FF: Shades Of Love last part pg 91 dt 28.12.15 - Page 52

Shade 24
I was plucking tuberoses to make a garland when I noticed a pretty butterfly sitting on a flower. I tiptoed and very carefully lifted my hand to catch the butterfly. But it fluttered its wings and flew away. I giggled. It couldn't be caught because it was free. Like me.

Really?

The word freedom still gave me goosebumps. It had been more than a week since the restrictions imposed on me and other widows had been lifted still I couldn't believe.

Now I could breathe freely, could wear colourful clothes, could eat anything, could go anywhere without worrying. Gosh there was so much that I could do now. I should have been on cloud nine but I wasn't flying like this butterfly. I was still grounded.

Perhaps I had forgotten that I too had wings. Perhaps I had forgotten to fly. Everything was around me, very close to me, I only needed to open my hand and grab but I couldn't. Not that I didn't want to or wasn't trying..I was. I stopped covering my face though several times I was tempted to lift my dupatta and go behind the veil...I didn't have new colourful clothes, I was wearing my same old suits however I did cross the temple yesterday but couldn't bring myself to climb the stairs.

To forget those practices that had crushed me for years and think that never existed was not easy. Circumstances couldn't be changed by snapping of fingers. It wasn't easy neither for me nor for the people around me. There were moments when my own aayi would look at me strangely on seeing my face uncovered. If Sahab thought that the behaviour of people could be changed so easily then he was wrong. It would take time.

However it shocked me that this thing crossed his mind. As far as I could think back I had never complained explicitly about my plight to him or discussed regarding the issues we widows faced. Yet he thought about us and took me by surprise by taking such a huge step that would change the face of this society.

Still I failed to understand why he did all this?

The function was in his honor , he was the supposed star yet he threw light on us. There was no need for him to reform my life still he went out of his way to do that. Why?

And that look on his face when he spoke to AS, it seemed disturbed and painful but why? Like these there were several questions running in my mind and I needed answers.

For instance today Sahab and Tayi were getting engaged. I should have been excited for Tayi but I wasn't. Tayi had a crush on Sahab and he too seemed fond of her but still the announcement of the two of them getting married had shocked me.

Though they both looked good together and would definitely make a wonderful couple but still I found it disconcerting. Why?

I should have been happy that now Tayi would stay in PN and be around me but the idea failed to elate me. I wasn't happy for myself and now I wasn't happy for Tayi and Sahab too.

Disappointed with myself I pushed the tube roses through the needled thread. Both of them had always been kind and supportive toward me and here I was finding it hard to see them together. But why? I didn't know and it really frustrated me. Suddenly I felt so small in my own eyes. god i was horrible!

Pursing my lips I tied the knot of the thread.

***********************************************

Various outfits lay on bed along with open jewellery boxes. Whereas Tayi stood near the window gazing out. Today was her engagement and next month she would be married. Her life would change considerably but she didn't seem to embrace this change with open arms and a smiling face.

The garland in my hand that I had made for her looked so petty and invaluable against the things that were spread on the bed. I kept the garland in a corner and walked upto Tayi.

She was startled when I placed my hand on her shoulder. " what's the matter why aren't you getting ready?"

" oh yeah... I should be..yeah." My eyes searched hers. She failed to look happy, at such an important day she wasn't excited.

Was I turning so insensitive and blind that I couldn't see happiness in someone else's eyes as well or was something really wrong?

Noticing me inquisitive Tayi immediately dropped her gaze and turned away but I stepped closer and stood in front of her. " Tayi you're hiding something from me. I can sense it. What is it? Tell me." I held her arm and urged her to speak up. She shook her head and didn't say anything.

" aren't you pleased with this alliance?"

Her head at once shot up. " no no nakku, nothing like that. This is a wonderful family, I have grown up in this house and Dutta Ji is such a nice man. Why wouldn't I be happy? It's just that I am a little nervous."

I slowly nodded my head, hmm she could be apprehensive even if the house and family were known to her still she could be jittery. She smiled at me and pressed my hand.

" but now that you are here, I feel much better. Come help me dress up." I breathed out in relief, perhaps I was worrying for no reason.

" come nakku tell me which salwar suit should I wear for the function. Though I bought the purple one for engagement and orange for haldi but now I am confused."

" Tayi I think you should go for pink. The color will look lovely on you." She nodded her head in agreement.

" and what about jewellery...diamonds?"

" absolutely."

" okay great. Now pick up these things and dress me up." I frowned at her, how could I touch these auspicious things?

She rolled her eyes at me. " nakku you know how I feel about you. Even if today I need to lecture you then that would be an insult to our friendship."

Her words tugged my heart and I just hugged her. " Tayi I am so fortunate to have you."

She blinked her eyes to hold back her tears. " now hurry up we're getting late."

Tayi looked really pretty in pink she had sharp features and a flawless skin. Surely Sahab would...anyway I helped her with the jewellery, with that she was all ready.

" Tayi lets go down AS must be waiting for you." My gaze fell on the garland, I picked it and brought my hand behind to hide it. This garland seemed out of place.

" what is in your hand?..show me." Tayi held my hand and I dropped my head.

" it's nothing. A simple garland."

She took the garland from me and admired it. " it's beautiful nakku. You made it, for yourself?"

" yes. I mean no. I mean yes I made it but not for myself."

She furrowed her brows. " then?"

It took me a moment to reply. " I made it for you. Thought it would look good on you. But Tayi you already look perfect in these designer outfits and jewellery."

She shook her head and at once took a pin to fix the garland in her hair. Staring at her own reflection she said," now I'm perfect." I smiled back at her.

She slapped her forehead. " God I'm so forgetful. Your lovely gift reminded me of something."

Opening her cupboard she took out a packet and handed me. " here this is for you."

I peeped into the packet, there was a beautiful yellow salwar suit. I threw my head back. " Tayi this is not done. You're always gifting me something. First Pair of slippers, then that lovely blue suit and now this."

She played with the edge of her dupatta. " nakku don't mind but I need to confess something." I drew my brows together in confusion and waited for her to speak up.

She gulped. " actually when you broke your slippers Dutta Ji bought you a new pair and in the fair too he got that blue suit for you. The other day when we went out shopping he selected this outfit for you. It was always him not me."

I gaped at her in surprise. Here I thought Tayi gifted me those things but I was wrong. It was Sahab!

Again I felt so small. Thinking back the way I had behaved with him I was ashamed of myself. Those days I used to be so rude to him, always annoyed with him and he was so considerate, so caring.

" nakku!" Tayi called me.

I turned my neck to glance at her. " why don't you wear this today?"

I still felt guilty and shook my head. " maybe some other time."

thanks for reading

Rose

P.S. I don't know that how many of you are aware that besides LTL I write on other forums as well. for sometime i've been recycling my old LTL Stories on other forums 😆 however i've written some new one shots on the IKRS forum. just letting you guys know 😊

Shade 25

The hall was tastefully decorated with bright lights and colourful flowers. The guests had arrived.

Sahab and Tayi stood on the stage. I was glad that baaji had forcefully taken Sahab for shopping. Sahab didn't wish to buy new outfits especially traditional ones. He had couple of suits and wanted to wear one of them for the engagement. Though he looked great in suits, the picture of him in that black suit when he was getting awarded was still fresh in my mind. He looked really smart, sophisticated and matured.

However on this occasion something traditional would have been more apt. And definitely now in this sherwani suit he looked good.

I didn't realise how closely I was watching him when he suddenly lifted his gaze and caught me. I at once looked away.

Tayi was standing close to AS whereas sahab's baba was by his side. Bade Sahab was a simple man, spoke less but appeared to be quite fond of his son. I was happy that he came to attend the function, Sahab was delighted to see him. A very important event and good he had his father by his side.

However I felt something was missing, nobody on the stage except for AS seemed excited. Maybe Tayi and Sahab were nervous but even AS and bade Sahab looked distant. I gazed at my own parents. Aayi was serving the guests whereas baba was fooling around.

Were marriages really like that.. Couples close yet quite aloof and far away!

" ladies and gentlemen. May I have your kind attention." Baaji all geared up was holding the Mike. He flashed a broad grin. " I guess we should now go ahead with the ceremony."

Soon AS gave Tayi a box of ring. Tayi slowly took out the ring and peered at Sahab. Baaji nudged Sahab to offer his hand. Tayi slipped the ring in his finger and I caught my breath as something twisted in my heart. I didn't know what it was but...

The guests clapped loudly. I too slowly brought my hands together to clap. And then it was sahab's turn. Holding the ring he stared at it. AS extended tayi' hand. He was about to put the finger when the ring dropped from his hand.

It clinked on the marble floor and rolled down till it reached my feet. I inhaled sharply.

What was this? Certainly not a good sign.

There was silence and I could feel all eyes on me. My eyes moved from the ring to Sahab. And our gazes locked.
" beta get the ring." Someone called out. The voice belonged to bade Sahab.

Could I touch this ring? But then he was looking at me expectantly. I glanced at AS. Her expressions were cold and hostile.
" what are you waiting for?" bade Sahab urged and I had to give in.

I knocked at his door even though it was slightly open.

There was no reply. So I pushed the door aside and stepped in.

The room was empty. It was quite late. Even baaji was nowhere to be seen. I was about to leave when from the corner of my eye I spotted him in the balcony.

He firmly held the railing with both his hands. His back was toward me still I could feel that he was tensed.
" Sahab?" I called out softly.

He at once turned around. " ah so you're here."

I frowned. Was he looking out for me? The balcony faced the courtyard and our quarter was there only. So maybe he was searching for me. But why?
His gaze traveled from my confused face to my hands that carried a packet. It was the suit that he had recently purchased for me.
" Sahab I can't accept this."
" why? You don't like it?"
" no, it's lovely but you've already given me so much so now why this?"

He looked disappointed. " listen nakku... I mean nakusha.."
" Sahab I know I'm interrupting you but tonight please first hear me out."

It wasn't easy for me to say what I wanted to and it took me so long to gather my courage to finally speak up. I swallowed hard as my eyes scattered the floor.

" I'm not good with words. However this was long over due." I lifted my gaze slightly. He was serious and was looking straight at me. I averted my gaze.

" thank you. Thank you for always being so generous and considerate. In fact the word thank you seems so small against all that you've done for me. And without any doubt I can say that not in this lifetime I can repay you for all this."
" I hardly knew you. You were a stranger to me yet you always cared for me. I was rude to you, admonished you at every step but you didn't back out. You remained kind to me. Always."

I again felt a lump formed inside my throat and I forcefully gulped it. " my own family failed to think about me but you being an outsider cared for me. You understood my unspoken words, my unshared agony, I don't how and why but you did."

Tears pricked the corners of my eyes and tonight I wouldn't even bother if they spilled over. " today I am breathing openly and freely in this air only an only because of you. And I can't thank you enough." I pressed my lips hard to stop them from trembling.

" on the contrary I think by thanking you I am diminishing what you've done. But trust me Sahab I am extremely overwhelmed by your thoughts and actions."

He didn't say anything. There was pin drop silence. I closed my eyes as tears rolled down.
And then all of a sudden I felt something. My eyes snapped open. He was standing right before me with his hand raised to wipe my tears. Surprised by this closeness I moved back to create some distance.
" I'm amazed nakusha you talk so much and that too non stop." I suppressed my grin. I didn't wish to smile through my tears and look like an idiot.
" I really don't understand what have I done that you're thanking me so much." I wished to roll my eyes at him but suppressed that urge too.

" Sahab you're being too modest and it doesn't.."
" suit me?"
I nodded my head. This time he laughed.

" right and all this thanks vanks doesn't suit you. And especially this crying and all. You're a brave girl yaar."
Yaar??
" and honestly I did all this not for you but for myself. All along I have been selfish because I couldn't see you suffer. It hurt me."
I gaped at him and drew my brows together. " my pain hurt you! Why?"

Depositing his hands in his pockets he simply shrugged but didn't reply.
" and today what you said hurt me." I frowned at him, did I say something wrong?
" you have known me for so long and you still consider me as an outsider? A stranger from whom you can't accept such a small gift?" He pouted like a child and I knew he wasn't serious but still I didn't want him to misunderstand me.
" it's not that Sahab.."

He didn't let me finish. " then why didn't you wear this suit for the engagement? Why are you returning it to me?"

I let out an audible sigh. " okay fine. I will wear it during one of the functions. How about on your wedding day?"

thanks for reading

Rose

Shade 26
I slowly stirred the boiling kheer and glanced at the big bowl of turmeric paste that was placed on the kitchen counter. Today was tayi's haldi and sahab's too. And tomorrow they would get married. I bit the inside of my cheek . Lately I felt dejected for reasons unknown to me. I was participating in the household work but my mind wandered elsewhere. What was happening with me, I failed to understand. There was a sense of loss. A grief that was burdening my heart.
" hey nakusha what's cooking?" I didn't realize when sahab came inside the kitchen and stood next to me. He closed the lid of the bottle after gulping a few sips of water.
" wow kheer." He grabbed a spoon and took a spoonful from the vessel.
" sahab what are you doing?" It was so hot how could he taste it directly from the gas stove.
" relax I am just checking the sweetness. You know when it comes to sweetness I have serious doubts about you." He winked at me. Yeah I knew I was rude, bitter and far from sweet. Thanks for reminding me.
" but at least blow the kheer a few times. Cool it before tasting it." I didn't want him to burn his tongue.
" God nakusha you worry too much." He took the spoon in his mouth and I peered up at him, waiting to know whether he liked it or not. When did his opinion start mattering to me?
" it's perfect."

I nodded and took a handful of chopped almonds to add to the kheer. I gazed at him.
" anything else?"

He let out a sheepish grin. " coffee." And I glared at him. Since morning he'd already had two cups of coffee. Now again.
" sahab aren't you running late for the function? You need to get ready."
" there's still some time and I am in no hurry." He took another spoon of kheer. And I glared at him again.
" now not in a hurry? But you agreed to get married without wasting a minute." *sh*t* I clamped my mouth shut. The words were out even before I knew. From the corner of my eye I gazed at him. Was he furious? Slowly I looked up to see his reaction. With clenched jaws he was staring right back at me. I swallowed hard. " I didn't mean.."
" yeah it was an impulsive decision but now."
I whispered. " now what?"
He turned his back to me. " now I'm not sure." My eyes turned wide. " tomorrow is your wedding and today you're saying you're not sure about your decision? Then why did you say yes?" It was quite surprising, both Tayi and Sahab were getting into this relationship but both had doubts, both didn't seem happy and convinced yet they were going ahead with this marriage. Was marriage some sort of child's play for them?

After a long pause Sahab spoke up. " I had no other option."

I narrowed my gaze. " what do you mean?"

He shrugged his shoulders. " nothing. Forget it." And then he began opening the cabinets.
" you're looking for something?"
" since you don't seem interested in making me coffee then I'll make one on my own." Turning off the gas stove I went to him. " no Sahab, I'll make it for you..move aside." He didn't stop and kept on opening various cabinets to search for coffee. " I don't need your help. You make kheer." He taunted and pushed back one door of the cabinet only to pull open the next one.

I tried to stop him. "Aah." The edge of the cabinet door hit my forehead.
" oh god nakku I am so sorry. I didn't see." I pressed my forehead and winced. " move your hand. Let me have a look." I didn't so he forcefully pulled my hand. I was bleeding. He creased his face. " just wait." He got an ice cube and pressed it against the cut. I inhaled sharply.

" don't worry the cut is not deep. It will stop bleeding. But nakusha you should have been careful. Why did you intervene? You should have moved back."

Pursing my lips I looked at him. What, was it my fault? He was in a hurry. He wasn't listening to me. Meeting my disapproving gaze he softened. " hold the ice." Seconds later he took the ice from my hand and smeared something sticky on the cut.

My jaw dropped. " Sahab this is haldi."

" I know. Turmeric is a good antiseptic. See the bleeding stopped."

He was just impossible. " Sahab you don't understand this haldi was for the function. It was meant for you and Tayi. And you've put it on me."

" So what? I've taken just this much. The bowl is still full. It's more than enough for your Tayi. So chill." He wouldn't understand. There was no point in arguing with him. My gaze fell on his fingers that had turmeric and I passed him a cloth to clean his hand.
" Sahab your ring?" It wasn't there. He looked down at his hand then shook his head.
" oh in the morning I had a surgery so I took it off. Maybe I left it in the hospital." I was surprised how could he be so careless?
" Sahab how can you just forget and leave your ring? It's not an ordinary ring, it's your engagement ring." Everything seemed so casual for him, his relationship with Tayi, his marriage, his ring. He didn't look serious about any of these things. Instead he was rolling his eyes at me.

" tell me nakusha do you love to panic? Why do you have to be serious all the time? I will ask someone from the hospital to get the ring. There's nothing to be tensed about."
" what if the ring gets lost?"
He dipped his finger in the haldi and brushed it on my nose. " stop worrying."

" Sahab!"

He grinned and left the kitchen.

*****************************
The guests would arrive shortly and I didn't have much time to get ready. Aayi was shouting at me to hurry up. Opening the cupboard my hand went to grab another discarded suit of Tayi however my gaze dropped on the yellow suit that Sahab had bought for me. I caressed the fabric. The other day he was disappointed that I had not worn it on his engagement. Though I had kept it for his wedding but...now I felt like wearing it. The color would match the theme of the function. Within minutes I changed into it and stood before the mirror to check myself.
It amazed me when my mind went back to the conversation we had in the kitchen. He seemed confused and was having second thoughts about the marriage, however the thought of buying me a gift didn't slip out of his mind. He wasn't thinking about his future with Tayi however he thought about mine and brightened it by getting those restrictions removed. He left his engagement ring in the hospital, the fact didn't bother him but I didn't wear this suit in fact wished to return it to him, bothered him. Wasn't all this weird?
And not just him, even I couldn't stop thinking about this whole marriage when my focus should have been only on my work. The fact that both Tayi and he looked reluctant toward this marriage and we're still going ahead with it shouldn't have bothered me but it was.

God what was happening?

I washed my face thoroughly removing the traces of haldi completely.
" nakku!" Aayi yelled from the kitchen and thankfully interrupted my wavering thoughts that were leading me nowhere.

************************************
It was a ladies function, all the married woman were participating by applying turmeric paste on both the bride and the groom.
Tayi looked lovely in her orange sleeveless suit. The turmeric on her cheeks made her face glow. And Sahab, I couldn't believe, he was wearing that simple yellow kurta bought from the baisakhi fair with white pyjamas. My lips stretched in a smile remembering that day at the fair. In hot summer he was picking up such dark colored kurtas till I suggested him indirectly to go for pastel colors, they would suit him more and I was so right.
Suddenly I felt somebody nudge me. It was aayi with a try of cold drinks.
" what are you doing standing here? Go and serve the guests." She handed me the tray. Off late I had unknowingly started to admire Sahab from a distance. Wasn't this a coincidence that today we both were wearing the outfits selected by one another. I grinned at the thought and sahab's gaze moved in my direction. Getting conscious I immediately dropped my eyes and turned to walk towards the guests with the cold drinks?
And then what I saw surprised me. Baaji was walking, no dancing in with a group of drummers. He was truly excited about this wedding and why wouldn't he be, his closest friend was getting married. Though gents weren't allowed but could anyone stop baaji? Noway.
After dancing his heart out he declared that he would also put haldi on Sahab. Aayi was holding the bowl of turmeric paste. He took the whole bowl and eyed Sahab mischievously.
" baaji you better behave yourself." Warned Sahab. Hearing that baaji laughed loud. " relax bhau don't be scared. This is just turmeric paste, after you put it on your face you'll turn fair and handsome." All the ladies started laughing but Sahab still looked serious and Tayi? Only she would know where she was because physically she was present but not mentally.
" listen baaji I don't want you to spill anything on this kurta. Otherwise trust me you'll have it from me." I stopped in my tracks and frowned at Sahab. This ordinary inexpensive kurta meant so much to him but why?
" hey nakku what are you waiting for? Come here and put haldi on your tayi." I glanced at Tayi who lifted her head and smiled at me. She wouldn't mind but what about others? Would they allow a widow to participate in this function? I didn't have to wait long for my answer as AS called me out.

" nakusha see there some guests don't have a cold drink in their hands." She indicated towards the end of the hall. Nodding my head I went to serve them.

********************************
It was close to midnight when finally all the kitchen chores ended. Shutting the kitchen door I moved to go back to the quarter. Tomorrow would be a big day. Tayi and Sahab would get married. I let out an audible sigh.
But hey wait a minute, why were the lights of the puja room still on? Who was there? I knitted my brows on seeing Tayi there. She was sitting there with her head dropped on her folded knees.
" Tayi? What are you doing here?" She looked up at me. God she was weeping! But why, what was wrong? Reluctantly I stepped inside and she at once got up and threw her arms around me. I panicked seeing her like that.

" Tayi what's the matter? Why are you crying?" She didn't reply just hugged me tightly and sobbed more. I gave her a minute and slowly moved her back. " you're scaring me Tayi, what's it?"
" nakku I can't do this... I can't marry Dutta Ji...I love someone else."
Her revelation shocked me. I didn't know what to say and how to react.
" have you gone crazy? Tayi, Tomorrow is your wedding and today you're saying you love someone else! Is this some joke?" Just then I realised that my tone was high. What if someone heard us? My eyes darted toward the door.
My heart sank.
It was too late
Bade Sahab was already standing at the door.

Thanks for reading

Rose

Shade 27
Perching on the bar stool I dragged a bottle of whiskey and poured a glass for myself. Taking a sip my eyes wandered around the place. Oh it had been so long, after several years I was back here, sitting here and dealing with my thoughts by holding a glass of whiskey in my hand.
I recalled the countless nights that I had spent here in this part of the house to avoid unnecessary fights with my wife. My gaze fell on the couch that remained my silent companion for a very long time because my real life companion had been hardly there for me.

I wasn't complaining because I was quite sure that Shakuntala must have had the same grudge against me because even I hadn't been a very supportive husband to her.
From the onset we weren't an ideal couple. We had different personalities that often clashed because our goals and desires were different, our expectations from one another were quite different. Both being strong headed we failed to find a middle path for solving our problems.

Thus there were arguments, sometimes bitter and sometimes very loud. So loud that even our young son Dutta couldn't ignore them. And that used to be the worst part of our fights. Blinded by our selfish ambitions we failed to see how badly our problems were affecting our child. As patents we weren't setting a good example for Dutta.

We couldn't give him a normal and healthy environment to grow. We couldn't give him the time and the love that he deserved.

My forefathers were landlords, the people of PV literally worshipped us. In fact our family ruled here. But I wasn't ambitious, I lacked business sense. My heart lay in photography. I wanted to travel and pursue my passion. The free and liberal city life attracted me however Shakuntala wanted to stay here.

She wanted to get involved in our family business, she wanted to work for PV whereas all that didn't excite me, the atmosphere of PV didn't appeal to me. The age old orthodox customs and traditions that were blindly followed irked me. I wanted to change the society but didn't have the will and determination to do that. Leaving everything behind for a better and brighter future seemed an easier option.

Moreover Shakuntala wanted me to be part of such customs. I couldn't believe that she wanted to get little Dutta married to her friends daughter supriya.

Child marriage..abuse of widows..life was a mess in PV and I couldn't see anybody ruin my son's future so I took up the decision to send him to a boarding school. My wife was against it and my son didn't know why he was being sent away from his family and home but I had no other option. A family where his parents were always at loggerheads, a home that was just a house made of stones and bricks, it was better that Dutta stayed in a boarding school instead of in PV.

However years later I myself suggested Dutta to return to PV. By now he was a sensible and matured individual, he no longer needed to be protected. Also I felt that his mother wanted him by her side, for years she remained separated from her son because of me, of course for his betterment but still she too deserved to have him.
And not just Shakuntala but PV also needed Dutta. Changes and reforms that I couldn't bring around maybe my son could, one day. I might have acted selfishly, I might have used Dutta but then I never claimed to be a perfect father. I might not be proud of myself but I was definitely proud of my son. Single handedly he was changing the face of PV.
However somewhere it disappointed me to see him paying a huge price for bringing out this change. He didn't sound happy when his marriage got fixed. How could he be? It wasn't a marriage it was a deal. So I had to come down to stop him.
Even before his engagement he wasn't excited. I advised him to call it off but he didn't agree. He blamed his nervousness for his lack of excitement. He admitted that he didn't love supriya and for him this was an arranged marriage. However Supriya was a nice girl, she was his childhood friend and he argued that many people marry their friends and love blossoms after they start living together. He hoped for the same. Moreover he believed that refusing to this alliance after agreeing in public would surely ruin Supriya's image. He didn't desire to do that.
Also by backing off, he didn't wish to cheat on his mother. I reluctantly agreed to his arguments because I myself failed to find a reason to reject Supriya for Dutta. She was a nice sweet girl who remained quiet and kept to herself. She seemed caring and homely. Quite different from Shakuntala and I prayed that she would make a good wife.
Emptying the glass I got off the stool and walked back to my room. When from the corner of my eye I caught someone in the puja room. I squinted my eyes to gaze closely. Nakusha and Supriya were chatting. I had often seen the two of them together, they appeared close friends. Sometimes I even spotted Dutta happily talking to nakusha. All of them were probably of the same age group and gelled well together. It was good to see that class difference didn't come between them.
I threw a glance at the wall clock. It was too late to be awake more so when tomorrow was such an important day.
Looking at their faces it didn't seem that all was well. So I approached the Pooja room and what I heard surprised me.
" have you gone crazy? Tayi tomorrow is your wedding and today you're saying you love someone else! Is this some joke?"

******************************************
Early morning sun rays filtered through the window as shakuntala restlessly paced up and down the room, with supriya in tears ,stood at the edge of the bed. Dutta and I gazed at her expectantly to stop marching so that this problem could be solved.
Finally shakuntala sat on the bed and held her head in her hands.
" supriya, this wasn't expected of you. How could you do this to me.. I mean us?" This made supriya cry even more. " I'm terribly sorry AS but I can't forget him."
" who is he?" Bitterness dropped from shakuntala's voice.
Supriya wiped her tears. " Ravi Gupta. He's a pilot. I met him in a social function. We exchanged numbers and slowly our friendship turned into.."
" beta if you were interested in him then you should have told your AS. I'm sure she would have agreed." Shakuntala stared at me.
" baba I wasn't sure. Ravi's parents were against our alliance. So we..broke up. The day AS announced my marriage with dutta Ji I wanted to tell AS the truth. I wanted to say no but then I couldn't. I didn't want to upset AS who was so happy."

Fresh tears welled up in her eyes. " AS is like my mother, she raised me as her own daughter. I couldn't disagree with her." She glanced at dutta who didn't seem heartbroken, just worried. " but dutta Ji I can't cheat on you. I won't be a good life partner to you. I can't ruin your life."
" what about our name that you have ruined? Today is your wedding and now you're telling us the truth?" shakuntala snapped. She was furious and somewhere she was right. People would badmouth about our family. But then the poor girl felt burdened by all that this house had done for her.

I kept my hand on her lowered head. " tell me beta what do you want? You don't have to go ahead with this marriage."
" but patil sahab.."
I raised my finger. " shakuntala, give me a minute." She pursed her lips in annoyance.

Supriya slowly lifted her head and her gaze travelled from shakuntala to me. She swallowed the lump inside her throat.
" Ravi and I wish to get married. His parents have now agreed..he called me yesterday."
Shakuntala got up from the bed and wrinkled her nose. " so when everything has been decided then what are you waiting for?"
" enough shakuntala. Somewhere we have been at fault. Before fixing this alliance we should have asked supriya." I turned to supriya. " call ravi's parents. We shall talk to them."

The relief in her eyes was heartwarming. A crisis had been averted.
I glanced at dutta to see if he was okay. He nodded his head. " baba you have made the right decision. I am with you." He smiled at supriya.
" patil sahab I refuse to agree."

I threw my head back. This woman would always remain stubborn. " may I ask why do you disagree?"
" do you have any idea what people will think and say? How humiliating it will be for dutta, that on his wedding day his fiance dumps him and marries someone else? And we his parents support all this!"

Crossing my arms before my chest I tilted my head. " firstly I have never cared and will care what people think or say about my family matters. And I don't think even you should worry about the society. People here look upto you, surely they will understand you. Secondly the happiness of my children that includes supriya matters to me the most. Humiliating or not but I don't want them to get into an unwanted relationship. Fearing what people might say I can't play with the lives of dutta and supriya. And as far as supporting supriya is concerned if not us then who else will support her? We have adopted her, she is our daughter, she's our responsibility. Today when she needs us we can't turn our backs to her."

Shakuntala opened her mouth to protest but I shot her an ice cold glare. Till now I was being pleasant with her, I didn't want to be rude and bitter. Dutta and supriya respected her and I didn't wish to ruin her image although today she had damaged it with her insensitive and uncompromising attitude. What I was doing she should have been doing. Instead of me she should have been supporting supriya. After all, all these years she doted on her then today why was she not standing for supriya's happiness ? Just because today supriya decided to go against her wishes!
I exhaled deeply to calm myself then looked at supriya. " beta call his parents now."
She smiled through her tears. " thank you baba."

thanks for reading

Rose