STORY-MARRIED LIFE

MARRIED LIFE

We were married, as decided by our parents, and we saw each other, on the day of marriage only. But we developed mutual love instantly and it grew each day; we used to wonder: will there be another couple like us in the world?

 It would seem that a baby was waiting just for s to get married. Exactly after ten months, the boy came out. I brought my mother, to look after the baby. We are in a Project, far away in Punjab, but she came, though she did not know any other language, than our Malayalam. There were no TV channels so I bought a radio, for our entertainment.

Time flew like winged bird and the boy’ first birth day came. To celebrate it we all went to Keralm, by plane. As a responsible Engineer, I could not get leave for more days and I returned by plane, two days after the feast. I felt lonely, but my work kept me busy. Sameera, my colleague  tried to entertain me; still, in the night she could not help. I worked till midnight and fell asleep, the moment I lay down in the bed.

Then came the terrible news that my wife died in an accident. The phone came when I was in the office and Sameera came to my cabin and consoled me:” I too will come with you”. She held me in her arms and stroked my back, but I could not say a word for a long time. My boss also came and allowed me to go home. She came with me. Somehow, her presence consoled me. She made something to eat and was reluctant to leave me. “Please do not leave me,” I pleaded. She told me she will come back with her cloths and left.

Our friendship  began almost ten years ago, when she was appointed in the Project, as my assistant. She is a local Punjabi and she refused marriage, whenever her parents suggested it. Now I realize that, perhaps she loved me. I was too much involved in my work and had no time to think of love.

She came back and told me that her parents are in their village. We both became fresh and went for a walk. It was dark. The moon shone brightly. It may be tenth day, Dashami. She too looked at the Moon. We sat on a lawn and began conversing. “Your presence is like balm, it relieves pain in my heart,” I said. She kept her hand in my lap. We stayed in that position, for a long time, lest, we may lose the mood. Then we went back.

Without saying anything, we shared the bed and slept,  embracing each other, without any thought of propriety or sex. In the morning we went to office and continued our work , as before, the only change being my partner. When her parents came, we told them about our decision. They blessed us; we registered our marriage. Sweets were distributed in the office after one month.

A  form came from home, for me to sign, for claiming insurance money . Sameera did all things connected with the claim and sent it back. I did not mention anything about my marriage, in my letter .

In due course, we got a baby, this time a girl. It resembled me, they all said. I sent home, a photo of the mother and daughter, mentioning about our marriage.