- 31 -
Rani had gone to Bathinda. Ramesh came at home in the evening and ate the food cooked by her. After having dinner, while he was trying to sleep, various conflicting thoughts cropped up in his mind. He felt as if there was a whirlpool of those in his mind.
He started thinking: ‘Despite my adamant attitude and cruel behaviour, Rani is so concerned about me. Not only did she prepare breakfast and lunch but took care of my dinner also. Her asking me to come to Bathinda on Sunday and talking about coming back together cannot be considered merely a formality. While discussing divorce, I made some sarcastic remarks, still, not only she readily accepted all my conditions but also responded, ‘Forgive me, I can't even imagine that you would do injustice to me except that you didn’t like my friendship with Alok. Whatever decision you’ve taken for my convenience, I’m really grateful.’
This thought was still going on in his mind when another thought started pecking at it and dominating it: ‘Right from the beginning, Rani has tried to hide and keep the information about Alok secret from me. It was merely by chance that the circumstances forced her to accept the truth as she was left with no alternative but to accept. She had to admit the fact of Alok’s visit because I had noticed and asked about the paintings on the drawing-room wall. But she didn’t tell me about Alok’s night-stay at our house but told that to Khanna in reply to his direct question about it. And the most important question is still unanswered - ‘When Alok stayed overnight, did they sleep in the same bedroom?’ Further if I hadn’t noticed the book ‘Manto Ki Chuninda Kahaniyan’ lying on the table, I wouldn’t have come to know about her visit to Patiala. And if Mr. Mehra hadn’t told me, would I ever have learnt about their meeting in Panchkula? Certainly not. And had Rani taken off the expensive ring given to her by Alok, I would never have known anything about their meeting in a hotel on her birthday. These are the only incidents, the information about which I got by chance in some way or the other. They must have met many more times about which I don’t have any inkling. Rani will never tell me about that of her own!’
While brooding over the past events, a voice came from the depths of his heart: ‘Ramesh, be cautious! Be alert. No matter how much Rani may take care of your convenience, she would never be faithful to you so far as Alok is concerned. Their secret meetings and effort to keep secret their relationship will continue. So, stick to your decision to break up with her and don’t get distracted.’
Another explosive thought struck his mind: ‘Rani says that she and Alok are childhood friends. According to what she told Khanna, they must have been thirteen or fourteen years old at that time. At such a vulnerable age, it doesn’t take one long to falter. Something unwarranted might have happened between them, because of which, after marriage, Rani never ever mentioned anything about her childhood activities. And now, when they met after so many years, and that, too, when Alok’s wife is not alive, it’s quite possible that he might have blackmailed Rani and trapped her in his clutches! There’s no gainsaying the fact that the attraction towards another man’s wife is natural. Only the social norms and moral values keep men and women in limit. It’s also true that such values have limit but desires are limitless. Men and women, overpowered by desire, may go to any length for its fulfilment. Family dignity, social prestige etc. become meaningless for such persons.’
Brooding over such endless possibilities, Ramesh kept tossing and turning all the night. When he woke up next morning, his entire body was aching as if he had travelled for miles of rough and tough pathway! Somehow he got up. After coming out of the bathroom, he made tea. After having tea, he felt a little better, his mind got relaxed somewhat. After relaxing for some time, he took the final decision. Now it was not possible to live like strangers under one roof. Arrangements will have to be made for Rani’s separate living before she returns. As if he had woken up from slumber, another thought struck him, ‘who will prepare food for him in Rani’s absence?’ He was completely dependent on her. He rarely made even tea. Immediately a solution came to his mind. Employ some worker in the office who could also cook. He may be given a place to stay at the residence. He will do the kitchen work as well as the office job. Before the office hours, he will prepare breakfast and lunch, and after returning in the evening, dinner. Most of his life has already passed, only a small part of it remains. Ramesh thought that this way the life could be passed smoothly and he would be relieved of the day-to-day tension.
Lachhmi came at eight o’clock. Even though Rani had explained everything to her, yet Ramesh told her what to prepare for the breakfast and lunch. He also said, “Lachhmi, finish everything quickly as I’ve to leave for the office at ten o’clock.”
“Sahib Ji, you take your bath and get ready, I’ll complete everything in time.”
Ramesh entered the bathroom. It took him about half an hour to shave and bathe. When he came out of the bathroom, Lachhmi had already finished preparing Subzi etc.
“Sahib Ji, are you ready for the breakfast? Should I bake the paranthas?”
“Not yet, I’ll take another fifteen-twenty minutes, meanwhile, you may do something else,”
Ramesh came at the dining table at nine thirty. Lachhmi served the breakfast within five minutes. After having breakfast, when Ramesh came out of the bedroom ready for the office, he found his Tiffin ready and kept on the table and Lachhmi to leave.
…….
After reaching office, Ramesh called his assistant Neelkanth and asked him to find out if there was any worker in the staff who knew cooking etc., and if not, to give an advertisement in the newspaper for a helper-cum-cook. He also asked him to talk to the ‘To Let Service’ dealers to suggest the availability of a two BHK set at some nice location. After sometime, he phoned Khanna to ask for appointment. Khanna asked to come after five. After this, he talked to Anjani and Sanjana and asked them to come in a day or two, saying that he had to discuss a very important matter with them, but he did not tell them that Rani had gone to enquire about their Nani’s health. When Anjani agreed to come the next day, Ramesh asked Sanjana also to come accordingly.
During lunch time, Neelkanth talked to some of the staff-members. Ramesh's driver told him that he was living in a rented room and cooking his own food. If Sahib keeps him at his house, he’ll cook food etc. for him, too. When Neelkanth told this to Ramesh, he immediately called the driver for confirmation. He asked him to take charge of his additional duties right from the next day. The driver told him that he had already paid rent for the full month and, therefore, he would start living at home only from the first of the next month but will start cooking etc. right from the next day. Having solved this problem, Ramesh felt relieved to a large extent.
In the evening, Ramesh went to Khanna and told him that they had decided to separate. He further told him about what all he wanted to give Rani as maintenance. The lawyer asked him if there was any immovable property in Madam’s name. Ramesh told him that there was no immovable property in her name but she is a partner in the business. The lawyer suggested that he should dissolve the partnership and instead of giving monthly amount to Madam, give her a lump sum. Madam should give in writing that after the cash, bank balance and Stri-Dhan she has received as final settlement, she wouldn’t make any claim for any kind of compensation or alimony in future. When Ramesh told that Rani has not made any demand from her side nor has raised any objection, the lawyer said that even if she has not raised any objection, still considering your financial position and status, the monthly amount you have mentioned seems very less. He advised Ramesh to give a second thought to that, only then a divorce petition could be filed. It would be mentioned that despite living together for the last one year, the relationship between them was no longer that of a husband and wife and it was not possible for them to live as a husband and wife in the future as well. After the expiry of six months, the divorce petition might be approved.
Ramesh pondered over what Khanna had just told him and thought: ‘Rani could have made a claim for a lot more. Whatever I have I earned till date, has been earned mostly only after our marriage. It’s a fact that no immovable property is in her name, yet as the convention goes, she could make a claim on half of the property. Though she has not asked for anything, yet I must give her a fair share, if not exactly half. I will deposit thirty lakh rupees in FD in her name, in which the nominee could be either Anjani or Sanjana. The monthly amount can be kept at thirty thousand rupees because I’ll pay the rent of the flat also. The partnership can be dissolved effective from 30th September.’ When he told all this to Khanna, he, too, agreed and said, “Ramesh Ji, bring Madam tomorrow so that legal paperwork could be completed.”
When Ramesh informed him that Rani has gone to her parents’ house, he said, “No problem, further process can be completed after her return.”
Next morning, Anjani and Sanjana informed Ramesh that they would reach by evening. So, Ramesh came home from the office in the afternoon and kept the driver with him. Anjani and Sanjana reached within a gap of one hour. Finding no trace of Rani in the house, they asked Ramesh, “Where is mummy, Papa?” When he told them that Rani had gone to Bathinda to inquire about their Nani’s well-being, they were surprised as to why Papa had called them in mummy’s absence? Then Ramesh narrated the complete story of the friendship between their Mummy and Alok and also told them that their Mummy was not ready to give up this friendship despite his request. That under these circumstances, they were thinking of divorce by mutual consent. Anjani and Sanjana were taken aback by the turn of events. They wondered how could Mummy, at this stage of life, be so deeply devoted to her childhood friend and how would Mummy and Papa live their separate lives? As Papa has indicated that Mummy would live with her friend, but how would Papa manage alone? But they said in unison to Ramesh just this, “Papa, it would’ve been better if you had called us in mummy’s presence! Without knowing mummy’s views, what can we say in this matter? Both you and mummy are equal for us. Moreover, you had initially taken Mama Ji into confidence, so, it would be better to consult him before taking any final step.”
Ramesh said, “If you deem fit, talk to your mummy on phone.”
“Papa, you know very well that such matters can’t be discussed on phone. Mummy is presently with Nani, it won’t be good if everyone comes to know of this matter.”
They were not aware of the fact that Papa and Mummy had already taken the decision to divorce each other; and that they were being just informed. After listening to them, Ramesh realised that he did not act right by calling them in Rani’s absence. So, this matter was swept under the carpet. Next morning, after having breakfast, Anjani and Sanjana left for their respective destinations.
In the office, Neelkanth told Ramesh that two-three flats were available for rent at good locations. In the evening, Ramesh visited those flats. He liked two of them; one was 2 BHK and the other was 3 BHK. Ramesh finalised the former and gave advance for it. He also sent its location and photo to Rani on WhatsApp.
*****
