Shailja thought a lot before taking this decision. She took out the bangles and jewelry set given by her mother. She also collected the money given by relatives on different occasions and some savings which she has done in all these years. She took an M.R.T. for Little India. One of her father’s dearest friends Vinay Uncle owns a jewelry store there. She talked to him on the phone a few times before but today is the first time she is meeting him. She informed him before and he was waiting for her in the showroom.
“Come Shailja… What a pleasant surprise.” Vinay Uncle got up from his chair and welcomed Shailja.
Shailja touched his feet and said, “How are you, Uncle?”
“I am good but you are looking very weak. How is your health now?” Vinay asked with concern.
“I am absolutely fine Uncle. Just lost some weight after surgery.” Shailja replied.
Vinay Uncle’s showroom was well organized and decorated with traditional Indian jewelry. Uncle showed her the entire showroom and sat in his cabin.
“Uncle, actually I want to start something. I mean I want to work. Kids are also grown up now. I got bored sitting at home. But I don't have a working visa.” Shailja started calmly. Vinay Uncle was listening attentively. She continued, “I have some savings and jewelry which I want to invest and work under your guidance and learn about this business.”
Vinay Uncle got surprised as he very well knew about Abhay’s business. Then why Shailja wanted to sell her jewelry and start something of her own, he is finding it strange. He asked her, “Is everything alright Shailja? I mean if you and Abhay are facing any problems in business, we can resolve it.”
“No Uncle.. There is nothing like that. It's just that I want to do this for my own satisfaction and to utilize my time. I will get to learn a lot of things and earn some experience as well.” Shailja tried to convince him of her answer.
Vinay Uncle was not fully convinced but he agreed. He told her that he can apply for the work permit for her and she can start working in his showroom and whatever she wants to invest, profit and other things will be calculated based on that. He asked her to think once again before selling her jewelry but she already made up her mind. She assured him and asked to check its value. After all the calculations, Vinay Uncle told her to join the work as soon as the work permit gets processed.
Within a few weeks, everything got sorted and she joined her work. She told Pulak and Lavanya that she is taking the experience with Uncle. She didn't mention anything about what happened between her and Abhay. After that night’s fight, Abhay was hardly seen at home during the day time. He started coming later than before and left early in the morning. She also didn't care to inform him.
But Vinay Uncle informed Shailja’s parents about it. Shailja’s mother called her at once and asked worriedly, “What is all this Shailja? Is everything alright? Is Abhay not giving you money? Has anything happened between you two?”
“Ohh Ma... Hold on hold on… so many questions. Ma everything is alright. It's just I was getting bored sitting idle all day and I wanted to start something of my own and I had all these savings so I wanted to invest in it. You and Papa don't get worried about it, please. I have taken this decision after thinking thoroughly.” Shailja assured her mother.
“Ok, dear… but if there is anything, you will tell me instantly. Ok?” Her mother asked again.
“Of course Ma... Who else I will tell? Now you don't worry and give me your blessings for my new start.” Shailja hid everything from her mother.
“Stay happy always. Take care of yourself.” Shailja’s mother wished her from the heart.
She started this new chapter of her life with full energy and hard work. Passion to prove herself is giving her strength and she started learning and adapting everything very fast. At the end of the first month, whatever she earned, she calculated her expenses of food and deposited it in Abhay’s account. The rest of the money, she again invested in the business. Looking at the deposit in his account, Abhay couldn't understand anything. He called her from the office.
“What is this money in my account?” Abhay asked.
“This is for the food which I had from your earnings. And once both kids will go to the university, I will deposit the rent of the house as well.” She hung the call before Abhay could say anything else.
Abhay got irritated with her answer. He wanted to know what she was doing so he called her again. But Shailja didn't pick her call. She doesn't want to get involved in any kind of argument. Abhay felt like a punch on his face. After the slap, this silent treatment and money in his account from Shailja felt like a solid punch on his ego and it pinched him deep inside. He was expecting a weaker and sad Shailja, who would keep on crying and grovel to him but nothing happened as he thought. He was dazed and shocked.
A year passed and Pulak left for Australia as he got admission in a Chemical Engineering course there. Shailja’s hard work was paying off. She started earning well and every month a fixed amount was getting deposited in Abhay’s account. Now Abhay is also aware of her work. He tried to instigate Shailja a few times but she has stopped reacting and this made Abhay’s condition miserable. After two years, Lavanya’s schooling also finished. She chose to study Indian history and got admission in Banaras Hindu University. She can also visit her grandparents in Kolkata whenever she feels like as she is very attached to Shailja’s parents.
Till now Abhay and Shailja were bound to each other because of Kids and their future. Pulak and Lavanya are like a bridge to their parents who are on opposite sides of their married life. But now Shailja is free. She has distanced herself from Preeti. She made excuses for her work and completely ignored her. Preeti also understood the reason behind it. Shailja has decided to take the decision from her mind because she understood very well that taking decisions from the heart will only make her suffer more.
As soon as Lavanya left for India, Shailja changed a few settings. She shifted her stuff to another room and also arranged a small kitchen there. The backside door of that room opens up in the balcony and there is another way from the balcony to reach towards the lift in the corridor. She made that door as her entrance and closed the main door of the room which joins the room to the main house. Now she has her own place. And she deposited the rent in Abhay’s account in advance.
