Another emotionally resonant installment, Indu. 😃
The old lady's eyes glistened as she heard her call her by that name for the first time, "This is your home Aarti. This is your room. How do you like it?"
"I don't know…I never had one."
"What, child? A room?"
She shook her head, "No…a home."
Naanimaasi turned away as tears fell. Aarti had not moved from her place by the window. She wanted to have a fill of the view that her mother so loved.
🥺 You brought tears to my eyes with the bold. I'm so glad you've allowed Aarti to have an opportunity to live with Shobha's the family for a couple of reasons. First, they seem like light years ahead of Satya and his family morally, emotionally, and mentally. I especially liked the way Naanimasi didn't impose herself on her as they journeyed, reading Aarti's hypercaution about her and giving her the necessary space without feeling offended. Aarti needs that kind of interaction. It would do wonders in injecting some sense of value and confidence in her. Second, I like the idea of Aarti connecting to the mother she never knew in a some way -- living in the space in which she spent time and interacting with people who loved her.
Aarti was confused now. For the first time in her life someone was requesting her to do something and not ordering. She shook her head, "I can get the flowers."
Really, really enjoy the way you take us through Aarti's acclimatizing. She's going through a culture shock of sorts, going from a hostile house to an accepting home. She's naturally hesitant in getting to know Naanimaasi and unsure of what would or wouldn't make her angry. It's striking to me how much she's initially preoccupied with avoiding what might make Naanimaasi upset or angry, but not on what makes Naanimaasi happy and how to make that come about. Sure sign of the negative reinforcement she's experienced in her childhood. It makes sense that she's startled by the difference in being asked as opposed to being ordered -- huge difference in feeling a part of a family vs. feeling like a burden. This part about the flowers is what I meant about Naanimaasi's way of interacting with Aarti being instrumental in giving her much-needed sense of value and confidence.
It would be more than six months and after relentless persuasion by Chris and Anna before Aarti would brave the proposal. She had often wondered later that what was it that had made her say Yes to the Bhopal job immediately and equally hesitant to Uncle Chris's offer. It was only when naanimaasi had fallen ill and the Browns had rushed to help her, knowing she didn't know anybody, and stay with her till her grandmother got back on her feet that Aarti felt secure enough in their presence. That's when she had questioned her decision of not stepping forward to be of assistance to the nice couple who went out of their way to be with her and naanimaasi in their hour of need. After all one should always be kind to anyone who needs help…Two kind men had taught her that. They had helped her at times when she had given up.
On the bold parts, that's such an interesting point of note -- how quickly she felt empowered to accept the Bhopal job (rebelling against the marriage offer for her) and how quickly she seemed to trust the advice offered her. Am I being too sentimental to say the person offering the job/advice made the difference? 😳 The end of the paragraph may have answered my question, if not fully but partly.
Radhama's leaving is sad, though completely understandable. But, I like the way you always have someone firmly standing in Aarti's corner, even when someone leaves. She's never alone. Still, Aarti's painting remains a key connector between her past and Yash. I really like that.
Two days before Radha left, Naanimaasi had called Aarti's college in Hoshangabad to find out about her results and was connected to Prof Sharma. He gave two bits of news: One, that Aarti had topped the college, and second, two weeks after they left, Aarti's father had met with a road accident here in Hoshangabad while he was on his way home from the airport. The windscreen of the vehicle had smashed with the impact and a massive glass piece had flown in and pierced his heart. He died on the spot. The professor also added that Satya's mother had suffered a paralytic attack on seeing his body. Naanimaasi didn't tell Aarti about her father, but informed Radhama who smiled sadly, "Isn't it ironic ammaji that catastrophe should befall the family when Aarti is not with them? Just goes to prove that God's justice is always silent. Now, which curse will they blame? The truth is till Aarti was with them, they were safe from all curses."
Well, damn! (Excuse my language.) I didn't expect Satya to die so tragically. The greatest loss for him is that he never allowed himself to get to know his daughter -- the daughter Shobha wanted so much and didn't have a chance to raise, the daughter Shobha would have wanted him to love in her absence, the daughter who is such a good soul and probably a lot more like Shobha than he realized. But he loved his emotional relationship with Shobha too much to love anyone else, maybe even himself. As Radhama said, it's such an irony.
As naanimaasi waved at her granddaughter, she thanked God for the day Aarti finally let her in enough to share a beautiful friendship. At least she conversed with her these days.
It had taken Aarti more than two years to trust her. Aarti had begun to loosen up after she joined Brownies. She had begun to spend a lot of time with her grandmother, who told her about her mother's childhood and growing up. She liked her job…and she liked Chris and Anna, who had self-appointed themselves as her Godparents. But all the progress had been cut short because of that good-for-nothing Prashant.
The difference in Aarti 3-and-a-half years after living with her naanimaasi is like day to the night of her years living with her father's family. How secure she's progressively becoming!
But, ack! One step forward and then several steps back with that Prashant sniffing around. Where's Yash when you need him to punch someone's light out, lol. I suspect we'll see Prashant again. I'll be waiting for him.
Aarti had come to get some papers from the front desk when she saw him. He was completely covered in dust and mud and had a tramplike disheveled look: thick beard, unruly hair, and torn clothing. Aarti's heart went out to the poor man who was eying the snacks counter hungrily. She waited as he requested for a hamburger in a deep voice. Maansi, the girl behind the counter, handed it to him and asked for the payment. He kept the burger and put his hand in the back pocket…probably to get his wallet. Aarti watched as his hand came out clean and then he ran through all his pockets. Finally, he looked up at Maansi who was giving him the look with crossed arms, "Ah…I am sorry I seem to…"
At that point Aarti decided it was time to help the poor man who was so clearly impoverished and broke. She stepped forward with a smile, "It's OK. You can have the burger. Consider it on the house."
He turned to look at her. Whatever she was going to say next got stuck in her throat as she stared at a pair of eyes that gazed fixedly back at her with an intensity that stirred her soul. Aarti took an involuntary step back.
If you can see the smile on my face, Indu, as I read Aarti so confidently reaching out to someone and helping them. She's learning to manage her instinct to withdraw so well. Ah, the wonderful healing that true affection and care can bring to a wounded soul! ❤️
On the bold parts, you always hook me with your endings, Indu. I'm intrigued. I already sense the man's identity, but I'm looking forward to you unveiling it. 😉
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