The Other Half

Chapter 8

(Delhi: Stronger than you)

"What I can see is, it was Dadi who separated you. Whatever happened after that, she would have kept a tab on you." NK said. "And I think she did. You ended up in the same family, bound to meet someday."

"But why would Dadi do such a thing?" Anjali was frustrated.

"Did she believe in Kundali?" Mami asked. (Kundali: horoscope)

"She did." Nani replied. "To the extent that she didn't want Anjali to be born. She was aware you would have polio."

Anjali was even more disheartened.

"I have to see your Kundalis then." Mami said. "Both of them."

"I don't have mine. It would be... at the... at the temple." Advay said.

"I still can't believe our Dev was my Advay." Mami sniffed. "Dev... Chandani-"

"I don't want to talk of the Vashishths. This is more important."

"You have to go to Allahabad anyway. And Mahendra ji, you need to go with them."

"You're not coming?" Mamaji asked.

"I can't." Mami bit her lip.

"Why?" Pooja asked. Things were more interesting than scary now.

"Pooja, you remember I told you about women of nature?" Advay took the bullet.

"Yeah. Mami's one of them, right?"

Advay nodded. "They take some oaths upon entering adulthood. Basically, they... that is... they vow to be celibate."

Mami closed her eyes before Mama could look at her.

"If they marry, they are exiled."

"Is this why you... never went home? To your mother?" Mama asked.

"She doesn't need another mother." Nani intervened. "She has me."

"How long have you known?" Mama asked his mother.

"Since the day you told me you wanted to marry her. Because... because I was one of them too."

Everyone turned to Nani.

"You have magic?" Arnav asked.

"I have a sense. I know allopathy. If you kids call that magic, who cares. A crow's a crow."

"I guess we're going to Allahabad, then?" Pooja asked.

"I'll stay back with Bhaiya and Bhabhi. Chachi, I know you want to go, but I'd rather you stay." Gayatri advised.

"I can't, same as- Payal? What is it?" Nani turned to her guest.

Payal was gripping her eyes shut tight.

Avday reached her first.

"No, Advay!" Mami stopped him.

"But she needs me!"

"She doesn't. You need to learn the signs. She's just in shock!"

Payal nodded her head.

"Is it Khushi? Did something happen to her?" Arnav asked.

Payal shook her head.

"How does it work between you two? What the hell is going on right now?" Arnav was frustrated.

"What kind of Laad Governor are you? Can't you keep your mouth shut?" Payal opened her eyes in shock and cupped her mouth immediately.

"That wasn't your voice..." Mamaji looked skeptical.