Knotty Affairs Page 7

  Mr Banerjee shook his head in denial, ‘It’s my daughter’s future that we are talking about, Aakash!’

  Kinnari immediately reacted, ‘Mr Banerjee, that’s not fair. We are always there to support Aakash in his days of struggle!’

  Vishwas shot back, ‘Aakash wishes to stay with you at present. I am also considering the scenario when he is on his own in the future.’

  Aakash looked helplessly at Kashish, whose face was ashen. He had certainly not expected the proceedings to take this turn and was totally unprepared for what lay ahead. As he searched for words to convince Kashish’s father, Vishwas Banerjee gestured him to stay quiet and let him finish.

  ‘Moreover, Mr Mehta, this would demand an entire new equation between our families. We would be related as kin and, frankly speaking, I find it rather uncomfortable to have my relatives from a different caste, who follow a completely different lifestyle. Mr Mehta, would you not prefer to have your conjugal kin and relatives from the same community, people with whom you and your family can gel easily? I am sorry if you find my thinking childish, but I certainly want my relatives to be of the same background so that I can share a comfort level with them during the remaining days of my old age. I would be giving my daughter, my best friend, to another family and, in return, I would surely hope to make some like-minded friends.’

  Kashish was by then moved to tears and she looked pleadingly at her dad. ‘Papa…please…’

  Vishwas Banerjee turned to Kashish and said, ‘Kashish, you asked for my opinion and I honestly gave it to you. I have given this issue serious thought in the past three days. I tried all kinds of reasoning to convince myself in your favour, but I just could not. I am sorry.’

  Ashwin Mehta said in a low voice, ‘Vishwas, our kids’ happiness depends on our decision. Don’t you think it would be selfish if we all go by your reasoning?’

  Vishwas Banerjee, without losing his cool, said, ‘You still have the luxury of spending your autumn years with your loved ones, with the young generation thriving around you. I am a retired officer, sir. My son studies in the distant United States and may even settle there. Can you imagine our plight after our daughter leaves our house? I am not selfish to subvert my daughter’s happiness for mine. Nevertheless, I am not convinced of my daughter’s happiness here!’

  Aakash and Kashish looked desperately at each other, tears flowing freely down Kashish’s eyes. The atmosphere, which was light-hearted a few moments ago, suddenly showed signs of distress and tension. Kinjal looked at Aakash in disbelief, as she had been sure that the meeting would have a positive outcome.

  After a long and tense pause, Mr Banerjee looked at his daughter and said, ‘Your emotions for Aakash are too strong for you to understand me right now. I don’t blame you. But, I am clear about this Kashish. Going ahead with this is not my wish. And it would be valid enough if I don’t permit you to. Yet, I know you are a girl of your own mind. You are free to choose whatever path you desire. You can pack your bags and come stay here from tomorrow itself and I won’t stop you, but the hurt would be too much for both of us to have the same equation again. I won’t shut the doors on you, but I would never find myself as eager as now to welcome you either,’ he concluded with tears in his eyes.

  Aakash, not able to withstand the rejection, suddenly lost his temper. He raised his voice and almost shouted, ‘Vishwas Uncle, you are so intransigent! This is nothing but selfishness on your part. You feel Kashish will be better off if she selects someone you choose for her. What if she is never happy again after losing me? We could have easily dated for a few years before informing you. But we wanted to let you into our world and, look, this is what we get for it!’

  Aakash’s father thundered, ‘SHUT UP, Aakash! Not a word more!’

  ‘But Dad…’

  Ashwin commanded angrily, ‘I want you to go to your bedroom right now and don’t you dare step out before you are called for!’

  ‘Dad, please listen to me…’

  ‘Did you hear what I just said or do you want me to repeat it?’

  Aakash had never seen his dad so angry. He meekly surrendered, went to his bedroom feeling intensely anguished, and banged his door shut.

  He paced agitatedly from one corner to the other, tossing the pillows and occasionally banging the walls. He was trying his best to calm down. The muffled voices outside the shut door went on for another half an hour or so, followed by complete silence in the house.

  Chapter 7

  A FOOT-TAPPING Brazilian track played in the background as Kashish and Aakash settled on the barstools of the Breeze air lounge. Overlooking the tall skyrises of Hiranandani, the lounge was built in a modern and elegant style. This part of Mumbai looked exquisitely designed in European style, to suit the tastes of the affluent in the city.

  The lounge was tastefully done up in chic white interiors and the tables were lit up with bright-blue LED lights. The ambience was meant to appeal to the youth, but that night it did nothing to raise the drowning spirits of Aakash and Kashish. On the contrary, Aakash felt irked by a guy on the adjacent stool who was smoking ceaselessly. He had always been uneasy around tobacco smoke, and had voiced his uneasiness even in front of his professors who smoked in their work cabins. He requested the guy twice to put out the smoke, but when his request went unheeded, Aakash found it better to shift two stools away.

  Thankfully, the new spot was a little secluded and quiet. Kashish placed an order for a mocktail. Neither he nor Kashish were in the mood to enjoy the setting or the view. In fact, Kashish had not felt like going out at all, but Aakash had insisted. He had argued that they should meet and talk about all that had transpired during the last few hours. He was of the view that, no matter what the final outcome was, they should give it another shot.

  Kashish folded and unfolded her hands anxiously. She said, ‘Papa believes that we should see less of each other if we wish to control our emotions.’

  Aakash responded in a slightly angry tone, ‘That is rubbish! Why is he behaving like we are small kids on some reckless adventure? Is he not behaving childishly himself and being a regular killjoy?’

  Kashish felt a lump in her throat. She pleaded, ‘Aakash, he is my father…’

  Aakash quickly apologized and fell silent. Trying his best to maintain a calm head, he said, ‘Kashish, your dad is completely justified in voicing his thoughts and decisions. But the reasons he cited sounded hollow.’

  ‘Aakash, what’ll happen next?’ a harrowed Kashish looked at Aakash.

  ‘I feel we rushed into things too quickly. We were a bit hasty in letting our parents know everything. We can still build our world and let them in at a later period.’

  ‘Aakash!’ Kashish exclaimed. ‘That would be like cheating them! My parents trust me in this matter. I had told you earlier, too, if I don’t find everybody on the same side, you know which side I would be taking!’

  ‘Kashish, let’s be practical. Do you really think any father-daughter relationship would stay scarred lifelong? I bet you on this. Your relationship may become strained for a brief period, but he is your father, after all. Everything will return to normal with time. Wounds will heal and the bond will eventually become stronger. That happens in most cases.’

  ‘What if it does not?’ shot back Kashish. ‘I know my dad quite well. His words are etched in stone. He has done it before with one of my relatives. I will be devastated if he does it with me.’

  ‘Kashish, you can’t make everyone happy at the same time,’ Aakash replied softly.

  ‘Aakash, it’s not that I am a perfect daughter to my dad. Like all parent-child relationships we, too, have had our own share of differences. But which girl would be willing to stay with the guilt of hurting her father forever? It’s not about you. I myself won’t be happy if I take the drastic step of hurting my…’ she was too overwhelmed to continue and broke down.

  After some time, Kashish spoke again. ‘Aakash, we can make the effort to be happy if we get together, but I w
ould be helpless if my source of unhappiness stems from something which is irrevocable…’

  As their mocktails arrived, Kashish took a hurried sip and said, ‘You know what? Any girl who says that she chooses her life partner’s love over her parents’ is lying. Aakash, I gave our relationship much thought. I even considered the possibility of spending my life with you without my parent’s consent. But, trust me, each time I imagined it, I was bogged down by nagging doubts. What if I am not able to follow your customs and traditions as per your family’s satisfaction? After a few years, what if our differences start getting the better of us? Many have risen in love, but what if we don’t end up being in that fortunate slot? Have you ever thought that, in my zest to carve a successful love story for myself, I could end up as a complete outcast with nowhere to turn to? Aakash, I can’t proceed ahead with all these doubts in my mind. It would be a half-hearted venture to go ahead from here…’

  Aakash felt a jab of pain inside him and his mind refused to accept what fell on his ears. He looked away and stared at the darkening sky outside with anger and resentment. He spoke without looking at Kashish, ‘It’s not that either of us is having some issue with the other due to which we are questioning the prospect of being together. We are doing fine. We love each other, our feelings are still strong, and we can carve a future together. But, instead, we are sitting here and talking about giving it up all. Just like that! Kashish, I strongly feel we should not give up on each other. Let’s be together till our parents accept us.’

  ‘And then what, Aakash?’ Kashish almost shouted. ‘Hiding and sneaking from our parents, lying to them about every little thing? Where did you go, who were you with, and let me live my life and all that crap! No, Aakash. You know me. That’s not me. It’s not that simple. For you guys, it’s mainly about widening your horizons! When I leave everything and come to you, it will change everything for me! Just think about this from my point of view. Would it be fair if I tell you to leave your parents and be with me?’

  Kashish’s shaky voice carried anger, but also pain, which she had been harbouring since the talk between the parents went sour. Aakash fell silent for the rest of their dinner.

  As they silently walked down the dimly lit lanes of Hiranandani, neither knew where they were heading. Aakash was still sulking angrily. Kashish dragged herself along with a heavy heart and a tumultuous head, both of which felt like they would burst any moment. She knew her family had brought their relationship to a standstill. In her mind, she had imagined all the possible alternatives that could get them together forever, but no matter how hard she tried, it all seemed like a mirage.

  Suddenly, a sickening feeling took hold of her. She felt she could take it no longer. She clasped Aakash’s hand firmly and held it close to her heart. Aakash looked at her and found her teary-eyed and in deep pain. Before he could say anything, Kashish said, ‘Aakash, please try to understand! You had assured me that you would do nothing to hurt me. Papa has allowed me to be with you this one last time and I have to make my decision today. Just as we are grieved here, I know that he and mom, too, will be spending a few of their life’s most tense moments right now. No one, not even Abhishek bhaiyya is here to talk to them and comfort them. I feel very strongly for you, but I feel more strongly about not hurting Papa. I am not a coward who cannot stand for her love, but in our case, doing so also means standing against the love I have for my parents.’

  She fought back the tears that threatened to spill. Aakash squeezed her hand and hugged her tightly. He knew it was now a lost cause but, still, he whispered to Kashish, the girl he had loved so dearly, ‘Stay with me, Kashish. We will work out something.’ It was a shaky whisper.

  One look at her and he realized the futility of his own words. He brought his lips closer to hers. As his lips brushed against hers, Kashish closed her eyes to release a stream of tears that rolled down her cheeks.

  That night, Aakash lay with his head in his sister’s lap and cried inconsolably. Broken words came out of his mouth that sounded more like a blabber. Amidst the sobs, Kinjal heard her own inner voice in Aakash’s voice, ‘This should have worked out, Kinju! This was meant to work out and yet it didn’t.’

  Kashish had promised Aakash that she would have another word with her dad about their relationship. With that in mind, early next morning, she entered Vishwas Banerjee’s room, sat down on the floor beside his bed and looked at him. He had just woken up and was surprised to find her up so early.

  Over the next hour, Kashish tried in all possible ways to reason with her dad. Many more attempts followed that morning and over the next several days. Slowly Kashish began to reconcile to the fate of her relationship with Aakash.

  After the entrance results were declared and most became sure of their future agendas, most of Aakash’s and Kashish’s friends landed up at Mr Banerjee’s place on a Sunday evening.

  What followed was a highly animated conversation between the younger brigade and Kashish’s parents on the issue of intercaste marriage and its pros and cons.

  Kinjal had once got in touch with Kashish’s brother, Abhishek, to clarify some doubts about studying abroad. Now, once again, she wrote a long email to him, this time informing him of the current situation and about the plight of both Kashish and Aakash. She pleaded with him to intervene and set things right.

  A series of mails followed along with chats on messenger, establishing a communication between Kinjal and Abhishek.

  After few months, when the whole commotion had died down, and against the advice of friends and family, Aakash and Kashish met at the former’s college canteen. But, unlike the last time, this meeting was a happy one. The loss of love, it seemed, had lost its pangs.

  KNOTTY AFFAIRS

  Part II

  Chapter 8

  Present day, October

  Bandstand, Mumbai

  ‘WHOA! WHOA! WHOA! Hold on. This is supposed to be jolly good news. You are getting engaged. Dr Aakash Mehta is finally getting hitched! After picking my brains for almost a year about your disheartening arranged matchmaking tales, you have finally hit the bull’s eye. Bang on! I’m so happy for you. Yippee!’ squealed Vishakha, jumping up excitedly.

  The friends had stepped out of the coffee shop and were walking on the promenade of Bandra Bandstand. The endless expanse of the Arabian Sea touched the horizon on their left and the palatial buildings dotted the street on their right.

  Aakash looked at Vishakha and smiled happily. He was clearly blushing when he said, ‘Well…everything happened so suddenly…’

  Vishakha couldn’t contain her excitement. She cut him short, ‘Aakash, it’s fascinating how quickly these things happen na…. Life just changes all of a sudden! It’s a weird feeling…when your best friend, a happy-go-lucky person who has always been by your side, suddenly gets hitched! Last year, it was my turn and now it’s yours. Events often turn out like this…You are caught unawares and everything changes after that…’

  ‘Ya, you are right…That’s the reason why I wanted to meet you today and share this news with you. My parents…’

  Vishakha stopped him abruptly and asked, ‘Aakash, you are getting hitched, right? Then why did Ashwin Uncle sound worried when he called me up last evening? I remember him saying, in so many words, that you are out of your mind! It was about some outrageously bizarre suggestion that you have doled out, which nobody can make any sense of. My dear Dr Aakash Mehta, will you be kind enough to enlighten me as to why exactly your father, who should be happy and elated with these recent developments in your life, is so angry, distraught, and upset?’

  Aakash gave her a sheepish look and mumbled something under his breath.

  ‘What? Can’t you find your voice now?’ Vishakha said, mildly annoyed. She was finding it difficult to control her curiosity any longer. She had crossed her arms over her chest and was looking at Aakash’s face in anticipation. The effect was immediate. Aakash cleared his throat and replied, ‘Because I…’

  ‘Because
what, Aakash?’

  Aakash realized that he had no other option but to bring up the topic he had actually come to discuss with his psychologist friend. He closed his eyes and blurted out in a single breath,

  ‘…because I suggested a live-in relationship!’

  ‘WHAT! Come again?’ Vishakha looked confused.

  Aakash looked away without answering her question. Vishakha, however, burst out, ‘Have you completely lost it? Just a few minutes ago, in the coffee shop, we were discussing how much you loved your parents and how you took pride in being dependent on them. You have always been the one to not miss out even a moment with them. And now you are saying: “Live-in relationship” No wonder Ashwin Uncle got a shocker!’

  She soon realized that she was talking to herself. Aakash, having moved a few steps ahead, was on the phone, chatting with someone in Marathi, ‘Postpone the 10.30 appointment to evening. I might take time to reach the clinic. If anyone calls or drops by, call me!’ Before hanging up, he added, ‘and remember to call up the ceramist lab and remind them to collect the bridge work.’

  He then turned around and said, ‘I suggest you, too, postpone all your appointments. Mine’s a long story.’

  Vishakha was surprised by Aakash’s casual approach to relationships. He was behaving as if opting for a live-in relationship was the most natural thing to do. She shook her head helplessly. She realized that she would have to counsel Aakash and convince him not to take such a hasty decision.

  Chapter 9

  About a month ago…

  ‘SO, TELL ME, Aakash. What are your expectations from a life partner?’ the girl threw the question at Aakash as she sipped her mosambi juice.

  Aakash almost choked on the grape juice he was having. He felt he was being ambushed into a booby trap! He always avoided such standard questions, which invariably cropped up during these match-making meetings. What was he supposed to say? That he wanted his life partner to love him. Take care of him. Understand him. Who wouldn’t expect these things from his or her partner? He studied his interrogator closely. She was dressed in a traditional, heavily embroidered salwar kurta which, along with her heavy make-up, made her appear a tad overdressed for the occasion.