The one that got away

Chapter 4: Tears.

"Tears are the words that heart, can’t speak through the lips.”

Chapter 4: Tears.

Tears are flowing down from my cheeks as I recall yesterday’s incident when both my sons said such harsh words to me which had shattered me down completely. I knew very well that I had never received any type of love in my life, neither before marriage nor after marriage.

I know I have never led a dazzling life, the modern items-accessory, that glittering jewels, those imported perfumes, and those branded clothes... type of person.

I didn’t know anything about it, never knew, and never learned about it. I have been a simple person from the very beginning, wished to continue to live a simple yet delightful existence.

I never even in my dreams wished to marry a rich man but just wanted to lead a normal life, but just because you never think about it doesn’t mean it won’t occur.

~~~~~~~~~~~Flashback~~~~~~~~~~

I sighed as all my high spirit feeling from the exam had exhausted as I entered inside the house.

There was an old man maybe old enough to be my father or a year or two, sitting on a single sofa. He wore a navy blue tailored suit, which screams of high status.

In front of him, my grandparents were sitting on the big sofa but in a timid manner. Uncle also had a frigging and frightened look where he stood.

As soon as I entered everyone’s attention got diverted to me. “There she is the one I am looking for; Come here my child, let me take a look at you.” the old man said this as he was looking at me from head to toe.

I gave an enquiring look to my grandparents as they were relaxed on their seats after I entered, even uncle looked happy for the first time seeing me. I was frightened but went and stood in front of him with my head bowed down, showing him my acknowledge and respect.

“You look as pretty as I saw you in the picture. What’s your name girl?” he asked me.

“Danika, Uncle Ji. My name is Danika Deshmukh” I answered him quietly as I kept my head low. “Where were you before?” he asked in a serious tone. My breath suddenly stopped on hearing his tone.

It’s the same tone grandfather used on me about me being a girl or telling me my mistakes.

“Today was my last paper for the 12th board exam. Uncle Ji.” I respectfully replied to him, in spite of being confused for a total stranger questioning about my whereabouts.

I slightly tried to peak above to see the face but received a sharp glare from my grandfather, which scared me. “What’s your age then?” he asked this time his voice was dark and strong.

“I am 17” I reply in one breathe.

“I was told you are 18,” he said in the same dark voice turning to grandfather.

I quickly replied, “I will be turning 18 next month from today on... 24th March”

“Do you know how to cook and clean?” this time his voice sounded pleased.

“Yes, Uncle Ji.“.

“Okay! Then the day after tomorrow will be the engagement and the next day of her birthday; that is 25th March will be the marriage. Get everything ready. I will send other remaining things” he says and with that, he left the house.

‘Who’s marriage are they talking about?’

‘Why after my birthday?’

‘Who was that man?’

’Why was I ask..... So many different questions were running in my mind.

I came out of my chain of thoughts as heard my uncle’s voice.

“...Thank God! This girl came on time, if not what could have happened?” my uncle’s behavior totally change as soon as the old man left and he said while taking a seat on the same sofa where the man was sitting before.

“Why the hell are you standing there... Now go do your chores... go get lost!” uncle bawls at me. My eyes got filled with tears but I controlled myself hard not to cry as I walked towards my room.

“Finally we are getting free from this girl, good grief. She will be out of our lives forever” I heard my grandmother saying this to my grandfather, with this my legs halted and I was shocked that ‘they thought of me as a burden’.

I said “What?” loudly as I was aghast.

“What did you just say, Daa-dee (grandma)?“.

“Didn’t you get it. That man was here to see you and get you married to his son. You are getting married and will finally get out of our life.” my grandfather said happily.

My heart sank listening to his words. “I.. am... I... can’t get....... be.. be... wedded.” I paused took a deep breath said it loud “I don’t want to get married now.” as soon as these words left from my mouth, I suddenly heard a whack sound and felt a sharp stinging pang on my cheek.

I looked up at my grandmother who had just struck me and was looking indignantly at me. I hold my cheek as I stepped back in fear of her agitated scowl.

“Listen here, you ungrateful girl. You are getting married next month and engaged in just two days, no matter what. We would have gotten you married even earlier if there was no law from the government for a girl should be above 18 years to get married.” she said as venom fell from her mouth.

Grandfather ordered his son, “Manohar take her to her room and make sure she does not do any stupidity until her engagement and marriage is done” as he takes me to my room and locks it from outside.

I tried to open the door, banging on it, a while later I gave up after nobody heard me, I fell down on my knees crying and again requesting them not to get me married so soon. But no one listened. I got free from my room on the day of engagement.

My aunty gave saree to wear and told me to get ready before the guest could arrive. Seeing me not dressed she called my uncle, “Oh Ji, see what your Bhatiji (niece), what is she up to now?“.

My uncle came in looking exasperate “What are you doing? Danika are you not ashamed, you will spoil our family name, have little shame... I didn’t know you have become so shameless after going to college. I shouldn’t have sent you”.

Soon my engagement was done. I couldn’t focus on my surroundings and lost my chance to see him, the groom’s face. I just kept on looking down at the floor as if it was floor the most compelling thing in the world. The days passed by in a haze being locked in the room. And the door was opened only for my measurements for the wedding clothes.

I tried to run away but was caught by my older cousin brother Karan. I couldn’t stop the tears running down my cheeks.

I wish.

I wish if I could do some magic and bring my parents back to life, they surely would have stopped this marriage and could have understood me and supported me.

Well, my parents weren’t in the picture. They died when I was quite young, two-year-old child. So I don’t know much about them, only the thing others spoke about them enlightened me. Time flies so soon, that today is my wedding day, and neither I could save myself nor anyone else could.