(A/N before criticism / disgust please read full chapter and added my thoughts in the Author's Notes post)
Chapter 1 - as each sets the place
“MAYA.” yelled the lady, waking up, she was dressed in a satin night dress, chocolate brown, against the white drapes. “Anthara... Anthara kya hua?”
Anthara Roy: a woman with a combo of both beauty and brains. A mother, a friend, a person who always became the stand point of the family and the strength behind Mrithyunjay Roy’s success. Also a person with who is broken inside... her support system split into two people... Diya and M.J!
Against a soft face was filled with sadness, her large eyes filled with a sadness that reflected into his own. “Sorry bhas phir se vahi sapna...”
“Sorry baadh main bolo pehele paani piyo.” a soft hand pressed the glass of water on to her lips, the woman dressed in a soft night shirt with light cream against a dark brown was thin built like Anthara but had silence in her personality tht made it seem like she wanted to hide in plain sight. “Dhiya...”
“Filaal kuch kehene ki zarurath nahi hai, paani pilo.” she added makeing her gulp the water, “Agar main dhar jaathi hoon tho tum dhonon meri kyaal rakthe ho. Lekin tum dhonon ho mere paas lekin use paas kaun hoga?”
Dhiya Roy: to the world someone with a close relationship with M.J Roy, accepted, as the 2nd Mrs. Roy by his wife... few know the victim who is hidden behind the doctor and the real reason she is bound to M.J and Dhiya as deeply as she is, despite a clear difference in their age!
Dhiya sighed and rubbed her head sitting more comfortable on the bed, M.J sat cross legged, closer before nodding to Dhiya. Between them, he made her lay down on her lap, she pulled her feet on her lap. It was Dhiya who assured her, “Anthara, I am sure, vo ek dhum teek hogi. Kyuki tum har saal ke thara iss saal bhi Durga ma se uske liye puuja kiya. Anniversary ho ya birthday, humare naam ke puuja ke naam par chalthi ho, pehele uski karthi ho phir meri karthi ho... aur main bhi har rooz ma se uske liye dua kartha hoon. I am sure she will be fine.”
“Upar se vo kaaafi inteligent hai.” he added, trying to make her lay down but seeing the time she got up, “Char baj gaye hai, aab sokar kya faithdha? Neendh jithna pura hona tha uthna hogaya hai. Main thiyar hone jaa rahi hoon... tum dhonon so jaana. Dhiya, aaj tume kaafi kaam hai hospital main.”
Sighing, they lay back down, when she was pulled closer to him, “Kya Maya meri wajay se?”
The man began rubbing the head of the woman trying to ease her into sleeping, “Nahi... vo humari wajay se nahi gyai. She appreciated odd relationships... after all uski parents ka bhi... lekin haan jiske bhi wajay se vo bhaag gayi vo hum teenon nahi the. Lekin haan, apne saath saath usne humari ek khaas hissa ko lekar chali gayi hai. Lekin haan, hum efforts nahi chodenge... I promise.”
Mrithyunjay Roy a successful businessman and family man combined with the power of the brains, money and contacts. Despite it all, inside his heart was a pain which shook his day making all his achievements burn down to nothing.
Both of them had fallen into a deep sleep when she stepped out. Smiling, she ent up and pulled the blanket on them, then smiled at the photo on the bedside. One in particular, slightly hidden from sight, was the photo of theirs... the trio... as they truly where... each others...
When she entered the kitchen, she was dressed in a light cream saree with a pale pink blouse with shining thread. Her hair is still slightly wet from the shower, a hum on her lips, which quickly turned into a shout, “GIRI YEAH KRISHNI JI KI MURTHI SE PARDHA KISNE HATAYA?”
A servent instantly ran over to her shaking with fear, “Ma’am vo... Ananya baby ne hi kiya. Aaj bhi, zid kar ke karvadhiya iss kaam ko. Tulsi ko diya daalne aur puuja karne gayi hai. Bola tho sune se mana kar dhiya...”
The lady cut him of and said, “Aur bol dhiya ki yeahi waqth hai Maya ke saath yahi thodi waqth milthi hai muje. Kyunki vo meri papa ki sweetheart hai. Humari idol hai! Humlogon ki sapna hai... aur agar unki aaradhya se maangu unse milne ki dhua tho ek na ek dhin zarur millegi hum logon se. Yeahi hai na?”
Turning towards the man she sighed and folded her hands in front of the idol, “Meri na sahi, kam se kam Anu ke baath tho maanlena. Wapas lauta dho humari bachi ko.”
“Ek din zarur aayegi ma’am.” he replied sighing, “Aap ke liye aaj kya banadhu ma’am?”
“Giri, khaana main banadhungi. Khaas kar Anu ke liye, tere haath ka oily khaana use bilkul pasandh nahi hai. Tum jao aur baaki staff ki kaam set karvadhena. Khaana main hi banaungi. Out.”
Starting to play music, turning to make the coffee but only to see the powder already and water already filled up. “Good morning aunty.”
Ananya... the charmer... the girl next door and the Roy families surrogate daughter!
Turning around she smiled at the, younger girl, her face had clear cut features with a long round face, innocence and naughtiness shining in it. “Zarur karenge... I am sure vapas aayegi. Aap ko tho pathe hai na Shri Krishna uski aaradhya hai. Upar se uski aur humari ma durga ki tho ajeeb si conneciton hai. Jiss doctor ne use bachane main madhath kiya unke naam kya tha? Haan Dr. Jiyajaya Shivshankar. Phir jab ko kidnap hogayi jis transgender ne use bachaya, Bolini. Phir uski guide aur teacher, ka naam kya tha? Haan Sadhathi, phir se Durga ma ki naam thi, phir uski vo ‘body gaurd’ school par, kya naam thi haan, Arpitha. Phir se ma durga ki naam... seriously aur finally uska sabse bada fan hai humare pyari Rudhr aur Mrithyunjay Roy dhonon, Shiv ji ke naam par hai... jo Vishnu ji ke aaradhya hai. Vo Vishnu ji jiski vo puuja nahi, puri bak bak karthi thi, aise kehete the na aap?”
“Meeti meeti baathen karna koi tujse seeki meri pyari. Lekin haan agar tuje puja karvaha hi hai na tho please ek note chod dhena ya koi sighn chod dhena ki tune hi kiya. Dhar dhiya kama ka subah.” she snapped handing the younger girl a hot cup of coffee, sipping her own, taking in the girl in front of her. Knee length gray skirt, white shirt, silver watch and a white dial and finally small silver earrings against open hai, despite the lack of footwear. “Tumne phir se chocolate miladhiya?”
“Diya aunty ne wats app kiya. Phir se nightmare.” she added, “Dhiya bhi na.... Tumhari brakefast pack karlun ya khakar jaogi?”
“Khaakar jaungi. Aap kya bana rahe hai?” she asked, “Tumhari favorite, dall partatha bana rahi hoon. Side main, mixed vegetables aur misthi dhogi.”
“Perfect, umm Rudhru ka message, I am up, getting ready.” she read, “Iss ghar par saaab muje wats app kyun karthe hai?”
“Thank you... kyunki tum hi ho cho zarur check kar logi... umm mere liye ek kaam karoge?” she asked, “Aarthi dhe kar hi aarahi hoon, daadhi ki sober companion ko, daadhi ko utane ke liye gaya hai.”
“Nirajnana ma’am humari chai aagayi hai tho kuch baathen hojay aaj?” the lady looked like someone with high stress in a short time, against tanned skin. The smooth and flowing features ended up tangling into someone beautiful. She had worn a light cream cotton saree with a dark cream thread work on the border and end with some scattered all over the saree blouse to match but the opposite with more print. Sighing she siped it, “Jithna bhi chai pathi ko paani aur cheeni ke saath ubalkar duudh daal hi dho vo kabhi chai nahi banthi. Chahe use saath elaichi daaldho ya adhrath... ya kuch bhi, lekin jabaab hamesha ek hi hai, vo chai uski vo chai ke thara nahi hai.”
Niranjana Roy, the woman who had a natural brilliance combined with the knowledge to help a lot of brilliant people. An expert in her field, a pioneer in her time and yet a loving grandmother under all of it.
“Kaunsi chai ki thara ma’am?” asked the man who served her, he was tall and pale skinned, with a highly soft build, “Meri pothi ki haath se bani hui. Lab bhag dus saal ki thi, jab choti thi, Anaanya ke paas stool main kadi hokar chai banakar dhiya. Kudh seeki thi, aur banayi thi, uski nanhi si haathon main jo swadh tha kisi ki haath main nahi thi. Jai ne tho pikar pura ka pura kitchen ko change karne ke plan karvane lagatha. Ek minute main solve kar dhiya, Jay ki dus hazar ka budget ko na ek hazar main reduce kar dhiya... bahoth sweet thi. Jab bhi koi party thi, uski madhath zarur thi usmain. Khaana ka menu select karne se shuru hokar decoration thak!”
Chandhrashekar Harikrishn Nirjana Roy’s sober companion, councilor and guide along with her research assistant in certain ways... the man who became a close friend despite the difference in age.
The man smiled and stretched the tray out again for getting the tray, “Really ma’am? Tho vo study table aur chair, phir vo chote knives ka set jo Ananya ma’am kisi ko haath lagane nahi dethi hai vo saab aap ki issi bachi ka...”
“Haan usiki hai, badi badi aanken, clear cut features, masumiyath jiski aankon se jalakthi thi. Vo jise Krishni bagwaan ki kaafi baadi bakth bhi thi! Bachpain main hi bagwaan ke liye puuja karke hi duud bhi pithi thi. Jaab ghar ki baaki bachon se ek dhum alag. Lekin jaan bilkul apni M.J ke thara thi. Chahe vo loogon ke khyaal rakne ke liye dhekne waali baath hothi thi ya phir padayi karvane ke liye efforts leni ho thi.” she added, “Saab main first aathi thi lekin achanak ek din use vahaan se bijwadiya kai par... patha nahi bechari kahaan hai aur kaisi hai.” she sighed returning the cup, “Aab samja ma’aam yahaan kisi se bhi un cheezon ke baare main pucha tho aank main aasun kyun aathe hai. Vo note book kisne liya saari dishes aur recipies ke saath. Aab bhi vo uss khaandhaan ki har din ki khaas hissa hai, lekin bechari hai kahan? school ke aakri thi gaye the, pick up karne patha chala Maya ne in logon ka ek letter forge karke discharge lekar chali gayi.”
“Ma’am aap dhekiye ke din vo zarur wapas aayegi. Aur haan, I am glad, aaj aap ne kaafi progress kar dhiya. You actually spoke.” she thanked them for his kind words, as he handed her a few more thick books, “Kaafi kuch paadna hoga aaj hum dhonon ko hume aaj aap ki target achieve karna hoga.”
That was what they did, for long hours, work through toombs one after another. It was only when a servent walked in holding a tray for lunch did they stop. “Niranjana ma’am, hum fatafat khaalenge phir kaam karthe hai tek hai?”
“Sure Shekar.” she added, smiling at the man in front of him, he was tall and built up but set against formal clothes. She observed him closely behind the specs and finally asked, “If you don’t mind me asking, Shekar, kya tumhari koi bhi family nahi hai?’
“Meri girlfriend... ek army officer hai, so busy hai. Apni tenur katham karthe hi mujse shadhi karegi. So till then I am free, explore karne, cases study karne, closely kaam karne aur logon ke ghar par rak kar apna paise bachane ke liye. Phir deed saara paise, kaafi saare experience, ek aachi si naukri jahaan par logon ko apne paas bulakar kaam karva saktha hoon. Family ke liye waqth doon, apne lie waqth nikalun... hopefuly thab thak bhai bhi settle hojayega. Zindagi set ho jayega!” seeing the sad eyes’ she asked, “Aap ke koi family?”
“Koi nahi hai.” he replied, giving her her share of the lunch. A lunch was was very quiet one and soon they got back to work... till evening... when his phone suddenly rang, “Hay baby... really? Are you sure? Don’t worry! I will be there...”
“Nirjanana ma’am, I got to go. Boss ka call aaya hai.” he added the older woman smiled, “Yeah tera boss kaun hai? Uski phone aathi hai aur tum udne lagte ho.”
“Boss vo hai jisne meri jaan bachai thi ma’am... phir kabhi bathaunga. Kyunki filaal nikalna hoga.” he added rushing out, just then a knock came on the door, “Umm dadhi main aajaun padne?”
“Rishi beta andhar aao, aachanak chai ke waqth daadi ke paas?” she asked, a younge boyish face smiled back at her, it’s soft features and charming smile reached towards her eyes. “Dadhi, aaj mere kuch friends arahe hai. Socha hum sab hang karenge, saath main...”
Rishi Roy a student studying in college with an ambition to go into Chemistery research for work... a sweet flit who always tries to brighten up the place around him.
“Chal pagal - koi apna dosthon ko daadhi ke saath hang karne ke liye lekar aathe hai kya?” she teased, the younge boy smiled, “Ek project hai dadhi, they need help, aur maine aap ka offer kar dhiya.”
“Project?” she demanded, “Aap ek analysis group ke hisse the na? Archaeological artifacts ka analysis ka, specifically un advancements ke related jo aab thak huari science ne haath thak nahi lagaya.”
“Tume kaise patha tha?” she asked looking at the boy’s soft eyes as his smile faded, “Aunt D ne bathayi thi. Ek baar aap ke liye ek phone call aaya repetitive, thab maine zid kiya jaane ka.”
“Kaun hai yeah?” her eyes filled with curiosity and a bit of concern mixed with them, “Uska naam hai Saansagar, sab use Adi bulathe hai. Already ek dual major graduation course kar chuka hai, biology aur physics main. Aab chemistry aur management ka course kar raha hai, subah aur sham tutions letha hai aas paas ke bachon ko. Guy is a genius, kaafi saare patents hai uske naam ke andhar, jise kaafi paise kamatha hai. Aur bhi kartha rehetha hai! Upar se kaafi aacha cook bhi hai, he is a loving guy too... family nahi hai. Akela hai. Aap ki saari savalon ka javab mil gayi hai tho aap use milna chahte hai?”
The smile was faded, but existent, as she nodded, “Good, maine use dinner ke liye bulaya. Mom ko bol dunga. Aaj ke liye hum teenon ke liye dinner garden main hoga. Aur muje project hai kaam karna hoga, aap apni chai pilijiye phir main aaraha hoon. Mom ko bol dhiya, fifteen minutes dhijiye. Time it.”
The elderly lady nodded, true to his word, he returned as she finished her cup of tea changed into a light gray shirt and a dull black jeans. Sitting on the bed he quickly unpacked the times, pulling a few more out of her study table too. A man walked in holding a tray, with coffee and sandwiches. “Rishi sir aap ka khaana.”
“Thank you.” he replied as the man set it on the side table near the bed as he set out the stationary and study materials, sipping hot coffee when doing so. Laying an empty mug down he began working on a sandwich and studying. She sat through her own laptop on the rocking chair, “Ma... Rishi... dinner ke liye thiyar hojaiye aap ke guest aatha hoga.”
“I am fine mom, bhas iss point ko katham karke aatha hoon.” he replied, the elder lady though got of her chair smiling, “Main tho thiyar jone ja rahi hoon. It’s not every day I get to entertain dinner guests. Aur haan Rishi, vo tera dosth hai, make him feel welcom.”
“Thank you ma Rishi kam se kam jacket ya vest tho pehenlo baba.” the younger lady sighed pulling the books away from him and putting them back in the bag. “Lekin mom, Adi mera dosth hai. Kaafi aacha dosth, maana umar main thoda bada hai but he is so cool. Har kisi se dosthi kar sakta hai, bachon se tho kithni aasani se dosthi karvatha hai. I wish you could meet him.”
“Really? Milne tho waali hoon na jab tum thiyar hojaoge.” she replied pulling him slapping him gently on the cheek, “Anthara... kausi saadi pehenlun?”
“Umm yellow one ma, aap par zyadha aachi lagegi. Aur uske saath vo white stones tho ek dhum jach jayegi.” she replied smiling at the lady adjusting her own light blue chiffon saree with the dark blue sleeveless blouse she had worn. The silver hook drop earrings were simple and neat too. Her straight hair left open against oval features with a clarity that seemed to root from her mind. “Main jaakar dinner ki thiyari dhekthi hoon, waise bhi aaj M.J ko ek dinner meet hai. Rudhr aur Ananya ne request kiya ki aaj dinner ke waqth moive dheke. Lagtha hai din kaafi lamba tha, hum sab den main honge, if you need us.”
“Enjoy your dinner Anthara.” she replied waving her daughter-in-law away. It was as she stepped out Anthara’s eyes fell upon a book on the side table, “Maya Jaising ka book?”
“Ananya ki hai, kal raath yahi par so gayi thi. Midnight ke aas paas aayi thi.” Anthara’s smile faded further as she ran her hands through her hair. “Dadhi please ja kar dhiyar hojayie. Mom... aap ithna pareshaan kyun hojathe hai?”
“Rishi, thiyar hojao.” she snapped and walked out, her tears filled eyes not noticing a set of eyes following her actively. Her eyes clearly preoccupied till a lady in uniform walked up to her, “Excuse me ma’am! A Adish Mishra says he is being expected. He is waiting in the main lobby.”
“Main use jakar mil lungi, thank you.” she replied, walking through the grand home towards the main lobby. There he was sipping a glass of water and waiting, sitting on the soft brown sofa. “Excuse me... Adish? Rishi ka dosth?”
He shot up quickly and flashed her a smile even quicker. “Hello Mrs. Roy, yes ma’am lekin sab muje Adi bulathe hai.”
Adish Mishra an orphan, abused victim and most importantly someone with a mind bright enough to turn a situation around! The type of person who has a charming exterior and a silent interior combining to become a type of person who is always remembered...
“All right then Adi aur haan ithna formality ki zarurath nahi hai. Aunty is fine.” she added, his smile faded for a moment replaced by a sad one as he shook her hand, “Umm bachpan main kidnap hogaya tha... thab se...”
“Oh! I am sorry.... Tho Anthara bulana. By the way Diya, meri nalan ek doctor hai, if you nee someone to talk to... child specialist hai. Lekin haan basic kaafi aachi thara cover kar lethi hai, counciling, medication vagaira. Miladungi, jab madam aaj hospital main aayi tho. She is a workaholic and would you like something before dinner? Tea, coffee, fresh juice, hot chocolate, cold drinks, hot drinks?”
“Aap ne tho milk shake aur smoothies ke siva sab kuch puch liya lekin haan unfortunately Rishi ne kehedhiya ke aap ka khaana kaafi aaacha hai.” he added, she smiled inconspicuously taking in the person in front of her. He was dressed in a set of brown jeans with a light cream soft shirt with small vertical diamond prints on them. On his back was a collage bag similar to her sons, on his feet where white sports shoes. A large silver watch on his wrist, “So Adi... tell me about your self as we walk up to dinner.”
“Orphan hoon. Ma aur baap mar gaye jab main lag bag saath saal ka tha. Main dhar dhar bataktha tha. Kuch logon ne muje ek scolership dhe kar school bej dhiya, prestigious prep school types aur main unka CSR case main aaya tha. Helped, dosth banane ke saath saath talent aur contacts dhono develop kiya gaya. Inventor hoon patha chala. Upar se paise kamane laga, aur first year collage ke andahr kudh ko support karne laga tha. Second year thak main kaafi asaani se kaam karne laga tha upar se tutions lene laga bachon ko. Aab ek aur course join kar dhiya. Research main jaana chahatha hoon lekin side main mere thara ke bachon ke liye ek school khola chahatha hoon!”
“That is so nice, I am sure M.J ko invest karne ke liye kaafi interest hogi.” she replied, “Sounds good, I can promise aap ki investment bekar main nahi jayega.”
Soon they were chatting about the various inventions and plans, till Rishi finally rushed down pulling a black vest over the outfit, “Sorry dude, ek call aagaya tha. Dadhi bhas touch up kar rahi hai.”
“Sure dude, I can wait, tera mom kaafi cool hai, aise laga ke main ek friend se baath kar raha tha stranger nahi.” the man added, his soft fair skin and boyish features making him look even more trustworthy in her eyes! Her meditations through was shaken by a voice on top of the stairs, “Dadhi aagayi hai Rishi beta.”
As she walked in dressed in the yellow saree with the green blouse with small buttas all over it. The cotton neatly pinned up and so was her hair, “Wow Mrs. Roy laga nahi ke aap ithne kubsurath bhi hone. I am in for a treat, beauty with brains.”
“Ever the deadly combination, come on, let us have dinner... lekin pehele bolo tumne iss meeting ko request kyun kiya?” she asked as she reached down the stairs, “Jaise main Anthara se keheratha tha, anadh hoon aur ek orgy ka victim bhi hoon, child abuse. Lekin haan inventor bane laga tha... aur apne saath saath aur bachon ko madhath kar na chahatha hoon...” at the use of her name the daughter-in-law mouthed the word phobiya to her mother-in-law who subtilly nodded, “...aur aab uske liye jo karna hoga main vo sab kuch kar raha hoon usi goal ke towards jaane ke liye. Chahe networking ya studies ya income increasing efforts.”
“That would be excellent. Come on, dinner is this way, lekin tume mujse kya chahiye?” she asked, “Ma’am aap archaeology main expert hai, aur mera project hai ancient science.”
“Tho ma hi best hai, I will take your leave enjoy your dinner.” Anthara replied leaving the place allowing the tree of them to go to the garden where the table was set with an excellent dinner set up for three. A dinner course that started with chicken soup, moving up to paneer gravy, mixed vegetables, sooji ka halwa as a constant and a side of cucumber buttermilk, soft peas and capsicum rice with spicy pappad finishing up with chocolate cake. The whole time, she was talking, except for few points when one of the boys would ask a question... except for Adi who was taking notes in his left hand on a small note pad! It was flying across the paper quickly... his other hand feeding himself the food. “Tum ek Ambidextrous, ho hai na?”
“Natural.” he added closing the book and reached down his hand, “Thank you Mrs. Roy, this is important for me. Yeah ek alag type ka project hai aap ka pointers mere ke liye kaafi useful tha, but I am going to need a few more sections - if you dont mind.”
“Any time.” she replied, Rishi smiled and added, “Main use bahar thak chod kar aatha hoon daadhi, buddy chal.”
“Thank you so much buddy yeah project na mere liye meri kaam se juda hua tha. Kaafi saari ideas mili hai, hopefully iske baadh aur zyadha milegi.” he added, as the man got on his black, Royal Enfield. He drove away first casually waving, then at one point, turned into another road increasing the speed highly moving into more classic roads with tasteful homes but smaller than the villa he left. Yet they were large enough to claim it was a bungalow in it’s own right! One particular was simple and seemed to blend in with dull soft colours dimly lit, the pavement was neat with a space set near the stairs to park the bike. Running up the stairs he walked into the hallway, looking strait into the open kitchen where she stood by the looks of it baking. “Maya ma! Plan success. Niranjana Roy ne kaafi share kiya few more sections aur vo aur zyadha bol legi. You where right, they where somehow in on this. Elder Roy’s at least, Nandhini ma kahaan hai?”
Edited by arya.arumugam - 4 years ago
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