- 25 -
Now that Rani was alone in the house, she began thinking over her conversation with the lawyer, ‘He had extracted all the information related to Alok and our friendship from me in the question-answer session. Ramesh Ji stayed with him for a long time. He did not know many of the things that the lawyer got out of me. He must have told everything to Ramesh Ji who did not tell me anything about it.’
She could not decide what to tell Alok. She spent some moments in a dilemma. When she could not bear anymore, she called Alok, “Hello Alok, are you at home?”
“No, I’m with a friend. I'll call you back on reaching home in about two hours,” saying this, he disconnected.
Usually Rani is alone at home after Ramesh leaves for his office and Lachhmi finishes her work, but for the past few days, she has been feeling that whenever she is alone at home, it haunts her. …. It was for the first time that she wanted to talk to Alok but could not. Her heart started sinking. When she could not think of any other way of diverting her mind, she called her friend, Mrs. Verma, “Hello Alka, what’re you doing, are you free in the afternoon?”
“I’ve just finished kitchen work. Today being holiday, my husband has planned to watch a movie, so I’ll not be free in the afternoon. Anything special…?”
“Nothing special. I thought if you were free, we could sit together for some chitchat.”
“Sorry, I won't be able to come today,”
Rani was disappointed. After Alok, even Mrs. Verma, who was always ready for chitchat, did not have time to spare for her. Rani switched on the TV, changed channels several times but could not stick to any particular channel. She turned off the TV and took out the novel 'Aapka Bunty' from the cupboard and tried to read it. But after flipping through a few pages, she put it back. When the mind is restless, one does not feel like doing anything. Rani was eager to talk to Alok, so, it was natural for her not to feel like doing anything. She started moving around in the house like a bird fluttering in a cage. In such a situation, one can get some solace only by being busy in some work. Even though Ramesh rarely had dinner after coming back from Sunday card-party, still food had to be prepared. With the intention to busy herself, Rani turned towards the kitchen.
Alok’s call came after about two hours. By that time, Rani had finished kitchen-work. She was somewhat calm now. Alok knew very well that if he said sorry to Rani, she would feel bad. So, instead of saying sorry directly, he said in a clarifying manner, “After reaching home on Friday night, I fell asleep. I was waiting for your call since yesterday afternoon. I didn’t call on my own deliberately. This morning, a friend called me to discuss something regarding his son's career. He also requested me to have lunch with him. I didn't think it appropriate to talk to you while sitting with him. Now tell me, what happened? Is there anything serious?”
Rani told everything in detail to Alok. He was shocked to learn about their visit to the lawyer and Ramesh’s insistence on divorce. Yet he consoled her that the only way to overcome life’s struggle is to have patience, and assured her that even if Ramesh insists on divorce, she would not remain alone. He also asked her if she were alone at home and felt the need, he could come. But Rani told that there was no such need.
…….
While lying on the bed at night, Ramesh pondered over his conversation with Khanna. Conflicting thoughts emerged in his mind. Despite Khanna’s advice to reconsider his decision, he had firmly made up his mind that under the circumstances and looking at Rani's attitude, there was no way that their married life could get back on track. The only option left was divorce. Only then he could get rid of the continuous mental stress that he was passing through every moment for the past some time. He weighed the options suggested by Khanna. Should he level the allegation of Rani’s bad character for seeking divorce or prepare her for a divorce by mutual consent? While weighing the first option, he found himself on a slippery ground. He had no concrete evidence to tarnish Rani’s character except her confession before Khanna that she and Alok had spent one night together and that they had been meeting each other in Ramesh’s absence. It would be imprudent to file a case on such a flimsy ground of mere suspicion. Even Khanna may not agree to it. There would be negligible chance of its decision going in his favour. Besides, Rani will also not sit quiet because her reputation would also be at stake. Looking to the kind of relations they share, Alok will certainly help her to the best of his abilities, even if indirectly. And the way the courts function, who can say how long the case may linger on! In this endless wait, mental stress would have to be endured continuously. Thinking on these lines, he dismissed this option. On pondering over the other option, he felt that since Rani does not want to budge from her friendship with Alok, she may readily agree for divorce by mutual consent. To apply for this, Khanna can be consulted again about the condition of living separately for a year. After deciding this, he felt greatly relieved and thought that he would talk to Rani only after discussing with Khanna. When a person is free from mental stress, and is physically tired, it does not take long to fall asleep. This happened with Ramesh also. In a short while, he was in deep sleep.
*****
