“Yogi, we are going to have a
whirlwind marriage. We will be married in a couple of days, at Vizag. Could you
make it? I really want you by my side on this most special day of my life,”
Sharon pleaded with her.
“I’m so sorry Sharon! I’d have loved
to be with you then, but I have back to back, client meetings lined up at my ad
agency. The schedule is so busy that I just don’t dare take even a day off! You
know what an ogre I have for my Boss! Grrr…” she burst out laughing.
“I understand, Yogi. Maybe we could
meet later.”
“By the way, Sharon, have you met
your would-be mother-in-law? I mean….”
“I know what you fear Yogi. Relax. I
haven’t met her, but I have an open mind. I’m sure that she must be a nice
person and that I’ll get along with her very well.”
“Oh, O.K.” Yogi mumbled doubtfully.
As Sharon hung up, she was relieved
that Yogi hadn’t seemed to mind her match with Ravi. She felt sad that her best
friend wouldn’t be with her on her wedding day. She called up Ravi next.
“Hello Ravi, I ….”
“Hello Sharon. It’s a “Yes” isn’t it?”
“Yes” Sharon said shyly, her heart
thudding loudly.
“I love you Sharon. Now we have many
things to do. I’ll take you shopping right away. Be ready. Tell your parents to
be ready too. I’ll buy dresses for all of us. I’ll inform my mother
immediately. She’s waiting for my call.”
*****
And so Ravi and Sharon were married
as per Ravi’s schedule and Sharon was soon left alone with her mother-in-law,
while Ravi resumed duty. Her parents returned happily to Mumbai and she settled
down to a peaceful life at Vizag.
Now she had ample time to get to know her mother-in-law better. She proved to be just like a mother to her. Loving and kind. Both of them shared the household chores and enjoyed shopping jaunts and visits to movies and exhibitions. Her mother-in-law introduced her to all her neighbors and friends.
Soon, Sharon adjusted to her new household and milieu. She was delighted that she had found a friend and companion in her ‘Maaji’.
Ravi came back as promised and took
her for a honeymoon to Switzerland. He was an attentive and jovial companion.
The ideal husband! Life was running on smoothly oiled wheels, when Sharon
received a call from Yogi. As she picked up the receiver, she felt guilty that
she had all but forgotten about Yogi during this period of adjustment in her
new home.
“So how’s the newly wedded bride? I
saw your snaps on Instagram. You make a lovely couple. Hope everything is fine
at home, now that Ravi has gone back to work!” Yogita sounded cheerful and
pleasant.
Sharon responded, “Oh, everything is
like a dream come true. Ravi is wonderful and so is Maaji. I have adjusted very nicely to this household and its
routine. Wish I could’ve met you! I really missed you at my wedding.” She knew
that Yogita had actually called up to check whether her mother-in-law was
troubling her in any way.
Yogita’s next question confirmed her
opinion. “Is your mother-in-law O.K.?”
“Of course, yes, Yogi! She’s just like a mother to me. In fact, we have grown very close to each other in just two months’ time. We share the chores and enjoy outings like best friends. Remember, how we used to go for movies and strolls? Just like that!”
Yogita strained her ears to catch some
desperation or worry in Sharon’s tone. There was none. Sharon sounded positive
and ecstatic. Genuine.
Feeling slightly foolish, yet relieved
that her friend was ‘safe’, Yogita ended the call with a promise to visit Vizag
and meet Sharon after 4 months, during the lull period in her ad agency. She
actually wanted to ensure that Sharon was indeed happy! She had heard several
stories about how newly wedded brides seldom informed their maternal home and
friends about their miserable lives after marriage. They didn’t want to disturb
anyone’s peace of mind even though they were enduring such turmoil!
Why, some women who were burnt for
dowry after marriage, refused to give indicting statements about the
perpetrators, thereby letting them easily off the hook! They loved to bask in
the glory of being a martyr. No wonder, she wanted to personally ascertain
whether Sharon’s life was actually on the right track!
**********
Sharon and Ravi met Yogita at the airport to take her home. Sharon looked carefree and happy, in a long, black skirt and multi-colored, batik top, her shoulder-length hair blowing slightly in the gentle breeze. As the humid air enveloped her, Yogita wondered whether it was only the coastal weather, or Ravi’s proximity getting to her!
He looked divine, in a casual, navy
blue T-shirt and beige, fitted trousers, peaked cap and Rayban glares, with a muscular
hand thrown around Sharon’s petite shoulders. The hand which would’ve been
around hers, if she hadn’t rejected him….
To be continued...
The copyright of this novel is with Mrs. Priya Ramesh Swaminathan.
Do read the missing chapters and the succeeding ones at www.wattpad.com.
Kindly view and comment on my novel at that website! Thanks in anticipation.
Priya
