Life Mein Twist

 

The Reluctant Wife

“ Beta, please understand. Your sister needs you. If you mother was still alive, we would not have asked you to go”

“Why should I be the one making all the sacrifices? I had to leave the trek with my friends, when Ketki was born. I had to leave my coaching class to look after Ketki, when Seema didi had Malti. I could not clear my exam because I was babysitting my sister’s daughter. And now, again didi is expecting!!”

Papa was aghast, “Do you not love Malti and Ketki?”

“How unfair is all this papa! You realise, I have a life of my own. I do love them but they are not my children. Their parents should be the one making sacrifices. Not me”

“Alright, if that is the way you feel”, saying so Papa picked up the phone.

“Hello, Atulji. I am sorry but this time Reema would not be able to come to take care of Malti and Ketki. She is, umm, a bit busy, umm, with …she will be taking up a job.”

 

“No, beta, she wants to work here, in Gwalior”

 

 “She does not want to shift to a big city.”

 

“I know, she enjoys visiting Delhi, but…. If you want, I will come and look after the girls.”

 

“Thanks for understanding Atulji”

 

After finishing the conversation with his son-in-law, Papa sat down heavily on the sofa and gave Reema a sad look, “Doctors have advised bed rest for Seema. There are complications this time. Atulji was saying, he may have to take long leave from office to look after the kids. Seema has been strictly forbidden to pick up anything heavy…. They were both counting on you. Even the girls are so fond of you. But …”

“Alright I’ll go. No need to emotionally blackmail me.”

The thought of babysitting her sisters’ daughters filled her with an unexplained sadness.

Both Malti and Ketki were adorable. Malti was three while Ketki was barely a year old. Reema loved to play and with them and their childish talks were such fun.

But, somehow, she felt used.

Her sister and her husband would leave the kids with her and be so engrossed with each other. There was no space in their romantic lives for anyone else. There were times when she felt that for the lovely-dovey couple, even their own daughters were an intrusion in their lives. Probably that is her imagination.

 

 

“Reema, how can you do this. Again, you will miss the trip to Goa for your sister”

Reema did now know how to respond to her friends chiding. She disconnected the phone and picked up the crying baby.

 

 

“Shailja, I am marrying Atulji”, Reema said to her friend in a small voice.

“What are you saying? Why are you marrying him?”

“Seema didi could not take the strain of the third pregnancy and passed away two days back. Everyone thinks, I would be a perfect mother for Malti and Ketki”

“What about you?”

Reema did not answer. She turned to look at the two adorable step daughters. They did not seem so adorable anymore.

They would forever remind her of her shattered dreams.