BE YOURSELF, SAI JOSHI

PART 2

Bhavani Kaku cleared her throat to gain the attention of the ladies who where chatting with eachother.

Sai and Ruchi turned towards the Chauhans.

Ruchi: Hi. Nice to meet you all. Actually, I am here to meet Sai.

Pathralekha: but how do you know eachother?

Ruchi: My dad and Kamal kaka were childhood friends and so were we. She is like my little sister.

Ruchi's words made Sai smile and Pathralekha to roll her eyes.

Ruchi: if you don't mind, can I speak to Sai?

The Chauhans didn't want to spoil their image infront of the daughter from the most influential family of the state. So, they gave the permission.

Ruchi: Come Sai.

Sai led Ruchi to her room.
Reaching her room, Sai sat on the bed. Ruchi started scanning the room. Her eyes fell on Kamal Joshi's photo on the table. She went near the photo, took it in her hand and smiled. Wiping a lone tear that came in her eyes reminiscing the care and affection of her Kamal kaka, Ruchi turned to Sai and spoke, "You have Kamal kaka's presence here and still you changed?"

"Changed? What are you trying to say di?" asked a confused Sai.

"What am I trying to say? Why are you here when you have lecture to attend?" asked Ruchi with one eyebrow raised.

The strict motherly sister avatar of Ruchi di was been woken.

"Should I repeat?" asked Ruchi in the same strict tone.

"That.. I .. I was.." stammered Sai.

"Trying to convince your husband?" interrupted Ruchi.

Sai remained silent.

"I cannot believe this Sai. I cannot believe that this is the same Sai whom I have known all these years. Not just one or two but for whole seventeen years. The Sai whom I knew never stammered. The Sai whom I knew never lost an argument." said Ruchi.

Sai: People change with time di.

Ruchi: do people change this much? That too just within a span of one and a half years? And you are skipping classes to convince your husband?

Sai: what is wrong in it?

Ruchi: what is wrong in it? You have missed one week class, that too for such lame reasons?

Sai: these are not lame reasons di. It was Virat sir who took my responsibility after aaba's death. He is my husband. After aaba, he was the one who cared the most for me. And aayi.. I got the love and care that I never got all these years from her. So, what I am doing is not wrong.

Ruchi: I think I am not speaking to Sai Joshi. The one whom I am talking to now is Mrs. Sai Virat Chauhan.

Sai: Both are the same.

Ruchi: no... They are not..

Sai gave her a confused look.

Meanwhile, the Chauhans were wondering what the ladies were talking.

"I hope that that Jungli mulgi will not spoil our image infront of Ruchi," said Bhavani kaku.

"Vahini, I doubt that. That girl is too much ill- mannered," Omkar backed Bhavani.

"But kaku, they seem to know each other for a very long time. Ruchi seems to know Sai bhabhi and her character well," Karishma blurted out earning a glare from Sonali and Bhavani.

Sai: I am Sai Joshi as well as Virat sir's wife

Ruchi: that's it Sai. Why do you want a tag now? Okay I agree that Virat sir had taken your responsibility after your aaba's death. He have taken a stand for you, some of his family members have given you love. But that doesn't mean that you have to change. Yesterday, I "heard" the drama that happened while at call with Usha maushi. She had forgot to disconnect the call and I could clearly hear everybody's dialogue. I couldn't recognise whose it was because I don't know their voices. That was enough for me to get an idea of what was happening with you. That is why I came to meet you today.

Sai remained silent. Closing her eyes, she remembered Bhavani and Sonali's taunts with Pathralekha backing them and Ashwini and Virat remaining silent. While on her way to her room, she heard Samrat telling Pathralekha that he had done a mistake by considering Sai his sister.

Ruchi understood Sai's state of mind. She came near her and placed her hand on Sai's shoulder, planting a kiss on her forehead. That was it. Sai burst out crying hugging Ruchi.

"It's okay Sai," Ruchi whispered while patting her back or occasionally adjusting her hair.

After Sai had cried her heart out for almost five minutes , Ruchi made her drink water.

"How is Rajiv kaka?" asked Sai, composing herself, trying to divert the conversation.

"Dad is fine," said Ruchi with a smile.

"It has been a year since I have met him," said Sai.

"Hmm... I still remember how you and Kamal kaka were with me when dad got paralyzed. Then we had to move to Canada for treatment. I was emotionally and even physically exhausted. One month... My dad was in coma for one month and in that one month I knew nothing that was happening except the doctor's words and looking after dad. It was after he opened his eyes after one month that I came to know about Kamal kaka's death, your suicide attempt and marriage. I was in a dilemma. Whether I should leave dad and come to you or not. But I was happy to know that you were married to Virat Chauhan, an IPS officer, member of a respectable family and so on," said Ruchi, emotionally.

Sai was listening to her, keenly.

"That was what I had assumed till yesterday. Hearing that drama, I enquired Usha maushi, got details about your college, your friends and I figured out how you were living here," continued Ruchi.

Sai: Again back to the same topic?

Ruchi: why not? Sai, you are in a toxic relationship. Escape, that will be better for you.

Sai: di please..

Ruchi: no Sai, let me speak. You have a husband who has, in his house, his ex-lover who is now married to his brother. And that ex-lover turned sister-in-law of his, along with the elders of this house, who, according to the information I got, does nothing but sit, taunt, eat and sleep, torture you mentally and sometimes physically. And your IPS husband, either just listens to all of this and remains silent or warn them off. Isn't this a summary of your 'A day in my life' for the past one year?

Sai gave Ruchi a stern look.

Ruchi: don't give me that look. I am sorry but not sorry. Is this a house or a drama company? From cooking to gifting a saree, from wearing Alta to going on a trip, from getting married to joining a college, for each and everything, there will be some or the other drama. What is this Sai? And I cannot imagine how you are able to study and top the college.

And... How many times have you been to hospital in this past one year?

"Two," Sai suddenly blurted out.

"Two?" asked Ruchi,"If my memory do not cheat me, I think, upto an age of seventeen, you might have gone to hospital only thrice other than for vaccination. I am talking about the times when you used to climb all those trees and hills of Gaddcchiroli."

"And these two accidents... Weren't they life-threatening?" asked Ruchi.

Sai nodded her head slightly.

"And as far as I know, it is because of your loving husband."

Sai remained silent.

"And you forgave him the moment he apologized and now, your husband is showing so much attitude?"

"I misunderstood him, it is my fault, not his," said Sai.

"Really? He is at fault as much as you are. You jumped into conclusions soon, but he also did the same, finding you with your friend. Your husband had booked a room saying that that lady was his wife and took care of the child claiming to be his father. Anybody would misunderstand."

"What do you want to prove di? That they are all wrong and I should move out?"

"Yes.."

"I have a family here.." reasoned Sai.

"Family? Really? I agree that they have at times pampered you, cared you. But when a situation came, they took the side of their son. You are an outsider for them and will always be," said Ruchi.

Hearing Ruchi's words, Sai again burst out crying.