Friday
December 28th 2011
(the dates got messed up along the way, will fix
soon)
Niyojan Nagar
5:33 PM
She set her PC case and her purse on the sofa…
sitting down holding her head…. She could feel the throb in her temples… Bai
was inside… the front door was unlocked…. Dadi was taking a nap on the low
divan in the aangan…
Khanak had been working 10-12 hour days this
week. Aada used to drive her to Friendzhub every morning @ 8. Mukesh Bhai, Kaka’s
best friend, was very helpful. The place itself was quite seedy, with formica “cubes”
and curtains separating every terminal, there was even half a dozen or so
closed door office room type, browsing terminals. The speed was exceptional and
that’s what Khanak wanted. Mukesh Bhai let her draw the curtains around the
glass walls, so she could work in peace without lurkers gawking…
Aada would drive up @ lunch everyday, to check on
her, she ate at her desk and took a quick walk in the neighborhood, late in the
afternoon
Ram was pleased, though he did not express it. On
Tuesday, he had actualy asked her to “check out early”.
Khanak could not afford to lose her job for
something as inane as inability to connect….
Between all her loans and and the instalments,
she was in debt to the tune of over Rs.22 lakhs… almost 70% of her pay was
going towards her payments…
If Sonali or Mitali were to get married in the
next decade, she realized the load would double…
She didn’t want to think about it now… well she
did… but it brought back thoughts of him flinging that statement on her pillow………
Bai walked by carrying some damp laundry… in a
bucket, she was overjoyed at seeing her daughter.
“Khanak? Jaldi?” she asked surprised
“Hmmm” she answered smiling reaching for the
bucket
Bai didn’t hand it to her… her expression changed
“Did you book your ticket?”
Khanak did not answer…
“Khanak”
“I did… for 9 AM.. she answered despondent
Bai was pleased……. Khanak wasn’t
She had told him 3 weeks… but Aada and Bai were forcing
her to return… “Dadi is fine” “We can take care of her” “You should go back”
was all she would hear every evening…
They all went to Bua’s on Tuesday for dinner, the
pooja was during the day, Khanak missed it…
Smriti was becoming her friend now, much as she
hated the fact that Bua used her to highlight everything wrong with Khanak’s
husband… Smriti was likeable…
Khanak hoped she would visit Mumbai soon…
Bai and her dried the laundry… quietly
“Don’t fight with your husband” Bai blurted… out
of the blue
Khanak just folded her saree in two and hung it
neatly down the rail……….. it swayed….
“Is he happy you are returning?”
Khanak continued to dry clothes..
“I am telling Bua to start thinking about Sonali’s
wedding”
“She needs to think about where the money will
come from (not from YOU)”
“After Kaka’s loan is paid off, you can breathe a lil. We burden you too much”
“Nahi!” she spoke… vehemently, her first word in
10 minutes
“You married a rich man. He is very kind”
“You must tell him everything”
“If he disagrees with your helping your family,
you must not do so in the future”
“We couldn’t have imagined such a life for you,
when…”
Bai broke down…
Khanak:Tchhh!
Bai sobbed…
Khanak hugged her….
“Bai my head is hurting, can I make chai”
Bai jumps out of the hug “I KNEW IT, you were so
quiet… I mean extra quiet” she said sheepishly
Bai felt her forehead.., patted her cheek “You
must rest… and pack…
Bai sprinted down…
Khanak dried the remaining clothes…
Poured the water out… and walked back into her
room…….
He hadn’t called once, or texted, or enquired…
yet she was going back…
Aada came up with her chai and a tray full of snacks..
He looked joyous "Shaan ke paas ja rahi hai Bai ne bola"
K: Mumbai....... Aada (defensive)
Ulwe
Navi Mumbai
Nachiket and Shaan boarded Shaan's SUV at the work site, it was muddy and stained all around the door.
N: How much did you pay for her?
S: Rs. 30 lakhs and some change
N: She looks great... (feels the dash)
S:I like this one... feels great...
S shuts the windows.. turns on the air conditioning
S:Do you want to drive us back?
N:I'll pass man... I am dead... need a shower, and some steaming hot
Shaan interrupts "Ya ya... I know!"
N:I was going to say FOOD! (guffaws)
S: Ofcourse!
N: When do you get some?
S is quiet, backs out of the parking spot furiously...
N reads a text...
N: Where is the wife?
S: At her parents'
N:Ouch!
Shaan waits to merge...
N:Big Eve plans?
S:None... oh, actually may have a party at home...
N:Am I invited?
S: Nah! (grinning)
N: Raoul and I have tix to some show.. (makes a face)
S: "Gentleman's" (does air quotes) lounge?" (mocks)
N:Pretty much... (chuckles)
S:I might join you... (serious)
N: Some lovin.... for a frustrated soul? (laughs out loud) (Does a thing with his arms), "some legs, lots of skin"..
S: You bet! (determined)
Thankkkkkk youuuu Aditeeeee :D
ReplyDeleteThe update was too small...another one later please?!
Does that mean she is returning after a week?! I’m just going by the date :)
Prad is there?!! A little insight on that...maybe when Khanak is back :D
New Year’s time! This couple shall better make out before the 12 hits the clocks. Lol! Warna...I will strangle the both...or make up while still being loggerheads :P
This Khanak needs to breath, a long year holiday...she takes too much than she can. Aab Shonali and all the Shaadi’s! You have a life and live it...I so feel for her, she never relaxes her mind is never at peace except when she with the man :D
What irony! A husband owns a car only worth of 30 lakhs and his wife is under loan for nearly as close as that price, you might have pointed this unintentionally.
Khanak’s circumstances vary from his even though they are married...her undeniable self-respect keeps me thinking how long will she go on like this, there is a point where it will breakdown...and I don’t want that to happen :’(
Yayyyy!! Nachiket...Finally he makes his entry :P
Oh. The ‘frustration’ is intolerant now. Lol! He’ll have to wait longer...Khanak is surely going to make him suffer for not calling :P
I agree with sonams comment they bettter patch up before new yr otherwise I think we all r gonnna come and haunt you looool
ReplyDeleteanways the update was cute but small so we expect another one sooon loooool :-P
xxx
How many days its been since she is at her home? LESS than 3! I'm relieved! Pheww!
ReplyDeleteHer unrelenting pursuit of her goal and commitment to excellence! Love that about her! :D
I wonder how could someone care for others selflessly! Every, and anything She ever did, was always to make people around her happy! And no matter however they treat her in return, she just cant stop herself..because She is been taught to love and care. That says she posses a pure heart!
I knew he wouldnt call her! Boy, He is SO furious! Ab tho new year bhi aane waala hain! Any hope, they make out before the clock hits 12? :P
Nachiket! :D Great to have him back!! Their 'guy' conversations are always awesome!
Next update kab milega?
Heyyy...Shama :D
Delete'I wonder how could someone care for others selflessly'
^^this is the exact thing that probably irks him...also makes him want her even more :D he is in selt-doubt all the time whether he is as important...though somewhere down the line he will realise he IS. Cant wait till that day.
Hi Sonam! :D
DeleteSighhh! Ditto with your every word! And somewhere still, deep in..he is highly insecure..because we're always afraid of losing what we possess! He is needy, demanding, and also highly possessive about things/person he rightly believes is HIS!
Same here! There's still so much for them to discover about each other! Sighhh! Cant wait either!
^^
DeleteExactly Shama!
I'm not sure, but Aditee did mention it they both are still insecure and dont completely trust each other...but its worth the wait of discovery if there are all those things than what is in store for the couple...nothing really! Also the fact its very much based a realistic atmosphere makes it more tempting read...
Indeed! And thats why, Casa has never been boring, like usual tales..which loses its charm when it lasts for long!But this story is unbelievably exceptional! and always leave us craving for more!!
DeleteThe fun is when two people discover each other along the way! They are earnest to explore, and learn all things about each other!
What a coincidence..! Was going through a literature text, and my eyes fell on this right away! :D
Delete“Love and the lover is an endless mystery, because there is no reasonable cause that could explain it.”
― Rabindranath Tagore
^^Just saw this NOW!
DeleteBeautiful Shama :) It's so true...but Khanak is a mystery herself lol! :p
awesome update, hoping Shantanu is delighted when she returns, Khanak has mixed feelings, with Pradyun there gonna be interesting!
ReplyDeleteoh wow so she is going back home before 3 weeks thats great !!!
ReplyDeletei m glad that they willbe celebrating new year together this time but i want them to enter it with happiness and not like this arrghhh
yayyy i cant wait to c them together again
are yaar kya ek aur mil sakta hain pleaseeeeeeeeeeee
lovely Aditee
ReplyDeleteshe's going back and that before 3 weeks and Pradyun will be there i can't wait to shaan's reaction heheheh
waiting for next
Superb parts 34,35,36!!!
ReplyDeleteSo she is atlast coming n pardiyan also lolzz
Shantanu is so rude just like him n also possesive about her
Now it'll be more interesting when khanak & pardiyan 'll be meet :D
Waiting 4 next part..........
Update soon n keep it up aditee!!!
she is too helping others.. hope she helps her husband too .. wink..
ReplyDeleteKhanak's rest of the family (apart from Bai,Aada n Dadi) for whom she helps should know its not her responsibility to take care of others n she has a life of her own..
ReplyDeleteAnd this bua is the worst one it seems..Getting all help from Khanak for their living but never fails to taunt at the opportunity she gets..
loved it aditee:)
ReplyDeleteShe's returning after a week!!
prad's is home right?? does dadi know that she's returning??
Waiting for Shaan's reaction:D
Waiting for next one...
Superb!!! Khanak is returning to Mumbai..hmmm..If Ritu is unmarried and stayed in Chembur means she would ve gone straight there!!!
ReplyDeleteSo Shaan going out somewhere..hmmph..both are so stubborn..Like Khanak always says, he just doesnt care when she is away..like Pune trip and now this..
Looking forward and thanks for writing..:)