26 Good Enough (1/2)

Akash entered his room and felt like he entered the wrong room and came out and closed the door. He verified the room number again and entered the room again.

The room is decorated with flowers and there is a natural smell coming from the flower garlands and the rose petals spread on the floor and the bed.

He suddenly remembered this is his first night after marriage. He smacked himself for being so ignorant. How could he forget such a thing and wandered around until so late? Guests might have thought he did not care. Is that why his grandpa and grandma advised him about honor and respect in the lobby?

He felt embarrassed when it dawned on him. It means Varsha is in the room but where is she. Akash looked around and saw one shadow on the glass door to balcony. Varsha is standing in the balcony. He felt conscious about how to talk with his this unwanted wife and how to pass this embarrassing night.

He walked and slid the sliding door of the balcony slowly. He saw her standing and looking outside toward the moon in the sky. He noticed today is the day of full moon and moon looks especially big and bright tonight. Varsha either did not hear him or knowingly ignored him. He did not say anything, just kept thinking about what to say.

Varsha is in the room from 9 PM. She came here just after dinner was done. She has been waiting for Akash. She heard he has been out with his friends and cousins and will be having dinner outside. She felt confused about why he did not come early. She remembered what he said before marriage that he is only doing marriage due to the promise of his grandparents and he only came to know about this marriage arrangement a few weeks before that.

She waited in the balcony thinking all the positive and negative outcomes of this marriage. The moon which looked so beautiful when she arrived at the balcony is making her too envious now. It has turned 10 PM and he has not come yet. She thought he really does not care about this marriage. She felt like a shadow invading her heart. This feeling is so stiffing that she is feeling an urge to cry loudly.

Then she heard the door opening and his footsteps. She heard the door of balcony sliding and waited for him to call her. Her tears fell from her eyes. At least he has come. She has thought of the worst already. After balcony door slid open, she waited for him to speak for few minutes until her tears dried up.

”Do you have something to ask me?” She turned toward him and asked. There is no shyness, just those red eyes, and gentle sound.

Akash looked at her. She is still wearing her red blouse and saree. Her hair is still braided in a tail. She is still wearing her ornaments in earrings, nose ring, necklace, bangles and also her anklets. She is still in her dress.

Akash looked in her eyes which are red like she has cried recently. Her gaze made him hesitant and unnerved. He hesitated and then said ”Yes”

Varsha took a deep breath and knew that the time to hear those heartbreaking words have come. She can not resign herself to fate. She has to at least try. She made her resolve and said in a pleading voice ”Can I guess what it is? Just tell me in Yes or No. Can you let me do it?”

Seeing her pleading gaze, he said ”Okay”

”I will ask the most important question. After a few years when you have the rights and decision-making power in your family, are you thinking of divorcing me at that time?” She looked at him showing her firm resolve.

Akash looked at her surprised and answered in a startled way ”Heck No. Why would you think like that?”

Varsha suddenly felt like a huge burden has lifted from her heart. She looked at his bewildered expression and felt a joy arising in the heart and then said in a meek voice ”Because you did not want this marriage. And also marriage and divorce are common things among city people.”

Akash told her in scolding tone ”Don't think of me like that. If I would have thought like that, I would not have married you. I married because my late father liked this marriage and my grandparents and my mother also agreed for this. I did not think of any other reason but these reasons are enough for my agreement.”

”So you feel responsible to fulfill the wish of your father and uphold the promises made by your grandparents. Is it right?” She asked.

”Yes,” He answered.

”What about the girl who married you? Don't you feel any responsibility toward her? She will be all alone in a new place dependent only on you.” She asked looking at him expectantly.

He looked at her expression and red rims of her eyes. Did she cry before thinking of these things? But he can not put down his pride and accept everything just like that. He has to tell everyone that not considering his feelings was a bad decision.