No Mother-in-law, Please! - Chapter 6

 

                                                        

           As soon as she called Yogita up, she got her answer. “Oh Sharon! I am so happy for you. I’m sure you both will make an ideal pair. Hearty congrats, dear!”

          “Yogi, we are going to have a whirlwind marriage. We will be married in a couple of days, at Vizag. Could you make it? I really want you by my side on this most special day of my life,” Sharon pleaded with her.

          “I’m so sorry Sharon! I’d have loved to be with you then, but I have back to back, client meetings lined up at my ad agency. The schedule is so busy that I just don’t dare take even a day off! You know what an ogre I have for my Boss! Grrr…” she burst out laughing.

          “I understand, Yogi. Maybe we could meet later.”

          “By the way, Sharon, have you met your would-be mother-in-law? I mean….”

          “I know what you fear Yogi. Relax. I haven’t met her, but I have an open mind. I’m sure that she must be a nice person and that I’ll get along with her very well.”

          “Oh, O.K.” Yogi mumbled doubtfully.

          As Sharon hung up, she was relieved that Yogi hadn’t seemed to mind her match with Ravi. She felt sad that her best friend wouldn’t be with her on her wedding day. She called up Ravi next.

          “Hello Ravi, I ….”

          “Hello Sharon. It’s a “Yes” isn’t it?”

          “Yes” Sharon said shyly, her heart thudding loudly.

          “I love you Sharon. Now we have many things to do. I’ll take you shopping right away. Be ready. Tell your parents to be ready too. I’ll buy dresses for all of us. I’ll inform my mother immediately. She’s waiting for my call.”

          *****

          And so Ravi and Sharon were married as per Ravi’s schedule and Sharon was soon left alone with her mother-in-law, while Ravi resumed duty. Her parents returned happily to Mumbai and she settled down to a peaceful life at Vizag.

          Now she had ample time to get to know her mother-in-law better. She proved to be just like a mother to her. Loving and kind. Both of them shared the household chores and enjoyed shopping jaunts and visits to movies and exhibitions. Her mother-in-law introduced her to all her neighbors and friends. 

          Soon, Sharon adjusted to her new household and milieu. She was delighted that she had found a friend and companion in her ‘Maaji’.

          Ravi came back as promised and took her for a honeymoon to Switzerland. He was an attentive and jovial companion. The ideal husband! Life was running on smoothly oiled wheels, when Sharon received a call from Yogi. As she picked up the receiver, she felt guilty that she had all but forgotten about Yogi during this period of adjustment in her new home.

         “So how’s the newly wedded bride? I saw your snaps on Instagram. You make a lovely couple. Hope everything is fine at home, now that Ravi has gone back to work!” Yogita sounded cheerful and pleasant.

          Sharon responded, “Oh, everything is like a dream come true. Ravi is wonderful and so is Maaji. I have adjusted very nicely to this household and its routine. Wish I could’ve met you! I really missed you at my wedding.” She knew that Yogita had actually called up to check whether her mother-in-law was troubling her in any way.

          Yogita’s next question confirmed her opinion. “Is your mother-in-law O.K.?”

          “Of course, yes, Yogi! She’s just like a mother to me. In fact, we have grown very close to each other in just two months’ time. We share the chores and enjoy outings like best friends. Remember, how we used to go for movies and strolls? Just like that!”

         Yogita strained her ears to catch some desperation or worry in Sharon’s tone. There was none. Sharon sounded positive and ecstatic. Genuine.

         Feeling slightly foolish, yet relieved that her friend was ‘safe’, Yogita ended the call with a promise to visit Vizag and meet Sharon after 4 months, during the lull period in her ad agency. She actually wanted to ensure that Sharon was indeed happy! She had heard several stories about how newly wedded brides seldom informed their maternal home and friends about their miserable lives after marriage. They didn’t want to disturb anyone’s peace of mind even though they were enduring such turmoil!

         Why, some women who were burnt for dowry after marriage, refused to give indicting statements about the perpetrators, thereby letting them easily off the hook! They loved to bask in the glory of being a martyr. No wonder, she wanted to personally ascertain whether Sharon’s life was actually on the right track!

         **********

        Sharon and Ravi met Yogita at the airport to take her home. Sharon looked carefree and happy, in a long, black skirt and multi-colored, batik top, her shoulder-length hair blowing slightly in the gentle breeze. As the humid air enveloped her, Yogita wondered whether it was only the coastal weather, or Ravi’s proximity getting to her!

         He looked divine, in a casual, navy blue T-shirt and beige, fitted trousers, peaked cap and Rayban glares, with a muscular hand thrown around Sharon’s petite shoulders. The hand which would’ve been around hers, if she hadn’t rejected him….

To be continued...

The copyright of this novel is with Mrs. Priya Ramesh Swaminathan.

Do read the missing chapters and the succeeding ones at www.wattpad.com. 

Kindly view and comment on my novel at that website! Thanks in anticipation.

Priya

No Mother-in-law, Please! - Chapter 1

Chapter 1 - A new proposal for Yogita

          

          “I don’t want a mother-in-law!” Yogita’s eyes flashed defiantly, as she raved on. Her family consisting of her father, mother and brother looked at her stunned and disbelievingly. Had she gone out of her mind?

                                      ***********

          Ever since she had finished college, her family had started scouting for proposals for her marriage. Yogita would make it a point to personally peruse the bio-data of the prospective groom and focus on his family background. She was keen on just one point. The groom should not have a mother! This fact was unknown to her family. As she started rejecting proposals left, right and centre, the frustrated family members started demanding an explanation.

          

          “Why are you rejecting all the marriage proposals, Yogi? What’s wrong with them? We are receiving excellent ones for you, given your looks and qualifications!” her father expostulated one day, after she had summarily rejected a fresh proposal.

        

          The would-be groom was in the Merchant Navy. Yogita’s father looked again at the smart guy in his neat uniform, standing on the deck of his ship, holding the railings with one hand. A brilliant smile lit up his face. He seemed to be directly looking at him!

          

          Now he seemed to be looking slightly hurt. He had been haughtily rejected by his prospective beau, without even a single meeting!

          

          “And what is the problem with this one?” her father asked Yogita, exasperatedly.

          

          “Nothing.” She said coolly.

          

          “Do you think that no one is worthy of you?” her brother Yogesh asked her caustically. He was two years younger than her.

          

          He continued in the same vein, “Do you think that you are some apsara? Please get real Didi! Soon we’ll have no worthy proposals left to consider!”

          

          “So be it!” she countered petulantly.

          

          After five years of groom-hunting, Yogita’s parents had given up all hope of her ever getting married! At their wits’ end, they decided wisely, to stop the process of scouting for proposals, for a

 while. They thought that maybe their daughter would only relent and ask them to start again. After all, didn’t every girl desire to get married to a nice guy, some day?

          

          Despite their decision, Yogita’s mother called up Sharon one day. Sharon was Yogita’s best friend and confidante.

           

          “Sharon, please could you find out why my daughter is rejecting all the marriage proposals coming her way? Does she have a marriage-phobia? Is she reluctant to commit herself to a life-partner? Does she think that she will lose her freedom? As a friend, she will definitely open up to you, I’m sure. Please talk to her and let us know the reason. We will not reveal that you have told it to us. After all, your friendship will be at stake then!”

          
          Sharon sensibly agreed to play the part of an investigator. She was also intrigued. Why was her best friend behaving so strangely? 

To be continued....

The copyright of this novel is with Mrs. Priya Ramesh Swaminathan.

This novel is currently being serialized at www.wattpad.com. 

Do read it and like or comment on it at that website. Happy reading! Thanks. Priya

No Mother-in-law, Please! - Foreword

Foreword

     

     One word that strikes unimaginable terror in a young bride’s heart is ‘mother-in-law’. It is not surprising, as a lady who is utmost loving and compassionate as a mother, often becomes a despicable ogre as soon as she becomes a mother-in-law!

     

     The reasons could be several, such as a difference in opinions, point-of-views, temperaments and attitudes; ego, one-upmanship, bias, prejudice, greed, jealousy and hatred.

    

     Often, life after marriage becomes a continuous tussle between the daughter-in-law and mother-in-law, with the husband/son sandwiched helplessly between the two warring ladies. Each lady tries to exert her control over the man and the household; and establish her supremacy.

     

     A lady, who has been tortured by her mother-in-law as a newly-wed bride, viciously and gleefully takes over the onerous mantle effortlessly, when she becomes a mother-in-law!

     

     No wonder then that many a young girl these days has a strict (often unspoken) rule when she decides to marry - ‘No mother-in-law, please!’ Obviously, she wants to live peacefully and happily with her husband, without the baggage of a nagging mother-in-law!

But there are always exceptions to the rule!

The copyright of this novel is with Mrs. Priya Ramesh Swaminathan.

No Mother-in-law, Please!

                                     

No Mother-in-law, Please!

By

Mrs. Priya Ramesh Swaminathan

The copyright of this novel is with

Mrs. Priya Ramesh Swaminathan.

Currently being serialized at www.wattpad.com

This book is humbly dedicated to my mother-in-law, Prema Nathan. She is a simple, talented and God-fearing lady. After her husband’s early demise, she singlehandedly and ably brought up her two children.

Among her noteworthy talents are singing, steno-typing, playing the violin, embroidery, tailoring and cooking.

She is a stickler for time and tidiness. She loves to regale us with mythological stories and anecdotes from her family’s history. At 90, she’s a bundle of energy, bustling about the house with elan.

Above all, she has a mind of her own and doesn’t hesitate to call a spade, a spade!

Along with my husband and me she has also decided to donate her body after her demise. We are very proud of her decision.

Here’s wishing her a long, healthy and peaceful life!

 

                                                            Review on wattpad.com

·        Vijay Singh 

         May 30, 2020

M

·         Just gone through the beautiful story of Yogita. 

The way you have explained all the attributes of each character is really touching. 

Well connected and nicely presented Ma'am. I have been a great fan of your writing. 

Thank you so much for writing such an excellent Novel. God bless you. 🙌😊

·        

·        Priya

·         Writer

·         May 31, 2020

·         Thanks a lot Vijay, for your appreciation. 

I am delighted. Keep reading till the very end. 

Share it with your friends and family too. 

I am sure that this novel will strike a chord with everyone!

 

A Suitor for the Princess - Chapter 75 (Epilogue)

Cover designed by Mrs. Priya Ramesh Swaminathan with the help of Canva. 

Thanks to www.canva.com.

 

 Epilogue

               

             Martha never left the asylum. She couldn’t leave it, not after what John told her one day. “Martha, the day when I was supposed to meet you at Dr. Benedict Hussey’s clinic, I reached there only to be greeted by a shocking placard displayed on the door of the clinic. “We deeply regret to inform you about the sad and untimely demise of Dr. Benedict Hussey, today morning. Kindly note that all his appointments have been cancelled.”

             

             “I then contacted his secretary who told me that you, my dear Martha, had murdered him. Knowing that something was grossly amiss, I rushed to the police-station. I told them that you were my colleague and a very good friend of mine and that you couldn’t hurt a fly; leave alone a human-being, as good as the kind Doctor, who was treating you. They were also baffled as they hadn’t been able to pin-point your motive behind the gory murder. You were still lying, weak and unconscious at the hospital and they hadn’t been able to get your statement.”

             

             “When you survived the ordeal of your attempted suicide and recovered after 2 weeks, the police obtained your version of the events that led to the murder. They obtained a search warrant and searched the entire apartment for clues. In the Doctor’s closet, they found a cleverly concealed compartment that contained your novel.”

              

             “I was in regular touch with the Chief Investigating Officer-in-charge of your case. When he told me about the discovery, I was elated that your efforts had not gone in vain and that it could still be published. But I was pained to note that nothing in this world could bring the Doctor to life. Oh, Martha, why did you have to act so hastily?”

              

             Shell-shocked, Martha had just continued staring at him. She was speechless. She was guilty as hell. Now she would be the one who would be damned to Hell! She had killed an innocent person out to cure her, impulsively, irrationally and insanely. She knew now that she truly belonged to the mental asylum! Forever!

               

             Her novel titled, 'A Suitor for the Princess' was published by Norman’s publishing house and was a resounding success. It was top-most on the best-sellers’ list for several years. John gave Martha a copy to read in the asylum. Now its characters didn’t overwhelm or disturb her at all. Only one ghost would continue to haunt her as long as she lived. Dr. Benedict Hussey’s ghost! Forgive me Benny! Oh, please forgive me ………

THE END

******************************************************************************

The copyright of this novel is with Mrs. Priya Ramesh 

Swaminathan.

            

 

                                

A Suitor for the Princess - Chapter 74

                                                

             Norman received a call at his office about the murder by his associate and fiancee Martha at 5.30 p.m. He couldn’t believe his ears. “It is not possible officer. She is just not capable of such a violent act. She is the gentlest person on earth. Besides, why in heavens would she murder the doctor who was treating her? It just doesn’t make sense!”

            “The fact remains that she has committed the murder. We have done our duty by informing you,” the officer said curtly and disconnected the call. Gentle indeed! He smirked.

              Norman placed his head between his hands with elbows resting on his table and broke down. He was devastated.

              The next day’s newspapers all over the state carried the shocking news of Martha’s arrest on charges of murder. The whole state was filled with disbelieving people who loved Martha and her writings. “What a waste of a promising writer? Surely, she must have had a valid reason for her act!” they sympathized. Everywhere one went, there were hushed whispers or animated conversations centering round Martha’s deed.

                 The office staff didn’t know how to react. They were very concerned about the well-being of their esteemed Boss. What an irreparable loss for him! They just held an urgent meeting and decided to be as discreet as possible. Norman warned them against speaking to anyone about Martha. They in turn, valued their bread and butter, hence kept mum. “No comments” was all one could get out of them.

                Susan intimated John with great trepidation, one evening. “John, I hope you know about Martha,” she began. “Yes Susan. I’m sure that it is all a horrible mistake. She will soon be acquitted. I’m sure about that. I’ll stand by her even if the whole world goes against her. Thanks for your concern.” 

                Susan felt happy that John had so much faith in Martha. She was also of the same opinion. She just couldn’t imagine that elegant lady committing a cold-blooded murder without any motive. Or did she have any? She felt uneasy as she remembered Martha’s fainting spells and vague behavior on certain occasions. Was she unhinged totally? A shiver ran up her spine.

                The trial ran for several months. Seeing her hysteria, violence and mental condition, the court ordered for her to be admitted into a mental asylum. The Government’s panel of doctors had earlier passed the verdict that she had Paranoid Schizophrenia. The murder was an outcome of one such unfortunate episode when the patient, Martha had not known what she was doing!

                John went to the mental asylum to meet Martha. She appeared depressed and just soulfully looked at him with tears streaming from her beautiful blue eyes.

                “I’ll wait for you Martha,” he said in a choked voice. He had decided that Martha was his for life. He would stand by her till death did them apart. So what if they hadn’t exchanged wedding rings or sacred marriage vows! She was his life-partner. He’d wait for her till eternity. Little did he realize that his task was far from over! His patience would be tested life-long.

               The Princess had at last, found her suitor.

                                                                        

THE END

The copyright of this story is with Mrs. Priya Ramesh Swaminathan.