The Marital Conditions - Part 4

Manav sulked. He thought, "What kind of conditions are these? We could have rejected Suhail easily saying he is not fit for Tia. Why did she had to lay these silly conditions? Obviously every boy agree with these conditions." Before he could raise his voice, Mikha spoke, "Thanks Manav! This is the most special gift you have given to me. You gave me the right to accept Suhail for Tia."

Manav was furious... furious at himself for letting him agree Mikha's offer. He didn't know that Mikha would ask this for her wish. He had promised her during the last birthday that he would grant any wish she asked for. He thought she would use her wish wisely. He knew his wife was gentle. She never asked for any gifts even during her birthday. He should have known that she would ask this. He should have been very careful while granting the wish.

Tia hugged her sister and brother in law. She was delighted. She was on top of the sky. She was happy to be part of Suhail's life. Suhail was still shocked. He didn't move. He thought this was a dream. A dream he had always wished would come true. He was going to marry his love and live happily ever after.

The marriage preparation started. Both the bride and groom's family gathered for preparation. The dates were set. They had only one month for the 'D' day. Tia and Mikha would spend the day for shopping. Their list never ended. Suhail would be busy with the family events. The relatives were arriving. The house was getting filled with long lost as well as closed ones. There was chaos as well as happiness. Suhail and Tia found little time for each other.

The month passed away quickly. Invitations were sent to all guests. Manav had restricted Mikha and Tia to send the invitations to only the chosen ones. But Mikha couldn't find the names whom she could drop out of wedding. She had bought gifts for all her relatives ( good as well as backbitting ones). Tia's never ending shopping never ended. She shopped clothes, perfumes and jewelry when she had bought sufficient. Sufficient wasn't enough Tia. She wanted to look good during every function.

The 'D' day arrived. The wedding happened. Tia looked gorgeous in pink lehenga and Suhail looked ravishing in white suit. Both glowed with happiness. The love beamed through their eyes while they took their vows to never be apart and love each other forever.

(To be continued)

The Marital Conditions - Part 3

Suhail never expected Mikha would do this. This new avatar of hers was shocking. If it was from Manav, he wouldn't have been surprised. Marriage conditions!! What was this now? After buttering her, doing almost every chores in the house like unpaid worker and taking her out, she came up with this. Why? Didn't she trust him? Didn't she consider him to be worthy enough for her sister Tia? Tia seemed as surprised as Mikha. She too didn't expect this from Suhail.

" What? What are you saying, Mikha?", Manav asked angrily. He found his wife's conditions foolish. "I didn't even start! I only said if Suhail and Tia agrees that they can adhere to these conditions, I am happy to get them married. Marriage is not a joke. You are young and totally in love. You will understand true self of each other once you are married. There will be ups and downs. Are you capable enough to face them together when your relationship is under difficult times", she said.

"But you never spoke about these conditions to me when we were getting married?", Manav asked and quickly added, " I am not supporting Suhail with my statement. I find your conditions stupid." Suhail smirked at his comment. "What a bastard?", Suhail thought while looking at Mikha with begging eyes.

"Please don't do this, Dee.", Tia begged in distraught. She almost cried when Mikha placed her hand on Tia and said, " Why are you guys overreacting? These conditions are nothing serious. If your love is strong, you can bear them. Manav, I never mentioned these conditions to you because I know what marriage to you contained for me. I was sure I would have bit of sacrifices as well as struggles. Tia is naive. She is fickle minded. Today she might want this . Tomorrow she might not want that. She is not used to sacrifices and struggles. She isn't aware that marriage is beyond celebrations. It is a responsibility. She got all the good things in life. She never had to struggle in life. She has tantrums when her wish isn't fulfilled. I am sure Suhail can manage that now. But he can't meet all of her demands of monetary value and socially." Manav smiled when Mikha mentioned about Suhail's disadvantage. He knew he couldn't satisfy Tia.

Tia looked at her with disbelief. She still didn't understand why her sister didn't consider as grown up. She didn't argue. She listened when Mikha listed down her conditions. Suhail listened calmly. He didn't have any other choice. Mikha put down her conditions:


a) Shower attention

b) Appreciate. Criticism kills the romance

c) Accept. Accept. Accept everything.

d) Love even if you hate

e) Spend time. Time is precious.

f) Create memories. Sweet ones more. You need them more

g) Go on dates. Enjoy. Travel places. Go for exotic holidays.

Suhail and Tia smiled. These conditions seemed simple. They had followed most of these conditions since the time they were  in relationship with Tia. He treated Tia like a queen. He promised to keep her happy. They looked at each other and agreed.

(To be continued)

The Marital Conditions- Part 2

Suhail whispered, "How do I convince him?". But his whisper sounded loud enough for everyone to hear. Tia giggled secretly. "Did you say something?",Manav asked firmly though he was aware of what Suhail had said. He smiled mockingly , knowing that it was difficult for Suhail type of guys to impress him. According to him, Suhail didn't have the charm or aura that he carried. But that was Manav. He never found any guy superior than himself.

Suhail nodded 'No' nervously. He scolded himself for being too nervous. He did love Tia. But love wasn't enough to impress the world. He had to show everyone especially Tia's sister and brother in law that he could provide the same love and care that her family bestowed upon her for years.

It was piece of cake for him to convince his parents. But to impress her family, it was like walking on fire. He had taken several months buttering her sister in order to have one meeting where he could convince them to accept him. It wasn't an easy job. First few days had gone in waste. He had thought of picking and dropping Tia would at least make her sister let him inside the house. Unfortunately Mikha would greet him outside without a smile or inviting him inside the house.

Tia also tried to get him inside the house in pretext of offering him a glass of water. But this idea also failed. Mikha had admonished her and asked her to tell him to get his own water bottle. After few days of hard work of impressing her sister by buying groceries for her on their way home or buying sweets  or bringing in takeaways made her change her mind. One fine day she invited him for a lunch.Thus this led him to get into her good books.

Days passed by and Suhail found a day perfect to ask Mikha indirectly for Tia's hand. Mikha understood but she pretended as if nothing happened. She let him persuade more. She was enjoying the attention. Later one night, Tia asked her directly. "I know you guys want me to accept Suhail's proposal. But I am not ultimate decision maker on this. Your brother in law also has a say in it.", Mikha said.

After coaxing, Suhail was siting in front of them, thinking about how to convince them. However what was going to happen next, he had no clue. After buttering, coaxing and doing all odd jobs, he didn't expect Mikha would do this.

(To be continued)

The marital conditions - Part 1

It was Sunday afternoon. It wasn't usual weekend afternoon for Tia. Mostly her Sunday afternoon would be spent on the bed with her best friend - laptop. But today was different. Her sister Mikha and brother in law Manav agreed to meet her boyfriend Suhail after long argue-discussion session. She was excited as well as nervous. She hoped that everything would go smoothly as planned. 

"Where is Suhail?", she wondered. He was supposed to be here now. She looked at the time and then at her brother in law. Suhail always did this. He never made it on time during all the occasions. After two long hours and Mikha's never ending cribbing, he arrived. Tia sighed. 

Tia peeped outside to confirm whether it was him. She was relieved that he had at least made sure to look good and arrive in his friend's royal black Mercedes. She wanted him to convince her sister and brother in law as a man who will take care of all her needs. She believed that at least his physical appearance would 50% convince them. It was easy to convince her sister but not her brother in law.

She was first to reach to the main door to welcome him. She quickly hugged him before they arrived. They took him into their sitting area. There was pin drop silence for few minutes except for the eye contact between Tia and Suhail. 

Then Manav spoke. His voice was firm and serious. "I reckon that you must have been stuck in traffic.", Manav said. It seemed like question rather than statement. He loved to use the old english words even though he had limited knowledge of them. He felt that it showed his class and status. 

"Yes! The traffic is terrible nowadays.", Suhail said nervously. Suhail was aware of Manav's hatred towards him. He knew that Manav always wanted a classy husband for his sister in law. According to Manav, Suhail didn't match anywhere. "How am I convince him?", Suhail said.

(To be continued)

A second chance ? - Part 6

I still carried my past. I couldn't accept anything. His family or him. Every time I tried, I failed. Love never happened to me because I was never out of love with my past. I always compared my past with my present. Maybe I was never in present. I longed for my past.

My husband loved me. He did everything possible only to get my attention and love. But I couldn't change. Love just didn't happen. My heart was still beating for that boy who broke my heart. Why? Why couldn't I simply move on?  Why did I long for that boy to come back?  

After two and half years, my husband stopped trying. He still loved me. But he was disappointed. I couldn't give him anything. The only thing I gave him was pain. He had waited so long for me to change.  His patience wore out but his hope never died. He still hoped that I would give him one more chance to show me love.

I was cold. I had no love to give except for my first love. Whatever my husband did, I couldn't express my gratitude for it. I never felt happy with whatever he did for me. My complaints turned into nagging with every passing day. We were strangers who fought during time when we were together instead of making love. 

When he learnt about my past, he was mad. He would blame me sometimes about me ruining his life. I don't feel guilty. I feel sorry for him. I hurt him even though it wasn't his mistake. Strange! When love was waiting at my doorstep, I wasn't ready. 

They say second chances come once in blue moon. I was indeed fortunate to get one. But I was naive to not to believe in it.  Here I am , still unsure whether to take it or leave it. I want to go back to clean the mess I had done and accept my husband. But it is too late and I haven't confronted my insecurities yet. The bell rings. It is my husband, I know. The same drama would start again. I know I have to change and I need to begin somewhere to initiate this change. When is the question. I open the door and look at his brown eyes. I hesitate to begin my move. After few long minutes, I hug him and say, " I am sorry. Give me a second chance. Let's start again.

****  The End  *****

  

The Second Chance? - Part 5

The second chapter of my life. I never thought about this and it began when I hadn't finished the previous one. I was trying to get over the pain. I had almost gotten out of my shelf. I was getting used to my surrounding. I was trying to be more human.

I was introduced to my future husband. He was perfect. He was my dad's friend's son. He was polite. He was gentle. He was everything that any girl would want her right man to be. But I wasn't still ready to leave my past. I wasn't still ready to give love second chance. My heart was in pieces. How was I going to believe in love again?

I didn't expect our weekend getaway to be chance for my family to discuss about the prospective alliances. So when I was alone with my mum, we argued on this issue, " Why didn't you ask me about this before deciding about my marriage?" "Well! We haven't still decided anything else. We are not going to force you into marriage. But before you decide, why don't you at least spend time with him?", my mum said. "How can I decide within few meetings? I am still not ready for this. I don't know him well.", I said. " Meet him first. Decide later.", she said.

I couldn't argue more. I met him. He seemed good.  I agreed for the marriage without even thinking whether I was really ready for love. Why? I have no answer. I feel guilty for rushing in things and taking hasty decision.  We were married within few months.

Everything seemed smooth during the first few months before wedding. He seemed to be in love with me. But I still felt incomplete... something was missing. I couldn't love him the way I used to love my first love. My husband was better than any man I had ever loved. But I wasn't still able to completely give myself to him.

Love was missing in our relationship. After two and half years, we are still standing at the same place as strangers. Nothing changed between us. We were strangers to each others while a couple to outside world.

(To be continued)

The Second Chance ? - Part 4

Families especially mums are best at sniffing when something is not right in your life. I still don't get about her 'something's wrong sniffing ' expertise. Anyway I was going on about my life. However my mum's constant inquiring about my life and problems made me manipulate the real problem of my life.

I told her a story of  stressful work life and how I craved for a holiday. It was half truth. Work was stressful but it was only time I didn't think about him. It was only time when I was focused on the something else in my life. All I wanted is to get away from him. I don't know why I end up thinking about him when I tried to move on and forget him.

My mum smiled. She said, " I know what you need." I was shocked. My heart stopped beating at a point. I thought," You know what I need?" with my eyes wide open. "You need a pampering time. I know a place where we can get you pampered and rejuvenated. Maybe we will get our fun loving daughter back.", she said.

I sighed. I was hoping that someone knew what I was going through without me having to say anything. But my mum isn't God. How would she know what her daughter was going through? I didn't want her to know what I was going through. I don't think she would take the news in good way.She was conservative even though she was caring and amazing woman.

So we planned our weekend getaway. The place she spoke to us was dad's friend's estate. It was situated in the mountainous range. It took us 6 hours to reach our destination. The place was cool and peaceful unlike our city life. We were spending three days in this heaven.

We were greeted warmly by Dad's friend and his family. His friend spoke greatly about their( Dad and his) rendezvous in this town. In those three days, we were treated with love and care. It was indeed a change for me. But this was just a beginning.. a beginning of second chapter that I didn't know , would happen. I wasn't ready yet for one more meltdown.

(To be continued)