Marriage In The Pink City

Chapter 25

Namaste
Chapter 25

Meanwhile, that evening, Tanushree made her way to the nearby market, gathering essentials: wheat flour, rice, pulses, salt, and sugar. She paused at the shelves and picked up a few packs of instant noodles too. Balancing the weight of her bags, she stopped at a small stall to ask about a nearby gynaecologist.

An elderly shopkeeper pointed down the street. “There’s Dr. Mamata Rawal, beta. She comes to her clinic here every Monday. A good doctor, I’ve heard.”

Tanushree managed a small nod, exhausted. “Thank you, uncle.”

With her bags weighing down her arms, she couldn’t help but think of how her father never let her lift anything heavy at home. But here she was, truly how fast the night changes.

Abhimaan sat in the living room, his family surrounding him, each face marked with disappointment and concern. His grandmother, Alka Rathore, sat across from him, her gaze firm yet calm.

“So, Tanushree is pregnant, and you asked her to abort?” Alka’s voice was steady, but her words cut deep.

Abhimaan stayed silent, unable to lift his head.

“And you don’t even know where she is right now,” his grandmother continued. The room was thick with tension, and Abhimaan’s silence only seemed to make it worse.

His father cleared his throat, his voice laced with controlled anger. “It takes two to make a child, Abhimaan. I hope you understand that. I know how you can be—harsh and distant. But I never thought you’d go so far as to ask your wife to…end the life you both created.”

Abhimaan swallowed, feeling the weight of his father’s words. His mind drifted back to the fear that had gripped him. “I was… scared. I didn’t know how to be a father. You were never around much when I was growing up, and I didn’t want to end up like that with my own child.”

His father looked down, a shadow of guilt crossing his face. “I might not have been a perfect father, but don’t make my mistakes an excuse for your own, Abhimaan.”

Abhimaan took a shaky breath. “I… I regret asking Tanushree to end the pregnancy. I realise now that I do want this child. I don’t know if I’m ready, but… I want to try. I just don’t know where she is. I’ve looked everywhere.”

Alka softened, but only slightly. “Then find her.” To say she was highly disappointed with her grandson would be understatement of the year.

The room fell silent, his family watching him as he came to grips with the reality he’d created.

Tanushree returned home, clutching the small bag with her dinner—two rotis and a bowl of dal makhni. Her shoulders ached, and she felt a dull heaviness in her heart. She slipped out of her shoes, washed her hands, and changed into something more comfortable. Finally, as she settled down, unwrapping her food, she felt the first small moment of peace she’d had all day.

But then, the doorbell rang.

Her brow furrowed. Must be Mausi, she thought, probably bringing the food. She sighed and stood up, her hand brushing her stomach in a small, protective gesture as she made her way to the door. But when she opened it, her breath hitched.

"Tanu…" Riva’s voice was barely above a whisper, her eyes scanning her daughter from head to toe, worry deep in her gaze. "Why didn’t you tell us anything? What happened, beta?" she asked, stepping inside, her hand instinctively reaching out to touch Tanushree’s arm.

Sushil, her father, followed, his face stern but visibly shaken. "Tanu, how could you come here alone without telling us?" he asked, his voice a mix of anger and worry. "We had to hear from your Mausi that you were staying here… Do you know how worried we’ve been?

Tanushree lowered her gaze, her throat thick with emotion, clutching the packet tighter. "I didn’t… I didn’t want to trouble you. I just… I needed some time," she mumbled.

"Trouble us? Tanu, you’re our daughter," her mother replied, voice breaking. "How could you think we wouldn’t want to be there for you, especially now? What happened that you couldn’t come to us?" Riva asked, her hand resting gently on Tanushree’s cheek.

Sushil stepped forward, softening a bit. "Come, let’s sit down," he said, leading her inside and sitting beside her on the cot, which creaked under their combined weight.

Tanushree finally broke down, her sobs raw and heart-wrenching as she buried her face in her hands, trying to speak through the tears that wouldn’t stop.

“I… I’m pregnant,” she managed, her voice barely a whisper.

Her parents looked at each other.

“And Abhimaan…” she continued, each word heavier than the last. “He… he asked me to get an abortion.” She looked down, voice cracking. “He doesn’t want the baby, Ma… and there’s… there’s someone else. Her name is Sophia.” Tanushree’s voice trembled as she forced herself to go on. “Remember when he left the reception? It was to go to her… in Mumbai.”

Her mother pulled her into a tight embrace, her hand gently smoothing her daughter’s hair as Tanushree’s tears soaked into her shoulder. “Oh, meri bachchi… my sweet girl,” Riva whispered, her own voice thick with emotion. “I’m so sorry, beta. I’m so, so sorry.”

Her father, Sushil, sat in silence, his face darkened by a mix of sorrow and anger. He clenched his fists, his jaw tight as he fought to process what he’d just heard. His chest ached, and he could feel the weight of his daughter’s broken heart, a pain that pierced him in ways he hadn’t expected.

Finally, he leaned forward, resting a firm hand on her shoulder. “Tanu, listen to me,” he said, his voice steady but soft. “You’re not alone in this. We’re here, and we’re going to get you through this, every step of the way.” His gaze was full of a love so deep it seemed to ground her, even in the storm she was caught in.

Her mother cradled Tanushree’s face in her hands, wiping the tears from her cheeks. “We’ll take care of you, beta. You’re OUR  priority now,” she whispered, her voice gentle but filled with strength.

Her mother sighed, holding Tanushree’s hand tightly. “Chalo, laado, let’s go home. You need to be looked after properly, especially in this condition,” she said gently, brushing a hand over Tanushree’s shoulder.

But Tanushree shook her head, her gaze fixed downward. “I want to stay here, Ma. In a few months, I’ll start showing, and… I don’t want any drama. Everyone will talk. I can’t handle that right now.”

Her mother’s face softened, but she wasn’t ready to let go. “Okay, beta, but just for a little while. When it’s time, I’ll come stay with you here. But for now, come with us… you’ll be comfortable, and we’ll be with you every day.”

After a pause, Tanushree nodded slowly, feeling a bit more at ease.

They were just about to leave when Nirmala appeared in the doorway, a familiar, slightly condescending smile on her face. “Bechari Laado,” she said, shaking her head. “Jiji, maybe if you’d agreed to marry Tanu off to my friend’s son, things would have turned out better for her. He was head over heels for her, but no, you went after that ultra-rich family. It was bound to end like this—Tanu never really fit in with them.”

Her words stung, but Tanushree’s mother held her head high, replying calmly. “She chose her own path, Nirmala. And she’ll find her way. We’re here to support her.” Then, turning to Tanushree, she gently urged, “Come, beta, let’s go home.”

**********************************

I am expecting a decent vote turnout. Please