Her Salvation

Chapter 7

Aditya's POV

Loads of criminalities, work pressure could not blur the thought and picture of her from my mind. The last time I saw Uma was at the café, the way her expression changed raised curiosity within me. A curiosity to know her, her problems; and an urge to help her face and beat those. The way she smiled, she talked, made me sure that she was anything, but carefree. All her expressions were kind of...., kind of calculated; as if she would face anything grave if she expressed anything more or less.

Uma was, nevertheless, not like all other girls. Being 5'2" in height, approximately, and healthy (or as you people say obese) she was way too beautiful and cute. When she smiled, her eyes were almost covered under her chubby cheeks. She was always cautious about hiding her chubby paunch, with her dress. She made sure to sit and walk straight.

If you say that, I'm whipped, then be it. I don't have a problem. People think that we policemen do not have any emotions and feelings, but it's nothing like that. We too are humans, like everyone else; it's just that our profession has made us tough outwardly.

It was a Friday night, I was sitting on a chair on the balcony, with my eyes closed, thinking about her. Suddenly, something flashed in my mind, and I brought my laptop from the study table. After settling on my bed, I opened f*******:.

And I did something which I had never done before. It's nothing like I never had crushes, but I felt a bit too desperate to find out about Uma. I went to the search bar, typed her name, and pressed the Enter key. After a few seconds, which were equivalent to minutes for me, the page opened revealing a good number of UMA ROY accounts. It took me a single glance to find my Uma's account, it was at the top.

'MY UMA', taunted the inner me. But I ignored it.

I opened her account and saw her profile picture. She was wearing a denim shirt, it was a selfie. She was looking so natural and cute. I started scrolling down. I was surprised to see that we both had someone as a mutual friend. He was my friend from Delhi, we did our MBA together. I recalled him saying that he too had completed his graduation from the City College, maybe that's why Uma knows him. I shrugged and continued scrolling down.

She's quite active in sss, kids these days!

'She's going to be your wife. Stop calling her kid for God sake', scolded my brain.

I was looking through all her posts. She had a good sense of humour and she loved kids. The maximum videos that she shared were of kids. Then, my eyes fell on a post, shared by her.

The quote was enough for me to understand that she wasn't happy in her life and that something, for sure, was bugging her. Was she in a relationship or had she been dumped, or maybe it was anything more deep and grave. I didn't scroll down anymore, and went to the top of the page. 

Before logging out, I did something that I had never imagined even in my wildest dreams; and yes I did send her a friend request. Don't know what came upon me! I sighed and shut my laptop, kept it at the side table and laid down to sleep.

The next morning, I woke up hearing a lot of hustle and bustle in the house. I jumped off the bed and ran down the stairs to find my parents talking to the house caretakers. I was more than surprised and obviously happy.

-"Good morning. When did you come?" I asked, touching their feet.

-"Just an hour ago. You were sleeping." Mom smiled at me. She's an absolute darling. I love her so much.

'Well everyone does. Stop being a Mama's boy!', taunted the inner me. I shrugged it off as usual.

-"It's already 8am. Go and freshen up. We've something to discuss over breakfast.", said my dad. Well I never had the audacity to disobey or ignore him, but my sister had; speaking of her ...

-"Ma! Ena elo na kano??", I asked mom.

(Mom! Why didn't Ena come??)

-"Well, it's your dear sister's unit tests are going on. So she has stayed back at home with your grandma. So don't worry." saying this she got up to leave for the kitchen.

I miss Ena so much. Ena or Enakshi (whatever you call) is my dear little sister. I was merely 10years old, when Baba and Ma brought her home. She was all wrapped in a yellow cloth. She was a month or two old. My mother had to go through certain complications during my birth, after which the doctors said that it would be risky if they try for a second baby. Hence, came the idea of adoption. Ena was told on her 15th birthday that she was adopted. Since I'm the closest to her, I said it. She was too shocked at the beginning and didn't talk to anyone for 2days. But gradually everything started getting into their right places and we all were relieved. She is currently in class 11 and is also preparing for WBJEE and JEE (MAINS). She has been a bright student. We all wish that her desire to study in IIT gets fulfilled. She is working her ass off for that. And let me tell you a secret about her, she has dad and grandma wrapped around her fingers, mom doesn't scold her much; she is actually afraid of me, though she will never accept the fact

After getting ready, I went down to have breakfast with my parents. They were already at their respective places. We started eating in silence.

-" Actually we need to talk about Uma.", said my dad gaining my attention.

-"Did she negate the proposal?", did I just sound tense or panicky in any way?

-" No and Yes!", said my mom smiling at me mischievously.

That means I said that aloud. Sorry Aadi.

-"To be honest, she hasn't given her opinion yet. And that's the reason we came here. I had called Uma's father about it and he said that he would ask her and let us know within the afternoon. And if things go as we hope it to be, then we would go to their place in the evening." ,said dad.

I nodded with a "Okay".

After finishing with breakfast and got up to leave.

-"Do I need to go?", I asked

-"Of course you do. It's your marriage after all." said, rather taunted my mom.

-"Okay then let me know beforehand because I need to arrange things accordingly. Bye. Love you", saying this I left for my work praying, inwardly that she says a 'Yes'.

*smiles sheepishly*