Part 24 –

 

Her father has returned home. She could hear his voice upraised in anger as she mounted the front steps. It simply wasn't necessary.arguments with his wife were exceedingly rare, but they were having one argument now. Kripa hesitated, uncertain whether to go back outside or find her way up to her bedroom through a side door.

Surya – how could he do this? How could he spoil everthing? Here you are able to wind any man – any man at all – around your little finger and kripa can't hold onto her own fianc. I though she'd be married within 2 months. I thought we'd have our lives to ourselves.

Gayatri – what a dreadful thing to say, surya (kripa heard he mother reply, her voice full of pain)

Surya – all right I'm sorry. I've done my best gayatri. God knows I've tried, buts he is not mine. How can you expect me to love her? I've tried all these years to love her but I can't. she is not my blood. Why do you think I've left the property to young kartik. He at least is.

Kripa reached for something to hold on to. Click,click,click! It all came together. She's not mine!

A trembling began right through her body. A profound sadness filled her eyes. Nonetheless, she didn't step backwards, but forwards. She was devastated, but to her wonderment, not demolished. She's not mine! Hadn't such a thing been implied by his behavior all these years?

Gayatri – shut up and keep your voice down. Krips will be home soon.

She's home now. Kripa found herself in the kitchen where her parents or her mother and the man she thought was her father faced each other across the table like combatants in a deadly battle.

Kripa – would someone like to explain to me what I just overheard?

Gayatri – krips, beta!

Kripa – who exactly am I, mamma? Is there anyone in this world who hasn't betrayed me? My father all these long years isn't my father at all. so who is? I'm not going anywhere until you tell me. That's if you know?

Suryaban – please don't talk to your mother like that. I'm sorry you had to hear that. I'm just so terribly upset.

Gayatri – you're upset? You miserable b******! You miserable jerk! You swore you'd never tell her.

Suryaban – (stood stiff) I never told her, she overheard. This was just supposed to be between you and me, gayatri.

Gayatri – god! I  don't want to live with you anymore, surya. You've killed whatever feeling I had for you. Krips is my daughter. I love her best in thr world. Far more than I could ever love you.

Surya – but you never loved me, did you? I've been the one who's done all the loving.

Kripa – (interrupted) you don't know the first thing about love. You don't even know about simple compassion. You're a cold man. You think only of yourself. God, it must have been so hard for you fathering a child that wasn't yours. Why didn't you tell mamma to have an abortion?

Surya – she wouldn't have it, that's why!

Gayatri – (shook her head) never, never!

Kripa – so who's my father, mamma? Or is it as I said, you don't know (tears rolling down her cheeks)

Surya – she's know all right. But she couldn't marry him. He was married already. I was the poor fool who took her to the altar.

Gayatri – it was all you ever wanted.

Surya – I loved you then. I love you now.

Gayatri – totally amazing! You actually believe it. This marriage is over surya. All these years I've lived with your emotional blackmail. Now it's out in the open.

Surya – you don't mean that. You'll never leave me, gayatri. It would be very wrong and dishonorable. I've been good to you, haven't I? I've tried my best with krips, but the way she looks at me!  It's like she's always known.

Kripa – I guess some part of me did. Now I don't give a damn which one of you leaves. All I need to know is the name of my real father, then I'm out of here.

Gayatri – where to you have nowhere to go.

Kripa – oh, yes I have.

Surya – I hope you're not talking about khanna?

Kripa – none of your bloody business. Who's my father? I must know.

Surya – you're crazy.

Gayatri – shut up surya! I can't tell you krips, maybe one day.

Kripa – one day very soon. Understand? Now tell me the truth if you can, mamma. Did my real father know about me?

Gayarti – I never told him.

Kripa – he had a right to know.

Gayatri – yes, he did.

Kripa – what would he have done, do you think?

Gayatri – he'd have broked his marriage.

Surya – a good marriage, mind you. Two small children, two boys. I never had a son.

Gayatri – nothing wrong with me surya, you never went to doctor. I couldn't tell your real father I was pregnant, krips. I couldn't do it to him.

Kripa – no, but you could do it to me. That makes you a ruthless person. I should hate you, mamma. I'm not sure I don't right now. You were supposed to protect me. Not deliver the two of us up to this man.

Gayatri – please don't go krips. Don't leave me alone. We'll go together.

Kripa – you've your husband. You've stuck it out with him all this time. I am going to find my father. With or without your help.

Surya – he'll not recognize you as his daughter. Not even now when his wife is dead. Scandal can't touch a man like that.

Gayatri – oh yes he will. I know that much about him.

Kripa – then perhaps when you're ready you'll give me his name. I don't intend to embarrass him. I just want to see him with my own eyes.

Surya – you have seen him, you little fool! All you have to do is watch television.

Kripa – what's he talking about mamma?

Surya – go ahead, tell her.

Kripa – is he some television personality?

Gayatri – no, no, nothing like that! He's an important man, krips.

Surya – oh listen to her! He's an important man, and I'm not?

Gayatri – oh shut up surya. I wish to god you'd just been kind. I'll tell you when I'm ready, krips. Please don't ask me now.

Kripa – (she could see the trembling in her mother's hand) okay. Now I hope you don't mind if I throw a few things in bag. It won't take me long. I'll get the rest of my things picked up.

Gayatri – krips no! please stay. We'll work something out.

Kripa – not anymore mamma.

Surya – let me handle this, gayatri. Where are you going, krips? Answer me.

Kripa – sorry mr. sharma, you have given your last performance. You've waited for this a long time. You wanted me out! Be thankful, I'm going!