Standing in your shoes - Page 2

sahiba needs to teach her a lesson

Oh she's gonna make her life a living hell

Chapter two

The hall was silent as Manveer walked in ,her heart thumping,terrified of the look on Daarji's face.The rest of the Brars had gathered around,no doubt anticipating another round of Sahiba bashing. Manveer sighed and took her place next to Angad, only for him to move away,ensuring that she was right at the centre of the circle.This is bad,she thought to herself,gulping in panic and clinging to Gurleen's arm,who had a strained smile plastered on her face.

Sahiba,I know that you love Gurleen a lot,but could you please ease your grip ?I think her arm's hurting."bebe called out.

Manveer felt terror creep up her spine ,as if the walls around her were closing in.She refused to let go of Gurleen.Suddenly she felt someone prise open her fingers.It was Jaspal who gently detached her from Gurleen and pulled Gurleen aside to stand next to him.He didn't let go of her hand she noted wryly,a spark of jealousy in her heart as she glanced at her own husband,watching everything detachedly.

"So Sahiba.I heard you're going to the market with your mother today."it was Jasleen,who had a smirk on her face.

"Sahiba puttar, I'm very disappointed in you."daarji said.

Manveer's eyes bulged in dismay.What had that girl done now?

"What has Sah....I mean what did I do daarji?"

"You still have ties with your mother.The same woman who trapped Angad in this sham of a marriage."sneered Jasleen.

"What she means to say is that Santosh Ji has not been exactly nice to you."interjected Ekam,trying to diffuse the tension.

"Jaspal, perhaps you should teach your wife and daughter to mind their own business.It's interesting how they have the time to interfere in our matters when their own lives are a part of a circus."Jasleen retorted.

Manveer noticed Jaspal clench his hands into fists, clearly gearing up for a fight when Gurleen simply placed a hand on his arm and gave an imperceptible shake of her head.To her surprise he calmed down and took her hand in his own.Deciding to interrogate her sister in law later,she turned to face the crowd who were looking at her with a mixture of apathy, revulsion and pity.

"Jasleen,since you're so worried about Sahiba consorting with the wrong people, perhaps I should accompany them to the market."

Manveer gasped at the figure,standing at the top of the stairs.The colour drained from her face as Sahiba glided downstairs,in her body,a condescending smirk on her face.She opened and closed her mouth like a fish ,unable to comprehend the nightmare she seemed to be living through.Daarji simply frowned.

"Manveer puttar,are you sure this is a good idea?"

"Daarji,Sahiba clearly needs to experience the world a bit more.Perhaps a first hand lesson would help her choose her loyalties wisely."

"Brar Sahab,Manveer is right."said bebe,casting her an approving glance."This would be the perfect opportunity for Sahiba to learn the ways of our household."

Manveer grit her teeth as Sahiba smiled at her triumphantly,unable to retaliate.She was effectively cornered.

"Well Sahiba, aren't you going to thank me?"she asked her.

Manveer sorely wished to strangle her and bury the body somewhere.But the fact that it was HER body stopped her.Deciding to bide her time and plot her revenge,she decided to eat humble pie.

"Thank you .....ma,'am"she managed to spit out,gagging at the respect she was forced to give the woman she despised so much.Sahiba simply smiled and beckoned her over her shoulder with a flick of her hand.She looked helplessly at Gurleen who simply shrugged before following Jaspal out of the room.

Soon she and Sahiba were the only ones in the room.

"How dare you?"she screamed.

Sahiba looked at her coldly.

"Why not?"

Manveer felt rage bubbling within her.

"I hope you remember that this switch is only temporary.Once I manage to reverse it, you'll be at my mercy again."

There was a flicker if uncertainty in Sahiba's eyes before she schooled her expression into that of indifference.

"Then perhaps I should make hay while the sun shines."

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The ride to the market was rather uncomfortable.Sahiba had insisted they take an auto,Kulche's auto to be specific.She had been forced to talk to him politely,much to her disgust.Never had she imagined herself to interact with such riffraff.Gurleen on the other hand ,seemed right at home as she talked to kulche and Sahiba freely as if they were accustomed to such journeys, which made her suspicious.

She was rather thankful when they stopped at the rather crowded market place.Dusting herself off,she was shocked when someone hugged her.To her dismay it was Santosh.Despite her disdain,she couldn't control the tears which filled her eyes.It had been a long time since someone had hugged her with so much love.Hastily wiping her tears away ,she smiled brightly.

"Mummy, I'm so glad you're here.Let's go shopping."

"Well,well,well,what a beautiful reunion.My heart simply aches with joy."

Manveer felt her mood dampen upon Sahiba's arrival.To her surprise,Santosh seemed to shrink.Did she have that effect on everyone,she wondered.No wonder no one really liked her much unless they needed some work done by her.For a moment,she felt envious of Sahiba's outgoing personality and inherent cheerfulness.Suddenly....

CRAAAASH!!!!!

I really want manveer to suffer....

Great.....

Too good.....

Please keep posting regularly.