CHAPTER 22
MAAHI
Daadi helps me drape the red saree she bought specifically for my wedding. Despite Preet's selection of designer lehengas, I choose to wear what Daadi picked for me. Her happiness is unparalleled today; her dream of seeing me as her grandson’s wife is coming true. While I'm thrilled for her, I'm also nervous. Daadi will never leave this place, and neither will I. Though Daadi has told Vikram, I still need to discuss it with him.
“Now sit here and wear this,” Daadi says, removing a necklace from the jewelry box. It’s one I’ve never seen before.
“Daadi, this one is...”
“I know,” she interrupts. “I kept it for Vikram’s bride. I’m so honored to give it to you. Meera always had an eye on this, but I never gave it to her.”
“Then it’s better I don’t wear it today,” I sigh. “She’s already unhappy about this marriage. I don’t want to enrage her more.”
“Don’t worry about Meera. She might be upset now, but when she sees how much Vikram adores you, she’ll give up and accept you as his bride. She loves her son too much to ignore anything he wants.”
Daadi hooks the necklace around my neck. Just then the door opens and Meera aunty enters. She’s wearing a black-and-white palazzo suit, which obviously doesn’t impress Daadi for today’s occasion.
“Meera, what kind of outfit is this? It’s your son’s wedding.”
“It’s a court wedding, Maa,” she snaps. “And this is exactly what I would have worn if the wedding were in the US. Not to mention, the bride is not my choice either, so the outfit doesn’t really matter. I’m just attending the wedding for Vikram, and he wants me to give Maahi this.”
She hands me a box wrapped in a satin ribbon.
“What is this?” I ask.
She doesn’t reply, her eyes fixated on the necklace I’m wearing. She then glances at Daadi and back at me.
“First the Devki Estate, and now our family jewels. What else do you have an eye on, Maahi?”
“Meera!” Daadi shouts, but she continues.
“Maa, please don’t come between me and her. She’s going to be my daughter-in-law now, and I have every right to convey my thoughts to her.”
I knew Meera Singh Grover would seize every opportunity to throw her taunts.
“Vikram has met more charming girls than you, but I see how he looks at you. I hope you remain his center of attraction forever because let me give you a piece of advice. If Vikram loses interest, he won’t hesitate to remove you from his life just as quickly as he got you into it.”
Daadi is about to say something, but I stop her. This is my fight now. Not hers.
“Thank you for your advice, Aunty. I’ll make sure you never see that day,” I mutter, glaring at her, who stares back with equal anger before walking out.
“Maahi, don’t take her words to heart. Meera is hurt, but...”
“I’ll handle her, Daadi. Don’t worry.”
Daadi sighs in relief, seeing my confidence.
“Now open this gift. I’ll come back to get you when the car is ready.”
Daadi leaves the room. I stare at myself in the mirror, trying to recognize the woman I’ve become. I’ve taken the biggest risk of my life, and I worry if things will turn in my favor. To divert my thoughts, I open the box Vikram sent through his mother. It’s a wrist watch, its dial circled by delicate expensive diamonds. There’s also a note inside which reads:
‘Our good time starts now. Welcome to my world, Cub.’
I swallow the lump of fear forming in my throat. I’m entering Vikram’s world without knowing how dark it could be. I’ve never tried to know him beyond what I already do. But I’ve walked too far now to turn back. Fulfilling Daadi’s dreams for Devki Estate is my only goal, and I’ll do anything to make it happen. But I feel guilty for not clarifying that I intend to stay here with Daadi and not travel to the US. I know Vikram understands I won’t leave Daadi, but he needs to hear it from me. I grab my phone and dial him. Without exchanging hellos, he gets straight to the point.
“Hope you haven’t changed your mind, Sweetheart,” he teases.
Words choke in my throat. Will he change his mind if I reveal my plans?
“Did you get my gift?”
I glance at the wrist watch on my dressing table. It’s expensive and out of my league, but it’s his gift, and I won’t reject it.
“Vikram, we didn’t have time to talk yesterday. We need to...”
“You sound desperate, and I like it.”
He’s in no mood to be serious. He’s clearly happy about our marriage today. A part of me fears his expectations. He wants me to give him every right as a husband willingly. When he takes me in his arms and kisses me, I melt. But it’s too soon to bond so intimately with a man I hardly know.
“Vikram, I’m not coming to the US with you,” I finally say, loud and clear. There’s a long pause.
“Excuse me? What did you just say?”
I dislike his intimidating tone, but I hadn’t expected him to be calm about my decision either.
“I can’t leave Daadi here at Ratna Mahal. She’s unwilling to travel, and neither am I prepared to leave the country.”
“A wife stays with her husband. I’m sure you know that,” he snaps. “You were going to leave this house if you married Shyam Trivedi.”
“Yes, but I’d still be in the same city,” I argue. “I planned to see her every day. I wasn’t going to isolate her.”
I hear him groan in disappointment.
“Then convince her to come with us. She’ll never deny you.”
“I know she’ll never deny me, but I don’t want to force her against her wishes. Didn’t you hear what she said yesterday? She has memories of Daadu attached to this place. She’ll never leave Ratna Mahal, and neither will I.”
He takes a long pause, processing my reply as I continue.
“I run my business from here, Vikram. No matter how many boutiques I open elsewhere, I can’t wind up here. I have clients I can’t ignore.”
“You should have thought of that before proposing to me,” Vikram shouts. “I thought you were willing to do anything for Devki Estate.”
“I am, but...”
“No, Maahi Awasthi,” he shouts again, scaring me this time. “You’ve said enough. Now listen to me. You knew you weren’t leaving from the moment you proposed. You should have told me sooner. I can still change the game, Maahi, and I will.”
I’m horrified. What will he do? The call disconnects.
“Vikram, hello? Vikram, listen to me.”
I rush to the door to talk to him personally and clear it out but the moment I reach the door, Daadi is standing there.
“Good you came. We have to leave for the court. The car is ready,” Daadi says holding my hand.
“Daadi, I... I have to meet Vikram first.”
“You can see him at the court. He left long back. He’s not at home.”
Not at home? Where is he? And what will he do now that he knows I’m not going to the US with him?
***************
We reach the court and wait for Vikram. Vanraj uncle and Meera aunty came in another vehicle. Initially, I thought Vikram was with them, but he isn’t. They’re equally surprised he’s not here yet.
“We have fifteen minutes before the registrar calls us inside. Why isn’t Vikram here?” Daadi expresses her concern.
“I think he changed his mind,” Meera aunty smirks. “I hope so.”
“Meera, enough,” Vanraj uncle snaps. “I’ve tried calling him, but he’s not answering. Why is he ignoring my calls?”
Daadi’s panic worries me.
“Daadi, please sit here,” I say, helping her to a chair and giving her some water.
“Where could he be?” Daadi mumbles, sipping water. “I hope he’s fine.”
I don’t know what to say. Will he not show up? Is this what he meant by changing the game? Has he decided not to marry me because I’m not going to the US? I rub my temple to ease the tension.
“Maahi, try calling him,” Vanraj uncle suggests. I’m not sure if that’s a good idea, but I nod and am about to dial when Vikram’s car parks in front of us. He steps out in an off-white suit, looking ready for the occasion, but I still feel uneasy.
“Vikram,” Daadi rushes to him. “What took you so long?”
He hasn’t taken his eyes off me. It’s hard to read his expression. Will he cancel the wedding despite being here? If he does, I’ll have to fight legally for Devki Estate, and I don’t know how Daadi will handle it.
“I was fetching a gift for my beautiful wife. That’s why I’m late,” he replies to Daadi.
His tone lacks softness. He called me his wife, so he’s not canceling the wedding.
“Gifts?” Meera sighs. “You gave her one this morning. Are you going to spend all your money on this woman?”
“Wife, Mom,” he snaps. “Please, let’s give her that respect.”
Meera aunty is about to argue, but Vanraj uncle stops her.
“Let’s get inside. The registrar is waiting,” he reminds, dragging his wife inside.
Vikram and I walk on either side of Daadi. We stand before the registrar and quickly complete the formalities. I still can’t believe this marriage is happening. What gift was he talking about? Was he really planning a gift or a shock to ruin my plans? I hope it’s not the latter. We sign the marriage papers, and Daadi hands him the mangalsutra. He picks it up and watches me intently before putting it around my neck. Next is the sindoor, and he fills my maang with such passion and possession that it throws me off balance. I’m so lost that I don’t even hear the family’s claps as the registrar announces us husband and wife. All I can do is stare at Vikram, who glares back with unknown rage. Daadi feeds us sweets, and when she’s busy feeding Vanraj uncle and Meera aunty, Vikram strides to me and leans close.
“You broke a condition of our deal; now it’s my turn, Sweetheart,” he whispers. “Want to know what that is?”
Sweat mists my skin. Vikram grins before declaring it loud and clear to me.
“I’m not giving up Devki Estate, not after you changed your mind about the US,” he declares.
My fingers clench at his words. He won’t give up Devki Estate? But that was my sole purpose of marrying him.
“Vikram, you can’t—” I start to argue, but he grabs my hand and drags me to Daadi and his parents. We take their blessings, and when I touch Daadi’s feet, she blesses me and cups my face. Tears roll down my cheeks as I imagine the consequences of Vikram’s decision. If he doesn’t give up Devki Estate, it means he will support his father in building his business there, shattering Daadi’s dreams. I never thought he would change his mind like this. He wouldn’t have done that if I had agreed to travel and settle in the US with him. But he cannot assume and take decisions on my behalf.
“I hope these are happy tears,” Daadi’s voice breaks my stance as she wipes my tears. She then looks at Vikram. “Keep her happy always. I know you always have and always will.”
Vikram presses a gentle kiss on Daadi’s forehead. “You have no idea how interesting our relationship is going to be from now on, Daadi,” he mocks, turning to me. “I will give her what she never even dreamt of.”
I shoot him an annoyed look. If he thinks I am going to let him ruin Daadi’s dreams, he is wrong.
“Vikram, we need to talk...” I try to speak to him again, but he turns to his mom, ignoring me once more. Meera Singh Grover throws her tantrums as usual, but Vikram pulls her chin to make her look at him.
“Mom, I need a hug.”
She smiles at her son and embraces him finally. “I wish you had married a girl of my choice,” she mutters. “But now that you haven’t, I hope you get everything you desire from her.” She then stares at me while stroking her son’s back. “And I don’t have to say… I will make sure she keeps you happy.”
“She will,” he pulls back from the hug, glaring at me.
No, I won’t. If he thinks by crushing the sole purpose of this marriage, he is going to get his husbandly rights on me, he is entirely wrong.
“It’s time for celebration!” Vanraj uncle cheers. “Where’s the party tonight?”
“No party tonight, Vanraj,” Daadi interrupts. “Today is their special night. We can have the party tomorrow before you all fly.”
I want to scream that I’m not flying anywhere, but I don’t. I need to talk to Vikram first and clarify this madness he is bringing upon us by changing his stand. We all head out, and though I try my best to sneak some time with Vikram, he is purposely moving away. I have never been so pissed with anyone before. We should have traveled back in the same car, now that we are just married, but Vikram gives some excuse of work and informs everyone that he will see us by late evening. Daadi doesn’t stop him either as she doesn’t want to interfere in his work. The rest of us head back to Ratna Mahal, where Daadi welcomes me like a new bride should be, with all the rituals. Aunty is a silent spectator, whereas Vanraj uncle is already on cloud nine thinking he has bagged his business deal through Devki Estate.
“Maahi, you must rest now. I have called Preet to get you ready for the evening. We will have a small ceremony tonight. I am going to invite a few of my friends and relatives for the Mooh Dikhai.” (An important post-wedding ritual for the bride which means ‘showing your face’ and in this context unveiling your bridal veil and getting her introduced to the Groom’s family and guests.)
I nod at Daadi passively, whereas Meera Singh Grover rolls her eyes.
“Maa, everyone has seen Maahi already. She has been living with you for years. Why this unnecessary formality then?” she snaps.
“Meera. This is our tradition.”
Meera aunty laughs sarcastically. “Thank God I am no longer part of this circus.”
“Meera,” Vanraj uncle interrupts. “You are Maahi’s mother-in-law now. Technically, you have to arrange these things.”
“I will,” she snaps. “I have planned a grand reception party next weekend in the US.”
I clench my teeth. It’s high time I clear their misunderstanding. Though Vikram is not here and my conversation with him is still pending, I decide to talk to the rest of them first.
“I am not flying to the US with you all this time,” I declare.
The three of them stare at me with unreadable expressions.
“You are not coming with us?” Vanraj uncle queries. “But how is that possible? You and Vikram are married and—”
“I have some work here to finish, and until then, I cannot travel. I will stay back with Daadi.”
Meera aunty turns to her husband and nods sympathetically.
“You saw, Vanraj? It’s not even been two hours since she married our son, and she’s already denying to travel with him.”
Her mockery doesn’t affect me. I am more concerned about how Daadi is going to react.
“She is going with you all,” Daadi declares, holding my hand. “Please give her some time. She will be ready.”
Saying that, she drags me upstairs to my room.
“Daadi, I am not going anywhere,” I keep saying, but Daadi doesn’t respond until we are alone in my room. She locks the door and turns to me.
“You are going with them, Maahi. That place is your home now. Vikram has business to run there.”
“And I have my business here,” I debate.
Daadi is speechless. I don’t want to give her the wrong impression about my relationship with Vikram, so I quickly clutch her arms and explain.
“I have spoken to Vikram,” I lie. “He understands my commitments, and it’s not like I am going to stay here forever. Once I tackle my work here, we can go together.”
“Oh,” she sighs. “So that’s why you are denying to go? Because I am not coming along.”
I fight back my tears.
“No, Daadi.”
“Don’t lie to me,” she shrugs off my arm. “You cannot stay with me forever, Maahi. I am so happy that you are my grandson’s wife now, and even if you stay with them in the USA and not here, I will still be happy for you all. Only because I am not willing to go now, you don’t have to make excuses of work to stay back.”
I look away, unable to defend myself.
“And even if we both go to the USA after some days, I am not going to be there permanently. Once you and Vikram settle down in that house, once I am satisfied that Meera has accepted you, I will return back to Ratna Mahal. You know this is where my soul belongs. What will you do then? You cannot keep traveling back and forth with me every time. Your husband needs you. He should be your priority now, not me.”
“I am sorry, Daadi, but only because I am married now, it doesn’t change my responsibility towards you. If I have to keep traveling back and forth, I will. I don’t care who doesn’t like it or support my decision.”
Daadi looks at me, horrified.
“What kind of behavior is this? What will people say?”
“I don’t care about people.”
“And Vikram? Do you at least care for him, or have you both married for your own convenience?”
Now I am tongue-tied. If I keep dragging this conversation, Daadi will not take long to know the real reason behind my wedding to Vikram.
“Daadi, we will find a way to make this work.”
“Long-distance marriage?” she groans. “I am not saying it won’t work, but it’s too early for you two. How much time have you both spent with each other? Hardly anything, Maahi. And before even knowing in and out of your partner, you took this decision to marry, which we all supported. And now you want me to believe that you both are going to stay in two different countries and make this marriage work?”
I look down in guilt. I knew these questions would arise, but all I took into consideration at the time of proposing to Vikram was Devki Estate’s custody. And now, even that seems to be shattering. Vikram technically owns fifty percent of Devki Estate because he married me.
Ignoring all those thoughts for now, I press Daadi’s hands in mine.
“I don’t know how this marriage will work, Daadi. But I do know that I’m never leaving you alone here. I would have never got a house and a family in you if you hadn't adopted me. I owe you my life. How can I abandon you at this stage of life when you need me the most?”