Do Anjaane

Chapter 19

Here's where Vaidehi finally voices her feelings to someone. While I am biased because I'm the author, and I put a piece of myself into all my characters, I think Vaidehi's plight in this chapter is something that many of us, if not all, will find relatable in one way or another.

Finally, at 11:58pm, Chandrika asked Vaidehi to cut the cake. "You should cut the cake before the day ends, beta. And don't worry about your nalaayak husband who didn't bother to show up. We're all here to celebrate with you." (Nalaayak- useless) Smiling, Vaidehi cut the cake. At exactly 12:02, Raghuveer strode in, cursing while looking at the watch on his wrist. "Damn it, I'm late, aren't I? You've already cut the cake." Ranvijay and Chandrika stepped in front of Vaidehi protectively.

"Oh, Mr. Raghuveer Malhotra! Finally, apni biwi ke birthday party mein aane ka fursat toh mili." (Oh, Mr. Raghuveer Malhotra! Finally, you got the time to attend your wife's birthday party.) While Chandrika was being sarcastic, Ranvijay was radiating pure anger. "How dare you treat my daughter like this? You're the one who asked us to plan the party, and only you didn't show up? Are these the values and priorities we raised you with?" "Maa, Papa, please." Vaidehi tried to intervene, but everyone else quieted her. "Yeah Bhai! You skipped Bhabhs's birthday party just to go to a business event with that tramp, of all people? How could you?" Yuv burst out, unable to control himself after seeing that post. Well, that answered Vaidehi's question about whether everyone knew about the business party. That shocked everyone else out of their stony silence.

"What?" "Business party?" "Are you kidding me?" "No way, that bitch Myra?" Vaidehi walked up to Raghuveer, grabbed his hand, and dragged him over to the sofa, making him sit. "Don't worry, you're not too late. We just cut the cake and haven't even served it yet. But you should have informed one of us that you were going to be late, everyone was worried. Khair, just relax for a few minutes, have a drink of water and something to eat, and I'll be right back. Maa, can you have someone cut the slices and serve them. I'm just going to change out of this saree and come. And if anyone else wants to change, feel free. Cake tastes better when eaten in comfort." (Khair- whatever/let it be)

She winked and left upstairs, Yash discreetly following behind her. Vaidehi closed the bedroom door and sank onto the floor, her back against the side of the bed. She stared forward unseeingly. Seconds later, the door opened, and Yash entered. He sank down next to her and wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

"Bhai, yeh sab mujhe bigaad rahe hain. Itna laad pyaar jo mere sasuraal wale mujhe dete hain. Pehle toh main bohot khush thi. Kabhi aisa party nahi ki, phir bhi aap sab ke saath, Radhika aur Shraddha ke saath, apni birthday enjoy ki thi. Pata hain, main abhi bohot khush hoon. Kyunki ab bhi aap sab hain mere paas, aur toh aur ek naya family bhi hain. Pura din mujhe kuch bura nahi laga, lekin ab kyun bura lag raha hain? Bas thoda sa, ki Maa aur Papa nahi aaye, aur Raghuveer-ji bhi nahi aaye. Arey maine toh socha hi nahi ki kisi ko mere janamdin yaad rahega, aur tab bhi main bohot khush thi. Ab kyun bura lag raha hain?

Haan, bachpan se Maa aur Papa humare saath reh kar bhi humare saath nahi the. Hum donon ne khud ko pala hain. Lekin phir Maitreyi aur Nitesh aaye, aur Radhika, Shraddha, aur Avinash. Aur in sab ke parivaar walon ne bhi mujhe accept kiya. Abhi Malhotras bhi hain. Phir bhi kyun mujhe yeh akelaapan sataane aata hain? I feel that I am ungrateful, that I have so many loving people around me and still I feel this loneliness. I think that I've succeeded in getting rid of it, that I have all my emotions under control. But suddenly, it reads its head, reminding me that it will never leave me."

(Bhai, everyone is spoiling me. All the love that my in-laws show me. I was really happy before. I never had parties like this, but still I enjoyed my birthday with all you, with Radhika and Shraddha. Do you know, I'm really happy right now. Because I still have all of you with me, and now I have a new family, too. I didn't feel bad the entire day, so why do I feel bad now? Just a little bit that Maa and Papa didn't come, and Raghuveer-ji came late. Arey, I didn't even think that anyone would remember my birthday, and I was happy then, too. So, why do I feel bad now? Yes, since childhood our parents have been with us physically, but not emotionally. We both raised ourselves. Then Maitreyi and Nitesh came, and Radhika, Shraddha, and Avinash. And everyone in their families accepted me, too. Now I have the Malhotras, too. Still, why does this loneliness return to haunt me? I feel that I am ungrateful, that I have so many loving people around me and still I feel this loneliness. I think that I've succeeded in getting rid of it, that I have all my emotions under control. But suddenly, it reads its head, reminding me that it will never leave me.) A single tear dripped down her face at the struggle she was having with herself.