Radha and Rahini pitifully look at the crying woman. Rahini holds her gently and wipes the tears from eyes. Trisha is made to sleep in her room after a small struggle by the women.
‘Ma ji, I really don’t want to see you like this. Please don’t cry. It might trigger asthma attack again’ says Rahini
Mrunalini keeps crying despite the consolation of the people around her.
‘I don’t know what sin I committed in my earlier births that I am getting punishments like this. For anybody who think money is the ultimate happiness in life, I would like to show them my life where there are plenty of money filling my whole house but not even bit of happiness exist there. Whoever I think as my well-wishers are actually not. Everything is false and everyone are fake. Only those who are all can be selfish can survive in this world. There is no place for people in world who value love, selflessness, affection more than money’
‘Ma ji. It is not like that. You are so tired of the incidents happened around you. It makes you to think like this. You please take rest here. Everything is going to be fine.’ Says Rahini and she tries to raise her from her place.
Mrunalini sits stubbornly and does not raise up. Rahini smiles at her who shows persistence like a small kid.
‘Ma ji. I can understand your feelings and your fear. But I am telling you that you don’t have to worry about anything. I assure you that until I am there, Trisha shall be in safer hands. I will give you the assurance of Trisha’s bright future. Is it ok for you?’
Rahini’s declaration affects the other women in two different ways. Radha frowns at Rahini whereas Mrunalini’s face turns bright.
‘What did you say just now? Come again’ asks Mrunalini in eagerness and not believing on what she heard now.
Rahini smiles at her.
‘Yes Ma ji. Trisha is my responsibility. I promise.’
‘Are you saying this just to convince me and shut my mouth for time being?’ asks Mrunalini with doubtful expression.
‘Ma ji. It is not my habit to give false hopes to anyone. If I say it, I mean it.’
Mrunalini holds her hands tightly and keeps on her eyes. Tears roll down from her eyes wetting Rahini’s hands.
‘Ma ji. Why are you getting too emotional? Please calm down’
‘I really owe a lot to you. It is only because of you I got my girl back safely. I will not be more happy if Trisha comes to your custody if anything happens to me. I wish everything should happen in her favor. I am really happy that I have heard these words from your mouth’ says Mrunalini in an emotional tone.
‘But I cannot feel happy when some third party stranger getting the custody of the Arte family’s child’ hears an angry voice from outside.
All are taken aback by the sudden intervention of unexpected voice heard unexpectedly. Arun is standing at the entrance of the house staring everyone inside. He gives an angry look at Mrunalini but she does not seem to care about it. She indifferently looks at her son who is in a rage of fighting a battle with everyone around.
‘Ma. I really don’t understand what is your problem and why are you doing like this? You trust a stranger to your own son?’ asks Arun angrily to her
Mrunalini give an angry gaze at him
‘Who is that son who I can trust to my well-wisher? Can you show him?’ asks Mrunalini to him in an sarcastic tone.
‘Ma, Why you never think of trusting me at any point of your life? She is my niece. I am her Chacha. I own as much as rights as you own on her. Remember?’
‘One other guy has the ultimate rights on her. Did he ever bother to accept it? Why would I trust on an idiot who supports the wrong-doer against my girl?’
‘Ma, don’t you know why I am doing this? It is for our family. Our respect and also for bhayya’s…’ interrupts Arun as he is speaking. He looks around the other women standing beside. He looks at them angrily and says ‘Excuse me. We are discussing personal matter here. It would be good if you…’ looking at the entrance door.
Radha angrily looks at him and opens her mouth to answer but Mrunalini intervenes
‘They are not going anywhere from here.’ Says Mrunalini to him. ‘You have no rights to send anybody out of my home. Got it?’
Arun looks at Mrunalini with shock. Rahini looks at Arun in an victorious gaze.
‘Ma, You are of opinion that these people are doing favors for you. Just remember there is nothing in this world which we can get it for free. Everyone have some intentions and they might show their real face one day or other. When they remove their mask and reveal their faces, we would have paid huge price.’ Says Arun looking at Rahini and Radha in an angry and irritation expression.
Radha looks at Rahini angrily. She steps forward to answer him but Rahini stops her.
‘You don’t have to teach me anything. Who asked you to come here? Just a while ago one storm got over and you have come here to start another one?’
‘Ma, Whatever it is, let it be with us. It is our family problem. Just keep the strangers at a safe distance.’ screams Arun at Mrunalini.
‘It was a family problem until remained at your home. When Trisha ran out of your house scaring for her life, it has become a social problem and anyone can intervene into it. And by the way I cannot allow you to talk like this to Ma ji. Please give the due respect which she deserves.’ Says Rahini to him in a strict voice.
‘Oh shit! I am talking to my mother and I don’t need anybody’s permission. You don’t have any useful work? Why don’t just mind your business and run away from here?’ asks Arun to her with infuriation
‘Arun, mind your words’ taunts Mrunalini at Arun
‘It is OK, Ma ji. I can handle it.’ Says rahini and turns to Arun. ‘I am only minding my business, Mister. Perhaps you are not aware of that. I am doing the work which I am supposed to so.’ says Rahini
Arun frowns at her.
‘Excuse me?’ asks Arun
Rahini looks at him with smiles in her lips and indifference in her eyes ‘May be you should have heard a name called ‘Suraksha’
‘Suraksha?’ frowns Arun again. ‘I heard this name somewhere.’
‘You don’t have to break your head. It is an non-government organization which takes care of children and fights against the violence inflicted on children. I am a social-worker and an active member of it. Not only myself but also many renowned social-workers in our country are from SURAKSHA. If you have enough time, you can Google it.’
Arun looks at her with surprise and a with a little shock.
‘It is my duty to divulge the children who are the victims of the violence against them. Since Trisha is supported by her own granny, I have not admitted her there. And this is my one half of the job. My other half of the job is, to tear the masks and reveal the real faces of the monsters who have disguised themselves as a respectable citizens of the country. Very soon I will fulfill that part of my work too.’ says Rahini to Arun
‘What to do you mean?’ asks Arun to her. A little fear arises within him on hearing the confident and rigid tone. ‘What makes her to talk like this to me? Is she referring about the case which she framed? Or is she planning to complaint in ministry level. Whatever it might be, she is not aware that none of her attempts can touch even the dirt in bhayya’s shoes. Poor woman is roaring like an injured lion.’
Mrunalini takes the remote in her hand and switches on the television set. She tunes the channels and sets the ‘Hindusthan Now’ channel. She taps Arun at his back. Arun looks at his mother who gestures to look at the television. His face turns in ultimate shock on looking at the television programme where the repeat telecast of one of Rahini’s shows is broadcasted on the channel. Rahini is talking with one of the leading politician of ruling party. Arun looks at the TV programme and becomes dumbstruck. He then turns towards Rahini in wonder not able to believe that the woman on the TV is the same woman standing in front of him. Rahini looks at him with smile.
‘Rahini is one of the leading journalists in our country. A celebrity journalist, anchor and one of the reporters of leading magazine ‘Nation India’ ’ Says Mrunalini to Arun like a short introduction.
Arun does not make any attempts to conceal his surprise and shock in front of Rahini.
‘Journalist and reporter?’ asks Arun astonishingly.
‘Well Mr.Arte. I hope you are now convinced about my business. I sincerely request you to inform about your opponent to your respected brother and get ready to face the consequences. Also tell him that he has to answer for every crimes against his daughter in front of this society. I will never calm down until I ensure full justice to an abandoned innocent child.’ says Rahini in a challenging mode and she leaves the place along with Radha.
Arun stands like a statue not and does show any reaction other than shock. Mrunalini sends them off and closes the door gently.
‘Ma. You know about that woman already?’ asks Arun in a low but rigid voice.
Mrunalini does not answer immediately. She gives pitiful look at her son and says ‘What if I say ‘yes’?’
‘You did not bother to inform me about this. You have deceived your own sons in favor of a stranger woman.’ asks Arun angrily at her.
‘Don’t talk unnecessarily.’ yells Mrunalini at him. ‘Till now I have not deceived even my enemies. Had I, your bhayya’s photos would have flashed in the channels and magazines as a criminal. Till now Rahini does not know who Kunal Arte really is. According to her, he is some rich, spoilt and an arrogant guy and you are his haughty broker brother. That is it’ replies Mrunalini in same rigid tone.
‘May be you should have also revealed that secret to her.’ speaks Arun in a mockery tone. ‘You never like things to be left incomplete isn’t it?’
‘I would have’ says Mrunalini to him. ‘Had he not been the son of Alok Arte. Don’t ever think only you can save his reputation in the industry. I don’t want anyone to refer him as a criminal’s father.’
‘Then why the hell you are supporting her?’ shouts Arun to her. ‘If you don’t want your family’s reputation to get spoiled, then you should convince her from withdrawing this case. You certainly know what shall happen even if single hearing goes in this case.’
‘I am not supporting her’ says Mrunalini
‘Then? You say you are supporting us?’
‘I am not supporting you either’
‘Wait a minute. I don’t get.’
‘I am ensuring Trisha gets into safe hands for the sake of her future. That is it. I lost all the trust and hopes which I had on him. I cannot commit you into this as you shall have your own future and there shall be no space for Trisha in it. Hence I decided to trust Rahini and give her the responsibility of Trisha’
‘Ma, just understand. There is no future for me without Trisha. I will take care of her like a princess.’
‘I never consider cinema dialogues seriously.’
‘So you trust a stranger woman than me. What is so special in her which you does not find in me?’
‘She herself is a mother. She knows the value of a child than you and your brother. She respects humanity and helps the needy.’
‘May be. But she is a third person. Who is she to Trisha? In what way she is related to us?’ screams Arun in irritation.
‘I am working on it. I have made the first step for that. Very soon your questions shall be answered’
‘So what is your position in this case? Are you on her side or our side?’
‘I am always at the reasonable side. Your brother has to realize and repent for his past mistakes. That is what I want.’
‘Ma, he is feeling guilty of his wrong doings. He has realized his mistake.’
‘It is not enough. He has to compensate for everything which he failed to give to his family especially to his daughter.’
‘What you want him to do then?’ asks Arun in a loud tone with irritation.
Mrunalini gives a straight look at Arun and says ‘He has to bring an angel who can drive away all the darkness of our home and bring light in family. He should bring Rahini as the daughter-in-law of our house and mother of Trisha.’
Arun once again gets shocked.
--- --- ---
Rahini and Radha are return to their flats. Kannapiraan as usual watches Rahini’s re-telecast show in Hindusthan Now channel. Radha watches Rahini doing her routine things when enters her home.
‘Chithi, can I get a coffee? I had a tiresome day today. Lot of tensions’ says Rahini and she falls on the sofa.
‘Of course. If you load yourself with unnecessary responsibilities, then it is obvious you get tired.’ Replies Radha with a slight irritation in her voice.
Kannapiraan did not observe anything but Rahini can understand the tone. She looks at her in surprise. Radha goes to kitchen.
‘Anything wrong with me or wrong with chithi?’ thinks herself.
Radha comes from kitchen with coffee cups in a tray. She offers the cups to Kannapiraan and Rahini.
‘Great wonder. I got an extra coffee. Rain is going splash today.’ says Kannapiraan enthusiastically looking at his wife. Her serious face reveals him something and drinks the coffee silently with a smile. He looks at Radha drinking the coffee calmly.
‘Rahini, Have you heard calm before storm?’
‘Yeah’
‘Well. It is same here. Today I have got a surprise coffee and your Chithi is so silent. It means a mini storm is going blow here. Your Chithi needs my support against you. That is why she is bribing me with my weakness’ says Kannapiraan with a smile in his face.
Rahini tries to smile with him. She knows Kannapiraan is right. Her face is not so normal for a long time.
‘Chithi, are you offended by that Arun’s arrogant behavior?’ asks Rahini to her
Radha does not answer her.
‘Chithi, why are you so dull? Just come out. We will discuss and settle it down. Are you angry on me for anything?’ asks Rahini in worry.
‘I believe that she is not talking to the coffee cup which you are holding. Why are you not opening up?’ asks Kannapiraan with a little anger.
‘What you want me to tell? Who obeys me in this home? Who consults me for anything to happen? All have grown up and no one needs my suggestion or recommendation.’ yells Radha at Kannapiraan.
‘Chithi’ says Rahini in astonishment. ‘What is making you to think like this? When I did not consult you for anything? Why are you so angry?’
Radha angrily looks at Rahini.
‘I always admire the helping tendency which you have for others. Helping others is definitely a good thing. But everyone should stand in their borderline. Today you have made an unnecessary commitment to that lady and laid foundation for an hopeless castle which she wishes to build in the air’ speaks Radha angrily.
‘Radha, please speak in a language which I can understand’ mocks Kannapiraan.
‘Well, I am not speaking in any Latin or Hebrew. Today she has told rather promised that lady that she will take responsibility of that little girl if anything happens to that lady by chance. What is the meaning of that?’
Rahini again looks at astonishment
‘What is there to get angry about? I made the promise to make her happy. That is it.’
‘Do you know she purposefully created that drama to make you say like that?’ says Radha to her with irritation. ‘And she managed to pull them from your mouth’
‘Chithi, I don’t think so. She is really wounded by the wrong doings of her sons. She was desperately in need of someone to console her. My promise had brought her peace of mind.’
‘How can you take such a responsibility of a girl? You don’t belong to their family anyway. You are not related to them. You cannot claim any custody of that child. Do you know that?’
‘Of course. I do. But these are all out of question. I promised to take her responsibility only if something happens to Mruna aunty. That is it. Let us hope such bad things don’t happen.’
‘I don’t see anything wrong in it, Radha. She has made a promise and made that woman happy. You don’t have to worry about that.’
‘I don’t know. I believe she has something in her mind. She has understood that Rahini never keeps away from promises which she makes. She is planning for something which we don’t want to happen. Better you keep off from her Rahini. I don’t feel good about anything’ says Radha in a worried tone.
Rahini looks at the worry of Radha worryingly.
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