Like Mother, Like Daughter

Like Mother, Like Daughter

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Genre - Drama

• by Author

"Darling, things are getting worse. If this continues, soon, we will have to shut down our manufacturing unit. Labor unrest has spiraled out of control, production has fallen and the senior staff is leaving our organization. We desperately need capital infusion to survive or we will have to shut shop.

"Have you spoken to the banks? Tina asked, her voice mirroring his concern.

Suresh Jain sighed and nodded. "We have breached the upper limit with all our banks, the debt is now close to a few hundred million."

Suresh Jain was one of the richest and leading industrialists in Bombay, with interests in textiles, cement, and the steel sector. Tina, his wife for the last thirty years was a famous socialite and came from a royal lineage, her grandfather ruled one of the princely states in the pre-Independence era.

"I am sure you will manage something; we have overcome such hurdles in the past too." Tina offered encouragingly. "By the way, we need to throw a party to introduce Anu to the who's who of the city."

"Hey, good morning dad, good morning mom," Anu walked in and joined them at the breakfast table.

"Morning', Anu. Your mom and I were just talking about you. We were planning to throw a party to announce your arrival to this city. The social circuit is already abuzz with talks of your beauty and intelligence." Suresh Jain said appreciatively to her daughter.

Tina chimed in, "like mother, like daughter." Anu beamed proudly in response.

She was 25 years old and had just returned from the US after finishing her management from one of the ivy league business schools. She stood tall at five feet seven; with a slender and toned figure with flawless skin, an unblemished face that shone with richness and radiance, shoulder-length lustrous hair and almond-shaped light brown eyes. Her gait was elegant and poise was faultless, her tone was calibrated; she spoke little but substance. Her mother had groomed her quite well, just like a princess.

"Dad, why don't you look for a stake sale to raise capital? There are quite a few investors with surplus funds looking to invest. It will be relatively cheaper."

Suresh Jain replied calmly but his voice betrayed his exasperation, "Anu, We did explore the idea, but the problem is that we are not getting the right price given the poor health of the company and also, ours is a more traditional business, unlike a new IT or technological venture which, these investors typically want."

"That is true, dad," Anu said nodding in agreement.

"Let's see. I am hopeful something will work out. You girls carry on. It's time for me to head to work." Suresh Jain kissed Tina and Anu and left for work.

Before the party, Tina took Anu out for a small chat.

"Anu, I wanted to talk to you about a few important things."

Anu looked questioningly at Tina. "Yes, mom?"

"Honey, now, that you are back, you will be in the thick of things meeting a lot of very important people. It is an unforgiving world out there. These people will judge you, scrutinize you and if you falter, they will pounce on you like hungry vultures and tear you apart.

"We are at the peak of the social strata of the society, the city, and this country. Every Tom, Dick and Harry is earning money these days, but what differentiates us from the rest is class. It's our royal blood. There are certain things that are a strict No, No."

Anu looked at her mom with enquiring eyes.

Tina took a deep breath and continued.

"We don't react, we don't get angry. If we don't like something, we suck it up, smile and simply do what is to be done. We don't deal with emotions. Emotions are for the masses, for the striving lot. Emotions are messy, unproductive and a waste of time.

Anu sat listening attentively to her mother.

"My great grandmother once told me, "Tina! Indulge people, but never get involved. Darling, if you bear this in mind, you will have everyone eating out of your hands."

Anu smiled, "Don't worry, mom. I will make you proud."

A few days later, the Jains threw a lavish party to introduce Anu. The party was held at The Taj overlooking the vast expanse of the Arabian sea. I t w a s a t t e n d e d b y t h e t o p industrialists, bureaucrats, politicians, and the leading movie stars of the country. Tina ensured that everyone was looked after; she sent charming flying kisses in the direction of some guests and personally greeted the important ones with a kiss on each cheek. Later in the evening, she introduced Anu to the gathering - she looked resplendent in an off-shoulder black dress. She had her hair tied up in a bun, exposing her slender nape and prominent shoulder blades; the dress clung to her like a second skin accentuating every curve. She wore a diamond necklace and matching earrings to complement the look. True to her credentials, she charmed everyone present.

"Anu, come here, please. I want to introduce you to Mr. Khanna and his son.

Anu joined her parents.

"Mr. Khanna, this is Anu, our one and only child."

"You are very beautiful, dear," Mr. Khanna said gently tapping her arm.

Anu smiled graciously and greeted him. " Thank you, Mr. Khanna, it's a pleasure to meet you."

"This is my son, Vikrant." Mr. Khanna introduced his son. Vikrant was in his early forties, six feet tall and had a handsome face.

Anu extended her hand and greeted him. "Hello, Vikrant."

"Hello, Anu. How do you find it here?"

She said smilingly. "So far, so good."

"You will soon get used to the chaos of the city."

"I hope so, too."

Tina interrupted them momentarily, "You both carry on. We oldies are going to excuse ourselves."

The three seniors moved to a nearby table and sat down. After some small talk, the talk veered to business.

"Mr. Khanna, we are facing a bit of a liquidity crunch. We were wondering whether you would like to acquire some stake in our company?"

Mr. Khanna pondered for a moment and sighed audibly. "I'd have liked that, but Vikrant has just started a new venture and all our surplus funds are presently sucked up into this project of his."

Suresh Jain ' s voice betrayed am i ld disappointment. "Oh! It's all right."

The rest of the evening passed by as the guests intermingled followed by dining, wining, and dancing.

A couple of days later, Mr. Khanna called Suresh Jain. "Hello, Mr. Jain, how are you?"

A tad surprised, Suresh Jain replied, "I am very well , thankyou . Every hing all right, Mr. Khanna?"

"Yes, Mr. Jain. I wanted to discuss something. Actually, I will come straight to the point. Vikrant is really impressed by Anu and would like to marry her."

Suresh Jain went quiet for a while allowing the information to settle in. He chose his words c a r e f u l l y . " T h a t w o u l d b e r e a l l y great, Mr. Khanna. But, before I say anything, I would like to discuss it with Anu and Tina."

"Please, Mr. Jain. There is no hurry, take your time." Mr. Khanna said and wound up the call.

Later that evening, Suresh Jain broke the news to Tina, who was quite excited. "Why don't you discuss it with Anu tomorrow and see what she has to say?

Tina nodded, "I will talk to her."

Mr. Jain continued, "there is a 15 year age gap between them and moreover, Vikrant is a divorcee. She is our only daughter and I don't want to do anything which makes her unhappy."

A very visible crease formed on Tina's forehead as she pondered pensively. "Don't worry. I will speak to Anu and take care of it."

The next day after breakfast, when Mr. Jain had left, Tina broke the news to Anu.

"The Khannas figure in the top ten richest families of this city. It's a great proposal. How did you find Vikrant? Are you guys in touch?" Tina asked Anu enthusiastically.

Anu went quiet for a while before answering, "We did exchange numbers but haven't talked after the party. He is very ambitious and has great plans for his company. He seems like a decent man."

Tina took a deep breath and said, "Anu, if you're fine with it, we would like to give our consent."

"But....mom, he is older and...also" Anu protested weakly.

"I know, darling; but how does it matter? You don't have to worry about the rest of your life and his situation will make him value you more. He will never stray and will always be by your side."

"There is something else, mom," Anu said hesitatingly.

Tina furrowed her brows and looked at her questioningly.

"I love a guy, we met in the US."

"What?! Who is he?" Tina rattled off one question after another.

Anu took a deep breath and replied calmly. "He is a nobody if that is what you mean. He too is from Bombay and comes from a middle-class family."

The rich color drained out from Tina's cheek and her perfectly plastered face broke into an unpleasant countenance. She took a swig of water to calm her nerves and sat next to Anu taking her hands in hers. "Darling, remember our little chat.

This is exactly what I meant and you said you would make me proud."

Anu quietly listened to her.

"I know you well, Anu. You have always lived like a princess. Your dad and I would like your consent to this proposal. But, ultimately it is your decision. Think about it and let us know." Tina said and rose from the couch leaving Anu to mull over things.

Anu sat there briefly, then got up and went for a swim. Later that night she opened her laptop and wrote an email. She retrieved her hidden cigarette pack and entered the balcony. Standing there looking at the dark waters of the Arabian Sea, she lit up a smoke, closed her eyes and took a long and deep drag before letting it out through her nostrils and mouth.

The next day at the breakfast table, Tina looked at her expectantly. Anu looked straight past and said, "Dad, please give your consent to Mr. Khanna, I will marry Vikrant.

Tina looked at her daughter and smiled. "Wise decision, honey."

Three months later, Vikrant and Anu were married in a grand style befitting their class and status. Both traveled to Europe for their honeymoon.

On their first evening in Switzerland before going out for dinner, Vikrant gifted her a beautiful diamond necklace.

Anu smiled and whipped her hair to one side exposing her slender nape. "Can you please help me with it?"

Vikrant did the needful and kissed her nape. "You look gorgeous, darling."

She turned around and put his arms around her neck and kissed him. "Thank you, Vikrant."

Later in the evening, while Anu was changing into her silk lingerie; Vikrant commented, "Your breasts look deceptively bigger when you are clothed."

Anu felt a surge of blood rise in her belly and she remarked sarcastically, "Darling, men should be grateful; we women have been generous enough not to make a fuss about the size of a man's dick."

A sudden transformation overcame Vikrant as his nostrils flared and his eyes went dark. He pounced at Anu and slapped her hard leaving his handprint on her face. Before she could recover she saw his hand swinging at her again, the blow knocking her to the ground this time. He stood towering over her huffing and puffing. "Careful with what you say and show some damn respect."

She lay on the floor stunned and shocked both by the blow and the revelation of his ugly side. She stroked her hurting cheek and said quietly, "I apologize. It won't happen again."

Almost a year into the marriage and despite being extra cautious, Vikrant had still found some or the other reason to hit her. Every three months or so, he would have a violent mood swing and Anu bore the brunt of it. On the other hand, Mr. Jain's business was deteriorating in tandem.

One morning while rummaging through the dirty laundry, Anu came across a lipstick stain on one of Vikrant's shirts. She knew it wasn't hers. Lately, she had seen him sneaking out to take calls at odd hours and he had suddenly started spending more time at work. Something was amiss and just not right. Her instincts told her Vikrant had another woman in his life.

She took a sharp intake of breath and approached Vikrant with the shirt.

"Honey, you should be careful with where you get these stains. See, it has ruined your shirt. A man of your caliber and status can't be seen with a stain, lest it tarnishes your reputation forever."

Vikrant blanched for a moment before regaining his composure. "Ah, these women couldn't be more careless. How can someone misdirect a kiss meant on the cheek to the shoulder?!!"

Anu smiled but her eyes had an icy glare. "All the more reason you need to be careful with careless women."

The violent storm appeared on his face, his fingers clenched into a fist and his eyes turned into black coal as he glared at her. Before he could launch into her, Anu raised her hand defiantly, "Vikrant, don't you dare."

He stopped in his tracks and his arm went limp as he looked at Anu. Her face was calm but her eyes were storming. Something about Anu bothered him, she always seemed unaffected. Despite having been violent with her, he knew Anu didn't fear him. On the contrary, the way she handled him during those times always made him feel inadequate.

He took a deep breath and loosened his fist. "I am sorry."

"Sorry, won't cut it Vikrant," Anu retorted in an even tone.

He looked at her still fuming.

Anu continued in her unflappable tone, "I want you to make up for this."

Vikrant thought for a while and asked, "what do you've in mind?"

"You will never ever raise your hand on me again," Anu literally chewed every word before spitting it out. "I will not hesitate to file a complaint, Let's just say I know my rights."

"Fine." Vikrant knew it was a reasonable ask and he wasn't proud of it anyway.

"There is more," Anu said and expressed her second wish.

Vikrant thought it was more of a command. He considered it momentarily and then conceded. "I will do it."

"Excellent," Anu smiled and kissed him on his cheeks. "We are good then."

A week later on one of her visits to her parent's place, Anu saw the family doctor leaving her dad's room. "What is wrong?" She pensively asked her parents.

"Your dad has high sugar and blood pressure. It is the work stress. Things have gone from bad to worse. The bank has given three months' notice to clear the pending dues or liquidate the company."

"I have it under control, Anu." Mr. Jain said sitting up in the bed. "As always, your mom is unnecessarily getting worried.

"Your health says otherwise, dad," Anu said with a wry smile.

"It's age catching up, darling," Mr. Jain quipped.

The three of them laughed and headed out to the dinner table.

A few days later, one evening when Mr. Jain returned home from the office, Tina prepared two drinks and handed one over to Mr. Jain as she took a sip from the other. "Please sit. I have something very important to discuss."

"What is it?" Mr. Jain asked pensively.

Tina fiddled with the glass in her hand and said gravely, "Today, I saw Vikrant with some woman in a restaurant. They both were kissing. He is having an affair."

Mr. Jain grimaced. "You must be mistaken, Tina."

"No, I am not. I have been hearing these rumors for a while but I didn't pay any heed. But, today after seeing with my very own eyes I have no doubt."

"Did you speak with Anu?"

"No. What will I tell her? I feel terrible, Mr. Jain. Anu was in love with someone else and I persuaded her to marry Vikrant, but not at this cost. Besides, Mr. Khanna did imply that they would invest in your company if Anu were to marry Vikrant, but it seems they have conveniently forgotten that.

"It's not your fault, darling. You did what was best for her and for us." Mr. Jain said comforting her. "But, you are right, this is unacceptable. Speak to Anu and do what is best for her."

The following day, Tina called Anu. "How are you, dear?"

"I am good, mom. How is dad doing?"

"He is better now." Tina hesitated a bit before asking, "how are things between you and Vikrant?"

"He is better now." Tina hesitated a bit before asking, "how are things between you and Vikrant?"

"Just like that. I wanted to discuss something with you. Let's catch up for coffee tomorrow?

"Sure mom, I will see you," Anu said and disconnected the line thinking about the conversation.

The coming Saturday, they met in the coffee lounge of a five-star hotel. "Anu, do you know what is Vikrant up to these days?"

Anu squinted her eyes and asked, "What do you mean, mom?"

Tina exhaled audibly and dropped her voice to a whisper, "I think he is having an affair. I saw him with another woman. Do you know anything about it?"

Anu simply sat stoically not saying a word. The silence unnerved Tina.

"I am sorry, darling. I had your best interest at heart when I asked you to marry him. I never thought it would come to this. I have spoken to your dad and we both think this is unacceptable. You can come back anytime you wish."

Tina looked at Anu who had not moved an inch nor had she betrayed any emotion.

"Say something, Anu. If you want to legally separate, we are all right with that too. You are young and gorgeous; you can land almost any man." Tina said encouragingly as she felt an overwhelming desire to take care of Anu.

"I don't want a divorce, mom. I have it under control." Anu said blankly.

"So, you knew about it. Why didn't you tell me?" Tina asked agitatedly. "Are you okay with this?"

"It doesn't matter what I am okay with, mom. What matters is how I deal with it. Isn't it?" Anu asked raising her brow.

She let the words sink into her mom and when the silence became disquieting Anu flipped her purse open and produced some documents.

She slid them to her mom and said "Vikrant has agreed to buy equity in dad's company. You and dad no longer need to worry."

Tina's mouth fell open and she exclaimed, "What?!"

"This is the price for his affair," Anu said getting up from her chair.

Tina looked at her daughter with bewilderment. She didn't know whether to be sad or happy for her, to sympathize with or salute her. She had outclassed her.

Anu got up to leave, she had barely walked a few steps when she turned around and looked at her mother with a smile and said, "Like mother, like daughter!"

****************The End************
 

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