all of you. I just said that Ranbir can have his share of property so that no one can threaten my husband or me, using the property name. If you had even read the papers Mr Zoravar, you would find out that the entire property share will be Ranbir's name only. I wasn't the one who was defining property with family values. You are the one who is doing that Mr Zoravar.”

Ranbir finally said “Enough Meghla. You have proved your point. Stop this now.” Meghla says “Did I Ranbir? Because I still do not follow why your family members haven't apologised till now. And why are you so intent on shushing me but not your family?” Ranbir had no answer for this. Meghla asks softly “As my husband, you tell me, Ranbir. Was the behavior of everyone right? Did I deserve to hear so many taunts and so many scoldings that too when I have just newly arrived at a strange place. Was it right on your Mom, your dad's, your grandparents to focus on constantly berating me while you focus on taking care of Adrija, who is frankly the baharwali in this relationship? Did my silence in all of these days not show you that I also needed support, needed comfort from you?”

Ranbir said “Meghla please. Yes, what has happened for so many days was wrong. But this is not the way to handle this. Let's sit down and discuss. I am sure we all can come up with a solution. But please Meghla not this way.”

Meghla closes her eyes and gives a dry laugh. Lifting her gaze, Ranbir sees the steely resolve in it. She said “Now I realize who is standing in front of me. It's not my husband. Because he would have given an apology for his behavior. Who is standing in front of me is the son of this house. Who is more intent on preserving the peace rather than figuring out what went wrong. Who is more intent on making sure that his wife can be silenced, rather than focusing on how his elders should be corrected on their behavior towards his wife. I thought I was marrying a person named Ranbir. Someone who showed their support in the path taken and encouraged me to pursue it. Where is that person today, Ranbir? Anyway, thank you for giving me shelter for so many days, Ranbir. But I think I have stayed long enough. it's time for me to go.”

She took out a small purse and said “All of the wedding gifts, and clothes are all in the room. I will Fedex this saree as soon as I reach the new place. I am only taking my personal documents. I can't say I have your blessings because frankly there wasn't any in the first place.” Ranbir stepped into the path to stop her but Armaan held him back by saying “You have no right to stop her Mr. Ranbir Bajwa.”

Ranbir threatens “If you leave now Meghla, I will marry Adrija.” Meghla simply looks at Armaan who takes out another sheaf of papers. Shoving this under Ranbir's nose, he said “Sign this. Then you can go ahead and marry anyone you want.” Meher asks “What Is this?” Armaan says “Annulment Papers. We can submit it and get the marriage annulled today itself. But you better sign it now, Ranbir”.

Ranbir looked at Meghla and simply said “Is this what you want Meghla?” Meghla replies “If you knew what I want Ranbir, you wouldn't be asking me this question in the first place. It's time for you to make a choice, Ranbir.”

Meghla and Armaan left, leaving only a silence filled with hurts in their wake.

The End For Now.