Jhanak: The Story of Us

Battleground

Mukherjee House

Crash!

"Arshi, please stop this! Your father won't like to see this!"

"No, Mom!" Arshi threw another tumbler on the floor, "I won't stop and I don't care what dad thinks! All I care about is about Aniruddh!"

Shristi stepped over broken glass and held her daughter's hand.

"Then why are you here breaking tumblers?"

Arshi angrily pulled her hand away, upset at her mom's tone.

"What do you mean Mom?! That I am just a drama queen, just acting up? Ani literally fought with me because of that Jhanak! I hate her!"

She tried to pull out another tumbler from the rack but Shristi held her hand.

"Again, why are you here breaking tumblers when Aniruddh is out there driving Jhanak to shoots around town?"

"Oh, don't remind me, Mom! Don't even remind me!" Arshi walked away using the other kitchen aisle and into the living room where she sat down on the sofa, "Don't remind me that my Aniruddh has suddenly become Jhanak's prince charming!"

She cried harder and Shristi signaled one of the waiting staff to clean up the broken glass before joining her in the living room. She sat down beside Arshi, a hand on her shoulder.

"Would you stop this, Arshi? Crying over a mere maid?"

"Jhanak is not a mere maid, mom!" she grabbed her mother's hand, "I can see it, mom. I can feel Aniruddh drifting away from me because of her. The other day, he was so upset because of her. Mom, I feel like I have lost...."

"Enough, Arshi! Now listen to me good. My child will never loose to the daughter of a maid. Never." she cupped her face, "Do you understand, Arshi?"

Arshi nodded with all her strength.

"Yes, mom. I'd rather die than lose Ani to Jhanak."

"Good. That's the spirit, my girl."

"B-But Ani..."

"Aniruddh is a man, Arshi. He is young, hot-blooded, and thinks he can be a hero. He just pities Jhanak because of that face of hers."

"Well, I hate that face!" Arshi felt so violent thinking of the girl, "All Jhanak knows is to use her looks to seduce other people's men! She's trapping my Ani with her face and body. What a fox."

Shristi chuckled and patted Arshi's cheek.

"My dear, it's all poor girls like her have. Just like her mom, seducing men is their forte." her face turned hideous, "They don't want to stay in the hole they belong to and claim that their passion is dancing. Passion and talent my foot."

Arshi wiped her tears and nodded to her mother's words. It was the only way she could stay sane.

"You are right, mom. I got scared for a while, but now, no more. Ani is mine and if I have to drag his unconscious or half-dead body to the temple to get married, I will, rather than give him to Jhanak! I will never allow Jhanak peace if she dares to take my Ani from me!"

"Wonderful, Arshi." Shristi nodded, full of approval, "Now, go and shower and look nice. Call Aniruddh and take him out, seduce your man and make him forgive you. Even if you have to act sweet with the wretched girl, do it. Your mother has so much to teach you."

"Yes, mom. But...what about Jhanak? I feel hopeless when Ani is around her. I hate her so much." Daughter and mother exchanged glances with deeper meaning, as if one could tell exactly what the other was thinking.