Maa

“You want the child or not.”

“You are not angry.”

“You want it or not.”

“It’s not so simple. Single mother in India is still a big taboo.”

“No issues I will shift to Greece with you. You got a job offer there. We will have a new starting.”

“It’s very difficult to talk to you. How will raise a child alone.”

“How difficult would be to raise a child. Plus you have me.”

17 years later,

“Here she is my best landscape architect, Vallini Saxena. Vallini, this is Mr. Ripu Bose.” Said Atiksh Ray as he hugged the girl who came inside. She was wearing very fitting dress of red colour with that she wore huge earrings and high heel shoes and her hand were full of bohemian bangles while other she wore a big wrist watch of shiny red leather belt. Whereas he was dressed in formal wear of reddish brown colour. Turning to Ripu, “She is the girl with whom I am in relationship with and she is your new boss in new building project. Vallini I take a leave or else pretzel will enter any moment.”  Just as they turned entered a girl who like tornado hugged Atiksh. “Missed You. Come fast we need to go for gelato with Kady” The girl of 16 years she was wearing a short checked skirt and white shirt like some school uniform. The skirt was probably the shortest possible school skirt. With that she was having long nails with punky green colour and stars drawn in it. She had her black hairs tied in hap hazard manner. She was wearing long knee length or thigh length socks with ribbons, and typical school shoes. With that she was having a sling bag it had lots of weird quotes painted on it. And he saw Vidya wearing a simple butterfly shirt and jeans. Looking as slim as always. “Atom you promised to pick me from school but leave all this Paddy told you had meeting. So this is the new guy. Hi I’m Piya Ray Saxena Atom’s daughter. So sorry actually I am Atiksh’s and Vallini’s daughter.” Just then entered a guy of college going age who was wearing a punky t shirt and torn jeans “Pretzel done, or left with anything. I will not wait whole day. By the way, myself Kabir, Kabir Ray Saxena, another child in the happy Ray Saxena family, their son.” As he shook hands with Ripu. “Sorry, guys you go with Vidya. Is it ok Vidya? Or do you have something?” Atiksh replied apologically.

“It’s ok.” Vidya smiled and they left. Atiksh turning to Ripu “Sorry, you know how kids are? The best would be why you don’t come to our place for dinner………..and you are new also to this place. Plus we will celebrate the takeover. Ahh!!!! Its time also, Vallini let’s go. Ripu a car is waiting for you to take you to our house. We now take a leave”

Ripu found himself in front a huge beach mansion with perfect picture sequence. In front was a fountain many sports standing showing that Atiksh loves sports cars. He found himself in a homely place. There were a lot of staff coming and by. Just then came Atiksh and Vallini, dressed in proper formals, Atiksh was wearing a perfect business suit of charcoal grey colour with Vallini in thigh slit white cocktail dress cum gown.

He had known that Mr. Atiksh Ray is one of the biggest businessman and was settled in Greece with his family. He was in his 40s and had a life partner in a something 37 yeared woman. Atiksh was a family man who was seen most of the time with his family in every function. Though not very media comfortable there was only few of his single shots that go in circulation as he very particular about their privacy of his family life. So photos of his lady or kids never went on air except few exceptions.      

Atiksh came forward and hugged this man and said “Good to see you man. As you have met her, but yet again she is my long term partner Vallini.” And as entered three young people from back door looking ready for some kind of disco party and then he called them, they all came smilingly Ripu could clearly feel that it’s an easy flowing relation they shared. Group hugging them, he said “These are my kids .You met my doll, Piya. My younger son Kabir and he is elder-most child Palash. I would have liked if they could join us for dinner but all have plans today.”

Ripu saw them leaving in their own sports cars respectively. Atiksh said “These all cars are for my children as they love them. My parents and her mother are out for a fund raiser, will join us later. That’s all my family my parents, her mother we both, 3 kids. Big happy family” .Vallini said “Atiksh so great weather lets settle outside and then talk.”

They were sitting in a paved porch outside the mansion facing the sea when he saw Atiksh and Vallini share love moments and felt a twinge of jealousy. He could not forget he was here for business and they just completed with a champagne pouring in their glass they sat sipping it with some starters. Vallini was totally ignoring him and was occupied with Atiksh.  Later that night while having a bath she was lost in the thoughts…….  

“Hume toh yahi sikhaya gaya ki joh aapko pasand ho apnaa loun aur joh aapko napasand ho woh hamesha ke liye chod doun”

“You have your own life. I am in a relationship with you not bought as slave so you have all the rights like all human beings have and respect as a partner deserves.”

Vallini was simple girl who was born in a simple girl born in an super orthodox family and married to another. She was married only after 12^th completion, she was in college first year but never got chance and when married Ripu Bose it was more of the starting of slavery. She had to live a life where she was considered a free maid and free item for sex item. After 1 year of marriage she had lost all her vilour and presence in life plus was living corpse she came to know that she was pregnant, but she was pressurized to get a pre natal sex determination test. But things this time took a u turn she refused she was thrown out of house and divorce was done, she was alone in the world, that’s the time Atiksh came and swept her off her feet.

He was everything a girl would want plus he was her boss there to take care of his sons at that time one was 7 other was 2. Atiksh and his parents were very nice to her and accomadated her with them. And took her total care as she was pregnant. With the birth of her daughter, she was now unofficially Atiksh’s daughter as he gave his name in father and also named her Piya, means beloved.

After Piya was born, she shared her troubled past with Atiksh and was shocked by his reply.   “Whatever was with Ripu ended with him only.  I am Atiksh, Atiksh Ray, so it’s obvious that I will behave the way I am so does my parents. Actually Dad work leads us to many foreign trips plus when I did my double honours from Paris. So I am brought up in a very liberal philosophy. So for me it doesn’t matter what colour of clothes you wear or design of your clothes”

She was encouraged by Atiksh to complete her education and his parents were also supportive even after knowing that the child is not progeny, she was loved as much as the boys or more than them. Actually he pushed her to fulfil all her dreams, he gave her total freedom from clothes to parties. He provided her with a car too to travel when she likes. In last 17 years she had completed a complete sphere of emotions…..she now is a successful landscape architect, loving mother to her three kids, spicy and independent partner to Atiksh, but most importantly a satisfied and happy soul.

The relationship between Atiksh and her was complicated to understood as they were not married yet they were a couple…….actually they were engaged and were also legally recorded as a couple when they sought to change the boys’ surname to theirs and during Piya’s school admission too. So all the three kids wrote Ray Saxena as their surname.

 Actually the boys were also not Atiksh’s children she came to know in a later phrase they were kids of her x girl 

friend, who died leaving him their guardian but now the three kids were their kids, Atiksh and Vallini.

Atiksh said while cuddling her in bed, “Don’t you think you took a super long bath today. What happened? Is something bothering you?” he said in his caring voice. She turned towards him and said “You knew that Ripu is my x husband or not? Tell me the truth or else why the Atiksh Ray was so interested that small company.”

“Vallini you are doubting me, how rude” he said showing a fake sadness. “That’s the reason I’ saying that. Because I know a lot more than that what these media people say about you as simple and straight. I know you are a prankster.” “Ok, I accept defeat so now let me enjoy his weird reactions.” Atiksh said with mirth as they slept that night.

The next day as Ripu entered, he saw Vallini was there wearing smoking floral trousers with a short knot shirt. She was standing there tall and poised beside her was kept a blue leather Hermes box purse. And Vidya was also there sipping the tea. Seeing them, broke his dam of feelings.

“This girl is your’s and mine. In any case I would like to her and tell her that I am the father and your husband. No Maa”   

 “The name is Piya Ray Saxena; Mr. Bose .My name is Vallini Saxena. This is my mother Vidya Saxena. And as her name says she is a Ray Saxena not Bose and you would have heard my fiancée saying she is our doll. And about the dynamics of DNA, she knows and is no concerned about all this stuff. And by just lending our bloody sperm doesn’t makes you the father.”

“Maa, at least you come with me, she has everything my mother and my daughter.”

“I think you didn’t heard, Mr. Bose, I am Vidya Saxena not you mother Vidya Bose. I died the day you and your father decided that you both get to decide what behaviour should be done with this innocent girl and you didn’t accept your responsibility. And don’t shed tears over here, I know you are now married and have children too, two sons Krishendu and Purendu. But you strive for a girl child because her luck will bring you lost fortune is what you believe and that’s the reason you are here. But forget everything and just leave.

We never created any problem in your life. And we tend want to do that. Please leave from here. You as free as you were always.

My daughter may have being gracious enough to not to throw you out this house but I may not be. For Piya she has a father’s name and she decided to continue with that only. She will always remain Ms. Piya Ray Saxena. And she is Ms. Vallini Saxena, Mr. Atiksh's Ray fiancee and you would like to mess up with him." 

Woh Lamhe.....Scene 8

The next day was an important day as it was the time to meet Mrs. Neeta Iyyengar but Vikrant didn’t wanted to trouble Priya and now even more after knowing that she was not at all comfortable to meet her mother. So he decided that its time that Priya visit somewhere outside the hospital as she has being here for 15 days. So he gave her half day of and allowed her to go with Riddhi who took her Durga temple where the both friends were lost in scenic beauty till late afternoon.

In meanwhile, Mrs. Iyyengar came to meet Dr. Vikrant Raina and said “Dr. I would like to take my daughter from here as I believe I am more capable to take care of her.” To which he just replied it in single word “No”. Neeta was not accustomed to be not heard so she said “I’m her mother. And after her marriage from Naveen got cancelled, I have full right over her. So if I say that it is my call so I will take her with me to Bangalore.” Neeta fumed. To which he replied “I’m her doctor and I will decide on her health matters. So it’s my call not yours.”

“You have no right to keep her for this I can get your hospital closed. She is my daughter so it’s my matter how I keep her. You still don’t know my approaches.” For which Vikrant pulled her patient file and showed Neeta the name “Priya Raina, W/O Dr. Vikrant Raina” and said “And this Vikrant Raina is standing in front of you so I don’t think any Indian law will help you take a wife who’s also patient from her doctor husband without his will. I don’t think Priya Raina is not the one who will like to go with you.”

Neeta was shocked she never knew that that marriage was solemnized but her ego was hurt so she left the hospital yet asked her PA to find details in the matter and she got this report:-

“Priya got married to Dr. Vikrant Raina on the same day when her marriage with Naveen was cancelled so now she is Mrs. Priya Vikrant Raina. Her marriage with cant be challenged under any law as it is duly registered under Indian law. The marriage has being 6 months old but she knew Vikrant from some time before also because he is the brother of her business partner, Riddhi. Her marriage with him is a happy note where both of them are seen into sync and everybody seem to testify that part. She knew one thing for sure. That they are into happy paradise. They both live in home in Raina Nuerological Centre named Madhuban House.

As far as the report related to Dr. Vikrant Raina. He is a leading physiatrist as well as neurosurgeon of India. He is a doctor of great calibre and a clean background. His father is reputed lecturer in America in field of physiology and is an eminent physiatrist himself. Mother died years ago and has a younger sister who’s into relation with Satya, a famous musician. He owns Raina Nuerological Centre where it is seemed to a leading hospital with regards to mentally retarded persons. He has clean background with regards to girls and is close to only one his wife. Both of them are seen happily roaming in their home town. Yet no one should mess up with him because of his strong contacts and his patients list includes some of the famous personalities in today’s generation. He is seen to be having helped poor and helpless people and have won several awards. In short he is a rich influential yet kind hearted doctor.” 

The Media Circle - Scene 7

The day flight touched Delhi, it was sigh of relief as she realised that now it’s hard to live without him. And he was seen in the airport as she had super early morning flight so there was no problem of being followed.

Though they both were people who didn’t liked PDA but meeting each other after 2 days made them feel crippled about each other. So they hugged for a whole 5 mins and then left from there.

He took her directly to the hillock from where they saw sunrise and both were sitting on the car’s bonnet having tea from local tea stall. She was there wearing a short black front knot shirt and pink parallels with overall pattern of creeping vines and flowers, and with only simple purple earrings. While he was wearing a nice deep necked maroon sweaters with beige pants.

While sun was in his first horizon she felt that Shankar was removing her hairs to one shoulder, feeling that he needed to nudge her shoulders for getting the physical satisfaction that she is there, Priyashi also didn’t protest, but she felt something tightening in her neck and when she looked upon, it was a heavy designer necklace which was one of exclusives of their yet to be launched new collection, the single piece designed by him in all these years. It was truly a master piece as it was a gold net between two strands of diamonds, between the gold net, there were huge purple stones and it had beautiful pink drops. In monetary value it was high priced piece but it was more about the emotional touch with the thing involved because the only piece which had his mark in their whole jewellery business.

She was awed by the fact that now she owns this piece, the first copy was hers. Just then she saw Shankar kneeling on his knees and saying “Ms. Priyashi Kelkar last two days were more than enough for me to realise that this brute is in love with princess, and now wants the princess forever. And the rule says the brute gets what he wants. So now he wants the princess to his captive. So Ms. Priyashi Kelkar would you like to be my prisoner for life. And marry me? Or else there another option i.e. I abduct you and marry.”

“Mr. Dobriyal that was the most crude yet romantic proposal ever. And my answer is yes. And by the way I didn’t even have much choice you had persuaded me to say yes. But it’s a Yes, Yes and a Yes.” Piu said while hugging him.

Shankar took out two rings and slided them both on each of her hand’s ring finger and as she looked amusingly when he good humourly told “Actually you know that I like to be double sure that’s the reason to prove the world that now you are only and only mine, I decided that I will make you wear rings in both ring fingers.”

She allowed him to make her wear the rings and then they got home and seeing the necklace both Vikas and Prasant understood what may have happened. So  announced that Shankar Dobriyal and Priyashi Kelkar would get married in week’s time in the same farmhouse with a engagement party in plan. All the business associates were duely invited and it broke as the biggest news in media circle that atlast both of them are getting married and that to each other after a closely wrapped affair as some speculated and according to some it was typical arranged marriage. But the biggies getting married left upto no grandure.

The Media Circle-Scene 6

“Wake up, Shankar” Priyashi said to him.  Shankar just replied “Where are you?”  She said “like always -in front of you. Like you will ever leave me without that. Now please Shankar, sit up Na, your tea and my biscuits are waiting.” he sat in the bed and Priyashi kept a tray in which there was a cup of tea and a plate of biscuits were kept and she herself sat and then she dipped biscuits and ate them whereas he drank the tea. “Honey, you yourself is so honey then why do you add sugar in tea it makes it super sweet because anything that touches you becomes sugary itself.” They were drowned romance that she sadly said “Don’t pamper I will be gone in 5 hours then I am alone.” Shankar just said “You are not going anywhere and especially when you sadden your face. And where the hell are you going without my notice…”  She just answered that she had to be there if he remembers that she had taken the assignment of her Royal Highness for wedding

Priyashi just had landed into Jaipur Airport and was surrounded by the staff of her client as she was Royal Highness of somewhere she doesn’t even remember. She was busy with her I-pad in quotations and stuffs. Wearing a baby pink coloured fairy-taleish tunic, one could easily guess she was not in mood and nature of jokes. Just then her phone rang and picking it up. It was most obvious yet most loved phone call “Piu, It’s still not late, there’s another flight.” Even before starting a conversation she said “I hate you. You still are having the drag since I left and you having a cold as I tell from your rough voice.” He said “Yes, till the moment you don’t return I will smoke every single moment and will also be standing in the cold night whole the time. So better you return.” Priyashi was to shed a tear when he said “Don’t even think of that if you even have one single tear then I will compel you to return to me as you know I don’t like your tears.” She sat in one sexy sports car and sped away to Jaimal Nagar where there was wedding for which she had came. She wasn’t married as she didn’t look like one married yet she was into serious relationship with that lover boy. The time she reached the Jaimal Nagar, she was so exhausted so she slept instantly.

Priyashi was shocked to find that bed was empty, and foreign surroundings she was becoming tense, and it was when she realised that she had been alone the whole night...........................

“Wake up, Piu, pls. We need to get ready for work. You are needed early.” he said still lying in the bed and from one hand waking her. Priyashi opening her eyes just said “yaah, in a sec. As you know the last also I was seeing some late night movies.” “You and your movies, your awkward habits will make me crazy one day.” Just it was the moment Priyashi said “Yaah, do I ever grumble about your holding my hands while sleep.” “Excuse me, when I held your hands in sleep.” he was about to say just when Priyashi pulled her other hand from cover and he saw that he was really holding it. He pulled her over him and she landed on his chest and removing strands of hairs from her face, he said “I guess it’s my habit.”

She was lost in that views, just when her phone rang picking it, she heard “Front zip of your brown leather luggage has one strip of tablets which will relieve of your hangover of troubled sleep. I know you can also not sleep without my arms holding your hands.” Priyashi was shocked and just said “How do you know I couldn’t sleep?” he just laughed and said “Piu, I can also hear your silence. So just listen to me. Take the pills. And yes chocolates are coming, make a hot chocolate. You will feel better”   

This trip was going to end in just 2 days and was shorter due to hectic work and whole night chats with designing team and he of course made it bearable. But this made her realise that now she isn’t Priyashi Kelkar but Priyashi Dobriyal or Piu as he called her to be.