A punch landed on Fateh's cheeks. It was Abhiraaj, he was fuming in anger at the cheating duo. How they do this to his Tejo. His elder sister, the one that cared about them more than herself. The one that prioritized everyone's needs over her own.
Rupi grabbed his phone and proceeded to make a call. It was to the Virks. They needed to know what their son was upto. Jasmine and Fateh were silent, you couldn't even hear their breaths, it was as if two mannequins were standing in the middle of the Sandhus' house and they were having an exhibition.
Questions were being asked but no answers were given. Jasmine kept looking at her sister waiting for a reaction but she got none. Fateh was hoping for Tejo to react too. What both didn't know was Tejo was fighting a battle with herself, wondering where she went wrong. Hadn't he asked her to help him move on, then what was her fault in this? What was her fault that she's caught up in their love story, unwillingly?
Virks came to the Sandhus thinking that something happened to Dadi, not knowing that their son had committed a sin along with their daughter-in-law's sister. Fateh and Jasmine are surrounded by their family members with their heads down.
"Fateh!" Khushbeer yelled and slapped his son. "How dare you do something so despicable? How can you stoop so low? I'm ashamed to call you my son!"
Another slap landed on his cheek, this time by Gurpreet. She was speechless, had no words to comfort herself or her family after what her son had done. Mahi was ashamed of her big brother. Amrik, as usual, was in his brother's favour. He felt that Fateh had done no wrong, all he did was wanting to be with his love. One glare from Khushbeer and he kept quiet for the entire evening.
"Dad, I'm sorry-"Fateh said but was interrupted by Jasmine.
"Why are you apologizing Fateh? We did nothing wrong. We love each other." Jasmine said and got a slap from Gurpreet in return. Satti stayed quiet.
"Where was the love when you ditched my brother at the altar? And you, Fateh didn't you tell her that if she leaves there won't be a place in your life after that? Turns out you're both liars." Mahi said. She was beyond angry that her brother could play with someone's life like that.
Khushbeer and Rupi decided that they'll handle the matter in the morning. They need to clear their heads and think rationally before taking a step forward.
Tejo was conflicted whether to leave with the Virks or stay at her father's house. She was rooted in her place.
"Tejo, are you coming?" Fateh asked and decided to touch her arm, taking her out of trance. She flinched at his touch. The arms that she found solace in, was now a disgusting touch to her. The eyes that held love for him were now empty. He broke her and he saw that.
She pushed him away. He fell on the floor.
"Don't touch me. Don't you dare touch me with your nasty hands. You disgust me, everything about you disgusts me. It makes me want to puke. You knew how much I hate liars and cheaters and you still lied to me. You lied right to my face, Fateh. I feel like an idiot." She cried. "I trusted you and you broke it. You both!" She said as she looked between both him and Jasmine.
"Aren't you my sister? Then why did you do that to me?Hmm, answer me," she shook Jasmine by her shoulders. "You know what? The two of you deserve each other. Go celebrate your 'ibaadat wali pyaar,' you won Jasmine. You won."
"Tejo, I haven't won anything. Fateh was mine to begin with. You just came in the middle," Jasmine told Tejo.
"I came in the middle? Wasn't I the one that came begging you to come and marry Fateh and you told me to marry him? Wasn't I the one that made the families agree for the marriage in the first place? I came in the middle," Tejo scoffed. "Everything you wanted you always got, Jassu, no matter who you hurt in the process. It's always about you. Even things that don't belong to you, you take and you don't worry about the repercussions." Tejo told her.
"What have I ever done to get such a punishment? I have always done what is expected of me without a complaint. Jass se shaadi karu, maine kiya; marry Fateh to save the family's reputation, I did that and what did I get in return? A stab in the back? Is that what I deserve?" Tejo said. She tried walking out, when stopped by Rupi. "Tejo where are you going?"
"Far away from you all. I have had enough of the sacrifices. I can't do it anymore. I don't have the strength in me anymore. Don't worry I'll call you. I just need some fresh air and some alone time. Once I have things figured out, I'll come visit okay?" Tejo told her Dad and refused to acknowledge anyone else from the Sandhus.
"Don't worry Uncle, I won't take any wrong steps. I'll keep in contact with you too. But first can we go to your home, I need to collect my stuff from there?" Tejo said to Khushbeer.
"Of course, let's go," he replied.
With a new sense of self, Tejo had stepped out of Virks mansion and headed to a hotel where she'll spend the rest of the week in order to get rid of her old life and step in the new. Fateh and Jasmine's betrayal had brought a new Tejo to life. A Tejo that is more strong spirited, self confident and well, cold hearted. She forgives no one. She has had her share of hurt and she doesn't want to endure the pain again. She keeps in touch with Rupi, Khushbeer and Mahi-Abhiraaj, (they got married) once a week to keep them updated on her although none of them knows where she lives.
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Take care of yourselves munchkins, take necessary precautions to keep you and your families safe. 'Til next time, stay safe. <3
-A.
