Mahesh got up, took bath and went out. he never ate homemade food. actually no one served him. he didn't take coffee at his house. he used to buy water bottle, ordered food coffee or ate at Vijay's house. he never looked at his parents nor they. he went to Vijay's house and told his mom and Vijay about his decision of meeting Nirmala.
he planned that he would agree to the marriage and then after 15 20 days he would call off the marriage. he found this correct.
Nirmala went to her office. they decided to meet at the temple where she was the manager or perhaps the place where mani met for the 1st time.
their meet:
at the temple, Nirmala was fully traditional so was our Mahesh. there was Lalitha Sahasra puja.
after the puja was done, he saw Nirmala standing with some people around her. she was signing some papers. he thought,
" So, workaholic she is... will it be okay if I break the marriage? IK she is strong, she was so fearless that day, she didn't hesitate to shout at that lady when she did some sort of mistake... IG she has the knowledge to differentiate bet right and wrong. her mother has died, I think. she would be alone, what if I break her heart? should I marry her? or should I call off?"
with these thoughts, he turned to the other side, nor his brain neither his heart was allowing him to talk to her.
Nirmala went with those people to other side. now it was half an hour... he was just standing near the stairs and then he saw Nirmala coming towards him with two plates in her hand. the stairs were little steep, but she was in sari. Mahesh got up and their eyes met. there was awkward silence. breaking the silence, Mahesh said,
" Come give this plate."
he took one plate and gave her space to climb the stairs, he was following her, she was walking a bit slowly. he controlled his speed and tried to walk behind her. they handed over the plates to the priest and turned to leave. this time Nirmala said,
" let's go there, you wanted to talk about something."
he nodded and they went to a less crowded place. there were chairs and they sat with a good distance bet them.
M- sorry for yesterday's night. it was a little late when I called you.
N- not a problem, I wasn't sleeping.
M- I didn't know your father has lung cancer...
N- He started smoking when Mummy died... [ she said with a sigh]
are you really ready for this marriage? [Mahesh looks up at her]
I am ready to marry anyone. daddy wants to see married. if you are not ready I'll talk to my family.
M- if that's the case then I am ready to marry you. [ he said in one go]
N- thank you.
you were asking for courtship period. why?
M- just to know you better. [ he lied]
N- ahh, that can be done after marriage also. [ she replied with happy sigh]
M- so it is a yes from both of us? [ he asked for confirmation]
N- yes, ofc.
then they make a handshake and then go from there to their respective houses.
Nirmala thought,
" Thank god he has agreed for the marriage."
Mahesh thought,
" She will understand me IG. watching her I think she does not have a good past with her mother. a broken soul can understand broken soul they say... she has a brother also... 4 years younger than me. if Gautham had been alive, he would have also been of the same age. should I give this a chance. okay, everything out Lemme think about me. if I marry her, I will have someone to talk to at least at this home. if I deny her, will I get a girl with that much intelligence? that much confidence? that much smartness? that much successful? ugghhh why am I thinking about her??????? god please give me a better life."
he chose not to reveal his past to her, and she chose the same. both kept some secrets... and then the wedding rituals started. they both acted cold towards each other, and yes, it was an actual emotion. they were not at all attracted to each other.
soon the day of marriage came and here goes the mantra,
Maangalyam Thanthunanena
Mama Jeevana Hethunaa
Kanthe Bhadhnaami Subhage
Thvam Jeeva Sharadhaam Shatham
Nishadh prayed for Nirmala and Mohan's bond,
Akshita prayed for Nishadh,
Rajat prayed for Akshita and Nishadh,
Ram, Vijay and Aadhi prayed for Nirmala and Mahesh,
Mohan prayed for Nishadh,
Nadhiya and Jayaram prayed for Gautham,
Nirmala prayed for Vinaya,
Mahesh prayed for Nirmala.
YOU ARE READING
Burning Bridges
DiversosI am broken, is she? I am sad, is she? I don't want her, does she? I am happy, is she? I am ok, is she? I have healed, has she? I want her, does she? I love her, does she? I am broken, IS SHE HAPPY ATLEAST NOW?
