Is Love Enough (SS)

Shot 8

Payal walked into her bedroom after finishing her work in the kitchen

She was lost in her thoughts

Kushi had looked distressed when she took her supper upstairs. Payal had thought Kushi would be very happy today after applying for her studies.

But Kushi did a wonderful act of being cheerful.

Kushi had been smiling ,but somehow that didn't resemble her paagli's usual smile

"Payal" Akash shook her after repeatedly calling her name for five minutes

"Yes Akash ji??" Payal asked

"You have been staring into space for the last few minutes. What's wrong??" Akash asked

"Nothing Akash ji. It's just that Kushi looked so distressed-" Payal began but was cut off mid way

"Ofcourse Kushi. Why am I even surprised. Why did I even think you would be worried about someone from my family" Akash said and turned away

"Akash! Why are you talking like this? Kushi is my sister. Is it a crime to worry about my sister??" Payal asked

"I just wanted to remind you that there are other people too in this house. Other people who are going through hell. Like my di" Akash gritted out

"I know di is hurt Akash. And di is surrounded by your whole family ,worrying for her and taking care of her. If you haven't realised yet ,my sister is as much a victim as yours ,of that double faced creep. She too had suffered because of him. When the whole family worries for your sister ,my sister only has me to worry for her. Above all that she is banished from being seen. Did you ever think how that must have affected her Akash ji??" Payal asked

Akash was stumped for a moment. He didn't knew how to respond to that.

"Seeing Kushi will remind di about her husband's betrayal. That is why Kushi is asked to stay out of di's way" Akash defended

"And you all think that Kushi is the reason for that betrayal right?? I was wrong about you Akash. So very wrong about you" Payal said in disappointment

"What do you mean by that?? If only you had confided in us before about Shyam " Akash said

"Would any of you have believed us if we came and told you about the beloved son in law of the house. Yet Kushi came here to tell the truth to di. Before she could say anything ,your sister's mangalsutra broke and she became hysterical. How could she tell that woman that her husband is cheating on her. Do you realise how you have been treating me for the past few days Akash? Do you realise how your mother has been treating us ever since she met us? I can imagine what your mother would have said if we revealed the truth to you"

"Why are you bringing Maa in between now??" Akash asked

"Because I believed you when you promised you will make everything better. I believed you when you said you will always support me"

"I don't understand what you are talking about Payal. All I asked is for you to worry about my family members too. And you are talking in riddles" Akash asked

"I'm talking about respect Akash. The respect I and my sister are being denied in this family because we are from a middle class family"

"That's not true Payal. Everyone respects you two"

"Really?? Then tell me Akash ji ,have you ever heard your mother calling me by my name ?? Atleast once?? Or my sister??" Payal asked

Akash was tongue tied