Is Love Enough ??

Chapter 17

"Why did you say that I am married?" Kirti asked her mother as she entered the kitchen.

"Shhhh," Kamal said putting her finger to her mouth shushing her and stepping closer to Kirti with a frown on her forehead, "have you gone mad? Lower your voice," she said in irritation and turned around to finish her work in the kitchen, "I do not owe you an explanation, go," she said as she quickly placed the sweets on the plate.

"Why did you lie ma?" Kirti asked from where she stood. But lowered her voice a little.

Breakfast had been just as disastrous as dinner had been last night. Apparently, Shalu maasi and Dimpy maasi had arrived together early that morning. They were supposed to have come towards noon. But word travelled fast it seemed. Since both her maasi's lived in Ludhiana, it must not have been difficult to arrange travel earlier than when they were supposed to. Ludhiana wasn't all that far from Chandigarh. When she had woken up, Kirti had decided to put the previous day behind her and try to talk to her parents, if not her father then at least her mother and maybe even her chachi. Get them to understand her motivations and decisions. If even one of them tried to understand her point of view it would be an achievement. 'Tried to understand her' being the operative phrase. With that renewed determination Kirti had stepped out of her room to go downstairs for breakfast and maybe find one of them alone. That her maasis's had arrived earlier than expected was news she had got from Kajri, the other house maid, as she cribbed about getting rooms ready earlier than usual. Kirti had paused on the landing hearing loud voices coming from downstairs. She could hear Rimple's voice, Shalu maasi's daughter in law and her cousin sister in law, sympathizing with her mother. Next she had heard Dimpy maasi's voice repeat how great her mother was to accept her back in their fold. Of course, her bua was very much there too, chiming in about how great her brother was. And Kirti knew why. Because both Guddi bua and Dimpy maasi couldn't stay in the same room for five minutes without getting into an argument. And it started right after that. She hadn't wanted to go down post that, anxiety had gripped her. Doubts had claimed her. All courage and determination had seemed to leave her. She didn't want to be part of another 'Pick on Kirti' round. But she couldn't let her mother face all of them alone either. She hadn't been there last time. She was here this time. If there were questions or comments they should come her way not her parents' way. Because that wouldn't be fair. She had decided to return, reason didn't matter, it had been her decision, so why should someone else face the tune. Taking in a deep breath she had slowly descended the stairs. As others had realized her presence a hush had fallen over everyone. Inquisitive eyes had turned her way, trying to assess her, intimidate her. No one said a word. She had politely folded her hands in greeting but before she could have uttered a word, everyone had started talking at once. Where Dimpy maasi had openly condemned her and told her she would never forgive what Kirti had put her parents through, Rimple had taken the opportunity to belittle her. Shalu maasi had decided not to talk to her, looking at her down her nose, as if Kirti was too lowly to even look at, forget talking. And Kirti had stayed quiet, listening, steeling herself against the onslaught. Only when Anika arrived a little while later did the topic change to her upcoming marriage, other events and things. Despite the shift, every now and then Kirti had been made a target. But it was during breakfast when Shalu maasi had asked a direct question. Something no one had asked her till now. 'Did you get married after you ran away or...?". The question was nor completed. Left like that, hanging in the air. And the tension around the table had been paramount. Her chachi had tried to divert the question but it had been as if the question had found roots, strong roots and wouldn't go away. Kirti had met her maasi's stare and had been aware of all eyes on her. Just as she had opened her mouth to answer, truthfully, her mother had interjected and told one and all that she had. As Kirti had stared at her mother, everyone had let out a sigh of relief and started talking again. Her mother had just smiled but she had also met her stare head on. Unapologetic. Unregretful. Kirti had stayed quiet. Unhappy at yet another lie. But she had wanted to talk to her mother. And she when her mother had gone to the kitchen she had followed. They were practically living a lie as it is...she didn't want another one on her shoulders.