Truths

“You kept me like a secret, but I kept you like an oath” ~All Too Well.

Pratap sat restlessly at the table of the posh coffee shop in South Delhi. He was waiting for them to arrive. Shakti, Heer and Jaivanta were attending a charity event somewhere in Gurgaon and had decided to meet him here as he said it was “Immediate and urgent.” He could not wait for them to be back home. He could not speak of her back home.

Heer had called up her Jija twice in vain, only to receive a voicemail message that she was unavailable. Her worry seemed to increase with Pratap’s call. She knew how both were in touch with the Mishras, and every time Dadabhai attended a party, she or Sau Jija would inform Ajabdeh to skip. God knows why Dadabhai landed there impulsively this time. Had they met? Did he see Amar? Somewhere inside her, a tiny hope flickered that he did. Shakti had understood her worry and assured her that they eventually had to face this situation someday, better with Amar being a kid.

“I don’t understand,” Jaivanta broke the silence in the car. “Why did he call us like this? What could be so urgent that it can’t wait…?”

“Don’t worry, Ranima, I am sure it’s some business issue.” Shakti was not sounding convincing enough.

“I hope so.” She murmured as Heer pressed her hands over Ranima’s, and the car stopped at the café.

Pratap shot a glance at Heer and Shakti staring at each other, as he asked his mother, “Did you know Ajabdeh is in Udaipur?”

“Ajab?” His mother’s face lit up with hope; however, she disguised it well. “I didn’t know where she was… I even talked to your mother, but neither did she.” She turned to  Heer, who nodded in approval and looked away.

“And I assume Heer didn’t know either?” Jaivanta stared at her firstborn, clueless as he spoke, staring at Heer, who rubbed her hands together under the table. “Or simply left something out?” His accusatory tone made her look up at him as Shakti held her hand under the table firmly. She shared a glance with her husband as he nodded at her.

“I expected this from everyone but you two!” He stopped his brother from saying anything. “You knew! I know you knew!”

“Look, Dadabhai… Ajab didn’t want to…” Shakti opened his mouth.

Pratap interrupted. “Is that all everyone cares about? Her?”

“Dadabhai, you didn’t listen to anyone except Dad, and you expect us to tell you?” Shakti raised his voice as Heer pressed his hand to check it. “I kept my word as a brother would to his sister.” He said calmly, staring at his wife once.

“Stop it, you two.” Jaivanta frowned, clueless. “Tell me what is going on?”

“May I?” Heer spoke softly as both brothers chose to look away. She held her mother-in-law’s wrinkled hands in hers and said, “Jija lives in the Fatehpura area… she works in Udaipur…umm… Rukaiya Aapa also has her business nearby…” She avoided naming Jalal as Pratap looked up at her.

“So?” Jaivanta frowned “We were not supposed to be bothered with what she is doing…”

“She doesn’t live alone!” Pratap snapped, making Jaivanta raise her eyebrows a little “She lives… with…”

“With?” Jaivanta frowned.

“H… her son.” Heer fumbled.

“MY son!” Pratap interrupted.

“What?” Jaivanta looked shocked at her children “What are you all saying?”

“She knew she was expecting when they separated,” Shakti spoke to his mother. “She did not wish anyone to question the child’s paternity.” He eyed his brother, who looked away. “And I’m sure that would have been the case if she…” Shakti’s voice was agitated. Heer interrupted, watching Jaivanta tremble a little.

“I’m sorry, Ranima.” Heer was nervous “I respected her choice not to tell anyone.”

“Anyone?” Pratap interrupted, “Or just the only person who should have known?” He taunted.

“You could have told your mother and me. We have a grandson, an heir, and we don’t know?” Jaivanta shook her head determinedly. “Ring up Ajabdeh. Heer, I will talk to her.”

“Oh, she won’t meet anyone.” Pratap interrupted, “I’m sure she has it all planned. Keep away from MY kid she said!”

“Then I am sorry, BUT you don’t know her at all, Dadabhai.” Heer's words made Shakti stare at her as Pratap looked away. “She will meet Ranima if she is asked to.”

“Call her now.” Jaivanta pressed Pratap’s hand as a gesture that she would sort everything.

“I will drag her to court and take his custody.” He grunted. “How can she keep my child away from me?” He made Heer look worried.

“You are not going to do anything like that. The child has suffered enough already because of you two!” Jaivanta made him stare at her. As Heer dialled the number, Pratap promptly got up and left.