Chapter 19: A Mother On A Mission

Next day,

At the colony park:

(The garden buzzed softly with the sound of birds chirping and leaves rustling in the gentle morning breeze.

A group of elderly ladies moved rhythmically, each engaged in their moderate exercise routines.)

(Some stretched their arms overhead, their bangles clinking faintly, while others took slow, deliberate steps in a circle, their dupattas draped casually over their shoulders.

A few sat on low benches, lifting their arms or rotating their wrists, their laughter blending with the soothing sounds of nature.

Anuradha stood near the bench, her posture straight and commanding even as she twisted her torso gently from side to side.

She had her chiffon saree tucked neatly at her waist to allow easier movement.)

.

.

After a while,

(The group settled down on the bench nearby, and continuing their usual morning routine of conversation and gossip, their faces lit with curiosity and expectation.)

Lady 1: Anuradha ji, aapne Vikram ki doosri shaadi ke baare mein kuch socha hai?

Anuradha: abhi toh nahi... kyun? Kya hua?

Lady 1: nahi bas... aise hi. mera matlab hai ki, Vikram ko, thodi bahut takleef toh hoti hogi, ghar mein. pehle toh uski biwi uske saare kaam kar deti thi... ab usay saara kaam akele karna padta hai.

Lady 2: haan.... maine suna hai ki usne cooking bhi karna shuru kar diya!!!

Anuradha: haan... woh bacchon ke liye kabhi- kabhi kuch special bana leta hai.

Lady 1: socho, agar uski wife hoti, toh kitna sukoon milta ussay....

Lady 3: waise, hamaara Vikram toh kamaal ka hai.... itna bada surgeon hai... and by god, abhi bhi bahut smart lagta hai.

(Anuradha's face lit up with pride.)

Anuradha: (smiling) Haan bilkul, mera beta toh laakhon mein ek hai. Kaam ke saath-saath apna bhi poora dhyaan rakhta hai.

Lady 2: haan.... usne apne aap ko kitna maintain kar ke rakha hai .... isay toh koi bhi sundar aur suheel ladki mil jaayegi.

(Anuradha's smile widened, pleased at the thought. She nodded slightly.)

Anuradha: Dekho, mujhe koi jaldi nahi hai, lekin haan... baat toh sahi hai. Vikram deserves someone jo uske level ki ho. Puri tarah se uski partner ban sake.

(The group nodded in agreement.)

Lady 4: (leans forward) Lekin Anuradha ji, Naina bhi toh ek seedhi- saadhi si ladki thi. Phir kya hua tha unn dono ke beech mein?? rishta kyun toota?

(Anuradha's face grew darker at the mention of Naina, her eyes narrowing as she let out a small scoff.

Her tone was sharp and edged with bitterness.)

Anuradha: (coldly) Kyun uski baat kar rahi ho, aap? Woh ladki mere standard ki thi hi nahi, bas! Na uska sochne ka tareeka, na uske manners. Ek dum lower middle-class mentality lekar aayi thi woh. Aur waise bhi, kya aapne kabhi Vikram aur Naina ko saath mein dekha tha? Dono ka koi mel hi nahi tha. Vikram toh bas iss shaadi mein phas gaya tha. Pata nahi kya soch kar mere pati ne uss ladki ko accept kiya, bahu ke roop mein??

(The women exchanged glances, caught between curiosity and discomfort, but Anuradha was far from finished.)

Anuradha: (voice rising slightly) Main aapko kya bataaun, shaadi ke baad Vikram ka confidence kitna gir gaya tha. Har jagah jaane se pehle sochta tha ki log kya kahenge??? Uska kabhi bhi, Naina ke saath, kisi party mein jaane ka mann hi nahi karta tha!!! woh ladki toh bas apni simple se saree mein aakar khadi ho jaati thi. naa kuch baat karti thi... naa kisi cheez ka jawaab dena aata tha, usay!!!! Jabhi bhi kuch poochti thi uss ladki ko, toh kehti thi— 'Mummy ji, main toh aisi hi hoon.'

(She mimicked Naina's soft voice mockingly, rolling her eyes as a couple of the women chuckled uncomfortably.)

Lady 3: (tentatively) Lekin Anuradha ji, woh toh shaant nature ki thi. Aapko nahi lagta kabhi—

(Anuradha cut her off immediately, her voice turning icy.)

Anuradha: Shaant nature ki thi nahi, woh bas sab kuch tolerate karti thi kyunki usmein apna stand lene ki himmath hi nahi thi. Bahu thi meri, par ek hi baat samajh nahi aayi usse—ki mere Vikram ke standard ko match karna zaroori tha. Main apni society mein kya muh dikhaati? Vikram ke friends, colleagues, sab ke saamne usne hamesha uski insult karwaayi hai. Ek successful doctor ke saath ek 'bechaari' type ki housewife ladki acchi lagti hai kya??

(She paused, the bitterness in her tone unmistakable, and then sneered slightly.)

Anuradha: (disdainful) Aur bacchon ka kya? Kiaan aur Kiara uski wajah se kitne limited ho gaye thay. Unki upbringing bhi waise hi ban rahi tha jaise Naina thi!!! woh mera good luck tha ki Naina se peecha choota, aur bacche, phir se apne papa ki sangati mein waapas aaye.

(The group of women sat silent for a moment, processing Anuradha's obvious hatred for Naina.)

Lady 1: (softly, trying to smooth things over) Haan, aapki baat toh sahi hai. Vikram jaise ladke ko strong aur classy partner chahiye, jo uska saath nibha sake.

(Anuradha nodded approvingly, a victorious smile playing on her lips.)

Anuradha: Bilkul. Mere Vikram ke liye koi aisi ladki chahiye jo uske success ke saath shaan se khadi ho. Woh Naina jaise nahi... jo bas ek bojh ban kar jeeti thi.

(The group murmured in agreement, the conversation finally shifting away from Naina.

But in Anuradha's tone, it was clear—her hatred for Naina was deep-rooted, fueled not just by her perceived shortcomings but by the belief that Naina had held Vikram back from being the perfect son Anuradha always imagined.)

___________________________________________

Author’s Note:

What is up with Vikram’s mother?! Can she just not let him live in peace?

But honestly, I feel bad for the girl she’s about to choose as Vikram’s perfect bride.

Noor was lucky to escape her clutches, but Naina… she had to bear the brunt of it all. And now, another poor soul is about to be sacrificed?

But the real question is—how do you think Vikram will react when he finds out about this new marriage proposal?

Will he explode in anger? Ignore it? Or will this push him toward something unexpected? Drop your theories in the comments!

Also, if you’re loving the drama (or absolutely furious at certain characters right now!), don’t forget to tap that ⭐ vote button! Your support keeps this story going, and I can’t wait to hear what you all think! See you in the next update! ❤️🔥