CHAPTER – 4

                                               

With the elections two day ahead, Khaleel Khan was forced to accept Aaradhya’s deal. In exact 12 hours Azmia was out of the mental hospital and no media house even got a hint of it.

Aaradhya took her straight to Kochi. She wanted to take Azmia away from all this, as soon as possible. She had informed Tejaswi of the proceedings and she was indeed glad.

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Azmia reached Kochi the same day with Aaradhya and stayed the night with her. Tejaswi came to meet her late evening. She was relieved to see Azmia back in all sense. Even though Tejaswi wouldn’t express it, she had this guilt with her that she supported Azmia to fight; even though she knew there was no chance of winning.

But Azmia still had a smile on her face. Yes she was exhausted and a bit lost after all the treatment she got at the hospital, but nothing could get rid of that smile! Somewhere she knew fighting against Khaleel will bring her to another round of torture; but she was glad it wasn’t under him and now, she is literally free off him.

Yes Khaleel Khan has signed the divorce papers which Aaradhya had ready with her and with some of the string pulling from her side; things would be official in few days time. Khaleel Khan held no more right on her. That thought gave Azmia, the feeling of freedom in all its true sense!

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The next day was a Saturday and it opened with new promises for Azmia. When she came out of her room fresh after a bath, the sight that greeted her gave her a feeling of.....belonging, after a long time!

Their whole gang of friends were waiting for her to make an appearance and when she did; there was no stopping them. Anjali ran to her and hugged her fiercely breaking down into tears. Esther also hugged her murmuring complaints to her. Joanna, Gauri and Thara also enveloped her in a group hug smiling ear to ear. Aaradhya and Tejaswi stood in the background watching all the drama with a smile. In that one moment, Azmia felt she belonged; she had someone or rather a lot of people who still cared for her; for whom she mattered. And that brought tears to her eyes after a decade. She broke down and wept.

Aaradhya and Tejaswi was a bit shocked at first, since they had seen her so strong despite all the situations she went through. But then Aaradhya was glad that she finally reacted to her trauma. Neither she nor Tejaswi was the too emotional type and couldn’t give her that comfort and instead had given her space. But Anjali and Esther who were always the emotional ones of the lot did that for her. So in a way it was good that Azmia cried. That was a much needed process before she moves ahead.

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Later in the afternoon after a pizza hour with friends, Azmia found them making plans for her future – that is what she should be doing next- work, marriage, complete her education, and go away from India etc. Tejaswi alone didn’t participate in the discussion. Azmia was happy to see the concern and love they were showering on her, but she knew she had to give a reply to them to put them at ease.

“Guys, actually it feels really good to see you all so concerned for my future. But to be honest, I haven’t thought about it yet. The thing is I didn’t get time to process it. I’m just back to life, or rather have a new beginning now and I seriously want to think well before I take any decision.”

“You are right. You sleep over all the options we provided and then tell us what you want to do. We are all ready to support”.

“What are you saying Gauri? You are going to wait for her to decide. Huh, we’ve already seen how she takes decisions. First giving up her life for her family without consulting anyone and then fighting against Khaleel khan! She doesn’t know how to take decisions; so it’s our duty to guide her in the proper direction”.

“Anjali, whatever decision she has taken, it’s her choice. Give her space. She will decide what she wants to do ahead and we will respect her decision”.

“Don’t you dare say anything Tej. She came to you for guidance and what did you do for her? I can’t wash my hands off my friend like that”.

“How dare you say something like that Anjali?”

“I mean what I said; you are the only person among us who is close to the legal system and its corruptions; yet you encouraged her to fight against Khaleel Khan. I may be the least intelligent among us, but even I know not to compete against people so powerful like him. You literally threw her into a lion’s den”.

“I have always been living in a lion’s den Anjali”

Anjali turned towards Azmia who spoke in a soft yet firm voice.

“It was my decision to fight. Tej did warn me of the consequences and the ultimate end we will reach but I decided to go ahead”

“But why, you could have just taken her help to get out of that marriage; out of courts. What if Jo didn’t get that video tape to blackmail Khaleel Khan? What if Aaru couldn’t strike a deal with that man with it? What then? You would never have been able to get out of that cell ever”

“I know Eva. But I wanted to somehow fight against him. 10 years of revenge was burning within me”

“Then you should have selected other methods to take revenge Azmi. To fight, first you need to stand on your own feet. You could have fought him in many other ways”.

“Thara is right Azmi. You can still do it. Fight him by living your life to the fullest; by being successful, by being all that you wanted to be. Now, you are free to do it”.

“Ok guys, now let’s change the topic. It’s Azmia’s life and let her take her decisions. We are here to guide her, but only if she wants it. Ok, so let’s just give her some time. Now who wants some tea? ”.

Aaradhya saw how Jo’s words has affected Azmia’s mind. It has got her thinking. She hoped Azmia will come out of this revenge mode and put all her frustration into building herself a new life which has no shadow of Khaleel Khan and her past. So she diverted others attention to tea giving Azmia the time to sink it all in. After that, all of them were busy catching up with each other’s lives and simply having fun together again.

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Gauri’s mother was noticing her daughter’s happy face. She was reciting her day out with old friends to her father and daughter. After a long time, her face was lit up and she was actually reflecting a little of her old self.

For the last few months, Gauri’s life had become monotonous. After the initial phase of depression she went back to work; but then it was just like falling into a routine to forget other things happening in her life. Colleagues and friends from work who knew about her personal life situation was more into sympathizing and showing extra concern than giving her that necessary break away from it. But today when she met up with her old friends, it was like she has once again come back from college and sharing her day which was full of fun.

Maybe, those kids can help my child come out of this phase and give her that strength and support even we are not able to give! She mused.

She hoped to have a talk with Joanna and ask them to spend more time with her to help her come out of her shell.

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Saturday is a working day for Ashok, so Anjali usually take her kids and visit her parents that day until Ashok is back at 5. But today since she went to meet her friends, she was late. They were so involved in their talks that she didn’t see the time. And when she did, she actually panicked and was fretting to go soon. Though they made fun of her fretting, she finally got a lift from Esther. But by the time she was back at their apartment after collecting her kids from her parents’ home, it was past 6. Obviously Ashok burst out as soon as she walked in.

“Oh finally you made an appearance! Why, didn’t you want to spend the night there as well?”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t notice the time”

“Yeah, when have you NEVER been careless? And when have you cared for me?

“Please don’t talk like that. Kids are watching”

“Oh so it is okay for you to behave like this, but me commenting on them is the problem. What about the example You are painting before our kids?"

She didn’t say anything and looked down.

“I work day and night for you and kids and when I’m back after a day of tiring work, what do I get? My wife is not there to receive me or give me a cup of tea. Huh, who cares right?”

“Look, I’m really sorry. I will just get the tea”

“No need. I’m going for my shower. I don’t want this fake concern now. Actually I’m the one to be blamed. I shouldn’t have given permission to meet your friends. I loosened up a bit and look what’s the result of it. Hmm”

Anjali’s eyes filled with tears and the kids looked on.

“Now don’t start with those tear works. Go and get me a tea fast”

She nodded and hurried towards the kitchen.

“And make sure the heater is on and towel is kept inside on time”

He went back to the TV shrugging his shoulders. While the tea boiled on the stove, Anjali slowly wiped her tears sighing to herself.

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At 11pm, Aaradhya was in the home theatre watching a movie when Azmia walked in.

“Hi, didn’t sleep yet?”

“No. Which movie are you watching?”

“DDLG”

Azmia smiled and Aaradhya knew why.

“Come-on now, don’t dare to judge me”

“No yaar. Everyone can have their own likes and choices. I’m just surprised that you haven’t changed a bit”

“Absolutely not and why would I when I like how I am”

Azmia smiled at that.

“You might be quite a handful for your husband. How does he manage you?”

“Haww! I don’t know why everyone keeps asking this question. Am I that difficult to live with?!”

“I didn’t mean to hurt you Aaru”

“Hey, I wasn’t serious. Actually he is a pro at handling me as well as our kids! He always says he has 4 children including me”

“He might be a good family man then”

“Yes”

Aaradhya gave a fond smile.

“I actually came to say that....I mean, I thought about what all of you said and maybe it’s time to move on from Khaleel Khan and make my own tomorrow!”

“Very good; so....what do you want to do?”

“I always wanted to be well educated and stand on my own feet. Even today......that is what I want”

“Well in that case, I can suggest few options for you”

“Hmm?”

“You can come with me to Dubai. You can do part time job as well as complete your education. You can rebuild your life there. Living in a different country, a new environment, will refresh you. Also you will be away from prying eyes and it will give you enough time to evolve as a person. And then when you complete your studies you can select the subsequent career and flourish in it.”

Azmia is trying to process it in her mind.

“You don’t need to hurry; take your time and decide”

To it, Azmia gave a nod. But her decision was already made.

Precap: Radhika’s b’day; will her friends make it special for her?