Hidden Hues Of Henna

Lambi raatein (III)

Part-3

Sharda Deshmukh sighed shakily as she watched her husband storm up the stairs to their room in a rageful fit.

Her eyes went back to the others and she sighed seeing Rahul's mother who was being very vocal about the offence caused to her.Whilst Sulochana and Mukund were busy placating her,Pallavi was still standing on the same place, looking up the stairs with forlorn eyes.Sharda felt her heart clench at that but forced herself to move upstairs in the urge to make sure her husband does not do or decide something drastic in his mindless anger.

Signalling Nikhil to look after Pallavi,Sharda began to walk towards her room.A loud bang of the windows being shut came from inside alerting Sharda.Quickening her steps,she entered the room and sighed in relief to see her husband angrily pacing the length of the room.

"Aho..." She called out as calmly as she could."What was the need to do all that downstairs?"

Vijay stopped his motion abruptly and took a sharp turn towards his wife.

"Sharda?" He gaped."You are asking me this? Did you not hear what the woman was implying? She was trying to say that Pallavi had invited that despicable man to her room,willingly! And then she went on to say that Pallavi shouldn't be there for the marriage functions and that Sulochana was there, nodding to every demand that came out of her dear Aparna Ji's mouth! Who do they think they are to make decisions regarding my family? She might be the groom's mother but I am the head of this family."Vijay was panting harshly as he finished."I did what I supposed was the best possible answer to her lewd remarks and brought Pallavi to clear her doubts.But again what happened? Pallavi goes ahead to tarnish my name further."

"Aap shaant ho jaiye..-"

"How Sharda,just how? I have never felt as agitated as today and within my own family too!Milind and his wife have totally forgotten their places in the house and are inviting unwanted guests like that Raghav Rao.And now my daughter is crashing my respect in front of everyone, openly admitting of having the man in her room with herself. What is this?This isn't the discipline of my household!"

Sharda closed her eyes,her already heavy head thrumming with more pain hearing her husband's loud voice.Her patience which was hanging by a thin thread was now wearing off quickly.

"Vijay ji, I understand why you feel Raghav Rao's invitation to be invalid. But Pallavi crashing your respect is totally your fault. I was continuously insisting for you to wait until everyone departs and then talk to Pallavi but no! You were adamant on making a show before everyone! You cannot blame others for everything."Sharda shook her head in exasperation while walking further into the room after shutting the door behind her.

"What did I know Sharda? I didn't know that Pallavi has changed so much!"Vijay snarled making Sharda uncomfortable with his words."First I get to know that my shop has a new owner who is none other than Raghav Rao. And who tells me?No,not Pallavi but Sulochana!Not forgetting to taunt me in front of everyone!The two women totally snub me before everyone and do not even care.And then, another woman comes, putting disgusting allegations on Pallavi and guess what? All of it that she says is true!"

"Vijay ji!"Sharda gasped horrified."Do you realise what you are implying? You are blaming Pallavi?Our Pallavi?How could you?" Sharda tried to keep the disgust off her voice but it was too tough.

"How could I?Did you not hear her downstairs? She agreed with that woman and she had no shame in admitting it!She looked me right in the eyes as she said it as if challenging my confidence in her. And now I am full of doubts about her."Vijay's words were crisp and nonchalant, unmindful of his wife's tearing eyes.