February 23rd 2012
Thursday
4:09 PM
Her phone vibrated, every few minutes…. She didn’t look at
it… she was buried in work… Sanjay was not very happy she returned to work on
Monday around 3 PM, her flight from Delhi was delayed, she had sat on pins the
whole time, checking her watch… unable to sleep (her fave thing) She sketched
on napkins for a two minutes.. made a “half face” and pretty much sulked…
Her husband mocked her saying “You wanted to stay longer, so
you are getting what you want”
She had gotten up and walked away…
Her phone vibrated again…
She didn’t recognize the number
“Umm hello” she said hesitantly…
“Bhabhiji?” the voice on the other end asked… she almost
dropped the phone… it sounded EXACTLY like someone she was married to…..
“Kaun?” she asked panicking
“Bhabhiji main Dheeraj” he said cheerfully
Color drained off her face, she wasn’t expecting her ex-BIL
to call her… she quickly rushed to the lobby and sat down…
“Bhabhiji?” he called again
“Hmmm” is all she could manage hoarsely…
“Bhabhiji Namaste” he said in chaste Gujarati
The repeated use of “Bhabhiji” was bothering her… Dheeraj
said it harmlessly… it reminded her of life and times she had tucked away in
some unlit corner of her brain…the skinny toasty complexioned man that she once
loved…. ONCE loved?
She stood up…
“Dheeraj? She asked
It was like saying ‘Sooraj”
“Bhabhiji” he began again…
“Kem chho?” she asked
“Maja ma” he said
Mama’s boy… the boy that wouldn’t talk to her after Sooraj
passed away…
“Bhabhiji I need help” he said..
“”Job in Mumbai?” “Admission to some college?” “Money?” “Recommendation?”
What could it be?
She didn’t pay any attention to what he said… her mind was
on a roll…
The young man talked and talked… unlike his brother…
Khanak pulled the phone away from her ear and stared out the
window…
Went back to listening…
“Can you come co sign?” he was asking
“For what?” she asked expressionless
“I just told you” he said
“I am sorry I am at work” she said
“Are you in a job?” he asked
“Dadi said you married a Punjabi man” he said…
Khanak didn’t need to be reminded of the Punjabi man….his
laughing eyes those sparkling teeth… the smooth jaw… the almost European like
skin… came rushing to the forefront of her brain……..
From mind numbing shock to being sensitized in every pore,
Khanak teetered…
“How is your mother?” she asked
“Can you come?” he questioned
“Bai theek chhe?” she asked again…
“In bed… sick” he said…
“Why?” she asked
“ Diabetes” he said in poor English and went on to tell how her failing kidneys had began to eat away at her... her open sores and almost ready to be amputated feet...........
“Bhabhiji so can you come? he asked, businesslike
“I wanted to Dheeraj” “I wanted to come by and look at EVERYTHING
he owned or used” “I wanted to feel his 12th std science books, his
cricket bat, your Bai didn’t let me step in”
Her heart wailed accusingly…your Bai lost a child, I lost a
husband AND was called a widow………. I would have lived a widow…………
“Bhabhiji Monday at 2 at the registrar’s office?” he said
“For WHAT?” she asked…again
“The land Sooraj Bhai cosigned with Aada and Mota Bhai(Her
ex-FIL’s older brother)”
The name shook her
you r so good aditee :)
ReplyDeleteso brilliant!!
i'm going to love it!
seriously did not expect this aur upar se the right emotions and khanak's reaction was too sad :(
you so felt this moment all her grief slipped back in with just reminded her sooraj was her love 'once' :(
if shaan gets to know this he will never let her go and upar se mujhe lagta hai yeh call will effect kahank for few days :((
Wow!!! What a twist!!! Too good!!! *claps* Didn't expect this at all!!!
ReplyDeleteI always wanted to know how ShaNak will be dealing with Sooraj's family after their marriage especially Khanak!!!
Past crossing the present!!!
This definitely gonna create a rift or fight between ShaNak..Shaan is very possessive about his wife Khanak..;) He doesn't like Sooraj like how he hates Pradyun!!!
Will Khanak share that Dheeraj called her to Shaan???
Looking forward and thanks for writing a fantastic update!!! :)
Oh god! She had less in her life and this one is added..
ReplyDeleteIm sure shaan would never allow her to do that what she wanted to do with sooraj's things..:p
Did not like dheeraj..I wish even shaan could accompany her, if at all she shares this with shaan..
Sooraj's mom is evil..she didn't even let her in?! That was so bad..I could so imagine teary khanak..
Continue soon aditee:)))
OMG !!!!! Now wat !!!!!
ReplyDeleteSuraj's bro !!!
Trouble in paradise agn.... Awww....
Update sooon...
The update was so real and unexpected…when life is being happy something seeps in and startles you! You wrote this one beautifully! Seriously.
ReplyDeleteI was in the same state as Khanak…heart throbbing and her once a time widow life flooding back again! It was too crushing…to go back and imagine her beholding the grief again!
Goshhh...I wonder how Khanak will deal with past memories overwhelming her again probably of guilt or lack of remembrance of Sooraj!
And Shaantanu is not going to like this AT ALL...his reaction is what am looking forward to eagerly!
I’m worried…excited…can’t wait!
Her past visiting her..
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to it..
worried she will go, hope Shantanu stops her
ReplyDeleteas though nothing else is in Khanak's life, this too has to come... good going..
ReplyDelete