CALM BEFORE THE STORM

I set sail into the ocean of life,
With you on my side.
Together we were to explore,
Unknown channels and reach ashore.
Taking turns,we steered the craft,
Sailing and staying abreast, through Thundering storms, raging hurricanes,
and peaceful waters too we crossed.
You were the captain
and I your shipmate!

Lost in the rhythmic pulse of life,
Little did I notice a threat arise!
Who rocked my boat?
Was it a castaway or a pirate?
Neither, I was back stabbed
By my own conceited mate!
A sacred journey meant for me and you,
Marred by a tramp let in by you!
I'm done bamboozled by you,
It's time to bid adieu!
   
- by Anu (me)

⚜⚜⚜

Text in italics are the character's POV

A few hours before the haldi ceremony..

Padmini's phone buzzed as she was helping Sneha who had grown tired due to her morning sickness.

"Where are you? I've been looking for the past ten minutes".

"Sneha isn't feeling well Chandra, so I was with her".

"Oh! Is she ok? Should we call a doctor or something"?

"No, not necessary. she is ok. Her mother is with her. Is there something important?"

"Yes, meet me near the gazebo quickly".

She hurried out. She could see Chandra, Surya and Emma talking to another lady from a distance. They were seated on the chairs arranged in front of the gazebo, with their back towards her.

'We aren't expecting any guests this morning. I need to get another room ready now..'

As she neared, her heart flipped at that voice and she grew edgy.

'It's the same lady, who is she? Why am I so nervous? Why am I getting negative feeling about this?'

"Chandra.." it took her so much effort to speak, there was an unsettling feeling in the pit of her stomach. She walked around and stood in front of them. Padmini could feel her body burning, her ears ring, felt blood pulsing inside her head, and nausea rising.

"Padmini" Chandra's voice brought her back to normalcy. "Padmini this is my friend, Kayla Kothari we've been friends since college. Do you recall a former Union Minister Mr. Mangal Kothari, his daughter."

I

t was the same woman with whom she had seen Chandrakanth with. The one whom he was having an affair with.

It took some unknown divine power from the Universe to hold back Padmini's dignity before she could step forward and slap both of them hard across their faces. Instead she held her head high and put her hand together and said, "Namaste" in an icy cold tone.

Kayla's outstretched hand hung in the air expecting a handshake. She felt slightly embarrassed and quickly hid it. Chandra too quickly hid the scowl in his face considering they had company.

"Namaste Padmini! Nice to finally meet you. Heard alot about you.."

'What on earth did she mean?'

Her voice was driving Padmini all the more crazy. It was like fingernails scratching against blackboard, dragging cutlery against a porcelain plate. She wanted to end the source of the noise!

'No! I'am not going to prison. Not on my child's wedding day. Not worth it!'

She curled her lips to make it seem like a smile and bobbed her head pretending to listen to her gibberish.

"Padmini, please take Kayla with you for the Haldi ceremony. We men are leaving for the golf club. And do take care of our guest until the reception is over she's going to be with you ladies."

'WHAT? The nerve of this man'! Padmini just wished she could pounce on them both like Maa Kali and rip their heads off their bodies.

Padmini didn't want to open her mouth, lest she say something bad. She has never cussed in life and didn't want to break her morals. Just shook her head in agreement and turned around to walk, with Emma and the banshee following her. Padmini tried so hard not to focus on that voice, which was driving her insane. Emma called out to her and she had to pause and join them.

"So, Padmini How are feeling about all this?"
'Was there a hint of sarcasm in Kayla's voice?' Padmini couldn't tell.

"What exactly are you talking about? Sorry I didn't follow your conversation. Too many important things running in my head".
'And you are definitely not among them'.

"Your daughter getting married and leaving, son already married and you becoming a grandmother soon.." she dragged on.

'Where is she heading with this?'

"Precisely, how your friend also would be feeling, Ms. Kothari! Happy, elated, proud and complete! It's a gift to see my children having a good blessed life and settling down".

After a pause Padmini continued, "so Kayla what about you.. your family and kids?"

She could see her briefly narrowing her eyes like being thoughtful.

"I'm single, now. Was married to a man who I met in England, but things didn't work out between us. He was very abusive, married me for my Dad's money and power. Five years we were together, then divorced. I moved back to India with my parents twelve years back and decided not to get married ever again".

For a moment there, Padmini's heart ached at her plight. She wanted to reach out and console her for the past abuse she might have been through. After all, she could relate to her so much, about being with an abusive partner.

"I'm free now, leading a great life. No need to beg for love from a man who doesn't deserve me. I have so many people around me who love me and cherish me for who I'am. Found my long lost friends...following my passion. I'm in the place where I exactly belong".

Her eyes gauged Padmini for a reaction when she finished; something flashed in her eyes. Luckily, Emma pitched in and was saying the right things.

'She knows! She knows that I'm aware.'

Padmini's breath caught in her lungs and her heart stopped for a moment there. She panicked internally, but years of practice of being stoic, enduring torments from Chandra came in handy. She didn't flinch, just walked away; ignoring her. Went indoors where the others were getting ready. Parul saw them and walked up to them with a confusion her face.

"Hey Parul this is Kayla, Chandra's friend. Kayla this is Parul, chandra and surya's sister and my very mischievous sister-in-law".

Emma saved Padmini from a disgrace since she was in no mood to introduce her to the family. She was seething with anger. Emma excused herself and went towards her daughters.

"Hello Kayla!" They both shook hands and exchanged pleasantries.

"So Kayla Kothari huh? What do you do Kayla? Any business or just laying around..."

Parul paused and coughed a bit. Kayla's face displayed shock and anger.

"Sorry pardon me! my throat has been hurting. Yeah! Better now. What I meant was since you are honourable Mr Kothari's daughter so you need not work like us laymen and just lay down sleep, eat and enjoy your life. You guys have your diamond business too."

Before kayla could answer, "oh my! That can wait. I forgot!" She turned around to Padmini.

"Bhabi it's time for the Haldi ceremony. Where were you?" She hooked her arm into hers and dragged her away, "wandering off doing unnecessary things. Isn't your child more important?"

The smirk on Kayla's face was wiped clean and was plastered elsewhere. Padmini was mortified!

Parul was aware of Kayla and Chandra's love affair during their college days.

Does Parul know what's happening now?

Author's note

Hello  dear readers! Since these two chapters are kind of linked had to post it back-to-back.

The poem at the beginning of the chapter was written by me. It will be available on my poem collection "The soul's chimes".

Thank you all for your kind support!