Part 4
The Modi clan as decided by Kokila and seconded by Hetal and Prerna, were ready to listen to Rashi. They did not have to, but given Vishal's adoration for his Mrs Ahuja and the change in this new Rashi they family accepted Rashi's invitation for tea at her home.
Rashi's home was a far cry from the beautifully decorated Modi Mansion. No fancy artifacts, no useless show pieces. Rashi's new abode was adorned by bookshelves overflowing with books. The books were painstakingly segregated by their categories. Books on philosophy, phycology, sociology, autobiographies and biographies of great leaders around the world could impress any avid reader. The furniture was simple and functional. The house was designed such that large groups of people could be accommodated for various meetings. Kokila's sharp eyes did not miss the neatly kept and organization of the house. She was pleasantly surprised and eager to know how a person could get a totally different personality.
FLASH BACK: 26 YEARS AGO
Rashi waked back to her mother's house with the confidence that it would be a short stay. Gopi like always would bail her out. Rashi had no remorse for her actions. Her mother encouraged her and said it would be a matter of days before the Modi women, just like before would come and take her back as they would not tarnish the family name with a divorce.
The Modi women did not arrive at Rajpal Nagar. This time a legal notice arrived. The Modi's were a practical lot. They did not want to waste time in courts and drag the matter. They gave Rashi a deal that neither she nor her mother could reject. A onetime cash payment, an amount that Rashi or her mother could not envisage in their dreams. She could keep all the jewelry, clothes and personal artifacts that were given to her at the time and during the period of marriage. As Rashi had not developed any emotional bond with the family, the divorce and the alimony was a bonus for enduring the Modi lifestyle for over a year.
Jitu bhai was distraught to see his wife and daughter celebrate his only daughter's divorce. He was grieved even more at the thought of not being able to see Gopi as her in laws had made it clear that Gopi could not maintain relations with Jeetu and his family. Jeetu bhai wished for death. Death came, but it did not engulf Jeetu Bhai. Death engulfed Urmila Jeetu Shah. It was two weeks after the divorce proceedings were over and Rashi got a fat check in bank account. Urmila could not live to enjoy the luxuries from her daughter's divorce. By the time the family realized something was amiss when she did not wake up that morning, it was too late. Doctor's pronounced it a massive heart attack.
Rashi experienced grief for the very first time in her life. Her mother was her best friend. Like most mothers her mother taught her the ways of the world, she kept her safe and secure. However there was one major difference. A mother under all circumstances ensures that when she leaves the world, her daughter has a shoulder to weep on and share her grief. Rashi did not have that shoulder, she did not have a family she could call her own anymore. Rashi could not remember having a decent conversation with her father in her life. She never felt the need to be with him. Her mother had convinced her that her father was a good for nothing fool. The barriers in here heart were so deeply imbedded that she could not reach out to her father in this time of grief.
Jeetu bhai, was informed by his daughter that she had admitted herself for a bachelor's in phycology course in Bombay. She would live in a women's hostel and complete her education, which she could not complete due to her marriage. Living in Rajkot had become unbearable after her mother. Jeetu Bhai, gave her his blessing. He had no other choice.
Life in Bombay was very different from the mundane life of Rajkot. There was some party or another to attend. It was in one of these parties that she met Kunal Ahuja. Kunal was standing in one corner away from the noisy crowd. Smoking one cigarette after another, deep in thought. Kunal looked out of place in that party.
What was Kunal's role in Rashi's life? Pls do wait for next update. Pls give your comments and if I should continue. Am I making sense?
Edited by A2ZV - 13 years ago