Peace In the Chaos (On Hold)

6

"Such a pretty wife you have got Siddhant "The lady gushed making Siddhant red.

"I agree she really is pretty" another from the group joined agreeing to the praises.

"Shh... nazar mat lagao meri pyari bahu ko" Preeti chided dismissing others, with a soft laugh. Siddhant was seated along with them, having a small laugh here and there until he heard one of his Maa's friends speak.

"She is okay, but I am sure Siddhant would have looked much better had he married my daughter. She is the prettiest of all" Pratima spoke. Siddhant understood her desire to see her daughter married to him, a wish she seemed to have nurtured over time. While he would typically brush aside such remarks, this one felt particularly sharp and inconsiderate. Sanya's apparent joy at the idea suggested that she had uncovered what she believed to be the motivation behind their kindness towards her - perhaps an attempt to conceal Siddhant's past indiscretions. At that moment, a sense of malice seemed to shroud her, blurring her ability to see beyond her misinterpretations.

"Pratima Aunty, that could have been a possibility if I was not married, but now I am and to the woman is prettier than anyone you can name. I guess that is the reason people say beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder.", Siddhant gave back. In a bold and firm tone, his words were carefully crafted and conveyed respect, yet they carried a hint of malice in response to the disdain that she directed towards his wife. He firmly stood apart from those who engaged in derogatory chatter about their spouses while gathered around with a bottle of beer. He unequivocally rejected such behavior and vowed to protect his wife from such disrespect. This was the absolute least he could do to uphold his values and defend his loved one.

Pratima was deeply hurt and offended by Siddhant's response, or lack thereof. She had always made subtle hints and passing remarks, hoping that Siddhant would consider marrying her daughter. After all, who wouldn't want to be connected to a wealthy family with a royal legacy? In her mind, this union would have brought power and prestige to her daughter's life. However, Siddhant's lack of response only added to her sense of feeling insulted and unacknowledged. The disappointment and frustration she felt were palpable as she grappled with the realization that her hopes and wishes may not come to fruition.

"Pratima, I think now you should stop building your dreams for your daughter", the lady in their group commented gaining agreement and laughing. Sanya observed how he was smiling and engaging with others, sparking curiosity about the identity of this man. She found herself caught between the desire to trust his behavior and staying true to her own beliefs. At this moment, Sanya felt it was premature to place his actions above her convictions, as she grappled with conflicting emotions.

"Preeti you should watch out for Siddhant, he is entranced by his wife in just a day", Pratima spoke. Sanya found herself slowly developing a sense of disapproval towards the woman. The woman's words, filled with baseless assumptions, were constructing a skewed perception of Sanya's character. The situation failed to bring any amusement to Sanya, as she recognized the familiarity of her life being shaped by the false assumptions of others. This left Sanya feeling frustrated and misunderstood, yearning for a deeper understanding and empathy from those around her.

"I am happy Pratima that he is entranced by her. It is really good", Preeti retorted with a smile and Pratima understood it was better she stayed mum for the rest of the evening.

"So what do you beta?"

"I am a chef now, in one of the restaurants here.", Sanya answered. Though Pratima resolved to be quiet she couldn't, not when she found an opportunity to ridicule her once.

"Being a chef is now considered a job. It's something I do daily", she commented, trying to ridicule her.

"Exactly Aunty. You do it at home and I get paid for that", it was Sanya this time. She is feeling overwhelmed and exhausted by the constant negative remarks that chip away at her already fragile self-esteem. Despite her inclination to keep her feelings hidden, she understands the importance of standing up for herself and refusing to be treated poorly. She recognizes that allowing others to mistreat her will only lead to further anguish. Though she may feel like she's reaching her breaking point, she refuses to surrender to despair.