CHAPTER - 24

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.

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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.