This is the third part of syncing of fates Triliogy, hope you like it. Thanks, guys for keeping track of this piece. Hope you all are healthy and doing good. Have a great day ahead.
-Kallol Poetry 🌻💐🍁🌺🌸💞💖
There is darkness everywhere, like a glitz of light, a ray of translucent beam could light up the many spaces existing seen and unseen. From the darkness emerges a black lotus with a dark liver on it, and it was fading from the horizon. Rashmi snapped from sleep. She was in her office, It's been 15 years since this happened. She stayed too long until it showed in her body. Parents knowing this were furious, they locked Rashmi up and wanted to trap her for a year to not do the same mistake again after her delivery and giving the baby up for adoption. But Rashmi wasn’t an easy kid, she ran from her home to her new school. She studied Engineering, not at MIT though, it was her dream, but she went to Yale which was again a top school. She wakes up, and someone calls from behind, ‘Mam’. She answers, “Yeah did she come?” The person replies, “Yes she is here.” Rashmi stands up, “Hye my name is Kaeley,” says the guest. Rashmi replies, “Heard a lot about you?” Kaeley says, “Thanks, I heard a lot about you too, So I have looked up the case, your liver is in a very bad situation we never know when it will falter. But there is a way.” Rashmi’s face lightened like an earthen lamp, Her glittery aura was shining more as a tear drops from her eyes. “Hey! Thanks” She says.. Rashmi then takes a pause and picks herself up as the nerve-wracking emotions were weighing her down and she said, “Do your best don’t care about the money? When Malti Aunty talked about you I knew you can help me. But you need a donor, Kaeley replied. Rashmi was thinking who will do that? Amidst that though Kaeley says do not worry we will see to it.”
Then she hears her phone ringing, she made a puzzled face and showed some irritation and answered, “Angad what is it now?” Angad says, “Hey why are you angry!” She replies “Don’t you think you are talking with me too much.” We were over since the day you tried to kill me in the most grotesque way possible. Angad says, “Can we please start something? I was not over you then. I am not over you now.” Rashmi cuts the call and packs her bag, calls it a day, and tells her Manager to shut the shop but keep the coders in as they have to submit an important backend infra tomorrow.
As Rashmi comes out to go to the parking and get her car. Angad comes in in a Doctor’s attire. He seems to have shifted back to Boston. Well, Rashmi got her job in Silicon Valley she even left three jobs now and is ready to launch a startup that does cloud computing and database handling with a well-curated design division that caters to any logo, product, and prototype design for any company in the world.
She asks, “Angad what are you doing here?” “Hey, I am a Psychiatrist at Santa Clara Medical Center. Isn’t it awesome?” Rashmi though seeing Angad reminds her of Bipul. But Bipul is too old to gaze into her eyes. Angad looked like Bipul now with his well-sculpted body and endowed in all different places. She stops, and Angad comes out of the car.
Angad says, “Just one date?” Rashmi bewildered, says, “Dude you tried to kill me!” “And I say sorry,” Angad says softly. “But a sorry does not solve everything Angad,” Rashmi utters. She was like Angad don’t push me or else I will call the authorities. Angad tries and goes near her. She tries to shout. Angad twists her hand as she wants to get out of his grip he pushes Rashmi towards the closed garage and murmurs softly, I have always loved you! always! Rashmi forgets everything and feels as if the butterflies have started happening again. Though Angad was talking she imagined as if it was Bipul. Angad went near her lips while Rashmi stuttered trying to get out of his strong grip. He gently puts his hand near her waist and takes his hand and caresses her back exposing her innerwear unfurling, As Rashmi continues stuttering, he leaves her hand creating force that lay him opposite to Rashmi squished like it was a forced hug. Rashmi was giving in but then something happened and she snapped. She pushed Angad and told him, “Do not come near me. I will call the police.” She runs and takes her car out, fortunately, Angad has a smirk on his face grinning at the site and then lighting a cigarette and taking a deep puff.
Back in home, Bipul was bedridden. Sabina was cooking for the 10th death anniversary of Najma. There were a few family members that came to attend it. Najma loved eating so Sabina decided that there will be “Daawat” in “Aai’s” Barsi (Feast at Ma’s funeral). Family members including her cousin's sisters. Najma’s relatives came in even a few got called from India they were still feeling out of place seeing the new settings and looking around to avoid talks. Najma’s 12 AM Doc friend Malti, sensed they were out of place, “Afsana, Do you remember me?” Afsana says, “I cannot recall, I forget faces.” Malti on the other hand showed a dreadful face projecting she committed an error. Sabina came into the room, bewildered asks, “Malti How do you know Afsana?” She says, “India is such a small place I am from Mumbai so we know each other.” Sabina was feeling uneasy her chicken was simmering with the red chilies she put, grinding garam masala filled with cardamom, black pepper, and saffron among other things.” Afsana gasped, in awe and uttered, “You were Najma’s pal Malti Mahajan. Yes I remember Dr Malti Mahajan.” Sabina was shocked, taken aback. She looks at Malti and asks, “Malti you knew my mother?” “Why didn’t you tell me?” Malti was thinking million other ways to avoid the convo and regrets she realized late that Sabina also knows Afsana. Sabina always thought Malti was this open societal girl who always loved breaking barriers and avoiding setting boundaries for herself but now Malti was just a liar for her.
Malti was on the spot she was sweating profusely. Sabina called Afsana the same woman next door that kept Najma's key. She came here rather forcefully brought by Sabina despite going through dialysis herself. She was very ill and had to get dialysis done because her kidneys are failing. On top of this, this news shattered her completely. She thought Malti had a bigger reason to tag along with her. Malti spoke avoiding eye contact, “I knew your mom.” Sabina is in sweat and tears red and she was gasping. Afsana holds Sabina, and Malti looks to the other side.” Sabina looks at Malti with deep-seated watery red eyes, She hands down a piece of paper to her. It was a letter of 5 pages. But she could remember her aai has written the entire thing in their native language of Marathi. Sabina smiled at first, Malti fixed, Everyone was looking at each other. Malti got up from her seat and ran like a dog watching someone burst firecrackers. Sabina followed her, Her security men also went for a stroll with their dogs.
Malti vanished in her Renault Car like a comet falling from abode. Sabina smiled cried and relived the letter. As soon as she opened the fourth page, her feet almost trembled with a shocking revelation. It was written, “Maai (a name said in adulation to younger kids), I am sorry but I had no choice, you never were pregnant. I have given this letter to our Doctor Malti Ji who has been a constant support throughout the abuse I had to endure.
She told me, use your daughter to let him pound you and force him to commit a murder attempt. I will make sure he gulps alcohol to his neck. If you can’t beat and kill him put him on fire. Run, My driver will wait at the train station for you. If he sees any Police car he will bribe them to not collect evidence that may have your fingerprints. He will get a platform ticket along with the train ticket. And go back to Mumbai. I am also shifting there to work at a Private Hospital.” Sabina felt betrayed, How can Aai do this?
She always cried for a baby that wasn’t even born. She then opened her diary and unfurls pages opened something 35 years ago, where she says, “I lost my first child with Bipul. God has the abortion really made me infertile. I want a child, a companion, a part of me. Life is good now, please give me a child with Bipul.” Sabina takes her dairy and holds her close to her heart. She cries like there was sorrow all encased in her heart. She was losing the will to live that day, She thought she had done a disservice to her first child who was with Bipul. But then she had a question, I did go for an abortion almost immediately.
And she reads, as Najma says, “Maai you remember you had an abortion. You did not abort on that particular day. There was a strong dose of sleeping pills I mixed with your food, which kept you calm. You woke up, All I said was your abortion was done.” Sabina now rubs her eyes shunning her feelings going to the hall. Calls Afsana, “Can you serve the food, it's made delicious make sure everyone eats to their heart’s content Sabina opens her suitcase that she brought in when coming from India. She takes out Najma’s photo and throws it towards the wall and shouts at a pillow while breaking down crying furiously.
Afsana could hear her scream. Afsana looks at the food and tells the kids to eat, she looks at the kids and says “I will be coming.” Afsana knocks at Sabina’s door, What happened Sabina? Please open it. She picked herself up stopping herself for a second. And letting Afsana in. Afsana went into the room with her hands already smelling like an Indian kitchen mutton and chicken curry.
Sabina hugged her and cried like a baby. Afsana also started crying seeing her. She was saying, “I am dying Afsana. I am dying.” Afsana knew her kidneys were failing she had to come or else Afsana does not even go to her parent's house she’s so introverted.
Afsana sits in her bed and lends her lap for Sabina to cry to her heart’s content. Meanwhile, Bipul is still living like a dead person. Angad came into Bipul’s room, took his hand and grabbed it, and kissed him. Bipul utters, moving his eyes, “Angad, I am dying.” Angad said, “No Dad you are not. I will die before anything happens to you. I will give you the most expensive treatment to bring your lungs back, trust me.” Bipul smiled and he slept. Angad for a moment got scared as it seemed his heart was about to give up.” Back Rashmi was pouring alcohol and drinking her pain away. She gets Ma’s call and says “Hey Mom”, Mom says,” Rashmi are you drunk again.” “No Mom”, she says in a tipsy voice. Rashmi’s mom could feel Rashmi losing herself in her agony. Rashmi started drinking when her father died.
Her father could not tolerate his daughter being pregnant before 20 and always treated her like she was damaged goods. He used to tell her she defiled herself. Seeing this side of her father Rashmi left him like he was a deranged person. But she feels she is responsible for his death When he was insisting Rashmi agree to an arranged marriage. She refused and that led to his death from a heart attack.
Rashmi’s mother Savitri came from nothing and got married to a religious person which is her husband and that led her to become completely sheltered. Savitri’s story was also unique. Savitri looks at the calendar and marks the date 12. And, she imagines her childhood friend Bipul. She always knew Bipul was Angad’s father but did not utter a word. As she sits back rolls a thread and starts knitting the winter sweaters. There is Bipul and her in a home. Bipul says, “Hey do you like treating patients?” To which Savitri says, “Dummy how can we treat patients we are still too small We are just 14.” Bipul smiled and a bit of a tear dropped in his rested face. Savitri looks at him and gently leans near and kisses him. Bipul thrown aback said, “Hey what did you do?”
Savitri says, “Chill we are not related by blood.” Bipul quietens himself and looks into Savitri’s eyes.” Savitri says, “I know there is pain in you, please let me feel it too.” Bipul with his eyes moist, says, before coming here back in India. Savitri holds his shoulder as he was breaking down in every sentence.”
“Ma, Ma! I called Ma and started opening our home door and saw Ma naked with another man, My Dad was a poor priest who used to perform family rituals. Seeing my ma, I run away. I was a shy, timid kid, and my father, a priest, had no idea. I stop and catch a breath of fresh air.
“One fine day I came from school and saw my father with a big boulder in his hands draped in red, and he smashed Ma’s skull after catching her red-handed with another man.”
Savitri is in tears. I cry under her shoulders as she consoles me, and then I say, “I was up for adoption, and your parents brought me here.” Savitri says, “And I am glad you were brought here, Bipul. You are a gem to me. Always remember that.”
Bipul goes to his room, and opens up a letter it’s his father’s letter written in his native language similar to Tulu, a south Indian language. Bipul used to visit his father and his father tells him to pick the finger up and put it on his lips. It read and he was furious.
His father says, “Baba no one should know the truth, you know, I know and no one.” His father says, “No killer needs to be left alone but you were 12 I will ask for forgiveness from God on behalf of you.”
It was a Wednesday morning, I knew what was going to happen on the thatched roof home with just a curtain. It happened. I saw my mother giggling from the curtain and it really destroyed me. My anger was at its peak, and I felt an overwhelming urge to beat both my mother and her lover with a stick. Her lover got dressed, handed her some money, and left.
I approached my mother, seething with anger, and said, “Maa, can you please stop doing this when I am home?” She called me over and took me into her lap. I was furious, my rage reaching its pinnacle. Just as my mother was about to serve lunch, her lover returned, and she went off to be with him again, leaving me to serve my own food. Her lover left.
In a fit of uncontrollable anger, I grabbed a large rock and hurled it at my mother’s head while she was counting money. At that very moment, my father walked in. He was terrified, quickly washed my hands, and gave me Rs 100. He told me, “Bipul, my child, go to Grandma’s house.” Bipul takes some moments and closes his eyes, “ Baba, However, I eventually ended up running away from Grandma’s house too.”
Savitri picks up her diary and starts reading. Ma and Baba were furious at us. What will the society think of us?
Ma says, “You guys are siblings, if you both love each other it will be detrimental to repute.” Savitri opposed, She says, “Ma sorry but you cannot dictate………………………………” Bipul holds her mouth. He tells Ma, it's okay you do not have to face any embarrassment. Savitri asks Bipul, “What was that?” As Bipul comes to her room. Bipul says, “Savitri I cannot go against our mother.” “Oh grow up, and what about us?”, says Savitri. Bipul said again, “I cannot Savitri, for most of my life I was parentless, I lost my baba way earlier and as you know Ma was dead now I cannot lose Mom and dad.”
Savitri starts bawling. Bipul sits in her bed and gently pats her on his lap. Savitri puts her head and his lap, She utters, “But What about the baby?” Bipul says, “You know the answer? Do you want me to utter it again?” Savitri’s tears and her face quiver. While Bipul holds her and rests his face gently. Savitri moves to her bed.. asks for Bipul’s hand while Bipul touches her kisses her on the back and says, You are the best small sister I ever have. Savitri says nothing.
Savitri finishes reading, looks at her wide glasses, and utters, “This one’s also gone.” She press stop and now relistens what she spoke. Angad was at Rashmi’s home. Rashmi came and opened the door. Rashmi utters, “Angad please leave or else I will inform the authorities,” Angan broke down. Rashmi asks, “What happened Angad?” “I think Dad will die tonight. And he is uttering your Ma’s name,” replies Angad. But why? asks Rashmi.
Angad takes Rashmi to Savitri’s home. While listening to the story Savitri imagined a scene, “Bipul please do not shift.” Bipul says, “I have to Savitri. I have no other choice.” Savitri cries and she marries someone that lives near Bipul but with time she started liking her husband, and now he’s dead. Savitri is skeptical if a blind lady will be accepted by her long-lost muse or not.
The doorbell rang vigorously, she opened it. Angad wipes his tears, “Aunty dad is dying.” Savitri’s eyeglasses slipped. She asks, “Can you take me to Bipul?” Bipul was hardly there as if his body has already left. Sabina also gave up on life and she knew that her life was not perfect and Bipul had someone else. She was not tying Bipul on his deathbed. Angad and Rashmi are in the front seats, Rashmi asks, Ma! Do you want to talk? Don’t feel like talking now Beta (Child). Rashmi gets a text. She was awfully quiet, Angad asks, “Hey you seemed zoned out any problem?” No, it's alright. They both reached Bipul’s new mansion.
Rashmi guided her mother to reach Bipul. And Savitri came to him.
She says, “Bipul, Can you give me your hand, Bipul coughs with a glimmer of hope.” Angad tells everyone, “Can both of them have a moment?”
Sabina was tired from all this She called Afsana and Angad began doing Sabina’s dialysis for the day. Rashmi started reading a magazine and started conversing with Afsana’s kids.
Savitri crying, “I can see you okay?” breaks into tears. Bipul says, “You do know the truth right.” Savitri says, “Don’t.”
Then Bipul opened his eyes a bit and asks where were you? What happened to your eyes? Savitri says, you weren’t there I was blind since then I am losing my vision, Bipul. She breaks down now I have no regrets since without seeing I can feel you. “Savitri I killed my mother, utters Bipul. Savitri in shock, and bewildered, asks ‘What?’ Savitri is blank for a second. Then she holds him, and tells, “Your mother was a bad person Bipul.”
Well, I cannot sit to keep you in my lap, so you want to sleep on my hand? asks Bipul. Savitri takes cautious steps, and Bipul assists her to sleep with him. He kisses her back, and after 15 minutes Savitri starts crying she knew Bipul was gone and she knew what he wanted to say. He wanted to say, “I have always loved you. But for once let me sacrifice myself for my parents. I killed my mother and sent my father to jail. No one deserves me.”
In the morning Angad comes in, Savitri was touching Bipul's hand. She says he is no more Angad. Angad fell down on Bipul’s dead body and cried like a baby like there was no tomorrow he was in extreme pain. Sabina came in she cried. Rashmi saw Bipul and none of what he looked like now was appealing to me and she realized she loved Bipul for his looks and musculature.
They were about to take Bipul’s body to the cremation grounds, but some hospital staff came in. Hey do you know about Bipul’s dead body, asks Mr. Smith to Angad. Angad says, “Yes we will do the funeral rites.” They said, “Your father gave away his body for experiments.” Angad furious, “Are you mad, he deserves a funeral. “Listen young man I agree but see this document” replies Mr Smith. Angad was shocked the team took out the body while Savita protested Sabina also yelled Rashmi too started to hurl abuses but they took his body. Angad said to Sabina, “Ma Dad wanted?” Savitri says, “Are you sure?” He replied “Yes!”
The next day the hospital calls Savitri where her eye checkup was going on. Angad took his mother Sabina to Santa Clara Medical Center. Rashmi also was to lose her liver soon. Alcohol caused severe cirrhosis that she was hiding. The message that she got which made her completely zone out while traveling with Bipul and her mother was precisely that. All three ladies appear at the same time and the doctors tell them the news,
“I have found an organ donor for you.”
“From Foetuses and organs, a part of him lay in every one of those women.”
Thanks for reading Do check out the other two parts of the same story: