Behind The Veil Of Lies

CHAPTER 4

"Suicide?", asked a stunned Karan. From what Ria had told him of Mona, she was a strong willed girl, an inspiration to Ria.

"Yes, suicide.", Ashok's voice was a mere whisper, a pained whisper.

"Papa, it's ok. You don't..."

"We had never expected Mona to do something like that.", Ashok's eyes started tearing, remembering that dreadful night, which had not just taken away their dear daughter, leaving a huge void in their lives, but had also affected Ria unimaginably.

Karan did not interrupt him this time. He wanted to know what made a girl like Mona commit suicide.

"Mona was in love with her classmate, Sumit. They were in relationship for almost 4 years. Both wanted to legalise their relationship, they wanted to get married. Mona had put all her faith and trust in Sumit, in their relationship. But, Sumit hadn't. He was with Mona for our money/property and for his own perverted needs. Mona did not realise this. Nor did we. How I wish I had seen through that scumbag then itself. But I didn't.
The marriage rituals started. Ria was 12 years old then and Mona 20. She was more of a mother to her than a sister. Since, both Anita and me would be out working, most of the time, it was Mona who took care of Ria. It wouldn't be wrong if I say, practically it was Mona who raised Ria. Ria was very excited to see her dear sister get married. On the day of her mehendi, Sumit had come to meet Mona after we all had retired to bed. He fooled Mona saying he wanted to enjoy his last night as her boyfriend and took her to a club, intoxicated her and took advantage of her.", By this time Ashok's eyes had turned red with anger and unshed tears. His body trembled with rage as he recounted Sumit's treachery.

Karan kept mum. He didn't know what to say as he had never seen Ashok so angry before.

However, Ashok continued, "The next morning Sumit's mother came home, accusing Mona and marring her character. Mona was clueless. She didn't have any memory of last night and she looked at Sumit for support. But, to her dismay, Sumit did not utter a word in her defence. Mona was shattered. Sumit's mother threatened to break off the alliance. She placed her materialistic demands shamelessly. But, Mona had none of it. She broke off the alliance and also went ahead to lodge a complaint against the mother-son duo. Though she put up a strong facade on the front, we knew how broken she was emotionally.
Ria had no clue what had happened. She was sad seeing her sister sad. It took a whole year for Mona to recuperate. She bettered with time. Or so we thought. It was a usual day and all of us went about our daily routine. Anita and me returned home late from work. Mona and Ria were fast asleep. We too retired for the day. A low sobbing sound woke us up. Startled, we rushed to their room and what we saw was enough to haunt us till eternity. Mona had slit her wrist and Ria was sitting beside her, sobbing, asking her to wake up.", Ashok's tears refused to stop.

"How could I tell her Karan, that her Mona di would never wake up again! Would never help her with her projects again! Would never play with her again! Would never pamper her again! Would never speak to her again!", with this, Ashok broke down.
He had pulled himself together for his wife and daughter that day. But today, he couldn't. All the pent up emotions wanted a release.

Karan did not realise when his own tears had made their way down his cheeks. Ashok was a father figure to him and seeing him in such a vulnerable state was painful for Karan.

After sometime, calming himself, "Karan, now go catch some sleep. Because you'll have a hard day tomorrow convincing Anita.", joked Ashok, trying to lighten the mood. Karan nodded and retired to his room while Ashok stayed back for some alone time.
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*Next day*

"Papa, I know Karan must have already told you about yesterday's events. He cannot keep secrets from you. No use warning him", said Ria making an annoyed face.

Ashok had come to talk to Ria about what Karan had said yesterday, but, before he could open his mouth, Ria had understood what he was there for.

"Then why did you warn him in the first place?", chuckled Ashok. "Ria, dear, are you ok? You want me to ring up Dr.Sarla once?", asked Ashok concerned.

"Papa I'm absolutely fine. Trust me. But papa, please don't tell maa about this! You know na she..."

"Why not Ria? Doesn't your mother have the right to know what's happening in her daughter's life? If I hadn't overheard Ashok and Karan's conversation yesterday, I wouldn't have come to know about Priya at all."
Ria gulped hard seeing a rather disappointed Anita at the entrance of her room.

"No maa.. I was just"

"Ria, whatever I do is for your good dear. Will I wish bad for you that you keep things from me?. Ok I agree, I overreact at times. But, that's a mother's concerns acting up. And that's why I don't want you to go so far from us. God forbid, if something unfortunate happens, what will you do? What will we do? Who will be by your side then?", asked Anita all concerned, sitting by Ria's side.

"What am I there for maa?", came Karan's voice.

"Karan? What do you mean?", asked Ria, confused.

Karan kneeled infront of Anita and taking her hand in his, he spoke, "Maa, you remember what I had promised you the day I realised my love for Ria? That I would be with her through thick and thin? In her ups and downs?" Anita nodded in affirmative while Ashok and Ria looked on.
"That promise still holds good maa. I am going with Ria to Singapore and will be with her till she completes her course.", he said reassuring her.

"But, Karan your office...", started Ria.

"My boss has agreed for my transfer to their Singapore branch, Ria.", he said cutting her off.

Anita looked reassured and finally after a little more coaxing, she gave her approval. Ria's happiness knew no bounds. All the four celebrated Ria's success, making each minute a memorable one, which they would cherish for a long long time.
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The next morning heralded a new beginning for Ria. After sharing some emotional moments and goodbyes with her parents, Karan and she took their seats, awaiting the flight to fly them towards their dream...
...or nightmare?.