Chapter 14

RR through our eyes (Chapter 14)

A big thanks to Mano (Multimedia) for the edits.

Poonam Mehra tried to start the conversation, “ Beta, born and brought up in Jaipur ? Are your parents staying with you ? Can we meet them now ?”

Rudra was thankful for the questions. He explained a little about his old haveli where he was born. How his parents are no more with them. That he stays with Kakusa and Kakisa and his cousins and their families. Poonam bombarded him with more questions about what he does for a living. What his Kakusa does. And his cousins.

“You are running your own security company ? That is good. Since when? “ Poonam queried

“For the last 7 years. Before that I was working as a Major in Border Security Force” Rudra answered her question as well as her most probable next question

“BSD ?” Rajeev and Poonam asked together.

“Yes in BSD. Why ? Have you heard of it ?” Rudra was suddenly interested to know.

“Yes. We also met a couple of officers sometime back when we had visited India. Actually when Myrah had her accident.” Rajeev explained. Rajeev was relieved that Rudra was part of BSD. He was well aware of the stringent recruitments which happened there. At least the guy was from a reputed profession. Why did he then leave it ? Rajeev wondered. Maybe he will hold the question for another time.

Poonam Mehra tried to break the ice, again. “We are very glad to meet you, Rudra. You must be really a great man to have won over our princess’s heart within such a short time.”

“Thank you Maasa.” He barely could hear himself mutter. His princess who did declare her unconditional love to him years back was beaming with happiness now. At least her mother has accepted Rudra.

“It is not me Maasa. She is the one who is special. Me and Dhruv just cannot live without her.” Rudra said.

“Yes. Dhruv is such a sweet kid. He is sleeping now. Tomorrow I will definitely get him to talk to you both on skype. Can you imagine ? He was the one who was very sure of us. Right from the beginning. “ Myrah chipped in.

“Who is this Dhruv? “ Rajeev enquired.

“Hamara Beta” Rudra replied immediately.

“Rudra has a son who is 7 years old.” Myrah explained.

“Is Rudra married ?” Rajeev voice levels had gone up a notch.

“Yes I am married” pat came Rudra’s reply. Which was followed by pin drop silence. Then Rajeev shouted from miles away,” Myrah, have you lost it ? Ready to marry an already married man ? ”

Rudra realised his mistake but by then the damage was done. Now he could not bring himself to say he was married. That Paro is no more. She is very much there in front of him. How can he lie ?

“Dad, chill. Rudra WAS married. His wife ...” Myrah rescued him this time. Rudra could heave a sigh of relief. He glanced at Myrah whose eyes were on him. They had a questioning look in them. As if asking him why did you talk about Paro in the present tense. He looked away. He knew now is not the time to explain or get into a discussion. And thankfully Myrah let it go. They had two others in front of them who had to be convinced.

“He is separated from his wife ? Rudra, are you two divorced ? Or just separated ? Why did the break up happen ? Do you still love your wife ? This time the questions were from Poonam. Poonam rained the questions without even waiting for Myrah to complete her statement. She was visibly upset to know Rudra is married and has a kid.

Rudra heard all the questions. But what remained in his mind was the last question. Do you still love your wife ? Yes he does. And he will – always. But there is no way he can say that. If he says it the chances of winning over Myrah’s parents will be lost forever. If he says “No, I do not love her anymore (which is a big lie and cannot be uttered)” Myrah will definitely be unsettled. She knows for a fact that he still loves Paro. She has come to terms with the fact that Rudra will create (has already created) space for herself, Myrah, in his life. How is he supposed to answer this question. He wanted to just get up from the chair. To shout at Myrah for putting him through this. For forgetting everything. For being so carefree under the cloak of memory loss whereas his shoulders are carrying the whole burden of not being able to say the truth.

“Mom, please.......Let me finish my sentence. Her name is Paro. She still lives in this haveli and in the minds of Rudra and Dhruv. Though she is no more. She passed away 7 years back. “ Myrah again came his rescue. He slowly raised his eyes sideways to look at her. There she was. Sitting next to him. Reassuring him with a smile. He kept staring at her. He did not fail to notice the tears breaking at the corner of her eyes.

 

 

“Myrah, I would like to talk to you now. ALONE. Please stay back. Rudra, give us some time. ALONE. ” Rajeev said. More like roared. Rajeev had had enough. He was patiently listening to his wife’s questions and daughter’s answers. And he did not miss the lost look on Rudra’s face. This is not going anywhere. The whole conversation. He is not able to make head or tail out of his daughter’s sudden fascination with this man - a widower with a 7 year old son. High time he took control and find out what is happening.