“Power is neither good nor evil. But its user makes it so.” The saying accurately suits Meenakshi Rajvansh. The matriarch of the Rajvansh family never failed to misuse the power bestowed to her. Her bitter past had transformed her into a stern head of the house. Her husband’s betrayal made her wary of outsiders and she never quite trusted them, unless she was assured about their character. Whilst she let her past control her actions, she in turn controlled the lives of her family members under the garb of protecting them. She built impregnable walls around herself, which made her turn a blind eye to the miseries and sufferings of her family, especially her sons, Abir and Kunal. Though Kunal took up the responsibilities of the Rajvansh business, Abir failed to put up with his mother’s coldness. While Meenakshi Rajvansh chose to turn ruthless and cunning owing to her past, Abir internalised his pain and channelled his grief and sorrows in a positive direction.
Abir was diametrically opposite to his mother. Meenakshi rejoiced in directing the pattern of her family members’ lives, without understanding their needs and agony. On the other hand, Abir believed that an individual should be allowed to make independent decisions and learn from their mistakes by acknowledging them. Abir knew to love people unconditionally whereas Meenakshi manipulated her family members by placing innumerable conditions. Hence, Abir felt stifled in his home and went on his escapades quite often. Meenakshi loved her power and Mishti’s personality threatened Meenakshi. Therefore, she loathed Mishti. By doing so, she further distanced herself from Abir. His mother’s hatred pushed him further, to take the decision of separating from his family. He knew that when Meenakshi would be informed about this decision, all hell would break loose. So he and Mishti decided to inform Bade Papa and Badi Maa about the decision before he could face his mother.
Abir and Mishti left for Maheshwari Sadan early in the morning, to avoid Meenakshi. They had already informed Badi Maa and Bade papa, the prior night that they would be visiting Maheshwari Sadan. They both were elated at this news as they missed Abir and Mishti. The car ride was an anxious one as both Abir and Mishti were tensed about Badi Maa and Bade papa's reactions. Abir glanced at Mishti , who was thinking deeply, and then looked towards the road. He placed his left hand on Mishti’s hand and squeezed it lightly, giving her an assurance. She too reciprocated by squeezing his hand, while looking outside the window. As Mishti and Abir reached the Maheshwari Sadan, they found Badi Maa and Bade Papa, waiting for them by the door. Abir and Mishti got down from the car and ran towards Badi Maa and Bade Papa. Coincidently, Varsha and Jasmeet were out shopping, while Shaurya was at office, leaving them four all alone at home. They sought blessings from both, turn by turn, and then engulfed them in hugs. Bade papa smiled at Mishti and Badi maa who were hugging each other and not letting go of the other, and said, “Shaurya ki maa ab kya saari batein yahi par kar lengi ya phir andar bhi chalengi aap dono? Chaliye". Breaking their embrace, Badi maa and Mishti laughed at this statement and stepped inside the house, as Abir was accompanied by Bade Papa. While walking towards the living room, Bade Papa placed his hand in Abir’s shoulders and asked worried, “Aap kaise hai Abir beta? Ghar par sab kuch theek toh haina? Aapne itne achanak phone kiya aur kaha ki aapko humse baat karni hai, isilye hum aap se puch rahe hai.” Abir was always astonished at how Bade Papa and Badi maa sensed their worries. He wished Meenakshi was half as perceptive as them. Shaking away that thought from his head, Abir answered with a faint smile, “Ji Bade papa. Ghar par sab kuch theek hai. Mujhe aur Mishti ko bas aapse ek important baat share karni thi aur hum aapka opinion jaanana chahte the.” Bade papa nodded at this. All four of them had reached the living room and sat down on the couch, where Abir and Mishti sat beside each other.. They both looked at each other and Mishti signalled a tensed Abir with her eyes, to go ahead with informing them about the decision. Badi maa who could read Abir’s tensed face and told him, “Abir beta, jo bhi baat hai, bejhijhak bolo. Hum jaante hai ki humaare bacchon ne jo bhi faisla liya hoga woh soch samajhkar hi liya hoga.” Though Abir knew that Badi maa and Bade papa always supported them in their decisions, he was reassured at this statement and felt at ease. Mishti had initially suggested that she would break this news to Bade papa and Badi maa, so that Abir could only concentrate on his mother as he knew how to tackle her. She knew that handling his mother itself was a huge task and hence did not what to burden Abir with the additional responsibility of telling this to Badi maa and Bade papa. Yet, Abir insisted on informing them because he wanted their reassurance.
