Chapter Eighteen

K-Shandra

@K-Shandra

Anurag silently slipped into the house. While he knew that no one would be awake at that hour, he did not want to alert anyone of his return and then have to explain as to where he had been. He made his way to the kitchen in search of something to eat, where he ran into Anupam.

“It’s good to see you have finally returned, and that too in one piece.” Anupam said as a manner of greeting.

Confused, Anurag asked, “What do you mean by that?”then pulled open the refrigerator door.

“I don’t know who was more upset, your mother for not answering your phone or Nivideta for hoping you had not gone and done something stupid again.”

Anurag stopped perusing the refrigerator’s contents and pressed his palm to his head, stating, “I put my phone on silent as not to be disturbed. What happened here?”

Anupam waived his hand in a dismissive gesture and said, “The usual drama that happens when you don’t answer your phone or you don’t come home on time.” 

Anurag wanted to feel regretful for his thoughtlessness, but could not bring himself to that point. They had lied to him, while his mother had shown every intention of separating him from his wife and child. In his mind he saw no reason as to why he should regret his actions. Anurag selected a water bottle and then closed the refrigerator, before turning to face Anupam, who held out a glass for him to take. Anurag took the glass from Anupam and asked, “So you had a fight with sister again, which is why you are here?”

Anupam watched as Anurag poured himself a measure of water before replying,  “If I were truly honest with you, your sister was more worried that you would do something stupid, like get drunk and make some scene or get yourself arrested, than actually fighting.”

Anurag returned the bottle to the fridge and asked“Why would I do something like that?”

“Why indeed?” Anupam sarcastically asked, “Or have you forgotten what happened the last time you lost Prerna?”

Confused Anurag looked at Anupam and said, “I haven’t lost Prerna, why would you think that?”

“Are you serious or just in denial? Need I remind you, she took Sneha and left no one in any doubt as to what she thought.”

“But, I’ve just come from there.” Anurag countered.

Anurag visibly brightened, “Are you serious? I mean that’s great! Father-in-law will be happy to know you at least spoke to her.”Acting a little more boisterous he demanded, “ So tell me everything; How’s Sneha and Prerna? What are you going to do? When are they coming back… I’m hoping Nivedita catches baby fever. I’m so jealous I want one as well.”   

“Just slow down.” Anurag said trying to calm Anupam,adding, “Prerna is a better mindset than she was. Sneha, she’s… I can’t even begin to explain it to you Anupam. She so small and beautiful and she smells… I can’t even begin to describe it. And when I’m holding her, I just can’t stop looking at her. She does not even have to do anything and I’m already proud of her.”

“Sounds like you are very much in love with your daughter.”

“How could I be anything else? And when I see Prerna with her, Anupam, you have no idea how special that feels. To know that those two people are bound to me in the most essential of ways.”

“So you and Prerna have sorted out matters?” asked Anupam.

Anurag shook his head before replying, “No, not everything, there’s a great number of things we still need to sort out, and there’s a number of things I need to do first. But we are together in this.”

“That is good. I will then go to bed, and I’ll tell Nivedita that you are home safely and that she need not worry.” Anupam pointed to the glass, “Don’t forget your water and I had them keep some dinner for you in the hot drawer. It would have dried out a bit but it is better than sleeping on an empty stomach.” 

“Thank you Anupam.”

The entire Basu family, bar Anurag, was seated around the breakfast table, while Debu moved about them serving the various dishes. The atmosphere remained strained and was ignored by everyone, with the various parties only answering questions when it was utterly necessary.  It was only Mohini who once again seemed impervious to the mood.

“Nivi, have you managed to get hold of Anu yet?”demanded Mohini.

Nividita looked at her mother in obvious confusion as she said, “And why would I need to do that? He’s not a child anymore that needs someone to check up on him.”

“Nivi! How can you say that?” Mohini demanded, “Anu did not come home last nigh. For all I know he could be in jail. Heavens alone knows what that girl has driven him to this time.”

“But Anurag sir is in his room.” Debo said, more in confusion to himself, than as a response to Mohini’s rant. 

“What?” Mohini demanded.

“He came home late last night.” Anupam said even before Mohini could question Nivedita. 

“And no one thought to inform me!” Mohini demanded.

Anupam dismissively said,  “It was late and everyone else was asleep.”

A concerned Moloy asked, “What was his condition?”

“He was okay. We spoke for some time before going to bed.”

Mohini, obviously relieved and spirited by the news,said to Dabu, “Dabu, go call Anurag and tell him to come for breakfast. For once we will have everyone at he table.”

 Everyone looked at Mohini in disbelief. However as Debu turned to do her bidding, Anurag appeared and said, “Morning everyone.” He then turned to Nivedita and said, “I had a look at that file you left in my room, Nivi. Everything seems fine but if you want I’ll sit in with you.”

“No, brother, it’s fine. I just wanted to make sure nothing obvious was missed.” Nivedita said.

“Where are you going?” Mohini demanded as Anurag made to leave.”

“I have a lot of work to finish today.”

Mohini insistently replied, “You can’t start a day without eating something.”

Visibly averse to the suggestion, while also unwilling to allow matters to escalate into an issue, Anurag said, “Mom, I’ll get something on the way.”

“I will hear nothing of it,” Mohini persisted,gesturing to Debu and stating, “Get Anu some breakfast.”

Anurag released a frustrated sigh but relented;noting the obvious pleasure on his mother’s face when he did. In the past he would have felt differently about it, having thought that he had somehow pleased her, but recently he had realised that her pleasure was more self-centred and governed by the fact that she’d successfully managed to manipulate him into doing her bidding.

Unenthusiastically he took his position at the table, acknowledging his father before turning to Dabu and stating, “Just coffee Dabu, I’m in a hurry this morning.”

“But Anu, you must eat something.” Mohini insisted,adding, “You missed dinner last night. Anu, you know it is not good for you to skip meals like this.”

Anurag firmly replied, “I’m not hungry.”

Instead of relenting, Mohin said to Dabu, “Bring him some breakfast as well, I won’t let his starve himself.”

Irritated Anurag clenched his fists and first said to Dabu, “Please leave the food Dabu, I’m not going to have it.” He then turned to his mother firmly stated, “Mom, I’m capable enough of finding something to eat when I am hungry.”

Visibly affronted Mohin said, “But you have always liked home cooked food best.”

Forthright, Anurag answered, “That may be so, but I have a lot of arrangements to make today.”

Sensing that neither his wife nor his son would relent on the matter, for both were similar in their stubbornness, Moloy intervened and asked, “So tell me Anurag, What do you have planned for today.It must be important if you are this impatient to leave.”  

“I just have a lot to arrange, I also need to speak with Prerna about Sneha’s naming ceremony.” Anurag said as Debu returned with his coffee. At the mention of the Prena’s name, Mohini instantly became irritable. 

“I take it that you have managed to speak with her then?”

“Yes. We spoke last night.”

“Will she allow us see Sneha?” Moloy hopefully asked, but Anurag was prevented from answering as when Mohini interfered.

“I should have known that girl is still brainwashing you. For the first time in weeks we can actually have a normal morning, and then she has to spoil it.”

Anurag at fist fought his instinctive response to chide her, but then found it was too much. He got up from his seat and said to his father, “Please excuse me father, but I have work to do.”

“Of course my boy, we’ll talk when you get home,perhaps you’ll even have some good news for us.”

“Not likely,” Mohini said, “That middle class girl is always planning and manipulating things in her favour, and you two are foolish enough to fall for her acts, “Moloy made to say something but Mohini simply continued, unheeded. “But I’m not blind, nor will I allow her to hold my son accountable for her shameless actions.”

“Mom!” Anurag shouted, startling everyone at the table. “Why do you always need to blame Prerna for everything? She was no alone in any of this.”

“And just how do you know that?” Mohini demanded and then gestured with a pointed finger as she continued, “ You don’t remember everything, just like you don’t know what she’s done. But I’m telling you, Anu,she is bad for you and bad for this family. She’s always interfering. She’s always planning something. You mark my words, that cheap girl will not be happy until she has achieved her objective.”

“That is enough, mom!” Anurag firmly declared,“Prerna is my wife. I chose her, I married her.”

“She has brainwashed you into believing that, Anu!”Mohini countered. “You never got married, and she has only ever loved you for your money. It’s only once you remember everything that you will understand.And until then, I will not allow you to accept responsibilities that are not yours!”

Anurag angrily demanded, “And how do you know those responsibilities are not mine? Or do you think that by doing what you do with everything you refuse to accept, that by ignoring the fact it will just go away, or that people will forget?”

 Mohini looked at him, for a moment stunned, but only a moment. “See, she’s brainwashed you again! You think only what she’s told you to think, and you will pay dearly for that.”

“From what I remember she has done a great deal more for this family than was needed.”

“And just what do you remember?” Mohini demanded,“Or is it just those memories she wants you to remember? Those that tie you to her.”

Anurag had no idea as to how to answer his mother.Even he had no idea how his memories were triggered, or why only that seemed most important to him had been the first to return.”

“It is said that the memories that hang heaviest in one’s heart are those easiest remembered. “ Anupam volunteered when it became obvious that Anurag was not going to answer. 

Mohini turned to Anupam, pointed her finger at him and firmly said, “You shut up, just shut up. You have always sided with that cheap girl, because you are no better. But this has nothing to do with you?”

“Mom!” Nivedita shouted, shooting up from her seat.“Enough! I will not have you speak to my husband like that.”

Mohini turned to Nivedita and said, “Your husband is no different than that cheap girl and you are too blind too see it. They weave their stories of love and trust but all they want is our money!”

Nivedita suddenly became very calm, an occurrence that shocked everyone, she then said, “You know what mom, I realize it now, you cannot understand love, because you have never allowed yourself to love.Everything, everything is attached to some material worth with you, and some things simply cannot be priced.”

“See, you speak just like that useless husband of yours!”

“Mom, my husband may be many things, he can be so many things, but one thing I know for a fact is that he loves me far more than he probably should, far more than you ever could. But you will never understand that. Because even though dad used to worship you, and at a time I thought you really loved him, you simply don’t get it.”  

“Nivi!” Mohin warned.

“No mom,enough already. Anurag truly loves Prerna and nothing you do or say will change that. And while you refuse to accept Sneha, any girl who’s had family ed can do the math. That baby can be no one else’s. Prerna was pregnant before you even planned Anurag’s marriage to Komolika. And everyone knows how close they were then.”

“Nivedita, I’m warning you, keep quiet,” Mohini seethed.     

“Or what? What will you do? You can’t do anything,right?” Nivedita outright challenged Mohini, but prevented her from answering as she continued. “You know mom for years I have stood by you, believed that you would make the best decisions for this family, but it is obvious now that I was wrong.”

“Nivi!”

“Twice Komilika entered this house and spread her poison. Twice I was fooled because I listened to you, even when deep inside me I felt something was wrong. Now I’ve realized that it’s time I follow my own intuition, my own sense of right and wrong.”

“Nivi!”

“And I fully support Anurag in whatever decision he makes for his new family.” Again Mohini tried to interfere however Nivedita overrode her, “Because whatever decision he makes is for the welfare and happiness of the family he has with Prerna.”

Mohini looked at Nivedita in disbelief, and remained silent for several moments before again mounting an attack. “Neither of you understand. Both of you are too blind to see the obvious.” She pointed to Nivedita first, “Your husband can offer you nothing except sweet talks and empty promises,” She then turned to Anurag, “And Prerna, Prerna will be your downfall. You will realize this once you remember everything, only then you will understand, and I won’t pity you then. ”

“What will I understand? “ Anurag challenged. “Will I understand the reason why you thought it good to throw my pregnant wife out of the house just because you were once again misled by Komolika. Would any of my memories explain such cruelty? Or will they help me to realize how you could, after my daughter’s birth, cast both her and her mother from this house again? What is there in my memories that would make me understand that, when the action in itself is inexcusable?”

A visibly uncomfortable Mohini again remained silent for several moments before arguing anew, “You never even once, not once, asked me if I approved of our choice of wife. Not once Anu! Not once did you take my feelings into consideration, you just went and married that common, cheap girl and expected me to accept her as my daughter-in-law.” 

Anurag was infuriated by every insult his mother spewed about Prerna, causing him to finally unleash the pent up anger, which had threatened for days already. “I did what you so often do, and do you know what that is mom?”

“What?” Mohini demanded.

“I ignored your feelings and simply forced my will on you. You should be proud mom, because that is what you taught me.”

“Anurag!” Mohini chided 

“I never asked your opinion on the matter because it was not needed. Everyone here knows how you feel about Prerna. The least you could’ve done was accept that she was my choice. If only for my happiness! But no, you’re too selfish and caught up in your idea of prestige and repute that you simply couldn’t allow for my happiness.”

“Anu,” Mohini chided.

“No!” Anurag exclaimed, louder, “I will finish.” 

“That cheap girl is not worthy of you! She is not your wife, the two of you are not married because every time the Gods… ”

Anurag cut her short, “That is where you’re wrong!It is I who’s not worthy of her. Prerna not only loves me, she was willing to sacrifice her own happiness in exchange for my life. She has borne me a daughter and has performed all the duties of a daughter in law to this family.But that is so easy for you to forget, because it simply does not suit your manner of thinking. Where you, you only ever considered your position in society.  Not once have you actually thought about my happiness. I married Komolika because that is what you wanted,what I was compelled into doing, because it was what we thought father wanted.Only Anupam understood my reasons and reluctance, yet you could not see it.”

“Anu, I only did what was best for you, I always have. Prerna will never make you happy, she will only cause you problems.”

“I may not understand everything yet, or exactly what is between Prerna and I, but I know that for not even a moment did I experience with Komolika what I feel whenever Prerna is near me.”

“She has bewitched you! She has used some black magic on you, and you’re too foolish to realize this.”

“Mom, it’s nothing like that. I love Prerna…” Anurag countered only for Mohini to cut him short. 

“She will never be the daughter in law of this house!”

Anurag again firmly countered, “And I have told you she is my wife, you cannot change that.”

Just as determined, Mohini insisted, “She will not be the daughter in law of this house and that’s final!”

Anurag shook his head and then took a deep breath,while Mohini looked satisfied with herself. “You know what, mom, you’re right. Prerna will not be the daughter in law of this house…” Anurag watched his mother grow smug at his answer, and continued. “And that is because as soon as I have arranged everything, Prerna, Sneha and I will be moving into our own house.” 

Shocked, Mohini demanded, “Anu, what are you saying?”

Anurag gathered up his phone and laptop bag as he said, “You have made it clear that my wife and daughter are not welcome here,that you will not accept them,” Anurag looked at Mohini as he continued, “Which is why you have left me with no other choice, since I will not abandon my wife and daughter simply because you refuse to accept them.”

Distraught Mohini followed him, her voice growing more desperate with each phrase, “Anu! ANU! You’re being foolish, you cannot see what she is doing. She’s always wanted to drive a wedge between us. Anu, you need to think this through, you cannot just make such a decision and expect us to agree.”

Anurag suddenly stopped and swung around, firmly stating, “You, mom, have left me no other option. I will not be separated from my wife and daughter.”

“Anu, think this through!” Mohini demanded, her tone growing more manipulative as she continued, “You can’t leave here, Anu, I will surely die if you leave.”

“You should have thought of that before saying what you said!”

Mohini turned Moloy and demanded, “Moloy, speak to him!”

Moloy crossed his arms as he said, “I warned you,but you did not want to listen. So today history is repeating itself. Just as you refused to live in my maternal home, because it was not befitting your standards, you’re refusing your daughter in law for the same reason. And just as I had, your son is leaving his home. The only difference is where Rajesh stood by me through everything, this time Rajesh’s daughter will stand by our son, just as I always wanted.”

“Moloy!” Mohini chided, she then appealed to Nivedita, “Nivi, say something!”

“I already have. I will support Anurag in whatever decision he takes to safeguard his happiness and that of his family.”