April came and went…. Uneventful, she plugged away, buried
in work…. Juggling Dadi’s health, Kaka’s and her Bai’s growing worry over HER
own unhappiness…
She didn’t say a word to Bai about wanting a baby… but Sia
next door was on her way to having her second…Sia’s Mom had wondered to certain
neighbors, if the “widow married a RICH PUNJABI because he was impotent”
Bai never shared this with her, but Khanak realized
something was troubling her deeply…. Bai even talked with Gujral Dadi
occasionally subtly “Enquiring” if Shaan had “any plans soon”
In lower middle class families babies were the natural
succession to marriage, only if you had medical problems would NOT be pregnant
the second month after marriage… even Bai discounted some time for both being
working professionals, the time had come…………………..
She prayed that time would linger…………..
Khanak was pleasant and light hearted when she spoke with
Bai, with Aada she was more somber…
Gujral Dadi told her directly about her lunch date with her
grandson… she didn’t tell her her husband’s shameless gloating… she was too
embarrassed to… but she told her “I ve told Shaan mujhe Khanak 2012 ke end tak
pregnant chahiye”
Khanak was expressionless…
“He said aapki baat kaise taaloonga?”
Khanak knew it was a lie the moment Dadi said it… though
Dadi didn’t look away… but something in Dadi’s eyes told her the woman’s love
for her exceeded anything else…
Her Bua had apparently told her Dadi on one visit that “If
Sooraj was alive Khanak would have had THREE”
Nevermind the fact that for a lower middle class family both
Aada and Bua had only ONE…
Bua had made a grand pretense of mourning Sooraj’s loss by
crying… Dadi had comforted her in an exaggerated way….
Bai HAD to tell her this… in a certain way Khanak was Bai’s
best friend… she wasn’t as close to her Akola or Ranchi sisters…
“Please don’t tell your var, that Bua feels this way” Bai
extracted a promise…
“Don’t worry Bai, the man acts as if Sooraj didn’t exist ,
my past didn’t either”
“Will he let you visit for your Birthday?” Bai asked with
angst…
“No” Khanak said bluntly..
She looked inside, wondered countless times, WHY or WHAT
caused her to let him have such a hold on her senses… why she craved for the
sight of him… deep down he knew the baby issue was making her unhappy… but he wasn’t
ready to work out a solution… “a baby in 2013? 2014?” he didn’t want to
approach the subject…
He was at the site many nites all nite… he woke her when he
joined her in bed, at 3 or 4 AM….
“I am sleepy”
“I don’t have to go in until 9 this morning”
“You smell like construction dirt”
“I have my period”…….
Nothing deterred him………..
Deep down she waited for that contact…longed for the passion…the
ache was never ending… the hunger only increased with every passing day………..
When they fought, he was a lil demanding and rough… when
they flirted he was hungry and arduous…..........
omgggg its true how middle class people have the expectation of a baby after a month of newly married lol :P
ReplyDeleteshaan will kill bau if he finds sooraj was a better option for baby lol! mybe he agree after hearing dis :D :D
I feeel for khanak so much bth want to br wit each other but khanak is so unhappy abt the baby issue that its effecting her happiness :((
thanks for such amazing updates aditee
love the update
ReplyDeletewhen this baby issue will end ?
Loved it!!! ♥ Khanak is reasonable in worrying..Almost all of them are pregnant and having child except her..Like Dadi said..Ritu too gonna get pregnant..Poor Khanak!!!
ReplyDeleteYa..In middle class families people except their DIL to get pregnant in few months..And if not they talk all things..Khanak's Aada and Bai need to see their grandchild soon too..
Her Bua bringing up Sooraj..But she is true too..Khanak might ve kids by now..Shaan is not looking what is going on with Khanak side..he should be considerate!!!
Looking forward and thank you for writing an awesome update!!! ♥
thanks so much aditi both of the updates were brilliant......i feel so sorry for khanak on the basis that shes like on this highroad having no destination for now.......if shan does not agree to a baby ever she might decide to leave him for good......thats why i say they both must talk to see if he will ever want a baby instead of leaving her unhappy
ReplyDeletei dont like bua she was taunting khanak instead i agree with the sooraj she probably will have had more children......i am very hopeful he will agree for her happiness
I love Dadi! She is one significant person in this story…I like, she’s neutral towards the both, when both are wrong!
ReplyDeleteSigh! I’m becoming more lenient towards Khanak regarding the baby issue…I so want her happy AFTER what Bua have said! Sooraj seemed safe for Khanak, while Shaan keeps her alive and blooming with all those emotions that would have masked within herself! Ritu is right…both needed each other to balance the equation!
Exactly! That is the problem, both don’t approach or talk to one another…he knows the baby issue is making her unhappy and she is so unsure about where this marriage will be in a future, maybe Dadi is right a baby will do good for both! She might be less of a savior for her family and probably he’ll tone down his workaholic behavior…which does seem unlikely
Thanks Aditee! I loved the snippets of what was going around each of the characters :)
loved the update Aditee.........the fact about having babies after marraige in middle class babies is so true.........Khanak's mom must be very disturbed because of all the unwanted comments from the relatives and the neighbours.......... bua and dadi being the worst of all!! Shaan's dadi on the other hand is a person from whom each one can learn something.........such a wise and large hearted lady she is!! and the couple....... desparately want them to talk to each other.......the part about Shanak was awesome!!
ReplyDeletei was waiting for Sooraj to crop up.. long time due... Dadi is such a wonderful person... hope I had one like her... Khanak is happy one time and supressing her feelings the other time.. hope she doesnt slip into depression..
ReplyDeleteOh Aditee Nice parts once again...me too want a baby for them....
ReplyDeleteHad Khanak not been married she could have adopted one...!!!
Would love to see where you take this interesting track to..!!
Sourya
Its true in middle class families they expect pregnancy after first month.
ReplyDeleteBaby is effecting Khanks happiness and the talks of relatives.
Bua and dadi comparing Shaan and Sooraj.
I waiting to see where you are taking their relation with baby issue