LOVE BEYOND BORDERS

I never go back on my words

Ammu : Lin, what you both were talking... Grandpa seems to be bit serious, he was all in his grim face

Lin : Oh he is too boastful of you....he thinks you are something extraordinary.....(Lin said while combing his hair and stopped to look at her with doubtful eyes) Are you ?

Ammu : it's normal for parents to boast about their children.. What's the big deal in it.... And about me.... Hmmm of course Iam extraordinary....(giggled). Now come let's go and have breakfast.

While we were having breakfast my relatives asked whether to register our marriage officially, I choked hearing this. My grandpa interfered.. "No need, let them go now. Registration can be done at anytime."

From my grandpa's words I understood that he knows we are already married in China, so all these marriage ceremony was because he just wanted to bind us with rituals. Sometimes I don't realy understand my grandpa .Without much bothering I continued with the breakfast.

After breakfast they went to buy new clothes, It is a custom that the newly weds will buy dress for elders and kids for Onam Festival.They both along with Fuzhi went for shopping and came in the evening.

On the way back to home....

Ammu : Fuzhi, did you enjoy our festival... Iam sad that it's over by tomorrow. I don't want to go back.....

Fuzhi : Yes sister in law, its really fun and yes let's stay here, no need to go back to China.

Lin : then you both stay here(giving a cold look to Fuzhi)

Ammu & Fuzhi : "" "

After reaching home, Ammu went to their playground with other cousins . They swayed in the swing, Arun helped her with the swing by pushing it to and fro. Lin saw this from the balcony and he gets angry for some unknown reason. He calls her in mobile, but her phone rings in their bedroom.

Arun sits on the cement chair nearby the swing and they both chats for sometime....

Arun : Ammu are you happy with the marriage.

Ammu : Of course, why do you ask.

Arun : Ammu, I know it was my misunderstanding, but I still accused you cause I wanted to break our alliance. Iam sorry to tell you now. Actually me and Anitha are in a relationship from our teenage, but my parents compelled me so I agreed to marry you.

Ammu : why are you saying this to me now. Why didn't you tell grandpa the truth.

Arun : You know that I can't disobey my parents, I felt that I should tell you atleast now, I tried many times before but didn't want to hurt you. Ammu did you marry Lin for avenging me or do you really like him.

Ammu : What do you feel.

Arun : I don't think your relationship is as good as it seems.

Ammu : "" "

Lin : Ammu, I have been trying in your phone, you are here.

Ammu : Stood up from the swing and said" I kept the phone in our room. Why did you call me. "

Lin looked at Arun, Ammu introduced Arun as her cousin brother. They both shook hands. They both sat in the cement chair. Ammu sat on the rope swing and she swayed. Lin stood and said I will help you and he swayed her surprising Ammu. He does it purposely to show their intimacy to Arun.

Arun : Ammu said you are the CEO of the company and has many other businesses worldwide, so how can you manage to be here for these many days and be with her helping to swing. (sarcastically chuckles)

Lin : Arun my wife is more important than my business. Even if I don't go to work in my entire life, the wealth I have now itself is enough for us to lead a luxurious life , and also even our next two generations.

Arun : "" "(smiles feeling awkward)

Ammu : (just to change the topic) Lin, where is Fuzhi.

Lin: He went to house pond to take bath with your cousin brothers.

Arun; Okay then let me leave, you both have your time...

Ammu nodded and Lin smiled.

Ammu : Lin, now you are boasting.... (giggled)

Lin thought this i***t doesn't knows or seems to be concerned how wealthy is her husband.

Ammu : Lin don't you like to bath in house pond.

Lin : Hmm, today evening we will go, you accompany me.

Ammu blushed and said.... No I will not come... And she ran to the house.

Later grandma told me that today we can stay in my room. I went to outhouse to tell Lin that we are staying in Nalukettu. He said no need to go there it is fine here. I asked him to adjust for one day as tomorrow night we will leave to China,to my surprise he agreed. I sometimes feel that he has changed, did he forget about his challenge.

After having dinner with grandpa we both walked in the courtyard for sometime.All my cousins were there in the courtyard as they were arranging for tomorrow's pookalam.

At night Lin told me to accompany him to the pond. We went to the pond for men and he swam and bathed. I sat their on the steps watching him and he asked whether I want to join him. I shook my head in no with the excuse that I don't know to swim.

After bathing Lin asked me to help him drying his hair and I did. I waited outside until he changed his dress and we joined our cousins to help them with tomorrow's arrangement.

At night we went to my room, I saw Lin exploring my room and opened the drawer of my study table. He took old photo albums from it and was going through the photos. Without his notice I hid my childhood photo albums and I showed him the photos which were taken when we were staying in North India and Dubai.

He took the small box in which I have kept our photo of holding hands. I snatched it from him and said not to open it . He didn't compell me to show it and went near the window to smoke. I don't like the smell of cigarette so I asked him to drop the cigarette. He gave a deaf ear and continued smoking there with all the smoke inside my room. I went to him and pulled the cigarette from his mouth and threw it out. Lin was really angry but he just went to the bed and laid there.

I felt something wrong with him,it's not of him,....

Ammu : Are you okay Lin... If you want to smoke then have it, I will stay out until you finish.

Lin : No need.

He stared at me and asked why are you applying vermilion on your forehead.

Ammu : It's out ritual that married women should wear it.

Lin : Then why you didn't apply it when we married in China.

Ammu : Lin, our marriage was just for a certificate to sustain my job but now we are bound by the rituals which I strongly believes. In our custom we believe that sindoor should be applied for the long life of the husband.

Lin : Oh so this sindoor decides my life. (sarcastic tone)

Ammu : I know it will be difficult for you to understand and accept our custom. Even being educated and working abroad I am not able to overcome certain beliefs which doesn't have any scientific proof. I like to follow our culture though it is unethical. Lin, whenever I apply it I pray for your health.

Lin : "" "".

He pulls Ammu and cuddle her to his chest and kissed her forehead. He didn't try to do anything beyond as she may laugh aloud from tickle.

Ammu : Lin are you still angry with me as you said before. Will you avenge me.

Lin hugged her tightly and kissed her forehead before saying.. "Ammu I never go back on my words."

Ammu sighed in grief and said .... I love you Lin (in a husky voice) and hugged him.

Lin : "" "

They both laid there and slept intertwined.

Ammu woke at 4:00 am from the sound of the alarm, she immediately shut it off not to wake up Lin. After having black coffee she went to take bath in the pond with her cousins, they played splashing waters and all came out from water when Grandma scolded.

They lighted lamp and did the rituals to welcome Mahabali, in Hindu mythology there was a very gracious and virtuous ruler named Mahabali. Onam is considered as the day in which he comes to visit his land and people whom he ruled earlier. We celebrate his visit with Onam songs and delicious feast.

Ammu went to her room to check on Lin but he was still sleeping. She watched him sleeping and thought how stubborn he is with his decision.

I thought he had changed and started liking me from heart, but he seems to be too adamant. I don't know why as much as he hates me my love for him is increasing. He said he will kill me with his love and .I ... I will die to love him . He is the first man in my life who touched me, kissed me and loved me even though he says his love is for killing me, still its love.

Ammu laid their deep in her thought and didn't notice Lin looking at her. When realised his stare, she smiled at him....

Ammu: ( stood up and sat on the bed) Good morning... Come downstairs and see the decorations and pookalam.

Lin : I will come after shower.

Ammu : Do you need coffee or tea now.

Lin : No...Nothing...

In the afternoon they all had feast together, it was difficult for Lin and Fuzhi to have food in plantain leaves that too sitting on the floor . Ammu sat in between them and guided them how to have payasam (a sweet dish made with milk, sugar, jaggery and other traditional Indian savouries).

After lunch all their relatives went back and Ammu sadly packed her luggage. Chinnu came to her room to say that grandpa is calling her.

Grandpa : Ammu, we need to go to hospital to get your vitamin tablets, your uncle insisted to do a review check up before you return to China. Get ready we will go now.

Ammu : Review check up, no need grandpa can't you see that Iam fine now.

Grandpa : Get ready Ammu, no more talks on that.

Ammu : hmm okay Grandpa , then let me inform Lin,we will go together.

Grandpa :Why to bother him, it's just a matter of one hour. Go get ready fast.

Ammu ran to her room and got ready, on the way to hospital she send a message to Lin. Lin didn't reply to her message.

After one hour they reached home, Ammu immeditely went to her room and changed her dress. She went to outhouse and saw Lin checking his phone.

Ammu : Have you done with packing.

Lin : hmm, why did you go to hospital.

Ammu : Oh,so you saw the message. its just for review check up.

That day I got discharged from hospital compelling my uncle, he allowed us as I promise to go for review check up another day. Actually he wanted me to be in observation for one more day. Today I offended him a bit, see what he did, asked me to do blood test again. Iam afraid when they put needle on me and he knows that. I hate him....

Lin rolls up his eyes in frustration as Ammu explains a lot for his simple question.He couldn't understand why she just can't answer to the question.Went for review check up is enough,why she is explaining how they took blood test .He doesn't listens to what she was saying.

Ammu : Lin, when you will listen to me.... You never hears what I say to you.... Isn't it. Thank god atleast you had the patience to listen to me when I called you the day of our marriage.....

Lin :Who told I heard you, I just kept the phone down and went to washroom. When I came back I heard you asking something... I said "you to decide" just like that.

Ammu :(confused and stunned) You didn't hear what I said....

Lin : No.. Ammu, don't expect me to do as what you want, I behave upon my will and not to satisfy your whim. Do you think I don't have any other work than to listen to your stupid babbling

Ammu : "" ""

She leaves the outhouse in grief and goes to the house pond. She sits on the steps putting her feet into the water. Later she goes to her room.

Grandma : Ammu, why are you in the bed now....,what happened. Is everything alright child...

Ammu :Nothing grandma, just reluctant to go back.

Grandma : Don't worry, after all you are going with your husband...

Ammu : hmmm

Grandma : Grandpa brought some vitamin tablets for you, you should have it daily without forgetting. Keet it in your bag without fail. Lin told you all won't be having dinner and will leave at 8 pm.

Ammu : Is he here

Grandma : Yes, talking with your grandpa....

While in balcony....

Lin : Grandpa, so we are leaving. Are you worried about Ammu. You pray for her what else can you do.

Grandpa : I will pray for sure son, not for her but for you. If anything happens just think about this old man and you can come to me for help anytime.

Lin sneers and goes to Ammu's room. He finds Ammu sleeping in her bed. Lin pats on her shoulder. She wakes up and smiles, sorry I slept.

Later at 8 pm they bids farewell to Chinnu, grandpa and grandma and goes to airport.

Back in China....

They reached China at 8 am. Yong waited in the airport to receive them. Fuzhi went in his own car and Yong took Ammu and Lin to the villa.

Lin : did you arrange what I ask for.

Yong : Yess boss, it's under progress , may be within three days you will get the report. What happened boss,is everything fine,.All on a sudden you wanted to investigate on Madam Simi.

Lin : It's I feel something weird from her grandpa's attitude. He is not at all afraid of my any threats, he is too confident. I thought they will abandon her for marrying a foreigner but he spoiled my plan by getting us married in their rituals. I feel he purposely did it to trap me. And he said she is not what I see, let's see what she is made of.

Yong : How can you be trapped by marriage.

Lin : "" ""

While Ammu lays on his shoulder playing with her phone without understanding what they are talking. , Yong watched Ammu through rear view mirror and feels pity for her.