Maya Episode 4
Jagmohan Virani was rushed to the hospital. The entire house was tense. Anita sat beside her father not knowing what to do, how to react, what to say. Sukumar was running hither thither taking care of hospital formalities. Amrit, Sunita, Kasturi, Sujay, Suyash rendered as much help as possible. The Guruji’s words had come true.
The doctors conducted all the tests. The reports were alarming. Jagmohan was given poison. All the cooks of the house were summoned. Every individual in the house was questioned. The police did their best. Unfortunately, nobody could find out even a single clue.
Meanwhile Jagmohan’s health deteriorated. Sukumar managed the entire business singlehandedly. With every passing day, Kasturi fell more in love with Sukumar. Sujay and Suyash started going to office as well. The business did not suffer at all. Sukumar took care of all the clients and work. Sujay’s heart could not stop thinking about Kasturi. Anita was exhausted taking care of her father, medicines, hospital duties and so on and so forth.
Sukumar was engrossed in some work in office when Sujay came to his room and said, ‘ I need your help.’ Sukumar looked at Sujay and said, ‘ Help?’. Sujay sat beside Sukumar and said ardently, ‘ With all that is happening in the house, I don’t think this is the right time to say, but I have to say this to someone.’ Sukumar looked at Sujay perplexed and said, ‘ Say what?’ . Sujay held Sukumar’s hand tightly and said, ‘My big brother, help me in getting Kasturi in my life. I want to marry her.’ Sukumar looked at Sujay bewildered. Somewhere deep down, he too had started feeling something for Kasturi. He patted Sujay’s shoulder and said, ‘ Are you sure, it’s love?’. Sujay said, ‘ It is. I will keep her happy. Trust me. Help me.’ Sukumar smiled and said, ‘ Let things get little better. Let Jagmohan Sir get well. I will certainly talk to Amrit Sir.’ Sujay hugged Sukumar and left.
Back in the hospital, the doctors said that Jagmohan’s condition is critical, however he regained consciousness and he wanted to meet everyone in the family. Anita was already by Jagmohan’s bedside. Clad in a plain, loose fitting salwar suit and dishevelled hair tied into an untidy bun, Anita was quiet as always. Seems she hid all her pain in her eyes. Jagmohan had asked everyone to come over to the hospital because he had to talk about an important decision.
Clutching Anita’s hand tight and looking at everyone, Jagmohan said, ‘ I want the investigation regarding my condition to be stopped immediately. Sukumar interrupted and said, ‘But Sir, we need to know who did this to you?’. Jagmohan smiled and said, ‘Whosoever did it to me, won. It’s my time to leave this world. Let me tell all of you about my will and my last wish.’ Amrit came near Jagmohan, hugged him tight and said, ‘ I won’t let you die buddy.’ Jagmohan smiled and said, ‘ Nobody under the sun can defeat death. Today it will take me in its embrace. However, l know I will be alive in everyone’s heart.’ Kasturi was in tears. Sujay’s heart pained seeing her in that condition. Suyash listened without interrupting. Sunita said, ‘ I just lost my son. I don’t want to lose a friend now’, and cried bitterly. Jagmohan said, ‘ I don’t have much time. As per my will, my office in new city will be henceforth Amrit’s asset.’ Amrit cried and said, ‘I don’t need anything my friend. Don’t leave me.’ Jagmohan then continued, ‘ I need someone to take care of my Anita.’ Looking at Sukumar, Jagmohan joined his hands and said, ‘ Sukumar, marry my daughter.’ Kasturi stood there startled. She looked at Sukumar wide eyed. Sukumar felt a pierce in his heart. He looked at Kasturi. He knew all the questions she had in her mind. He then bent near Jagmohan’s bed, held Jagmohan’s folded hands and said, ‘ Yes Sir. I will marry Anita.’ Tears dropped from Jagmohan’s eyes. Anita sat there like a statue. She was seeing her dad on deathbed. Jagmohan then continued, ‘ The office, the mansion, and rest of the property, except office, will belong to Anita. It will be upto Anita’s discretion regarding whom she would want to handover the responsibilities of the property later on. Right after his marriage with Anita, Sukumar will be the sole decision maker for the entire business. The office and all the business responsibilities will belong to Sukumar.’ Saying that, Jagmohan breathed his last.
For Anita time froze. Sukumar and Anita got married with all the rituals in a very small ceremony. Kasturi started hating Sukumar for this. Sujay was unaware of Kasturi’s feelings for Sukumar. Kasturi wanted Sukumar back and she would go to any extent to get him. Nevertheless, as Sukumar had promised Sujay, he got Sujay and Kasturi married.
Anita gave birth to a child. Sukumar named him ‘Arun’. A nanny was hired to help Anita with baby care. The nanny took utmost care of Arun and Anita. With the nanny around, Anita never had to worry about Arun. Anita bloomed with happiness because of Arun. Sukumar triumphed in his work. Some years went by. Anita suffered a stroke. She was paralysed. Sukumar stood strong with her. He used to change her clothes, feed her, take care of every need of her. He had promised Jagmohan Sir that he will take care of Anita. Meanwhile, the nanny took care of Arun through out. Right from his basic needs to school, the nanny knew all Arun wanted. Arun loved his mom. Anita could not talk much but Arun felt her love. Arun knew that no matter what, his mom will always be with him. There were times when little Arun felt his mom wanted to tell him something, but as it is, he was too young and Anita was unable to express.
Sukumar came home from office. Arun was fast asleep. He planted a kiss on Arun’s forehead. Sukumar then went ahead to see Anita. It was his daily ritual to kiss Anita after coming from office. He bent down and kissed her forehead. Sukumar froze. Anita was not breathing. She was rushed to the hospital where she was declared dead. Kasturi was not happy about losing her friend Anita, but she was happy that Sukumar lost his wife. Sunita and Amrit were at loss of words and thoughts.
After Anita’s last rites, Vatsalya Guruji said, ‘This is just the beginning. This house has yet to witness a lot…..’. Shocked at his mother’s death, Arun sat alone in a corner of his room. He was unable to sleep. At around 3:00 a.m., a soft breeze touched Arun’s head. He saw a silhouette. Arun froze.
To be continued…………..
