HEEDING TO THE SOUL

Chapter 6: Bitter memory

9 years ago..

A 13 year old Madhav hugged Meera in excitement, he had got his first film as a child actor... it was because of his talent in gymnastics, that he had got the offer...

It was a big film, Dhoom 3, and Aamir Khan was the lead, it was a happy moment for Meera and Madhav...

Meera kissed his forehead as Madhav hugged her..

Rajeev and Bhumi had come to visit them, to convince Meera to plead to Sambhav, to get back together... they thought a woman without a man in the society couldn't survive..

When Meera informed them about the happy news, their faces dimmed, and anger took over Rajeev..

Rajeev pulled back Madhav harshly:"Tu uchal kud ke classes jaata tha, humne kuch nahi kaha, but ab tu naatak karega, ye sab hum Rathores ka kaam nahi...humari naak kyon katana chahta hai?"

Their actual surname was Rathore...not Malhotra...

Madhav and Meera knew neither sides supported them...they were not Rajputs, and they didn't want to get suppressed below the Rathore name, when Madhav entered the industry...

Madhav looked at his Nanu with tearful eyes, why was he not happy...

Meera gently pulled Madhav towards herself, and pushed him behind her own self...

She faced her father with no fear:"Papa, he is talented, uchal kud yaani ki gymnastics se use ye mauka Mila hai, usne audition bhi Diya hai, unhe Madhu ka kaam accha laga hai, itna bada afsar mil Raha hai use, aap kyon rok rahe ho...main hun na mere bacche ke saath, hum sambhalenge sab kuch..."

Rajeev:"Tu na Damadji ke paas vapas Jaa Rahi hai, na apne bacche ko dhang ka raasta dikha Rahi hai, aise karegi iski parvarish...tu ek beta toh kho chuki, ise bhi bigad degi?"

He tried to harshly jerk her, Meera backed off with moist eyes...Rajeev used Mihir against her, always, he always taunted her with Mihir's departure...

Rajeev (angrily):"Arey kyon kar rahi hai apne bacche ko barbaad, seekh kuch Damadji se, unhone Mihir ko coaching se bhi nikalva Diya tha, tune hi kaha tha na, tu usse milna chahti thi, coach ne kaha ki usne chod diya...tu kyon nahi samajhti...arey isse accha hota ki Sambhav Madhav ko bhi le jaate..."

Meera spoke in anger, her voice raised:"Bas kariye papa, Madhav kahin nahi jayega, mera baccha hai vo, mujhe pata hai uske liye kya sahi hai, aur kya galat... Sambhav ji, ya aap, koi bhi mere Madhu ko mujhse nahi cheen sakta..."

She hugged Madhav to her heart... Mihir's departure had broken her already, she couldn't imagine her life without Madhav..

Rajeev tried to reach for Madhav's hand:"Hum ise gaon le jayenge, vahan ise padha likha ke tehsildar ya kuch powerful banwayenge, tu apne bacche ka bhala hi nahi chahti..isliye use ye sab karne de rahi hai.."

Madhav was scared now, Rajeev tried to grab his hand...

Meera stopped him, but Bhumi pulled her daughter towards herself...

Rajeev grabbed Madhav's hand...Madhav screamed:"No nanu, mujhe ye karna hai, aap kyon force kar rahe ho.."

Rajeev was already angry, Madhav's screams infuriated him...he slapped him and warned:"Teri zindagi ke faisle lene jitna bada nahi hua hai tu, main keh Raha hun na, chup chap chal mere saath."