"Nandini?" Ajabdeh sounded alarmed at the phone call. "Are you alright?" She asked.
"I am. I called to congratulate you. And also … we are planning a family. I wanted a child, so Laura and I decided to get a donor. I have conceived."
"Wow." Ajabdeh sank back in her chair. "That's great. Congratulations."
"So what's up with you?" Nandini queried.
"The business is slowly making up for the losses and …"
"No, no." Nandini interrupted. "I heard about you and Dadabhai." She sounded excited. "Congratulations."
"Oh." Ajabdeh sounded awkward "Thank you."
"Honestly, I knew it the moment I saw you two together." She gushed at a much surprised Ajabdeh. "Oh, he held your hand and whisked you away when we were escaping. It was so romantic."
"We were helping you." Ajabdeh reminded her rather plainly.
"Yes, and then you fell in love."
Ajabdeh's heart skipped a beat at the word. A lot has been happening that day. She had just spent the morning at a doctor's clinic that was bigger than her old apartment. For the first time, she had lied to Pratap about her plans for the day. The man had asked her rather uncomfortable questions about her sex life, or rather the lack of it, in front of Sajja. She knew all the information would travel back to Jaivanta. The doctor wrote down some tests that were run, and the results would arrive in the evening.
As little as she cared about it all, Ajabdeh felt anxious. She hoped everything was fine with her. Not that she ever wanted to indulge in their ideas. But it's been ages since she had ever thought of her own health or functionality. Her periods were timely, and that was just about it.
"Nandini, I am at work. Can I call you back?" She tried hard to shake off her sudden feeling of overwhelm.
"I actually needed you." She said, "I told my parents that I was pregnant. I think they are ready to accept us back."
"That's…"
"They will also host a proper reception for us. Will you do it for me?" Ajabdeh wanted to refuse. She had no will to face his aunt or their drama.
"My mom will talk to Badi Mausi if you want…"
"No, that's not needed. Let me know the date, and I will see what I can do." She said politely.
She sat down at work and couldn't concentrate. She felt like she had deceived Pratap that day. In some way or the other, talking about their private life behind his back, even if it's about the lack of it, to a professional seemed like a violation of trust. There was nobody she could talk to about it. Nobody who would understand her justification for staying out of trouble with Jaivanta would mean lying to Pratap. Right now, she was willing to choose that for her peace of mind. She knew Pratap would react if he learnt about his mother's intrusions. He would shout and accuse, and disrupt the peace of the house. She would furthermore lose the little connection she made with Jaivanta. She couldn't get the two years' time out of her head.
Jaivanta had called them to her chambers. Ajabdeh received her test results, which were normal, and felt relieved. Especially under the scrutiny, she would have faced if she were not physically fit. However, when Jaivanta summoned them, she thought she was going to discuss the results with Pratap. She waited for Pratap to arrive back home late that night and informed him. He dropped his things and strolled to her study, followed by Ajabdeh in tow.
Jaivanta was waiting for them. In her nightgown, perhaps made of the finest silk Ajabdeh had seen, she removed her reading glasses and looked up at her son.
"Did you just come from your office?" She gave him a disapproving glance.
"It's late. I didn't want you to wait for me." He explained. "You wanted to talk about something?"
"Oh yes." Jaivanta looked past him at Ajabdeh, which made her heart skip a beat. "Do sit down."
"No, we are fine." He spoke, "Tell me. Is everything okay?"
"Everything is just fine." She nodded, "Your Mausi called me to inform me that Nandini is expecting a child." She said, almost disgusted, "Now god knows whose."
"It's a doner." It was Ajabdeh who spoke out of turn, making Jaivanta stare at her. "It's a method where the donor… umm… donates the sperm…. Like in the case of IVF or surrogacy, there are... different methods..."
"How dare you speak of such things in front of your mother-in-law?" Jaivanta's scolding almost shocked Ajabdeh. She narrowed her eyes. A week ago, this lady was dictating to her when to conceive, and now she is embarrassed to discuss the methods with her. Ajabdeh stopped. Pratap looked like he had lost his patience.
"So?" He asked, hoping Jaivanta would come straight to the point. "So she wants Ajabdeh to do a reception event, and I said yes."
Pratap looked a bit disappointed at his mother's choice of words.
"It's her professional matter and choice, what she wants to do." Ajabdeh was glad that he spoke for her, though she didn't approve of his tone.
"This is a family matter. That's my sister. She can't refuse…"
"She can refuse whoever she wants to. Especially someone who broke into her office." Jaivanta's lips trembled a little at Pratap's words. This was getting out of hand.
"It's okay. I talked to Nandini." Ajabdeh said, hoping to defuse the situation, "I told her to send in the dates."
"Good. She has clearly more senses on this than you." Jaivanta spoke. "Also, I decided that Ajabdeh needs a proper introduction into the society as a member of the Sisodiya house." Pratap was quiet, but Ajabdeh felt conscious. She remembered all the gossip that was talked of about her.
"So I proposed a social marriage of you two to Udai. He thinks it's a good idea, too."
"There is no need for anything of that sort." Pratap protested, "What matters is the legal one and…"
" You don't decide that." Jaivanta snapped. "To live in a society, one must follow certain rules. She can't go about without vermilion, and you with your theories all your life."
"I am not participating in a circus wedding to show off to random people that we are already married." He retorted.
"Okay." Jaivanta looked calm. She knew that she needed to get this done. "But you need to do this so that you can start a normal married life. After Nandini's reception, you and Ajabdeh choose what you want to keep and omit, but some rituals need to be done. I don't want an argument on that." She looked at Ajabdeh "We can always reach a middle ground." She nodded.
Back in the room, Pratap looked cross. Whether it was because he was against them marrying for a show-off or about them being married socially, she couldn't tell. Ajabdeh waited a while for him to start a conversation as he went about his routine, then walked through the connecting door to his coffee machines. He stopped putting his wet towel on the bed the moment he realised she was in his room.
"I thought of something for Nandini." She said. Pratap expected her to talk about their expected social wedding instead. But then this was Ajabdeh being herself.
"Is that so?" He asked. "What is that?"
"We can plan our first event at Bijoliya mansion with that one." Her eyes sparkled. "The place holds memories for them, and it is a family occasion for close ones, so the Mansion would have a more personal touch. Don't you think?" She managed to make him smile.
"Can I ask you something?" He asked, taking the coffee from her hand. "Is this a business idea or an emotional one?"
"What makes you ask this?" She looked surprised.
"Well, if it's a business idea, it's a brilliant one. If it's an emotional idea, I am honestly surprised at something so romantic coming from you." There was a hint of amusement in his voice.
"Let's stick with the business idea, then. I like to believe I am brilliant." She smiled. He smiled in agreement.
