Part 50
Akash Ganga Community Hall - Ten days later, Saturday, May 4, 5:15 pm
"Is everyone ready now?" the priest asked. "Muhurat nikla jaa raha hai." It had been fifteen minutes but neither the Bhallas nor Iyers had managed to settle down yet.
"Baitho sab log!" Raman shouted. "Panditji gussa ho rahe hai yaar!"
A grueling ten minutes later, both clans had finally settled down, Bhallas on one side of the hall and Iyers on the other side. Mihir and Mihika sat in the middle decked in an expensive kurta and silk saree, respectively. Ishita made to sit down beside her mother on the Iyers' side, only to be chided by her husband.
"Oh hello madam? Kidhar baith rahi ho tum? Idhar aao, tum Bhallas ki bahu ho!"
"Lekin Raman, meri behen ki shaadi hai," Ishita retorted.
"Bhabhi, aapke devar ki bhi shaadi hai!" Mihir cried out. "Nahi, aapke bhai ki shaadi hai. Aapne mujhe rakhi bandhi thi, remember?"
Ishita glanced back and forth between the Bhallas and Iyers, finally deciding to sit with the Bhallas, much to Mihika's displeasure.
"Ek minute, agar Ishu akka Bhallas ki bahu hai, to phir Raman jeeju bhi to Iyers ke daamaad hai na? Jeeju, aap idhar aa kar baithiye. Aap ki saali ki shaadi hai!" Mihika said.
After another five minute debate, Ishita and Raman unanimously decided to stand by the bride and groom, without picking a side.
"Aap logon ka ho gaya hai?" the priest asked with a bored expression. The auspicious time-frame would end soon.
"Humara ho gaya hai panditji," Ishita answered. "Aap shuru kijiye." She pressed a finger to her lips and shushed her crazy family.
The priest breathed a sigh of relief as he began preparing the holy platter. He placed the first copy of the wedding card on the platter, adding a bunch of bananas, few betel leaves and betel nuts, and a coconut on top.
"We are gathered here to draft the marriage agreement between both families for the union of Mihir Arora and Mihika Iyer," the priest began. "The wedding ceremony will take place on Sunday, May 19th at 5 am sharp at the Celestial Estate. As I understand it, there is no dowry being exchanged, correct?"
Everyone nodded in agreement.
"That's great." The priest listed the rest of the terms of the marriage agreement, explaining the rituals that would be performed. "Does anyone have any objections?"
"Not at all."
"No objections."
Under the priest's guidance, Toshi-Omprakash and Madhu-Vishwa exchanged the platter containing the marriage agreement as well as other platters of gifts containing brand new sarees and crisp new shirts.
"Dekh le Madhu, ab main phir se teri samdhan ban gayi!" Toshi quipped. "Ab to tujhe mere naal double jhukna paega!"
"Ab kaun kiske aage jhukega woh to waqt hi batayega Santoshi!" Madhu replied.
Both ladies hugged each other along with the rest of their families who basked in the joy of the new union.
Later that night, Raman lay back on his bed and flicked through the channels on his TV, while Ishita sat in front of the dresser removing her ornaments and wiping her face of makeup.
"Madrasan, yeh tumhare South ki shaadiyon mein itne saare rasame kyun hoti hai?" Raman asked, as he stifled a yawn, groaning from exhaustion. "Panditji ne kitni saari rasame bataayi aaj. Humari shaadi mein to yeh sab nahi tha."
"Woh isiliye kyunki humari shaadi jaldi-jaldi mein huyi thi. Humne shaadi karne ka faisla liya aur dus din ke andar to shaadi ho gayi. Sirf aapka Punjabi sangeet aur humara Tamilian lagnam hua tha." She removed her earrings and placed them in the jewelry box. "Warna normal shaadi mein to itne saare functions hote hi hai."
Raman's gaze inadvertently fell on his wife. She was right. Their wedding had been rushed. They had missed out on so many of the usual rituals every bride and groom went through. Especially her. What kind of a wedding she had dreamed of and what kind of a wedding she had gotten? It was then that he decided he'd give her the wedding of her dreams. They probably couldn't afford to get married again; neither their schedules nor their budget would allow that. But he could certainly do something to make her feel special.
"Ishita, I was thinking-"
Before Raman could voice his thoughts to his wife, a knock on their door interrupted them. Ishita turned in her seat, tying her hair into a loose bun, as she faced the door.
"Come in!" she said.
The door creaked open, and Adi peeked in.
"Aao na Adi," she called to him. "Come in."
"Sorry, I didn't mean to disturb you." Adi tiptoed in, eyes averted. "It's just that my phone died... And I couldn't find my charger. Can I borrow one from you guys?" he asked.
"Of course you can beta." Raman got up from his bed and retrieved his charger from the wall plug, before handing it to his son. "Here. Keep this with you. I'll use your Aunty's charger."
"Are you sure dad?"
"Yes beta, I'm sure."
"Thanks dad... And I'm sorry for disturbing you guys. I should've waited until the morning but-"
"Enough beta." Raman grasped his son's shoulder and made him meet his eyes. "Don't ever apologize for disturbing us. We're your parents. It's our job to be here for you."
"Adi," Ishita spoke up. "If you need us, you can come to us no matter what time it is. It doesn't matter if it's the middle of the night. We want you to come to us. Don't ever hesitate."
Adi still couldn't meet their eyes, the weight of their loving stares being too much for him to bear. "I'll go now. Good night."
"Good night beta."
Adi tiptoed into his bedroom and crept into bed, trying to fall asleep. He had been in this house for two weeks now, and he had been so happy, it scared him. He was convinced that any day now, the other shoe would drop. His mother had warned him of it. This all had to be an illusion.
But everything he had experienced in this house proved his fears wrong. The light and positive atmosphere seemed perennial. Fights and arguments broke out almost every day, but he was never scared of them, convinced that they would never last long. Even his therapist persuaded him that he could trust the happiness that was entering his life.
He turned in his bed and exhaled roughly, as his thoughts focused on the one subject that caused him the most confusion: his stepmother. Ever since he had moved in -- no, ever since he had met her -- she had proven wrong every notion of his. She seemed to be truly, genuinely kind and warm. His mother had been harping on him that it was all a ruse. But no one could keep a ruse going for that long, could they? Ishita Aunty was kind even when no one was watching. How could he explain that?
But what truly befuddled him was the contrast he saw between his mother and stepmother. His mother, who exploded on him for his tiniest mistakes, who got irritated by his most simple questions. On the other hand, there was his stepmother, who was always available for him, encouraging him to ask for whatever he wanted, who thought of him even when he didn't ask for anything. They were both so different. What could that mean?
He shook his head, ridding himself of every confusing thought. His sister's snores reached his ears, and he too, finally let sleep overcome him.
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Bhalla House, Adi and Ruhi's bedroom - the next day, 10 pm
Ishita knocked on the door and entered, looking for her daughter, only to find Adi lying down on his bed, Ruhi's bed empty.
"Adi, Ruhi waapis nahi aayi abhi tak?" she asked him.
"Nope." Adi shook his head. "She went to Paati's house after dinner, and she's still there."
Ishita smiled. Adi had finally started addressing her family members as his own. He was probably just unconsciously copying Ruhi, but still... progress was progress.
"Thik hai. I'll go get her in a bit," she said.
Even though she had nothing else to say, she remained at the door, leaning against the doorframe, gazing at her son. Ever since she had met him, she knew she loved him. He was Raman's son, and he was Ruhi's brother. Of course, she loved him. But in the two weeks that he had stayed at their home, she had begun to love him as her own son. In the tiniest gestures, she found her gravitating towards him, yearning to love him as she loved Ruhi. He had yet to open up to her though; their independent bond had yet to develop. And she could only hope that one day, they'd be as close as she and Ruhi were.
Adi yawned and began to lay back on his bed, when Ishita perked up with an idea.
"Adi, aap mere paas se story sunoge?" she asked.
He stilled his movements. "Are you sure Aunty?" he asked.
"Yeah why not? Ruhi toh waise bhi der tak khelegi. Tab tak main aapko story sunaati hoon."
"Sure Aunty."
Adi sat up against the headboard, scooching to the side, where Ishita sat down with a handful of storybooks that she had grabbed from one of the shelves.
"Aap kaunsi story sunoge?" she asked.
"Koi bhi," Adi replied.
"Here. Pick one from these." Ishita fanned out the books in front of him. Adi pointed to a random book, still struggling with indecision.
"Hansel and Gretel?" Ishita asked.
"Sure."
Ishita placed the rest of the books on the bed before she opening the book Adi had chosen. She flicked through the pages, narrating the tale of the two siblings whose life was made hell by an evil stepmother. To escape that stepmother, they ran into the woods only to fall into a witch's gingerbread house. Ishita regaled Adi with Hansel and Gretel's adventures as they defeated the witch and escaped her clutches.
"And then both Hansel and Gretel lived happily ever after." Ishita closed the picture book as the story ended.
Inadvertently, Adi's gaze landed on the rest of the books sprawled on the bed. Cinderella, who was forced to work as a maid in her own house by her evil stepmother. Snow White, who was forced into the woods and poisoned with an apple from her evil stepmother. Everywhere, there was an evil stepmother, ingrained in the oldest fables and tales. Did his mother have a point when she warned him to be wary of his own stepmother?
"Aapne ek baat notice ki Aunty?" he asked.
"Kya beta?"
"Har ek story mein stepmothers evil hi hoti hain. Hansel & Gretel, Cinderella, Snow White... Stepmothers sirf acche hone ka naatak karti hai in stories mein. Koi bhi bacchon se real mein pyaar nahi karti. To phir real life mein koi bhi stepmothers ko trust kyun karega?"
He hadn't meant to say it. But Adi couldn't help it. His worst fears had come tumbling out of his mouth before he could stop himself. He knew for a fact that his mom wasn't welcome in this house. No one had ever behaved badly with her, but he still knew. After living in a house as volatile as the Khanna Mansion, he was an expert at discerning people's moods, easily picking up on subtle changes in atmosphere. And every time his mother visited, he observed the tension that permeated through the air. His mom wasn't welcome here because of everyone's loyalty to Ishita. What if... what if one day he wasn't welcome here anymore?
Ishita momentarily lost her words, as she struggled to contain her shock. Was this really how Adi felt? Did he really struggle to trust her simply because she was not related to him by blood? She had tried her best to make him comfortable and included in the family. But maybe she hadn't done enough.
She looked over into his eyes to read his face, expecting to find hatred and anger, but to her surprise, she only saw fear and confusion. This boy was struggling with adjusting to his new blended family, finding it difficult to reconcile his relationships with his father, mother, and stepmother. She didn't know if Shagun had fostered these fears, or if they had risen of their own accord. All she knew was that they needed to be laid to rest.
She cleared her throat and put away the Hansel & Gretel story book. "You're right, Adi. In saari stories mein stepmothers bahot evil hain. Pata nahi kisne likhi hai itni bad stories." She stacked the rest of the books and placed them on the adjacent desk. "Main aapko ek dusri stepmother ki kahaani sunaati hoon. Jo humaare desh ke kone-kone mein famous hain."
"Kaun?"
"Yashoda Maiyya. Aapko unki story pata hai?"
Adi shook his head in the negative.
"Toh phir suno. Bhagwaan Krishna was born in the jails of Mathura to Devki and Vasudev..."
Ishita narrated the story of Lord Krishna and his travel from Mathura to Gokul, where he was raised under the care of Nand Maharaj and Maiyya Yashoda. She detailed the mischief little Krishna got into, breaking pots of butter and milk, annoying the maidens of Gokul. Even so, his mother Yashoda refused to listen to any complaints of her darling boy. She recounted the tale of Krishna defeating Kaliya naag (serpent), describing Yashoda's plight at the thought of her child drowning in the poisonous Yamuna river. She gave an elaborate account of the moment when Krishna was invited to Mathura for a final duel with Kans, when Yashoda found out that Krishna wasn't her real son. She detailed the heartbreak she went through at being separated from her son. Her son by heart, but not by blood.
"After that day, Lord Krishna stayed in Mathura with his biological parents Devki and Vasudev, then in Dwarka as a wise and righteous king. But even today, he is most commonly known as Yashoda nandan, the son of Yashoda maiyya," Ishita said.
The tale of Yashoda's love for Krishna seeped through Adi's being, and his fears began melting away.
"Adi beta, your fears are valid." Ishita switched the gears of their conversation. "It's hard adjusting to a stepparent. I get it. But you don't have to be afraid. You have just as many rights in this family and in this house as Ruhi does. No one can take those rights away. Even while you were gone for so long, your place in this house remained untouched, both before and after I arrived.
"And as far as your stepmother is concerned," Ishita continued, "you don't need to worry about her either. I love you beta, just as much as I love Ruhi. You may not believe it right now, and you may not accept it either. But that's the truth. I don't expect anything from you in return. Just know that I love you."
Adi gulped and averted his eyes. This was what confused him. Why would anyone love someone so selflessly if they didn't have an inherent self-interest? It was unlike anything he had seen before. It made sense for his father, grandparents, aunts, and uncles to love him like this; they were related to him by blood. But why would his stepmother love him like this? Why would she love him like his own mother? Moreso even?
"Is that really true?" he asked, his chin trembling. "Because mom said you're just pretending to be this nice. That everyone in this house was pretending. That only she really loved me."
Ishita bit her lip, as she figured out how to answer his question. "Beta, how many students are in your class?" she asked.
"Um... about thirty?" Adi answered, surprised at the turn the conversation was taking.
"And out of all those thirty students, how many of them are your real friends?"
"Just Ayush and Hardik."
"Exactly. Out of thirty kids, you only gel well with two of them. Us adults have the same situation. We don't always gel with everyone. Unfortunately, it just happens that your mom doesn't gel well with our family. We just don't get along. That doesn't mean there's anything wrong with her or with us. It's a simple fact of life. She's your mom, so naturally, she's worried about you. We are too. It's just that... we happen to love you differently."
The tension in Adi's muscles loosened as every word washed over him.
"Adi, your mom and us may not get along all the time. But we will always try to be as polite as we can, so that you can have a relationship with everyone in your family. Your mom, dad, stepmom, everyone."
After a long internal ordeal, a smile finally graced Adi's lips. He turned to his stepmother, visibly relieved of his fears.
"Thanks Aunty," he said.
"You're welcome beta." Ishita ruffled his hair lovingly. "Abhi aap so jao. Aapko neend aa rahi hogi."
Adi nodded and lied down, as Ishita stood up and switched off the lights. She gave her son one last loving glance before heading out, leaving Adi with a much lighter heart after many days.
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Bhalla House - two days later, Tuesday, 5 pm
Ishita opened the front door to her house and entered into a quiet living room, empty of any people except Neelu, who was washing dishes in the kitchen sink.
"Itna sannata kyun hai, Neelu?" Ishita asked, as she set her purse down on the sofa. "Ruhi aur Adi ko toh maine neeche dekha, park mein khelte hue. Lekin baaki sab kahan hai?"
Neelu turned off the tap and set down a wet plate in the dish rack. "Bhabhi, koi abhi tak waapis hi nahi aaya. Romi bhaiya, Raman bhaiya, Rinki didi, sab log unke office mein hain. Aur mummyji-papaji kuch hi der pehle kahin bahar nikal gaye, kuch khareedi karne."
"Accha, thik hai. Main thoda fresh hokar aati hoon."
"Jee bhabhi."
Ishita tucked her saree pallu into her waist, as she proceeded to the bathroom to wash her face and freshen up. Five minutes later, she emerged with her face scrubbed clean, her hair tied into a loose bun. Just then, the doorbell rang, and she perked up. Maybe Raman was here.
But when she opened the door, her mood immediately turned anxious. Ashok and Shagun stood in front of her.
"Hello Isheeta, Adi hai ghar pe?" Shagun asked.
"Woh neeche khel raha hai park mein. Bas abhi aata hi hoga," Ishita replied.
"Oh I see..."
"Tab tak aap log aayiye na, andar baithiye," Ishita suggested out of awkwardness, when neither Ashok nor Shagun refused to budge from the door.
No sooner did Ishita offer the invitation did Shagun walk in, brushing past her, Ashok following close behind. A glint of victory shone in Shagun's eyes. It had taken almost a month, but the fights between her and Ashok were now non-existent. She had upped her glamor in the last few days and won him over, at least temporarily. She flicked her perfect satiny curls over her shoulder, showing off her sleeveless low-cut blouse and the accompanying net saree. Diamond stud earrings twinkled on her ears.
Ashok followed Shagun into the living room, surveying the surroundings, his nose raised haughtily. That damn Raman Bhalla had everything today. Ten years ago, when he had first started working under his wing, Ashok had recognized the talent that Raman held, and he was right to be threatened. Because despite every single roadblock that Ashok had put up in his former mentee's path, Raman had overcome every challenge, rising to unimaginable heights. It angered him to no end.
"Aap log baithiye. Kuch lenge aap log, chai ya coffee?" Ishita asked.
"Hum log yahan baithne nahi aaye," Ashok gritted out. "Humein sirf Adi se milna hai. Bulao use."
"Maine bola to sahi, woh neeche khel raha hai. Thodi der mein aa jaayega."
"We don't have time to wait around for him. Use bula kar le kar aao," Ashok ordered.
Ishita was taken aback at the show of rudeness by a supposed guest. She took a deep breath and addressed Neelu. "Tum neeche jaa kar Adi ko le aaogi please? Use bolna uski mom aayi hai milne."
"Thik hai bhabhi."
"Aur sun," Ishita lowered her voice so only Neelu could hear. "Ruhi ko mat laana. Use khelne dena."
Neelu nodded and wiped her hands before proceeding downstairs. As Ishita turned her attention towards Ashok and Shagun standing in the living room, she ruffled the end of her saree, suddenly conscious of her own appearance. Compared to the high-end designer saree and diamond jewelry that adorned Shagun, she was dressed in a simple plain saree, face scrubbed clean of any makeup, hair tied in a loose messy bun. She gulped and pushed down her unease. Her confidence didn't come from how she looked, she told herself. It came from who she was.
Rather than interact with the guests standing in front of her, Ishita chose to proceed to the kitchen to start on dinner prep. Unbeknownst to her, Shagun had walked up to the kitchen counter, eager to strike up a conversation.
"What are you making for dinner, Isheeta? Adi ki pasand ka to hoga na?"
Ishita closed the door of the fridge and emerged with two pieces of bottle gourd. "Lauki ki sabzi bana rahi hoon," she answered.
Shagun sighed and shook her head in disappointment. "What did I tell you, Isheeta? Mere bete ko yeh sab khaana pasand nahi hai. He likes western dishes."
Ishita set the bottle gourd on the counter before facing Shagun. "I remember what you said, Shagun. But if you would've paid any real attention to what your son likes, then you would've known that he actually loves Indian food. Especially when it's made at home. Besides, it's good for him to eat homemade vegetable curries. I'm trying to get him to eat all kinds of vegetables like Ruhi."
"Wow." Shagun slow-clapped at Ishita, mocking her. "Who are you to stand here and lecture me about my children? Dono mere bacche hai, jin par tum apna haq jataane lagi ho. Adi aur Ruhi ki aaya ho tum. Aur kuch nahi."
"Yeh tumhari galat-fehmi hai Shagun," Ishita replied with as much grace as she could muster.
"Oh really?!" Shagun crossed her arms against her chest. "Meri chodi hui cheezon par tum aish kar rahi ho. Raman aur Ruhi ko tumne apni chipdi-chupdi mein fasaa liya hoga, lekin main tumhe apne bete ko mere khilaaf nahi karne dungi," she sneered.
"Sabse pehli baat, Raman aur Ruhi cheez nahi insaan hai. Aur un logon ko tumne khud apne aap se dur kiya tha. Aur jahaan tak rahin Adi ki baat, toh woh bhi koi shatranj ka pyaada nahi, ek jeeta-jaagta baccha hai. Aur agar tum apni harkaton se baaz nahi aayi na, to ek din tum use bhi kho dogi."
Shagun fumed at Ishita's prediction. "How dare you! Are you threatening me?!"
The irrational rage on Shagun's face caused Ishita's confidence to shake. She knew she had the moral high ground, but still she felt the ground slipping beneath her feet. To make matters worse, Ashok's towering figure approached behind Shagun, looming over Ishita.
"You dare threaten my fianceé?" he hissed. "Apologize to her. Right. Now." It wasn't like he cared for Shagun's pride, but Ashok would never let go of a chance to harass anyone from Raman's family.
"Kyun be? Mere hi ghar mein meri hi biwi se maafi mangwaa raha hai?" Raman's voice echoed from the front door.
He sauntered over to the kitchen and stood beside his wife, placing a hand on her lower back. The support from her husband infused her with confidence, steadying its rocky foundation.
"My wife will not apologize to the likes of you," he continued speaking to the duo on the other end of the kitchen counter. "Shagun, Ishita har maayne mein tumse badi hai. She's older than you, wiser than you, and a hell of a lot more educated. She doesn't owe you a single thing."
"Raman, you don't know what she said-"
"If you don't like hearing what my family has to say to you, then don't come into my house. It's that simple. Because trust me, we're never going to have anything nice to say about you."
"Mujhe koi shauk nahi hai tumhare ghar mein aane ka. Main sirf apne bete se milne aayi hoon."
"Adi neeche playground mein khel raha hai. Go downstairs, meet him, and be on your way. The door is right there."
Raman pointed to the door. Ashok and Shagun stomped away, silently simmering with rage.
As the door clicked shut behind them, Raman turned to his wife.
"Kya bola un logon ne?" he asked.
"Nothing worth repeating."
"Tell me the truth madrasan. What did they say?"
"It doesn't matter Raman," Ishita insisted. "Shagun was just being her usual self. She didn't like that I'm making lauki for dinner. She thought Adi wouldn't like it. Aur kuch nahi."
"Are you sure you're okay?" Raman tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear, as he cupped her cheek, peering into her eyes with concern.
"I'm fine Raman. Don't worry about it." Ishita stepped closer to her husband, laying her head on his shoulder. Raman snaked his hand around her waist, dropping a light kiss on her hair.
Meanwhile, Ashok and Shagun descended the steps of the building, churning with resentment. He had had enough. This entire year, ever since he got married, Raman Bhalla had been one-upping him, from Ruhi's custody case to the contracts they competed for. Ashok had been the one to mentor that kid, and now, he was so much further along than he was. But not for long. At that moment, Ashok vowed revenge. He would make sure Raman would regret ever crossing him.
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Bhalla House - A few days later, Sunday, 12th May, 7:45 am
"Papa, that's too much sugar!" Ruhi whisper-shouted.
"It's fine, beta. Your mother could use it,” Raman quipped.
He mixed in a cup of sugar in the buttercream icing he whipped in a glass bowl, while Ruhi set the place settings on the dining table. She brought over plates of hot upma and cream cheese bagels from the kitchen counter and placed her hand-written card on the table. Meanwhile, Raman removed a chilled cake from the fridge and began spreading the icing on top.
"Aa jao Ruhi, cake decorate karne mein meri help karo," he called out to his daughter.
Both father-daughter made quick work of the cake, spreading vanilla buttercream over it as Ruhi wrote some wobbly cursive letters on it with red icing.
"Papa, Ishimaa ne pakka kal raat ko cake nahi dekha tha na?" she asked. Again.
"Nahin dekha tha dadimaa, trust me. Mai cake lekar aaya uske pehle hi tumhari maa ghade-ghode bech kar so gayi thi."
"Agar woh cake ready hone se pehle uth gayi toh?"
"Uske saare alarm maine bandh kar diye the beta. Don't worry. She's not waking up before eight o clock."
Five minutes later, the cake was ready. Raman carefully set it in the middle of the dining table and looked over to Ruhi for her approval.
"Is everything okay?" he asked.
"Move the cake to the right."
Raman followed her order.
"Yes, now it's perfect," she declared. "Main mumma ko lekar aati hoon."
She ran out of the kitchen and into her parents' bedroom to find her mother stretching languidly in her bed, having just woken up.
"Ishimaa!" Ruhi jumped on the bed and hugged her mother.
"Good morning baby," Ishita replied groggily. "Aap itni jaldi uth gaye? Kitne baje?"
"It's almost eight o'clock."
Ishita's eyes widened, and every trace of sleep vanished.
"It's eight o'clock already?!" She threw off her blankets and stood up, tying her hair in a rush.
"Mumma, aap mere saath chalo. Mujhe aap ko kuch dikhana hai," Ruhi said.
"Kya?"
"Aap chalo to sahi!"
"Okay fine, but can I at least brush my teeth first?"
"Ugh fine. But hurry!"
Ishita ran into the bathroom to brush her teeth and wash her face, while her daughter kept vigil by the bathroom door. No sooner did her mother exit the bathroom did Ruhi grab her arm and drag her out to the living area.
"Calm down baccha! At least tell me what's going on?" she asked over and over again.
It wasn't until they reached the dining table did Ruhi let go of her mother's hand. Ishita gazed at the table, eyebrows raising in surprise. A bowl of upma, a platter of cream cheese bagels, and a vanilla cake was placed in the middle, with two elaborate place settings on both ends of the table.
"Yeh sab...?"
Before she could react further, her daughter and husband shouted from behind her. "Surprise!"
Ruhi ran up to her mother and slung her arms around her. "Happy Mother's Day Ishimaa!"
Ishita's jaw dropped in pure joy. She bent down to return her daughter's hug and smacked a kiss on her forehead.
"Thank you so much baby! This is so nice of you! And look at this cake... Yeh sab aap ne kab kiya, aur kaise kiya?" she asked, picking her daughter up into her arms.
"Papa ne help kiya." Ruhi pointed to her father.
"Thanks Raman... This is so sweet," she said to her husband, eyes twinkling with mirth.
"Ab baitho bhi," he replied. "Taste karke batao upma kaisa bana hai."
Ishita sat down at one end of the table with her daughter in her lap, as she served herself a bagel and a hearty helping of upma. At the first bite, she smiled. There was a bit of extra salt, and the tomatoes were poorly chopped, but for her... it was perfect.
"Bahot accha bana hai Raman," she said.
"Ishimaa! There's cake too!" Ruhi grabbed a butter knife and spatula and handed it to her mother, so she could help herself to some cake.
"Cake for breakfast, Ru? Really?"
"Khaa le madrasan," Raman interjected. "One slice of cake won't hurt."
After a moment's hesitation, Ishita gave in. It was mother's day after all. She could indulge. As she cut herself a slice of cake, Raman backed out of the kitchen.
"Papa, where are you going?" Ruhi asked.
"I'm going to get my own mother, Ru. She deserves some cake too, doesn't she?"
Raman winked at his daughter and went out to wish his own mother, as Ruhi and Ishita gobbled up spoonfuls of cake for breakfast.
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Bhalla House - 2 pm
Ishita walked into the living room, slumped down on the sofa, and pulled her knees up, joining Simi and Rinki. She had just returned from an elaborate mother's day lunch with Vandu, Madhu, Mihika, and Soumya. Simi and Rinki themselves were unwinding from a spa visit with Toshi.
"Kaisa raha tum logon ka spa day?" she asked her sisters-in-law. "Mummyji ko pasand aaya?"
"Bahot mazaa aaya bhabhi," Rinki replied, stretching her forearms out in front of her. "Mumma ne toh pura paisa vasool kiya."
They chatted at length about their day out with their respective mothers, as Adi approached from his bedroom, his eyes focused on the phone in his hand. It wasn't until he bumped into the sofa chair that he tore his gaze away from his phone.
"Adi, kahan dhyaan hai aapka?" Ishita asked. "Abhi lag jaata aapko."
"I'm waiting for mom's call," he replied. "I've been trying to get in touch with her all day to wish her a happy mother's day."
He sat down on the couch opposite to Ishita even as his gaze remained trained on his phone, a frown marring his face.
Ishita's heart called out to her son, his disappointment mirroring on her face. It didn't take a shrink to figure out how much Adi longed for a mother's love. Neither was it a mystery that Ishita silently yearned to love him as her own son. One could only hope he would let her bridge the gap between them.
Suddenly, his phone rang and the screen lit up with Shagun's contact info. Adi picked up the phone at once. In his excitement, he hit the speaker button, making everyone privy to his conversation with his mother.
"Mom! Aap kab aa rahi hai? I've been trying to talk to you all day!" he spoke immediately.
"Don't talk so loudly, Adi," Shagun scolded. "My head is spinning."
"Sorry mom... But when are you coming here?"
"I'm not coming back there."
"What? Why?" Adi's heart fell another mile.
"I just don't want to face those people. Your father and Isheeta will find another way to insult me."
"But mom-"
Before Adi could protest any further, his mother hung up the phone. He gulped and pocketed his phone, finding himself the subject of his stepmother and aunts' gaze.
"She gets like that sometimes," he said in defense of his mother.
"It's okay Adi. Everyone gets upset once in a while." Ishita tried to comfort him, but she knew the only thing that could uplift his mood was wishing his mother on today's special occasion.
"Adi," she spoke up again, "Shagun yahan nahi aa sakti toh kya hua? Tum to wahan jaa sakte ho na?"
"Really Aunty?! I can go there?" His face lit up at the idea.
"Of course you can beta!"
"I'll take you there," Simi chimed in before Ishita could volunteer herself.
"Tum kyun Simi? Main use lekar jaati hoon na?"
Not on my watch, Simi thought. Shagun was a snake. She spewed venom everywhere she went, and lately she had been finding special satisfaction in throwing shade at Ishita for not being Ruhi and Adi's biological mother. Her sister-in-law may be naive enough to go lurking into the snake's den, but she wouldn't let her. Not if she could help it.
"Ishita, main bas nikal hi rahi hoon. To jaate jaate Adi ko drop kar dungi. Tum alag se dhakka mat khao," she suggested. "Aur waise bhi mujhe paas ke dry cleaners mein se Pulkit ji ke kuch kapde pick up karne hai. Jab tak Adi apni maa se milega, tab tak main woh kapde pick up kar lungi. Phir waapis aate waqt Adi ko yahan chod dungi."
"Thik hai. Is that okay with you Adi?" Ishita asked.
"Yeah, I'm okay with that. Main change kar ke aata hoon."
Adi ran inside to change his clothes, truly excited to see his mom.
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Khanna Mansion - 2:30 pm
The butler opened the door and Adi burst in before he could react.
"Adi baba, aap?" he asked quizzically.
"Haan main. Mom kahan hai?" Adi asked, even as he skipped inside.
"Madamji to apne kamre mein so rahi hai. Unhe sar dard ho raha tha."
Adi grew concerned hearing that. His mom had a headache? Well, he knew just the perfect remedy.
"Mujhe mom ke liye kuch banana hai. Aap meri help karoge?" he asked the butler.
"Haan zaroor."
Twenty minutes later, Adi climbed up the stairs with a tray of his mom's favorite dark chocolate cookies and a tall glass of cold coffee. He approached the door of his mother's bedroom and backed in to find her lying on the bed, flicking through the channels on the TV.
"Surprise!" he shouted. "Happy Mother's Day mom!"
"Adi? Tum yahan kaise aaye?" Shagun asked.
"Simi bua ne mujhe drop kiya. Maine suna aapko headache hai. Isiliye main aapke liye aapke favorite cookies aur cold coffee laya hoon. Look."
Shagun's heart melted. She had the most precious son.
"That's so sweet, beta. Thank you so much!" Shagun stood up and took the tray from her son's hands, as she sat on the bed and began munching on her favorite cookies.
Adi smiled at his mother, occasionally taking a bite of cookie from her hands. It was moments like these when he knew his mother truly loved him. So how could he betray her by getting closer to the one woman she resented?
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Rashid Psychiatry - two days later, 10 am
Adi sat down on the couch and took a deep breath. This was his third therapy appointment, and he was getting more and more comfortable with Dr. Zoya with each visit. They had started off with easy and light conversation and were now easing into the more uncomfortable topics. Today would be one such topic.
"How are you doing Adi?" Dr. Zoya asked from her seat on the opposite sofa.
"I'm okay... I guess," Adi replied.
"Anything on your mind?"
Adi inhaled deeply, and then... every confusing thought came tumbling out of his mouth.
He talked at length about the pull he felt towards his stepmother and the loyalty he needed to show for his own mother. How his mother was convinced that his stepmother was putting up a front.
"Let's not talk about what your mother thinks. I want to know what you think," the therapist said.
"I think Ishita aunty is genuinely nice."
"Then you can trust your instinct. Your gut will warn you if something's wrong. But if there isn't, then you can trust yourself."
"But what about mom then? I get that they don't always get along, but how can I betray her?"
Dr. Zoya shifted in her seat. "Adi, you come from what we call a blended family. It's not a traditional family, and sometimes it can be difficult navigating through it. But in blended families, you can have more than two parents or parent figures. For you, your father, mother, and stepmother can all be parent figures. They should be on one team, co-parenting you.
"No one is asking you to give your stepmom the position that your mom has, but if you want, then you can absolutely have a relationship with her. That relationship will be separate from the one you have with your mother. They're not mutually exclusive.
"Families come in many different forms. Yours isn't the traditional structure, but it's family nonetheless."
Adi immediately recalled the words Ishita aunty had uttered two months ago. Families come in all shapes and sizes. And you have a very big one.
He mulled over his discussion with his therapist for the rest of the day. It wasn't until Ishita came to put her kids to bed that he spoke of it out loud.
"How was your appointment with the therapist today, Adi?" Ishita asked him. She sat on Ruhi's bed, her daughter sound asleep with her head in her lap, as she turned towards her son who lay back on his own bed.
"It was... interesting," he said.
"What does that mean?"
"I um... I talked about you. And mom."
Ishita's ears perked up. "Do you want to share what you talked about?"
"Not really."
"That's okay." Ishita gently removed her daughter's head from her lap and stepped up from her bed.
"You're not my mother." Adi's abrupt words stopped her at the door of the bedroom. She turned back to meet his eyes.
"I mean... I have a mom, and I love her. But you're nice too. So... maybe we can have a relationship too?" he shrugged, putting on a show of nonchalance.
Ishita's eyes pooled with emotion. "I'd love that beta."
Adi nodded and pulled the covers to his chin as Ishita switched off the lights. She left the room, sending a silent thanks to Murugan for finally being allotted some space in Adi's heart. She had loved him all along. She had loved him as Raman's son; she had loved him as Ruhi's brother. But now, she loved him as her own son.
Even so, she knew she couldn't cross that line. Adi already had a mother, and she couldn't take her spot. At least not without his permission. All she could do was love him to her heart's content, regardless of whether he decided to give her that position.
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Iyer House - next day, Wednesday May 15, 4:30 pm
"Is everyone here? Koi missing to nahi hai na?" Madhu called out to the crowd. "Humein rituals shuru karni hai."
"Amma, Rinki bas do minute mein aa rahi hai. Uska message aaya mujhe," Ishita said.
"Koi baat nahi. Hum log shuru karte hain. Waise bhi yeh ritual sumangalis ke liye hai."
"Yeh tu last mein kya boli? Kis ke liye hai?” Toshi asked.
"Aiyyo sumangali. Matlab married women. Ruko, main tumko sab samjhaati hoon."
Ishita, Vandu, Soumya, Simi, Toshi, and many of the Iyers' distant relatives surrounded Madhu as she explained the rituals that were to be conducted. Mihika sat in the middle, decked in a traditional nine-yard saree.
"First, we'll have a pooja for our bride and all the married women in the family. We'll make a kolam in the living room. Kolam means humara Tamilian rangoli jaisa. Then saari married women ki taraf se bride ko dhan-dhaanya milega. Matlab gifts, fruits, rice, things like that. I'll explain everything step-by-step," Madhu said.
"Oye Madhu, te phir, hum log bhi apni chunni chadhane ki rasam tabhi kar lenge," Toshi suggested. "Humari taraf se Mihika ke liye badi pyaari si chunni aayi hai."
Eventually, after a thorough discussion, the rituals began.
Mihika performed a pooja under the guidance of her Amma and Periamma, as Ishita and Vandu joined in occasionally. The women then gathered in the living room, creating an auspicious kolam (rangoli), inviting good luck and fortune. Once Madhu was satisfied with the outcome of the kolam, she guided the married women through the next ritual. They decorated earthenware pots with kumkum (vermillion) and chandan (sandalwood), filling them with nine different types of grains, placing them along the kolam, symbolizing wealth and fertility.
Soon thereafter, Toshi took on the reins of the evening. With the help of Simi and Rinki, she offered Mihika a platter of jewelry, gifts, sweets, and most importantly a bright, red chunni, which she draped over her head.
"Tu apni shaadi ke jode ke saath yeh chunni bhi pehnna, Mihika," Toshi instructed. "Tere sasural walon ki taraf se gift hai yeh."
"Jee Aunty," Mihika replied.
"Oye aunty nahi, ab mummy bol mujhe! Mihir bhi mujhe mummy hi bulata hai."
"Jee mummyji." Mihika placed the platter aside and hugged Toshi around the waist, even as she brushed aside her happy tears. Toshi caressed her head lovingly, showering all her blessings on her newest daughter-in-law.
Madhu then guided the women through the last ritual of the evening. Mihika opened up the free end of her saree in her lap. One by one, each married woman came up and filled her lap with rice grains, fruits, coconuts, flowers, betel nuts and betel leaves. Madhu and Soumya started first followed by Toshi, Vandu, and Simi, and then finally Ishita.
She deposited everything in her sister's lap and gave her a light kiss on her cheek before stepping away. As Ishita joined the crowd, Mihika heard a whisper in her ear.
"Beta Mihika..."
She turned her head to her right and found a distant aunt of hers crouching down by her ear, speaking at a volume only she could hear. She didn't know this aunt very well. All she knew was that she was an older cousin of her Periappa's who had come over from Madurai for her wedding.
"Yes bua ji?" she asked.
"Is it okay for Ishita to be doing these rituals?"
"Why wouldn't it be?"
"I mean... These rituals are to bless prosperity and fertility for you. And Ishita doing these... being infertile herself... it would be bad luck."
Mihika's face hardened and anger flared from her expression. She shot her aunt a warning look that sent chills through her body.
"Bua ji, itni choti soch maine aapse expect nahi ki thi. Khabardaar agar aapne aisi baat dubara boli to."
"Lekin beta..."
"Ek baat sun lijiye bua ji, agar Ishu akka yeh rasame nahi kar sakti na, to yeh rasame hongi hi nahi. Manzoor hai aapko?"
Her aunt backed away, eyes averted, face hung shamefacedly. Mihika blinked her anger away and set her face straight. As irritated as she was, she couldn't show it... Not when she was the bride, the center of attention amidst the crowd. Her gaze landed on Ishita who was helping Madhu organize the remnants of their pooja and kolam making ceremony. She was smiling as she usually did; thank god, her akka hadn't heard their aunt.
.....................................................................................................................
Iyer House - later that day, 11 pm
"Ishita! Ishita!" Raman walked into his in-law's place looking for his wife. He found Madhu and Vishwa seated around the living room coffee table, notebooks and calculators and receipts sprawled all over the place. "Amma-Appa, is Ishita here?"
"Woh andar hai beta, Mihika ke saath saare aane waale functions ke liye dresses aur jewelry decide kar rahi hai," Madhu answered.
"That explains it. Tabhi use time ka koi khayal nahi raha." Raman slouched down on the couch beside his father-in-law. "Kya chal raha hai yahan? Are you guys filing your taxes or what?"
"Nahi Raman, hum log to shaadi ka hisaab-kitaab dekh rahe hai," Vishwa explained.
Just then, Ishita came running out of her sister's room, her saree pallu flying behind her.
"Sorry Raman," she said, slightly out of breath. "Miku ke saath waqt ka pata hi nahi chala."
"Koi baat nahi. Chale ghar?"
"Haan chaliye."
Raman stood up to join his wife and leave for the night, but before either of them could say goodbye to their parents, Vishwa jerked up in alarm.
"Madhu, mujhe paanch lakh ka hisaab nahi mil raha!"
"Aiyyo aise kaise?!" Madhu flipped through the notebooks and rechecked the receipts. "Paanch lakh jaisi rakam missing kaise ho sakti hai?"
"We're not missing five lakhs, we're in a surplus," Vishwa clarified.
"Oh thank god..." Madhu breathed a sigh of relief. "Tumne toh daraa diya mujhe." Even so she continued browsing through their receipts, making sure they hadn't missed a payment.
"Appa, why are you stressing about this?" Raman asked. "It's not like your money is gone or missing, right?"
"Phir bhi Raman... It doesn't make sense..."
"Vishwa, isme Mihir-Mihika ki shaadi ki jewelry ka receipt nahi hai," Madhu spoke up. "Ishu, tum aur Vandu gaye the na jewelry laane? Tumhaare paas receipt hai?"
Ishita and Raman exchanged cautious glances.
"Amma, woh jewelry ka payment ho gaya hai. Uski tension aap mat lijiye," Raman told her.
"Matlab?"
Ishita sighed. "Raman ne pay kar diya tha."
"Oh my god... No wonder, our accounts weren’t matching up," Vishwa exclaimed. "Kitna hua tha bill Raman? Main tumhe pay kar deta hoon."
"Uski koi zaroorat nahi hai Appa," Raman replied. "Samajh lijiye woh meri taraf se apne bhai aur saali ke liye gift tha."
"No no Raman," Madhu intervened. "We can't accept that. Please batao na kitna bill aaya tha?"
"Amma, I mean it. Let it be."
"Jaane do na amma," Ishita entreated.
Madhu still wasn't convinced. She turned to her husband, but to her surprise, he too nodded in support of their son-in-law.
"Chalo thik hai," she conceded. After a moment's pause she said, "Thank you Raman."
"You don't have to thank your son, Amma." Raman waved his hand dismissing the topic. "Abhi hum log chalte hain. Phir kal subah uth kar mehendi aur sangeet ki bhi taiyyari karni hai. Good night."
"Good night beta."
Ishita and Raman left the Iyer house and headed to their bedroom, ready to turn in for the night. While her husband showered in the bathroom, Ishita changed in their bedroom. As she proceeded through her night routine on the couch, applying lotion on her face and palms, she didn't notice her husband reenter, for her mind was elsewhere.
She recalled the time from a few hours earlier when she was helping her mother wind up the rituals of the day. She had discreetly squeezed behind Mihika's chair for a moment to grab a couple bags and what she had heard had brought up a lump in her throat.
These rituals are to bless prosperity and fertility... And Ishita doing these... being infertile herself... It would be bad luck.
She had managed to swallow the brick of tears throughout the evening, but the voices in her head were getting louder and louder, until they screamed her inadequacies at her.
A sudden soothing palm on her shoulder jerked her to the present.
"What's wrong Ishita?" her husband asked.
Of course he had noticed. The only person who had ever seen her and put her first. The only person she couldn't hide herself from.
"Kuch nahi," she lied. She felt the sofa dip under his weight as he sat down beside her.
"Kuch toh hai. Bolo na. Share with me."
She turned her head and met his eyes. What would she say? That some regressive misinformed words were circling in her head, raising absolutely baseless doubts about herself? That the normally self-assured, poised Dr. Ishita was entertaining the most foolish thoughts? What would he think of her?
"It's Mihika's wedding." She decided to turn the conversation on another road.
"So?"
"Humari Miku humein chod ke chali jaayegi!"
The creases between Raman's eyebrows vanished as he started chuckling. "Bas itni si baat?"
"Yeh koi choti baat nahi hai Raman!"
"Lekin isme itna emotional hone ki kya baat hai? Woh shaadi ke baad desh chod ke thodi jaa rahi hai? Yahin apne Mihir ke saath hi rahegi na woh? Jab chahein usse mil lena."
Even as he made light of the situation, laughing with his wife, Raman couldn't silence the nagging voice in his head saying that something was still wrong. That his wife was hiding something. Something as destructive as a storm... And this was only the calm that preceded it.
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Edited by Aditi_X - 1 years ago
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