Pallavi didn’t expect a visitor so late in night; and definitely
not Janaki. Though surprised she led Janaki in to her suite. They settled on
opposite couches.
“We’ve never really interacted properly, despite having strong
roles in each other’s lives. So I thought of saying Hi”.
Pallavi did get the hint of sarcasm in her tone but she chose to
act nonchalant.
“How is it like to be back to career again?”
Pallavi could sense a double meaning to her words but reacted to
the surface level of her question.
“Good”
“I actually have something for you”.
Janaki pulled out some photos from her bag and placed it on the
table. Pallavi’s eyes widened for a second. It was some of the nice moments she
spent with Pranav during their courtship.
“I’ve never seen him this happy; he never smiles like this around
me, not even when you didn’t exist between us”.
Pallavi stared into Janaki’s eyes.
“I had come across them long ago. He still has it securely placed
in his safe”.
Pallavi took her time to respond.
“If you’re here because you are afraid of a repeat of the past,
then don’t be. My life doesn’t have space for anyone else but my daughter. I
won’t be a threat for you ever again”.
“That’ll make sure of. You are never going to be a threat to me
anymore”.
Pallavi stared at her before lowering her eyes and whispering.
“I know this is not going to be enough, and it’s too late, but
still…..I’m sorry for everything”.
“Sadly it holds no importance now Pallavi”.
Pallavi nodded pointlessly. They sat in
silence unable to frame anymore sentences on their twisted equation.
*************************
When she reached her suite she saw Pranav has put Ayaan to sleep
after playing with him. She told him she has something to discuss. But Pranav
was not prepared for what she had to discuss. She gave him a document which has
papers for joint divorce petition.
“What’s this nonsense Janaki?”
“I want divorce Pranav”.
He pinched the bridge of his nose in irritation.
“Please give me a break. Don’t let your insecurities screw this up
for us and our son. I’ve not betrayed you this time. I’ve no such intentions. I
know it might be difficult for you to trust me and perhaps I don’t have the
right to ask that of you. But please Janaki, trust me this one time. I just
want to help Pallavi to be back on her feet because I feel responsible for her
mess”.
“I know Pranav. I’m aware of your reasons and I can believe you
when you tell me you’ve no such intentions. But my decision is clear. I want
out”.
“Why? Don’t we have a stable relationship now? Our son is happy,
we are happy, everything is going fine”.
“Really Pranav, do you think so?”
“What do you mean?”
“Marriage is not just about being parents; it’s also about being
partners to each other too”.
He remained silent.
“I decided to put my ego aside in the hope of giving my son a real
chance at family. But this is not it Pranav. Sooner or later he’s going to
realize it and this thin layered bond won’t last long”.
“What do you want me to do? Tell me, we can work on our marriage”.
She had a wry smile when she spoke next.
“I wish I can fool myself and take this offer Pranav. But the
truth is if it had to happen, all these years would’ve been enough time to mend
our relationship”.
“Janaki……I…..”
He felt helpless.
“Why all of a sudden. If you wanted out, all these years you
could’ve. This is just your insecurities speaking”.
A sad smile etched on her face.
“Because somewhere I had hope Pranav that with time my wounds
would heal; that you’ll make an effort someday to heal them. But you chose to
overlook all that and just survive together. Perhaps I would’ve lived with it
but your sincere efforts to resurrect Pallavi’s life opened my eyes. You’re
attuned to her pain, needs even when she’s away from you; but you can’t even
read mine despite living under one roof!”
A long silence stretched between them.
“You still carry her memories with you; you are still into her but
adjusting with me because of your son. Agreed you are not pursuing your
interest in her anymore. But it’s killing me Pranav; not just because you have
feelings for another woman when I’m your wife but because I have realized you
will never feel for me the same way”.
She couldn’t help her tears. She sat down crying bitterly. Pranav
didn’t know how to react. He slowly walked towards Janaki and sat beside her. He
held her shoulders.
“I’m sorry for hurting you Janaki. But trust me I tried my best”.
“I know. I don’t want to make it any more difficult for either of
us. It’s better to walk parallel than together Pranav. I just took my time to
realize and now I can’t go on”.
“Ayaan…”
She wiped her tears.
“He’ll have his parents, even if we’re not together. And its
better he has two happy homes than one fake home which will shatter him later
on”.
They didn’t utter a word after that and sat in silence, wondering
about their lives ahead. Life is once again changing for them.
*****************
Not just their life but this decision stirred a whirlwind in
Pallavi’s life as well. They tried to keep the divorce news under wraps as much
as they can but media finally whiffed it out. Soon the media trial began and
Pallavi received brickbats once again. But this time around, she faced it
boldly. There is no room for guilt in her life because she never had the
intention of coming between Pranav and Janaki anymore; yet if they’re parting ways;
she is not ready to take the blame. Pallavi
has gone past the stage of her feelings for Pranav and wanted nothing from life
except her daughter and her safe future. Her focus is on bringing her career
back on track for it and Pranav respected that.
Shyam did try to stir drama to end her existence in industry; but
after some hiccups the film released and audience who preferred content over
the personal drama of stars encouraged it. Her talent is established once again
and with slow nudge from the power Pranav holds within industry she finally
found her footing. He didn’t get her projects but made sure to counter the
efforts of Shyam and Nikhil to force others negatively.
On the other hand, Janaki and Pranav handled their divorce with
maturity. They continued being amicable with each other. Though Ayaan did find
some changes in his life, like his mother moving out with him to her house and
her absence whenever he stayed with his father at their old house, he was too
young to realize the implications.
******************
2023
Pranav is having a break from his shoot
for two weeks and as usual is spending this time with his son. He has already
informed Ayaan about his arrival in the evening. Janaki has packed his bags and
is now spending time with him before he leaves with his father. But that’s when
she noticed her son’s low mood. Come to think of it, Ayaan has been a little
low from yesterday evening. She had even asked him what is wrong yesterday but
never got a clear reply. She had some issues at work which distracted her
yesterday but now when she is focusing on her son, she could see he’s still
bothered about something.
“What is bothering you my champ?”
“Nothing Maa”
“Ayaan Kashyap Malhotra!”
“What?”, he raised his eyebrow irritated
just like his father.
“I thought I’m my son’s best friend and
he shares everything with me”, she made a puppy face.
Ayaan looked down unsure if he should
ask his mother what’s in his mind.
“You can tell me anything champ”, she
goaded him pulling him in her arms.
“Rahul told me something yesterday which
I didn’t understand actually”.
“What did he say?”
“He said that my Dad and Maa are just my
Dad and Maa and not husband and wife like other parents! Why Maa?”
She didn’t know how to respond to her
son’s question. She knew there’ll come a time when he’ll raise this question
and they’ll have to answer him. But she didn’t expect it so soon. Just then
both of them heard Pranav’s voice.
“Ayaan”
Ayaan and Janaki moved their heads in
the directon of his voice and saw him standing in the doorway with chocolates
in his hand. Ayaan smiled and ran into his Dad’s waiting arms.
“I missed you Dad”
“I missed you too son”.
His attention shifted to Janaki. She
realized Pranav has heard Ayaan’s question. His parents stared at each other
wondering how to answer their son’s question.
