It was the day of Sneha's Godh Bharai (Baby shower). The first celebration at Kanth Manor after Aparna's wedding and the first one after Padmini's mysterious disappearance. Her absence was very obviously felt in every nook and corner of the mansion, in every arrangement and the heart of every individual under that roof.

Even Chandrakanth couldn't deny that he missed her. The amount of care and effort she took in all these preparations were undeniable but, never valued her or her presence. He was thankful that Parul had reached Delhi a few days back since he was clueless about these rites and rituals. Once she took charge of the preparations, he felt the headache of the household lifted off his shoulders.

The Godh Bharai was traditionally held at the in-laws of the mother to be. Since the ritual and the prayers are held for the well-being of the mother to be and the unborn child, a lot of care, concern and sentiments were involved, which couldn't be jeopardised.

~~~~

Chandakanth woke up to a lot of hustle and bustle heard from the ground floor, 'Parul can never learn to work noiselessly. God knows how she is running a company!'

He grumbled and rolled over, as he strained to open his tired eyes, he sat upright in shock. He did a double-take as he took in the sight before him. The sight he was so used to seeing in all these thirty years, Padmini was perched calmly in front of the dresser latching the hook of a pearl necklace around her neck.

He thought he detested the everyday sight but, her sheer presence right now made him realise that a sense of calm had enveloped him. Padmini eyed him surreptitiously, through the mirror; clad in one of her trademark silk sarees, her hair hung in a loose braid behind her back. She stood up and left the room without even acknowledging his presence. A dazed Chandrakanth was struggling to tell if what he saw was real or a dream.

~~~~

"What do you mean? Where was she all these days?" Chandakanth was whisper yelling at Paarth "how did she land here exactly today? How.." His next question died in his throat when he saw his sister approaching them.

"Paarth, here you go, give this to Sneha and make sure she eats well" handing him the breakfast tray.

"Why is he carrying them"? Chandakanth cocked his eyebrow.

"Why do you have to make everything an ego issue Dad? Carrying food for someone you love is not a crime. How would you know that?"

Parul turned on her heels to follow Paarth before she stopped and glanced back at Chandrakanth defiantly.

"I do not want you to ruin this day, at least for those two children. All your stupid questions will be answered but, post the ceremony after the guests have left. And, in case you're wondering, NO I shall not address you as my brother anymore. You lost the right." Parul seemed distant and hurt.

'The calm before the storm'! Chandakanth thought of it very lightly, before proceeding to greet his relatives. The ceremony usually involved only close family members of the parents to be, especially women.

~~~~

At the appointed auspicious hour, Padmini walked Sneha to the altar and made her sit on the aasan (low stool used as a seat during rituals) there were murmurs among the guests. Padmini smiled at Sneha and kissed her forehead fondly.

"Love you ma, we all are with you don't forget that" Sneha whispered holding Padmini's hand.

"Stop, what on earth is she doing here?" One of the older women from Chandrakanth's family commanded. Padmini who was about to begin the rituals turned around curiously towards the woman and greeted her respectfully. Parul, Paarth and Sneha watched silently as Padmini had requested them to. She had asked them earlier when she reached home, to wait until she requested their help.

"Where were you all these days? How come you ran away from the house without letting anyone know anything and now suddenly appear and act like a very dutiful mother in law"? She continued in a spiteful tone.

The woman was always known to have been hateful towards Padmini, not only her but many of Chandrakanth's relatives hated her and thought she was beneath them in status. Finally, they got an opportunity.

Paarth was about to step forward in her defence when Padmini spoke. "Aunt, I'm sorry about leaving abruptly. My parents were very ill and I had to be by their side. Did you not tell them all Chandra? I thought you said even the investors were informed about my whereabouts, how come your aunt did not know about it?" She quizzically raised her brows towards him and turned back to the lady. Chandrakanth was astonished by her attitude. She had never been this outspoken, definitely not to the elders.

"They are in the US now aunty, with my brothers. Can we talk later? The auspicious time is slipping by and I can't neglect my daughter in law?" She did not wait for her response and proceeded to start the ritual with the priest guiding her.

"Do you think we are going to believe the story you are spinning now? Where did you run off to? How dare you show your shameless face back in this house? Did you even go to your parent's house or..." a few gasps were heard among the guests. Parul held back Paarth who was throwing murderous glares at his father who stood silently refusing to budge.

Padmini decided she had enough, placed the ornamental silver bowl down and strode towards the woman in two long strides with a fierce look in her eyes.

"One more word against me and I might have to ask you to leave. I have had enough of your nonsense. Have you no sense of shame degrading another woman? Do you think this wealth is what decides the worth of a human? If you die tomorrow everybody here would remember these moments as your last. This ugly side of yours is what will stay in everyone's memory. Not the expensive diamonds or the designer saree nor the ridiculously expensive purse or footwear that you possess."

The woman was shaken. So were everybody else in that mansion, with just a handful of them feeling proud of her. Standing a foot taller than the frail hag, Padmini threw a sharp glance around the room.

"Anybody else has objection to my presence can get out of my house. I'd rather not let you corrupt souls bless my children."

"Padmini. How dare you?" Chandrakanth bellowed after breaking free from his shocked state.

She turned sharply towards him.
"I had to dare Chandra since you did not".

"Is this what your parents taught you, to disrespect elders and guests?" A male relative stood up, a cousin of some form to Chandrakanth, about whom Padmini couldn't care less.

"Thirty years this Padmini had been the ideal daughter in law of the Malhotra family which reflect my parent's upbringing of 18 years."

She glanced between Chandrakanth and the relatives
"This Padmini is the result of thirty years of Chandrakanth's influence. After all, a man or a woman is known by the company they keep isn't it?" she finished with a taunt at the whole family.

"Don't forget your daughter and..." Another voice that rose was quelled.

"I'm teaching Aparna and Sneha to stand up for themselves, to speak their mind fearlessly against anyone who wrongs them irrespective of who they are. And I don't need parenting lessons from anybody present here. For an illiterate, village woman I have done a pretty enviable job don't you think"?

Paarth and Aparna walked over and stood on either side of Padmini protectively.

"We don't want blessings from people who disrespect my mother. Whoever that might be". Paarth's determined gaze made them uncomfortable. Some of them sat back timidly and some left grumbling. The rest of the ceremony proceed without further interruption.

~~~~~

Chandrakanth was fuming. He was angry and confused about so many things. Her disappearance, her sudden return, her avoidance since morning. And now by humiliating his relatives she had infuriated him. 'She needs to be taught a lesson!'

He was pacing his room like an angry beast, waiting for her. His pent up frustration of all these months was building up and ready to burst into flames and consume his easy target, Padmini.
And without disappointing him she did walk in. He shut the doors and confronted her.

"where the hell have you been? And what the fuck was that?" He grabbed her arms in a tight grip.

"Stop it, Chandra it hurts let me go!" Padmini grit her teeth in pain. Even though she had mentally prepared herself for the worst, facing her tormentor, the familiar threatening situation sent shivers through her body which immediately went to freeze mode by default. Chandra kept questioning her and verbally abusing her all the while holding her in a deathly grip.

She froze in shock and fear having landed in the same circumstance. Her body stiffened, colour drained from her face as she listened to the endless rally of abuses and accusations. Panic filled her mind as it began to process the impending catastrophe, his physical abuse.

'No' her insides screamed in desperation, as tears stung her eyes, her chest constricted at the memory. Chandrakanth violently shook her which broke her trance, "answer me you bitch! You think you have grown some brain cells. Have you? No, you don't. You did and will always do as I say. You don't have a choice. You get that?"

"No". She answered defiantly even though her heart was beating thunderously in anxiety.

"What? What did you say now"?
He was clearly losing his control, his obsidian eyes indicating the angry lava that was waiting to explode from within and destroy her.

" I said, I have a choice, Chandra." His growing rage was felt when he tightened his grip on her arm and Padmini knew there would be bruises and she didn't want them anymore.

She matched his gaze, "I have a written complaint against you for domestic violence and illicit affairs, there is enough proof against you and your girlfriend which are in safe custody right now. One scratch on me and these documents go to the police." His grip relaxed, but he did not let her go confusion replaced the outrage that had filled him.

"Imagine what could this publicity do to you! You will be ruined. If you want me to shut up then stop treating me like this".
He let her go and Padmini steadied herself.

"What proof? Are you blackmailing me now? For what? money? How much?" He sounded confused and thwarted.

She walked towards her wardrobe, removed all her belongings, packed them hurriedly in a suitcase and turned to leave the room. "As long as you don't hurt me you are safe. As for what I want, you will know that very soon". She walked away towards one of the guest rooms.

A shrill ringing of his mobile phone broke his daze.

Date published: 27th Nov 2021