I went to meet my mother-in-law downstairs. She was making embroidery. I moved closer and sat with her.
“The design is beautiful, Mother,” I said.“Thank you. This is for Krishna. Kiara wanted me to make it for him,” Mother replied.“That’s nice, I hope I’m getting one too,” I set forth. I wasn’t jealous, just love the design.“Sure, I will make two,” Mother smiled.“Mother?” I called and she looked at me. “I’m thinking, since I will be resuming work on Monday, shouldn’t I get a nanny for Chandni?” I suggested. She was my major concern right now.“A nanny? I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Mother said. “A nanny has to be someone you know so well, someone you can leave your child in her care and you wouldn’t even bother looking back because you know she’s in safe hands. And that kind of a nanny is hard to get in just a few days. Besides, you don’t need a nanny for anything, I am here to take care of my grandchildren. What more can I do if not that?”I left for work on Wednesday, my boss wasn’t taking my calls. I reached to the office, I went to meet my boss.“Good morning, ma’am,” I saluted as she permitted me to come in.“Good morning, Rani, have a seat, please,” she politely welcomed me. I took a seat opposite her.“I’m sorry for the delay, ma’am, my baby…”“I understand, Rani. I know how troubling it is to deal with a newborn baby. I’m a mother too, remember?” My boss said.“…Thanks for your understanding, ma’am. My baby felt sick, I had to watch over her. When I tried reaching you, too many things happened.”“No problem. But I’m afraid to say, your position has been given to someone else.”“What? But I thought you said no problem. What went wrong then?” I queried.Losing my job? My world is shattered. Getting a new job for a woman with a three months old baby is a hard task. I can’t work in Sidd’s company, all positions are taken. Neither can I in Ranveer’s firm.“Calm down, Rani
Later on, I paced up and down in my room, impatiently waiting for Sidd. I needed to confirm with him if he was cheating on me, too. If Ranveer was open about it then Sidd wouldn’t want to lie to me. I tapped my foot constantly on the floor. I checked my wristwatch. Why is he not coming? An hour passed his closing time already. I sat on the bed, stood up, looked at myself in the mirror, sat on a chair, and stood up again. I stood close to the window. The door opened and Sidd finally came in. I hurried to him, pulling him along.“What’s wrong?” he questioned.“Sidd, Sidd, Sidd, are you cheating on me?” I queried. He suddenly wore a surprised look.“What are you talking about?”“Are you seeing another woman?” I asked, and he nodded.My head spun. He is seeing another woman? He sat down, taking off his shoes while I allowed the bitter truth to sink in. I supported my body with my hand against the headboard. I watched as he stood up and went to freshen up. I dropped down on the bed. I
Mrs. Singh reached downstairs to meet Sidd’s mother. “Anushka?” she called and Sidd’s mother looked her way. She sat down with her. “Why would you watch something go wrong in your daughter-in-law’s life without doing anything?” Mrs. Singh questioned calmly, trying hard to hide her anger.“What are you talking about? Whose life?” Mrs. Arora asked, confused.“It’s Kiara’s. Your son is cheating on my daughter and he said it’s normal. Does their father cheat on you?”“Calm down, Amber, it hasn’t gotten to that. I never knew, no one told me anything about it.”“Now you know, and I want you to take it up with your son. No one dares hurt my daughter of their free will. I’m certain when Sunia faces such tribulation you will know what I am saying,” Mrs. Singh said and stood up to leave.“Don’t be angry, Amber. I will take it up with him, please,” Mrs. Arora stated and Mrs. Singh left. “Oh, God! Who taught Ranveer to do that?” Mrs. Arora lamented.I was in my room when Sidd’s mom came al
I left the staircase and went back inside. Sidd stood with a disappointed look next to the headboard. As for me, I don’t regret what I did. I moved closer, pretending nothing was amiss. “How could you, love? I thought I told you I was going to speak with Ranveer. Why then did you report him to Mother?” Sidd stated, his voice tinged with disappointment. “Why shouldn’t I? If you talk to him, what’s going to change?” I rebuked. “Do you have the slightest idea what Kiara is going through? Do you know the emotional trauma a woman undergoes to know that her husband cheats?” “I do know, but still, you shouldn’t have told Mother about it. It’s your fault Mother slapped him. You…” “Really?” I interrupted. “You are defending him because he got slapped? What is a slap compared to heartache? The slap is just an iota of it. Whenever I see your brother, I feel like strangling him. Argh! You are defending your cheating brother. I should have known. Birds of a feather always flock together. Look
On that faithful day, Kiara headed cheerfully to Ranveer’s office. She didn’t bother to knock, she just opened the door and entered, wanting to surprise him. Her heart dropped. Ranveer didn’t even notice her as he was busy caressing his secretary. She shut her eyes closed and opened them again to face reality. Tears streamed down her cheeks. She rushed out of the office. Immediately she left, Pankti jerked up from Ranveer, panting. She let out a sharp exhale.“Oh, God, that was crazy, boss,” she gasped.“I know. You can go back to work now, I will let you know if we will be acting more,” Ranveer said.“More?” she chuckled.“I will pay you.”She shook her head and walked away.Their next act was the hotel. Kiara was driving home from the store where she went to get groceries when she saw Ranveer coming out of a hotel with Pankti. Kiara pulled over, watching them laugh wholeheartedly. Ranveer opened the car door for Pankti and she entered after hugging hi
“Yes, Mother. The truth has been confirmed and I don’t want you to worry about Kiara anymore, okay?” I told my mom on the phone.“Tell Kiara to take my calls. I want to speak with her,” my mom said.“You haven’t spoken with Kiara?” I asked surprised. What’s wrong with my sister now? Why is she no longer calling our mother?“Um, okay, Mother, I will tell her,” I assured. “Take care of yourself.”“You too, bye.” the call ended.I headed straight to Kiara’s room. I threw the door open and entered, calling Kiara’s name, I halted. Ranveer was in the room. Kiara wasn’t there.“Um, I’m sorry,” I said, turning to leave.“Hold on, Rani,” Ranveer said standing up and walking to me. I turned to look at him. “I know you think of me as a bad person. I know you think I don’t deserve your sister, but I want you to know that I love Kiara so much. I won’t do anything that will jeopardize our relationship. You can be rest assured your sister is safe and happy with m
Back to Arora’s mansion. After dinner, Mother called us to the living room. We were all in the living room.“Thanks for honoring my invitation, guys!” the mother joked and we all laughed. “I want to notify you all that I will be traveling to Kannauji in two days. I want to go see my people,” she announced.“When will you be back, Mother?” I was quick to ask.“Come on, Rani, I haven’t even gone yet,” Mother replied.“Mother, why are you traveling all of a sudden to the village?” Kiara inquired.“It has been a long I visited my people, dear,” she said. “One of my friend’s daughters will be getting married in a few days. You know as the bride's family, they are so much to do. I want to go help her out. Also, my aunt’s grandchild gave birth a few days ago, she wants to celebrate the birth of the baby including the naming ceremony. I want to witness all these celebrations. And to catch some fun too,” Mother explained.“That’s nice, Mother,” Ranveer commented.“I will get a driver r
Two days later, Ranveer returned home with a lady. She was wearing a saree, her black hair flowed down her back, and she was pulling her suitcase along. I was in the living room reading a book. I stood up upon seeing them. Kiara came along from the kitchen. She paused in her tracks. The lady wore a smile. Ranveer led her to me as Kiara joined us.“Hi, love,” he greeted pecking Kiara on the forehead. That relieved me a bit. Kiara was still surprised. Did Ranveer bring in his mistress? But he said he wasn’t cheating. Who then was this lady? “Love, meet Kamala, she’s Krishna’s new nanny,” he announced.Kiara exchanged a puzzled look with me. She looked back at Ranveer. “A nanny?” Kiara uttered.“Greetings, ma’am. My name is Kamala. I’m a professional nanny. I have worked with three great families before, I bet you will enjoy my services,” Kamala introduced.“Yes, love, she’s an experienced nanny,” Ranveer contributed. “I learned how much you missed working. I know you have been secre