They were married in a church filled with relatives
and friends. Hardly had they known the meaning of the word ‘marriage’! It was
anyway a special day for the couple and a very new experience of having a new
person as the partner. The first few days they flew in the fantasy world
feeling so light at heart as two new born butterflies.
When they landed they hit the ground at her in-law’s
house, a strange place where everyone waiting to weigh her. To him, it was
heaven as he got an additional gift in his own home. He was thrilled that she
cooked and cleaned, finally giving his mother some rest, except for commenting
or criticizing her work. She couldn't take her own decisions, nor could she go
out with her husband without the in-law’s consent. She made a perfect
daughter-in-law, though her heart was pounding to be the free person who she
was before.
He would go out for work and come back in the evening.
His dress and food were taken cared by her, leaving much time for him to relax.
He understood the benefits of getting married and never thought about her
feelings. Moreover he was consoled by the fact that so many machines are there
to make the chores easy for her unlike his mother had to slog without any of
them.
She loved everyone anyway and she took the new life as
her destiny. Years passed faster than they thought and they realized it only on
their 25th year of married life. By then, their two children had
grown up to teenagers, and her in-laws were no more.
A few more years went by and their son got married and
brought home a young girl. She looked at her face and saw her own image as a
new bride. She smiled at her who had come to a strange place, leaving her
parents in a faraway place. Instead of the kitchen door, she showed her the way
to their bedroom to refresh herself after the long journey. She set the table
for everyone and started serving the meal.
‘Mama’, the girl’s voice called. Before taking her
place, she asked, ‘Why don’t you sit with us?’ She had tears in her eyes while
she sat with her family for the first time in life. Though it was her best
moment ever, it made the worst day for him. He somehow finished his supper and
excused himself to leave the table. She didn’t understand anything at all and
she enjoyed the food for the first time after her marriage.
After supper her son and his new bride came to her
help. Her joy didn’t know bounds to receive a helping hand of love. ‘Good night
my son’ as usual she said and then, smiling at the girl she said, ‘Good night my
daughter’.
She left for her room to see her husband sitting in a
grave mood of contemplation. He saw her coming and smiled at her fondly than
ever before. He took her hand and for the first time he noticed the roughness
of her palm. He found her smiling, still burning in the fire of love which
nothing or no one could put out.
The next day wasn't special for anyone but him. He
woke up humming his favorite tune and went to the kitchen like a kid and
emptied the milk packets to the milk cooker and kept it on the stove. Looking
at her flabbergasted gaze, he gently winked and both fell into each others’
arms in laughter and love.
He waited for the evening to go out with her to the
temple, the only place they ever went together as a couple. She was confused as
he drove to the road leading to the city instead of taking the turn to the
temple.
The car stopped at the underground parking of the
biggest jewellery shop. She was more puzzled to see her husband winking again
like a naughty teenager. The lift reached finally at the top floor of the shop
and they were amidst diamonds and platinum. Lovingly, he whispered into her
ears ‘I want to get you something precious and rare, just as you are!’
Hand in hand, they walked to the display table. Their
eyes were attracted to the unique piece among the collection: a thin platinum
chain with a beautiful pendant on it. On the pendant, a single diamond was
fixed, and just below the diamond was found a beautiful little heart made of
gold. In the moments that followed, they communicated in silence than in words.
She looked like a queen, as she walked along with him, wearing it on her
slender neck.
He had lots to say and loads of guilt that burdened
his heart. She gently placed her fingers on his lips and kissed the little
heart that was shining on the platinum pendant. ‘I know that you always loved
me and today I realize that you loved me more than what I thought!’ My words
choked in my throat and my tears filled my eyes.
Diamond betrothed our life together. Gold united us
before the altar. Platinum proclaimed our love forever.
From a timid new bride I have grown up to a confident
lady. I might have missed lots of fun and laughter. Yet I feel that I’m blessed
to be in a family, sparkling like diamond, shining like gold, exclusive like
platinum.
This is my story of love, like platinum, rare to find
and precious to lose!
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