Yuvaani
I heard bell ringing. I made my way towards the door and opened it. As expected, it was him.
He came inside and removed his shoes, placing them neatly in the shelf and moving towards the bedroom. He looked at kids, and kissed them one by one after being spruced up.
"Everyone?" He asked
"They went to the venue, just we're left"
"Okay, get ready" he said and went to the wardrobe and came with baby cloths in his hands.
"You get ready, I'll get the kids ready" he suggested.
I don't want to have any more arguments on any of the topic to hear his high pitch, so I got ready in no minutes.
No minutes?
Yes, I just wore my peach saree. This was one hundred percent mine. And applied some moisturizer with a nude lipstick, and complimented my look with jhumkas and bindi along with the sindoor and mangalsutra.
Trust me, wearing saree from YouTube is the toughest job.
But, I don't have any mood to go to the party or so. No doubt, I love Vihaan. But I don't want to face any mishappenings there. Because, I think I've reached today's quota for endurance.
I felt something gripping on the bottom of my saree! I looked down to see what was it.
My baby angel trying to walk by holding things!
She's the cutest, I swear.
I mean, Ansh and Pihu are equally cute, please no partiality.
Ansh and Pihu can walk, but they take mini steps and then sit on ground again. If they got support of things or elders, they try to walk as much as they can. Obviously, they can't walk full one hundred percent by themselves, but my heart bursts in proudness when I see them taking steps towards me!
I picked my baby up. She was wearing a pink colour frock, with a floral hairband.
The hairband might irritate her, I guess. As she isn't habitual to it.
As expected!
She threw the hairband down, herself and rested her head on my shoulder. Talking in her baby voice.
I never expected that she'll adapt me as a mother, this soon. She likes to just keep her head on my chest, because she does that many times a day.
"Ready?" He asked and I turned to look at him.
Aww!
My baby boy is in formals!
Anshuuuu!
My heart-
Then I noticed the person who was holding Ansh. They both twinned. White shirt and blue pants. Just the difference was, Ansh was having dungaree stripes on either shoulders.
I love my Ansh! He's so cute today!
Just by my mere moments with kids, my entire tiredness washes off.
"Let's go" I said and I took all the baby essentials in a bag, placing my phone there too. And we locked the door behind us and got in car.
I sat in the backseat, and while buckling his seatbelt he was looking at me by the centre rear view mirror of the car. He might be thinking why I haven't seated in front, maybe.
Whatever! I want to enjoy with my kids in backseat, and in the passenger seat, it feels a bit uncomfortable due to lack of space for handling two babies.
We quickly drive off, while soft music playing in the background. Both the kids has one trait in common, whenever we go out, they silently look outside the window at the fascinating lights, vehicals, shops, people, sky and what not.
We reached the venue quickly, as it was not far away from our home.
And my internal expression was 'jaw-dropped'. Sometimes I even question that I've been married in the wrong family. These people are quite rich, but they don't show it. Their every event has luxuries and a complete aesthetic look.
And, I belong from a middle order background. Lately, I was so sure that I'm not a potential woman to be his wife.
My thoughts halted as I felt something in my hands. I followed my gaze there, only to see his hand intertwined in mine.
Why is he doing all this?
We have no one to show here! Not that, people know we're married.
And we proceeded in.
There were already many people, as we were already late. Both of our babies were fascinated by their surroundings and we're oggling them profoundly. We then went to our family, where the birthday boy had been taken care of.
"Hey baccha" It was Aarush greeting Vihaan.
"You don't talk to me, I don't like you!"
Ouch.
That was a big statement from a kid. I know they don't actually mean it by all their heart, but it hurts.
"Sorry na Vihu, mamu gussa the"
[ Mamu was angry ]
"So now Vihu is angry!" He retorted back almost immediately.
Aarush had a defeated look on his face, but he took out a wrapped thing from his pocket and flaunted it in front of him.
"Okay, if my Vihu is angry so whom should I give this to? I should return it back right?" Aarush played along with him. Vihaan gave a side eyed look to the gift and his eyes sparkled with excitement giving us his billion dollar smile!
He snatched it from Aarush and tore it open, revealing three large packs of Cadbury Silk with three different flavours.
"Um, I think I should forgive you"
"But you don't like me na" he teased him in a playful manner.
"I don't like you because I love you, Mamu!" He expressed his love for his mamu, oh sorry sorry! Love for his chocolates! Vihaan dramatically threw hands over Aarush and hugged him. Aarush took him in his arms and tickled him to no extent. And a smile came on my face looking at them.
Kids are really the source of happiness!
Soon, the cake cutting was done and Aarush introduced me to some of his friends. He said that one name Yuvraj was unable to come as he is occupied by work. I felt his friends quite supportive and it was the very first time anyone had ever addressed me as 'bhabhi'.
And this time, it didn't give me butterflies or anything. I was blank and I just gave them a small smile, which was obviously, fake. Somewhere inside me, I felt that I shouldn't be addressed that. Because he didn't consider me as his wife.
After a bit of chit chat, I was mainly focusing on kids. They need to be looked after, because as they're kids, they can pick anything from ground and put into their mouth. Aarush was handling Pihu and as usual, Ansh was with me. And I held him, texting my friends when they would come.
I felt a tap on my shoulder. I looked up to the source and found Aarush.
"Your parents" he indicated to me through his hands. I glanced into the same direction to find them. And yeah, I found them. Papa was dressed as usual, in formal clothes, and Maa was in saree.
I kept the baby bag carefully on a chair and we made our way to them.
"Vaani!!" Maa squirreled in joy and look me in an immediate hug, not forgetting Ansh was still in my hands. He cried and Aarush took him. He immediately stopped crying as he went in Aarush's arms.
Maybe because he saw new faces so close to him today, that's why.
Maa began caressing my face and said "Kaise hai meri bacchi? Jab se shadi hui hai teri ek phone nahi kiya tune! Is everything alright? Are you alright?"
[ How is my daughter? You haven't even called once after you got married! ]
It felt good, not because my mother was hugging me. But because someone finally asked me am I alright or not. Tears formed back of my eyes as I saw my parents. They reminded me of my maiden life.
I just nodded and smiled at her in reply. And I felt a hand on my head, it was my dad's. I peered at him and his look was full of concern.
If you'd understand me, you wouldn't have married me in first place!
But, I smiled at him instead. Because, after marriage daughters don't rend to worry their parents by telling them the flaws of their married life.
He continued to caress my head but mom took my attention.
"Aap kaise hai damad ji? Is Yuvaani adjusting well there? Please forgive her if she does any mistake, actually my daughter isn't habitual-"
[ How are you, son in law? ]
"No aunty, she has adjusted well" he said.
"Why do you think like that always? That u can't do anything in first place?" I was annoyed and upset. After marriage why all the respect and concerns for son-in-laws? Why not their own daughters?
I escaped from her touch. I don't want to be in front of them. I'm not making my efforts count, but I've done many things which she can't even think of. Sometimes I think, it's better to live with Aarush's family rather than living with my own parents. At least, they acknowledge me.
I tend to make my way away from them, and they kept calling my name.
I sat in the corner-most seat of the hall, so that no one would notice me. I kept my elbows on my knees and dugged my face into my palms.
Yuvaani.
Control.
You can't show your emotions to these people, who don't value you.
"What happened?" I recognised my husband's voice next to me.
I quickly shook my head.
"Your parents were concerned-" I can easily guess that his voice was full of concern.
"Please, Aarush-"
"I am not against you or anything, it's just-"Â He tried to reason out, nervously.
"I never interfere in your and your parents' concerns, Aarush. You don't know my relationship with my parents. Infact, you don't know anything Aarush! Please don't mind, but they're just my concerns."
"I was just trying to help-"
"It's okay" I smiled.
I really don't want to talk to him and again raise my hopes, and then crash them. Please, enough of it. Still, I feel there's something bad yet to happen today. A feeling of restlessness is triggering inside my body. My heart is scared of an unknown fear, and I trust my gut intuition, this time.
"Aarushh" I heard a new voice among us. We looked at the source in unison, to find out the owner of the voice.
"Arrey, mumma! Aap aa gaye!" Aarush exclaimed out of happiness.
[ Oh, mom! You've arrived! ]
I saw an old lady, and an old uncle with her. Maybe they're husband and wife.
The woman came and caressed Aarush's hair and he touched their feet.
"Kaise ho beta?" The man asked him
[ How are you son? ]
"Mai theek hu Papa, aap bataiye"
[ I'm good Papa, what about you? ]
"Ye kon hai?" She asked, pointing out to me.
[ Who's she? ]
"Uh- wo- she's- my wife" he told them in pauses, that clearly showed his hesitation. As if, he doesn't want to tell them what relation we share.
"WHAT!!!!" The woman practically yelled.
"Aarush- but how!?" Uncle seemed astonished.
I guess they're surprised as they weren't at our wedding, and by their expression, I can conclude too, that Aarush never told them.
The woman looked at me in disgust. She came to me and said "Tum kabhi meri beti ki jagah nahi le paogi"
[ You can never replace my daughter ]
They were Priya's parents.
"Aunty wo, nahi-"Â I tried clearing her misconception, but all in vain.
"My daughter was one in millions. An ordinary girl can never replace her. And you are taking care of our grandchildren?"
Before anyone if us could speak she added "Seriously Aarush? It has been just five months, and you did this? You married someone else? Kaha gayi tumhari badi badi baatein!? 'Mere lifetime mein mai bas Priya ka hi hu, Maa. Aap befikr rahiye' So, your lifetime ended? Your lifetime was till the time my Priya was alive?" Priya's mother's eyes clouded with tears, followed by rolling down the cheeks.
[ Where are your great talks now? You said that in this lifetime you'll love Priya only, you don't worry. ]
"I still love Priya, Maa. I really do" he expressed his love for her in front of her parents.
"Aapse ye ummed nahi thi beta ji" uncle patted Aarush's shoulder with a downcast expression and they took situation in control by taking aunty away from us.
[ You disappointed us ]
Now I'm even accused of taking her place.
What more is left?
Maybe, yes!
God, you put her cancer blame on me. That I gave her cancer.
I swear. I don't want to talk to anyone now. It was all enough for today. First Aarush, then my parents, then aunty!
I just moved out of the place, and accidentally hit a lady with her kid on her shoulder.
"Oh, I'm so sorry" I apologized without even looking at her.
Tears were forming at the back of my eyes and I really can't hold them back now.
"Vaani?" I found a similar voice.
My head shot up expecting my bestfriend! The person whom I need the most right now.
I saw Ishaan, Tara's two year old looking at me. And beside her, there stood Sanskar.
"Vaani Masi" he wiggled in her arms to come in mine.
"Ishu two minutes, mumma and masi will be right back!" Saying this, I give Ishaan to Sanskar and dragged Tara out of the hall near the parking lot, holding her wrist.
I looked straight in her eyes and I lost it. I sobbed hugging her tight. I want to let it all out, right now. I can't hold at anymore, any longer.
"Vaani? What happened? Kya hua? Tell me! Is everything alright?" She kept asking me but all I did was to grip her tighter and cried hard till I was done.
"Will you tell me anything now? And don't even think to lie here. I know it's something serious."
I explained every detail of my married life to her. I don't want to hide it anymore. I know the fact now, if I share, I'll let it go.
Those all things were bottling up inside me and maybe today it hit my tolerance level.
"Oh my god!" She exclaimed after hearing my side of the story.
I was feeling a bit better now.
Honestly.
"Vaani, can we go back? Ishaan-" she hesitated after a good silence between us. A comfortable one.
"Oh yes!" I said as I know the fact how close Ishaan is to his mother. He can't be in place where there's a whole room of strangers.
We went back and Ishaan rushed towards his mom seeing her.
Time skipped quickly as I was mostly with my friends. Tara and Sanskar are someone, who can let me experience the joy of living.
Other people are just- leave it.
Soon, the audience numbers lighten up and the hall looked empty. I've informed Aarush that I've been seeing off Tara and Sanskar.
But he hanged me on saying that we'll also leave for home and he's getting kid's bags.
He came and we left for the parking. Ishaan gave me two cheek kisses, and I hugged Tara for the final time for today.
I moved to Sanskar, and hugged him tight. I know he has sensed my tension that's why he's giving me a tight hug too, to reassure me he's with me. He even placed his cheek on my head.
He's always a person who sooths me down. Everyone must have a friend like him! I swear.
"Bye" Sanskar said.
"Bye" I was sad as my friends were going.
"Take care, if anything happens just give me a call. You remember na, we're just a call away!?"
"Yes yess! You go now, it's quite late. You have to go to office tomorrow"
"Yeah" saying this he sat in car with Tara and her kiddo Ishaan. Tara's husband couldn't make it to the program as he was out of town, so Tara decided to come with Sanskar.
I saw them going away and away and away..
Giving me a taste of my real life.
We then seated in car and Aarush ignited the engine.
"Why haven't you sit in front?"Â he asked.
"Kids are asleep, they need proper space to sleep" I plainly said.
"Yuvaani, ek baat kahu?"
"Mai pehle aapse kuch maang sakti hu?"
[ Can I ask for something first? ]
"Pucho?"
[ Yes? ]
"Just do a favour, Aarush. Don't try to initiate any conversation with me unless it's necessary. Like, kids stuff is okay, any legal stuff is okay, any emergency stuff is okay. Please, I humbly request you. I can't take anymore of it." I marked my points politely in order not to hurt him.
"But-"
"Please Aarush. It's the first thing I'm asking from you" I requested him and saw him nodding his head.