An Ending is not the End

4. Life is not a Joke

Swati abruptly closed the door in Hyma's face, leaving tears to escape from Hyma's eyes. Undeterred, Hyma stood there, patiently waiting for Swati to open the door, her emotions painted on her face, a mix of hurt and anticipation.

Swati got ready in a blue salwar, her free hair cascading down to her mid-back. She looked at Hyma and nonchalantly inquired, "What are you doing here?" Her eyes then noticed the Mangalsutra around Hyma's neck, and she remarked, "Wow! Congratulations. You're married."

"I'm sorry, Di. I didn't want to be in your place. If you want..." Hyma started to say, but before she could finish, Swati slapped her and walked inside.

Hyma followed Swati into the room, expressing regret, "I'm sorry, Di. I didn't expect him to tie the Mangalsutra. That place is yours. I don't want to be in your position."

Swati, about to slap Hyma again, halted midway, her eyes reflecting intense fury. "Just shut up," she commanded, the tension in the room palpable.

"I am sorry! Please, Di, forgive me. Talk to me, please," Hyma pleaded.

Swati, seemingly unmoved, responded coldly, "You want forgiveness, isn't it?" She walked to the wardrobe, packed the luggage she had brought from the marriage, and selected one of the sarees. Swiftly, she draped the red saree on Hyma, adding jewelry to the ensemble. Hyma, bewildered, couldn't grasp the intention behind Swati's actions.

With one hand carrying the luggage and the other holding Hyma's hand, Swati walked down the stairs. The family looked on in shock.

"Maa! I will drop Hyma at her mother-in-law's home and come back," Swati announced.

Prasad was about to object, but Shradha intervened, gently holding his hand.
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Swati turned to Hyma, "Hyma, take the blessings; we should leave."

Hyma, in a trance, followed Swati's words and touched her parents' feet. Swati, taking the car keys and the luggage, held Hyma's hand as they walked towards the car. Both settled in the car, and as Swati started the engine, the vehicle began to move.

Rishi was shocked to see Swati arrive, unaware that Hyma was accompanying her. In confusion, he asked, "Have you lost your mind? Where did you go?"

Swati, her anger palpable, stared into his eyes and retorted, "I ran away to cleanse myself, to mix my own ashes after living as your fiance for a week. I purify myself in the river Ganga. Do you have a problem? What gives you the right to question me?"

"Swati!" Rishi raised his voice.

She walked closer, and Rishi's eyes finally fell on Hyma. Swati snapped at him, "Mr. Rishi, I came here to drop your wife! Did you hear that? I told your wife, the one who belongs to you," she pointed at his heart. Then, turning to Hyma, she sternly stated, "Life is not a joke, Hyma. You don't have the right to sacrifice or destroy yourself for anyone. Don't spoil your life."

Swati turned her gaze back to Rishi, issuing a warning, "Take care of her, or you'll see the worst in me. Mind it."

Swati hugged her sister, tears streaming down her face. Holding Hyma close, she said, "I wish you didn't have to come home alone. Be brave and strong. All the very best."

"Di!" Hyma exclaimed, a mix of surprise and shock.

Hyma smiled, pecked Swati's forehead, and left the home.

He instructed the maid to look after Hyma and headed off to the company.

★★★

Neeraja gracefully stepped out of the car, her eyes immediately drawn to the independent and modern home that stood out in the colony. Amidst many houses, this one possessed an elegance and charm that could captivate anyone. However, her attention quickly shifted to the garden, a chaotic mess that seemed neglected.

As she surveyed the surroundings, Neeraja spotted a young woman with a trendy sense of style. Clad in jeans and a stylish shirt, her freely flowing hair cascaded down to her shoulders. The girl noticed Neeraja and inquired, "Who are you?"

Perplexed, Neeraja wondered, "(Aunty) Samsuma mentioned that Hriday lives alone here. Is she his sister? But no one mentioned a sister." Tentatively, she asked, "Are you his sister?"

The girl, looking startled, replied, "No! No! I am his girlfriend, Priya. And you?"

Neeraja introduced herself, "Neeraja."

Realization struck Priya, "That means Hriday's wife."

Inquiring about the keys, Neeraja received them from Priya, who couldn't help but glance over her, taking in the sight of Neeraja's perfectly braided, curly hair, reaching mid-back. Neeraja, clad in an elegant blue floral saree, exuded timeless beauty, causing a twinge of hurt and jealousy in Priya.

Neeraja, choosing to ignore the unspoken tension, unlocked the door and entered. Inviting Priya to be seated, she asked, "Where is the guest room?" Following Priya's direction, Neeraja flashed a warm smile and disappeared into the guest room.

Upon returning after a refreshing break, Neeraja found herself in the midst of an argument between Priya and Hriday, who had arrived a couple of minutes earlier. Despite Hriday's attempts to explain, Priya remained adamant, storming out of the house. Hriday, concerned, followed her.

Left alone, Neeraja couldn't shake the feeling of loneliness and being unwanted. She sank into the couch, closed her eyes, and reflected on the unexpected turn of events.

An hour passed, and Hriday stormed back into the room, forcefully kicking the table in front of Neeraja, causing the flower vase atop it to shatter. Startled, she opened her eyes and stood, facing his wrath. He glared at her, seething with anger, and exclaimed, "How dare you come here! Don't you have any shame after I rejected you to your face?"

Neeraja let out a sigh, folding her hands calmly. She responded, "Can you try talking like a human instead of an animal?"

His anger intensified, and he demanded, "You?"

Remaining composed, she reiterated, "I repeat, can you talk like a human instead of an animal?" Her tone carried no trace of anger, only a serene sense of peace.

Fisting his hand in frustration, Hriday stared at her, irritated by the unexpected calmness she displayed.

Neeraja, looking directly at Hriday, calmly questioned, "Did I approach you to propose marriage, or did my parents come to discuss an alliance with yours? Who are you to assume the right to disrupt my life and raise your voice at me? Let me make it clear, I'm not interested in you. I came here out of respect for elders, something you seem to lack. To obtain a divorce, we must live together for six months. While life might be a joke to you, it's not for me. I'm here because I've got a job, and I intend to stay. Understand this, I have no interest in you. It's in both our best interests to behave civilly with each other." With that, she finished her words and walked away, heading towards the kitchen.

Hriday stood there, visibly shocked, for a moment, processing her assertive declaration. Eventually, he left the house

Ignore mistakes

Keep smiling

Chandanakshi