The Dreaded Dad
“ Ashok , you know our son Umesh is also moving to Hyderabad from Indore ? “ said Mala to her husband one night
“ But why ? Indore is a nice place , India’s cleanest city . Hyderabad is now a days congested . “ said Ashok
“ I think he got himself transferred there as Reena is there . You know very well both are in love since college days . They have planned to marry you know “
“ I know and you also know we have no objection if they get married . I have also met Reena on a couple of occasions . She is a nice girl . Let us sleep now .“
Next morning Ashok asked his son Umesh “ When are you marrying Reena ? “
Umesh was not expecting this sudden question from Papa . He looked surprisingly towards her mom for a few seconds .
“ Why are you surprised ? We know your plan . Above all we have no objection to it . All that we want is to get married sooner . Ask her parents to talk to us .“ said Mala
“ Yes , I want it to happen earliest . Both of you will be in the same office and same city , maybe in the same house too .I don’t want any untoward thing to happen . “ said Ashok
“ Don’t worry . Anyway first let us settle at Hyderabad then we will marry soon . “ said Umesh
Ashok told her wife “ Just see this boy . How cleverly he said - let us settle . I want him to settle with Reena only after marriage . “
“ Nothing untowards will happen . Don’t you believe your son? “ Mala said
Umesh left for his office without answering . Both Umesh and Reena belonged to upper middle class families of Indore . Though they had done their schooling and engineering from the same college, they fell in love only in their college days . Both families knew about it and they had no objection in their marriage. But both Umesh and Reena wanted to marry when they got a job and settled in the same city .
Umesh called Reena and said “ My parents want us to marry soon . Ask your parents to talk to my parents .”
Reena kept mum for a while then Umesh asked again “ Why are you silent ? “
“ Do you want me to ask my parents to talk about my early marriage ? “
“ Some one has to take initiative . Your parents also know our plan . “
“ Okay but even then I am not going to ask my dad to get me married sooner . “
“ No issue , I will talk to aunty , I mean your mom . She can handle the issue in a better way . “
“ That sounds good . “ said Reena
Within a month both Umesh and Reena were in Hyderabad . They were living in different apartments . Both were sharing apartments with their colleagues . Parents of both Reena and Umesh had finalized their marriage to happen after two months . This was the earliest auspicious day available as per their family priests .The venue of marriage was fixed at hotel Taj in Hyderabad .
Umesh and Reena got married . They were blessed with a son within two years . Both’s parents came to Hyderabad again . This time to celebrate the birth of their grandson . All visited Tirupati to get Balaji’s blessings .They named their grandson Venkatesh . Their parents returned after some time .
Umesh and Reena were enjoying a happy married life with their little son . Umesh loved his son too much . Things went quite well for almost two years .After that Umesh was sent abroad on a project with another teammate . This teammate was a younger divorced girl named Antonio from Goa . They were posted in Sydney , Australia for about six months . Both Umesh and Antonia used to visit night clubs and drink . Sometimes Umesh sent his selfie with Antonia ,taken at different places like the famous Harbour Bridge and the Opera House , to Reena . Reena was not comfortable with these photos .
One day’s event added fuel to fire . One of Reena’s classmates was also present in the same night club where Umesh and Antonio were also enjoying drinks .They were found kissing each other . After some time both walked away from the club drunk . They were embracing and kissing . These events were captured on Reen’s friend;s mobile . He forwarded these photos to Reena . Umesh was unaware of the fact that his acts were available live to his wife in India . Nobody knew if Umesh and Antonio went beyond this and got physical . But Reena became suspicious of Umesh’s character and assumed that they must have been physical.
Reena said to her friend “ If possible find out where they are staying ? “
The very next day Reena’s friend called her “ You know both Umesh and Antonio are staying in the same room in a hotel . “
Reena got details of the hotel from her friend .She called the hotel and introduced herself and said “ Are my spouse Umesh and Antonio staying in the same room in your hotel ?”
“ Yes , they are together for this weekend only .” hotel front desk said
“ How can my husband stay in the same room in your hotel ? “
“ Sorry mam , it’s neither illegal nor uncommon here . “ and the hotel hung up
After hearing this she was deeply shocked and hurt . She informed this to Umesh’s parents besides her own parents . She blocked Umesh’s number . Though she didn’t tell anyone that she had decided to break up and divorce Umesh . She got herself transferred to Indore . She moved to her parent’s home with her son with all her belongings .
Both her parents tried to pacify their daughter and said “ At least talk to Umesh once and settle the things . Divorce should be avoided at any cost . It must be the last option .”
“ No, sorry . This is the only option . “ said Reena
“ What about Venkatesh ? “ asked parents
“ He is my son and will remain with me .”
“ He is Umesh’s son also . That will create a custodial case . ” said her father
“ Whatever . It will be decided after divorce . “
“ Are you adamant on divorce ?
“ No question of being adamant . To me this is the best solution to the present crisis .No more talks on this , please .If you don’t want me and Venkat here we will move to another place .”
Umesh returned to Hyderabad . He had heard about Reena’s anger from his parents but no one was aware about Reena moving to Indore . He was unable to reach Reena . He missed his son whom he loved very much .
The next day when he went to his office , he found divorce notice on his table . He called Reena’s parents and wanted to talk to Reena . But he was told “ Reena doesn’t want to talk to you . She will meet you in court .”
“ But Venkatesh is my son also . I want to see him . “
“ You can see both Reena and Venkat in the court . “
Divorce court proceedings started soon . Reena proved Umesh’s adultery in the court . There was no problem in divorce . The court granted their divorce . Umesh wanted the sole custody of his son . But as the boy was still under 5 years old and the mother was capable of raising him , the court granted him only visiting rights . The court order allowed Umesh to keep his son on weekends during daytime only . Once at the age of 18 , it was up to Venkatesh to decide if he wanted to be with mother or father .
Umesh wasn’t happy with the order but he was helpless . He used to fly to Indore Friday evening and remained with his son on weekends and flew back to Hyderabad Sunday evening . He brought clothes , candies and other gifts for his son . This went on for almost a year .
Once Umesh was with his son in a resort near Indore . He asked him “ Where do you feel better , with mom or with me ? “
“ Mama “ said Venkatesh . Venkatesh was four and half years old .
Umesh was not only upset with son’s reply but became furious . It was summer and quite hor . He had some drinks . It was lunch time but he was not in a mood to eat , neither did he let his son eat . He took his son to a quiet corner of the resort near a pool .
After some time he informed the resort and the police that his son had drowned in the pool . The police came and the boy was pulled out of the pool , he had already died .
The police asked Umesh “ How did it happen ? “
“ I had lunch with my son . My son wanted to go near the pool and watch the fountain . I sat on the bench and was reading a book . Venkat was playing with the ball . I was keeping an eye on him . For a few seconds I missed his sight . The ball might have slipped out of his hands and rolled into the pool .Look, his ball is still floating there .” Umesh said pointing toward the ball .
The boy's body was taken out and sent for autopsy . The report revealed that Venkat’s stomach was empty meaning he didn’t have lunch . Secondly there were some injuries on the face . The cause of death was asphyxiation . As there was no water in the stomach it meant the boy had died of asphyxiation before drowning .
Reena was also informed . She came hurriedly with her parents . She started hurling her shoes at Umesh and pulling his hair . The police stopped her . She fell down unconscious on the ground .
Umesh was arrested and sent to police custody . During investigation Umesh said “ If Venkat was not mine he can't be Reena's too . “ He accepted killing his own son in a fit of uncontrollable anger and outburst because he failed to gain his sole custody .
The end
Note - This story is merely fiction .
