08-10-2025, 11:57 AM
(CHAPTER CONTD)
The following week, Ragini called Sonarika with a voice full of urgency.
"She’s here" Ragini said.
"Who?"
"Mrs. Sreelekha Naik. She’s in Mumbai for a short visit — attending a trade and environmental summit. I managed to get a small meeting slot for you tomorrow afternoon. Don’t waste this chance, Sona. She’s… not easy to impress"
That night, Sonarika barely slept. She stood before her wardrobe, flipping through her formal suits, finally choosing a simple beige one — clean, unpretentious, professional. She ironed it herself, the smell of hot fabric mixing with her nervous excitement. For the first time in years, she wasn’t dressing to impress a man or please anyone’s eye — she was dressing for herself. The next day, she met Ragini at the Hotel Orchid, where Mrs. Naik had set up a temporary office suite. Inside the room, Sreelekha Naik looked every bit the formidable woman she had read about — tall, dusky, elegant in a dark green silk saree. Her silver-streaked hair was tied in a low bun, and her sharp eyes missed nothing.
"Mrs. Naik" Ragini began politely,
"This is Sonarika Kumar, who currently works as Chief Operations Manager for TANISHQ. The one I mentioned—"
"I know who she is"
Sreelekha interrupted curtly, flipping through Sonarika’s file.
"A C.O.M who handles Gold businesses applying for a role at a botanical research facility? That’s… bold"
Sonarika swallowed.
"I understand the difference in industries, ma’am. But I also—"
"You think managing sales and profits is the same as managing research and growth environments?"
Sreelekha cut her again.
"You’ll be handling scientists, bioengineers, logistics, field research teams — not gold merchants and diamond cutters"
Ragini opened her mouth, but Sonarika gestured her not to.
"I know that, ma’am" she said quietly.
"But I also know what it means to handle people — to understand processes, to manage under pressure. And more than that, I understand plants"
Sreelekha raised an eyebrow.
"Do you?"
"Yes" Sonarika said, her voice steady now.
"I spent three years at Vrindavan Nursery before I started my corporate life. I still remember the smell of the first monsoon soil there — the way each seedling bent to the rhythm of the rain. Plants have moods too, Mrs. Naik. They react to care, neglect, touch, even sound. They have their own system of communication — just like people. You don’t manage plants, you listen to them"
There was a pause. Sreelekha’s sharp gaze softened, just a little.
"That’s an interesting answer" she murmured.
"Most candidates talk about production metrics and logistics. You talk like a botanist… or a poet"
"Maybe both" Sonarika said with a small smile.
"I lost touch with that side of me. I’m trying to find it again"
Something in her tone — humble, truthful, without rehearsed charm — made Sreelekha close the file. She leaned back, studying her carefully.
"You’ve been through something, haven’t you?"
Sonarika didn’t flinch.
"Yes, ma’am. And I’m not running from it anymore. I’m trying to rebuild myself — one honest day at a time"
For a long moment, silence filled the room. Then, for the first time, Sreelekha smiled.
"Good" she said simply.
"I like people who don’t lie to themselves"
By the end of the meeting, Sreelekha told Ragini.
"She’s raw, but she has grit. I’ll arrange for her to visit Vatika next week. Let her see if she can handle what we do before we talk about formalities"
Sonarika was stunned.
"Thank you, ma’am. I promise I’ll—"
"Don’t promise" Sreelekha interrupted again, but this time with warmth.
"Just show me"
That night at home, Sonarika gathered her family at the dinner table.
"I might have to go to Goa next week. It’s for work — just a short visit" She said softly
Karan’s face brightened instantly.
"Goa? Can I come too, mumma? Please? I’ll behave!"
She smiled, brushing his hair.
"It’s not a vacation, sweetheart. It’s an official visit. I have to meet some people, see some plants, and come back. I promise we’ll go together one day, okay?"
Karan sighed dramatically.
"Okay…"
Then came Hemant’s voice, calm but cold.
"Goa? With whom?"
"Alone" Sonarika replied, not looking up.
"It’s related to a job opportunity. Ragini arranged the meeting"
The family cheered for her trip as she was in contempt seeing the happiness in Karan and Anjali's faces. But when she looked at Hemant , she knew he was thinking about something else. There was a slight sarcastic grin that only meant one thing. He was thinking her trip has something to do with Vikram. She turned, gathered the plates, and disappeared into the kitchen — silent tears mixing with the sound of running water.
Later that night, she laid out her luggage on the bed. She folded her clothes carefully — formal wear for the visit, casuals for the travel days.
That is when Hemant chimed in , beginning his mockery of her.
"A job opportunity in Goa? How convenient. What’s next — a candlelight dinner with him on the beach?"
Hemant leaned back, his tone bitter. Sonarika froze.
"Vikram has nothing to do with this" she said, her voice trembling but controlled.
"This is about my work"
Hemant gave a sarcastic laugh.
"Work. Right. Do whatever you want, Sonarika. You’re free. Just…..make sure you take your pills unless you wanna get knocked up by him!"
His words cut deep — not because they were cruel, but because they carried pain. She wanted to scream, to defend herself, to tell him everything — the therapy, the diagnosis, the truth of her condition. But she didn’t. Instead, she looked at him quietly and said.
"Believe whatever you like, Hemant. I know I’ve hurt you enough. I don’t want to fight anymore"
Hemant moved away and went to bed shutting off the lamp of his side. In the corner of her suitcase, she placed a soft blue scarf — a small token of comfort she always carried since her therapy began. Then, neatly folded on top, she placed the beige suit she intends to wear for her VATIKA visit.
The fabric smelled faintly of determination. Standing before her mirror, she whispered softly to her reflection —
"This time, I’m going not to escape, but to begin again"
The next morning, the dawn in Mumbai broke pale and cold. Sonarika stood by the doorway with her luggage packed — a single suitcase, one handbag, and her file folder. Hemant, leaning against the car parked outside, looked distant, his eyes hidden behind his dark sunglasses. The drive to the airport was silent. The radio played softly, a low hum of some romantic ghazal that neither of them cared to change. Finally, as they reached the drop-off area, Hemant broke the silence.
"So" he said flatly.
"Where’s Vikram? I thought he’d be coming to join you for this trip"
Sonarika turned her head slowly.
"Hemant, please. This is not a leisure trip"
"So you admit the trips with him are leisure trips!"
"Enough , I am going to Goa for official work"
He gave a dry, sarcastic laugh.
"Oh, of course. You’re going to Goa for official work. Right. With the same passion you used to go to Jabalpur and Bali, I suppose?"
She tightened her grip on her handbag, the knuckles whitening.
"You can think whatever you want. I’m not explaining anymore"
He looked at her then, really looked — his jaw tight, his voice bitter but low.
"Well" he said.
"Enjoy your… unofficial honeymoon. Hope you took my advice and took your pills. Because I don't want an Alimony situation in the future!"
The words landed like a slap. Sonarika stood still, blinking back the sting in her eyes. For a second, she wanted to shout — to remind him how much pain she had inflicted upon herself too, how broken she’d been. But instead, she just nodded quietly.
"I know you’re angry" she whispered.
"And you have every right to be. Just… don’t say things you’ll regret later"
Hemant looked away, hands deep in his pockets.
"I stopped regretting things a long time ago" he said, turning toward the car.
She watched him leave, the taillights vanishing into the crowd of taxis and travelers. Then, pulling herself together, Sonarika walked into the terminal. Her heels echoed softly across the floor as the announcement board blinked with her flight number — Mumbai to Goa.
"She’s here" Ragini said.
"Who?"
"Mrs. Sreelekha Naik. She’s in Mumbai for a short visit — attending a trade and environmental summit. I managed to get a small meeting slot for you tomorrow afternoon. Don’t waste this chance, Sona. She’s… not easy to impress"
That night, Sonarika barely slept. She stood before her wardrobe, flipping through her formal suits, finally choosing a simple beige one — clean, unpretentious, professional. She ironed it herself, the smell of hot fabric mixing with her nervous excitement. For the first time in years, she wasn’t dressing to impress a man or please anyone’s eye — she was dressing for herself. The next day, she met Ragini at the Hotel Orchid, where Mrs. Naik had set up a temporary office suite. Inside the room, Sreelekha Naik looked every bit the formidable woman she had read about — tall, dusky, elegant in a dark green silk saree. Her silver-streaked hair was tied in a low bun, and her sharp eyes missed nothing.
"Mrs. Naik" Ragini began politely,
"This is Sonarika Kumar, who currently works as Chief Operations Manager for TANISHQ. The one I mentioned—"
"I know who she is"
Sreelekha interrupted curtly, flipping through Sonarika’s file.
"A C.O.M who handles Gold businesses applying for a role at a botanical research facility? That’s… bold"
Sonarika swallowed.
"I understand the difference in industries, ma’am. But I also—"
"You think managing sales and profits is the same as managing research and growth environments?"
Sreelekha cut her again.
"You’ll be handling scientists, bioengineers, logistics, field research teams — not gold merchants and diamond cutters"
Ragini opened her mouth, but Sonarika gestured her not to.
"I know that, ma’am" she said quietly.
"But I also know what it means to handle people — to understand processes, to manage under pressure. And more than that, I understand plants"
Sreelekha raised an eyebrow.
"Do you?"
"Yes" Sonarika said, her voice steady now.
"I spent three years at Vrindavan Nursery before I started my corporate life. I still remember the smell of the first monsoon soil there — the way each seedling bent to the rhythm of the rain. Plants have moods too, Mrs. Naik. They react to care, neglect, touch, even sound. They have their own system of communication — just like people. You don’t manage plants, you listen to them"
There was a pause. Sreelekha’s sharp gaze softened, just a little.
"That’s an interesting answer" she murmured.
"Most candidates talk about production metrics and logistics. You talk like a botanist… or a poet"
"Maybe both" Sonarika said with a small smile.
"I lost touch with that side of me. I’m trying to find it again"
Something in her tone — humble, truthful, without rehearsed charm — made Sreelekha close the file. She leaned back, studying her carefully.
"You’ve been through something, haven’t you?"
Sonarika didn’t flinch.
"Yes, ma’am. And I’m not running from it anymore. I’m trying to rebuild myself — one honest day at a time"
For a long moment, silence filled the room. Then, for the first time, Sreelekha smiled.
"Good" she said simply.
"I like people who don’t lie to themselves"
By the end of the meeting, Sreelekha told Ragini.
"She’s raw, but she has grit. I’ll arrange for her to visit Vatika next week. Let her see if she can handle what we do before we talk about formalities"
Sonarika was stunned.
"Thank you, ma’am. I promise I’ll—"
"Don’t promise" Sreelekha interrupted again, but this time with warmth.
"Just show me"
That night at home, Sonarika gathered her family at the dinner table.
"I might have to go to Goa next week. It’s for work — just a short visit" She said softly
Karan’s face brightened instantly.
"Goa? Can I come too, mumma? Please? I’ll behave!"
She smiled, brushing his hair.
"It’s not a vacation, sweetheart. It’s an official visit. I have to meet some people, see some plants, and come back. I promise we’ll go together one day, okay?"
Karan sighed dramatically.
"Okay…"
Then came Hemant’s voice, calm but cold.
"Goa? With whom?"
"Alone" Sonarika replied, not looking up.
"It’s related to a job opportunity. Ragini arranged the meeting"
The family cheered for her trip as she was in contempt seeing the happiness in Karan and Anjali's faces. But when she looked at Hemant , she knew he was thinking about something else. There was a slight sarcastic grin that only meant one thing. He was thinking her trip has something to do with Vikram. She turned, gathered the plates, and disappeared into the kitchen — silent tears mixing with the sound of running water.
Later that night, she laid out her luggage on the bed. She folded her clothes carefully — formal wear for the visit, casuals for the travel days.
That is when Hemant chimed in , beginning his mockery of her.
"A job opportunity in Goa? How convenient. What’s next — a candlelight dinner with him on the beach?"
Hemant leaned back, his tone bitter. Sonarika froze.
"Vikram has nothing to do with this" she said, her voice trembling but controlled.
"This is about my work"
Hemant gave a sarcastic laugh.
"Work. Right. Do whatever you want, Sonarika. You’re free. Just…..make sure you take your pills unless you wanna get knocked up by him!"
His words cut deep — not because they were cruel, but because they carried pain. She wanted to scream, to defend herself, to tell him everything — the therapy, the diagnosis, the truth of her condition. But she didn’t. Instead, she looked at him quietly and said.
"Believe whatever you like, Hemant. I know I’ve hurt you enough. I don’t want to fight anymore"
Hemant moved away and went to bed shutting off the lamp of his side. In the corner of her suitcase, she placed a soft blue scarf — a small token of comfort she always carried since her therapy began. Then, neatly folded on top, she placed the beige suit she intends to wear for her VATIKA visit.
The fabric smelled faintly of determination. Standing before her mirror, she whispered softly to her reflection —
"This time, I’m going not to escape, but to begin again"
The next morning, the dawn in Mumbai broke pale and cold. Sonarika stood by the doorway with her luggage packed — a single suitcase, one handbag, and her file folder. Hemant, leaning against the car parked outside, looked distant, his eyes hidden behind his dark sunglasses. The drive to the airport was silent. The radio played softly, a low hum of some romantic ghazal that neither of them cared to change. Finally, as they reached the drop-off area, Hemant broke the silence.
"So" he said flatly.
"Where’s Vikram? I thought he’d be coming to join you for this trip"
Sonarika turned her head slowly.
"Hemant, please. This is not a leisure trip"
"So you admit the trips with him are leisure trips!"
"Enough , I am going to Goa for official work"
He gave a dry, sarcastic laugh.
"Oh, of course. You’re going to Goa for official work. Right. With the same passion you used to go to Jabalpur and Bali, I suppose?"
She tightened her grip on her handbag, the knuckles whitening.
"You can think whatever you want. I’m not explaining anymore"
He looked at her then, really looked — his jaw tight, his voice bitter but low.
"Well" he said.
"Enjoy your… unofficial honeymoon. Hope you took my advice and took your pills. Because I don't want an Alimony situation in the future!"
The words landed like a slap. Sonarika stood still, blinking back the sting in her eyes. For a second, she wanted to shout — to remind him how much pain she had inflicted upon herself too, how broken she’d been. But instead, she just nodded quietly.
"I know you’re angry" she whispered.
"And you have every right to be. Just… don’t say things you’ll regret later"
Hemant looked away, hands deep in his pockets.
"I stopped regretting things a long time ago" he said, turning toward the car.
She watched him leave, the taillights vanishing into the crowd of taxis and travelers. Then, pulling herself together, Sonarika walked into the terminal. Her heels echoed softly across the floor as the announcement board blinked with her flight number — Mumbai to Goa.
(CHAPTER TO BE CONTD)
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