Tragedy

Chapter 36

Abhi was sitting in the hall patting his leg continuously out of nervousness. Yes, he was sitting in his law's home. He is here just to get his answers. He was waiting when he noticed Vaishu's mom arriving and walking towards him with a smile. He stood up in respect. Vaishu's mom approached him.

Abhi (joining his hands): Namaste Aunty!

Mom (gesturing him to sit): Namaste Beta! Have a seat.

They sat opposite to each other on the couch while Vaishu's mom smiled.

Mom: What would you like to have? Juice or coffee?

Abhi: No, aunty. Today I just came to meet you.

Vaishu's mom sensed seriousness in the environment.

Mom (becoming serious): What is it, beta? Is everything alright?

Abhi (adjusting himself): From the day Sam left from here, she has been really sad these days.

Mom (smiling): When she was here, it felt like a home, but now again, this silent. Sometimes, it's killing.

Abhi (composing himself): But Sam is taking the name of someone whom she used to play with when she was here.

Mom's smile fell, and her eyes tensed as she realized his next words.

Abhi (noticing her behaviour): She is taking a name di. She explains that she used to play with her and sleep with her, and she also resembles Vaishu. Do you know her?

Vaishu's mom wasn't making any eyecontact, while Abhi was still looking at her confusingly, trying to understand her posture and strange behaviour.

Vaishu's mom (stammering): Oh, she is our neighbour and often visits us.

Abhi (looking at her): Are you sure? Why are you lying, Aunty?

Mom (acting confident): I'm not.

Abhi exhaled sharply before speaking.

Abhi (a little furious): I am asking again. Where is Vaishu?

Mom (chuckling humourously): It shouldn't be you to ask this question. It should be me to ask this question.

Abhi frowned as she spoke while Vaishu's mom continued.

Mom: It should be me asking you about my daughter because we had given you her responsibility. It was you who agreed on marrying her and took her responsibility. You promised us to keep her happy. It should be me to ask you where she is?

Abhi (shocked, speechless): But.....

Mom (cutting him): Today, it should be you to have all ears on me.

Abhi kept quiet as he realized that she really was mad at this point.

Mom (tears in her eyes): My daughter doesn't come home for 5 days and just visits us on weekends that, too, for a short period of time. We gave you a piece of our heart, but you couldn't take care of her. I am her mother. You would have seen her the day she acted her murder. She was miserable because her love failed. That day, she wasn't hurt by the world, but you, whom she never expected, would hurt her in such a way. Yes, it was Vaishu only with Sam. Yes, she is alive, but not fine. Her heart cried tears of blood, but unfortunately, you couldn't see her pain. Today also because of you she is suffering separation from her own daughter. What is her fault that she loved you?

Abhi's eyes and mouth were wide open hearing her. No word came out of his mouth. This outburst was so much for him to take in one day.

Abhi (out of words): It was all a play? Does Sam speak the truth?