Here I am standing, getting my sister ready for her nikah. I can sense her excitement. I should be too, considering this is the moment I have cherished all my life. Her wedding has always been more important to me than my own. We have imagined and dreamed and giggled about this for so long...I used to love teasing her to see her getting all flushed...her shyness and eagerness used to charm me...by all rights, I should be floating along side her...but sadly, I am weighed down.
Only two people have mattered to me all my life and I thought it'd always stay the same. Apparently, that has changed ...In a big way...
I cannot explain the enormous sadness in my heart. All through badi ammi's illness, I had found the strength from somewhere. Was it the unspoken word of protection he seemed to envelop me with? He has never promised me anything...but the fact is, I seem to turn to him in dire situations. And he has obliged...ALWAYS. ...
So today, when he broke that trust in no uncertain words, I was shattered,...
And this had to happen NOW...just after he had emphatically defended me in front of his whole family. And so soon after all those beautiful gifts he had showered on me...when I was beginning to revel in what was beginning to look like a marriage in its true sense.
Really, the past few days have been so different. He had stopped taunting me on the falsehood our relationship was based on...I must have even dared to hope. No wonder I felt like he led me on to a precipice and let me fall. The climb had been exhilarating, the fall was that much more devastating!
It simply felt like...he was showing me my place...
What was my crime? How could he point fingers at me every time I talked to a man! Izzat!!!! He was calling me a wayward woman! -a woman with loose morals! Did he even know how repulsive that sounded to me...It squeezed out all the respect I had for him...how could someone be so narrow minded! Did he take me for one of those loose women he takes to the haystack..and god knows where else! Is that all he knows about women! Does he not know any other kind?
It hurt me deeply...that one moment of accusation...and I lashed out very harsh.
Mujhe aazadi chahiye - I meant those words, yet I did not mean that...I wanted this farce to end...I wanted something solid. I was getting suffocated , being just a temporary someone in his life... couldn't we ever be a normal couple, respecting and loving each other?
I believe in who I am. I know my worth, even though he cannot stand me. Can he not respect me for the person I am? Why dig for reasons to pour dirt over my dignity? His words...His accusations...With each passing day, my defences against him are growing weaker. Therefore the pain becomes more and more unbearable...HOPE. ..why do I continue to hope?
One fleeting moment when I screamed I wanted a release from this trap of a relationship...where he could fling me up and around like a rag doll to satisfy his whims and fancies...I saw something in his eyes. He hurt too...was it the misfortune of being dragged into this with me, or something else? He has played his part well...adapted to me in his life. He must be waiting for the day he can be rid of me for good! If so, why does he take the extra effort to make me comfortable? Why does he turn green whenever I speak to Rehaan? (Rehaan! Of all the people! )
I WISH WE COULD TALK!
Haya jingled her bangles...pointed towards the clock. It was time. My sister was all eager to belong to the man who loved her. I can only wish her happiness...all the joy written in my share too.
I seated her at the hall. I tried to be cheerful, despite the aching despair in my heart. Raahat mentioned waiting for Aahil. I tried to cover up for his absence...
... I need not have...
He stood at the doorway - a true prince charming!
Looking handsome as ever...holding gifts for my sister...
...A thought I could not complete. ..how had he known what was on my mind!
How did this happen to two people? How can he insult me one minute and make me feel exulted by his presence, the very next minute?
...how did he know what I had wanted for my sister...
How did he just know what had to be done!
Who in the world can explain this to me ever!
Oh! The joy that I knew when I saw him!
I have no words to describe it.
He walked in. ..apologised for the delay, blessed my sister. ..and MADE MY DAY PERFECT! !!
He came and stood next to me. ..my heart knew no bounds of joy...
I turned to thank him...but he moved on...
And now I am filled with this restlessness. ..I am waiting for the moment I can be alone with him.
I want him to know...
...that NO ONE CAN EVER DO WHAT HE HAS DONE FOR ME!