“I want to lay down a few ground rules in our marriage. It's mostly a partnership. But sometimes you've to give in to my whims.”
“What now?” she asked.
“Rule no. 1, no tears. I won't permit my wife to cry.” He smiled at the look of relief on her face.
“Okay. And rule no. 2?”
Gautam shrugged. “I'll make them as we go along.” He turned her towards the entrance to his suite, an arm around her shoulders.
“Do I get to make some rules too?”
“Reasonable ones.”
“But of course. Rule no. 1, no smoking.”
Gautam looked at her with a smile. “Agreed, on one condition. I'll kiss you every time I feel the urge to smoke.”
“Only then?” came the soft challenge.
They laughed as they went down the stairs, hand-in-hand.
14
Sandeep peeped through the bars on the side of the staircase leading to the ground level. His sleepy eyes were rounded in fear. The scene downstairs was definitely not one to be witnessed by a five-year-old. It was 11.30 pm.
Radha was screaming at her daughter. Although this had been happening recurrently over the past few weeks, she sounded exceptionally vicious that night.
Gopal sat back on the sofa watching his only daughter with something akin to hatred in his eyes.
Rekha stood at the kitchen entrance, controlling a strong urge to bang her parents-in-law's heads together, to knock some sense into them.
Raghavan stood a few feet away, calmer than the others. But even he was not prepared for the explosion that followed the announcement he had made half an hour earlier, after waiting for the kids to go to sleep.
Radha was yelling at the top of her voice, her stance violent. No one was aware of the kid who was watching the whole scene, his heart breaking for his mother.
Sangita stood in the middle of the hall, her head down, not meeting her mother's gaze. Her mother had been shouting non-stop since Raghavan told them about Gautam Sinclair's wedding proposal. Sangita didn't bother to interrupt her mother's tirade as she knew it was futile.
“I wonder what kind of a fate I have that I gave birth to you! You have brought me nothing but tears and disgrace. Why did you have to deck up so attractively to lure a man? First you had to get into trouble with Giridhar. Then your luck is so awful that he died and you became a widow at twenty. Athai correctly advised us to shave your head off. But no, you wouldn't listen. Raghu supported you and also that...that...” she ground her teeth in anger, “that old coot, Ganapathi and his bloody wife Vimala stood by you and wouldn't allow it. And see what has happened now. How dare their grandson have an eye on you, a widow? Just how dare he? Does he have any idea of the anxiety we parents undergo taking care of a young widow under our roof? I don't know why you had to go to work at that hospital in the first place! For that too I have that Ganapathi to thank. Why couldn't you have stayed at home and prayed everyday like any other widow? Taking the name of Lord Krishna and Rama would have kept you out of mischief. But no, the great widowed queen had to strut in public, attracting all the men. I was right the other day calling you a thevadiya. That's what you are. Why did you have to be born to me? What terrible deed did I do to deserve you?”
She rattled on and on, utterly insensitive to anyone's feelings. Sangita winced every time Radha abused her. She was especially hurt whenever her mother blamed Gautam or his grandparents.
But her mother was not through yet. “The whole family is cheap. One child they had. They didn't have the capability to bring her up properly. Is it enough if they have a lot of money? Is there no need for self-respect? That fool, Swetha— I wonder how many men she ran after, before trapping that American tycoon. Chee! What a family! And today,” her chest heaved, “today, a son born to that characterless woman wants to wed my daughter; my daughter who has already been married and is also a mother. I feel like hanging myself in shame. What will our relatives and friends say? What will the world think of us? Bhagavaane!” She threw her arms towards the ceiling in a melodramatic gesture, “Why am I still alive after hearing this? Why don't you take me away? My life has become hell thanks to my daughter,” she howled.
Sandeep was consumed with intense loathing towards his grandmother. He could barely understand the words she spoke. But her tone and gestures were clear enough. He felt fiercely protective towards his mother who was silently listening to hers.
Raghavan had kept quiet all this while, waiting for his mother's fury to abate. But it was almost an hour and her tantrum was still going strong. He was disappointed with Rakesh's behaviour when he had turned away in disgust on hearing the news. Rakesh had gone into his bedroom, shutting the door behind him, totally indifferent.Raghavan looked at his father, but there was no support coming from that direction either.
Radha paused for breath and Raghavan plunged in, in his gentle voice. “Amma, let's forget about the past. Sangita's only twentyfive. Don't you want her to have a happy life? There are so many families who have become modern, who get their daughters remarried if they lose their husbands. It's not as if we went around seeking a match for Sangita. These people have approached us. We should be grateful that such an opportunity has presented itself. I think...”
“What nonsense are you talking Raghu? Have you gone mad? How do you think I'll hold my head up in the society? This is utterly shameful. I never expected you to change so much.” Gopal shook his head in disbelief.
He had been sitting quietly, watching the proceedings. He kept to his corner of the sofa controlling his urge to pull his daughter's dark hair and shake her. Such was his abhorrence. He should have listened to Athai, he thought. She had so strongly advised them to cut off Sangita's hair when Giridhar died. She had foreseen this problem. And she had been absolutely correct. He looked at his daughter through a red haze. She was still wearing the pale cream sari that she had gone to work in. There wasn't a bit of make up on her face. Her father couldn't comprehend what had caught the attention of a man like Gautam Sinclair. He just glared at her while she looked down, not having the courage to look into his eyes.
Raghavan looked at his father. “But Appa, why don't you please consider Sangita's future? The way it is, I only see an arid desert. As a family, we should think about her interests.”
“That's enough! I am not here to listen to your lectures. I refuse to hear one more word on this subject. This wedding won't happen. That's it. Now let's all go to bed. We have wasted enough time labouring on a worthless point.”
Radha raised a triumphant gaze to her son's bitter face. “Go sleep over it, Raghu. When you wake up in the morning you will see the truth in what your father and I are saying.”
She looked at her daughter with disgust and turned her face away.
Sangita slowly raised her head to see her son standing on the staircase, valiantly trying to hold back his tears. He put out his arms to his mother, calling to her silently. She gave him a reassuring smile before walking up the staircase. She picked him up in her arms before going to their bedroom.
“Mummy?” came the small, questioning whisper. “Why is Patti angry with you?” His lips drooped sadly.
Sangita pulled him on to her lap and cuddled him, ruffling his hair. “Listen, Sandeep. You wanted a daddy, right? I...”
“Gautam Uncle's going to be my daddy,” declared the little boy gleefully, the past hour of misery forgotten in a jiffy.
Sangita gave her son a startled glance, unable to control the smile on her lips. “Yeah,” she said, much to her son's delight.
Sandeep threw his arms around his mother's neck and clung to her, planting a kiss on her cheek. “He told me that he'll be my daddy,” he said, excited.
Sangita moved her face away and asked in surprise, “Who said that?”
“Gautam Uncle. He told me that day that he'll be my daddy.” He clamped a hand on his mouth, his eyes dancing mischievously. “Oh-oh! It's a secret.”
She punched her son playfully on the chi
n while saying, “So that's what you both were discussing so seriously in the park?”
Sandeep nodded with a smile.
Sangita looked down at her little son who should have been in bed hours ago. But then she hadn't been surprised to see him at the top of the staircase. He had developed a strong, protective instinct towards her and got disturbed everytime his grandparents shouted at his mother. He would wake up at the slightest noise from angry voices.
“Bed for you, young man,” she said before lifting him onto the twin bed on the other side of the room.
“Mummy,” he protested. “I want to talk to Gautam un...no, Daddy. Pleeease!” His voice was slurring in sleep.
“Later, Sandeep, not now. Go to sleep.” She kissed him goodnight.
He was fast asleep within a few seconds. Sangita sat with him for some time before getting up to change into a nightie.
She wasn't awfully troubled by her parents' reaction. It was expected. Her mother calling her a 'whore' the other day had somehow broken the grip her parents had over her thoughts. She had believed she should never cross their wishes. But it was obvious that her happiness did not matter to them. She just didn't care anymore. After the Sunday morning with Gautam, Sangita had the conviction to face just about anything with him at her side.
A smile lit up her face as she thought of the way he had broken down all the walls she had created around her.
Sangita willed the next few weeks to rush away and looked forward to the day she would become Mrs. Sinclair.
'Sangita Sinclair.' It sounded like music to her ears. She wanted to hear Gautam's voice. She looked at the clock above her bed. 1.15. Would he be awake, she wondered. What was the harm in trying?
She quietly opened her bedroom door to check if the others were settled.
She sat on the bed and lifted the receiver with a trembling hand, quickly dialling his number before she could change her mind. He answered on the second ring and her heart soared as she heard his voice, “Hi, sweetheart!”
“Hi!” she whispered.
“I'm glad you called me. I am too distracted to work any-way; you keep interrupting my thoughts.”
Sangita turned red as she heard his soft, amused voice uttering the words. “Oh!”
“Oh indeed! So tell me, how are you?”
“Okay, I think.”
“What happened?” Gautam sat up straight as he caught the sadness in her voice.
“The usual. What else? Raghavan broke the news to my parents. And the scene the other day was a picnic compared to what happened just now.” A small sigh broke out from her before she could quite stop it.
“Oh my God! You mean Raghavan has already spoken to them? I wish I had been there with you, my darling; you didn't have to suffer this all by yourself.” Gautam's blood boiled at the way he was forced to take a back seat, his hands tied. But Ganapathi and Vimala had strictly warned him to stay away.
“But then you're with me, Gautam,” came the soothing whisper in his ear. “You're always with me. Where do you think I get the strength to not break down at my mother's tirade? I just visualise your face in front of me and become deaf to all those hurtful words.”
Gautam's eyes moistened on hearing her words. He cleared his throat before saying fiercely, “I'm glad, Sangita. Not long to go, my love. Soon you'll be my wife and all this will become a part of your past.”
“Exactly what I told myself. I spoke to Sandeep, Gautam. He's too thrilled and said that he knew all along. What have you been filling my son's head with, Gautam? He...”
“Our son, Sangita. Sandeep's my son too. I'm meeting my lawyer tomorrow to get the papers ready to legally adopt him. I can't wait for the day Sandeep becomes my son officially. But, in my heart, he was mine the day I saw him.”
“Oh, Gautam, that's perfect! You don't know what that means to me. Sandeep pines to have you as his father. I don't know how I'll ever be able to thank you enough.”
“Just shuddup, will you? I don' wanna hear a formal vote of thanks from the woman who'll be my wife in a couple of weeks' time.”
Sangita's eyes rounded in awe. “That soon?”
“Yeah, only it's two weeks too long,” came the frustrated growl much to Sangita's amusement.
She gurgled at his irritated comment.
“What's so funny?”
“Why, nothing Gautam. I think you are getting cranky from lack of sleep. You should go to bed.”
“I feel wide awake. I've a good mind to meet you right now.”
“Gautam! Don't be crazy,” there was panic in Sangita's voice. “Please...”
“I know. I know. I'll not do it, okay? I just wanted to hold you for a while and kiss you.”
Sangita took deep breaths to calm down her nerves that responded with alacrity to his soft, flirtatious voice.
“Sangita, you still there?”
“Yeah,” came the breathless reply. “I want to be in your arms too Gautam.”
“Then lemme...”
“Please, no. Not tonight. I'll meet you tomorrow.”
“When?”
“Shall we fix up something? I'll call you from the hospital.”
“Okay, fine.”
“Shall I say goodnight, then? It's quite late.”
“And you need your beauty sleep. Okay, goodnight, sweetheart.”
“Bye, Gautam. Pleasant dreams.”
“Oh, sure! Thanks,” he said with a mild sarcasm.
Sangita blushed yet again before disconnecting the line.
She couldn't stop thinking of Gautam and it was a while before sleep claimed her.
15
Sangita got ready for work. Panic and excitement vied within her, making her head spin. Gautam's smiling face wiped away the panic. One look at her son's face tripled her exhilaration.
Mother and son went down the staircase to have breakfast. Sangita was startled to see the tight expression on Rekha's face. Her eyebrows rose in silent query that Rekha answered with an equally silent shake of her head.
Sangita made some coffee for herself and handed over the mugs of Bournvita Rekha had prepared to both Sandeep and Ramya.
“I'd like to leave soon, Manni. I don't want any breakfast.”
“Just where do you think you are going?” came the menacing snarl from the kitchen doorway.
Sangita turned around to look at her father.
“To the hospital, Appa,” she answered softly.
“You won't be working there any longer. I have enough money to feed and clothe you and your brat. There's no need for you to earn any,” he said.
“But, Appa…”
“Just keep quiet. I believed you, but you broke my trust. I never expected this of you.”
“But Appa, what have I done? Why are you punishing me like this?” Sangita's voice almost broke down.
“What's left there for you to do? You have managed to bring shame to our family. Thank you very much for all the gratitude you have shown towards your mother and me for taking care of you.”
This was emotional blackmail of the highest order. She looked at Raghavan and Rekha with a bitter smile on her face.
Her father walked to the hall and sat on the sofa with Radha and Rakesh. The household was split into two factions, it seemed.
Raghavan nodded to Sangita to sit on the chair next to his.
Rekha took the children out to their school van and returned in a few minutes. She removed a plate to serve hot ven pongal and avial for Sangita.
“Not for me, Manni, I'll puke,” said Sangita in a strangled tone, a hunted expression on her face. She didn't know how to get over this latest hurdle.
Raghavan placed a hand on her shoulder and squeezed it reassuringly. “I don't want you to disappear before the wedding. Do eat your breakfast. Don't worry about them; I can handle them but definitely not Gautam's wrath,” he joked.
A small glimmer of a smile appeared on Sangita's face as they finally had their breakfast.
“I'll have to call the hospital
and inform them.”
“That won't be necessary, Sangita. Rakesh has already told them on your behalf that you won't be going there anymore.”
Sangita felt hurt. She had really enjoyed the job. Rithika was bound to be shocked. And she had told Gautam that she would call him from there. She turned to look at her brother.
“Not to worry, Sangita,” he patted her hand awkwardly, the gesture unfamiliar to him. “I'll be in touch with Gautam. I'm more determined than either of you that this wedding should take place. Between our parents and that slime ball of a husband you had, you've hardly had a life.”
Surprise lit Sangita's face. It was so true that if one door closed, another automatically opened. She nodded to him. “Thank you, Raghu.”
“And Sangita, don't call Gautam from the land line. Appa and Amma will definitely listen in,” he warned.
What's with one more disappointment? Sangita was used to them.
“Do you need any help in the kitchen, Manni? Otherwise I thought I'd just go back to my room.”
“That's okay, Sangita. I don't have much to do.”
Sangita nodded her head to both of them before going to her room, feeling beaten.
Barely two minutes passed after she settled on the chair near the window when the door to her bedroom swung open. She turned around in surprise to see Rakesh walk in.
“Appa told me to remove the telephone connection in this room, Sangita,” he stated without remorse.
She just shrugged in reply.
Rakesh unplugged the phone; sat down on the bed and said, “Sangita.”
She turned around to look at him, a question in her eyes.
Rakesh cleared his throat. “Look here, Sangita, I've been worried about you. I should have been in my office half an hour ago. But I thought it best to talk over this matter with you.”
Sangita continued to look at him; trying to guess whose side he was on; hers or their parents. She didn't have long to wonder.
“You have had your chance at marriage, Sangita. Amma and Appa found a wonderful husband for you.” Sangita's lips drooped on hearing this. She just waited for him to finish what he had come to say and get out of her room.
The Madras Affair Page 16
