You and I, plus 2 years of marriage!

ALMOST IN Love…

{14}

‘What?!!’

Madan looked puzzled at his daughter as if she had just spoken in Greek or Latin. She remained quiet for a moment giving him time to recover from the shock.

‘What did you just say, Inu?’ he asked her incredulously, assuming that he might have heard it wrong.

‘I said, I am in love,’ she repeated in the same tone.

‘I can’t believe it… who is he?

‘Jacob.’

‘You mean Jacob Williams? He is that guy from your college, who was here when Anu met with the accident, right?’

‘Yes, dad.’

‘But you said he was your junior…?’ he asked frowning at her.

‘He his two years younger than me. He is a director by profession,’ she said without any hesitation.

‘This is ridiculous! What do you think you are doing with your life, Inu? You have already suffered enough and I cannot see you going through more pain. How can you behave so reckless?’

Dhwani squared her shoulders and looked straight at her father. The very thought of Jacob, had given her courage and strength to face any crisis. He had already prepared her mentally to expect such questions not only form her father but from this entire society. Now that she had realized what she wanted from life, she was ready to fight for it.

‘Dad, we both love each other and we have decided to get married. I have made this decision after thinking for days and many sleepless nights. I know that I will be happy with him. Please understand me…’ she beseeched him. Her father was still not convinced.

‘Inu, he doesn’t have a stable job. How is he going to manage the family without a steady income? Moreover he is younger than you! He belongs to a different religion and it won’t be easy for you to adapt to their cultural practices. This proposal is completely unacceptable for me,’ he said firmly. She gave him a wry smile.

‘Dad, the first time when you spoke to me about my marriage, I said that your decision is final. You searched for a perfect man to be my husband and ended up with Akash. He was handsome with a well-paid job and good family background. I did not say one word against your decision because I trusted you. I always believed that my father knows the best for me. You gave me a dream wedding and spent lakhs for a two-day event. I was happy under the illusion that I was the luckiest girl on earth… but it lasted for only a few months. Very soon my dreams shattered and I lost my life in no time.’

Madan winced hearing her words. Although every word she said was the harsh reality, she had never spoken about it so cruelly to him. Dhwani was literally showing him a mirror and enlisting his mistakes which had cost her very dearly.

‘Now, after so many years I have found a man who wants to marry me neither because his parents forced him nor because he wants to make a compromise in the name of marriage. Jacob wants to marry me for the one and only reason that he loves me. We both want to spend the rest of our life together. I agree that initially I was very apprehensive about our age difference but once I realised that I didn’t want to lose him, it really did not matter. Also, you are unnecessarily worrying about his income. Dad, please don’t forget that your daughter is independent and she earns enough to run the family. As long as there is good source of income to the house, why should I matter as to who earns it? As a couple we both are going to share everything in life.’

He was stunned to silence. There was not a single word which was illogical in what she spoke, yet as a father he could not agree with her. This bold and determined version of his daughter was hard to take in. He had never seen her speak so firmly about her decision.

‘I don’t think your decision is right, Dhwani. You are simply thoughtlessly ruining your life—’

‘Which life are you talking about? She is only breathing, because she stopped living long ago.’

Dhwani was startled to hear those words. Their eyes darted to the threshold where her mother Prema was standing.

‘Prema! When did you come?’ he asked with a slight relief. Madan hoped that she would put some sense into their daughter’s head.

‘I came when she was listing out the mistakes we as parents committed in the past. Let us not repeat those again,’ she said letting out a sigh. Dhwani stood up with welled up eyes.

‘Are you saying that we should agree to this?’ he asked shaking his head. Prema walked up to Dhwani and hugged her warmly. The young lady could not control her unfathomable tears and shed them noiselessly. Prema soothed her back and pacified her child.

‘Inu, I heard everything you spoke and I am confident that you have made the right choice. I trust you, my child. If Jacob is your happiness, then you should marry him. Enough of these tears… go and live your life,’ she said and kissed her forehead.

‘Prema, do you even realize what you are saying?’ he asked her angrily.

What is wrong with this mother and daughter???

‘Go and sleep peacefully, Inu. We can talk in the morning,’ said Prema ignoring her husband. Dhwani quietly nodded and glanced at her father once before leaving the room. She knew that he was mad at her, but it was wise to not talk anything now. Her mother would handle him and she was an expert at it because that was what she had been doing for 33 years.

‘Have you lost your mind?’ he roared at his wife. Prema nodded her head and sat in front of him on the bed.

‘How old are you?’ she asked him calmly.

‘Why are you asking me that now?’ he asked her impatiently.

‘Will you answer my question or not?’

‘I am 63.’

‘How old am I?’

‘You turned 55 last September.’

‘Can we stay even one day without each other?’ she asked gazing into his eyes.

‘No. Why should we? You are my wife and we love each other,’ he said unabashed.

‘Our Inu is only 31. She is yet to begin her life in the right sense. Don’t you think it is unfair to keep her separated from her love?’

‘How can you compare us with them? We have been married for 33 years now, but she barely knows him for a couple of months. It is such an impossible match! I would not choose such a man for my daughter.’

Prema gently squeezed his hand.

‘They both love each other, dear. Love is love, whether it is for a lifetime or for a moment. According to a father, no man is ever good enough for his daughter. You always fret that he may not look after your princess the way you do and it is true. We are her parents but she needs a life partner, no matter how well we take care of her. Jacob may not be the perfect choice but at least she believes that he is the one for her. Our decision was not right, let us hope that hers is.’

‘I won’t be able to bear it if she is hurt once again,’ said Madan with moistened eyes.

‘Don’t worry, this time her marriage will not be a compromise. Love has given her life a second chance. We shouldn’t stand in the way and snatch it away from her,’ she said intensely. He embraced his wife and closed his eyes. Even after three decades, the warmth they shared was still the same. Prema knew that her husband would eventually understand because he loved his daughter too much to make her unhappy.

***

After four months and twelve days…

The sun was shining bright in the sky. The waves lashed the shore with a musical rhythm. Dhwani looked at her reflection in the mirror bashfully. Her kohl-rimmed eyes shone with excitement and her pink lips curved into a lovely smile. The pristine white gown fit her bosom perfectly and spread out under her waist with beautiful frills at the bottom. Her hair was delicately tied into a bun with a veil over it. She was in one of the tents which had been temporarily built for the wedding. Unlike the previous one, this time she was going to wed in a very simple manner with only close family members and friends attending the ceremony. They decided to get married according to both Christian and Hindu traditions. She had once confessed to Jacob about how much she loved the beach and he made arrangements to have a beach wedding to fulfil her wish. Today it was a Christian wedding and tomorrow they would once again take vows in a temple. He had obtained permissions to hold the wedding ceremony at St. Mary’s island off the Mangalore coast. It was a place of scenic beauty and she was thrilled beyond limits when he disclosed the venue to her.

Williams had managed to convince Allison to agree for the wedding, but she had not yet accepted her future daughter-in-law. Yet Dhwani had been very kind and affectionate towards her, which was slowly building a bond between them. Madan had begun to like Jacob after he observed how Dhwani was happy being around him. The young man had indeed won his trust that he would treasure his princess. Prema beamed with happiness seeing her daughter.

‘Can I come in?’

‘Yes Anu,’ replied Prema with a smile. After two seconds, Ahan and Madan entered the tent.

‘Mom, you look so beautiful. Shall we go? Dad is waiting for you,’ he said with a smile. Dhwani nodded her head smiling at her son. Prema and Ahan walked out first. Madan held out his arm she held it with nervousness filling her mind. Her father patted her cheek and gave her an assuring nod. Slowly they walked out of the tent towards the canopy where all the guests were waiting for the bride. On a small podium, Jacob was standing dressed in a black tuxedo. Her heart skipped a beat like it had when he had kissed her for the first time. All her fear, apprehension and worry dissolved into the unyielding waves. Every single moment ever since she had met him, had culminated in bringing them together for a lifetime. She gazed into his eyes as she walked to him.

The farewell party at college… a marriage which only lasted for months… divorced at 23… mother at 25 for Anu… high-flying career… chance meeting with you after nine years… the first coffee… at the hospital after Anu’s accident… confessing your love and our first kiss… my acceptance in the garden… our first fight over the phone… the make-up hug on the deserted street… convincing parents… the beautiful wedding today…

None of this is co-incidence Jake. It is destiny. We are really meant to be…

Jacob caught his breath looking at his ravishing bride.

You look so damn gorgeous, darling… I still can’t believe that you are going to be mine forever.

Madan gave Jacob her hand, content that his daughter was in safe hands. The pastor began the ceremony and made them take vows.

‘I do,’ said Jacob intensely gazing into her eyes.

‘I do,’ she said with a quiet satisfaction.

Those two simple words had put an end to years of pain and loneliness. She was no longer alone in her life. This time, when Dhwani took the vows during the wedding she really meant every single word. They both exchanged rings. It was not a lavish wedding with hundreds of people queued up to wish the couple. There were only a handful guests who truly wished happiness for them with all their heart. It was a simple wedding which was meaningful in every sense. They were pronounced man and wife. The pastor announced that Jacob could now kiss his bride. He tenderly took her face in his hands.

‘Inu, you are the best thing that happened to me in life. I promise to be with you every moment of forever and I will never stop loving you. I love you, darling.’

‘I love you,’ she whispered blushing at his words. Jacob bent forward and kissed his bride.

I never thought that my life would turn out be a wonderful love story. In my world, always and forever, it is you and me…

You may fall in love with the most unexpected person in a very inappropriate circumstance in life. Most of the time you don’t muster courage to admit it and that is the biggest mistake you will ever commit. Even after many years down the lane that regret will haunt you till your grave. Love is the only weapon which can break all norms and rules of the society, all you need to wield it, is some courage and unyielding passion. Always remember that it is your life and you should decide how you live. Take a chance and fall in love because that is the only risk worth the pain. Be brave when love finds you, for it may not give you a second chance. In this world, nothing can beat sharing your life with the one you love…

*** The End ***