Chapter 8: Kasme Vaade

Its one thing to promise your granddaughter to a seemingly ideal man. Its another to let her marry him knowing he was a revenge-minded, obsessed knave who was brought up by the worst kind of criminal. Tulsi Virani's relief at preventing her beloved Bhumi from affiancing herself to Abhir Bhasin left far short of her distress now. She and Shobha were the only ones present at the temple where Abhir was to solemnize his wedding with Pari. She had requested, entreated, begged and finally threatened Abhir with dire consequences when he set his condition to assist in the case. Mihir and Tulsi had argued with Shobha till once Shobha cut off Tulsi's remonstrations with a curt, " You remember your reaction mom, when you were sentenced to prison for three years for Ansh's death? You were so appalled, weren't you by the judicial system and its inaptitude in deciding between what is legally wrong and ethically correct. Do you think Pari should be punished for doing what you and I taught her to do? For helping another human being in need? For being morally right? Would you have chosen any different for me, were Abhishek to ask the same of you in exactly the same circumstances?" Tulsi did not try to press her point any further.

Abhir enjoyed Tulsi's discomfiture immensely. He enjoyed watching her wince when he literally dragged Pari up the temple stairs. He enjoyed watching her expressions change to dismay when she saw Pari's faraway look, as if she was only physically present during the ceremony. "We're so sorry beta" she murmurmed to her granddaughter, giving her a tight hug. And he absolutely loved the revolted look on Tulsi's face as Raj Bhasin and Abhishek Singh walked into the temple for the ceremony. " They are here on my invitation Tulsi Dadi...." he sneered. "After all there should be someone representing the groom, don't you think?"

The ceremony was over in an hour. Abhir sought the blessings of his elders, Raj, Shobha, Abhishek before walking towards Tulsi. "You challenged me in a temple, didn't you Tulsi dadi. 'As God is my witness, I will not allow Bhumi to marry you....And I told you there and then that I would marry your granddaughter. We both fulfilled our vows didn't we?" "You also promised here before God to love, respect and cherish Pari forever. To protect her from any harm. To be faithful to her. To seek her happiness. Always. I pray God also gives you the strength to fulfill these vows, Abhir." Tulsi answered him wryly.