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Vani's Mom
I kept your food warm... I’ll serve it now......
She hurriedly places Vani in the small cot and rushes to the kitchen corner.......But Vani's father’s rage isn’t just about food....
Vani's Dad
(Bitterly)Everything went wrong the day she was born... A curse!....
Vani's Mom
(freezes....gripping the edge of the table ..... The words cut deeper than any wound....)
Vani's Mom
(Tears welling up)
she’s... she’s our daughter..... Don’t say that.....
Vani's Dad
(Strides toward her.... pointing a shaking finger at her....)
Vani's Dad
(with venomous voice)
She’s YOUR daughter..... I never wanted her......
The thunder roars....echoing his harsh words....
Baby Vani
(crying because of sudden loud thunderbolt)
Vani's Dad
(before he can say more)
Vani's Aunt
(appears smirking)
Vani's Aunt
(mocking) poor thing..... thinking love will change' anything.....
Vani's Mom
(quickly grabs the food plate....places it on the table... and returns to Vani....shielding her small body with her arms....)
Vani's Mom
(murmuring) I'll never let them break you.....never.....
The storm has passed...., but the harshness inside the house remains.....
Days turn into weeks..... and Vani’s mother continues her silent struggle.....
Vani's Dad
My business partners will be here in no minute
Vani's Dad
Is everything prepared?
Vani's Mom
(Politely opening the door)
Namaste....
Three of Vani's father’s business partners step inside....their eyes scanning the house....
partner 1
(Smirking) ah... finally... We were wondering if you’d forgotten to invite us....
partner 2
(Looking around)
such a cozy place... though a pretty face like yours deserves a bigger home...don’t you think?....
Vani's Mom
(Keeps her head down....avoiding eye contact.... She moves aside to let them in....)
Vani's Dad
(Emerging from the hallway with enthusiasm)
Welcome... Please sit....
The men settle on the sofa exchanging knowing looks
Vani's Mom
(went inside the kitchen to prepare refreshments)
Vani's Mom
(Returns... carefully balancing a tray of tea and snacks....)
As she leans forward to place the tray on the table.... Partner 1's eyes linger on her neckline.... while Partner 2 subtly nudges his friend....
partner 2
(Chuckling)Looks like someone’s trying to impress us today.....
Vani's Mom
(Pretends not to hear... placing the cups with trembling hands...)
partner 3
(Taking a cup)
Must be nice coming home to such... hospitality every day... huh?...
They all laugh crudely....
Vani's Dad
(forces a stiff smile...trying to maintain control.... His fists clench...but he says nothing.... wary of losing their business partnership....)
Vani's Mom
(turns to leave)
partner 1
(Accidentally brushes her wrist while reaching for the sugar bowl....)
partner 1
(innocently) Oh...So soft... must be all that home care....
Vani's Mom
(Flushes with humiliation..... quickly steps back but stumbles slightly....)
partner 2
Careful now... wouldn’t want such a delicate thing to break.....
Vani's Dad
(Observing from the corner.... clenches his jaw but remains silent....)
Author
thank you for reading my lovely readers
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