Page 119 of One Hellish Desire

“She is only my husband’s mother, Daadi. I don’t see her as more than that, nor has she tried to be more to me in the time we’ve spent together so far. But I’m sorry. I will never get in between your fights if that’s what you want.” Tears spring to my eyes, which I try hard to blink away as I head to the kitchen.

“Maahi…” Daadi follows me.

I start making fresh coffee for Vikram when Daadi reaches me and turns me around.

“My relationship with Meera is already complex. I am just trying to keep you away so it doesn’t affect your bonding with her,” she explains, but I am not convinced.

“What’s your backstory with Meera aunty, Daadi? I have always wanted to ask but never wanted to poke more than required. But now that I am a member of this family officially, I need to know. Why is she so bitter towards you? In fact, Aunty should be guilty for how she has always kept her husband and grandson away from you, and instead of accepting that and feeling sorry, she never misses a chance to fight with you. Why?”

Daadi’s eyes become moist with tears, and I hate to admit that it's because of me.

“I have had my share of faults too, Maahi. I wasn’t this sane from the beginning,” she replies.

“I don’t believe that. You always have the habit of taking other’s blame on yourself,” I argue.

“Maybe I do that now, but I wasn’t like this earlier.”

I wait for her to explain.

“Meera was never my choice for Vanraj. He was my only son, and I was looking for a daughter-in-law who would match our status and be traditional like me. In short, I was looking for someone who could continue the legacy of rituals and traditions of the Grover family. But one day Vanraj brought Meera home and told me they wanted to marry. I wasn’t happy. Meera belonged to a lower caste than ours and was not much into following traditions. She was a woman with high dreams and aspirations, and for once, I even thought she was marrying Vanraj only for our money.”

I still. I had no idea about Vikram’s parents’ past. Does Vikram know all this?

“Before I could clear my suspicions, Vanraj married Meera and brought her home. I was forced to accept her. She was good to me in the beginning, but she never showed any interest in following the customs and traditions which meant everything to me at that time. We argued over little things. Vanraj was expanding his business, so most of the time he wasn’t home, leaving just the two of us to fight. I had too many hopes from Meera, which I tried to enforce on her, and she always retaliated. None of us were ready to bow down and understand the other. I was done with her. So whenever Vanraj came home from his business trips, I always fed his ears about Meera’s negligence, disinterest, arrogance, and whatnot. I needed someone to share all this with, and he, being my son, was my only option. I didn’t know my constant bickering was distancing Vanraj from Meera. They started fighting and arguing too. Vanraj was handling his business headaches, plus Meera’s tantrums and my bickering about his wife. So one day Vanraj made it clear to me he was done listening to my grievances. And Meera… she had practically stopped talking to me. Things escalated to such a level that once I heard Meera deciding to walk out of the house. It was that day when I realized I was involving myself too much between them. Then Meera gave the pregnancy news, and I decided to ignore all the bitterness between us because that was the right thing to do. I was guilty, Maahi. All I wanted was my son’s happiness, and if he was happy with Meera, it didn’t make a difference what expectations I had from her. But it was too late. Despite my good behavior, Meera always thought I was doing it only because she gave birth to the heir of our family.”

Daadi swallows a painful lump, and I make her sit on a chair before she needs support. I sit next to her, holding her hands.

“Then one day Vanraj told us his plans of expanding the business abroad. I was happy. Initially, he left for New York alone. But when he couldn’t return sooner, Meera decided to join him with Vikram. That was the right thing to do. She was his wife, and obviously, they should have stayed together. Vanraj called me there, but I denied, knowing Meera wouldn’t be happy, and this became a habit. Whenever he asked me to shift, I denied, and it wasn’t just because of my guilt. I was not ready to leave Ratna Mahal ever, as I have my own memories here of my husband. Least did I know I was pushing myself too far from my own son and his little family. Meera got the perfect opportunity to distance Vanraj forever from me, and Vanraj got so involved in his work that he stopped caring about anything and anyone. I know if there is still someone who keeps him glued to the family and away from his business stress, it’s Meera. And I am thankful to her. She never left Vanraj’s side and started adjusting her life according to his schedule. She raised Vikram well; made him the man he is today. I have no regrets.”

Daadi sobs, and I keep stroking her back to console her. So, this is why Meera aunty and Daadi never got along? I do see Daadi’s fault in this, but Meera aunty isn’t innocent either. She might have raised Vikram well and kept Vanraj uncle connected to her and Vikram, but she should have forgiven Daadi at least considering her mother-in-law is old now. And most importantly by bringing Sabrina between us, even aunty has tried to commit the same sin Daadi did: trying to separate her son from his wife.

Daadi rises to her feet.

“Anyway, I don’t want Meera to be a trouble for you and Vikram. So never interfere between us again, Maahi. I request.”

I am about to debate when Daadi’s eyes widen, and I turn around to see what caught her attention. It’s Vikram. He is standing at the kitchen door, and I assume he has heard it all. I am glad he did, and I didn’t have to repeat it to him. He steps inside the kitchen and wipes Daadi’s tears.

VIKRAM

It’s horrible. I never knew what the problem between Mom and Daadi was, and I never showed any interest in finding out. How could I be so blind and selfish all these years? Which world was I living in? My family was drifting apart, and I didn’t care? I might have loved Daadi and my parents equally, but I was always inclined towards my parents and my life here in New York. I never realized how much Daadi suffered alone, living in guilt for the mistakes she made years ago.

“Vikram…” Daadi tilts her head to meet my palm caressing her face, and then I take her in my embrace. I realize now how simple mistakes can take drastic turns and ruin bonds between people throughout their lives. I won’t be blind anymore towards anything that concerns my family. I might not have done anything to bridge the differences between Daadi, Mom, and Dad, but I will change that soon. Very soon.

CHAPTER 33

MAAHI

Elise is here, the designer Vikram arranged to get me a makeover and help me with an outfit for tonight’s party. After Daadi’s confession about the bitterness between her and Meera aunty, Vikram and I are still trying to figure out how to bridge the gap between them. We agree that Daadi was at fault in the past, but she didn’t deserve isolation from her family all these years as punishment. We even asked if she had a heart-to-heart talk with Meera aunty about her guilt, but it seems Daadi never got the chance. When Vikram decided to bridge that gap, Daadi didn’t want him to focus on anything except me, as this vacation is ending in five days and we will part ways again. But that shouldn’t stop us from thinking about patching them up soon.

“She’s Elise, the best designer in New York,” Vikram introduces me to Elise, sliding an arm around my lower back. “And this is my wife, Maahi Singh Grover, who also happens to be one of the best fashion designers back in India.”

Did he just praise me? I quickly glance at him, then smile back at Elise, who is dressed in an elegant, low-neck shimmering bodycon dress with her blonde hair loose on her shoulders.

“Nice meeting you, Elise,” I say, shaking her hand formally.

“It’s my pleasure to meet you personally, Maahi. I’ve heard so much about you from Vikram.”

Has she? “Good, I hope,” I tease, shooting a look at Vikram, who has a megawatt smirk on his face.

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