Recap: Manav, Teju, and Sachin land in India, Archana
discusses Purvi and Soham, Arjun's dependence on Riya…
Chapter 2: Half Healed Scars
***
March 24, 2012: Mumbai, 9:00 a.m.
The drive to office this
morning was long—or at least it felt so. The morning was unusually cold. It
reminded me of that day; that day when my already deprived life got worse; yet
better at the same time.
Driver: Ma'am we are here.
I came back to reality. I got out of the auto, paid him, and walked inside the
tall, dominating office building.
Coworker 1: Good Morning, Purvi Ma'am.
Coworker 2: Good Morning Ma'am.
Purvi: Good Morning guys. Raj, do you have the file for the Bandra Project?
This was my daily routine. I would walk in, ask for some files, and then go
inside to talk to my boss, the great Shivani Tedulkar. Did I mention that I
wasn't happy? Life just gets better and better doesn't it? She kept talking
about retirement—the thought that I feared. I always wondered whose "inefficient"
assistant I would be if she left. I shuddered. I walked inside to be greeted by
Shivani Ma'am. She looked serious. It then struck me. Today was the day. Why
me?
Shivani: Sit down please Purvi.
Let's just say that I absolutely despise beating around the bush.
Purvi: Ma'am… who is it?
Shivani: (taken aback) Why, Purvi, I know you have grown close to me these last
two years, but it won't be that bad. I promise.
Seriously? She is saying this—she who took my application under pressure from
the owner? She who treated me like I didn't exist? I work so hard, everyday,
but only to go home to fake smile. My life was so complicated, and this
seriously makes things better. This is why I was scared. I don't need anyone
worse.
Purvi: I know. I'm sorry ma'am. I just have a really bad headache. I just want
to know more though. Who? When? And how?
Shivani: Who, I'll leave for you to justify. When—don't be shocked, but
tomorrow. And how… let's just say you may end up being a Hindi teacher.
My point exactly. Why can't she just get to the point? I stood up, smiled, and
walked out. Great. A new boss, that too, tomorrow! I know I'm supposed to act
professional and not mix my work with my personal life. I know I didn't want to
accept the situation; but fear has crawled up on me.
***
March 23, 2012: Kirloskar Residence, 8:30 p.m.
I took a sigh of relief as the last shirt got "neatly" tucked away into my bag.
I realized I forgot to pack a few things but I ignored the fact. I decided to take
a walk out in the garden. It was the place I went to for relieving stress. Or
to go talk to Mom. I put on my jacket and walked outside. Looks like I'm not
the only one. Riya was sitting on the bench looking at the sky. She didn't hear
me come out. I was about to walk out and sit next to her, but her words
afterwards is what made me feel—I can't even describe it.
Riya: Mom. I know that you listen. I know that you're there. But I ask you the
same question, yet you won't answer. But I'll ask you one more time. I still
have the hope that you'll reply. Tomorrow in the morning, Arjun and I fly out
to India. Behind the walls of pain and hatred he has put up, I still believe
that the Arjun whom I knew many years back still exists. He may look
unappreciative, but he is really happy that Dad finally handed over
responsibility to him. But—after that day, he changed; and didn't allow me to
get to know the new Arjun; and still won't allow me. I just ask one question,
and I want the answer Mom. Why does he treat me like I what I am—an orphan?
She took out the family picture we took
ages ago, looked at it and smiled. Was it true? Did I really treat her like
an—like that? I feel pain every day. It's nothing new. Everywhere I go, I'm
reminded by my terrible past. My life is just like that. The day Riya had a heart
failure was the day Mom died from a cancer attack. I lost one of the most important people in my
life, and almost lost another. I blocked off every happy memory I had, and just
gave up. I drowned myself in intellect and work, and created the avatar of
Arjun Kirloskar. But today I felt a new, unknown pain. She struck me where it
hurt the most. For the split of a second I wanted to tell her to stop crying
and that that's not true. I actually wanted to hug her, and tell her that she's
not an orphan but my sister. My Riya. But I couldn't. I walked slowly, blankly
inside. I went up to my room and slammed the door. Rage took me over. I even
threw a few things. When I realized my hand was bleeding, I slid slowly to the
floor. And let it ALL out.
***
March 24, 2012: Mumbai, 5:00 p.m.
The scenery was beautiful. This was indeed my India. Now If
only….
Sachin: Teju, let's go home already! We've been wandering around for 2 hours!
Teju: No! Absolutely not!
Sachin: I'm older!
Teju: Don't start that—I mean, please Dada… for your Teju?
Sachin: No. I want to go back to the hotel.
Teju: Pretty please?
Sachin: No.
Teju: Please?
Sachin: No!
Teju: PLEASE!!!
Sachin: N—
Our beautiful argument was interrupted by the car suddenly breaking down. I looked
at an annoyed Sachin. I got out of the car, followed suit by Sachin.
Sachin: Where are you going now!?
Teju: Well, since the car broke down, I figured that we should continue
wondering around on foot. Isn't it a good idea?
Sachin: What!?
Teju: I'm going to look for a mechanic, gosh! Calm down!
Sachin: Ok, ok. Fine. I'll go wait by the car.
Sachin walked away. I knew he was irritated, but so was I. If he was stubborn,
so was I. That's just how we worked. I didn't need any more of an
argument. I wandered around for a little
while longer until I found it. Mukund Garage. There was only a man who looked
not too older than me there. He was just relaxing—no wait. He was sleeping!
Teju: Really?
I muttered to myself. First, my ignorant older brother, and now this sleeping
mechanic. Can this day get any better?
Precap: Teju dealing with the lazy mechanic, Purvi's nightmare, and Arjun and Riya arriving in India, and a Soham-Purvi scene.
I know it was boring, yet again. I still keep my promise that it will get better. Please please comment!!! I need the motivation!!! 😳
Note: I will try to update regularly, but I will tell you guys when I won't be updating. I will only continue though if I get enough comments… So please comment! Tell others to comment, too. Thank you! 😃
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