AAD Chapter 7: Taking Charge

Thank you to everyone who has waited patiently for Angels and Devils to return. Enjoy :)

Chapter 7: Taking Charge

 

With the money in her hand, Payal stepped out of the shop. She didn’t know why but she felt freer than she had in a long time. She caught an auto and was about to head back to the hospital when she remembered that she left her phone at home. She told the driver to take her home instead and to wait outside until she came out. She went in and grabbed her phone to find that Khushi had missed called her 31 times and messaged her 12 times. She called her back and after a few tries Khushi finally picked up.

 

“Hello, Khushi? Sorry I took so long, are you still at the Mandir?” Payal asked.

 

She didn’t get a reply for a long time but she could hear sniffles and concluded that Khushi had been crying.

 

“Jiji I’m still at the Mandir, where are you?”

 

Khushi’s voice sounded hoarse and Payal knew for sure that she had been crying.

 

“I’m coming, stay there and don’t move, ok?”

 

“Ok.”

 

Payal cut the call and grabbed an auto, telling the man to drive as fast as possible to the Mandir.

 

 

 

 

Devi Maya Mandir, Lucknow

 

Payal arrived at the Mandir in record time despite all the traffic. She paid the man slightly extra for getting her there so fast and ran off to find her sister. She had been running all over the place for 10 minutes and she still hadn’t found her. Just when she was going to give up and call her to ask her where she was, Payal found someone at the base of a tree behind the Mandir. She walked a little closer and found out that it was her sister. She was just sitting there with a blank expression on her face staring into space.

 

Payal approached her slowly and slightly shook her. “Khushi?”

 

Khushi looked at Payal as if she was seeing her for the first time. “I’ve decided to go with him Jiji.”

 

Payal was going to ask her who she was talking about but then she remembered. “And why exactly are you going to do that?”

 

“He made me see a little clearer.”

 

“Oh did he now?”

 

“Yes. We can’t afford Babuji’s treatment, we don’t have a home anymore and plus no one wants me here.”

 

“Really? No one? So I’m no one to you am I?”

 

“That’s not what I meant-”

 

“Listen to me Khushi, you are going no where. I have sold all my wedding jewellery-”

 

Khushi gasped, “Jiji!”

 

“Khushi don’t interrupt and let me finish. I sold all my wedding jewellery to pay for Babuji’s treatment and there’s still a little left over for travel expenses. We are going to leave Lucknow and move to Delhi. Buaji has a small place there, it’s not much but it will do. Also I have a few people who own Babuji and me some money, so that should keep us going until I find a job.”

 

“Jiji, do you realise what you’ve done?” asked an incredulous Khushi.

 

“I know exactly what I’ve done. I’ve managed to save my sister from a fate worse than death and I’ve managed to provide for my family. Khushi, I just realised how much of the dark ages that we’re living in. It’s the 21^st century for Devi Maya’s sake, women can work and not have to get married as soon as possible. So what if I’m not a man, I can still take care of my family and I’ve proved that today.”

 

“But jiji-”

 

“No Khushi. You are not going anywhere with that man. I want to take him to court for what he tried to pull but we don’t have enough money for a lawyer plus he’s a big businessman and I’m sure we’d lose. We, as a family, are going to get as far away from that man as possible. He has brought nothing but sorrow into our lives and as soon as Babuji’s better we are going to leave for Delhi. As soon as we’re settled into Delhi, you and I are going to look for jobs. Yes both of us. We’re going to need as much money as possible. Maybe when we have enough money we can start to go to classes again and get proper jobs eventually.”

 

“Amma, Babuji and Buaji will never agree to this.”

 

“If they don’t agree, how on Earth are we going to get money to pay for food, water, electricity and accommodations? We have to stop living in the past. This is the only way we’re going to survive. This is not up for discussion, this is happening. Now come on, let’s get back to the hospital, we need to pay Babuji’s bill.”

 

Khushi said no more about her sister’s decision and followed her to the main road where they proceeded to get an auto to the hospital.

 

 

 

Shekhar Hospital, Lucknow

 

As soon as they entered the hospital, Payal proceeded to go to the reception and pay her father’s hospital fee. They then went to their father’s ward and when they entered Garima and Buaji stood up.

 

“Payal where have you been?” asked Garima. “I’ve been so worried.”

 

“I was just getting some money to pay for Babuji’s bill.” She replied.

 

“How? And why have you brought that whore with you?”

 

“Amma! Khushi is still my sister no matter how blind you choose to be to the truth. She’s family and family always stick together, through thick and thin.” Lectured Payal.

 

“It’s you who’s blind Payalia!” screamed Buaji. “And don’t you dare talk to your mother like that. Apologise right now.”

 

“You’re right Buaji, I shouldn’t have yelled but I won’t apologise for what I said. As of now, I’m appointing myself head of the family until Babuji gets better. Buaji, do you still have that little bungalow in Delhi?”

 

“Yes, why?”

 

“Good. Amma and Buaji, go to the house and pack, we’re moving to Delhi.”

 

“What?! Why?” Both Garima and Buaji said at the same time.“

 

Payal glared at them both. “Have you not been paying attention? That monster has our house now so we need a new place to live.”

 

“He said, he’d continue to let us live in it if we just gave him Khushi.” Said Buaji.

 

“Buaji, I know you are my elder and I’m meant to respect you but if you bring that up again, if you so much as mention it once more, I will slap you.”

 

“How dare you-”

 

“Shut up! Everyone shut up. Does family mean nothing to you people? This is not up for discussion, this is what’s going to happen no matter how much you protest. I’ve sold all my wedding jewellery-”

 

Buaji and Garima gasped. “Payal how could you?”

 

“Stop being so dramatic, it’s not the end of the world.”

 

“It might as well be.” Piped in Buaji.

 

Payal glared at her once more. “We’re too poor to get me or Khushi married. At least this way the jewellery will be of some use. Besides, how do you plan on earning any money once we’ve been married off? Babuji’s not as young as he used to be and he being in the hospital now proves that. Besides, selling sweets doesn’t bring much money in and if Babuji fall ill again, who is going to provide for this family?”

 

There was silence.

 

“That’s what I thought.” Said Payal. “Now, Amma, Buaji, go and pack. I’m going to go collect some debts. Khushi, go and see if you can find anyone who wants to buy the halwai shop. We need to do this as quickly as possible because as soon as Babuji’s better, we need to go.”

 

“What if we don’t find a buyer in time?” asked Khushi.

 

“Then we leave the shop in the hands of someone we trust and once that person has found someone to sell it to, they can send the money to our address in Delhi. Now go.”

 

The ladies of the Gupta parivaar dispersed and each went to complete their own task.

 

Payal was the last to leave as she wanted to spend a little time alone with her father. She came to his bed side and held his hand. Her father was still asleep so it was easier to speak to him.

 

“Don’t worry Babuji, everything is going to be fine. We’ll move to Delhi and start a new life. Khushi and I will get jobs to support you guys. Maybe if we get enough money, we’ll buy you another halwai shop. And I know what you’re going to say, “What about marriage?”. Well, I know Khushi’s always wanted to get married, so if she falls in love, we’ll get her married. As for me, the only man I need in my life is you, so get better quickly. I love you Babuji.”

 

With that, she kissed his hand and made her way out of the ward. Payal had reached the reception when she met someone who she really didn’t want to see. She tried to walk as fast and as discreetly as possible but the man had somehow managed to spot her anyway and was heading her way.

 

“Excuse me Miss Gupta?” he said.

 

She turned to face the man. “What do you want now Aman?”

 

“Well, I tried to pay the hospital bill but it seems you have already done so.”

 

“That’s right.” Payal began to turn away when Aman spoke again.

 

“Sir was just wondering how you got the money.”

 

Payal turned to face Aman with a smirk on her face. “You run and tell your master-”

 

“He’s not my master.”

 

“He might as well be. You run and tell him that he messed with the wrong family. Tell him that I love my family more than anything and I will do whatever it takes to protect them. Tell him that he can keep the house and his money. Tell him my sister will not be coming with him, not now, not ever, not in this lifetime or any other. Most of all, tell him that whatever he plans to do next will be fruitless because we are a strong family and we will stick together no matter what. You got all that Aman? Good, because I don’t ever want to see your face or your master’s face ever again.”

 

With that Payal Gupta walked away with her head held high.