Skip to main content

All for Love?

Warning: 18+ (Adultery, explicit)
She stepped into his apartment turning the lock as silently as she could. They share keys now, as it’s been a decade since that fateful day her life changed and the talks of marriage have already started in the two families. She has heard from a common friend that he was back from his business trip yesterday and wondered why he hadn’t called her since. It was already afternoon. Maybe he wanted to surprise her again at her office desk with a gift from Singapore, the place of his official visit. So she decided to go to his house in the afternoon and surprise him instead. His parents are off on a vacation and it’s the best plan to meet at his place after not seeing him for a month. She stealthily made her way towards the bedroom door.

It was half closed and his giggle could be heard from the corridor. Who was he talking to in such a jolly mood? Maybe some client again. He’s been on the phone all the time ever since he got the promotion. His job had been hard and they haven’t met for days. The thoughts of marriage made her happy because that way he will be with her at the end of each day…  Coming back to reality from her lost trail of thoughts she pushed the bedroom door with a smile… and her heart stopped….
 He was in his richly furnished bedroom, inside the expensive linen they had brought together but not alone. She met this girl at his promotion party. He is the one who introduced them and offered to bring them drinks. She gave an unconscious cry out of shock and they stopped their cuddling to look at her shocked. He sat up with wide eyes and her vision blurred … she ran towards the main door and heard him call out her name. Never had his voice sounded so cheap to her ears before…
She got into the first cab she found on the streets and headed home switching off her cell phone.

The next day she switched it on in the office and it rang… it was her best friend. She picked it up, hoping she wouldn't cry…
"Hello?"
"He called me."
"So, you heard…"
"I told you this will happen. I told you ... and you are at fault over this..." She heard her snap.
"What? You are blaming me?? Being a girl you are blaming me?" She sounded shocked.
"Look, Guys stray... it is your duty to keep him interested." She couldn't believe her ears.
" Listen... I..." She tried hard not to choke on her tears.
" Now forgive him... your wedding is fixed and your parents... think of them..." She sounded reasonable. "Otherwise the families will face humiliation."
She felt disgusted at the words and disconnected the call abruptly. Her head started spinning like there was an unbearable load on her shoulders.

She ran to the ladies' room hoping the tears won’t fall before she reached a cubicle away from public eyes… the voice was ringing in her ears “...forgive him... think of them”. She cried out loud. Was she a failure in keeping him interested? Is that why he cheated on her love? Did these years mean nothing to him?
Her phone rang again. Without looking at the name she picked it up.
Huge mistake. It was him.
"Hello."
"….. Uh…. Its… it’s me… look I…"
"F**k off!!"
"You can’t blame me!! I am not alone at fault...You didn't want a physical relationship before marriage so I... looked for it elsewhere."
She disconnected the call without hearing him out.

He called again but she switched off the phone. When she switched it on again after reaching home she got a message from him. It said “Look am really sorry for what I said in the heat of the moment am sorry for what I did and I want you back. I know sorry is not enough but I also see us together in a healthy marriage and our families are involved. Come back”
She wondered with a sarcastic smile. Does he even know what a healthy marriage means? One who can’t maintain a healthy relationship…?

Somebody was knocking at the door. She wiped away her tears and sat up in her bed “Come in!”
It was her mother.
"Look  Dad went shopping for your fiance and his family" She sounded happy.
"But why Mom?" She frowned.
"Silly girl, they are coming back tomorrow and we are going for dinner at their place" She shrugged "Hadn't he told you?" She shook her head silently. What could she say now? Was it too late?
"His mother called this afternoon. The final talks of your marriage will be done tomorrow…"
She looked at her mother’s eyes beaming with joy.
-     " We are very happy. You chose the right boy. This is the moment we waited for all our lives and it’s finally here." Her mother cupped her face and spoke.
She hugged her mother tight controlling back her tears.  The message repeated itself in her mind “Healthy marriage… come back.”

She could not sleep all night. It seemed like the longest night of her life. She opened her laptop hoping to get some work done. There they were. Two happy faces. A perfect couple in her wallpaper. She logged into a social networking site. Typed “Sandra D'Souza”. That’s that girl’s name as far as she remembered. There she was. With her husband. In the perfect family portrait. With their parents and siblings. She sighed. Only if he knew his perfect world has crushed like hers.

It was 6 A.M. She took up the phone and dialled his number with a sad heart. “Don’t cry” she murmured to herself. Thank god it's voice mail.
She left a message. “We are going to your home to talk about our so-called healthy marriage. Our families are not going to know”… she disconnected the phone as tears came back…

She has chosen her dream life with him over every odd. She loved him and that’s all that mattered. She was ready to be his bride and face the odds. She stared at herself in the mirror. It looked like she was sick for days, those bags under her sleep-deprived eyes and her face looked dull. She sighed.
"Can I do this?" She asked herself "Wake up every day knowing..." She stared at her own reflection.
"No! No! NO!" She shook her head. Going to the washroom she splashed water on her face and took a deep breath. 
Walking to the breakfast table, she sat down in front of her parents.
"We need to talk." Her voice made them frown.
"What's wrong?" Her dad asked worriedly.
"I can't do this. I can't marry him. He... I can't let go of my self-respect..."
"What happened?" Her mother rushed to hug her as she cried.
"I love him, I do. But I love myself a bit more. I love my respect a bit more." And that day, wiping away the tears, her parents smiled proudly knowing they had raised their child right.






Labels:

Comments

  1. ANTASHTuesday, June 17, 2014

    Awesome one...Truly splendid work
    Mesmerized..!!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. SuranyaTuesday, June 17, 2014

    thank u so much....

    ReplyDelete
  3. Yajna93Tuesday, June 17, 2014

    inquisitive 2 know how da short story ended !!!!!!!!!


    anywayz, reationship cheaters, though can't b legally criminalized, but must b at least counselled, by Central Govt. empowered councils/boards/commissions/committees/federations(whatever) 2 instill those HUMANE virtues in them & eradicate da Vices & deceit from their heart n minds

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SuranyaTuesday, June 17, 2014

      Thats the beauty of a short story... some things are better left untold :)

      Delete
    2. Yajna93Tuesday, June 24, 2014

      yeah, datz true az well


      completion sometymz take da sheen away from a story & unstated threads/outcomes &/or inexplicable cause/background/logic/rationale adds dat extra INTEREST & curiosity & propels|empowers intelligent readers 2 unhesitantly go 4 dat all important personal ANALYSIS(logical reasoning---oriented rational scientific, of course) &/or prophecy/conclusion/storyending ------------- these things usher in more n more logical pro--reasoning scientific rational RESEARCH & thus encourage more n more positive excercize of da GREAT human brain

      Delete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Towards You

The Afghans, after Sher Shah Suri's untimely demise, were at loggerheads for power. Their troops near Mewar were now led by Mehmood Shah. They secretly captured territories in the forests and waited to attack Mewari camps when the time was right. Rawat Chundawat and his spies had confirmed the news, and Udai Singh sent a warning to Mehmood Shah to withdraw his troops from Mewar in vain. Now that it was out in the open, it was time they declared war. Mehmood Shah had limited resources in Mewar. His internal rebellion against his commander did not help his cause. His spies clearly suggested that in no way could he win, especially with Kunwar Pratap leading his troops. He was having second thoughts about the war. It was then that one of his aides suggested a perfect plan. Maharani Jaivanta Bai had decided to go to the Mahakaleshwar Temple near the outskirts of Chittorgarh, in the forestlands of Bhilwara. They had travelled a long way and across the Gambhiri river that meandered during...
6 comments
Read More

Purnota: Chapter Three

“Did you ask for me, Dadu?” Bondita asked as the old man smiled at her. She looked fresh, with her hair neatly braided and a cotton pleated skirt, Thamma sewn with a faded top of one of her cousins, as she stood before the old man sitting on the porch. “Yes indeed, Didibhai, you didn’t come for chess yesterday.” The man smiled. “Oh, Pradhan Jyatha wanted me to look out for the …” She stopped as she saw Aniruddha walking towards them down the corridor. She eyed him as the old man followed her gaze. “Oh Aniruddha Babu, come here. This is Bondita Das.” Aniruddha smiled at the child as she looked away. “She is the only girl in the village who has appeared for her final examinations this year. She is very intelligent and…” Aniruddha nodded “She helped me a lot yesterday.” He made her look up, with a cold stare at him as he smiled politely. “Yes, I have called her here to show you around the village. He wants to see the affected areas of the Adivasis, Bondita.” The old man made her nod. “But...
Post a Comment
Read More

She Left...

The war was over and so were the hopes of regaining Chittor. The Battle at Haldighati had robbed the Rana of all his wealth, and brave men, and bruised him for life. Trying to match up to Akbar or rather Raja Man Singh's army with one-third its strength had cost his bravery dearly. He had lost his friend and companion. He had brushed past death. The only good thing that this war ensured was that Akbar accepted that he cannot have Mewar. His army retreated and left the country in peace after almost two decades and seventeen wars. This war gave something else too. Kunwar Shakti came to help his brother in his time of need. He lived up to his brother's expectations of being loyal to his family. A heavy-hearted Rana Pratap Singh was overseeing the construction work on his lost friend's memorial right where he died, trying to save his master. The Bronze statue of the life-like Chetak stood tall but was no match for the void Chetak has left behind. He was lost in his thoughts as ...
5 comments
Read More

You Deserve More

Ajabdeh woke up with the song of birds as she felt something warm on her hand. Her eyes went wide. Her hand was on the pillow in between them, between his hands, clasped as he slept. She thought of removing it slowly, but he was holding on to it so tightly. Ajabdeh's heart beat faster and faster. What do I do now? How do I not wake him? What if... why is my hand in his? She was utterly confused.   " Am I...In love?" Pratap was staring at the sleeping figure on the bed as he stared back at the rain. Then he frowned as he noticed that she shivered. He closed the windows of the room to make it cosy, then sat on his side of the bed. A lamp flickered on her side like always, and he stared at her sleeping figure as he put his blanket over her as well. She shifted a little in her sleep to make herself cosy again. Her payals and bangles made a rhythmic sound, breaking the silence of the room. Her hand was out of her blanket and on the pillow in between. He tried to slowly put it ...
8 comments
Read More

Purnota: Chapter Four

The group of youth provided by the Pradhan proved efficient for Aniruddha’s liking as they helped him survey the villages, create a set of data and provide a rough idea of how much fund was needed to rebuild the roofs and fallen walls. “What if we make them permanent? That way, the next cyclone will cause less damage. Pakka houses may also get other facilities like toilets and…” Aniruddha suggested as his eyes shone in the flickering light of the dimly lit kerosene lamp in the living room of Pradhan’s house. Drops of perspiration had formed on his forehead in the load-shedding, and the mosquitoes buzzed around them. For the first two nights, Aniruddha could barely sleep in the unfamiliar surroundings with buzzing insects, sounds of the unknown, and eerie animals here and there at a distance. Stories of snakes climbing up to the second floor through windows despite the mosquito net protecting his four-poster bed kept him alarmed. By the third day, after a day’s survey through the villag...
Post a Comment
Read More

Purnota: Chapter Six

Kalindi waited outside the hut, on the torn mat they usually slept on, using the hand fan to drive away mosquitoes as she stared at the empty path leading out of the house, the path Bondita had taken some time back. It was almost an hour. Did the foolish girl escape or land in trouble? To her relief, she could hear her nephew snoring away indoors, reassuring her that they were at least not caught by the villagers till now. She was sure Bondita would return empty-handed and hurt, and that she would have no other way than to accept the proposal from the Pradhan. That morning, her Kaka would accompany Sarkar Moshai to the adjacent village to talk to a family friend of the Sarkars. They were looking for a bride for their sixteen-year-old eldest son, who worked as a labourer in Sealdah. Kalindi had tears in her eyes. Not much had changed in these years; not much of women’s fate was different, wasn't it? Kalindi was about ten years old when her father took her to the Roy Chowdhury house ...
Post a Comment
Read More

A Heart at War

Legend has it that Pratap had to struggle for his father Rana Udai Singh's approval on his wedding with the daughter of Bijoliya's chieftain's daughter, Ajbante Kanwar Punwar. It is so because he was the crown prince and his first queen was supposed to be the next queen of Mewar. Hence his father expected his first bride to be a powerful princess who would aid his political needs. But stubborn as he always was, Kunwar Pratap had other plans. The water of the Bhimlat was still. The sound of the waterfall could be heard in the silent afternoon in the dense forest. A pebble caused ripples in the water and alerted the horse gazing nearby. He looked up at the source of the stone. Then began grazing peacefully once again. The source of the stone however was far from being peaceful. His face wore a frown as he stared around restlessly for the umpteenth time. He sat unmindful on the large rock on the bank of the water body watching the ripples closely, lost in thoughts. The soun...
Post a Comment
Read More

Purnota: Chapter Five

Aniruddha finished reading the book he had carried with him in the dim light of the bulb in his room and decided to pack it away. He was leaving in a few days and wanted to make sure he left nothing behind. The construction work on the school had started, and the Panchayat wanted to give him a thankful farewell he humbly refused. The spotlight should be on Trilochon to help with his next election campaign. Aniruddha did not want to associate himself with the party or the job. He contemplated going back home and telling his father that he had decided to pursue a career in India instead of his initial plan of going back to London. He had been giving it a thought for quite some time, and the day he said it out loud to Bondita, he knew in his subconscious mind he had already decided on it. The more he saw the village, the more sure he was that he was needed by his countrymen. Dadu put faith in him that he could be part of something bigger than himself and his career, and he intended to kee...
Post a Comment
Read More

Life and You

" Maharanisa! Maharanisa!" The maid-in-waiting ran through the quiet Rani Mahal as Jaivanta Bai, who was sitting in front of the Lord in her room ever since she was back, rushed out of her room, followed by Sajjabai and Veerbai. " What happened?" She asked, her voice calm, but her heart thumping. " Kunwarsa is here... with Kunwarani... She... She...." The maid sobbed as Jaivanta Bai rushed to the room. She stood at the door as her eyes could not believe what she saw. Kunwar Pratap was soaked in her blood as he laid her down on the bed, shouting, " Quick. Rajvaidya..." His eyes stopped at the door as Jaivanta Bai rushed to be beside the unconscious Ajabdeh. The Daasis and Sevaks were running about soon enough. Sajja Bai gasped at the scene. So much blood. Kunwar Pratap had not noticed anything except her calm, unconscious face. Now that he noticed his blood-soaked hands, red, he stared at them as though in a trance. "Kunwar Pratap! Tell me w...
6 comments
Read More

Unsaid

"Keep the Lehenga in this one, that jewellery in the box." Jaivanta Bai was ordering the ladies in the Ranimahal around. Kunwar Shakti entered with an equally stunned Kunwar Pratap at the scene as the hall turned into a mini market thanks to their mothers. " Kunwar Pratap is here." Dheerbai smiled at the duo as she walked up to them. " Choti ma, what are all these?" He asked, surprised. " Shagun!" Sajjabai answered excitedly."For Kuwaranisa. She will be blessed with these for the Sagaai. " Sajja Bai smiled at Jaivanta Bai, who nodded. "What Sagaai ?" Kunwar Pratap frowned at his mother. "Your engagement , aree , no one told him?" Sajja giggled a little, amused. " The four of us are choosing separate gifts of our own choice for your bride, Kunwarsa, come and see." Veer Bai urged him.   "The Sagaai is in three days, followed by the wedding on the Seventh, Rajpurohitji had said," Dheerbai informed ...
10 comments
Read More