Last story from my side
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The house is always quiet during afternoon.The kids are in school and college, adults go to work, people sleep in their rooms or watch television. In the last 1 month. Apart from a baby’s cry andelders fussing over him, there is really nothing to do during afternoons.
Manisha finds it hard to focus on anythingthese days.
Her son is gone, and possibly alcoholic.Just like his father. In this young age. He’s just in his teens. Her rage neverreally went away. It comes out in random outbursts – yesterday her husband washelping her to fold clothes. She said nothing at first. Then she snapped. Sawhim flinch from the corner of her eyes.
Manoj always reacts to her outbursts with asigh. And he walks away. Always does. Probably goes to his brother, Madhav, tocry to.
Manisha has no patience for anyone’s miserythese days.
Today was a different day. There was hustlebustle since yesterday- new baby’s puja and everyone has to be there and allthe giggles and happiness surrounding the chubby little bundle. Manisha lovesbabies. She love to squish them and cuddle them. When Aryan was a baby, shealways held him close to her. He was a chubby baby too, quite large during hisbirth. Tall too- he will easily surpass her.
She don’t have energy to do anything. Thehouse is empty without her son, the bed is cold, and in this two decades ofmarriage, she felt for the first time in her life that she don’t have anyone.She always had Manoj. They both were black sheeps of their families, overlookedand ignored. But they had each other, then their son. Life was good for awhile. But somewhere along the lines, his failures were too grating. Toofrustrating to hear and sympathise with. His inability to speak meant Manishacould help, but she stays quiet too-cause why bother? Nothing change. And thenhe takes the coward’s approach to alcohol, lies about it, and keeps her indark. And she would have understood- like she understood why her husband staysquiet, head bowed down in his own house, why she has to babble so much tobalance it all- but not her son. Not this. Not Aryan.
The family goes to temple, and Manisha canthelp but give a dark glare to God. She shouldn’t- her mother had taught herfear of god and how to always keep him pacified. But she couldn’t help it.These days when Vidya Bhabhi does arti, she stands there to keep up pretense.What else can she ask for now? why god did this in the first place?
Vidya Bhabhi has the reason to be happy andrespectful to god. Not her.
When manoj stood near her, she couldn’thelp her shift away from him.
Maybe she resents him. Or herself.
The Pooja was going as usual- until the newguy came. Abhir. Ruhi and abhira’s long lost brother. She has so many questionsabout it but better to keep quiet. No point get into that tamasha when she has mess of her own.
She calls the hostel but Aryan never speaksto her.
Abhir has a dhol, and enters in a grand wayonly he can, Manisha guessed. Made a show of showering gifts on his nephew-this newfound love was weird too.
Then he took the baby from Abhira’s armsand gave it to Ruhi, declaring its hers.
Predictably, chaos ensured. What, how,where, why. Manisha stayed behind and observed- Rohit stood in shadows, headbowed, unable to meet anyones eyes. Arman’s eyes red, but also furious. Abhiradevastated as she fell on floor.
The tamasha stretched on, and amidst this,Ruhi walked away with the baby.
Manisha followed her.
They reached Poddar house together insilence. She couldn’t let Ruhi be alone- maybe her motherly instinct was toomuch. She had messaged Charu that they were home and got a reply they were ontheir way too, and winced internally. Another set of drama waiting to happen.She didn’t know how to react to it. She had her questions too, but knew shewill get her answers soon. Poddar house believes in public tamasha and get intoeveryones business. All will be revealed on time.
Holdhim like this. Manisha instructed Ruhi, as sheherself picked a toy and shook to distract the baby.
Everyone came home, drama started, allcards were out in open. Arman accepted his mistake immediately- his baby isdead, he took the baby from Rohit and got attached to it. He didn’t want togive him away. Daksh was part of him and Abhira now.
Rohit was stubborn in a way nobody has everseen. He accepted everything too, but there was an arrogance. An air ofsuperiority. He said he don’t regret any of it. His wife would be a bad motheranyway, she almost killed herself and their baby that day. It was just miraclethey survived, but Ruhi was in coma. Just yesterday Ruhi was so jealous of babyand Bhabhi that she was ready to throw the baby on floor. He don’t want to riskhis son’s life. Its better Arman and Abhira raises him. He was ready to signoff his rights too, instructing Sanjay to make papers for official adoption.
Manisha saw Abhir just then. He wasstanding there too. At Rohit’s words, his jaw clenched, eyes hardening.Abruptly, he turned and left.
Abhira had fallen unconscious, resting inher room. Vidya and Kaveri was near Ruhi, patting her head to console it. VidyaBhabhi- like the flipper she is, was again back to loving Ruhi. She was right,its just a matter of who gave a male heir to family. The love was back toRuhi’s kitty, no matter how artificial it is.
There was general pros and cons list byeveryone in house, Manisha gave her two cents cursing Rohit and Arman for thisfoolishness too. Ruhi kept looking at Rohit, and she saw it. The realizationthat this is what she married into. This was her husband. Her spineless, loserof a husband who cared about his family too much over his wife. The husband whowas ready to blame his wife, than his own blindness.
Manisha looks at Manoj like that too.
No.
Ruhi said. When rohit tried to saysomething, she shook head. There was something in the way she said that, almostlike a booming voice. Everyone fell quiet.
Rohit moved to take the baby from her.
No. she kept the baby away from him, looked at everyone, and walked backto her room in a hurry.
Abhira couldn’t live in the house- it waspredictable, and came as a surprise only to Arman. She cursed, begged, andcursed him some more, said she don’t want to see his face as Arman cried andbegged for her to stay back. She didn’t want to be tied to him- she couldn’tsee her dead baby, her husband was a liar, her devar tried to pass off his babyas hers, shes not a worker in poddar firm too. She wanted to divorce him too,but Manisha knew that wont happen. None divorces in Poddar house.
Manoj discusses the drama everytime theytwo are alone, his disbelieve at his nephews and bechari ruhi and bachariAbhira. Manisha tuned in out- enough of this becharipana. Everyone is a victimto someone elses mistake in this house. And why her husband is so shocked athis nephew’s audacity. Arman married Abhira suddenly under a 1 year contractand bought her home, then was ready to marry Ruhi his Bhabhi, left her inaltar, married abhira again. And arman ruhi were involved previously. Rohitleft house for a year knowing their truth. The boys can do whatever they want.After all, they are men. In this house kaveri poddar and Arman poddar plays allthe cards. Now rohit proved he is armans brother by this stunt.
She cant sleep these days, walks around inthe house at night like a ghost. Manisha sees Ruhi too, often with Daksh. She don’tdisturb her. But tonight, she did.
Ruhi looked like she didn’t sleep for ayear. She also looked fierce- something was looming in those bags under eyes.
Chaachi.She said. If Ido something- for myself, for my son. At the expenses of others, will that betoo wrong?
They didthings at your expense too. Manisha said. Will it be revenge, Ruhi? Will that satisfyyou?
I wantto leave this house.
It don’thappen in poddar house. And go where? Remember I told you once- your b nanuloves Abhira more and will always shun you. Do you see it now? where is hetoday? Did he even call you to check on you? You have nowhere to go, beta. Maybeyou need to make a place for yourself. You didn’t answer me, will it berevenge?
No.something else.
Manisha became Ruhi’s shadow. Shadow willbe a wrong thing to say- she speaks up more to her than she ever did in herlife. She points out flaws in her plans, helps her with the baby, focuses herback to present, helps her to snap out of past, dark shadows. A silent partner,more like. They share each others pain. Manisha never had that in this house-she had vidya Bhabhi, sure. But their lives were different. Madhav didn’t loveher. Manoj loved her, but not enough to change his ways to stand up to people.
Manisha suggested Ruhi to loop in Sanjayjijasa. There was obvious fear of backstabbing- the man is too selfish, but itwas a chance worth taken.
Sanjay jumped into the plan cautiously,eyeing the two woman- one in her mid 40s, other with a newborn baby. He didn’t thinkanyone had it in this family, much lesser than Manisha, who hammed her waythrough life. He has to watch his back too, but knew that wont be needed. Hes notthe target, neither collateral damage.
He wined and dined other minor partners,getting their votes. The trio made plans to out poddar men, one by one.
Arman was too depressed to come to office. Hiscases went to Sanjay and Rohit. Rohit lost his cases, Sanjay won them all. He lita fire in office regarding two brothers and generational nepotism. Arman wasousted by a majority vote, and the guy didn’t care. he packed his bags the nextday to find abhira.
Rohit drowned in his own failure andshunned the world. He didn’t come out of room, too depressed in his ownshortcomings.
Ruhi don’t share the room with him sincethat day.
Manisha blackmailed Manoj to sign off hisshare in poddar firm to her name. that’s what he said- the word was blackmail.Manisha could have laughed, but things were too serious.
Sign this.She commanded.
I don’teven recognize you. What happened to you?
I don’trecognize you too. And failure happened to me- my and your failures. I am done,Manoj ji. So sign this.
What willyou do with my shares?
You don’tneed to know. Anyways, why do you care now. your bottles are waiting in yourcar, you can drown in them and forget.
Sincewhen you became this cruel Manisha?
I wishI was cruel since the start. Wish I didn’t just listen to your sad storiesabout failures. I wish I had pushed you, motivated you, blackmailed you tosuccess years ago. I married someone like me and my son will become analcoholic now.
That wasa mistake!
No.no Manoj. That was a long time coming. You know whats your problem is Manoj? Youare an insecure, weak man who sees others climbing ladders of success and givefake smile. You take others success so personally that you cant be motivated. Youhated Madhav, you hate arman, and finally you hate yourself. But I don’t hatemyself. And I wont let my son hate himself too cause he has weak parents. This ismy chance. I want to make a difference. So sign this, stand behind me andwatch. And stay quiet like you always do.
He signed it, and Manisha heaved a sigh ofrelief.
Kaveri was too distraught- her fantasy ofPoddar firm solely handled by her heirs was flopping. There were too much angerfrom partners, and cracks were showing in her firm, stoic exterior. She had todepend on Sanjay once again, and slowly became weak. And he took fulladvantage- ruled on the firm like he used to do.
He had suggested to slip a paper betweenreports and let the old hag sign away her life. Ruhi had said it will be betterwhen all partners turn against her and she witness it with her own eyes. He likedthe idea too, Manisha letting out a grin. They celebrated their almost success-they were drinking whiskey. Manisha never had one, and when she made a face andwinced at the liquid, both of them laughed.
I didn’tthink this day will come- no offense to you, Ruhi and Manisha. What changed? Isit the baby?
Ruhi took time to reply.
I wasfree from fear, I guess Phuphasa. I had nothing else to lose.
Why areyou doing this? Revenge?
Somethingbetter than revenge, actually.
You areforgetting Manish ji, Ruhi. Manisha had chimed in. hes going scot free too.
Who saidthat?
Sanjay stopped his drinking to really lookat Ruhi- Ruhi birla poddar, the bahu of this house. Scheming and planning herway to. . . whatever it was.
What areyou planning? Sanjay had asked. When the ladiessmirked at his eagerness, he let out his reasoning to hate that old dog, Manishgoenka too.
No offenseRuhi, but that guy is full of shit. I heard his business was going bankrupt? Buthe did nothing, I heard from whispers he just sat in his house, didn’t even goto office. But that man had the audacity to try to help my son. Gave him money,wanted to buy him I guess. Mera beta. Himmat kaise huyi uski?
Jijasayou aren’t helping your son too na.
Manisha all I want him to complete his masters. Every year there are 10 reality showsand hundred contestants. Do we hear about them? Very few are successful in thatbrutal lifestyle. He didn’t want to study LLB, fine. At least do MBA. There ishigh chance he will fail, then what? Sit in depression like Rohit is doing? Kajaland Charu don’t understand that. Just blindly agreeing to kids isn’t parenting.Kajal always played good cop with him, leaving punishment and disciplning tome. He wants to open a dance studio, arre first make a name for yourself. He dancedin a few local shows in Udaipur and thinks hes some hot shot. Some day he wantto teach dance, some days he wants to go to Mumbai. That boy cant make up hishead, and I am villain. Its very frustrating, but I cant give up. Mera betahai. Not manish goenka’s. and I will fix his life. He will understand someday.
Iwish Rohit was like you, Phuphasa. He gave up on his son the moment he wasborn.
Howare you handling it, Ruhi?
I don’thave the luxury to sit and cry, Phuphasa. I have nothing, Manisha chaachi remindedme other day. It opened my eyes. I have to make my place- this is a wrong way, Iagree, but I am dealt with this life. I have to play it myself. I got you two, Ididn’t even expect it. Better three than one, I guess.
I amalways up to teach Kaveri poddar a lesson. All my life, I gave my blood sweattears to this firm. You know I got an opportunity to join Ram jethmalani’s firmback in 90s?
ReallyJijasa?
Yes. Youknow Kajal and I had arranged marriage. My parents died not long after that. Mysister is in austrailia with her husband and kids. Kaveri poddar said- myhusband has left me a business, but I don’t have any man to help me. She was agood lawyer too, but women aren’t accepted by others easily. I became a face offirm. Whatever she needed, I did it all. I gave my everything to firm. I didn’tregret losing the opportunity to join Jethmalani saab. I thought, I have abusiness now. a name in Udaipur. It was enough for me. But Ma sa spit on myface. I heard her saying to Vidya Bhabhi- jamaisa isn’t poddar. We need to keepit in family. That witch used me to create her empire and now discarding melike a tissue paper. But karma, right. She had to lean on me again, and thistime, I wont give her chance. Shes opportunistic, so am i. I will pull the rugunder her. Me you and Ruhi. We three.
Vidya had noticed the three of together. Itwas too odd.
Kya karrahe ho tum log? She had asked Manisha.
Kuch nahiBhabhi. Ruhi is feeling alone these days, giving her company. Jijasa drinksalone, there is too much pressure in work. I am alone these days too, Aryan isn’there.
Hes stillnot talking to you?
No.but its okay, I understand. I am villain in his story. But for his benefit, I canbe anything he hates. But his life should turn out fine, not like me and Manoj.
Ruhi don’teven let me touch the baby. She does everything. I don’t even see her sleeping.Arman don’t pick up phone. Abhira too. Rohit don’t speak to anyone. I don’t knowwhats happening to my family.
Manisha wanted to say- its curse. Its karma.Its comeuppance of years of abuse and backstabbing. Its god finally turning hiswheel. But she said nothing.
This palace of glass will shatter soon. Theyhave to wait and watch.
Rohit leaves home one day and only his deadbody comes back to house. Everyone cries and screams, Manisha sheds a tear too-for the sweet boy who grew up in front of her.
Ruhi don’t cry- she only knew the man hehad become, and it was despicable.
Arman and abhira missed the funeral, andwhen they came, Vidya cursed them out, screaming and crying how they abandonthe house all the time. Sanjay phuphasa was taking sadistic pleasure in thistamasha- barring the death, of course. Through this ruthless planning, he wassurprised ruhi herself didn’t choke Rohit to death. Or maybe, this was all herdoing.
He wont ask.
The shradh was done- Madhav finished it allthrough tears, and held vidya once everyrthing was over.
We shoulddo it tomorrow. Ruhi had declared. She had stoppedwearing sindoor and mangalsutra long ago. She didn’t look any different.
You sure? Manisha had asked, a got a nod.
An emergency voting happened in firm thenext day. Sanjay could see kaveri wasn’t in her senses, and thought, good. The votingwas a landslide, taking Arman by surprise who had attended it. When heunderstood phuphasas planning, he cursed him out.
Sanjay didn’t have to reply. Others did onhis behalf. By the end of others schooling Arman how Sanjay helped to shapethis firm, how he stood over his hardwork all these time, he went quiet, made atwisted face and walked away, supporting Kaveri.
They gathered in ruhis room that night- shewas back to the bedroom, and already decorated it to her taste. There was nophoto of Rohit. Only of Daksh’s.
30%of share of Poddar firm is of minor voters. That leaves 70%- 23% of each. And 1%is of Daksh. In this way, if anyone wants to overtake firm, he or she has toteam up with another partner. If you two have any other idea, let me know. Ruhi had let them know.
It was more than Sanjay could ever ask for.Kaveri was a nobody in her own firm. He gladly signed, followed by Manisha andRuhi.
Manisha had the pleasure to let Kaveri knowshe was no longer welcome to this house.
Oh, Isee now. jamaisa and you planned it all, didn’t you? But I have only lost myfirm, Manisha. This house is still mine.
ActuallyMa sa, no. you remember Rohit’s cases that he lost? It was due to his ownnegligence, and probably you don’t know, but Phuphasa promised themcompensation. A legal contract, in your lawyer term. But that money cant comefrom firm, can it? Or would you rather we sell the firm?
Kaveri said nothing.
Ma sa,its in your own interest you sign away your rights of this house. We will sellthis house and settle it. You don’t want your husband’s reputation draggedthrough mud, do you?
She saw the papers, couldn’t believe hereyes and passed it to arman and abhira. A verbal spat ensured- I didn’t thinkyou will fall so low, phuphasa, and how can you do this to poor dadisa, Manishachaachi, and etc etc.
Abhira said- How can you stand there, Ruhi. My mumma always taught me to stand byfamily, but I guess you didn’t learn it from yours.
Ruhi walked near her, hissing in a velvetyvoice.
Your mumma.You mumma. . . you know why you are standing here today? A no name girl whohates her husband yet back to her ex in laws? Cause of your mumma. Your mummawho married you off to a boy she barely knew, and threw you in this sickening familyruled by a disgusting matriarch. You are standing there and lecturing on behalfof Dadi sa, really? You probably forgot countless abuses she did to you. Awfulthings she said. But I didn’t- I remember you all cursing me cause I was soheartless to throw your baby on ground. I didn’t forget how she wanted to getrid of me like a furniture. And you stood there, in your rightousness. You didn’tmind your so called sister getting treated like such.
Your hypocrisyis so amusing, Abhira. By the way you know origin of your name? It was yourmumma’s first husband and her ship name. Abhimanyu and Akshara. If you don’t believeit, its still there in her room in Goenka house. You have such big heart-calling me matashree knowing your mother killed my mother, ready to share your baby.And she had confessed it, you can ask your B nanu properly this time. What kindof daughter are you? You don’t want to know about her life, I guess you are toocoward. You don’t want to shatter the image of your mother cause she is dead. Letme enlighten you- you mother killed my dad too. She tried to do heroism, in herrisky pregnancy, and in the process my dad died. He paid price of herstupidity, just like the other day you took Daksh out and he was kidnapped, hewas going to pay your price too.
Your mummaleft my poppy, married another man within months who became your dad later. Cameback years later and challenged my poppy that her son, abhir, will never callhim dad. just because my poppy was angry at her cause his brother, my dad died.Your mumma lost the case, cried on street, I heard that was very sad but now I think,that must have been so funny. She came crawling back to my poppy when youfather died, Abhira. She begged to my Manjari dida, accept me, accept my betu. Samelady who had showed attitude to my dida not too long ago. That filthy womangave identity crisis to my brother and he was mocked by his peers case he hastwo fathers. She took away my poppy, not before bestowing me with another gift.She took my matashree too. She had promised to my dying mother that she willtake care of me, and boy did she take care. she took care of everything, liveda nice life with you for decades as she abandoned me. And now that Abhir isback, I guess your mumma didn’t even wait for my poppy and abhir’s dead bodiesto turn up. To eager to run away. She has always ran away, and used men like mypoppy, my dad, your father and finally arman to fulfill her desires.
So abhira,don’t you there stand here and give me lecture about what my mother taught me. Shedidn’t get chance, cause of your mother. You have b nanu now. get out of here,grab your dadi sa. Let her sign the papers and leave.
Arman started to say are you doing all these because of me? Because I rejected you? Took yourkid? That was Rohit, Ruhi. That was all him.
You shouldn’tsay anything, Arman. You should just stand behind your wife’s pallu and agreeto her nodding head. Cause that you are. You strung me along when you weremarried to her, and left me for her. My biggest mistake was not going to USAback then. But then, I wouldn’t be standing here with my son. I would like tosay thank you, Arman. You taught me a lesson, then your brother. God teacheslesson to us, I get it now. so what I said to your wife- tell your dadi sa tosign papers, sign it to me phuphasa and Chaachi, and get the hell out of thishouse.
Manisha had things to say too.
Masa, I truly considered you as my mother. Wanted your approval more thananything. I saw you over the years using and abusing your own family for your business.You saw Madhav mistreating Vidya Bhabhi but kept her to babysit Arman. You treatedarman terribly, emotionally abused him everytime. You said you loved Rohit, buthe always fell short in your eyes. You broke self confidence of my Manoj. Treatedabhira terribly too, until you saw an opportunity to use her to rule over us. Discardedme and Vidya Bhabhi- Bhabhi who stood by your all these years, kept the familytogether. You kept jijasa here and used his capacity to build your empire, onlyto hand over all of it to Abhira and arman. Abhira, who passed out not even 1year back. Who handled like 2 cases. She became too important to you over allthese people who worked their days and nights for decades under you, and neverreceived any encouragement from you. So you stay with your precious Arman andAbhira, and get out. They will take care of you. Like you wanted them too. You see,Ma sa, its all happening as per your plan.
Kaveri did sign away everything and walkedout, her shoulders down. She looked smaller somehow- Manisha mourned it. If onlyshe had changed. But it was too late now.
Vidya got the courage to divorce Madhavafter all these time. They had thought after Rohit, they were getting close.
Its toolate now. she said to Manisha, and turned to Ruhiand Sanjay.
I wontsay what you did was wrong or right. I hope whatever you did, it sustains.
She left home soon.
Ruhi said one night during their drinkingsession
I wish I had slapped him.
Whichone? Manisha asked. Sanjay started to laugh, othertwo joining in.
The younger batch shouted protested howwrong it was etc. Sanjay told them to give time. And with time, things didimprove. Kajal started to speak up more, basically becoming second mother tothem all. Without a looming shadow of an old woman who scares them, everyone ofthem blossomed. The so called injustice was soon behind them.
Her son told he will do MBA side by sidehis dancing routine, making Kajal proud. Sanjay shed a tear- his cold deadheart was beating again.
Charu was more outspoken and confident- forherself this time. She fell for a nice guy and was engaged soon. The guytreated her better than anyone ever did in Poddar house.
Aryan was happy in hostel. His relationwith Manisha was better too. He didn’t agree with whatever happened, but hecould see with 4 eyes how happy everyone was. Even his dad stopped drinking andgoing to work. He was winning cases too, essentially a second hand to Sanjay.
Madhav had left home, taking transfer forMumbai.
Kiara went to abroad for higher studies. Whenshe facetimed them wearing short dress and beer cans clearly visible, no onecared. They trusted their kids. They don’t treat their kids like Kaveri did-scaring them, towering over them.
Daksh was starting to walk. Ruhi still don’ttrust anyone with him, and keeps an eye like a hawk, but the knot in her chestwas loosening. She laughed the loudest with him, and saw others doting over theyoungest member of family.
they didnt sell the house of course- it was settled in a way only Sanjay knew. He credited it to Manoj.
There was a case in firm related to famousbrand which specializes in kids related items- toys, prams, strollers etc.apparently their cheap quality strollers and toxic toys were reason for manybaby’s death. When he mentioned it to everyone over breakfast, they casted aglance to ruhi in apology. It wasn’t her fault when Daksh almost fell fromstroller.
He was sure Ruhi’s guilt had lessened too.
He sees Abhira and Arman in courts too.Abhira specializes to cases related to women victim, Arman works for NGOs. Theypretend they don’t know each other.
They don’t know about kaveri and don’t wantto know about her.
Manish goenka comes to Poddar house a lot,but Ruhi don’t entertain him. Manisha shrieked one day reading news paper-apparently goenka house was going to be sold through auction.
His potihas stopped their freeloading, it seems.
Ruhi says nothing. But she does go to the auction-with Manisha and Daksh in tow.
Abhir buys the house, and turns to glanceat Ruhi through the crowd. Once the crowd clears, he walks over to her. Manishadon’t move away- they don’t have secrets in house now.
I thinkyou didn’t like me buying the house.
I don’tcare what you do with your money, Abhir.
Buddydon’t want to stay here. I think I need to covert the house to air bnb. It willbe a waste of this beautiful property.
She asks Ruhi later- does she miss abhir?
Like aphantom limb that’s cut off. But we both have our baggage. He wont see hismother as killer, I wont see her as anything else. Better the brother sisterstay together singing praise of their opportunistic mother.
You cantry.
Its fine.If abhir wants. . . I have you all now. and my baby. You think I should changehis name?
Its fine,isn’t it . . .
the end
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