Kismat

Chapter 36: Regret

Reema was sitting in her room, running her fingers over the jewellery box Shourya and Meera had gotten her from France. She grazed the motifs and the glass on the lid. Deep regret set in the pit of her stomach as she gazed at the gift they had gotten her. The family had just finished lunch and were gathered in the living room enjoying each other's company. This included Rohan, he wanted to be a part of the family like he used to, like when they were kids. 

Reema had run off to her room after the cheerful breakfast. It was too confronting for her to see the happiness she thought she would have for herself, slipped through her fingers due to her own mistakes. The mistakes she made throughout her life, as a wife, as a mother and as a mother-in-law. She's failed on multiple occasions due to her arrogance and jealousy. And she knew this, she knew how flawed she was, how flawed her actions were. 

Reema thought back to this morning when Meera stuttered giving her the present they had bought for her. Her hesitation and slight discomfort to address her, yet the thoughtfulness to remember Reema was like a slap on the face. She sighed as she put her gift away in her wardrobe before lying back down on her bed. She was in deep thought about her action and was feeling ashamed that her actions have directly or indirectly hurt her family when a knock on the door took away her attention. 

Who would it be? Neel had even instructed the house workers to not engage more than needed with his wife. And, the workers initially felt uncomfortable, but very soon got used to it as they themselves didn't hold much respect for that woman. In fact, the workers were relieved to not have to listen to her complaints and taunts. 

Reema sat up and asked, "who is it?"

The doorknob opened ever so slightly and Reema noticed it was Meera, she had ever so gently opened the door and stepped only one foot in, her eyes showed hesitation as she fiddled with her fingers, Meera gazed back at the living room at her husband. 

"Woh chachiji, mei-mein kya keh rahi thi ki sab walk pr jane ka soch rahe the. Mausam bhi aa-acha hai. Hum sab tyaar hai, aap b-bh-bhi ch-chaliye na?"

(Umm, chachiji, I was saying that we're all going on a walk. The weather is nice too. We're all ready, so i-if you would li-like, you also come?)

"Tumhare chachaji ko aacha nahi lagega, tum log jao."

(Your chachaji won't like it, you guys go.)

Meera stepped inside, seeing the downcast eyes of her husband's chachi and moved and kneeled in front of Reema. 

"No chachiji, he won't say anything. Please come, it's not nice having a member of the family missing when we're all together."

Reema gazed at Meera for a moment, before tears began to form in her eyes. She held Meera's hand and guided her to sit up on the bed. 

"Mujhe maaf krdo beta. Mein bohot bohot sharminda hun aapne kiye pr. Please mujhe maaf krdo."

(Forgive me, child. I'm very very ashamed of my doing. Please forgive me.)

Meera was startled by the sudden emotional outburst. She gazed at Reema, who had teary eyes her hands were folded and she looked at Meera "Aare, chachiji, please aap aise maat boliye. Aur haath mat jodiye, aap mujhse badi hai."