Part 5: On to Motherhood

A/N and trigger alert – 3

Dear friends, thank you for reading Moonshine and sticking it this far. As we begin a new section I feel compelled to warn of highly stressful and disturbing times for Rajani (for me as an author and you as the sensitive empathetic reader).

In view of your sensibilities and sensitivities, I would suggest you not to read any further, or at least wait till Moonshine is completed and Rajani manages to reclaim her life on her terms. But that is still someway off.Β  Leave me your mail ID (here or send an email to mysilverstreaks@gmail.com) I will personally let you know when things improve so that you don’t have to suffer agonies while she goes through her personal hell with no resolution in sight.

Note added on 18/04/2018

Chapter 217: Pregnancy

β€œThis won’t do Rajani,” Avantika exhorted, β€œyou have to eat more.” She lowered her voice, β€œjust look at Nidhi, she looks six months pregnant and you don’t even look as if you are pregnant.”

Rajani laughed. β€œNothing like that Avi, it’s the dress. The cut is such that it doesn’t show.”

β€œNonsense.” Pakhi snapped, β€œIt’s not a joke!”

β€œI know it isn’t,” Rajani said carefully, β€œIt’s just that I don’t feel like eating much.”

β€œWhat do you want to eat?” Tanya asked. β€œI’ll make and get it for you.”

Rajani shook her head and turned away. How could she tell them that there was never enough food at home? That she an educated, employed woman of the twenty first century had no access to the kitchen in her home? And that she continued to take this abuse? But never mind. It was just a matter of time. Her savior was coming.

Indeed the baby had already begun to work its magic. If her mother-in-law was becoming more and intolerant Harsha was more caring and considerate. The car which was bought with her salary and she had been convinced would be monopolized by Rekha was at her disposal. He didn’t want her traipsing around in the Metro, auto or someone else’ car. Not while carrying his baby anyway.

He had thrown a massive fit when Riteish had dropped her home that rainy day. But Rajani hadn’t been upset. She was in fact rather comforted and gratified. He cared!

These days, he called up twice or thrice at the office. And when the doctor said she was seriously underweight, Harsha made it a point to check her plate and ask about her diet at the dining table. He ordered that she eat eggs overruling his mother’s myriad taunts and objections.

β€œDon’t worry, Mummy, I’ll buy a separate pan for eggs and clean up the kitchen too. And eggs are not really alive.”

Rajani couldn’t help but be grateful and hopeful despite her MIL’s pointed sneering sarcastic comments out of Harsha’s earshot. Besides she had her office gang to look out for her. Someone or the other was sure to get something special for her. Fortuitously Aditi had apparently joined some cooking classes and she often brought extra large portions of new exotic dishes.

β€œWhat have you got today Ma’am?” Nidhi peered over Rajani’s shoulder. β€œThai curry and rice? Wow. Looks delicious.”

Aditi smiled. β€œTry some. Rajani?”

β€œYes Ma’am.” Rajani felt blessedly pampered. Thank you. She whispered silently to her little one.

β€œRajani should you be driving?” Nidhi asked. β€œMy husband would never let me drive in this condition. He says Metro is the best.”

β€œI didn’t know you could drive?” Pakhi said.

β€œEven if I did, he wouldn’t let me.” Nidhi clarified.

β€œThat’s not really a good thing is it?” Avantika said. β€œI mean you should be free to make your own choices and decisions.”

β€œBut here it is a question of the safety of his baby.” Nidhi said loftily.

β€œNot the mother? Just the baby?” Pakhi sneered.

β€œI like driving,” Rajani intervened, β€œespecially the me time with the radio blasting on full volume and singing aloud tunelessly along with it.” She giggled. β€œIf anybody heard me they would go deaf.”

They laughed. β€œLook there goes Riteish,” Nidhi nudged Rajani. β€œEver since he got married, he is in a different world altogether.”

They snickered. Rajani felt only the mildest of a passing twinge at what could have been. But she wouldn’t have it any other way. She was having a baby, a baby of her own, who would love her and only her. What else could she want? Good for Riteish to move on and build a life of his own. But why couldn’t she shrug off this feeling that all was not well with him? He did look as if he was in his own world but not a happy place.

β€œGive me a lift?” Riteish stopped by her desk. β€œYou’ve got your car haven’t you?”

Rajani nodded. β€œWhere do you want to go?”

β€œJust half way through, on your way,” He said vaguely. β€œAny problem?”

Rajani shook her head.

β€œSo all good with you and Shweta?” Rajani asked as maneuvered the car out of the parking lot after bit of a tussle with Riteish. He wanted to drive. β€œYou didn’t go for a honeymoon?”

Riteish shrugged. β€œEverything happened so quickly. He father is still not completely recovered. She filed a case against the other guy. There are court visits. Besides, taking leave is such a big issue at the office.”

β€œBut you need to make time for yourselves!” Rajani exclaimed. β€œGet to know each other…”

β€œThe less we know the better it is.” He sounded bitter.

She looked at him in surprise and concern. β€œWhat’s the matter?”

β€œAct in haste, repent at leisure.”

β€œDon’t say that!” Rajani’s heart broke at his lost expression.

β€œIt’s the truth. Marriages should be banned.”

β€œWhat happened? You too don’t get along or what?”

β€œWe are poles apart. And she’s not at all the adjusting kinds. She wants everything her way.”

β€œShe’s young and new. Give her some time, she’ll come around.” Rajani advised.

β€œI don’t think so.” Riteish shook his head. β€œWe aren’t even married for a month and she’s demanding that I separate out from my parents.”

β€œOh!”

β€œYes. My poor mother. She’s trying to adjust but Shweta doesn’t cooperate at all.”

β€œMaybe the problem is that she and your mother don’t get along?” Rajani ventured to say. β€œPerhaps your mother said something…”

β€œMy mother could never say anything!” Riteish interjected. β€œShe’s the kindest soul. Shweta doesn’t want to do any housework. My mother has to do everything.”

β€œIsn’t Shweta working?”

β€œYeah. So? That doesn’t mean she won’t enter the kitchen. That my mother should slave away while she watches TV.”

β€œMaybe she gets tired. Why don’t you keep a cook?”

β€œShweta wants to but Dad only likes food cooked by my mother.”

β€œThat means he won’t like Shweta’s cooking either will he?”

β€œBut she can try to learn from mother can’t she?”

β€œWhy don’t you cook?”

β€œI do. Sometimes on Sundays.”

β€œMaybe Shweta can be given certain designated days to cook. Then you can get used to her way of cooking.”

β€œI guess that’s worth a try.” He didn’t sound very hopeful. β€œIf you could stop the car over there?”

β€œHere?” Rajani was surprised. β€œWhat’s here?”

β€œThanks for the lift.”

Rajani’s phone rang. β€œHello Mamma. One minute.” She looked at Riteish. β€œWhat’s here?”

β€œNothing. I’ll take the bus.”

Rajani stared.

β€œThanks.” He got out of the car.

β€œWelcome. And all the best. Perhaps you should consider spending some time with Shweta build a rapport with her, understand her.”

β€œOkay. Bye.”

β€œBye. Hello Mamma.” She put the phone on speaker as she swung back into traffic.

β€œWhom were you talking to?”

β€œMy colleague Riteish.”

β€œStill in office?”

β€œNo. Almost half-way home.”

β€œThen what’s he doing with you?”

β€œMamma please. He just wanted a lift.”

β€œWas there nobody else in office to take a lift from? Does he take a lift everyday?” Why…”

β€œOh please Mamma. This is the first time he has asked me for a lift. He dropped me home in the torrential rain that day. I couldn’t refuse could I?”

Nisha sniffed. β€œYou could have made some excuse. You know Harsha won’t like it. Remember how angry he was?”

β€œHarsha won’t know Mamma.”

β€œWhat if he does? Why create trouble for yourself.”

β€œOh please Mamma, don’t make a big thing out of nothing.”

β€œI still don’t get it,” Nisha whined, β€œwhy did Riteish have to take a lift from you? Isnt he married?”

β€œI just gave him a lift Mamma!” Rajani prayed for patience. β€œThat doesn’t mean we are having a torrid affair.”

β€œIn our culture this is as good as having an affair.”

β€œHow’s Papa?”

β€œHe’s okay. He’s taken up a job in a private firm.”

β€œBut why? What about his coaching classes?”

β€œHe mostly takes evening classes. He says he’s free in the mornings.”

β€œBut won’t that be an added pressure on him?”

β€œHe wants to make sure his children don’t suffer from anything.”

β€œI don’t need any money from him!” Rajani flared up.

β€œHe wants to give beta.” Nisha soothed. β€œHe is always stressed about you. He wants to make sure you have a safe secure future. I am constantly praying that you have a boy. Then everything will be alright. Lucky Shikha, her second baby is also a boy.”

β€œShikha had another baby?” Rajani was hurt. Shikha hadn’t told her! But then she hadn’t asked either. Somehow there was never any time. Or enthusiasm, she admitted to herself.

***

Click here for the next chapter: It’s a Girl

15 thoughts on “Part 5: On to Motherhood”

  1. Rajani is pregnant. She is pampered by her officemates but her mother in law is not happy.Her nose is out of joint as Harsha is no more mumma’s boy( for a little while at least). I hope Rajani has a girl then she will have someone to love because if she had a boy then the MIL (and Harsha)will take over and she will hardly see him.
    Poor Reitesh! He just wanted to talk. I liked the way Rajani tried to help by giving advice how to deal with Shweta.(After all, she has a lot of experience in such matters!!!!) So sad that friends are drifting apart but that’s life.
    Have a good day Dahlia.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I like your reason for wanting a girl for Rajani! Girlfriends are usually let go of after marriage for obvious reasons. But in today’s time it is feasible to stay in touch and indeed one must. Or make new friends, right Ferdi? πŸ™‚ Have a super day

      Liked by 1 person

  2. Hey, good to read your new chapters! Wow, you really moved things forward in a hurry! I like the way you had Rajani give advice to Riteish, although I’m disappointed that he appears to be the same narrow minded male that has populated your pages. Ek do acche bhi hote honge in this universe, no? She’s a lucky girl to have such nice office mates, and the boss lady is really a good sort. Keeping fingers crossed- although the poor girl has no idea what motherhood is! Welcome back:)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I took your advice and decided to skip the details, all of us I think have got the picture. Regarding achche men – sure there are and prefer to keep them under wraps, kahin nazar na lag jaye! πŸ˜€ Cheers

      Like

  3. What’s with this different avatar of Harsha??..good for Rani anyways…
    Seems like Rajani gives a day to day report to her mother too

    Liked by 1 person

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