My Nepenthe

Chapter 14

Few weeks later,

"I am not happy with the state of relationships in my home Jhanvi," Kalyani Singh Oberoi said, her voice laced with disappointment.

"Things will get better mummy ji. Shivaay and Anika share a strong bond, they will get over the obstacles together. I hope Pinky understands that soon," her elder daughter in law tried to see light in the darkness.

"I never thought that Pinky would stoop so low Jhanvi. She has always been outspoken and loose tongued but I always took it as her innocent jealousy. I never thought she would turn into such a vile creature I saw weeks ago. I just couldn't believe her words," the elder one said with a shake of head.

"Shivaay loves his mother. Everybody knows that. To cast such an important person out of his life and to ask her to keep away from his wedding rituals must be traumatizing to him as well."

"Yes mummy ji but he is not wrong in wanting to do so. What Pinky did is too hard to forgive in two days. Things will take time to normalize."

"What about your son? I do not like Gauri staying in this house as a guest Jhanvi. She is my grand daughter in law and she is supposed to stay in your son's room."

Jhanvi sighed at the tone of rebuke.

"Mummy ji, Omkara is yet to realize that he more than likes Gauri"

"What? When did your shaayar become a gawaar? Hai rabba mere teeno poote nalayak nikle (all my three grandsons are useless)" she exclaimed dramatically.

Jhanvi chuckled and added snidely, "It is you who had spoilt them with your takkar wala ishqbaazi stories. That is the reason I think that they are waiting for fights now, rather than love."

Kalyani rolled her eyes at the statement.

"Yeah, you have put the entire blame on me. What are you doing here discussing this with me? Shouldn't you go smack your son and tell him to get to senses sooner?"

"No mummy ji. Om is just afraid to accept the truth. We shouldn't point that out to him. He will take it in a wrong way, that we are interfering with his life. Instead, we just have to create a circumstance where he can realize his folly on his own."

"Oh? What do you suggest then?"

"I think all my son needs is time and privacy with his wife."

Kalyani curiously looked at her daughter in law as she asked, "Does this have anything to do with my friend Tadaka?"

"Yes mummy ji. In this mansion, getting space is not possible, atleast not with the current conditions."

"Rightly said. Don't worry about it anymore Jhanvi. I will make sure your son gets his time with Gauri."

Jhanvi smiled and hugged her mother in law.

"Thank you mummy ji. I know talking to you would solve the problem."

The matriarch gave her a guilty smile as she caressed her hair.

"No Jhanvi. I did so much injustice to you by asking you to stay married to my son who only insulted you. For what I had done, consider this a small penance. Omkara always suffered because of our wrong decisions. He needs love and I am sure Gauri will give him that in abundance"

"I have no doubts about it mummy ji," Jhanvi agreed with a smile.

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Omkara looked at the clock which chimed one in the noon. He then turned towards the door expectantly.

In the last few days, he had been busy, painting and sculpting for his upcoming exhibition. It so happened that he forgot his meals a few times for which he had been lectured on the importance of food and hunger by a certain angry chirayya.