"An Unconventional Commitment"

"Meeting Again"

◍⁠•𝑨𝑵𝑼𝑩𝑯𝑨𝑽'𝑺 𝑷𝑶𝑽•⁠◍

Today, the alarm marked the beginning of a new day. I tiptoed into Aarush's room, ensuring his peaceful sleep before retreating to get ready. As I headed towards the kitchen to prepare breakfast for him, Dadi intercepted me with a plate of Prasad.

"Ye le Prasad," she said, and I took it, partaking in the morning ritual by accepting aarti from her plate. Dadi, however, had other thoughts. "Isliye mein kehti hun ek biwi le aa apne liye, itni subha roz uthkar nasta nahi banana hoga."

I replied with a smile, "Dadi, aap to jaanti hai na Aarush ko roz subah humare haath ka bana breakfast pasand hai."

She responded, "Jaanti hun lekin teri biwi hogi to vo sirf Aarush ke liye nahi balki sabke liye khana banayegi."

I retorted, "Dadi, khana banane ke liye chef hai ghar mein, aur aapko koi aur chahiye."

She attempted emotional blackmail, "Koi aur thodi teri biwi, mujhe to lagta hai bina teri biwi dekhe hi mujhe yaha se jaana hoga."

I replied, "Dadi, abhi to aap bahut young ho, meri biwi kya aap to Aarush ki biwi bhi dekhoge."

In a sad tone, she uttered, "Kab jab bhagwan mujhe apne pass bula lega tab."

Angrily, I responded, "Bilkul bhi nahi, aur aap kya baar baar upar jaane ki baat karte rehti ho, aap janti ho na mujhe bilkul acha nahi lagta."

She acknowledged, "Jaanti hun, lekin zindagi ka kya bharosa is pal hun aur agle pal nahi."

I said in an annoyed tone, "Kya Dadi, subha subha koi aese baat karta. Acha, aap vo sab choro, aap batao kya khayengi, hum bana dete hai."

She concluded, "Jo Aarush ke liye bana Raha hai wahi kha lungi." After this playful banter, I swiftly proceeded to prepare breakfast.

After breakfast, Aarush and I went to the office together. You might be wondering why he comes with me instead of staying at home. Well, it goes back to a time when my mom wanted to send Aarush to an orphanage.

Flashback

The air in the living room hung heavy with grief as Mom and I grappled with the loss of my brother Rudransh and Neha Bhabhi. Aarush, my nephew, played innocently nearby, blissfully unaware of the emotional tempest brewing in the hearts of the adults.

The confrontation that ensued between my mother and me was charged with raw emotion. My voice, laden with anger and disbelief, cut through the somber atmosphere as I questioned her decision to send Aarush to an orphanage.

Her response reverberated with bitterness, slicing through the air like a sharp blade.
"Aarush, Neha ka beta hain, aur mere hisab se, Neha ne is parivar mein bad luck layaa. Rudransh ne Neha se shaadi karke apne aap ko mujhse door kar liya, aur Neha ke wajah se Rudransh chale gaya."

My attempts to rationalize fell on deaf ears.
"Toh Aarush ko orphanage kyun bhejna chahti ho aap? Neha bhabhi ko Rudransh Bhai ki maut ka ilzaam dena sahi nahi hai. Yeh ek haadsa tha, uske liye hum use zimmedaar nahi thahra sakte. Aur usme sirf bhaiya hi nahi bhabhi ki bhi maut hui hai"
I argued, seeking reason in the midst of our collective sorrow.

But my mother remained steadfast, anchored in her beliefs. "Main is feeling ko nahi nikal sakti. Neha ne bad luck laaya, aur Aarush mujhe hamesha uski yaad dilata hai."

The aftermath of that confrontation marked a profound shift in our relationship. I found myself distancing from my mother.

Flashback End