Chapter 40
It was the day chosen by the pandit for the engagement of Ishita and Yash. They were to meet at Ishita's house for the first time.
Ishita was feeling very nervous since morning. Her parents had shown her the photo of Yash. She fell in love seeing the photo itself. But she did want to meet Yash. No point getting excited when it may yet again lead to disappointment. He may well reject her once she saw her in person just like many had before him. She knew her parents were anxious to get her married their desperation was not hidden from her. She kept looking at herself in the mirror hoping against hope that this time things would turn out differently.
Her mind drifted back in time many years ago when she was fit and fine and was getting ready for her marriage. She had gone to the beauty parlour to get ready for the occasion. It was the worst decision she had made, she could have well made the beautician attend to her at the function hall itself but she didn't. After the bridal make-up was done she had waited for the driver to come and pick her up. Her friends had finished off before her and had gone away on her insistence; that was the second mistake she had done that day. The driver had gone off to have tea in the time she was at the parlour. Getting anxious about the delay she had wandered off to the road and had started to look for her driver. It was then an over speeding car had hit her. She knew someone got down from the car and had called for the ambulance. She did not know what happened next as she had blanked out as the pain numbed her mind.
When she woke up next it was to find herself in the hospital. Her parents were next to her bed and she saw her mother cry inconsolably. She had come to know that her leg had to be operated on and later it was. The thigh bone of her left leg was broken so severely that a metal rod replacement had to be put in its place. They had informed her that she would recover fully, however leg and shortened by a few millimeters and the imbalance caused her to limp and that limp was there till this day.
The physical pain that Ishita had undergone was nothing compared to the pain she got when she came to know later that her marriage had gotten cancelled. It seems the groom's father had objection to having a "handicapped" bahu for his son.
Little did Ishita know that that would set a trend for the alliances that came her way after that; since birth she had been a disappointment to her father. He always wanted a son who would succeed him in his political career. She always wanted to ask showing the women in politics that was she not good enough to be his successor? Apparently NOT. Instead her marriage was to provide the money power for her father to forward his ambitions. And post the accident she failed him even in that. What little use she was previously to him even that was lost. She tried to make up for it in ways that she could. She tried to aid her father in whatever way she could but it was never enough. What ever she did was never enough.
Till today, that is. Today she had seen her father smile at her after so long. This marriage meant more to her than just finding a husband for herself. This was her one chance to see love in her father's eyes. A love she hoped could be won finally by going along with this marriage.
Falling for Yash even before meeting him was an added bonus. She did not expect much for herself. She did not know if Yash would ever be able to love her. But she would love him. She had to love him as it was because of him saying yes to this marriage that she saw approval in his father's eyes for her. And just for that she promised to love Yash with all she had. Little did she know she was making way for an obsession that would lead to her destruction.
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Yash sat on the sofa. He kept his head down eyeing the floor, he was in no mood to interact with anyone. He could hear voices of his family members exchanging pleasantries with the hosts.
"Yash beta...what is the matter? You seem awfully quiet"Ishita's father asked.
"Oh nothing...he is feeling shy" Maya said trying to cover up.
Yash gave her a sharp look. He did not like faking feelings he did not have. He had done a lot of faking in his life so he did not see the point in doing to yet again. And he knew from experience that such efforts were too damaging and never did anyone any good.
"Let us not waste time. Please call Ishita over so that both can meet each other"SP said trying to move things along.
Ishita was brought inside the room. Their house was huge and did not lack in any amenity that spoke of their status. She was wearing a green lehanga, she walked as slowly as she could trying to cover up her limp but not being able to. Everyone noticed some coughed some looked away. Ishita squirmed. Not liking the reaction she was getting.
Damn. Please God not again. Not this one too. I pray that at least this one crosses this stage. He seems like a good man hope he sees me and not my limp.
Ishita thought to herself as she sat across Yash. She tried to lift her head and look up at Yash but her shyness forbade her from doing so. She was getting all hot and bothered.
All waited for Yash to say something, but Yash just kept to himself. Not bothering to even spare a glance at Ishita. So finally the elders decided to give them some privacy and went away to have a look around the house to spare Ishita from getting up and going away with Yash as what was usually done.
Sunlight fell on the mirrored embroidery of the lehnga and reflected sharply causing Yash's eyes to flinch. This caused Yash finally to look up at Ishita and a sense of dejavu hit him. Yash remembered the time he had gone to seen Aarti during their engagement, she had been least interested in him then and he was trying not to show how much he wanted to marry her. He smiled recollecting many details from that day. She too had worn a green lehanga and had looked ravishing.
Ishita chose the exact time to look up at Yash. She though that Yash was smiling at her. The look in his eyes was so dreamy. As if he liked what he saw...no that look meant more...oh my god the intensity of his eyes spoke of a feeling that was frightening in its power. Was he too already in love with her? It can't be.
All others returned too soon for Ishita. She had just managed to find the courage to speak up and had to shut up again.
Then finally Yash and Ishita were asked to exchange rings to signal the completion of their engagement. Only those close to Yash could see the effort he had used in trying to put the ring on Ishita's finger. But as fate would have it ring for Ishita was of the wrong size and it did not fit her. All tried to brush- off the faux pas as nothing and decided to get the ring re-sized.
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The Scindias took leave from their would-be relatives and left in two separate cars. The second car had Pratik in the front seat with Aakash as the driver while Vidhi, Gayatri and Pari sat behind.
"Maa how could bauji do this to Yash bhaiya?" Pratik asked after some time.
"I never thought he would stoop to this level" he continued.
"I agree that business has been hit somewhat because of Yash bhaiya not taking full interest in it but this is just...just"Pratik tried to convey his disgust.
"Pratik you do not know your father as much as I know him. Believe me this is not the first time he has gone for a strategic alliance" Gayatri said trying to explain things to Pratik.
"You mean Arpita...?" Vidhi asked feeling shocked on hearing her mother-in-laws revelation.
"Oh no even before that...much much before that" Gayatri said becoming nostalgic and then giving them a 'can't you guess' expression.
"You mean ...you mean...you and bauji..."Pari guessed.
"(Gayatri nodded) It was love from my side though. Love at first sight(a smile spread over her face as she remembered). I had seen him in a common relative's marriage. There he was a young and dashing eclipsing even the groom in handsomeness and I just ..just lost my heart to him then and there" Gayatri said and chuckled.
"WOW mummyji this is turning out to be quite the story. Tell us then what happened?" Pari asked not able to contain her curiousness.
"Oh cupid struck but on one side, that too mine. He was indifferent to my charms unfortunately" Gayatri said noting how interested everyone had become; regretting a bit that she brought old history out that too when an outsider driver was in the car. Yet she continued.
"But my father was clever enough. I was his laadi beti after all. He saw how besotted I was with your bauji and so he made him an offer that he just could not refuse" Gayatri said and paused.
"What offer could that be?" Pratik questioned.
"Well your bauji had just stated SEL then and was having a tough time finding financiers and guess who decided to be his angel financier?" Gayatri asked.
"You mean bauji took dowry?" Pari questioned feeling shocked.
"Oh it was never as plain as that. It was supposed to be a loan. And we know how your bauji likes to maintain that he is a self made man. So he repaid the loan with interest later" Gayatri concluded.
"Now that is some flashback mummyji. It makes this Ishita alliance a whole lot more sense"Vidhi said after digesting what she just heard.
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"The whole world is getting married. Yet I am not. That Yash Scindia is getting married the third time over and I am yet to get married even once" Aakash spoke to himself as he was on his way home that night.
"Why God...why is it that I became your least favourite child. Have I not suffered enough?" Aaskash cribbed taking out his frustrations on almighty.
"No enough is enough I am going to ask her this one last time. She better say yes to me" Aakash said as he straightened and puffed his chest.
"I mean look at me...I am young, robust, dynamic and very handsome. What more does she want? I have my pride how many times can a man take no for an answer" he continued speaking as he marched towards his house.
"What does she think she is anyway? She has nothing and no one and still is so damn adamant. I have done everything she asked me to. I left the con jobs I used to do. Even though I knew how lucrative it was. I cleaned up my act and tried to please her is so many other ways. But she keeps rejecting me" he said and entered his modest home.
"Oh! you came back. How was your day? Do you want something?" the woman whom Aakash was angry with asked.
"No" he replied curtly.
"How about water?" she asked again.
"No"
"Are you hungry? Do you want to directly have dinner?"she persisted ignoring the rude one word answers.
"No No No" he said his voice rising.
"What is the matter Aakash? Did something happen at work?"she asked coming closer.
"No" he answered softening his voice and regretting his earlier outburst.
"Then...?."
"Well how does it feel to be at the receiving end of so many NOs for a change haan" he asked.
"I don't know what you mean?"she said getting confused.
"Come now...don't try to act innocent. Maa thinks you are perfect for me, all the neighbours think we are perfect for each other, hell even I think we would be good together" Aakash let out his feelings.
"Not again Aaakash. We have been through all this before" she said again backing away. Not liking the topic of discussion.
"Yes and still your thick skulled stubborn self refuses to listen to sense. I got a job now. A legal, reasonably well paid job. I am sure even you cannot find fault in that. What more do I need to do to make myself suitable for you? I just don't know what more to do?" he asked looking directly into her eyes.
"Aakash its not you...its me. I am not worthy of you. You don't know the first thing about me. And then there is...there is..."she said not able to meet Aakash's eyes and getting agitated.
"I do not care about anything...I want us to be a family. All of us together. Please...please be mine...Please be mine Smriti" Aakash said and held out the ring he had sneaked away from the Scindias.
Smriti took the ring and tried it on. It was the most beautiful thing she had seen and it fit her perfectly. Yet she took it off even though it was giving her some trouble in by getting stuck in her finger.
"You stole this...didn't you? Return it and maybe then I will believe that you have really changed for good" Smriti said as she handed the ring over.
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Yash was surprised that the children had taken the news of his marriage to Ishita so quietly. He tried to get them to open up. Yet they refused to share their thoughts.
If he was finding the whole thing too hard to handle he could only imagine how tough it must be for his kids.
As usual Yash went to check on them before forcing himself to sleep. When he went there however he saw all three of them were wide awake and sitting on the bed. Yash got worried thinking what could possibly have caused them to remain awake at this late hour.
"What is the matter everyone?"
"Nothing Papa. I was just talking with GOD?" Ansh replied.
Yash stopped just a bit taken aback by his answer.
"Will you share what you were discussing?"Yash probed gently.
Palak looked above at the ceiling as if debating whether to disclose her secrets or not but finally decided to open up.
"Papa Ansh had said that when he and mumma were alone, he used to write letters to God and keep it under his pillow. He used to ask for toys and treats and all his wishes used to get fulfilled. And then he asked for "Papa" and he got you"
Yash nodded. He knew about this but still listening about it was still causing Yash pain as he thought of all the years Aarti had to play the role of both father and mother for Ansh. And then again felt ashamed at letting Aarti down for a few months that had caused Ansh to run away.
"So when mumma did not come back from Delhi, the three of us started writing letters to God again asking for mumma. We wrote one daily and kept in under the pillow. But nothing happened...then we decided to give god something in return. We thought if god gave us mumma back he could take away our toys and all the cool things we have" Ansh said explaining their deal with God.
"And...?" Yash asked as a lump formed in his throat.
"Don't you see papa. God got confused. He is making you get a new mumma for us. We did not want a new mumma. We wanted our own mumma back" Payal finally spoke up.
Yash had no clue absolutely as to what to say then. He just kept staring at his kids who kept looking at him for answers. He could not tell them that he saw Aarti, what if it was not her like everyone kept wanting him to believe. He could not risk giving false hope to his kids. He could not risk his father in law knowing that he had gone back on his promise, he could not risk losing Ansh and breaking up the trio in front of him. He loved them dearly and so he hugged them his eyes blurring as he looked at the ring on his finger a stark reminder how the bleak future was for him.
TO BE CONTINUED...
PS: And yes Aakash did say Smriti and not Aarti. I used the name for two reasons. Let's see if you can guess both of them.
Also I will try and squeeze another chapter in this thread or maybe I should wait and update in the new thread
Edited by Deepti1808 - 12 years ago
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