Part 2
“Prerna… Prerna utho” she heard his voice calling her from afar. She stirred when she felt a gentle tap on her shoulder. Sun rays pricked her shut eyelids. She gently rubbed them and gradually opened her eyes, sheltering it with her own palm.
“Tum yahan aise kyun soyi ho?” his face came in her view when he kneeled in front of her.
Worry lines marred his forehead. Holding her head, she looked around to check where she was. And to her surprise she realized she was on the terrace floor.
She remembered the events from last night and realized that she had cried herself to sleep. With all the crying, she knew her eyes would be swollen, her head was throbbing and her clothes still felt damp. But even after this disoriented state, her heart today felt lighter than usual. Breathing didn't seem like a painful chore and her mind was a lot clear than it had been in so many days.
“Prerna tum theek ho?” there was panic in his voice as she didn't respond. And even in this delirious state she wondered, what was this man made up of. How could he be so worried about her after what she did to him.
“Aise kya dekh rahi ho? Are you fine?” he asked again.
“Haan” she replied softly.
"Tum aise yahan kya kar rahi ho? And did you get yourself drenched in rain last night?” he asked, disapproval edged in his tone.
She didn’t reply. Her aching head made her flinch and she just held her head in her palms.
“Pagal ho kya tum. Kaun karta hai aisa? You’ll fall sick” he reprimanded her.
“Its ok Anurag, I’m fine” she reassured him and before he could ask or say anything more, she left saying that she wanted to check on Kuki and he kept watching her retreating back.
Anurag didn't know what was happening. She was in a state of mess and he wondered, why. What could have happened?
Prerna got herself ready and walked into Kuki’s room. She saw the little girl was already up and helped her to dress up. When Kuki asked her about her dad, Prerna calmly replied, “Woh aaj wapis aa jayenge. Don’t worry.” Kuki hugged her. She gestured Prerna, proclaiming her love for her. And Prerna’s heart broke at the innocence of this girl. Her father in his pursuit of whatever he was up to had jeopardized so many lives. He had ended up showing false dreams to his own daughter. And Prerna knew what she was going to do today will break Kuki’s heart too. But Kuki was still a child. And how long had she known Prerna? Prerna knew Kuki will eventually forget her and until then, she will be there for her.
“Chalo. Breakfast karte hain. Aapke favourite pancakes banaye hain maine” Prerna smiled as she escorted the girl out to the dining table. As Prerna made Kuki comfortable on the chair, Debu Da came with the breakfast. Anurag too joined them after a moment. And Kuki smiled at him. Anurag smiled back at the kid and to their surprise, Kuki tore half a pan cake from her plate and shared it with Anurag, Anurag leaned forward to place a soft kiss on Kuki’s cheek. A gesture that made Prerna’s heart swell. “He would be an amazing father to our kid” her inner voice spoke.
“I need to tell him.” She told herself. And a tear rolled down her cheek as she realized that she had been downright cruel by hiding such a big news from him.
“Prerna, tum pareshaan ho?” she heard his voice and turned to look at him.
“Haan woh… tumse kuch baat karni hai” she answered, trying her best to sound as composed as possible. She was heck nervous about what was to follow. She knew Anurag was not going to take things in his stride.
This was, after all, going to be a day of revelations!
Just as she was collecting her thoughts, Mr. Mehra walked in with two set of files. He looked a little fidgety as she stepped forward to take the files from him. “Ma’am aapko lagta hai ki Mr. Basu maanege?” he asked, unsure.
“Leave that on me” she replied confidently and turned to Anurag, just as Mohini and Nivedita joined in for their morning meal.
Anurag, who was observing her each move, knew there was something playing in her mind. He wondered what that was. He didn’t want to raise his expectations, but there was this spark in her eyes that he had once fallen in love with. The spark that was missing ever since she married Mr. Bajaj. And what happened in the morning. What was she so upset about? He was contemplating to talk to her and find out but was not sure if she would answer him. But, then when she herself mentioned that she wanted to talk to him, his anticipation rose about what was to follow. So when she turned to him, he got up from his chair and walked up to her.
Prerna saw Anurag approaching her, so she gestured him to stop. Walking upto Kuki, she called for the house help to take Kuki back to her room. She didn’t want Kuki to be exposed to any harsh realities. As Kuki walked inside, she turned to Anurag.
“Anurag, I need two favours from you today” she said, coming straight to the point as she pushed the two files in front of him.
Confused, he took the files and opened them to study. As he went through the contents of the file, if one would say he was hurt, that would be an understatement. Mohini who had noticed everything, came to her son and took the files from him. Se studied them too and threw Prerna an indignant glance.
“You are not going to get what you want!” Mohini declared and was about to throw the papers when Prerna caught them.
“Kaki Maa. Main jaanti hoon aap mujhse bohut naraaz hain. Lekin main jo bhi kar rahi hoon uske peeche ek wajah hai.” She tried explaining.
“Woh toh dikh hi raha hai. Tum chahti ho ki Anurag case wapis le le aur Mr. Bajaj ko unka ghar lauta de. So that you and that husband of yours can stay blissfully in that mansion, right?” Mohini was livid as she continued, “Wah Prerna, tum toh sach main meri soch se bohut aage nikal gayi” she spat.
Anurag who stood there rooted, was lost. Prerna was asking him to let go Bajaj and return him his house. His thoughts went back to morning when he had found Prerna in that pitiable state on terrace. “Was she so worried about Mr. Bajaj? Was she in that distraught state for him? Did she really care for him so much that she cried all night for him?” too many questions thronged his mind and the supposed answer broke his heart.
“Kaki Maa. Please… Anurag please meri baat ko samjho… In papers main saaf likha hai ki Bajaj mansion unhe milte hi, Basu Baari main Mr. Bajaj ka koi stake nahi hoga. Yeh ghar phir aap logon ko wapis mil jayega. This will be the last thing I'll ever ask you, please in papers par sign kar do” she had turned to him and was shaking him by holding his hand.
A sad melancholic smile, crept up his lips. She was breaking down and begging him for something. It was hard for him to bear. Things were happening too soon for him to get a hold on himself but he didn’t want her to be torn between his love and her responsibility.
“Nahi… kuch nahi samajhna hume. Anurag tum yeh sign nahi karoge. I’ll call my lawyers, mujhe tum logon par bilkul bharosa nahi hai” Mohini charged and pushed Prerna a little away.
Prerna stumbled back but before she could fall, Anurag held her. Prerna was looking at him expectantly.
“That’s what you really want?” he asked her, looking into her eyes.
"Yes" she replied at once.
“You have it!” he quietly replied and ignoring Mohini’s and Nivedita’s protest, he took the papers and signed on them.
Once he gave it to her, she handed it over to Mr. Mehra, who gratefully accepted the papers and left Basu Baari.
Prerna turned around to find Maasi and Tanvi standing at the corner of the hall. She walked up to them. As Maasi opened her mouth to appreciate Prerna, she raised her hand to stop her and said, “Anurag ne Bajaj mansion, Mr. Bajaj ko lauta diya hai. Ab is family ko yahan rehne ki koi zaroorat nahi hai. Mr. Bajaj aate hi honge. Woh jaise aaye, humme yeh ghar chodna hoga, packing kar lijiye” She told them and not allowing them to respond, she walked away.
Anurag’s eyes followed her movements. Did she really wanted to leave? Did she really wanted to go away from him forever? It felt like life was being sucked out of his lungs. He was observing her since morning and there was something different that she was holding in today. And he had discerned that. It looked like the tides were changing and he was not able to grasp the intensity of it at all. On top of it, the battle between his heart and his mind was making him go insane. While his mind yelled her immunity to him, his heart pleaded him to consider the fact that she wouldn’t have run up to him while he was slipping away after accident, if she didn’t care. What was the truth then? He decided to confront her for one last time. He had promised to support her every decision, and if this is what her heart desired, he’ll let her go, he resolved.
“Onu… kyun sign kiya tumne. Jaane kya karenge ab yeh log.” Mohini was panicking but without paying any heed to her, he strode away to Prerna’s room.
“Shivi, jo hua usse badal nahi sakti main” Prerna was talking on the phone, while gathering her belongings and packing her suitcase. “Nahi Shivi. I don’t regret anything.” She continued as Anurag barged in. Surprised, Prerna disconnected the call.
“So, you want to leave?”, Anurag asked her. She could see that he was hurt.
“Anurag, Mr. Bajaj ka is ghar se jaana hi sahi hai. Tabhi Basu baari main normalcy aayegi” she tried to explain even though she continued to pack.
“Stop it!” he stopped her from wrapping up her things and continued, “Basu Baari aur meri life main normalcy tab tak nahi aayegi jab tak tum wapis nahi aa jaati” he besought her.
“Anurag, main toh yeh bhi nahi jaanti ki main chalte chaltekahan tak aa gayi hoon. Laut kar aaun toh kaise?” she replied. She was trying to hold herself strong, but it was becoming difficult by the moment.
“Prerna, please… please tell me the truth” he begged with her, “You don’t love Mr. Bajaj, do you?” his eyes implored.
“No!” she replied looking straight into his eyes. And even if he was sure about it, listening it from her made him feel like a huge stone had lifted off of his heart. For the first time since marriage, she had been honest about her feelings for Mr. Bajaj.
“You didn’t marry him for money?” he asked again. He knew the answer but now that she was ready to lay her heart bare, he wanted her to negate her lie herself.
“No!” came another prompt reply.
“Toh phir kyun?” he asked. His voice dropped to a whisper.
She took a deep breath. But before she could say anything, Debu Da knocked the door and informed her that Mr. Bajaj was back. She nodded her head in acknowledgment and asked Debu Da to get their bags downstairs. With the help of the house helps, she had already got Mr. Bajaj’s suitcase packed too. The sooner this ended, the better, she thought. And as Debu Da, started to shift their luggage, she left the room without a word.
Anurag wanted to stop her, but something about her didn't let him do that. He knew she was trying to veil her turmoil from him but it was all too visible for him. He was scared. Scared of what laid beneath her demeanor... what laid beneath the foundation of this marriage. Nevertheless, whatever it was, if she was living it, he would have to build up the courage to know it.
He followed her downstairs. Mr. Bajaj was standing there with Mr. Mehra. His Maasi was showering her blessings on him. Kuki was nestling in his arms while that girl, Tanvi seemed too happy. But the one who had coaxed him to take the case back, stood at a distance, unmoved. His own family was also present and watching the whole reunion.
Mr. Bajaj spoke to Maasi and was courteous to reply to Tanvi’s greetings. And then he moved towards Prerna. He seemed to be happy and content.
“Mr. Mehra ne mujhe bataya ki aapne Mr. Basu se kaha case wapis lene ke liye. Acha laga ye jaan kar ki aapko mujh par bharosa hai. I hope ab aap yeh maanti hai ki jo bhi hua woh unintentional tha. And I am innocent” he urged her softly.
Maintaining her stoic stance, Prerna simply smiled. A smile that didn't reach her eyes. It was curt. She seemed too calm. But Anurag knew her better than anyone else. He could see right through her and knew that this tranquility was powerful enough to blow past any hurdles on its way.
“Aap kuch kahengi nahi?” Mr. Bajaj asked her, taking a step towards her.
Instinctively, she stepped back and crossed her arms around her chest. Fire blazed in her eyes as she replied, “Kehne ke liye toh aaj bohut kuch hai mere pass Mr. Bajaj. Sawaal yeh hai ki aap kitna sun ne ke liye ready hain”
“Matlab?” he asked, a little confused.
Calmly, she unwrapped her arms and took it around her neck to unfasten the mangalsutra that she was wearing. She pulled it off of her neck, looking in his eyes, as if challenging him to stop her if he could. She then reached out for his hand and pulled it forward. As Mr. Bajaj looked at her surprised, she placed it on his outstretched palm and declared, “Matlab, the deal is over!”
Part 3 (Last Part)
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That's it for this part.
I would like to make it clear that I believe in the sanctity of marriage and have complete faith in the institution. But the way this institution is presented in this show reflects it in a very poor light. To me that is an insult to the sanctity of this institution.
Na dhaage todne se shaadiyan toot ti hai aur na deal karne se poori hoti hai.
Hope you liked this part. Part three will be the final part of this TS. Will be posting it shortly.
Do press the like button and leave in your comments to let me know how was it.
Love,
Sonia
Edited by euphoric - 4 years ago
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