Part 24
She dragged her feet to get ready sitting on the stool in front of
her dresser trying to achieve some resemblance of normalcy in the chaos that
unfolded around her. This was a mission for Priya that she was on for 2 hours
since Ram had left angrily. Her tears mingled with her eyeliner creating black
streaks on their journey down her cheeks; continually flowing, the black line
of tears took orders from the sorrow in her heart that refused to be sidelined.
She ran to the bathroom to wash her face, the cool water splashed against her
skin roughly as if it were punishing her by neglecting her of its traditional
refreshing and calm effect. Patting her face dry with a towel, that would once
softly kiss her skin, she returned to the room unsure of what to do next. The
knock on the door was just the distraction that she needed to take her mind off
the sorrow and guilt stirring in her heart. She opened the door as enthusiastically
as she could, an attempt that was as pathetic as her anger towards Ram. “Ram? Maybe it’s him!” she thought as she began unbolting the door faster but the theme
since Ram had left in the morning was disappointment and this expectation was
no exception.
Neha: How are you Priya?
Priya loved Neha but right now she only wanted to see Ram. She
tuned away from the door and walked into the room.
Rahul: oww mom, that hurts.
Priya turned around to see Neha pinching Rahul’s ear in between her index finger and thumb.
Priya (in shock): Neha what are
you doing? Why are you hurting him? Leave him… (she walks towards them)
Neha (she stuck out her hand):
nahi Priya don't stop me. This Saitaan deserves this… (she pinched tighter)
Rahul (in pain): eee owww MOM
okay okay I made a mistake but I learned from you and dad.
Neha (now startled, she lets
go of his ear): what??
Rahul (he moves away from his
mom’s grasp and rubs his ear as he talks): When we were younger you
got Priya aunty drunk to bring her and Ram uncle closer hay na?
Neha leaps towards Rahul to grab him again but priya stands in the
way and Rahul cleverly takes shelter behind her.
Priya: Neha! Enough! Tell me
what is going on… waise bhi I have this
killer headache and now all this… Please yaar just tell me…
Neha: I won’t tell you anything. This baatameez will tell you… Bolo Saitaan what did you do last night?
Priya stares intently at Rahul while Neha gives him an evil glare.
Rahul: ummm… Priya aunty last night I told the waiter that you wanted a drink
and you gulped down the first one, I told him you wanted another one and
another one… (Priya expression
changes from calm to angry, Rahul swallows hard and tries to justify why what
he did should be forgiven) Priya aunty honestly I just wanted you and Ram uncle
to be a happy couple like you were before when we were younger and I did not
know that you would get so wasted…
Priya (looks at Neha): yeh
bikul na apki taara hain… (looks at Rahul who was
rubbing his ear, which was still paining but stops immediately when Priya looks
at him) What was the need for all this Rahul?
Neha (interrupts): I will tell
you why… he wanted to impress his girlfriend. Koi Cady Wady naam hai uski… Woh actually (she begins to explain proudly) I finally hacked
into his laptop and read the email he sent her last night… He attached the video of Ram apologizing to you last night and
than the two of you hugging, which by the way was soo sweet (Priya glares at
her angrily)… yes and uhh also he
wrote something filmy like “Cady Ram uncle and Priya
aunty have become one again so why should we delay” ;)… Bikul apna dad ke taara
flirt kar raha tha uss email mein…
Priya: oh god aur mein ne socha
ki Ram nay yeh saab kuch kiya…
Neha: Nahi Priya…fatty was actually very cool about everything. The way he covered
for you last night… hats off to him… everybody thought you spilled juice on your outfit and nobody
even knew that you were drunk and had vomited all over him and yourself… (priya’s mouth opens in shock) I
mean it was obvious that you were angry but Ram handled you so nicely and in a
way what Rahul did helped lighten the evening… But Rahul what you did
was very bad, think what would have happened if Priya aunty got hurt…
Rahul (apologetically): I know
mom I am sorry. And Priya Aunty I am also sorry for all this mess…
Priya: it’s okay… what’s done is done, just don’t do it again… okay?
Rahul: yes! Promise! Uhh mom can
I go now?
Neha: yes go and tell dad that
I will be spending the day with Priya and to pick me up in the evening when he
comes back from the office…
Rahul leaves nodding in agreement. Neha diverts her attention to
Priya who went to sit on the bed, her eyes becoming watery again. The guilt
from the fact that her accusation was false built up in her mind like a burden
that she couldn’t shrug off.
Neha (went and sat next to
her): Priya it okay na? It happens!
Priya: no it’s not okay Neha (she explains the quarrel that took place in the
morning and begins sobbing uncontrollably resting her head on Neha’s shoulder.)
Neha (pats her head trying to
calm her down): Priya you have made a big mistake. I understand what Ram might
be going through, he worked so hard putting together that welcome back party
for you last night and than all this…But don’t worry… Ram loves you a lot and he
will forget everything if you just call and apologize…
Priya dials Ram’s number but her call
goes directly to voicemail…
Priya (in between sobs): he… he didn’t answer… Neha have I broken everything beyond repair…
Neha: no Priya it doesn’t happen like that feelings don’t change so drastically
overnight. (Neha pulled out Rahul’s phone from her pocket,
she had confiscated his phone and laptop as punishment… She showed Priya the video from last night of Ram apologizing and
professing his love in front of everyone.) See Priya fatty loves you a lot so
don’t think such futile thoughts. So what if he is not answering his
phone, maybe he’s busy. Vikram was
telling me about a very important deal that they have to seal today so shaayad
he is busy with that… But don’t worry, he will be home and than you can talk to him personally.
Actually you no what? It’s good that he didn’t answer his phone. Sorry’s and I love you’s are best said in person and you my dear have to say both… In the meantime, I have an idea… Let’s cook all of Ram’s favourite dishes, that
way you can surprise him when he comes home from a hard day of work…
Priya: Neha the last time I did
that he yelled at me… are you sure this is
going to work?
Neha: off course yaar… and last time was different…I am sure it will work,
you know what they say, the way to a man’s heart is through his
stomach.
Although Priya spent most of the day in the kitchen, the hours
shed faster than waiting for the man of the hour to show up. His expression in
reaction to her surprise played out in a variety of ways in her mind. With the
food laid out on the table and the carefree ticking of the clock, priya’s eyes remained fixed on the door.
Priya (thinking out loud):
Kaamal hain!! It’s 7pm and Ram is not home
yet. (She looks at her phone) and he’s not even answering my
calls. Looks like he’s very angry.
She was sitting on the sofa, lost in her thoughts, fiddling with
her dupatta when she felt someone’s hand squeeze her
shoulder. Snapping out of her thoughts, she turned around to see Krishna and
Dadi standing behind her…
Krishna: Priya now how much longer
will you wait? We are going to eat, please join us. Vikram said Ram would be
late tonight because of the Mittal’s deal that he is working
on. Please yeh Zid chor doh. Ram will understand, especially since he knows
that your health is unwell…
Dadi: haan Priya puttar, golu
ka aur intezar maat kijiye… come and eat with us…
Priya is overwhelmed with guilt. If only Krishna and Dadi knew the
real reason behind his delay. Priya was almost certain that Ram was avoiding
her and why wouldn’t he? She had hurt him so
badly and maybe that is why he is not answering her phone calls.
Priya (she got up): Dadi… Ma… maybe you are right… Ram would want me to eat but the truth is I am really not hungry.
Moreover I don’t want him to eat by
himself. We will eat together…
Krishna and Dadi just shook their heads from side to side; there
was no other option but to give in to her stubbornness…
Priya (forced her lips to curl
up into a smile): Chalo Ma and Dadi, I will come to the dining table with you
and serve Pihu and Kush … (she screamed from the
base of the stairs) PIHU, KUSH, COME DOWNSTAIRS IT’S DINNERTIME…
The two of them happily ditched their homework and rushed down the
stairs sitting in their designated seats by the dining table… Their hurriedness lightened the room, an effect that they were
completely oblivious too…
Pihu: Mumma mujhe aloo ke
parata chaiye…
Kush: mujhe bhi…
Priya: ekk minute, Pihu, Kush
did you two wash your hands?
They looked at each other and than back at Priya who stood with
her hands resting on her hips knowing exactly what their answer will be.
Kush: oops
Pihu: sorry
Priya: koi baat nahi, you can
still go and wash it… (they ran to the
washroom)
When Kush and Pihu returned Priya was laying out their plates.
Pihu: mumma!!!
Priya turned around to see Pihu and Kush standing with their palms
stuck out and a big grin plastered across their cute faces. Kneeling down Priya
pretended to analyze their palms for any germs and after about 5 seconds she
said,
Priya: Wow good job!! All the
little germs have run away, now you guys can eat.
Pihu (screamed): yay!!
Pihu ran to her seat while Priya watched chuckling and thinking, “Bikul Ram pe gayi hain. Eating is her hobby” She turned her gaze to Kush who stood there looking at the
ground, something was obviously eating at him.
Priya: Kush? (he looked up at
the sound of her voice) What happened? (everyone stopped what they were doing
and watched him)
Kush: nothing…Buss I wish that my mumma loved me the way that you love Pihu and
I
He looked down as a tear squeezed out of his little eyes and hit
the ground shattering into several tiny droplets. Priya’s eyes moistened along with everyone else’s in the room, she hooked her index finger and lifted his chin up… With no words to replace his agony and express her sorrow she
simply wiped his moist cheeks with the palm of her hand and pulled him into her
warm embrace. She kissed him on his cheeks several times while still holding on
to him tightly… Pihu stepped down from
her seat and tapped Priya on the shoulder to get her attention but she was
unsuccessful.
Pihu (tapping her shoulder
repeatedly she said): Mumma… Mummma…
Priya completed the hug, still holding on to Kush she looked at
Pihu and asked,
Priya: Kya Pihu… what is it baachi?
Pihu: I can’t eat with all this sadness around me Mumma… so I have a solution…
Priya: kya?
Pihu stood in front of Kush who turned to look at her… Pihu wiped his tears…
Pihu: Kush, please don’t cry… dekho I have the perfect
solution… our papa’s are the same right? (he nodded in agreement and sniffled) I am
your sister right? (again he nodded in agreement) so it’s simple than!!! (she snapped her finger excitedly and tilted her
head to the side slightly as she declared proudly) My mumma is also your
mumma!! (she looks at Priya) right Mumma??
Pihu’s unselfish input left
Priya’s heart overjoyed as she inwardly thanked god a million times for
blessing her with this moment.
Priya: Kush, Pihu is right! You
were always my son and I love you just as much as I love Pihu… So no more crying because this mumma (she points to herself)
loves you sooooo much… (he keeps looking down)
Kush? Mumma ke baat mano gai?
Kush: (he slowly lifted his
head up. His frown slowly erupted into a grin as he pushed himself into Priya’s arms): Yes…(he paused) Mumma!!
Pihu wrapped her tiny, chubby arms around both Kush and Priya. She
was the last to join the group hug but the first to break it, her hunger
getting the best of her emotions…
Pihu: mumma, I am sorry to say.
I love all this BUT (she rubbed her belly) I am very hungry…
The room filled with joy again as an elated Kush joined his family
at the dining table. It was an almost perfect moment; everyone in the room felt
the absence of Ram… Priya stayed true to her
stubbornness, putting Pihu and Kush to bed she returned to the sofa in the
living room, her eyes glued to the door witnessing no movement with the
exceptation of her blinking eyelids. The lock on the door rattled finally at
11:01pm. The longing in her eyes sustained as the person who walked thorugh
that door was not who she had expected.
Priya: Ayesha? You're coming
now? Where were you? Are you not familiar with the term responsibility?
Ayesha walked right past Priya, rolling her eyes she went straight
to her room and tried to slam the door shut but Priya interfered with her
diva-like plans.
Ayesha: di what do you want? I
had a long day and I am dead tried, please spare me…
She tries to close the door again but Priya pushes it open and enters
her room looking direcly at Ayesha… she raises her hand to
slap Ayesha but Ayesha grabs it and flings it back down…
Ayesha: Di you are my sister, so
STOP trying to be my mother…
Ayesha’s venomous words were
like cold shivers that ripped through Priya’s subconscious. She had
sacrificed all her happiness just for Ayesha and Karthik and she never
regretted that decision. Although, in relation she is not her mother, Priya had
worked her butt off raising Ayesha and Karthik, a responsibility that she gladly
took on herself.
Priya: Ayesha, what is wrong
with you? You have changed so much in these past 5 years? When did you become
so ungrateful?
Ayesha: di I can ask you the same
question… why did you have to
return di? We were all happy here without you and than as soon as you came you
snatched everything from me. You are a curse di, why don’t you leave Ram alone, as soon as you came into this house
everything went downhill, first you got mom kicked out of this house and than
Kush got kidnapped.
Priya: Ayesha I am so hurt! I
don’t know what you are talking about and why you are saying these
things? And it surprises me that you are so concerned about Kush… You don’t even care about him,
Ayesha he is your son…
Ayesha: Haan you are right? He is
my son, Sid’s dhoka ka nishan… I hate that boy…
Priya: AYESHA!! How can you say
that??? He had no control over anything that happened…
Ayesha: well anyways, atleast
something good came out of it… Ram’s love for Kush made me fall in love with him…
Priya: What are you saying
Ayesha?? He is your jiju!!!
Ayesha: Di one last thing, I
promise I will give Kush all the love that he deserves from a mother but please
Di leave from here. Let Ram be mine…
Priya (couldn’t believe her ears. If Ayesha wanted her life she would have given
it to her willingly but Ram was meant only for Priya…) Ayesha have you lost your mind.? I always gave you everything
that you wanted; can’t I have this one thing?
Besides Ram loves me too much, this will hurt him more than anything and than
there is no gurantee that he will ever accept you. I mean c’mon if he wanted too he would have fallen for you in my 5 years of
absence. You can’t make a deal with love
Ayesha, you have to love Kush regardless of whether you get Ram or not…
Priya’s heart was breaking in
the turmoil of her sister’s new selfish demand,
which made the pressure in her chest cavity increase as her heart suffocated.
Adding insult to injury her phone rang in her hand and the the person on the
other end of the line was the bearer of more bad news… she dropped the phone to the ground and sat next to it with a
lifeless thud. Ayesha turned around to identify the reason behind the mishap…
Ayesha: di what happened?
No answer from Priya, not even tears to show some indirect
indication of what had occured… Ayesha wrapped her slimy
fingers around Priya’s phone. Putting it to
her ear she soon realized the reason behind Priya’s emotional paralysis… With no heart to
insinuate a sympathetic reaction, Ayesha saw this moment of agonizing
discomfort as a golden opportunity to rub salt in Priya’s wounds.
Ayesha: di, see I told you that
you are a curse to Ram… (Priya looked up at her,
her face still blank) in the five years that you were away Ram was not faced
with even a single scratch. And just a month since your return he got into this
massive accident… Please di if you ever
loved him stay away from him!!!
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