Chapter 17:
She looked at him steadily for a moment: Don't call me that.
Rishab: You will be glad to know that the divorce is finalized, so you are no longer beholden to me for Mr. Basu's sake. You are free of me. I won't (he struggled to finish as his voice caught) hold you back. You can pursue your own happiness.
Prerna's eyes blazed: Well, in that case...
She got up on the bottom guard of his bar stool, holding herself up by his collar. He leaned forward in shock and she nearly fell back. Rishab instinctively put his arm around her waist to steady her.
Rishab: Have you lost your mind!?
Prerna came closer than they had ever been and said softly: Yesss...
Before Rishab knew what was going on, she captured his upper lip between her's. He jolted in alarm but she had her hand around the nape of his neck, steadying him from falling back too.
He went completely still as Prerna had her way with him, tracing his lips with the tip of her tongue, nibbling...sucking softly (his heart was at his throat and he couldn't hear anything). Tears automatically rolled down his face as this secret wish was suddenly granted.
This was not real, it couldn't be real.
Prerna wiped his cheeks and rested the tip of her index fingernail where his dimple would have been.
Prerna smiled like a cat: Always wanted to do that.
She kissed his other cheek, got off, and walked away.
Rishab came to his senses a minute later and ran after her. She was already down the hall by the balustrade.
Rishab breathless: What was that for?
Prerna shrugged: I am free, remember? I can do whatever I want now.
Rishab: Not to me!!!
Prerna raised an eyebrow: I swear it didn't seem like you were complaining a minute ago.
Rishab blushed. What the hell was going on!? He was the divorced father-of-one and she was supposed to be his shy, traditional ex-wife. It felt like the roles were reversed in his alcohol addled mind.
Rishab walked up to her: Don't tease me, Prerna. That's so cruel. You got what you wanted, na? You are not tied down in a loveless marriage anymore. Why would you do such a thing?
Prerna: What, kiss? I don't know about a loveless marriage per se...I think there was some love in it.
Rishab dismissed it: Oh please, you never loved me, you said yourself your heart and soul was always his.
Prerna: I did, but you didn't.
Rishab looked at her confused.
Prerna: You loved me. Still do. You admitted it to my mom, she told me. And that mangal sutra isn't just for the next woman, is it?
Rishab took a step back, struck by her hurtful acknowledgement: So this is how you will pay me back now for my blackmailing? By showing me what I could never have? (He took a deep breath to keep off the weight settling on his chest) I guess I deserve this too, but I thought you were better than this.
He walked away with his head bowed when she grabbed him by his kara.
She pulled him back.
Prerna annoyed and hurt: You really are an idiot, you think I would do something like that just to hurt you?
Rishab's eyes were smarting: Yes! Your words cut deep, but your touch is worse. That day at school you never wanted to see me again, now you come and kiss me because you know I love you and can never be with you. You are cruel, Prerna Sharma. Just go!
He tugged his kara out of her fingers and strode off.
Prerna called after him: Are you willfully dumb or do you just not get it!? I love you back, you idiot! If you just freaking waited to know my decision rather than rush to get this divorce, you would have learned it sooner. I would have chosen you - a thousand times over. We took vows with each other. We made promises to each other in front of the holy fire and you made a mockery of it all. Just when I was getting used to it... You even took off my mangal sutra! Then you had to go to the hospital. You wear the kara to honor your mother's god, but you don't know your own!! You don't get that vows before god MEAN something. You even took my baby and you are calling me cruel!
It all came out of her, all her grievances against him. Rishab froze, listening to Prerna's disjointed rant. All he really heard was her first few words.
Rishab softly: You don't mean that.
Prerna spat: I freaking do!!! How much clearer can I be!? You have to be TOLD everything!? You can't figure it out on your own!? I have to tell you everything, write it down, spell it out for you that I freaking love you!?
Rishab jaws set, he controlled his temper: The only thing you have been clear about since the day we married is how much you love Anurag Basu. WHY would I think otherwise? You said you were committed to him and..and...
Prerna held up a hand: I know what I said, there's no need to remind me. I loved him sincerely with what I knew (he looked away), but that changed. I changed. That's what happens when you take vows.
Rishab: This is your traditional upbringing talking. You put too much stalk by rituals.
Prerna angrily: Can you PLEASE just acknowledge that I can think for myself and make my own decisions!?
Rishab sighed: Fine then! What's your decision?
Prerna in frustration: Wow, thanks for finally asking now that the divorce is finalized!
Rishab looked guilty: It was a deal, it wasn't that real anyway. You were thinking of him the whole time.
Prerna: I didn't make the promises to him! You are such a moron, you don't even listen. I said I made the vows to you and THEN I fell in love with you...with time. I said I didn't want to see you again cause you took away my decision to choose and I was angry!
Rishab looked a little shell-shocked by it all. He didn't know what to say. At last he said hesitantly...
Rishab: What about being an independent, single woman? What about Anurag Basu?
Prerna: I can love you and still be independent, teach in the school... And I want Anurag to move on with his own life and be happy too, but not with me. I told him that for the last time today.
Rishab, frustrated: I don't get you, I just don't. So now you are going to be single and in love with me instead of Mr. Basu? What kind of life is that? And then you will have the baby...your OWN baby as you call it...
Prerna: Well obviously, if you didn't freaking file the divorce, we could still me married!
Rishab, annoyed: Toh galati ho gayi na!? Who came and signed those papers in a rush at the office?
Prerna: Who filed the divorce in the first place!?
Rishab: It was a deal marriage and your Mr. Basu was in it. It's good in a way that it's over.
Prerna: So what are you whining about? Be happy then. We are divorced.
Rishab: Urrgghhh...I am saying we have to get married again now and mean it for real!
Prerna: Toh, yeh kahiyeh na!? Why do you have to play circular mind games with everything!?
Rishab: Me!? I am playing mind games!? You took me for a ride there with your news!!!
Prerna rolled her eyes: It is only news to you! Even the chipkalis in this house knew it.
Tanvi and Maasi watched Rishab and Prerna's shouting match on the second floor from the bottom of the staircase, too fearful to go up on their way back from the party. Chandu was grinning from the dining hall and earnestly polishing the same spoon for the last 15 minutes.
Tanvi, confusedly looked up: That...is the weirdest confession of love I have ever seen.
Maasi smiled: They are too proud to let it go.
Tanvi: How long will they go on? I am tired and have to change. We have been standing here for 10 minutes.
Maasi: Just sit down. They will calm down in good time.
Tanvi: I just want him to be happy. He really loves her.
Rishab spotted Maasi and Tanvi downstairs and called down to them: Maasi, are you listening to this!? Did you know she loved me?
Maasi bored: Yes, Rishab.
Tanvi raised her hand and said nervously: I did too.
Rishab's jaw dropped. Prerna looked around at him, hands on her hips, triumphant.
The bell rang.
Veeena opened the door and saw two exhausted looking people at the doorstep with Kukki between them.
Prerna: We are getting married again, I guess. Now I get be his second AND third wife.
Rishab: That was uncalled for.
She waved him off and walked in.
Rishab complained to his would be mother-in-law: On the condition that I get to be the father of the baby. But she insists it is only HER baby. Now who is going to be believe that!?
Prerna snapped: I SAID no more conditions!
Kukki pressed her hands to her ears.
Veena sighed: So they have been doing this the whole way?
Kukki nodded.
Veena prayed silently: Durga durga.
Prerna and Rishab were still bickering in the background as Veena ushered poor Kukki to dinner.
Prerna: You are so freaking stubborn!
Rishab: I literally give into everything you say, when was I ever stubborn?
Prerna: Now!
Had a writer's block, but this came out as I sat to write. Was it believable?
Chapter 18 Last Part
Edited by Marybarton - 6 years ago
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Jhanak
O Humnava Tum Dena Saath Mera
