17 A Man Like No Other

Mumbai Police Headquarters - Present Day

"The first time I saw him, he walked barefoot towards a 6 foot tall horse and lunged over a nearly 4 foot tall fence on the red earth. I nearly thought I was going to die, that the horse was going to throw me off or something. And I was annoyed at him, for the way he spoke to me." Shivani was reliving the past, her eyes staring into nothing. "Mrityunjay was that kind of a man. It was very easy to misunderstand him and he didn't let anyone come close enough to understand him. To know who Mrityunjay is, it is important to understand the people around him," continued Shivani, looking at Anirudh, knowing he would never understand the depths of her love for her husband.

"So who were the people around him?" interrogated Anirudh, pushing Shivani further back into the past.

"Grand Pa, Godha Ma’m, Brother Milind and Mrityunjay. It was a small family, but by no means sweet. Grand Pa, had only one son, Swapnil Gaekwad. As you are aware, Grand Pa was a visionary in his times. He wanted Maharashtra to be the most developed state in India. And with that vision, he started the Swaraj Party. He even served twice as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra. But, from what I know now, Swapnil sir was never interested in politics, " Shivani continued to

narrate the past.

"He was a poet and painter, miles away from the world of politics. Godha ma’m was the daughter of a very rich businessman, who regularly contributed to the Swaraj Party. She wished to marry sir, as she wanted the power and perks of being a future CM’s wife. Sir couldn't refuse his father and got married to her. Unfortunately, both were very different personalities and never felt happy in their marriage. While ma’m lived here in Mumbai, sir preferred living away in the hills in Lonavala and pursue his passions. There he met Mrityunjay's mom, Anita aunty. They fell in love and were married without the family's knowledge."

"After the marriage, sir did not hide the truth about his affair with Anita aunty from Godha ma’m, who was furious as expected. By then, sir and ma’m already had a 5 year old son, brother Milind . Sir wanted a divorce, but ma’m refused to let him go."

"Suddenly, a few weeks later Swapnil sir and Anita aunty died in a car accident and a 3 year old Mrityunjay was to be sent off to an orphanage. But Grand Pa didn't approve of someone from his bloodline be sent to an orphanage, and so,

he was brought home to Mumbai."

"Godha ma’m hated Mrityunjay and wanted all power and property for herself. After Swapnil sir's death, Grand Pa became depressed and did not get involved in party work or any other public activities. The responsibilities fell on ma’m's shoulders and she took control of the party and the household. Mrityunjay was barred from entering the prayer room in the house and was ordered to stay away from the house as long as ma’m was present there. He could come in, only when she was away at work.

Hence, he began to live in the stables. He inherited his father's artistic side too. He paints..." Shivani looked up at Anirudh and corrected herself. "He used to paint very well," she stopped.

"And how did the two of you get married?" asked Anirudh curiously.

"Oh! I was forced to marry him...." answered Shivani, lost in thoughts.

avataravatar
Next chapter