The Rivals (Rewriting)

Shot-40

"Doll..." All her mother did after Sanyukta managed to open the door was to hug her tightly. She was taken aback. Sanyukta heard her mother sobbing silently with her head in the crook of her neck. She held her mom tightly in her embrace.

"Mumma.. What's wrong..? Why are you crying..?" Her tone sounded worrying when she felt that her mother was burning with fever. Her mother couldn't hold back her cracking voice and she broke down instantly in her arms.

"I... I couldn't save my family doll.. I couldn't take the pain anymore.. I quit..." She cupped her daughter's face and fresh tears dribbled down her weary face, looking into her innocent orbs. Sanyukta felt her heart ripping out watching her mom so helpless and worn out. She obviously knew what her mother was talking about. That had to happen one day. She was proud of her mom for being so patient and calm for all those dreadful years. She admitted that her mother had ounces more courage than her for being able to stay with that man all those years. She was also proud of her mom for gaining the confidence of walking out of that house, leaving that man to die alone.

"Shhhh.. Mumma.. It'll be fine.. I am still here with you... I am so proud for being your daughter.. I am so so proud.. I am so glad that you finally decided to fight back.." She wiped her mother's tears and voiced out. She knew it would be tough for them. But the situations were never easy for them in that house. She, like any other girl, wanted her mother to have all the happiness in the world and leaving that man behind would be the first step for her mother to achieve her peace of mind.

"I am so sorry my baby.. I couldn't give you a happy life..." Her mother clasped her in her arms once she settled her on the couch.

"Don't be sorry mumma.. What are you sorry for? Anyone who should be sorry would be that man... You did the right thing... We'll live happily here.. Only me and you... I have never been this happy.. Look at me..." Sanyukta smiled through her already flowing tears and assured her mother that everything would be fine.

"And now.. Just don't strain yourself... You're burning with fever mumma.. Lie down..." Sanyukta unclasped her arms and made her mother lie on the couch. She unwillingly left her mother's palms which were caging her palms tightly and ran towards the kitchen. She returned with a bowl of water and a handkerchief. She saw her mother, curled up on the couch and sobbing. She felt herself welling up watching her mother so vulnerable. She was such a strong person but underneath that strong facade, lied a caring wife and mother, who had to suffer a lot. Her dreams were shattered, her life was ruined and her hopes were marred and the person at fault might not even be aware of her absence from the house. She pitied her father. That man had such a loving family, only if he cared to love them a tad bit. She wiped her draining eyes and took a deep breath. That was ought to happen someday. She had already prepared herself for that day and she knew she had to be strong, at least in front of her mother.

"Mumma.. Don't cry please.. I don't want you to cry over leaving that man.. He deserved that.. Please mumma.. You have to be strong.." She sat on her knees in the floor and caressed her mother's dull face.

"But he wasn't like that doll.. He's your father and my husband.. How can.. How can I forget that he was the reason for my life.. He was the one I left my father's house for.. He was the one to whom I had promised to share my life with?" Her mother's voice cracked as she voiced those while getting up. She was shivering. Sanyukta prevented her from sitting upright and lied her down on the couch forcefully.

"You have to forget that mom.. .. You have left everything behind... Please mumma.. For me.. You have to forget him.. Let him lead his life like he wants.. Let me have the part of you still left..." She bent her head towards her mother's face and placed a feathery kiss on her forehead and her mother could only ponder over how quickly her daughter had grown mature.