MishBir Off-Tracks: Short Stories

The Bliss of Motherhood - #3

The Bliss of Motherhood - #3

The door to her room flung open with a bang. Startled, Kuhu sat up on the bed to see Mishti walking inside the room with a determination she hadn't noticed in months.

"Mishti I'm-"

Kuhu's apology was cut off by a thunderous slap on her face.

Abir, Kunal and the entire family dashed inside the room listening to the voice of Mishti's wrath, imprinted on Kuhu's cheeks.

"Mishti!"

Abir walked up to hold Mishti but she shrugged him away and gave another blow on Kuhu's jaw.

"Mishti bas!" Abir pulled Mishti by her arms away from a trembling Kuhu.

"CHHODO MUJHE ABIR," Mishti fought in his arms, "MAIN AAJ ISSE MAAR DALUNGI." She shouted, "YEH EK MURDERER HAI."

Kuhu held her cheek and cried, pushing herself to the corner of the bed in trepidation.

Mishti freed herself from Abir's hold and tried to pounce on Kuhu again, this time to be stopped by Badi maa and Bade papa.

"TU EK MURDERER HAI KUHU, TU MERI BETI KI MURDERER HAI." Mishti shouted, trying to wriggle out of her parents' hold, "I WILL NEVER FORGIVE YOU."

Despite her protests, Abir pulled her in his arms and locked her in his embrace. She struggled to come out while Abir stood there hugging the life out of her. The family witnessed the most devastating heartbreak of a mother and father, at the hands of a woman who didn't even know how to handle herself.

She slowly stopped struggling. Abir loosened his hold and caressed her hair.

"Main ek bhi khushi nahi de paayi tumhe Abir." Mishti shed a lone tear, "Pucho apne Partner se," she whispered with a blank face, "kyun kiya humare saath aisa?"

For the first time in his life, Abir had no answer to Mishti's question. He could only hug her tighter and kiss her head. Mishti gently pulled herself out of his embrace and turned to Kuhu.

"Koi taras raha hai yaha ek nanhi khushi ke liye," Mishti whispered loud enough for Kuhu and Kunal to hear, "aur jisko woh khushi Kanha ji ne di, usne meri beti ko ek bojh samajh ke gira diya." She death-stared at Kuhu.

Kunal couldn't dare look into Mishti's furious eyes. Kuhu was unfathomably scared of Mishti for the first time in years, for when she looked into Mishti's eyes she could see death.

"Tune mujhe life ka sabse gehra dard diya hai." Mishti's words felt like acid on the skin, "Yeh toh teri purani aadat hai lekin aaj, aaj ek maa ke dard ki aah suni hai tune."

Mishti's chilling voice echoed inside the room.

"Agar Kanha ji mujhse meri last wish puche na, toh meri, ek maa ki yeh baddua hai," Mishti spoke the words that had the power to change Kuhu's life forever.

"TUJHE YEH KHUSHI DOBARA KABHI NASEEB NA HO, NEVER!"

Mishti had shouted loud enough for the entire floor to listen. It wasn't her thunderous voice; it was the heartfelt curse that was ringing in their ears. It was Mishti Rajvansh's wrath of fury.

Kuhu was shaken from within. Never in her life had she seen this side of Mishti. Never had she been so terrified of Mishti's anger. Moreover, Mishti's words had made a place in her heart that was now beating erratically. Kuhu touched her belly with trembling fingers. She has always feared the consequences of her actions after attempting it but today, she was scared for her entire future.