Serendipity

67

"Baa?" Vanraj looked at her puzzled. In his 48 years of existence, his mother had never raised her voice on him, forget raising her hand. And today, she'd hit him with her slipper?

Leela dropped her slipper and rushed up to him, checking his face, his hair for any sign of bruise.

"I'm sorry beta, I'm so sorry beta," she chanted as she brought him inside and gave him a glass of water, worriedly continuing to look at him.

He placed his glass of water down and gently took her hands in his. "Baa, I'm okay. I'm fine."

She looked upset. Pulling her closer to him, he asked: "What happened?"

"Since the day you were born, I have never even raised my voice on you, and today, my chappal???"

"But what happened? Why were you going to greet our visitor with your slipper?"

She then told him about the annoying ringing of the doorbell and how every time she opened the door no one was there.

"Must be some neighbourhood kid's prank," he said chuckling. "Anyway, forget all that, how are you feeling?"

Leela looked stressed. She hadn't yet told Vanraj about Anupama's invitation to the entire Shah family to meet with her at the AK Offices tonight. And she didn't want Vanraj to meet Anupama before she'd had the chance to speak with him and prepare him for what might happen.

"Vanraj," she began tentatively. "Anupama has invited us all to meet her tonight."

Vanraj's face lightened up. "Why didn't you tell me before. I need to get dressed. I knew it. I knew she would forgive me. We were after all married for 26 years. You can't wipe away that many years just like that."

Leela felt nervous. Vanraj was so excited. She didn't want to break his heart. She cursed Anupama for not forgiving Vanraj. Clearing her throat, she began:

"I know Vanraj, you're extremely excited. But I'm having a rather bad headache. I think the entire bell incident managed to elevate my blood pressure. I want to go lie down. Can you ask Samar to call Anupama and reschedule?"

Vanraj looked at her crestfallen and nodded. Leela felt bad once again. For the first time in her life, she'd lied to her son. If only Vanraj would give up this unnecessary stubbornness of wanting to get back with Anupama. He could easily have his pick of women. He was still young. He was extremely good looking. He had maintained himself well.

What of his three kids? Her conscience prodded. If Anupama, after being a mother of three children can find a life partner at this age, Vanraj was still a man.

Nodding at him, she made her way to her bedroom to lie down, hating herself for having broken her son's heart for the first time. Anupama would never live peacefully.

*****

Anupama came home chuckling to find Anuj already there.

"What's so funny," he asked.

She shook her head, fished her phone out and showed him the picture of Leela Shah with her slipper on Vanraj Shah's cheek. He chuckled as well.

"Where did you get this?"

"Aditya."

"Who is Aditya?"

"He is the Shahs neighbour's son."

"And why did he send you this?"

"Because I promised him 100 Rs to ring the bell and run away, over and over again, between 2 and 3 in the afternoon. I was angry with Baa for having upset you yesterday and this was my childish way of taking revenge."