✔️The single housewife (Completed)

The one on one (2)

ERA's POV

"Lets discuss your personal life ma'am" a cold drop of sweat poured from my forehead as I heard those words from the second senior most council named Al.

"Yes please" I said as my throat almost went dry. Suddenly I saw one of the volunteers going towards Neel on his signal and after a few whispers, fetching me a glass of water. I take a sip and steady my nerves.

"We have heard that you are married. Do you expect your husband to join our lands as well?"

Okay now that was a trap. I was forced to confess that I was planning to take a divorce.

"So you are a divorcee." He said.

I took a deep breath and remembered Neel's words that he had once told me about my being a divorcee. "If you have taken a step in your life, be proud of it."

"Yes sir, I am. " I said as I addressed him as well as the audience.

"Don't you think that it would be a tedious and tiresome topic if you join our land permanently?" He asked.

"People here are like my family. We all have laughed, sung, danced and skated together in the happy moments so I am sure they will support me during my worst. I think its appropriate that they should know about my personal life. I am PROUD of the step I have taken to end my married life." I said. "Besides I trust MY family. They would never gossip behind my back or hurt me. People here are really kind hearted." I said and everyone cheered me.

"A failed marriage is fault of both the parties." Stated Al, as a matter of fact. And for the first time in my life, I came face to face with the harsh truth.

"That's true. My fault was being an insecure partner in her marriage, who would neglect her husband's affairs outside the matrimony. My fault was not being able to stand-up and question the obvious immoral happenings around me. My fault was to undermine my own gifts and talents and not being proud of my being. The way you are questioning my every self, I did that painful process with myself everyday." I confessed.

Al was quiet. There was a pin drop silence in the crowd. I decided to remove the awkwardness and get back to the reason why we were gathered and why was I questioned in midst of hundreds of people emitting all the spotlight that was basking upon me.

"That is the reason why I want to stay in this beautiful land because it made me confront my worst fears, threw me out of my comfort zone and lovingly brought out my hidden talents. 3 months back if someone would have told me that I would be leading a carnival, I would have fainted just with the thought of it. Now I can proudly lead something similar with utmost ease and comfort. I wish I had been like that in my marriage, non-dormant and more in touch with myself." I said.

There was some awkwardness on the stage but I looked at Neel and he managed me to give a faint smile. Maybe because I had proven my point but that left behind the strong fragrance of awkwardness around the entire atmosphere.

"Ummm do you have any more questions for me?" I looked at the Council and Al, trying to fade the vapor of silence that had engulfed the beings around me.

I knew where the conversation was heading. But I was equipped to handle anything that came on my path.