Unfortunately, Saira Fell into her Daughter-in-law's Trap!

Saira and her husband Tapan were retired and spent most of their time at home doing what made them happy. 

And if there was something Saira loved doing, it was gardening. She spent most of her time in the garden, watering, pruning, manuring and doing any other chores. And when she had done all she could to keep her garden clean and well-watered, she would move around looking at the new blooms and rejoicing in them. 

A rose was only blooming on her new rose plant, and Saira was sentimental about the first flowers. Being a devout woman, she always pulled it out to the place. As she was about to go back into her house, Saira suddenly caught a flash of red in the garden when she had planted the new rose bush. She was rushing toward it when her phone rang. Her first impulse was to ignore. 

 "That can wait! But what if that was Abhishek," she thought as she rushed to answer the phone. And it was Abhishek. Her son Abishek was abroad, and he generally called her at 4 pm, and it was that time now. With a heart full of joy, she called out, "Jeete rahiye beta!" even before her son could say, "Pranam Ma!". Abhishek told his mom, "Ma, I have something to tell you. I have been planning this for a while."

Saira, with bated breath, said, "Tell me, Abhi!" And Abhishek told her, "Ma my leave just got sanctioned, I am coming home for a vacation." Saira was so happy to hear that. The pandemic and inability to leave had kept her son from coming home for the past two years. But now he was coming home, and the time was short to prepare for it.

Abhishek lived abroad with his wife, Samita. Although Saira was excited about her son's homecoming, she had reservations about Samita coming and staying with them for a month during their vacation. 

Samita was in a relationship with another boy, but her parents decided against it. They brought her Abhishek's proposal. According to them, Abhishek had everything to keep their daughter happy. His parents were wealthy, and they lived in a lovely home that Abhishek would inherit one day as he was their only son. Also, Abhishek was educated, and he worked abroad. They somehow convinced their daughter, and Samita had no other option to say yes. Even on the wedding day, Samita had confided to her soon to be mother-in-law that she did not want to marry Abhishek. But later, she had gone ahead and married Abhishek. But the damage was done. Saira was shocked and could not forget the incident, nor could she forgive Samita because Saira felt cheated. 

Saira had vowed never to tell her son about this episode. 

The days went by quickly, and soon Abhishek and Samita arrived. Saira spent much of her time in the kitchen, dishing up his favourites. But something troubled her, Samita never came to the kitchen and would never help out with any domestic chores. 

Saira's dissatisfaction grew, although she never said anything to her son for fear that she would hurt him. They would stay out until the wee hours of the morning, partying with friends, coming back home early in the morning, and sleeping the whole morning, which made Saira angrier. She thought to herself, "Abhi never did came home late in the past, but now this Samita is changing all his good habits!" Daily her irritation grew a little. But she never said a word because she did not want to hurt her son.

Days flew past, and soon it was almost a month since Abhi and Samita came home for their vacation. Saira was in the kitchen cooking lunch. "Tomorrow Abhi is leaving, he is going back; I wonder if he would like me to do something for him to take with him—"

But Samita's angry, loud voice broke into her thoughts, "It must be your mother's doing. Who else is in the house, I am going to ask her—" 

Saira came out of the kitchen, hearing the noise. She was under the impression that both her son and daughter were fast asleep as they generally woke up only at lunch. When Saira reached the kitchen doorway, Samita burst in so quickly that she almost banged into her. 

"Mom!" she yelled at the top of her voice. Samita looked very angry, but that did not deter Saira. She looked her square in the eye, asking, "What happened Samita, why are you talking so loudly!" asked Saira. 

"Mom, despite knowing everything, don't pretend to know." Samita shouted. Confused, Saira asked again, "what is this all about." 

Abhi intervened, saying, "Mom have you seen a bottle of Perfume. Samita cant find her, and that is why she is upset." Even before Saira could say anything, Samita began accusing her, saying, "Abhi, I told you what to say to her, I told you I know who took it, it's you mother, please tell her to return it or else I will call the police." 

Saira was totally confused as she asked, "what has happened and what is she saying—" "— you thief give me back my perfume." Samita yelled. Saira has taken aback, "Me a thief, what are you saying? she asked.

"Mom, I will explain," said Abhi. "Samita can't find her Perfume. Did you see it, Mom? She is very upset about it,"

Saira said, "Son, have you ever known me to wear Perfume? It is not something I like using. Actually, I never use Perfume. Why would I take her's?" 

But Samita would not hesitate to shout. She kept accusing and abusing her relentlessly. 

Saira was very upset, and she shouted back. Mother-in-law and daughter-in-law kept raking up the past and abusing each other. Every past mistake was brought up, and finally, Saira even told her daughter-in-law that she would never give her anything that was hers, not even the house and property.

Eventually, Samita realized that the Perfume was in her cupboard, and somehow she had not seen it there. But she never said sorry, never begged for forgiveness.

Saira was very hurt by what had happened. She blurted out the truth about Samita not wanting to marry him. She had kept a secret for the past three years and vowed not to tell her son. She felt that Samita did it all to distance her son from her. Saira told her son, "you can come home anytime but please don't bring your wife along." 

The next day, Abhi and Samita left home, and they cut all connections with Saira and Tapan. Abhi was so upset that he never even called his parents to tell them they had safely reached their destination.