“Please do not throw them out Mom.”
“Why not? Your room is
extremely cluttered.” Mom shouted.
“These are the last few
things left out, I want to keep them with me.” I could not keep my eye drops
blocked anymore.
“You will have to leave
them, my love. These all are past now. Don’t ever look back….whole life is
lying in front of you ….start a new life, do a new beginning ….all joy awaits
you….” Mom tried to make me understand caressing my hair.
“Tomorrow Rohan’s
family members will be coming to see you. Change your mood. Think life afresh.”
She added.
Yes, it’s been just a
year now, when life
took an unexpected turn, when the destiny imparted me some misery, from which it is still tough
to get to my feet.
It was 5th March
last year. Light, colours, ornaments, decoration everywhere. Full masti was
going on in the wedding mandap. I was truly excited as my 10 years of affair with
Raj would get a permanent name and designation; as if the time was passing very
slowly that day. Because of the guests, friends, and family members, it was
becoming damn difficult to talk to Raj on phone. Last two days before the
wedding, we decided not to talk much anyways. I was just desperately waiting
for his arrival at my home….to the moment he would put sindur on my head and
take me along as his bride.
Punditjee informed us
that the auspicious moment for the exchanging the vows was between 10 pm till 11:30 pm. So, both the parties had decided
that the bridegroom would arrive at the mandap at 10 pm sharp. Raj’s house was
100 kilometers away from my home.
Since the evening, I
was just looking at the watch in every half an hour.
It was 9:30 pm. The harmony
of ladies sangeet was enthralling the atmosphere.
10 pm, 10:30 pm…No
one from bridegroom side arrived. All started feeling uneasy gradually…..specially my
Mom, she was a bit apprehensive and was just blabbering, “How irresponsible people…!!!”
Probably she was embarrassed in front of our relatives. I was really angry on Raj how come he could
become so careless while he always used to reach the venue of dating before
time.
11 pm. I called up at his
mobile. It was just ringing, he did not pick up. I got scared. I called up
atleast 40 times. I called up his cousin…..he also did not pick up my call.
In few minutes, all
people gathered around me…….I just heard somebody saying, “There is an accident…..Raj
is no more…………..”
That’s all. All
finished……for me. I did not know how many days I was in the hospital…..My
sister, my Mom, Dad and aunt…all took me home one day……Since then the stuff
like Raj’s photograph, things he gifted me, the letters he wrote to me, all
became my best comrade.
But how long would I
mourn in this way!! My family members, Raj’s Mom and Dad all have been trying
to make me understand that this was not the end of my life. The whole life is
lying in front of me.
One of my best buddies
in school, also a very good friend of Raj, Rohan expressed his willingness to
marry me. I knew he had a soft corner for me before I felt in love with Raj. He
is settled in US now. His parents and family members would come to my home to
see me tomorrow.
Thinking for many
weeks, looking at the faces of my parents, my well-wishers, I tried to console
myself that no one can change the destiny. My mind said, “So
go ahead. No more whine. Life is a route one wanna keep going…” I
decided to say yes to Rohan’s proposal, and start a new life.
I handed over to my mom
the last reminiscence of Raj, his photograph with a divine smile, “I want to
embark a new beginning Mom!”
My mom hugged me tight.
I could feel few warm drops of water on my shoulder. I was determined.
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