Serendipity

Episode #27 : The Rebel For Love

SCENE 1

Shashi, who had been eavesdropping on Poojan and Suman's conversation, lit up like a Christmas tree after hearing Suman loved someone. After years, the moment had finally come where she could show her eldest brother-in-law mirror who deemed her uncultured and forgetting their basics. She didn't waste a moment in announcing the good news to other members of the family in such a way, like informing them the jungle had caught fire. Within half an hour, Suman found herself stood like a criminal before her entire family who was seated on the sofas in the middle of the hall. All except for her elder uncle.

“Is it true Suman ?” - Lakhan, who looked to be barely controlling his temper, asked standing at arm's length. “What Shashi is saying ?”

Suman kept her head high despite being aware of her elder uncle's anger. “It is.”

The words had barely left her mouth and Lakhan's hand met her cheek in a tight slap. Its sound ringing in the hall.

“Bhaisaa!” - Chandrama cried out in disapproval and was next to her in a flash while Rukmani and Rama gasped.

Tears sprang to Suman's eyes. Not at the slap but at the fact that her father remained unfazed.

“You are seriously supporting her ?!” - Lakhan shouted as Chandrama stood between him and Suman like a wall. “She didn't care about the family's dignity! Took advantage of Bhaisaa's unconditional love! What a shame!” - his nostrils flared, chest heaving of his outburst.

“Support or not, violence is never the solution Bhaisaa. Specially, raising hands on women, that's absolutely wrong!” - Chandrama tried to make Lakhan understand.

Suman remained silent. Because the person, whom she was actually answerable to, was quiet.

“Who is he ?” - Poojan spoke at last, his eyes fixed on the table.

Suman swallowed. Bracing herself for another slap. “Abhimanyu Birla.”

The ladies gasped. Poojan's head snapped up. His eyes nearly popped out of his socket as he glared at her. She would have received another slap by now if not for Chandrama holding Lakhan back.

“Birla ?! A VAISHYA ?!” - Lakhan shouted, his face red with rage. “ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND SUMAN ?! HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN THAT YOU ARE A BRAHMIN ?!”

“What an upbringing Bhaisaa, I must say.” - Shashi taunted, a victorious smirk playing at her lips.

Suman was deaf to it all. Her eyes were fixed on her father, awaiting his verdict. Even though she knew better than to hold her breath but still hoped. That maybe her father would agree to listen to her. Would give her a chance to tell how good of a human Abhimanyu was.

“I SWEAR SUMAN IF YOU WERE MY DAUGHTER, I-”

“Enough!” - Poojan's voice rang, making Lakhan stop and turn to him in disbelief.

Tears fell from Suman's eyes, her hope rising. Poojan stood up, crossing the distance between them and stopped in front of her.

“Words won't work on her anymore Lakhan. Don't you see the defiance in her eyes ? She has made up her mind.”

Fresh tears rolled down Suman's cheek hearing her father. All the hope draining out of her. And what he did next, shook her to the core.

He took his stole off his shoulder and dropped it in her feet.

She froze, eyes wide that continued to shed tears.

“You don't want to marry Arjun, then don't. So what if your father's head will be down before The Mishras ? You want to marry that Vaishya guy, then do it. So what if your father, who fought for religious and cultural values all his life, will be humiliated before the entire village ? Do what you want Suman. Step over my dignity and walk off. No one will stop you.”