anger and guilt
the front door closes with a heavy thud....
Vani's Dad
(Spinning around....voice venomous)
what the hell was that?...
Vani's Mom
(flinches but stand silently)
Vani's Dad
Did you enjoy their attention?.... Laughing at their comments?.... Letting them... touch you?....
Before she can explain.....Vani's aunt.... an older...sharp-tongued woman.... enters from the adjoining room....retending to have overheard everything.....
Vani's Aunt
Bhai ... don’t blame her entirely.....You know how she dresses when they come over... always adjusting her sari.... walking like she owns the place.....
Vani's Mom
(Gasps.... her face pale....)
Vani's Aunt
(Smirking)
I even saw her bending extra low while serving tea..... Did she think she’s at some beauty contest?...
Vani's Dad
(face darken....his breathing turns harsh (
Vani's Dad
(Pointing an accusing finger)
Shut up...! I should’ve known you’d humiliate me like this.....
Vani's Mom
(Shakes her head desperately.....)
Vani's Mom
I didn’t do anything... they... they were the ones—.
Vani's Aunt
Interrupting)
Blaming them now?... Typical.... They are important men..... You should be grateful they even stepped into this house....
Vani's Dad
(Grabs Vani's mother’s wrist harshly and drags her into their bedroom....slamming the door behind them.....)
The bedroom door slams shut.....
Vani's Mom
(stumbles as he releases her wrist roughly)
Vani's Dad
Do you think I’m blind?.... I saw how you were acting out there..... ❄️
Vani's Mom
(rubs her sore wrist)
Vani's Mom
I wasn’t... I swear... I was only serving them tea—
Vani's Dad
(walking towards her)
Vani's Dad
Serving tea....? Or serving yourself on a damn platter?....Do you think I didn’t notice the way you smiled at them?....
Vani's Mom
(His words hit like daggers....)
Vani's Mom
(Pleading)
I smiled out of politeness... I didn’t do anything wrong... you know me... please—...
Vani's Dad
(grabs her shoulders...., shaking her slightly....)
Vani's Dad
(Eyes blazing)
Don’t lie to me...! You enjoyed their attention....didn’t you?...Acting all innocent while they... while they—....
Vani's Mom
(Crying )I hate the way they look at me.... You think I wanted that?....
Vani's Mom
Do you think it’s easy... being treated like that... while you stood there and said nothing?....
Vani's Dad
(Her words strike a nerve..... He lets go abruptly...turning away... fists clenched.....)
Vani's Dad
( caught between his anger and guilt....)
Vani's Dad
I couldn’t... I needed their investment... for us.... You don’t understand how this world works.....
Vani's Mom
(Choking on tears)
So....selling your dignity is fine... but mine isn’t worth defending?...
Vani's Dad
(turns to face her)
Vani's Dad
(Softly... almost defeated)
I can’t lose everything... not again... I can’t......
Vani's Mom
(wipes her tears)
Vani's Mom
But you have already lost me....long before today
Author
Thank you for reading my lovely
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