The Malhotras
Episode 3
Supriya somehow calmed herself and went to Sulochana’s room. She had to inform Maya about the tragedy that befell at the Malhotra Mansion. Supriya informed at the reception for a nurse to be sent to Sulochana’s room so that Maya can leave for home. Supriya reached Sulochana’s room. Maya was putting the blanket properly over Sulochana. Supriya said, ‘We have to go home Maya, now.’ Maya looked at Supriya. Her sea green eyes bestowing the surprised look, made Maya look drop dead gorgeous. Maya said with an astonished note in her voice, ‘Why are we rushing? Let the nurse come, I will go then.’ Supriya pulled Maya’s hand and said, ‘The nurse will be here any moment. We need to go home. Kasturi aunty is no more.’ Hearing that Sulochana opened her eyes bewildered. She was shocked. She wanted to tell Supriya something. She pushed the water bottle at her bedside table trying to grab Supriya’s attention. Hearing the ‘thud’, Maya looked at Sulochana, picked up the water bottle, gently patted Sulochana’s forehead and said, ‘Maa, you don’t think about it. You need to feel better soon.’ Supriya went near Sulochana and said, ‘Yes aunty, Maya is right. We don’t know what happened to Kasturi Aunty. But at this point, it’s important for you to get well. Everyone at the Malhotra mansion needs you.’ Sulochana’s lips moved but her voice never came out. Just then the nurse came. Soon after Supriya and Maya left for the Malhotra Mansion.
Sujay was inconsolable. He sobbed bitterly. His sons Ansh and Laksh sat quietly at a corner with tears flowing from their eyes. The dead body of Kasturi was taken for post mortem. Rasika had donned a white saree and had put drops of glycerin in her eyes. Back in her room, while getting ready, she smiled to herself and said, ‘Phewww, Kasturi, is gone. Hope Sulochana dies soon. Once she dies, I will ensure Sukumar gives 50 percent of the business to Suyash and the other Malhotra bungalow to us. Thank God this Supriya did not become Arun’s wife. She is so smart she would have ensured Arun got all the property. Moreover Sulochana also never liked Supriya because she was too smart for Sulochana. Maya is the right choice for Arun. I will just shoo her away with a puff. And then eventually I will shoo away Arun and Sukumar. Sujay and his kids will anyway leave the house because I won’t let them stay here. I just hope things go as per my wish and I will reign here.’
Once she came out of her room, Rasika pretended as if she was colossally hurt by Kasturi’s death. Maya and Supriya arrived. Maya went to Arun. He was standing at a corner unable to think. Sukumar sat quietly at another corner. Supriya went to Arun. Maya was holding Arun’s hands to console him. Supriya saw that and came back. It was difficult for her to see Arun so close to anyone else. However, she had accepted the fact that Maya was Arun’s wife and she should never come in their way.
The post mortem reports came in the evening. Kasturi died of poisoning. No one knew how poison reached her blood. Doctors found some tiny marks on her body but no one knew what were those marks. However poison seemed to have gone to the body through those marks.
Supriya recalled the entire episode of bumping into Kasturi in the hospital. She recalled how worried Kasturi was. She knew this was not the right time but she had to tell Arun about it. Supriya felt there was some mystery behind it. She went to Arun. Maya was standing beside Arun. Seeing Supriya want to talk to Arun, Maya said, ‘I will get water for everyone.’ Saying that, she went to the kitchen. Supriya looked at Arun and said, ‘Arun, I have to tell you something.’ Arun looked at her nonchalantly and said, ‘What is it?’. Supriya said, ‘Kasturi Aunty had come to meet Sulochana Aunty at the hospital last night. I bumped into her at the elevator. She looked scared and worried. She was shivering. I could not figure out what was wrong’. Arun listened to Supriya without blinking his eyes even once. He said, ‘ What? What was it that was bothering her?’. Supriya said, ‘ I don’t know Arun. If only I had known. Maybe Kasturi Aunty would have been alive today.’ Supriya broke down and cried like a little girl. Arun hugged her to console her. While consoling her, he too sobbed. Maya came out of the kitchen holding the glasses of water. She saw Supriya in Arun’s arms. Without saying anything, she went ahead to serve water to everyone.
Just then his phone rang. It was from the hospital. Sulochana was no more.
