Chapter Twenty

K-Shandra

@K-Shandra

A few days later Prerna walked through the apartment. It was quiet and felt unbearably empty, a sensation that only served to enforce itself whenever Sneha was sleeping. They were confined there,partially due to culture and partially due to the uncertainty of their situation. Be it for whatever reason, she hated it. She missed her home, her family… and Anurag. No, correction, at that moment she hated him. These were not the arrangements she had expected when he had asked her to leave with him. He had provided them with everything he thought they would need, but forgot to ask what they really needed.

“Madam?” Preeto’s voice invaded her thoughts. The servant Dabu had arranged to assist her was not only considerate and efficient,she was also trained in childcare. The woman managed almost everything, from the household chores and shopping to the sometimes rowdy or nosy neighbours. The apartment block was filled mostly with younger, upcoming, professionals.There were a few with children, whom she did not really associate with. The disapproving glances from the women were enough to put anyone off.

“Yes, Preeto,” Prerna replied, before turning to look at the woman who was holding a parcel.

“This earlier arrived for you, ” Preeto said extending the parcel towards her.

Prerna looked at it and frowned. She knew that no one knew her location, Anurag had been insistent on that, so who would send her something? Her mind settled on the most obvious and for a moment she felt hesitant to take it.

When Prerna’s uncertainty stretched for too long, Preeto said,  “It is for the baby.”

Prerna took the proffered gift and said, “Thank you.”

With a heavy sensation settling over her, Prerna moved to sit on the sofa. She had promised herself that she would not interfere in the relationship between Anurag and Sneha, but she was uncertain whether she could handle a purely materialistic relationship. 

Prerna opened the box and for a moment stared at the note that lay on top of the contents wrapped in tissue paper. Her heart sped as she reached for it, then slowed when she identified the unfamiliar handwriting.Her mind was immediately eased on recognizing the name singed at the bottom. It was a short note that read,

‘Prerna di,
 I am sending you Sneha’s outfit for the naming ceremony we are arranging at your mother’s house. I could not personally deliver it, as Anurag is adamant that no one should visit you and accidentally give out your location.
He is irritable, just in case you wondered. He and mother glare at each other but say nothing. I think she wants an apology from him for the other morning,but I do not think he will give her one. She is still angry with all of us, but don’t you worry about it.
Anurag said he will collect you and Sneha for the ceremony, so do not concern yourself with travelling arrangements. I cannot wait to officially meet my niece.

Nividita di’ 

Prerna placed the letter to the side and then opened the tissue paper, smiling as she took in the small outfit. Knowing Nividita, it would not have been the only one that was purchased, but rather one everyone had finally agreed on. She lifted the white and yellow outfit with its intricate hand embroidery and smelt it, instantly recognising the scent of freshly laundered clothes.  

At Basu Baari, Anurag stood on his balcony, gazing in the approximate direction of her, no, their location. At that moment, he hated traditions. While not actually the traditions themselves, but the separation they imposed. He wanted to see them, so badly, but the separation before the naming ceremony had to be observed. As it stood, they had already broken with tradition after Sneha’s birth, and he did not want any further complications. Preeto reported back to him daily and he was aware of the talk and curiosity in the building, but it would only be for a short while still.

“There you are,” Moloy’s voice reached him.

Anurag turned to look at his father, who in turn tilted his head before stepping forward to gaze in the same direction Anurag had. Moloy then said, “I remember just after Nivi was born, I also thought I would loose my mind. The separation imposed was intolerable. She was so small and innocent then, and just look at her now.” Anurag looked at Moloy, who was smiling impishly. In a manner he was grateful for his father’s attempt to lift his spirits, but things between he and Prerna were considerably more complex than just separation imposed by tradition. “It is only for a few more days,then things will get better.” Moloy enthused. “Which reminds me. Nivi was looking for you, something about the arrangements with Prerna.” and with that his father left.

Prerna collected up Sneha’s bag and checked it to ensure she had everything and turned to Preeto. Just then the intercom buzzed. Preeto handed Prerna the carrier with Sneha in it and then moved to answer the call.

“If it’s Anurag, tell him I will be down in a moment,” Prerna said as she placed the carrier on the table and then quickly checked Sneha, to ensure she was safely strapped in before again lowering the receiver back into place.

She sensed rather than heard him. Her heart raced and her spirits lifted, she however fought her initial desire to spin around to greet him.

“Just a minute,” Anurag said, reaching for her hand that still held the end of the receiver. “I haven’t seen her in days.” He then gently pulled her hand aside to allow him to see Sneha. “There is my cutie pie.”

The contact immediately sent heat coursing along Prerna arm, again reaffirming her inescapable reaction to his proximity. ‘Things would just be so much easier if it were not for that,’ she thought.    

“Are you ready,” Anurag asked, moments before again lowering the receiver in place. “Because if I look at her for much longer we will be late and then sister Nividita will have my ears for it.”

Prerna made to lift the carrier but Anurag prevented her and said, “I’ll take her.”  

“Then we can go.” Prerna replied.

An awkward silence hung between them, with Prerna frowning when they pulled up outside Sharma Niwas.

“Why are we here.”

“I thought it would only be fitting that she had her ceremony here.”  Anurag said then made to get out of the vehicle, adding, “Come everyone is waiting.”

“But we no longer own this, mom said.” Prerna said rushing to get out.

“It will always be your home,” Anurag flatly stated,“It is possibly the most important building in all of the world.”

“Now I know you have gone mad.”

“How so?” He challenged, and then opened the door to extract Sneha.

“There are other far more important buildings.”Prerna reasoned.

“That may be your opinion, but this one is the one you were born in. Here we played together as children. And here, in a house filled with love, we will welcome our child into the world and society.”  Anurag said closing the car door. The certainty and sincerity behind his words stunned her, causing her to hesitate for a moment. “Come now, I promised to have you here on time, because everyone knows you’re always late.”  

On entry everyone swamped them while Shivani rushed to collect the veneration platter. They were welcomed and Prerna hardly had time to take in the decorations before being escorted to the prepared area.There she was introduced to the priest who explained all the procedures to her and then invited everyone to gather around and sit. Anurag settled on the priest’s right side, while Veena and Moloy took their position as the grand parents. With Anupam and Nividita seated opposite the priest. 

Prerna removed Sneha from the carrier and carefully handed her to Anurag. Who with just as much care took her and then held her closely.

Prerna took the proffered water from the priest and using her fingers wet Sneha’s brow. She then handed the water back to the priest before taking her place next to Anurag. The priest started with the chants and prayers where after Nivedita rose from her place and came over to Anurag. Carefully she lowered herself and whispered the chosen Hindi meaning of Sneha’s name into her ear. After announcing it to everyone, the priest then continued with the chants and prayers. On completion, Anurag and Prerna rose and slowly made their way over to the cradle, where Anurag gently lowered Sneha into it.

Anurag then wrapped his one arm around Prerna and pulled her closer…

“I should have known!” Mohini’s condescending tone filled the room.    

Instantly, everyone turned their attention in her direction while both Anurag and Prerna swung around and looked towards the door. Instinctively,Anurag moved forward a step forward, encouraging Prerna to move in slightly behind him. Whispering, “Try to keep Sneha calm.” He felt her hand on his arm for a moment,  squeezing  to indicate that she had heard.

Mohini looked the room over and scoffed. “Such middle class arrangements, but then what could one expect.”

Nividita made to say something, but was not given the opportunity,since Mohini’s gaze had already fixed itself on her initial target, Veena. She appeared ready to fire off another insult, only to visibly do a double take and then storm into the room. Without warning she grabbed Veena, jerked her aside and demanded, “How dare you! How dare you take my place next to my husband! But then that is to be expected, you are just as shameless as your daughters. Or is it the other way around.”

“Mohini!” Moloy shouted in warning.

“Moloy, you just be quiet!” Mohini instructed, nastily stating,“She is as characterless as her daughters.”

Veena twisted her arm free from Mohini’s grasp and demanded in return,“How dare you shout at me in my own home? And that while there’s a veneration ongoing? Have you no respect?”

“What do you and your daughters know of respect?”Mohini demanded in return. “Your eldest daughter is trying to pass off her illegitimate child as my son’s when I know well enough that it cannot be his. And then your younger daughter, well I think the fact that you cannot even manage to get her married off speaks for itself.”

“Mohini!” Moloy again shouted.

“I’m only stating a fact” Mohini threw back, “No one wants a daughter from such a lowly middle class family.”

Moloy stepped forward and took Mohini by the arm guiding her back to the door, “I have known for many years that you have a problem with those not befitting your class, but your class has certainly not given you any manners, so I suggest you leave.” Moloy came to a stop by the door. And let her go. “Today is a happy and important day for your son, and not once have you thought of that or their happiness.”

“An important day for my son, I don’t think so. If it was such an important day I at least would have been invited.”

“Why mom?” Nivideta was the one to speak up, “Why must you always have to make some drama whenever we arrange something for Anu and Prerna. Why?”

“Because unlike you, and everyone here, I can see right through that girl. I can see what she is doing to my son and my family.”

“Perhaps, mom, you should stop judging her according to your standards and start to get to really know her. Prerna loves Anurag.”

“Oh don’t start with that,” Mohini countered angrily, “Not when you are standing in a house your brother has not only paid for but also recently had renovated.” Mohini looked towards Anurag and challenged him, “Is that not so Anu?”

Anurag looked at his mother but said nothing.

“You won’t even answer me and that is enough to prove that I am right. These people will only use you for your money.”

“That is enough Mohini,” Moloy said, “I think everyone has shown enough restraint in the face of your accusations.”

“They are the truth.” Mohini insisted, she made to say more but was silenced when Anurag calmly said, “Mom” Everyone turned to look at him as he continued, “You were not invited, because we did not want a scene. I thought it best that if you cannot be happy for us and Sneha there would be no purpose in inviting you.”

“How can you say that Anu, Your happiness is of utmost importance to me.”

“And if that was so,” Anurag calmly challenged in return, “You would have accepted Prerna and our daughter. But you continue to judge Prerna by your beliefs when we all know they are not true.”

Mohini looked at him utterly stunned.

“I think it is best if you leave from here.”