Marriage Miracle
The sunset enchanted her. The waves, the sand, the palm trees and for some reason, even the long stretch of road was making her heart bubble with joy. She thought back to the last week, trying not to let the glee escape her lips. She was married! The ceremonies, the million little things that her parents and brothers made sure were in place, the wedding, the….here she blushed a little….first night. She stole a glance at her husband, his serious face focusing on the road ahead. How she loved this man….she couldn't even begin describing the joy that he brought into her life. He was a good person and a wonderful lover. Though, throughout the journey, he had seemed a little pensive. She desperately wanted to ask him again if everything was ok, but remembered what her sister had once told her “Nish, if there is one thing, just one thing that you must know about men- it’s to not nag. If you don’t get an answer for a question right away, wait. There will come a time.” Nish smiled as she remembered the few days before the wedding, when her sister and she had had ‘the talk’! How they had giggled and laughed! She did miss her family, but right now, her senses were saturated with love, kisses and caresses.
They were going to meet his aunt. She thought it was silly of her, but, sensed an undercurrent of a certain something that she couldn't place. Was it his body language? He always looked elsewhere, portraying a noncommittal air that she thought deeply contradicted with the expensive gifts he had bought for his aunt as well as the almost eighteen hour drive he had volunteered to. Come to think of it, she thought it was pretty weird, the silence that had descended over the entire house when they had begun getting ready to leave. She tried to push these thoughts to the back of her mind, reprimanding herself for criticizing her husband and his parents. They were mighty nice to her and it was so sweet of them to have gifted the house that she and her husband were going to move into after this trip. Anyways, she decided to look forward to meeting her husband’s aunt. She had a house right by the sea side and imagining her husband and herself walking along the shore, hand in hand, stealing kisses only doubled her excitement!
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Nisha wiped her tears even as she curled up trying to draw some warmth from herself. She could still hear voices below and knew that they were probably still discussing what had happened. The mere thought of the incident and the ensuing row brought fresh tears to her eyes and again, she sobbed. She couldn't believe the transformation in her husband. Why pretend to be nice initially and then turn into a screaming, yelling monster? She pulled the blanket over her ears, trying to shield the distant voices that seemed to her as if they were just blaming her over and over again.
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The day they reached the house, it was already late, so after a brief introduction and a simple supper, every one went to bed. Her husband’s aunt had welcomed her with open arms, was so jovial and cheerful. It was such a pleasure to be in the same room as her. Nisha’s husband however, had completely changed into a serious, glum looking person, so different from the naughty, hilarious man she had encountered just a few months ago. Assuming that it was just the long journey, she didn't press any further and snuggled up in the warm bed, beside her handsome husband and slept a wonderful sleep.
The next day too, her husband’s introversion continued, leaving her a little confused and frankly, annoyed. Auntie however, left no time for her to brood over her husband, taking her all over the little town, showing her the shops, the farms, the romantic beaches; she had actually winked at Nisha when she said ‘romantic’ making her blush violently and at the same time double up with laughter. When they went to the bird sanctuary, a few hours away from the town, her husband refused to hike up to the hills and it hurt her a little, that he declined her requests, but all it took was a “Prathee…” from his aunt and he was instantly on his way to the top. Well, as long as it was an aunt and not some other younger, prettier woman.
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She heard footsteps and quickly proceeded to wipe her tears and pull the blanket tighter over herself. She didn't want to talk to her husband right now, maybe not for quite a while, after the way he had treated her, that too in front of strangers. The door to her bedroom opened as silent tears streamed down her face.
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The visit to the bird sanctuary was especially dear to Nisha, as her husband began to ‘thaw’ a little and at one point, when no one was watching, even held her hand and kissed her. Her heart was just bubbling over and she couldn't wait to get back home for some more well deserved intimacy. When they returned home, Auntie’s two sons were also there with their families. It was the best get together Nisha had experienced after her wedding. Auntie’s sons were perfect gentleman and their wives treated her like a little sister. They wouldn’t even let her set the table. Nisha alternated between playing with the two children who were just like their grandmother, bubbly and energetic, and participating in the conversations. After dinner, the children were put to sleep and the adults were catching up on family gossip, while Nisha listened in and learnt the names and characteristics of at least a dozen relatives she had met at the wedding. It was only when she asked Auntie about Uncle, that she noticed two things. Her husband, who had been holding her hand for so long, suddenly let go and she, personally, had a sense of foreboding.
Auntie just smiled and asked her younger daughter-in-law to get the family album from the showcase. Nisha being closest to it offered to do the honors and proceeded to carefully remove the album from among the scores of books in the case. She wasn’t sure if it was the hike at the sanctuary, or the bulky album or just the fact that there were six pairs of eyes staring at her back (being a victim of terrible stage fright), Nisha swooned slightly and in the process her elbow knocked over something. It was probably a second later that she heard a crash and a few seconds more for her to feel the sting of a slap, but, it was eternity, when she dropped the album and stared into the eyes of her husband, whose face was so severely contorted with rage, that for a moment, she feared her very life.
Pandemonium broke out as Auntie’s sons immediately came to restrain her husband, while Auntie and the daughters in law, tried in vain, to console the heart broken Nisha. But she couldn’t hear anything. There was a silence that surpassed all their words and noise. Humiliated and hurt, she broke free from the embrace of the concerned women and went to her room, her eyes streaming down only a fraction of the pain that her heart felt.
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“Nisha….” Auntie’s caring voice reminded her of her mother and she couldn’t pretend any more. As she began sobbing, Auntie’s gentle embrace began comforting her and after a few minutes, the sobbing gave way to silent crying. Auntie spoke to her saying “You must not be angry with Prathee my dear….what he did is unforgivable, yet, you must find a way to forgive him. His behavior today has shocked us too…but I can understand…” Nisha’s look of disbelief prompted her to elaborate as her own eyes began to well with tears. “When Prathee was about ten years old, he and his parents had come here for a vacation. My husband was the Professor of Marine Biology in the college that’s right beside the sanctuary. Prathee like all boys his age was a very curious young child. His affection towards his uncle was so great that he used to confidently say that he would one day become a marine biologist himself. He especially loved the sea. Was so daring and adventurous, had a careless abandon. My children have been warned several times not to go near the sea when not accompanied by adults; they were older boys then and so were more acquainted with the perils of the ocean. But nothing stopped Prathee. I still remember him, thin like a reed, shy, yet, jumping out of his pants even before we reached the sea and abandoning all his inhibitions, running into the ocean. All of us fearing his safety would scream and run after him.” There was a joy in Auntie’s face, the recollection of those days, with her husband, probably. Nisha had stopped crying by now and was intently listening to Auntie’s narration.
But before Auntie could continue, the door to the bedroom opened and her husband and cousins walked in. Nisha’s heart contracted within her, the sight of her husband, bringing back the agony that had been hers just a while ago. But, there was something about him that stopped her from turning her face away from him, from stonewalling herself to the vibes of regret he was sending her way. It was his eyes. They were moist, his eyelashes, clumped, some still wet from….tears? And her heart just melted.
Auntie and the others left the couple alone. For a few minutes no one said anything, however, aware of the embarrassment of his actions, Nisha took the first step and asked him to sit beside her. With a burning shame, he apologized for his behavior. She smiled and forgave.
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The new house was beautiful. Everything went according to plan, oh except for the curtains. He had been quite persistent about wanting red ones (they go with the wall, he had said), but, her knowledge of color therapy combined with her persuasive skills finally won, so light green with lemon yellow flowers it was.
As she sipped her coffee waiting for him to return from dropping his parents home, she thanked God for Auntie who had helped her understand her husband. Someone she had known for so long, yet only came to know just a few days ago.
The day prior to leaving, Auntie had taken Nisha to a beach, some distance from the house. There, she proceeded to tell her about how, one evening, when Uncle was returning from the college, he had spotted Prathee all alone, venturing out into the sea. The little boy, who didn’t know how to swim, soon panicked and was dragged into the depths of the ocean. She told her how her husband, who already suffered from heart ailments, had managed to save the child, but suffered a heart attack and within hours of saving a life, lost his own.
Prathee owed his life to his Uncle, but, at the same time, for so many years, was consumed by the guilt of his actions. No one ever spoke about this incident after that, which was probably wrong, because, it would have been better to talk about it and calm a child’s raging conscience. The vase that Nisha had broken was Uncle’s gift to Auntie on their first wedding anniversary and it was ridiculous, how Prathee was more concerned about these things than Auntie herself.
Auntie and her sons, that night, spoke to Prathee at length, consoling him, helping him appease his scarred conscience and finally find some peace. That which should have been done nineteen years ago was done and Prathee could finally breathe. In those few days, Nisha felt like she had known her husband for eternity. She loved him more, for his gentle soul, for the loving person that he is.
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Nisha heard the car coming in; she smiled as went to open the door of ‘their’ house for her husband.
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They were going to meet his aunt. She thought it was silly of her, but, sensed an undercurrent of a certain something that she couldn't place. Was it his body language? He always looked elsewhere, portraying a noncommittal air that she thought deeply contradicted with the expensive gifts he had bought for his aunt as well as the almost eighteen hour drive he had volunteered to. Come to think of it, she thought it was pretty weird, the silence that had descended over the entire house when they had begun getting ready to leave. She tried to push these thoughts to the back of her mind, reprimanding herself for criticizing her husband and his parents. They were mighty nice to her and it was so sweet of them to have gifted the house that she and her husband were going to move into after this trip. Anyways, she decided to look forward to meeting her husband’s aunt. She had a house right by the sea side and imagining her husband and herself walking along the shore, hand in hand, stealing kisses only doubled her excitement!
--------------------------*
Nisha wiped her tears even as she curled up trying to draw some warmth from herself. She could still hear voices below and knew that they were probably still discussing what had happened. The mere thought of the incident and the ensuing row brought fresh tears to her eyes and again, she sobbed. She couldn't believe the transformation in her husband. Why pretend to be nice initially and then turn into a screaming, yelling monster? She pulled the blanket over her ears, trying to shield the distant voices that seemed to her as if they were just blaming her over and over again.
--------------------------*
The day they reached the house, it was already late, so after a brief introduction and a simple supper, every one went to bed. Her husband’s aunt had welcomed her with open arms, was so jovial and cheerful. It was such a pleasure to be in the same room as her. Nisha’s husband however, had completely changed into a serious, glum looking person, so different from the naughty, hilarious man she had encountered just a few months ago. Assuming that it was just the long journey, she didn't press any further and snuggled up in the warm bed, beside her handsome husband and slept a wonderful sleep.
The next day too, her husband’s introversion continued, leaving her a little confused and frankly, annoyed. Auntie however, left no time for her to brood over her husband, taking her all over the little town, showing her the shops, the farms, the romantic beaches; she had actually winked at Nisha when she said ‘romantic’ making her blush violently and at the same time double up with laughter. When they went to the bird sanctuary, a few hours away from the town, her husband refused to hike up to the hills and it hurt her a little, that he declined her requests, but all it took was a “Prathee…” from his aunt and he was instantly on his way to the top. Well, as long as it was an aunt and not some other younger, prettier woman.
--------------------------*
She heard footsteps and quickly proceeded to wipe her tears and pull the blanket tighter over herself. She didn't want to talk to her husband right now, maybe not for quite a while, after the way he had treated her, that too in front of strangers. The door to her bedroom opened as silent tears streamed down her face.
--------------------------*
The visit to the bird sanctuary was especially dear to Nisha, as her husband began to ‘thaw’ a little and at one point, when no one was watching, even held her hand and kissed her. Her heart was just bubbling over and she couldn't wait to get back home for some more well deserved intimacy. When they returned home, Auntie’s two sons were also there with their families. It was the best get together Nisha had experienced after her wedding. Auntie’s sons were perfect gentleman and their wives treated her like a little sister. They wouldn’t even let her set the table. Nisha alternated between playing with the two children who were just like their grandmother, bubbly and energetic, and participating in the conversations. After dinner, the children were put to sleep and the adults were catching up on family gossip, while Nisha listened in and learnt the names and characteristics of at least a dozen relatives she had met at the wedding. It was only when she asked Auntie about Uncle, that she noticed two things. Her husband, who had been holding her hand for so long, suddenly let go and she, personally, had a sense of foreboding.
Auntie just smiled and asked her younger daughter-in-law to get the family album from the showcase. Nisha being closest to it offered to do the honors and proceeded to carefully remove the album from among the scores of books in the case. She wasn’t sure if it was the hike at the sanctuary, or the bulky album or just the fact that there were six pairs of eyes staring at her back (being a victim of terrible stage fright), Nisha swooned slightly and in the process her elbow knocked over something. It was probably a second later that she heard a crash and a few seconds more for her to feel the sting of a slap, but, it was eternity, when she dropped the album and stared into the eyes of her husband, whose face was so severely contorted with rage, that for a moment, she feared her very life.
Pandemonium broke out as Auntie’s sons immediately came to restrain her husband, while Auntie and the daughters in law, tried in vain, to console the heart broken Nisha. But she couldn’t hear anything. There was a silence that surpassed all their words and noise. Humiliated and hurt, she broke free from the embrace of the concerned women and went to her room, her eyes streaming down only a fraction of the pain that her heart felt.
--------------------------*
“Nisha….” Auntie’s caring voice reminded her of her mother and she couldn’t pretend any more. As she began sobbing, Auntie’s gentle embrace began comforting her and after a few minutes, the sobbing gave way to silent crying. Auntie spoke to her saying “You must not be angry with Prathee my dear….what he did is unforgivable, yet, you must find a way to forgive him. His behavior today has shocked us too…but I can understand…” Nisha’s look of disbelief prompted her to elaborate as her own eyes began to well with tears. “When Prathee was about ten years old, he and his parents had come here for a vacation. My husband was the Professor of Marine Biology in the college that’s right beside the sanctuary. Prathee like all boys his age was a very curious young child. His affection towards his uncle was so great that he used to confidently say that he would one day become a marine biologist himself. He especially loved the sea. Was so daring and adventurous, had a careless abandon. My children have been warned several times not to go near the sea when not accompanied by adults; they were older boys then and so were more acquainted with the perils of the ocean. But nothing stopped Prathee. I still remember him, thin like a reed, shy, yet, jumping out of his pants even before we reached the sea and abandoning all his inhibitions, running into the ocean. All of us fearing his safety would scream and run after him.” There was a joy in Auntie’s face, the recollection of those days, with her husband, probably. Nisha had stopped crying by now and was intently listening to Auntie’s narration.
But before Auntie could continue, the door to the bedroom opened and her husband and cousins walked in. Nisha’s heart contracted within her, the sight of her husband, bringing back the agony that had been hers just a while ago. But, there was something about him that stopped her from turning her face away from him, from stonewalling herself to the vibes of regret he was sending her way. It was his eyes. They were moist, his eyelashes, clumped, some still wet from….tears? And her heart just melted.
Auntie and the others left the couple alone. For a few minutes no one said anything, however, aware of the embarrassment of his actions, Nisha took the first step and asked him to sit beside her. With a burning shame, he apologized for his behavior. She smiled and forgave.
--------------------------*
The new house was beautiful. Everything went according to plan, oh except for the curtains. He had been quite persistent about wanting red ones (they go with the wall, he had said), but, her knowledge of color therapy combined with her persuasive skills finally won, so light green with lemon yellow flowers it was.
As she sipped her coffee waiting for him to return from dropping his parents home, she thanked God for Auntie who had helped her understand her husband. Someone she had known for so long, yet only came to know just a few days ago.
The day prior to leaving, Auntie had taken Nisha to a beach, some distance from the house. There, she proceeded to tell her about how, one evening, when Uncle was returning from the college, he had spotted Prathee all alone, venturing out into the sea. The little boy, who didn’t know how to swim, soon panicked and was dragged into the depths of the ocean. She told her how her husband, who already suffered from heart ailments, had managed to save the child, but suffered a heart attack and within hours of saving a life, lost his own.
Prathee owed his life to his Uncle, but, at the same time, for so many years, was consumed by the guilt of his actions. No one ever spoke about this incident after that, which was probably wrong, because, it would have been better to talk about it and calm a child’s raging conscience. The vase that Nisha had broken was Uncle’s gift to Auntie on their first wedding anniversary and it was ridiculous, how Prathee was more concerned about these things than Auntie herself.
Auntie and her sons, that night, spoke to Prathee at length, consoling him, helping him appease his scarred conscience and finally find some peace. That which should have been done nineteen years ago was done and Prathee could finally breathe. In those few days, Nisha felt like she had known her husband for eternity. She loved him more, for his gentle soul, for the loving person that he is.
--------------------------*
Nisha heard the car coming in; she smiled as went to open the door of ‘their’ house for her husband.
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Comments
Incidentally, I wrote a post today on how childhood events affect you when you grow up. :-)
Sadly, This is how its accepted in our culture.
Prem
@operative
That particular incident was written to show how 'unstable' the husband is and how 'understanding' the wife is. And also to show that she 'forgave' him because she sensed his guilt and shame.
Absolutely agree with you that he shouldn't have smacked her on the face - which is the whole point. I am a woman myself (=D), and I do not accept violence as a 'part of my culture'.