PR Reloaded- II (FF) Note on pg. 76- do read! - Page 21

Originally posted by: Swati_

When 🤔 🤔 ?
I am waiting from past two days and sleeping late at night

Originally posted by: nikitagmc

 Now I'm really feeling guilty. 

Guys, there are some issues bcos of which I'm facing difficulty in posting part 73- some unexpected work has come up😭... the part looks small when you read it but writing it and so on takes lots of time, assembling and posting and PMing everyone also takes lots of time--- I will post it as soon as I can, but I don't think I can say clearly by when I will be able to post it.

Apologies to everyone.

Sorry Nikki *kaan pakadke*

You said your exams are over and you have a break before your practicals, so wrote asking you to update  Never meant to make you feel guilty

Hello to one and all. After a hiatus, I'm back with part 73.

But before that- a warning: This part is shamelessly, SHAMELESSLY long. Now that I look back at it, I'm pretty much aghast myself about how in the world could I actually write this much, but I guess I wanted to put everything in one part itself.

This part may not again be a part that all of you would really like as such, but it was important for the story development ahead. I also tried to analyse certain issues from a legal background to make the story clearer for everyone, and encorporated various POV's. Keeping fingers crossed, presenting part 73 (in three subparts)

PART 73

SUBPART 1

Archana looked at the wall clock. She was too late for office today, she thought, but then she could cover it up with over time later. It was important to go. After all, for how many days could she just keep missing office without notice?

And today there was a special reason- Mrs. Ruhia was going to explain Manav everything. She wished she could have herself explained matters to him, but he had rushed out so suddenly when he had come to know she didn't want to testify against Manjusha Vahini. She hadn't got a chance to explain her reasons at all. She had later called Manav on the garage landline to make an attempt at least to explain things, but had been told that he had gone out with someone.  That must have been people from the NGO, she thought. She grew restless thinking about how everything would go and how Manav might react- whether he would be angry, broken down, crushed- or whether he would even believe them or not. Now she just wanted to be with him to make sure he was okay. Add to this the fact that she didn't want to be anywhere near Savita Aai. Savita was on the ninth cloud of anger, and Archana had no idea what Aai would do with her. It was better not to face her.

 She kept the lunch that she had made in bowls and covered them with plates quickly. She walked out to the living room with her handbag. As she was assembling its contents, she heard a voice.

"Where are you going?"

Archana looked up. It was Aai.

"Office." She said shortly. "I will be back in some time."

"That same NGO which has brainwashed you against your husband?" asked Savita.

Archana felt bad. "They didn't do anything." She said in a small voice. "It was my own decision. I have made the lunch for you.."

"Oh really? A goat like you made such a big decision to go against me and everyone else?" taunted Savita. "It's a pity I can't throw you out of the house, who knows you might make a complaint again, but let me make it very clear that I'm not going to tolerate your silly behavior or let you stay here for long." She said, glaring angrily. "As long as you are here, live in this house on my terms, else you can just get lost."

Archana digested it silently.

"And now don't ever go back to that NGO again."

"I cannot do that." Said Archana quietly.

"What?" said Savita, shocked.

"I said I cannot leave my job." Said Archana. "You know better than me that we have financial problems in this house. We need extra income right now.."

"Manav is there to handle it.." said Savita. "don't teach me.."

"Manav cannot handle it." Said Archana exasperatedly. "Why do you all always rely blindly on Manav and take him for granted? I need to contribute and help him!"

"Listen.. enough of what you have said.." said Savita angrily. "Go inside quietly in your room. No office!"

"I cannot leave my job." Said Archana, still trying to reason with Savita. "It's not just about the money, but I like this job and that it helps me grow. I don't want to leave it. In any case, I do not have any guarantee, Manav doesn't want me here, you don't want me here, nobody wants me here, if I'm forced to return to my Aai-Baba tomorrow, then I should have something for my own security at least. Try and understand!"

"Finished?" asked Savita with fire in her eyes. "Now either get out and go home, or get in your bedroom and stay there, else I'll not be responsible for what ensues."

Archana did not say anything, but she did not move too. Her heart thumped loudly. She was feeling scared of Savita Aai, but she knew she could not give up her job too- it was all she had. At this point, Savita was wary of her- but overall the police complaint seemed to have had no effect on her- Aai was back to threatening her. She tried to be firm in her stand against Savita Aai.

She could see that Savita was waiting to see her response. Nervously Archana lifted her handbag. "I have done all the work of the house. Your lunch is kept there." She said quietly. "I should leave now." In response, Savita snatched her bag and threw it on the floor.

Archana looked hurt. "Aai, there were books in that bag." She said, trying to suppress her anger.

"Get in!" said Savita. "Else I'll.." she raised her hand, but then stopped. She cursed mentally. "Urgh!!!" she said. "You are not going out and that is it. If you go I won't let you enter the house again." She stormed into her bedroom.

Archana didn't wait a moment after that. She took her bag and walked out. She absolutely HAD to be with Manav.

*********************

Manav looked at the walls of the office he was sitting in. There were strange paintings on the walls- which appeared differently when seen from different angles. It was very weird, but seemed to hint at the personality of the person whose room he was in. He was a little scared, and after being summoned from the garage, he was almost sure that some Hitler was the occupant of the room. The idols of Ganesha on the table, the flowers on the window sill and the sober curtains did nothing to calm him down. He was sure he had walked straight into another trouble.

He was not alone, though. Pony, Archana's friend, was sitting in a chair next to him, and Vaishali had just arrived too. He had been stunned to see her, and had asked her if she knew why he had been summoned there by the NGO officials from the garage that morning. She had not said anything, but asked him to wait.

Finally, the fair, middle aged woman, for whom everyone had been waiting, came. Unlike what Manav had thought, she was not authoritative, scary or Hitler like. She had a motherly look, was slightly plump, had hair which was tied back and curled at her forehead, and wore a flowery sari. She smiled at him as he got up.

"Sit sit! Thankyou for coming here Manav. I'm Mrs. M. Ruhia." She said, smiling at him. "Would you have coffee or tea?" she asked.

Manav felt uncomfortable. "I would just like you to come to the point, if you please.." he said politely. He didn't want to waste time in formalities. "Actually I have to get back to work."

She smiled again. "Oh well, okay. We shall start off with some light talk first. For how long have you and Archana been married, Manav?"

Manav was surprised. He could see she was trying to make him comfortable first. He answered her questions as politely as he could, wondering all the while whether they had summoned him to discuss THIS. At that moment he did not realize that they were simply preparing him for the news which was sure to break him up.

********************

"This is not true!" he exclaimed.

"Manav, I understand that it is difficult for you to believe us regarding all that we are telling you about your Aai, but you will have to understand. We can arrange for witnesses who can testify about your Aai's misbehavior of Archana in public places- especially at your chawl home."

"I don't want to hear your crap witnesses' tales!" He looked angrily at all of them. "I know all of you are involved in this! ALL! You must have brainwashed Archana too! That is why she isn't listening to me now! She was alright till yesterday night." he said.

Pony looked cross. "Manav, you need to accept facts about your Aai."

"Like the hell I will!" he shot back, banging his hand on the table. "I don't need YOU to tell me about MY Aai! I know my Aai very well! She could have never done the things you are claiming! She cannot treat anyone like this!"

"Accha so are we lying?"

"Who knows?" he said angrily. "Have the Karanjkars asked you to instigate me against my Aai?"

Mrs. Ruhia was calm. "Manav, what benefit do we have in your household problems? What will we get by instigating you against your mother, ha?" He had no answer to this question.  "Okay, don't believe us, but we can arrange for witnesses- people from your own chawl, your neighbours. Will you trust their word?"

"But.. but.." he stammered. "This is monstrous! My Aai cannot do this, this is all false, you are mistaken!!"

"Manav it's you who is mistaken.. not us.. ask Vaishali.."

 "It's true Jeeju." Said Vaishali in a small voice. Manav turned to her in shock. "On the day of the court hearing, Archu Tai came to meet you in the chawl, inspite of the fact that all evidence had gone against you. At that time, your Aai snatched her Mangalsutra, threw her out of the chawl and behaved very badly with her. And it was not the first time."

Manav gasped. The colour had left his face. "Vaishali.. I.. this cannot be true.." He looked at the women watching him keenly. "My Aai cannot.."

Vaishali gulped. She then proceeded to tell her how Savita had made it difficult for Archana to work in the chawl, and had troubled and threatened her in the open market as well. She told him how Archana used to live in constant fear of her mother in law, of how her parents had given dowry secretly to Savita Tai without telling Manav to appease her. She told the expletives and abusive words Savita used for Archana in front of everyone, to the extent that once she had retreated home crying, too upset and scared to face people when Savita character assassinated her in public. She told how Savita used to threaten Archana not to come back in the house or talk to any family member, and had mentally harassed her all this while, making things difficult for her at home and work. Manav listened to the whole story with an expression of shock on his face.

"This is not true." He said, horrified. "Please say this is not true Vaishali." He looked at her with begging eyes. Vaishali did not say anything. She simply lowered her eyes. "Oh Lord!" he muttered, and closed his eyes again, his head bent. "Oh Lord!" he said again. He could think of nothing else to say. For a long time he simply sat in the same way, trying to let this new reality sink in. He tried to convince himself that it was a bad dream, a nightmare- soon the alarm clock would go off and he would wake up to find it was a nightmare, he thought to himself.. but it did not happen.

The jailing was nothing in comparison to this new truth, he thought. Savita had harassed Archana so much, and he had never had any idea.. how come? How could he never know.. how had she born all of it silently all this while.. it seemed perplexing and painful. It was as if his heart had broken into a number of pieces, each beating and reacting differently- one feeling angry and hurt because of Savita, one cringing at the thought of Archana's plight, one feeling ashamed of the Karanjkars, one feeling incapable and worthless as a husband.. and so on.

Everyone sat quiet as mice for a few more minutes, giving Manav time to compose himself. Finally Mrs. Ruhia broke the silence. "Water, Manav?" he nodded gratefully and took the glass in his hands, taking slow, long sips from it, thinking all the while. Finally he kept the glass down and looked at Vaishali. "Why did none of you tell all this earlier?"

Vaishali bent her head. "Jeeju, actually, we were apprehensive thinking that if we complained to you, your Aai might make life more difficult for my Tai. As it is, we weren't sure whether you would go against your Aai to support Tai.. after all, she is your mother."

Manav digested it in silence. "If you had told me earlier, I would have done something about it.. I did support Archana in the past." he said in a cold voice. "Even Archana told me nothing. Now I understand why the Karanjkars hate me so much."

Tears crept up in Vaishali's eyes. She looked down, very subdued. "I'm sorry Jeeju, but at that time, there were so many problems between Tai and you, I did not know how to handle it, my parents simply wanted Tai to stay away from you and had no intention to settle the matter, I on the other hand was scared of your reaction if we told you unpleasant tales about your Aai, especially after all that you were going through. I didn't want all this to distance you even more from Tai."

Manav reflected. "I suppose your parents made the complaint ultimately..?"

"No they didn't." said Vaishali honestly. "They were tired and fed up of Savita Kaku, but they didn't want to involve police. They simply wanted Archu Tai to stay away from you.. Aai even used to say that she would not send Archu Tai with you even if you proved your innocence, simply because of your Aai..!"

Manav looked at her with surprise. So this was the reason! Earlier, he had always assumed that Sulochana Aai had said that she would not accept him back cos of Satish- cos she wanted him for Archana. At that moment, he had not known that his Aai had proved herself to be such a monster-mother-in-law that no mother would like to send her daughter to such a house, and Sulochana Aai was no exception. He felt guilty for having misunderstood her and having thought of her as a woman who just wanted a rich damaad and did not care about relationships.

"So Manjusha.."

"Yes, Manjusha Vahini made the complaint." Informed Vaishali. "Later they did not really say anything about it, or punish her for it in anyway, cos in their hearts they knew it was not a false complaint.. umm.. uh.."

 "You can say it, it's okay." Said Manav. "I.." Vaishali fell silent. Everyone turned to see Archana standing at the door with Pony, looking very subdued.

Both Manav and Archana stared at each other for a minute, then Manav looked away. "Ma'am, may I please come in."

"Yes, you can Archana." Said Mrs. Ruhia with a smile."Please have a seat."

Archana came in quietly and sat on the empty seat beside Manav. Both did not say anything to each other. She peeked at him again and again from the corner of her eyes, trying to gauge his reaction. He was looking very thoughtful.

The group was absorbed in silence again. Pony looked at everyone, hoping someone would break it. "Some more water?" she asked, taking cue from Mrs. Ruhia. Nobody replied.

Finally Mrs. Ruhia spoke again. "Now that the situation is clearer, I suppose you can see things in better perspective, Manav." she said, clearing her throat.

Manav nodded.

"I called Archana in the morning today to ask her to meet me after I came to know of things via Pony. It was then that I came to know you intended to sue Manjusha in court for the jailing, and that Archana was going to support you." She said. "I asked her not to do it, cos it would be unfair and wrong. Defending Savita in court and laying her free of all blames means letting her go scot free after all she has done. It is likely to embolden her, just as your sympathy and support after the jailing emboldened her, that no matter whatever she does, son and daughter in law are both supporting her only and defending her in front of society. Plus, people would be discouraged to come up with complaints against such woman abusers, owing to Manjusha being sued for making a very true complaint. In such matters, one example paves way for more. As a social worker it is my duty to make sure this does not happen."

Manav listened in silence.

"Add to it the fact that if someone comes and give testimony in court that he/she has seen Savita harassing Archana and that Archana herself is lying, then the matter will become difficult for all of you. Slim chance, but still, why take a chance? The complaint was wrong in no way legally, so making a court case against it is useless."

The last line made Manav uneasy.

"Can I ask something?" Manav asked.

"Sure."

"I know my Aai has mistreated Archana." He admitted. "But do you think it is that serious, I mean.. as abuse, or harassment for that matter, I mean, criminal activity? She didn't really hurt Archana.."

"Manav, it is very much wrong and illegal." Said Mrs. Ruhia. "She was involved in dowry harassment, which is done verbally only most of the times, but is still severe abuse. The constant public humiliation is also abuse. Shouting in public that your wife is a prostitute and was caught in a brothel is terrible abuse for a meek middle class girl- she could have committed suicide."

Archana simply lowered her head as Manav stared at her in horror. Knowing Archana, yes, she could have done that. She had almost done it earlier subconsciously.

"I understand, but.." he struggled for words. "See, my Aai is illiterate and used to a very low class lifestyle which she has led all her life- it has made her.. umm.. harsh and rough.. I mean.. this behavior is a part of her.. I mean, she might not have even known that this was a criminal act or anything and yet got punished.. more than a criminal act, its marital strife.. it happens many times in the class I come from.."

"You bring in a good point here." Said Mrs. Ruhia, taking out her specs. "Manav, this is a very broad topic. Even within this, people have various perspectives when defining it. Now, the abuse Savita did, is a common occurrence in lower middle class life- I'm talking of a single large family living in a one room chawl house- when the husband leaves, the women bicker, fight, abuse each other, get physical, pull each others hair etc. That is also abuse and ILLEGAL in the eyes of law. But those people never make police complaints- they do not regard it as abuse at all, but rather consider it A WAY OF LIFE- you might have heard of it- it is called Sasurvas in Marathi. It is a behavior to which they have got accustomed due to their need for survival and to hold on to their marriage- the women there cannot afford to live in separate houses, and they don't want to lose their husbands or kids. Hence this behavior to which they have got adapted. Many of them do not consider such behavior as abuse at all, they are sort of used to it now. This is extreme realism for you. But the fact that it is now a way of life for them does not mean that this behavior is right. It is wrong, period. Abuse is abuse even if the other person takes no action or gulps it down or has no problem with it- it cannot be justified."

"I too would not be surprised if your Aai says she did not know her behavior was criminal, though she must be knowing it is wrong morally and ethically also, and also about laws against dowry- everyone knows them. But whatever be the case, it does not mean that her behavior can be excused or that Archana did not go through abuse. It may be a 'way of life' for Savita, but certainly not for Archana, who comes from a different strata of society. Similar for the Karanjkars, Manjusha and everyone else- including us- who know the laws. Unfortunately, many women still treat it as a way of life only and the cycle continues. And this is what we intend to break by creating awareness on BOTH sides- the abusers and the abused- that this is wrong and punishable. There was a time when dowry too was a way of life, a tradition that everyone quietly gulped down. It led to a horrible situation in the form of dowry deaths later and special laws had to be made later. So you see, this may be a common occurrence in some parts that people have accepted as a compromise for survival and need for marriage, but that doesn't make it right. Today also thousands of women in lower middle class society enter matrimony with their minds made up to follow what they have seen and followed and live in the same way- they do not realize at all that what they are facing is abuse. So they do not protest in front of their in laws at all or even try and make an effort to curb it. First mistake. Second mistake is that which Archana did."

Archana looked up in surprise.

"Her mistake was not to take some action regarding it, either by talking to you or her parents, or by consulting us. If she had done that, we would have guided her properly beforehand and such a complicated situation would not have arisen. I can understand her apprehensions though- all newly married women feel nervous and scared of approaching their husbands to tell them that their mothers are harassing them, not knowing how they would react. And your marriage especially has been one hell of a bumpy ride." Mrs. Ruhia looked at Manav. "So, a considerable responsibility also falls on the husband, to make his wife confide or keep a close watch on what is going on in his house. For example: You yourself know your Aai had asked for dowry once before also, is rough and gets into physical fights, yet did you make attempts to know how things were going on. Do you know Savita took all of Archana's jewellery yesterday when she came back in the house?"

Manav shook his head.

"It is not his fault." Archana spoke up. "It was my mistake. I should have told him if I had been troubled by anything. He has always given me liberty to speak and enquired of my problems."

"Still Archana, a guy cannot be unaware, the MIL might burn the bride and he will say- "Oh I was unaware!" mimicked Pony.

Mrs. Ruhia gave Pony a hard glare. "I know Manav has made attempts, even if they were not successful and that is commendable. This is what gave me the hope that you are a fair person and will give a patient ear to me. As I was saying earlier Manav, even if your Aai does not herself know that her behavior is criminal or wrong cos it is a way of life for her and nothing else, still, she knows it wrong on the ethical and moral level also na? She does know about dowry harassment law na? Everyone knows this much."

Manav nodded. "She knows it. I had a conversation over it with her once. Listen, I know she has been wrong, but still, something does not feel right, she is old and.."

"Manav, let's face it, I know that despite of everything you will still feel sorry for your mother and still have resentment against the Karanjkars. Everyone does. It is not easy to see one's own parents being beaten up in jail, no matter how wrong they've been. It takes Herculean strength to accept despite of the pity and pain we harbor for them, that no, they were wrong, and that they got punished according to the law- you cannot cry foul about it or make court cases to justify their behavior."

"According to the law?" said Manav sarcastically.

"Yes- why?"

"And what do you have to say about the fact that I and my Baba were thrown into jail for no reason, and I was hit too?" questioned Manav. "If you have done so much research about me, Archana and our marriage, then you must be knowing that I and Baba have not been bad to her."

Vaishali butted in. "I support Manav Jeeju here." She said. "Manav Jeeju has gone beyond being a responsible and caring husband to my Tai. That is the reason my Tai went back to him. And Tai respects Damodar Kaka a lot, he has always treated her like a daughter." Archana nodded her head to this. "Manav didn't deserve the jailing. That is the reason I agreed to make the counter complaint against Manjusha Vahini. It is not fair for Manav to be punished for something others did."

Mrs. Ruhia nodded. "I understand that Manav. Ethically, you did not deserve the jailing and the beating. But there is such a thing called a PROTOCOL- and protocol states that when a complaint for dowry harassment is made, action is taken mainly against the mother in law, sister in law and husband. This is because when this law was made, dowry deaths were common. Women were burned in kitchen on the pretext of making food, tea etc and thus no evidence was left. This was done when a daughter in law was unable to bring any more dowry into the house, so that the son could be free to marry again. The cases followed a pattern- usually the mother in law, sister in law and husband were involved. So till today, the protocol states that action is taken primarily against the three. Fortunately, your sister is a child, so she was let off, but you, even though completely not at fault, were punished. But since this is protocol, you cannot take legal action against it. I repeat, legally the complaint stands, and is valid."

"Looking impartially Manav, yes, this law has many loopholes. It gives unlimited power to the girl's side, and requires action to be taken as soon as the complaint is made without waiting to look for verification even- but all this was done to prevent a death/suicide as soon as they get the complaint of violence or harassment, the logic here is that physical wounds due to a beating or jailing taken as soon as the complaint is made, will heal, but a death cannot be reversed. These measures have saved lakhs of women over the years. In many other women, it has created fear that they must not harass their DIL's since they could be jailed for that. It is unfortunate that sometimes innocent people like you get punished for that, but we can do nothing about it, since it is legal protocol and there are important reasons behind setting this protocol. In reality, controversies do happen, and this law is one of the most controversial laws cos it can be grossly misused. Some people even demand that it should be withdrawn. But on the flip side, this same law also SAVES many women and creates fear in the wrong doers to not do such acts. In your case, all I can say is that your Aai's karmas landed heavily on you. You got punished because of her. She set out to malign someone else's daughter and give her a hard time by insulting her in public, but karma bounced off and landed on her own children."

Manav had no answer to all this. "So the bottom line is that my Aai is wrong and there is no justification for this fact."

"There is no justification for this fact." Agreed Mrs. Ruhia.

"Even I have been harassed then," he said in a small and complaining voice. "Since 4 months, Archana's parents have been harassing me.. questioning my character.. they deserve punishment too.."

Mrs. Ruhia did not know what he was speaking about. She appeared confused, while Pony, who had understood what he was speaking about, butted in. "Manav, did the Karanjkars ever go about humiliating you or maligning you in public? Did they go about spreading bad words about your character in public, like your Aai did to Archana? NO!!! When problems crept up between them and you owing to some proofs, they simply took their daughter away from your house, with the intention of keeping their daughter safe. In that too, they didn't force Archana to come with them- she came willingly. They never made unnecessary or difficult demands from you. They never stopped Archana or prohibited her from meeting you or anything like that, they only wished that she should be away from you- staying away was her own decision. Divorce too was her own decision, not something she had been forced to do against her will. You were the one who kept running to prove your innocence and got yourself in trouble in the process. What they have done is not harassment at all. At the most I can only say it was unfair of them to not give you a proper chance to prove your innocence, but that is an overprotective measure to keep their daughter safe from a presumed conman. This is not harassment."

Mrs. Ruhia, who had simply been observing, spoke in a calm voice. "I don't know the whole story here, but on the basis of what Pony has said, I back up Pony when she says this is not a case of harassment." She cleared her throat. "All the same Manav, I must confess that I sympathise deeply with you, not just you, but with the Deshmukhs as a whole- all of you. The police complaint was not the right way to go about things- the complaint shouldn't have been made."

Manav was shocked. "A few minutes back, you were telling me that Aai's behavior was wrong and illegal, and so there is no point in trying to seek legal refuge. You also told me about the law in detail and why it was made, its strong points, etc. And now you are YOURSELF saying the complaint should not have been made. This is.."

"I guess I need to explain myself here." Said Mrs. Ruhia, adjusting her specs. "Manav, yes, what your Aai did was wrong and is a punishable offence. The law is also not wrong in punishing guilty people- however, police complaints are never made at the flick of a finger in cases of abuse, and this I know from years of experience of being associated with such cases in one form or the other. Police complaints are usually made in cases of severe physical abuse only, not in a case like Archana's, where the abuse was at a verbal level basically, and especially when she intended to stay in the marriage and not break it. This is because, dealing with this law has taught us that it is a useful weapon, but very dangerous too- it is a two sided sword. It has the power to break marriages FOREVER. Tell me, which family will accept a DIL back after a jailing and a beating? How can things ever be alright again?"

Manav nodded, thinking deeply. "You are right," he said. "Things can never be the same again." Archana looked at him with fear in her eyes. Manav looked up for a fleeting moment, saw the fear in her eyes and looked away. Archana looked down, worried.

"Recognising the fact that we in Indian society have the notion of 'marriage for life' and a marriage means a lot to a girl here, a complaint is advised by us basically in cases of physical abuse, when there is no coming back in the marriage. This does not mean that a person who commits verbal abuse or harasses mentally does not deserve prison or that it is any less severe than physical abuse, what I mean to say is that in case of verbal abuse, the person gets away with a warning cos the married life of the girl has to be considered- at the end of the day, we are social workers, after all- we understand such social aspects and take them into account also. Unless there is no physical abuse involved, we usually only give a strict warning in such cases and impart people to keep guard, since till THIS point, things can be reverted to normalcy in marriage and life after a few hiccups, and the initial scars can be washed away." Said Mrs. Ruhia. "If suppose, this particular complaint had not been made- then there were many other ways to resolve the issue- Archana intended to handle Savita on her own, right? She could have done that with a bit of help from you, and peace could have been restored. That would have been the ideal way to go about things- by not involving a third party in the matter at all. Or we could have given a VERBAL warning to Savita. It would also have settled things more amicably. That is why I say Manav, I sympathise with you, all of you. Things could have been handled much better- the jail beating and the sourness in relationships could have been avoided. The complaint was most valid, but there were other ways also that could have been taken keeping in mind the fact that Archana wants to be in this marriage. Any sane person would realize that this complaint would break the marriage and hence must not be made. A police complaint is the last step in a case of abuse, not the first. But now that it HAS been made, I cannot push aside the fact that yes, it is legally valid. And I cannot let Archana testify in a court of law that Savita was innocent when she is not.  Exonerating Savita sets an example of exonerating ALL the other women who do such things everyday in this same lower middle class chawl life you spoke about- they would also get emboldened thinking they have also done nothing wrong. It would be wrong, illegal, and immoral and can create trouble for both of you later. It would also be against my ethical protocol. I will unfortunately have to report you then."

Manav wasn't listening. Her last few words were still ringing in his ears- "Any sane person would realize that this complaint would break the marriage and hence must not be made.."

He looked up at Vaishali suddenly. "Vaishu, did your parents even know about the complaint?"

Vaishali shook her head. "No one knew anything. Manjusha Vahini made the complaint without consulting anyone. She didn't even tell anyone. It was when Vedant came to our house to ask Tai for help that we came to know everything."

That explained it! ' thought Manav, a sudden spurt of anger rushing through him. The picture was crystal clear to him now.

Manjusha's villainy was now out in the open. She had really played a shrewd, clever game by making this complaint, knowing that she would go scot free by cloaking her intentions in the name of moral duty. Her intention had in no way been to help Archana or save her from harassment, rather she had taken advantage of Savita's misbehavior that she had observed or come to know about, and at the right time, used it in the most sinister way possible, not just to take out her and her brother's spite on Manav's family, but also to break Archana Manav apart. It had been a sure shot method to achieve what she wanted.

His blood boiled within himself as he thought of Manjusha giggling happily. Yes, Aai had been wrong, but as the social worker had herself said, something as bad as this could have been prevented. The problem could have been settled much more easily. Savita Aai was wrong in her behavior, no doubt in that, but more than that, she had fallen prey to the wolf called Manjusha, who unlike Ajit, did not have the strength to attack from the front, but had taken aim by hiding herself behind others and misusing the law for personal gains. The complaint had simply been a ploy to hurt the family and crumble it into pieces. Scenes of their jailing flashed in front of his eyes.

"Manav..!!"

He came out of his thoughts. The glass of water that he had held so tightly in anger had broken in his hand and glass pieces were pricking him, as blood oozed out.

Archana immediately took a handkerchief out and started tending to him. "Get a first aid box." Pony called someone.

"I hope you are okay." Said Mrs. Ruhia uncomfortably.

Archana nodded as she tended to him. "It shall heal.."

"Some wounds never heal." Said Manav gruffly. Archana's face fell.

Mrs. Ruhia understood. She cleared her throat. "Manav, I think I have explained everything that I wanted to. I do not know you, and I came to know about Archana also just yesterday, I'm an impartial third party here- and as such I hope my words will have some consideration. I called you here to talk to you bcos of three reasons- first, to tell you about your Aai, second, to tell you about Archana, so that you don't misunderstand her, and thirdly, to reprimand you against the wrong legal steps you were about to take, and guide you about what you can do legally and rightfully."

"Can anything be done now at all?" said Manav, laughing sarcastically. "The fire has ruined everything. There is nothing left. My family, our name, our future, our marriage.."

"Yes, things CAN be done." Said Mrs. Ruhia coolly. "You can STILL sue Manjusha in court in the case of irrepairable damage to name and reputation- by making individual complaints in the name of YOU and YOUR FATHER ONLY. Archana can honestly testify in court that both of you are completely innocent and Manjusha shall have to suffer the repercussions of making a careless complaint. No one can speak against you in court since you have never misbehaved with Archana in public."

"Yes." Said Archana immediately. "I have no problems in supporting you, in fact, I had said last night also that I was ready to support and would have done it, if not for the danger that it could backfire on us.."

"It's not just that." Said Manav. "This matter extends to every one of us now. The court compensation is not going to erase everything. Relations have been spoilt now. Our image has been spoilt now. Everything seems over."

He stopped. Archana could feel her eyes moistening.

"Manav," she said softly. "Please don't say this. I.."

"You had no intention to hurt any of us in anyway, I know that." Said Manav quietly. "But there has been too much destruction on both ends and things can never be the same again. Things could have been settled more amicably, and now it's too late. Tell me now, how will my family accept you if you say that you will testify for me and Baba but not for my Aai? Do you think my Aai will digest this silently?"

Mrs. Ruhia was listening quietly to their conversation. "I know this is your personal matter and I am no one to say anything here, but being an elder and someone experienced in these matters, can I just offer a word of advice?"

Manav nodded. "Please."

She smiled thoughtfully. "When I analyse your situation Manav, Archana- you know what is the first thought that comes to my mind- that BOTH of you did understandable mistakes, but at the end of the day BOTH of you are victims." She paused. "In the abuse matter, both were a little wrong- Archana could have taken some measures instead of simply staying away from Savita Aai, and Manav you could have been a little more vigilant knowing your Aai's nature, but that is understandable. Point is, both of you suffered- Archana suffered, and even Manav you suffered cos you were being cheated by your Aai all this while. Your Aai's behavior distanced you from the Karanjkars, (understandable, cos no parents would like such a son in law who has such a nasty mother) and scared Archana into walking out of your relationship. So both of you are victims. And even in the complaint- BOTH of you are victims. Manav, you had to go through the jailing for no mistake of yours, and Archana's suffering already seems to have started, with the Deshmukh family wanting to break relations forever now. She did not make a police complaint due to her concern and loyalty towards all of you, she actually intended to come back to your house, deal with your mother in other ways, and work on the marriage, but this complaint has messed everything for her, since now your family members do not want her back. She is ALSO a victim."

Manav and Archana both sat silently.

"I have seen many such cases in my career, and have seen that they have ended disappointingly, though I understand it." Said Mrs. Ruhia, taking out her specs. "Inevitably, husband wife separate cos sometimes both are difficult to forget- the abuse as well as the jailing, somewhere the resentment is bound to be there- and it is difficult to ignore the family feuds that occur bcos of the complaint.  The relationship gets scarred. But it is NOT the same in your case, because you had no roles to play in the complaint as well as in the abuse. Your intentions towards each other were very much genuine. When I look at both of you, I see two victims, whom I do not want to see separating simply cos of mistakes of other people- namely Savita and Manjusha- (Savita for her actions, and Manjusha for spiraling it till this level which could have been avoided). If that happens, it would be very unfortunate, since both of you had good intentions towards each other, and no one would like you to suffer in this mess."

"But.."

"I know that this complaint has clouded your marital life. But will separation help in easing it? It won't. It will only be a sad situation where you will again be victims if you separate, suffering cos of mistakes of others. Man makes his destiny himself. It is your choice now, whether you want to be victims and suffer, or fight for your happiness and your marriage."

"Society.."

"I know the complaint has spoiled your name in society." She agreed. "But separation is only going to enhance the belief that there were problems in your house- it will fuel the rumours, not shut them. The best way to prove the complaint false is not by appealing to a court of law, but rather by fighting it together, by being together, by showing society that it did not affect the marriage or ruin it- that if both of you have got back even after such a complaint and live together under one roof, it means there was a different dimension to the complaint- that it must be false. The way to fight society is NOT by going into hiding- but rather by showing them the strength of your relationship. That will be enough to shut their mouths."

"I don't know.." said Manav. "I need to think all this over.. but rest assured I will handle my Aai now, you won't get any more complaints about her."

He got up suddenly. Everyone seemed alarmed. Archana stood up too, to stand near him, looking at him with confusion.

"I think I should leave now." he said. "Thankyou for everything."

He walked out suddenly, and Archana watched him walking away. "Ma'am, I.."

"Go go!" said Pony. "Don't worry, I'll tell the boss you're not coming for work today, in fact, take a leave for a week if needed."

She did not wait to be told twice. Mumbling a quick thankyou to Mrs. Ruhia, she rushed out of the door, with Vaishali following her.

********************

He was sitting by himself in a quiet corner on the steps at the back of the office. Hesitantly she walked over to him, wondering if he would say anything, or whether he simply wanted to sit in peace. But whatever the case was, she felt she should be with him at that time. She knew him enough by now to see that he was truly disappointed, and she did not want him to burden himself by keeping his feelings to himself. Quietly she went and sat next to him.

Both of them did not say anything for a few minutes. Finally Manav spoke first. "Why did you not tell me all this earlier Archana? You have always been so rational in relationships, why not this time?"

She bit her lip, her eyes moistening. "Manav, there were so many complications in the way our marriage was going- misunderstandings, separation and so on.. I was hanging on to little shreds of hope that things will become alright. At that time, I did not want to bring up this issue- not knowing how you would react to hear things against your Aai- it could have amplified the tension between us. In those days I didn't even know if I could trust you. Many times I felt Savita Aai's behavior was a MOTHER'S ANGER since I had walked out on you, and the matter would settle on its own when our problems get sorted and I return back to the chawl- that there was no point in talking to you about Aai for that- she could have thought I'm instigating you- just as she thinks now. Even Shravani told me this only- that don't bring it up now. I felt- let one problem get over then I'll talk about the second one. If the ROOT problem gets sorted out then maybe we won't even have to deal with the second one. In the meanwhile I tried to stay away from your Aai to avoid the issue. But the problem never got over. When I came to meet you at the chawl after the court hearing for the burnt garage, your Aai threw me out; we had a fight after that at my home- remember? (Part 52) At that time, I had, in angry sarcasm, MENTIONED about your Aai's behavior, but you had flared up saying 'Don't bring my Aai into all this' instead of pondering over what I'd said. The incident itself prohibited me from speaking about your Aai anymore in the future- it was quite evident that like any normal son, you wouldn't like to hear bad things about your mother. STILL, on the day of our divorce hearing, I had wanted to come back to you and talk to you about your Aai and if required, to live separately from the family- but AGAIN it was your talks with Arvind that held me back. That day, you YOURSELF said that you do not appreciate women forcing their husbands to separate due to strife or maladjustment in the family- that you cannot hear against your people or live without them."

Manav held his head in his hands. Even fate did not favour them.

 "These two incidents made me apprehensive to approach you on the topic again Manav.  After I came back to your home, my intention was to deal with Aai myself so that everything could be alright for everyone- but the very next day it all happened.. I had never even thought of making a complaint against you or Aai.."

"How could you even think of coming back to me?" he asked, amazed. "I remember long back when Satish and his family accused you of being a call girl, you said you don't want to go to him now or sort matters with him. Then how could you come back to me, considering Aai has done so much?"

"I didn't come back for Aai. I came back for YOU." She said in a small but firm voice. "My need to be with you was way more. And anyway, I hadn't come back to suffer. Not this time."

She looked determined as she spoke this. Manav couldn't understand what to make of it.

She fell silent again. Finally after some time she spoke. "Are you angry with me?"

 Manav shook his head. "I was angry earlier, but now I can see that your apprehensions are understandable. Even today morning, I shouted at Pony and Mrs. Ruhia when they started speaking against Aai- so you are right, it is difficult for me to hear things against my Aai, just like any other person, and normal of you to feel apprehensive in talking to me, especially with all the misunderstandings and complications thrown in. I'm just grossly disappointed by the way things have turned out. And of course, disappointed thinking of what you have had to go through. I told you once Archana, a husband gets a bad name if his wife suffers. Did you think for even one second how I would feel when I came to know what all you have gone through? Today, I did flare up initially but later I listened to everything Mrs. Ruhia said.  I would have done something if you had told me earlier. All this could have been avoided."

She did not say anything.

"I really wonder today what kind of marriage we have Archana, which never gives any happiness to either of us. Ever since we have got married, both of us have only been unhappy. Not only the world, but even destiny doesn't seem to be favouring us."

She could not disagree. "Things have not turned out right, I know," she said. "Nor have they gone as we expected."

"You called it a cursed marriage once, do you remember?" asked Manav. "Today I feel like calling it that- cursed marriage- for both of us."

Archana was shocked. She looked at him with horror. "Manav, please don't say like that!" she said. "Till today I regret having said that to you. We have seen so many good moments together too.. and come to know about each other so well.. it has been a rocky journey, but an enriching one too.. situations have gone wrong, but both of us have always wanted the best for each other.."

"You don't understand Archana." Said Manav, shaking his head. "I and you, both of us, come with a baggage. You come with a baggage called Ajit and Manjusha, who will never let you- and consequently me, live in peace. And I come with a baggage called my Aai- who had made life hell for you- and consequently me. It would be too much to assume that after all what happened she will ever accept you back. I know what she did was wrong, terribly wrong, and I'm ashamed of it all, but still, I can't help thinking that all this could have been settled so much more amicably- as Mrs. Ruhia said, then why did only my Aai have to go through all this, and me and Baba too.." he said unhappily. "If I had come to know earlier in some other way, I would have myself put a stop to it by scolding Aai and everyone would have sided with you... but now Aai's wounds will gain more sympathy in the eyes of everyone than the abuse she inflicted on you. I feel pathetic when I think of what you had to face and I'm angry with her for that, but I'm sorry, even I can't help feeling bad when I think of the jailing, she's my mother after all."

"I understand." Said Archana. "I would have never made a complaint if I had my way. I also feel bad about her."

"That is because you feel bad for everybody." He said. "And that is something I can never understand about you." He looked at her. "I'm sorry for all my Aai did with you. I know sorry is not enough, but still.." he trailed off. "I know now why your parents hate me and my family so much."

Archana was shocked. "Please don't apologise for this Manav, you have no fault in all this.. your apology is making me feel way too terrible." She said in an affected voice.

He looked away again. "I know you are not the culprit here Archana, but I really don't see how things can settle from here onwards." He said quietly. "There is too much of bad blood between the two families. I don't expect my family members to ever accept you back, especially now that you have openly showed that you are against Aai. I know you are not guilty- in fact you tried to shield my Aai from me all this while, and I can atleast TRY to think with an open mind, but I doubt everyone else will be able to forget everything. Then again, you came back to this marriage for no solid reason except emotional ones owing to my health issues, which again makes me doubt how long it is going to last. The other side, your parents will never accept me or my family again, and I don't know whether I will be able to get over my resentment for them."

Archana looked confused. "Resentment?"

"Yes." He said quietly. "Your parents NEVER give me a chance Archana. They did not give me a chance when proofs were shown against me, it was you who gave me a chance. They simply cut off from me and declared me wrong. And here again, in this matter they did not give me a chance to set things right in some other way which could have been more peaceful. First they did not do anything, and later when Manjusha spiraled the matter to this level, they supported her saying she is right, instead of reprimanding her.  I know my Aai was wrong and they have suffered bcos of it too, your Aai even got a heart attack bcos of it, but I repeat- all this could have been avoided. You were apprehensive cos you were scared that complaining to me could spoil our relationship, Vaishali being apprehensive is also understandable, but your parents hate me, right? Why did THEY not tell me? They never cared of relations with me or our marriage. If they had told me earlier, even in anger, like you did once, then maybe I would have controlled my Aai earlier and even you would not have to suffer so much. Your parents never give me a chance and that creates problems, and then later they cry about your cursed fate. Legally what they did may not be harassment and I may not be in a position to make any sort of complaint against them, but that doesn't mean that it makes them right. They are wrong, period. Just because I'm a guy doesn't mean that I didn't feel bad when they gave me a pre-decided character certificate and never gave a chance to clear my name, and just bcos I'm strong doesn't mean I didn't get hurt when they hit me in prison. I repeat Archana, it was YOU who gave me chances both times, not them."

Archana hung her head. Manav looked back to see that Vaishali had been listening to all this. She scuttled away as she saw that he had seen her.

"That does not mean I blame them for it totally," he added. "My Aai still remains the bigger culprit." Not to forget Manjusha, he thought angrily. Each time he thought of her, he had the urge to throw something. He badly wanted a chance to settle scores with her.

"Manav," Archana said tearfully. "I know things have gone very wrong, but together we can still correct things.."

"You don't understand Archana." He said with a sigh. "The water has flown over the bridge now. Things cannot be brought to where they were before. How will our families ever accept each other? Forget each other, how will they accept us? And tell me, can you ever accept my Aai without any resentment over everything- she has said so much to you and sent your Aai to the hospital with all that threatening after all! Tell me- is it possible for you to live in the same house as her and face her everyday? I ask this question, because I honestly know that somewhere I will always have resentment with the Karanjkars because of all this, and so I know it is very natural for you to feel the same, especially when my Aai has wronged you so much intentionally!"

"I don't know about Savita Aai." She admitted slowly. "But as a general rule.. I have always lived my life keeping in mind only one ideology. 'Nothing in life is perfect'. No person is perfect. No couple is perfect. No relationship is perfect. But if you really want to make your relationship work, focus on the good points of the other person in it, and it will work."

He looked up at her in surprise.

 "If you focus on the sweetness in a relationship rather than thinking of what went wrong in it, if you have faith in it, and if you try to work on it, it will definitely work. The reason most of us are so unhappy in life is that we always focus on that which we do not have, or what we lack, or what went wrong. If we focus on the positives in life, admire people for their good points than hate them for their faults, and focus on the positives of a relationship- then life would be so much happier and uncomplicated. At the end of the day Aai is your mother and a part of your identity. To be with you, I have to be with her also, accept her as well. That is enough reason for me to try and work on things."

She looked at him. He looked lost. Somehow, her words brought back the image of the Archana he had fallen in love with by watching her behavior for two years- the Archana whom he had always considered an angel of some sort- who had a way of making her place in everyone's heart, who never spoke anything bad about anyone. It was this innocence, this optimism, this large heartedness, this outlook about relationships he had fallen in love with. His fairy princess Archana!

"Manav.." she shook him lightly.

He came out of his thoughts. "Who told you all this rubbish?" he asked a little angrily. "In which stupid philosophical book did you read this?"

She looked hurt. "I didn't read it anywhere." She said in a small voice. "I just followed it all my life. People say they love me for this reason and.."

"And this is also the reason they are able to manipulate you and cheat you and take advantage of you," he said sternly, "since you only keep tolerating them by giving them chances for their 'good points'. Fact is Archana- you look at the world through rose coloured glasses. Such things are nice to be read in novels and books, they do not happen in real life. You may be able to do all this and accept everyone, but it doesn't mean everyone else will be able to follow this and accept you back. My Aai in particular!"

"I was not referring to Aai in particular, I was referring to the rest of the people in the house." She said. "I only know one thing that this philosophy gave me strength to come back to you even when you had no proof to show me. I know you consider it a 'wrong reason', but once I knew I wanted to be with you, I gave greater emphasis to your good qualities- trusted on them that they would make our relationship prosper and came back. Even you told me once- that when we are in love, we automatically give more importance to the good points in a person than hate them for their faults.. I'm just saying we should consider the reverse too- look at the good points in others, that way you will have less enemies and more friends."

"Yes, I said we do that." He said hurriedly in an attempt to close the matter. "But unlike you I did not say that it helps save the relationship. I just said it is a tendency in love, not that it gives results every time. Come now, let's go."

She kept sitting still, looking at him in a steadfast gaze. "What happened now?"

She did not say anything for some time. Finally, she looked down and then back at him, and her eyes had an uncertain softness in it. "Please don't leave me Manav." She said in an emotionally drained voice. "It has taken all my strength to make this big decision of going against my parents and my family and coming back to this marriage. I came back with the firm intention of making my marriage work. I know you consider the reasons of my coming back as wrong and emotional, but the simple fact is that I came back cos of my love and concern for you. That concern cannot be wrong- you know that. I know you think my reasons are wrong and unjustified cos they don't guarantee any future to this relationship, they look more emotional than ethical or logical- but for me, these emotions are my strength- I know what extent I can go for my loved ones. I know you are very depressed right now, but please don't leave me. Manjusha Vahini made this complaint, I didn't, and I would never have made it if I had my way. Please Manav, don't punish me for her acts. I assure, I will set everything right for you."

He did not know what to say to her, as he stared at her bent head, and her scared, unhappy face. Caught between the devil and the deep sea- he thought. Why had things turned out this way that he was feeling uncomfortable in accepting her back as well as telling her to go!- he thought. Despite the fact that he had said that her reasons for coming back were 'wrong' (since they did not ensure a secure future for their marriage), yet in his heart, he could not refute the fact that she had selflessly come back FOR HIM only. She was an emotionally volatile person, yes, a 'pendulum' as he had called her once in angry sarcasm, but she CARED for him, and her decision to come back (even if short lived) had been a reflection of this fact. Yes, she had made understandable mistakes- of being scared of his Aai's behavior, of coming back late to this marriage, but then it was also true that she had come back ON HER OWN, when HE had been unable to provide proofs to exonerate himself, something he should have ideally done since the onus of saving the marriage basically lay on him, not on her who had hardly known him at the time of marriage. Earlier he had wanted her to go back to her parents, thinking that their marriage had no future thanks to her reasons of coming back, but now the situation was different. She was slowly and slowly trying to prove her commitment towards him. She had already gone against her parents once, and if Manjusha and Vinod came to know that she had agreed to testify against them, they might never accept her back too. In the end of all this- she might as well be left with no mayka and no sasural! And then.. what would she do then?

It was clear that her heart was in the marriage- for whatever reasons, she wanted it. If he broke this relationship cos of this complaint, he would be giving her 50 times the punishment she deserved for her very much human mistakes- that too after she had already suffered bcos of his Aai. No way did she deserve something like this. Yes, he had suffered in this marriage too- but it was not because of her. His family had suffered- but not bcos of her- it was Manjusha who had made all this so big. It was she who deserved punishment, Archana should not be ostracized, that too when she was actually supporting the Deshmukhs. But how the hell could Archana live in his house? No one would accept her, Baba, maybe, but no one else.

He wanted to be fair to everyone- to his family who had been wronged, to Archana who had been wronged too, to his Aai who was wrong but had suffered more than she should ideally have-- but he didn't want to play God, he was human too at the end of the day. And now- he couldn't see any way in which things could be corrected- not only regarding the family matters but also the future of their own marriage seemed bleak to him. He wished he could tell her that she was too optimistic about things, and he wished he could share in her optimism, but somehow, after having gone through so many misfortunes and witnessing so many unhappy moments in the way the relationships had evolved, he had little hope for the future. He had little hope the kids could accept her. He had little hope that Aai would be civil to her. He had absolutely no hope that Sachin would accept her when he came to know everything. And most of all, he had no hopes that the Karanjkars would ever accept him or his family again.

It was impossible for both of them to cut away totally from their families and work only on their own relationship- their families were a part of their identity. But then how would their marriage work under present circumstances?

He didn't know. He looked at her head again, still bent, and touched her hand lightly to steady her. In return, she clutched it tightly. He knew it made her feel better, always, ever since the first time he had held her like that while comforting her in the car when they were returning home after marriage. He remembered the moment, and sighed.

 Everything seemed to be at a dead end in their story.

They sat there quietly in the same manner for some time. Then Manav slowly straightened himself up and Archana got up too, looking weirdly at him. "We should leave now." he said quietly. He looked up to see that Archana was staring at him with a quizzical, faraway look. "What happened to you?" he asked, shaking her arm.

She came out of her thoughts. "Nothing." She said slowly. "You are a very nice person Manav.. you always try to understand everyone.. even if we are not together tomorrow, even if you decide to end the relationship here owing to circumstances, I will still be proud that you understood my position in the whole complaint issue and did not hate me for it.."

He was silent for a while. "Let's go." He said quietly.

They got up and walked out of the office complex. Vaishali who had been waiting nearby, joined them. "I'm feeling really bad for Jeeju, and for myself as well. I'm just dreading Tarun's reaction, he will surely blow a fuse over this whole fiasco, as it is he wasn't close to our family.. now he is going to hate us a lot."

She looked at Archana, who seemed very silent and was only looking down thoughtfully at her own steps. "Tai what happened to you?" she shook her arm.

"Huh? Nothing."

"Something has happened.." persisted Vaishali. "Tell me what it is."

"Vaishu, I am having second thoughts about the accusation that your Jeeju ever cheated me." Said Archana in a small voice.

"WHAT!!!" said Vaishali, almost jumping out of her skin. "But till yesterday you were saying.."

"Till yesterday." Said Archana. "A lot has happened between yesterday and today. And it has made me feel uneasy. I won't be able to explain it Vaishu, I just KNOW that he has not done it, proofs are against him, and even his Aai said he is the culprit.. but.. somehow I.. I just feel he cannot do it. He is really not the sort.. I may be wrong again here.. but I really don't think he could have done it.."

And with this Archana walked ahead, leaving behind an open mouthed Vaishali. Her head whirled a little. Nowadays her Tai was throwing a bouncer every alternate day. One day she refused to divorce, one day she went back to her Jeeju, one day she decided to go against her family, one day she decided to speak up against Savita Aai's atrocities and now this! But what could have been the reason for such a sudden change in feeling? Vaishali knew her sister well enough that she made decisions and arrived at conclusions only after thorough introspection. If she had herself said that she was having a feeling that she had been wrong all along, then there HAD to be SOME VERY strong reason. What could that reason be? Vaishali stood for there in that state, with her mouth open, for a while, wondering how her Tai's ideas about Manav had suddenly started changing.

The sudden honking of a car brought her back to earth. Realizing that the people around were glaring and giggling at her, Vaishali closed her mouth and hurried forward, watching her Jeeju and Tai walk back home, together.

---------------------------------------------

That was subpart 1. Presenting the other two subparts shortly.