Chapter 15

RR through our eyes (Chapter 15)

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

 

“Myrah, I would like to talk to you now. ALONE. Please stay back. Rudra, give us some time. ALONE. ” Rajeev said. More like roared. After that it was as if the mute button was pressed in skype at both the laptops. Myrah felt as if she is getting burnt by the looks her parents gave her over the monitor. She could feel them rather than see them. She dared not look at the monitor. She could feel the tension in Rudra. There was nothing she could do at this moment to assure him that all will be well. She herself did not feel sure of anything anymore. When Rohit informed her that he has been in touch with her parents all through and they were up-to-date with what was happening in the haveli, she had assumed that her parents knew everything about Rudra  and Dhruv. And when the video chat started and she saw her mother bubbling with energy and her father a little moody compared to normal, Myrah was quite relieved. She was hoping that their first meeting with Rudra will be a cake walk. But now she understands otherwise. Rohit never told them the whole story. She wondered why. Was he afraid of their reaction ? Or did he just forget ? Did he think that to not tell the truth about Rudra’s past is the best thing to do to get her parent’s blessings ? Anyway, now is not the time to ponder over what happened, what should have happened or what she should have done.

She felt difficulty in breathing..She tried hard. Probably Rudra saw her gasp for breath. Because his right hand moved slowly and covered her shaking left hand. Held in a tight grip. She did not realise till then that her hands had grown cold. Numb. His warm hand pressed against her cold hand gave her some strength. From the corner of her eye she could see Rudra extend his left hand and get hold of the glass of water. He passed it onto her which she accepted without even a glance in his direction. She felt afraid to look at her parents. And ashamed of herself that she had let Rudra down in some way. And hence could not look at him as well.

“Myrah, paani pi lo” Rudra’s words brought her back to reality. That she was still holding onto the glass with her right hand. Slowly she sipped water. Seconds ticked away in slow motion. Why is the internet working so well in India when she badly wanted the line to get disconnected ?

It was Rudra who spoke again. But this time to her parents. Not to her.

 

“I understand that you want to talk to Myrah alone. I will leave the room.” He said. “Myrah, if you need anything call out my name. I will be standing outside.” Squeezing her hand to show his understanding, he stepped out. Myrah felt even worse. She should have been the one under control. To put Rudra at ease. Instead she is a bundle of nerves. All thanks to her Dad’s shouting. She felt anger building up inside her. There was no reason for her Dad to behave like that. To make Rudra feel like an outsider and ask him to literally get out. This is not done. Luckily the anger helped her to get back her breath. With piercing eyes she turned towards her parents.

“How can you talk to him like that ? Why did you ask him to go out ? You could have said whatever you wanted to both of us, you know.” Myrah’s voice was still trembling. She was not sure what was the reason behind it – fear or anger.

“Yeah right. Myrah, come out of your trance. We are talking about you here. And you emotions and decisions. Not Rudra. Are you in your right frame of mind ? You wanted to travel to India alone. You insisted. We agreed. The plan was for you to find a venue for your wedding with Rohit later in the year. Then within a few days Rohit travels to India and you decide to get married to him within a week. Without even the parents of both of you. Fine we agreed. So did Rohit’s parents. Two days later he calls up and says you two are getting married the next day – that is today. Now when you call us we assume it is to get our blessings. And we come to know that YOU changed the groom in the last minute. From your friend of years to a widowed man with a son. Whom you just met. Who in their rational mind will do such a thing ? You and Rohit decided to get married after knowing each other from childhood. And Rudra and you decide that you will spend the rest of your lives with each other after spending less than a month together ? “ Rajeev was literally fuming. And for once Poonam did not interrupt her husband. It was as if they had ganged up against their only child.

“Daddy, to fall in love one does not need to spend years together. You and Mama know that already. You both met once in a cousin’s wedding and fell in love.”

“Don’t talk nonsense. That was different. We were related. Our families knew each other well. Though we had not met before that we knew all about each other. And most importantly we both were not married. And we did not keep changing our decisions. I will get the travel agent to book another ticket along with Rohit. Just get on that plane and come back. No more discussions over long distance”

“Yes I agree. Rajeev is right. Myrah , do not take decisions in haste that will make you regret later. Just come back home, honey. You need not marry Rohit. We are all fine with that. Come home. Bas. We need to see you in person” Poonam sounded desperate. Frustration in having to deal with such a fickle minded daughter was quite present in her tone.

Myrah was now sure that there was no way her parents will give approval for the wedding. And she loved her parents too much to go against their wishes. But she was not ready to leave Rudra and go back. No way. If her parents care so much about her then let them come here for the wedding.

“Okay I also agree that we should discuss this in person. But I am not coming there. You both come over to India and attend the wedding and give me and Rudra your blessings. “Myrah replied

“Have you taken leave of your.....” Rajeev’s words were cut short by Poonam who was more in control of herself by now. “Thik Hai Myrah. We will come. And we three will sit and discuss. We have gone through hell before as well - just after your accident. But we all survived then. We will survive now also. So we will come”

“Mama, don’t compare my wedding to my accident” Myrah’s voice went up a notch.

“Nahin beta. That is not what I meant. We three have faced more difficult situations. So this also we can go through. Provided we all are ready to behave amicably. We both will come there. Give me a promise that you will not do anything in haste till then. That you will not start the wedding preparations till we come there. “

“But Mama.........” Myrah started thinking of how in the world can she convince them now. She was not sure she wanted to wait even one more day to be united with Rudra. She felt as if she has waited years already - not a few days.

“We are your parents and want the best for you. So don’t treat us as enemies.” Rajeev finally spoke. He fell in line with his wife. Now is not the time to push Myrah to a corner or to make her feel alone. He was confident that they can make her see sense in their line of thinking. But it has to be in person as Poonam had put it.

There was no way Myrah could refuse to listen to such emotional pleas. She agreed – rather reluctantly. And sat there staring at the empty monitor for more than half an hour. Wondering whether her future as she wished for now would be affected by that promise she gave her parents. Whether her parents will try to talk her out of the wedding once they were here.

“Rajeev, aapko aise nahin karna chahiye tha “ Poonam’s accusing voice was directed at Rajeev after the call.”Didn’t you see her struggling for her breath ? What if she got a panic attack like earlier ? You should have had more control”

“Yes I made a mistake. But I was not prepared for this shock. And Rohit also did not tell us before. Hope Myrah is fine. I was so stupid to pounce on her like that.” Rajeev was ridden with guilt.

Both of them have seen the panic attacks and the nightmares Myrah went through for years after the accident. They took so much care to not affect her in any way. Never even raised their voice when she was around. And today he shouted at her. Inspite of Poonam trying to put him at ease Rajeev could not forgive himself for what he did.