Moments; To Remember

Familiar Strangers - 2

She was woken up by a slight tap on her shoulder. She opened her eyes and slowly adjusted her eyes to the lights around. They had reached Bangalore. Yes, this is where he works. Coming back to reality, she was surprised, well happier to see the posture she had slept on. She straightened herself. They collected their bags. Even though she could carry her own bags, she still hoped he would at least offer to help her just like those heroes from Indian dramas she used to watch. Sadly, this is reality. He started walking collecting just his bags. She followed him like a lost puppy. 

Like she thought, it was a rush hour. People are moving like swarm of bees in the metropolitan city. She was not from a village, but also not from a big city like Bangalore. They don't even have railway lines in their town. Watching around, she felt her hometown was cozier than this large maze-like city even though it lacked many things compared to this place. Finally, she is hit hard by the reality. She has been completely uprooted from her atmosphere, which she is already missing so much. In between her monologue, she realised that he was moving forward without her. She hurried behind him dragging her luggage. 

It's when he was outside the station that he had the decency to turn around and check whether she was following him. Seeing her approaching, he hailed a taxi and loaded the luggage. Thank God! This time he helped her to load her luggage. Soon they boarded the taxi, and they reached his apartment in almost half an hour. He was living on the twelfth floor. They entered the place, her new home. More precisely, where she will build her new home. She stood at the hall without knowing what to do. His apartment was a typical bachelor's den. He hadn't really thought about making any changes to his place. But since he is a family man now, it is given that he should make changes. But it was something for the future. What now? She thought.

He directly went to his room to place the luggage. He turned around. But she was not there.  He came to the hall and saw her dazed. He waved her over to enter the bedroom. She placed the suitcase in the room and looked at him like silently asking him what to do next. He tilted his head slightly and said, "Let's go". Without any words, they exit the apartment and proceeds to their next destination. The moment she dreaded the most for the last few months is arriving sooner than expected. She waited for him at lobby. He soon appeared with his car, picked her and speeded to that place.

Flashback

"This marriage doesn't involve any feelings and never will, just a convenience. You can opt out even seconds before the marriage. But not after. You are bound with me once and for all". He said to her face without flinching. "Can I know why?" She asked. 

" I can only give you my reason after your answer. But I will make sure you'll never lack anything in your life if you agree to this marriage."

"What do you mean? Do you feel I'm here for your money or the things you can offer me? I'm not that rude."

"Sorry, if I sounded rude. But I meant everything I said."

"Why me? You had many other options?"

"Actually, yours was the first proposal I received. Also, after seeing you today I thought you were the right person for me. Not only that, other than love you will have everything. I can be a son to your parents which they never had. I can also be your friend in need. See, there are things in life which is more important than love."

"You are very good at convincing, I think..... But isn't love base of everything. How can we move forward without that?"

"Let me make it more short for you. We can never have children together and well........that includes the procedure of conceiving a baby. Other than that, you will have every right on me as a wife."

"Please let me think this through. Now, please excuse me."

She didn't know what to do and cannot understand his crazy logic. She felt like he humiliated her. Wasn't motherhood a dream of every woman? Well, it was.... At least for her. She was walking back towards her family when she felt a tug on her top. It was his mother. 

" Hi dear."

"Hi aunty." She greeted his mother. 

"Please listen to me for a few minutes. I don't know what he said to you. By seeing your face, I can feel that it was nothing pleasant. But please don't reject my son. I was busy with his younger siblings when he needed me the most as a mother. As he grew up, he slowly distanced himself from all of us. Whatever he said, you can put all the blame on me. Please help him."

His mother started crying holding her hands pleading for her son's happiness. She was confused. Can she change this person? She definitely had taken a liking to him from the first glance. But was it worth to take a chance with her whole life at stake. She took a deep breath. May be.... Like he said, she might be the one he needed the most in his life. His mother's hold on her was getting loose, she suddenly grabbed his mother's hands.

"Aunty, you can tell everyone I'm okay with this marriage." She tried to smile. But she was not sure whether it was really a smile.

His mother embraced her with all she had and thanked her endlessly.

"This is first time he agreed to see a girl with marriage in mind. We have been trying for the last two years. I'm sure you are special to him."

"I wish I was..." She thought to herself.

When his mother announced her answer to everyone, she could see the surprise in his eyes from a mile away. He was trying to make eye contact with her. But she was not ready yet. She needed time. 

Next day, while she was at her workplace, her phone lit up signaling a message. It was an unknown number. 

"We should meet...."

She could easily guess who the message was from. Before she could reply there was another one.

"Meet me after you clock out. I'm in the cafe opposite your office building."

She sighed.

Evening. She was walking into the cafe. Her eyes searching for him. Found him at a corner. She walked towards him faster. She waved her hands when their eyes met. No reaction from his side.

"Wow, very good start." She thought.

She sat opposite to him. Their drinks came. Air between them was not that pleasant. He broke the silence.

"Since you agreed, I suppose there is no backing away now. Whatever I say now you can't back away. Or if you want to, you can now, before knowing the secret. Because, once you know that's it. You will become my partner."

"I won't."

"Okay then. I...."

"Wait. Wait.... Wait...." she interrupted him.

"What? Are you backing away?"

"Mmmm...You are not going to say there is another girl whom you can't get over. Are you?"

He smiled at her. She felt like all her uneasiness washed away with that smile. She too smiled at him.

"Well....It definitely involves a girl", he said.

Her smile dropped.

"But don't worry. She's only 6 months old."

"Oh...What?!!!" She looked at him startled.

"Well, there is baby girl I want to adopt.  You know the norms here; a single man can't adopt. So....that's why I'm looking for a partner so that I can adopt her."

She was relieved. But she wanted to ask a question. A very important one. "Is she yours?"

"No, but she is the daughter of someone very close to me. But I can't tell you who that is. It's for some other time. I hope I answered all your questions."

"Yes."

"Okay then. Save my number. Bye"

Like that he left that day. There was not even a message or call from him despite his words "Save my number". She unknowingly waited for his call which never came. Next time they saw each other was the day of marriage. Like the familiar strangers they were....

End of Flashback

                                                                                                                                                           To be continued......