"Beta, why didn't you tell us this for the past three years?" asked Tejaswini with tears welled up in her eyes.
"Because I thought Suraj and I could work this out. We didn't want to disappoint you but it has been long enough, Ma. If we wait longer, I might go crazy living such a lonely and affectionless life," Chakor answered trying to convince Tejaswini.
"I will talk to Suraj, Beta. I will make him understand you. Everything will change, trust me, Beta. You are the best match for Suraj. I know this deep inside my heart. It is taking a lot longer for you and Suraj to realise it. Let me speak to Suraj," as Tejaswini tried convincing Chakor, Kamal Narayan interrupted yet again.
"Teju, no, please don't stop her. Just look at how exasperated she looks. I have never seen our Chakor like this. If this continues, we might lose our daughter."
He approached Chakor, placed his arms around her shoulder as she leaned on his, hugging him sideways, "Look, Chakor, my love, I am sorry that Papa didn't try to see your pain. We thought you both were happy because that's how you looked whenever we see you. I am sorry that I never tried asking you or Suraj about the problems that you might face in your marriage. To me, Suraj and your happiness is utmost important. Papa and Ma got you and Suraj married because you have always been bringing out the best in him since childhood. Suraj looked at you as an example and set out to push himself to be as successful as you are in education. I just realize how selfish both of us have been. In giving Suraj the best wife he could ever get, we just made you lose yourself."
Kamal Narayan paused for a while to gather strength to say what he is about to say next. "Whatever decision you and Suraj will take next, we will leave it to both of you. No matter what the decision may be, Papa and Ma will always love you, just remember that, my love."
Listening to Kamal Narayan, Tejaswini broke into tears but she knew that it was the right thing to say. After all, she didn't want Suraj and Chakor to suffer lifelong just to please them. Tejaswini approached Chakor and signaled that she agrees with what her husband was saying.
"Make sure you discuss with Suraj one last time before making the final decision, Beta," Tejaswini added and wiped Chakor's tears.
What Tejaswini said next gave Chakor strength and courage: "You are our daughter and you will always remain as our daughter whether you are married to Suraj or not."
*****************************************************************
On her way home, Chakor had reminiscences of what happened at the Rajvanshi mansion. She thought Ma and Pa will hate her if she proceeds with the divorce but what occurred was quite the opposite. She felt blessed to have them in her life and pledged to take good care of them even after the divorce.
Upon reaching the neighborhood, Chakor drove into her house compound and parked the car. From the driveway she could see the bright lights in the living room. "Suraj is awake, great! Hope he doesn't bug me," Chakor thought to herself as she locked the car and entered the house. Suraj seldom uses the living room as he has his own magic fortress in his bedroom. Chakor never tried entering his room and vice versa. As legal husband and wife, they were sharing a house but not bedroom and the living room was rarely used by either of them. But today, to her disbelief, Suraj was laying on the recliner in the living room, watching 'Tom and Jerry', drinking a chilled beer. He noticed Chakor. Seeing her looking at him with a confused look, he initiated the conversation.
"Hey, you're back," he voiced. "Yeah, and you're here, in the living room, watching a cartoon. I guess it's gonna rain heavily tonight," Chakor answered back. Suraj smiled knowing that Chakor was trying to pull his leg.
Suraj : Let it rain then. I prefer the cold. Been used to this 'cold' relationship.
Chakor : (Laughing) This 'cold' relationship? Looks like you are missing your 'warm' relationship with Imli. (Chakor answered sarcastically)
Suraj : You're right. Maybe I should invite her to spend the night with me. (Suraj looked at Chakor's face to see her reaction but Chakor did not give him that pleasure)
Chakor : Enjoy then. Good night. (Chakor started walking towards the stairs but Suraj strode towards her, stretched his right arm and blocked her path)
Suraj : Okay okay, wait, I was just kidding. I have no mood to romance with this swollen nose.
Chakor : (Looking perplexed) Why are you telling me all this now?
Chakor is not used to having such conversations with Suraj. She felt uncomfortable with him standing a feet away from her. She pushed his arm aside trying to walk pass, but he stopped her once again.
Suraj : You went to meet Ma and Pa, right? Why aren't you telling me anything about it?
Chakor : Why should I?
Suraj : What do you mean? You went there to talk about our divorce, right? Did you tell them that? How did they react?
Suraj was anxiously waiting for her response. Chakor was too tired to entertain him. She had a long day and she wanted rest.
Chakor : Can we talk about this tomorrow? I am super tired, thanks to you. I want to rest now. We can talk tomorrow when we both are free.
Suraj : You're tired because of me? Really, Chakor? (He paused for a second, stepped closer to her and looked into her eyes, then continued) I am the one should be telling that. You attacked me like a 'jungli billi' today. You should be thanking me for not pressing any charges against you for domestic violence.
Chakor : Excuse me, who did you call as 'jungli billi'?! Pakhandi! (she shouted, almost chewing him out)
Suraj : (Her reaction cracked him out) Pakhandi?! That's the nickname you give me?! Thanks for the compliment, 'jungli billi'. (He smirked, enjoying what his words causing her)
Annoyed by him, Chakor felt confused seeing 'this' Suraj infront of her. The Suraj she knew all these years will never talk to her like this. He sounded different.
Chakor : Suraj, are you high? Are you on drugs or something? How many bottles of beers did you drink?
Suraj : Emmm... (Gesturing two...three...four...five in a slow motion with his fingers) Actually, I lost count. But... but, I am not drunk. Suraj Rajvanshi will never get drunk! Suraj Rajvanshi is always steady! Suraj Rajvanshi knows...
Before he could finish his sentence, Chakor shoved him as hard as she could to get away from him. She hates drunkards and she had no patience to talk to one, especially now. This infuriated Suraj. He held Chakor's hands, right above her elbows and pulled her towards him almost pinning his body against her. Suraj was surprisingly not moving himself away from her. His hard, focused, intense gaze was making her uncomfortable. Whatever he was up to, Chakor is not pleased with it.
Chakor : Let go of me! Are you mad?! (His touch is causing shivers all over her as she tried struggling her way out of his grip)
Suraj : Stop moving. You're not going anywhere. We have to talk. I want to talk.
Chakor : Suraj, you better get your hands off me! Move! (The more she pushed, the tighter he held)
Suraj : If I don't, are you going to really break my nose this time? (He questioned sarcastically)
Chakor : No, Suraj. Your nose is not in my mind right now. From the angle that I am standing, I will attack you in a place where you could never reproduce with Imli!
Suraj : (Stunned with what he just heard) You wouldn't do that, would you?
(He said, while one hand holding Chakor, the other trying to cover his 'part')
Chakor : Ten more seconds and you'll know it! (Chakor retaliated)
After his short encounter with 'martial arts specialist' Chakor in the lift today, Suraj kind of worried that she might really 'do' it, so he immediately let go of her and backed a few steps.
Chakor : (Pushing him further away) Are you crazy, Suraj?! You touch me one more time and I'll break your neck for real!
Suraj : Why so rough? I was just trying to talk to you.
Chakor : Talk?! That too to me?! What a joke! Why now? Why after all these years suddenly you want to talk to me?
Suraj had no answer. Chakor was right. He never once tried approaching her but now since the talks about the divorce has pop up, he is showing interest to chitchat with her. Chakor thought he was pretending just to get her talk about what happened at the Rajvanshi mansion.
Chakor : No answer? I thought so. Can I go to my room now? I have no time to waste on drunkards like you. (She looked irritated and that troubled Suraj)
Suraj : I am not drunk, Chakor. I just had a few sips of beer. I'm on medication, remember?
Chakor : It's none of my concern, Mr. Suraj Rajvanshi! You want to know what Ma and Pa said, am I right? That's why you're getting into my nerves now, correct?!
It wasn't 100% true. Suraj wanted to know what happened at the mansion but he also tried to have a genuine conversation with her. He saw a different version of Chakor today at the hospital and it bothered him, in a nice way. He remembered why he hated her in the first place. She is hundred times better than him in every single way. She had the courage to voice out her opinion; she had the courage to defend herself when needed; she had the courage to stand up for her future; all these which lacked in him.
Suraj : What are you expecting me to say, Chakor?
Chakor : Why should I expect anything from you, Suraj?! Get this clear in your mind, I have zero expectation from you. Let's make this quick. I spoke to Ma and Pa. They were shattered but they understood. They said they will stand by us no matter what our decision is. I spoke to a lawyer friend of mine on the way home. He will help us file the divorce petition tomorrow.
Suraj : Wait, what?! Ma and Pa agreed? They weren't upset? They weren't angry?
Chakor : (Rolling her eyes) Upset, yes. Angry, no. Coming back to the case, you should hire a lawyer to represent you. We should get started as soon as possible because according to my lawyer, in order to dissolve the marriage, we are required to wait for at least one year from the date of the petition. The sooner we file the petition, the sooner we will get divorced. (Chakor was basically giving him orders)
Suraj : (Not knowing how to respond, petrified that he might offend her if he says anything, he swallowed his intended words) Okay, my lawyer will meet yours tomorrow. I will arrange that. Just give me his contact details.
Chakor : Perfect! Good night, then. (Chakor gave him a business card, walked up the staircase to her bedroom and closed the door)
Suraj stood at the same position for almost a minute before recalling what just happened. He is finally going to be free from Chakor and this fake marriage. Chakor looked more excited than him about this divorce. He was relieved knowing that his parents are not angry at him but Chakor's reaction gave him an unpleasant feel. Their physical contact moments ago bothered him, causing him to smile a little thinking about it. That was the first time he actually stood so close to her, almost feeling her heartbeat against his. Her angry complexion flashed right before his eyes. He had warm tickles all over his body, something even his ex-girlfriends fail to give him during his undergraduate years.
Everything about this divorce seems to be in a fast forward motion. With that thought, he got back to his recliner, switched off the television and saw his reflection on the screen. Looking at it blankly, he talked to his mirror image, "You got what you wanted, Suraj Rajvanshi, then why this long face? Why aren't you happy?"
Not being able to sleep, the night hasn't ended yet for Suraj Rajvanshi...
Shiv Shakti
Ye Hai Mohabbatein
