Chapter Twelve

K-Shandra

@K-Shandra

Anurag brought the SUV to a halt. His heart thudded in his chest as he looked at the house. He had brought his wife and daughter home.

As Anurag alighted from the vehicle, servants descended on them. He turned and opened the door for Prerna, helping her out before taking the covered carrier form her and turning towards the house. She seemed reserved, something that confused him - for she had every right to be there. He took her hand and smiled encouragingly before leading her to the house.

They entered the hall, side by side, while Nivadita, Anupam, Moloy and Mohini looked on. On their entry he could sense some antagonism form his mother, there was no welcome aartie, but his father in his usual unperturbed manner approached them and warmly said, “And there they are with my granddaughter. Come in. Come, show me, I want to meet her properly.”

Anurag proudly moved to place the carrier on one of the side tables and lifted the covering receiver out of the way to allow Moloy to see the sleeping Sneha. Anupam also approached, and slapped Anurag on the back, but Nividita’s hesitation and his mother’s outright insolence did not go unnoticed.

 “You can place those there,” Mohin said gesturing to the servant to place Prerna’s bags to the side of the door.

“Mom?” Anurag asked, confused.

With her bitterness barely contained, Mohini stated,“Veena will be here soon to collect up this girl and that baby.” 

“Mohini,” Moloy cautioned.

“I’ve said it before, Moloy, I do not want this girl or that baby in my house, and I will stand by that decision.”

“Mom…” Anurag started but was cut short by Mohini.

“No Anu. I will not have my son accept the responsibility of another man’s child.”

Confused, Anurag asked, “Another man’s child? Mom,how can you even think that?”

“Because it’s the truth Anu.” Mohini stepped closer and pointed a finger at Prerna, “She may have been able to mislead you, but we all know whose child that it.”

“Mohini!” Veena’s voice form the doorway cut her short causing everyone to turn and look as Veena accompanied by Shivani entered the home.  She came to stand in front of Mohini and vehemently said,  “I will not tolerate anyone speaking of my daughter in such a manner.” 

“Then perhaps you should have taught your daughter to consider the consequences of her actions and to be more considerate of others.”

“What are you trying to say, Mohini?” challenged Veena.

“That your daughter should not try to pass off another man’s child as my son’s.”

Veena looked at her in disbelief, “Prerna would not dream of doing something like that.”

“And what do you think she is doing now?” Mohini pointed at Prerna, “She well knows that baby is not Anurag’s, Anurag and Prerna have never even been intimate.”

“Mom, please, we are married, don’t say such things.” Anurag tried to pacify his mother.

“Really, you think you’re married? Did she tell you that? Did she also tell you that while you were sitting in the manitap she ran off and married Bajaj. And do you know why she married him, because he was richer than you. She saw an opportunity and she took it.”

Anurag felt his blood turn cold at the mention of Rishabh’s name. It was warning enough that the name held some importance. Anurag hesitantly looked towards Prerna, who had noticeably paled. He did not miss her concerned glance in his direction, and it scared him. He did not want to consider his mother’s words as true, the aching sensation that settled in the region of his heart served as indication enough of the devastation such a truth would inflict. Just the thought of Prerna with another made his heart stop.  He’d been able to stomach it when Sonalika had been around, when he had not known, could not understand what he felt. Because back then Prerna being married made sense. 

He could feel the start of a headache.

Mohini turned to Prerna and maliciously said, “Isn’t that true Prerna? You wanted wealth so you dropped my son for that man. And now after he’s left you, you want to trap my son again in order to legitimise that child.” Mohini pointed to Sneha.

If his mother’s words had confused him at first, the claim that the man had left Prerna confused him even more. His head revolted against the information while his heart outright rejected it.

“Mohini!” Veena chided, “You have passed all your limits!”

“Have I really?” Mohin challenged her, “It is your daughter who does not know hers. She is shameless.”

Veena shook her head in disbelief, then said, “It is convenient for you, Mohini, to forget that it takes nine months for a baby to fully develop. Even with rudimentary maths, it places conception around the time both our husbands were fighting for their lives in hospital. And while I may not approve of their actions, they had married and I can well understand them turning to one another during such times. It also means that that little girl was conceived long before Rishabh even stepped into our lives.”

At the mention of Rishabh’s name, an image flashed across Anurag’s mind, followed by a constricting breathlessness.

Mohini appeared dumbstruck, but only for a moment,before retorting, “So you admit that your daughter has no problem with trying to pass off another man’s child. If that child was Anurag’s why then marry Bajaj and then so too without your knowledge or consent.”   

Veena made to reply but Prerna cut her short with a firm, “Mom.” Veena turned to look at Prerna who looked pointedly at Mohini.

“Ms. Mohini, I do not have your gift for selectively remembering things or blaming people for misfortunes that befall me…”

“Why you… insolate.” Mohini started but Prerna silenced her by holding up her hand.

“This is why I remind you that at that time, when Anurag was in prison, you were the one who came to me, crying and begging to do whatever was needed to get Anurag released.” A numb sensation overcame Anurag as she continued, “At first we thought we would be successful. But when Ronit’s attorneys requested the death sentence I, and I alone knew what could be done and what I needed to do. And because I would rather live in a world where Anurag is alive, I took the decision that was needed.” Mohini made to interfere but Prerna overruled her by simply continuing, “…the condition Rishabh had proposed was Anurag’s life and freedom in exchange for my freedom and loyalty.And because I had promised you, and because I could do anything for Anurag, I agreed and married him. I understood then and accepted the consequences of that decision.”

Mohini was like a bloodhound once it had smelt blood as she threw back, “Don’t lie! You married him for his money. You did not for a moment care as to who you were hurting or what you did to my Anu! And when Rishabh found out how shameless you were, and that you were pregnant on top of that, he left you. You only want to enter this house and family, so that you can enjoy the status and wealth.”

A visibly angered Prerna drew strength form her anger and countered, while keeping her voice in check, “You know Mrs. Mohini,wealth, status and position in society have never been as important to me as they are to you. You consider money and power over everything, even the relationships you have with your children. Everything you do, everything you say is governed by what others may think or say of you.” The resolve and decisiveness behind Prerna’s words caused everyone fall silent. “It is so bad that you care not,now or on any other occasion as to whom you hurt. You have said many, many nasty and vindictive things to me, and my family, over the last year. You have always depended on position and socially imposed decorum to validate whatever statement you made or beliefs you held.” Mohini made to object but Prerna again overrode her. “You have also used society to manipulate others and ensure that whatever response you got form such actions it would be given with decorum and restraint. In this, there is no difference between you and Komolika. That’s probably why you have always considered her as the perfect daughter in law. You speak with the same sugary sweetness that disguises a bitter poison.”

Angered, Mohini shouted, “Get out! Just get out of my house!” he moved forward to grab Prerna, but Prerna flung her hand aside and firmly said, “Today I will leave Mrs. Mohini, but only after I have said that which needs to be said.”

“Why you!”

 “A while back you said to me, that a mother cannot bear to see her child hurt, yet you inflict injury on your children so easily.” Mohini appeared shocked. Prerna continued, “Not for one did you stop to think how what you have just said would affect Anurag,” Prerna pointed to a visibly shocked Anurag. “You know well of his condition and the complexities around it, yet you twist the truth to suit your agenda. While I have only ever fought for my rights as Anurag’s wife, andthose of our child, I have had to endure such maliciousness from you. Enough.”Prerna held up both of her hands palms facing out. “As a mother, I will not allow you to subject my daughter to such spite. I will not allow her to grow up in a house that contains such malice. And I will not allow her to be part of a world where money and status are more important than feelings and people.”

“Prerna!” Mohini shouted, wakening Sneha and causing her to cry.   

Prerna moved to her daughter and placed her handover the baby to calm her. Sneha immediately calmed. Prerna then said,  “Shouting does not change the truth Ms. Mohini, nor does it strengthen your argument. It only upsets people.” Prerna shifted the receiver to cover the baby then took hold of the carrier and lifted it off the side table. Her actions shocked both Anurag and Moloy as she turned towards Shivani and said, “Shivi can you get my bag and hand Sneha’s bag to mom.” Prerna then turned to Mohini and said, “There’s nothing but pain in this house for my daughter. I would rather spare her it.” With that, Prerna turned and made to leave, not caring how insolent her actions may appear.

Anurag felt his heart hit the ground as the pain and emptiness instantly filled his soul.

“Prerna!” He called after her, and for the first time in her life, Prerna did not respond. He tried to move but found his legs could not carry him, seeming encased. There was a bright flash,causing him to grip his head. A multitude of images flooded his mind moments before everything went black. The last thing he could remember was everyone shouting his name, moments before hitting the ground.