Custody by Manju Kapur

 

Divorce is a cuss word. More so in Indian society. Parents of couples are eternally upset if some such thing were to happen. And truly so.

You can't underestimate how traumatic divorce is for the children - Isla Fisher.

Divorce is a journey that the children involved do not ask to take. They are forced along for a ride where the results are dictated by the road their parents decide to travel - Diane Greene

I have long believed that what most affects a child is not the divorce, per se, but how it is handled. - Anon

Four adults. Two children. People in the background collateral damage or otherwise. Custody by Manju Kapur was hard hitting and sensitive.

Raman and Shagun are everyday couples we see or know. They have been married for quite a few years. They have two children, Arjun and Roohi. Raman is the go getter. The workaholic. The one who works for the betterment of the family. Shagun, young and slightly bored of "normal" life. Raman is working very hard to gain his boss, Ashok Khanna's, support and be in his good books which would translate to better salary, promotion and perks. Situation brings Shagun to Raman's office as an upcoming model for The Brand of mango drink in the country. This opportunity slowly turns into an affair. And that starts a tumultuous affair.

People fall out of love. Yes, it is possible. Shagun and Ashok fell in love with each other. What was thought to be a passing affair, went on to take a legal course. Shagun risked the lives of her kids and took the bold step of moving on in life. Raman felt treacherous to gather evidence against Shagun. The proof broke his heart and his home. Ashok assured Shagun of everything she needed, wanted or she could dream of. He promised her a good life, a dedicated relationship and more. I don't know why I read faster and faster only to see if Ashok had lived up to his promises or not. Yes, he did. Shagun walked out of home with the kids in tow. What ensued next is a heartbreaking legal battle. Nothing Manju Kapur wrote was over the top. It was just enough information for lay man to understand. The picture she painted about the Indian judicial system laced with Indian emotions makes one angry and frustrated. I can imagine what it must be for true to life cases, where partners are seeking divorce and this whole legal system is as warped as it is! Horrendous is an under statement. I got so tired of the pull, push and shove!

Ishita. Married off early by stating that careers and jobs and such things could wait. But, what could not wait was the lucky stars of marital bliss. Her would be in laws even stated that it would be better off to have the first child within the first year of marriage. Why? Only to confirm that the machinery was in working condition. SK, Ishita's husband, as much as he claimed he loved her, was totally under the influence of his parents' decisions. Soon, it was a year and the family realized that the machinery they had doted upon, was not working. Magical potions, chanting of mantras, wearing of various semi precious stones as rings could not change Ishita's fate. The obedient son won over the loving husband and the family packed Ishita and returned her to her parents as damaged goods.

In course of time and the prayers of respective mothers, Raman and Ishita meet. They fall in love, get married. Theirs is a normal marriage. But, Ishita's constant worrying, insecurity and obsession to get custody of Roohi was sometimes annoying to me. While I understood what she may have felt or was undergoing, her constant bickering about custody got to me a little. I hated it when she purposely kept the siblings away from each other citing that Shagun was brainwashing Arjun against her to take Roohi away. I hated it that she allowed emotions to overrule sensibility and could have handled the situation a little more maturely. After all, they were kids.

Now the legal system in India, of the 90s and in the recent times may have changed largely. I do hear cases of incompatibility etc. Supposedly, The Marriage Laws were amended a decade ago to obtain swift divorce on the grounds of "irretrievable breakdown of marriage". The Amendment was brought about to avoid presenting lies in court against one party and to avoid unnecessary delays and harassment.

What ensues is a family drama that pulls the kids in between. Were the differences irreconcilable? Do people survive heartbreaks? Can the blow of divorces be a little more softer? Can people behave maturely to keep the best interests of children in mind? These and many more questions is what you will ask yourself as you read through this well-written book.