After five years of marriage, my life with Hitesh had its ups and downs. Yet, I always felt fortunate to have a thoughtful mother-in-law. Mrs. Sarla was courteous and rarely intruded, offering friendly advice when needed.
Recently, I found myself overwhelmed at work, burdened by stress. My husband hardly had time for me, and my heart felt heavy. One day, sensing my fatigue, my mother-in-law called me into the living room of our Gurugram home. She placed a substantial envelope in front of me and said:
“Here’s 2 million rupees. Go on a vacation in Europe. Take a few weeks to relax, then return with a fresh perspective.”
I was taken aback. It was the first time she had given me such a large amount of money, and the notion of traveling had never been broached before. Initially, I felt thrilled and cherished, but soon doubts crept in. Why did she want me to leave now?
Despite my uncertainty, I decided to follow her advice. I packed my belongings and purchased a ticket from IGI Airport’s Terminal 3. Hitesh did not oppose the idea; instead, he encouraged me, saying, “Go and enjoy. Mom will handle everything here.” This only heightened my confusion.
On the day of my departure, my mother-in-law personally escorted me to the airport, showering me with instructions. As I hugged her goodbye, a perplexed smile crossed my face. However, once she turned away, I made a plan: I would pretend to leave but instead sneak back home to uncover the truth about what transpired in my absence.
I caught a taxi back to DLF Phase 3 and got out a short distance from the house, walking the remainder. As I neared my home, my heart raced. The front door stood ajar, and peals of laughter echoed from inside. I discreetly pressed against the wall and peered inside.
What I witnessed was shocking: Hitesh was seated next to a young woman with her hair brushed back and dressed vibrantly, her head resting comfortably on his shoulder as they shared laughter. To my disbelief, Mrs. Sarla stood there too, approving of it all, smiling and serving food, remarking:
“With the daughter-in-law gone, you can relax now. Riya is a lovely girl; I really like her.”
My heart sank. It was evident that the “vacation” was nothing more than a tactic to remove me from the picture, allowing someone else to take my place. The generous sum of 2 million rupees was merely a payoff designed to quiet my protests.
That night, instead of returning home, I booked a modest hotel room in Karol Bagh and spent the night restless and distressed. It was painful, yet I vowed not to falter. Remaining silent would only lead to my continued suffering.
Upon waking the following morning, I contacted a lawyer in Saket to inquire about divorce proceedings and the division of assets. I also dispatched a trusted friend to gather concrete evidence for me. I wanted everything to be above board.
Two weeks later, while they were under the impression that I was enjoying my time in Europe, I walked into the house with a lawyer and a file. The atmosphere shifted dramatically. Hitesh went pale; Mrs. Sarla appeared bewildered, and Riya quickly averted her gaze.
Looking them all in the eye, I spoke with calm determination:
“Thank you for the 2 million rupees. I’ll use it to start anew—uninhibited and unburdened. I no longer have any ties to this family.”
I placed the divorce documents on the table, turned my back, and exited. Unlike before, this time I left empowered, ready to embrace my newfound independence and happiness.
In conclusion: This experience has taught me that when faced with betrayal, one can find the strength to redefine their path and reclaim their happiness. Through unforeseen challenges, new beginnings can emerge.