Chapter Twenty Two

K-Shandra

@K-Shandra

Two days later the doorbell chimed.  Prerna gestured to Preeto that she would get it, since she was not expecting anyone and she had grown tired of the neighbours’ curiosity where she and Sneha were concerned. She would tell off whoever had come to disturb them because everyone seemed interested in the happenings within their apartment. Prerna was also well aware of the gossip doing the rounds that her and Anurag were at odds, which was why she was living there on her own. 

As she opened the door, Prerna froze in shock on recognizing her visitors. She tried to remember whether Anurag had mentioned anything to her about visitors that evening.

“I can see you are shocked to see us, but that is alright, we intended to surprise you.” Anupam said.

“Yes, and from your appearance I would say we succeeded.” Nivedita said, gesturing to the platter she was carrying. “We’ve come to celebrate the good news with you.”

“Good news?” Prerna asked confused stepping back to allow them to enter.

“Yes we’re moving into the building, Anupam and I have taken the penthouse  here, You simply must come up some time to see it, the view is amazing.” Nivedita said as they started past her.

“You have decided to leave home?” Prerna asked as they stepped past her looking particularly at Anupam as she added, “I thought you were happy there?”

“It was time for us to move on, and we liked the penthouse so we bought it.” Nivedita stated flatly.

“But what about your mother?” Prerna asked as she took the platter from Nivedita adding, “There’s enough here for a small army.”

“Oh, I had Dabu make up everyone’s favourites, Anurag will be here a little later, he had a few things to take care of.”Anupam thoughtlessly said.

At the mention of Anurag’s name a bolt of awareness shot through Prerna, she had missed him terribly, and was exited to learn that he too would be visiting.

“Anupam, now you’ve gone and spoiled the surprise.”Nivedita chided.       

“Whatever, I’m not sorry,” Anupam quickly replied when Nivedita fixed him with a stern. He gestured to Prerna and said, “I mean just look at her, she’s possibly glowing with the knowledge that Anu will be here soon.”       

“You know I hate it when you put things like that,” Nivedita said in mock anger while Prerna handed the platter to Preeto. 

Anupam quickly walked over to Prena and said, “So tell us, Prerna, where is our adorable niece? My wife was just dying to see her.”

“You still haven’t told me what Mrs. Mohini’s reaction was to you moving out of the house.”

Anupam looked towards Nivedita, who nodded and said,“Well to be perfectly honest, we haven’t told her yet.”

“Why not?” Prerna demanded.  

 “Well things have been difficult at home lately, and with Anurag having distanced himself from her… let’s just say she is less patient.”

“To be absolutely honest, we haven’t told her because we don’t actually know how to break it to her.” Anupam added.

“But you cannot just leave,” Prerna countered.

“Since you left, things have become really complicated at home. I sometimes think mom was just as shocked as I was when Anu told us that Sonalika was actually Komolika, and she managed to fool us again. But you know how mom is, she just casts aside anything she refuses to speak about or even acknowledge. But it was not so easy for me, Komolika caused problems for everyone again.”

Prerna simply stated in reply, “Some people never change.”

With a lot more enthusiasm than was strictly needed,Anupam again asked, “So where is this niece of ours. Nivi and I really want to get to know her better.” 

Prerna pointed to the hallway, “She’s sleeping in the room.”

Concerned, Nivedita instantly demanded, “How can you leave her on her own?”

“Relax, Nivedita,” Prena started, and then pointed to the baby monitor. “The baby monitor is on, we’ll hear her if she wakes.”

“Can I go see her?” Nivedita asked.

“Certainly,” Prerna said gesturing for Nivedita to precede her down the short hallway.

Just then Preeto came up to Prerna extending her phone towards her, “Madam, your phone chimed.”

Prerna took her phone from Preeto and quickly checked her messages. 

“Is it important?” Nivedita asked. 

Without much thought Prerna replied,  “It’s Rishabh, he wants to know if I can meet Kukhi for shopping, she needs to get a friend a gift.”

Shocked Nivedita asked, “Are you going to go?”

“I first have to see what day he has in mind.”Prerna said while typing a response and sending it. She then placed her phone on one of the side tables and said, “come let’s go.”

Nivedita looked at Prerna’s phone for a moment and said, “Anu is not going to like that you’re meeting Bajaj,”

“I’m meeting with Kukhi, not Rishahb. And he knows we see each other from time to time.”

“He knows, or he knew?” Nivedita asked outright.

“Picking up on the sharp tone in her voice, Prerna looked at Nivedita and said, “Anurag has never objected, I don’t see why he would do so now.”

“But if he remembers what happened in Switzerland,and how Bajaj managed to take you from him, he may not be as indulgent.” 

“He remembers parts of it.” Prerna said, knowing Anurag still had to divulge exactly how many of those memories he had regained,she however quickly added, “Regardless of what’s happened, Kukhi remains the innocent one in this.”

 “Does he know you two meet?” Nivedita asked.

“Yes, we met for an ice cream not to long ago, well before Sneha was born.” On noticing Nivedita’s hesitation Prerna added, “Sister Nivedita, it is nothing to concern yourself with.”

“You know our history with Bajaj, I don’t trust his intentions.”

“I understand your concern, but this is not business. Rishabh has always kept his private life out of business, which is why he keeps his distance from Anurag and your family.”

“I just don’t want to see Anurag get hurt again.”

“I understand, but know that I never had any intention of hurting him. What I did was out of necessity.”

“I understand that.”

On entering the room she shared with Sneha, Prerna said, “Look who’s awake, I think you must have heard that aunt Nivedita is here.” Prerna then lifted Sneha form the cradle, adding, “You’re still far too chirpy to be hungry, so you must be looking for company.”

“Is she still sleeping so much?” Nivedita asked coming to stand next to Prerna.

“She stays awake for longer periods now.” Prerna said and quickly checked Sneha’s nappy. “Seems fine, come we’ll take her with us.” 

“ Just a minute Prerna, I wanted to speak to you without Anupam around. He knows how I feel about everything, but this I need to do on my own.”

“Tell me.”

“I wanted to apologize to you. I know I have not really been fair and that my mother’s influence over me is a poor excuse, because I knew it was wrong, and I want you to know that I am really sorry for all the misunderstandings and misconceptions I allowed her and Komolika to foster. Many of them caused me to even doubt my own judgement and suspicions when Sonolika knew too much of our family matters. The point I’m trying to make is that I’m sorry that my mistrust in my own judgement had me behave towards you the way I have.”

 Prerna lifted Sneha a little and asked, “ Do you want to hold her.”

Nivedita looked at her with uncertainty then nodded.

Prerna handed Sneha to Nivedita and said, “It’s fine Nivedita, I understand the complexities of a mother and daughter relationship.Even my mother has at times tried to change my perspective of matters. They are our parents and they want what is best for us.”

“But you never allowed your mother to dictate to you what you should think or feel.”

“Our mothers have opposing personalities, you cannot compare them. “Prerna said picking up a towelling nappy and then draping it over Nivadita’s shoulder. She then reached for Sneha’s hand and rubbing the little girl’s fingers she said, “That is something you come to understand when you also become a mother.”

Just then the doorbell chimed.

“That must be Anu,” Nivedita said, adding, “Please,just act surprised to see him, we weren’t supposed to tell you.”

Prerna nodded and then gestured for Nivedita to go first. 

By the time they reached the lounge, Anupam had already let Anurag into the house. A jolt of joy shot through Prerna on seeing him. Her eyes lit and a smile automatically formed on her lips. Their eyes met,his speaking for him as he lifted his one hand in greeting.

Prerna responded in kind

Anupam took the box of sweets he was carrying and said to all in general, “he’s brought the sweets, so now this is officially a celebration.”

His words seemed to jolt Anurag back. He then walked up to Nivedita and said, “Give Sneha to me.”

Adamant Nividita said, “No, I got here first, so I get to hold her.”

Anurag gave her an incredulous look and countered,“I’m her father, I have first rights.”    

“Oh so you’re pulling rank here,” Nivedita challenged, “Well I’m her aunt and not only did I get naming rights, her mother gave her to me to hold.”

Anurag looked towards Prerna and playfully moaned,“How could you.”

Prerna just turned her palms up in reply.

Anupam stepped forward and said, “Why don’t you give her to me and then you two can argue about who has rights to hold her.”

Both Anurag and Nivedita looked at him in astonishment, Anurag was however the one to reply, “Get your own baby, this one’s mine.”

Causing Anupam to teasingly reply, “Nivi just give him the baby, before he starts acting like one.”

Anurag feigned irritation, and then took Sneha from Nivedita saying to Sneha, “Where’s daddy’s little cutie pie.”

Just then Preeto arrived to announce that dinner was ready.