The Letters Written

Chapter I: The first letter.

Weeks have past, after my marriage to Krishan, Arbaaz has gone radio silent. And now I am a hollow shell, feeling trapped, lost, and distant. To the outside world I appear polite and friendly and generally sweet. But my heart has turned to stone dust. I truly feel sorry for ruining Krishan's life, he deserves better. It's because I resent them greatly, I haven't once contacted my parents. Until today that is.

My mother and father have come to see me. Probably to see their proud handy work. But I will not let them see my pain. They don't have any right to them. As the newly wed daughter-in-law, I move forward to greet and provide them hospitality.

Mr Anil Gupta, Krishan's father, was happily greeting both Shreya's parents with grandeur. Just a mere visit was like a mini celebration party. Both parties making loving jibes at each other, baring gifts Raghuveer hands it with care and attention to Anil, which Anil respectfully, with even more care took into his hand. Raghuveer and Anil were childhood friends, absolutely inseparable, Raghuveer's wife Mrs Kaushalya Roy, often joked, that Anil meant more to him then her, as every letter he would send her when he was in the army, he would send Anil three more. Anil was a well high corporate business man, however you would not be able to guess from his character nor his attire his demeanor is very cultured and down to earth, such a jovial fellow, he wore a simple clotted cream sherwani, lightly decorated with a simple designed gold pieces.

They all sat down in the living room whilst Shreya brought them wonderful colour splashes of snacks decorated into a magnificent lotus flower, alongside some spiced chai. Both Anil and Raghuveer flew into heated discussion about everything under the sun. Kaushalya moved to Shreya side and quite agile and skill fully drew Shreya away into the kitchen.

In every room there was a picture of Anil's wife, with a customary val mala (a Necklace of flowers often very colourfully intricately designed) drooped across the frame, respectfully indicating her passing from this world. Very beautiful woman, her face was as pleasing as the full moon, her eyes were bright and beautiful full of life, high cheek bone, round baby fat cheeks. "Father in law's (Anil's) wife had a very uplifting personality, she radiated peace in people's hearts, and brought happiness and joy wherever she went. Krishan would often tell me about her. He misses her a lot" Shreya speaking to her mother, looking towards, her mother in law's picture. Kaushalya down cast, replies, yes, she was a wonderful woman. It is very unfortunate what happened to her. There needs to be more people like her in this world, she was one of a kind, you would have loved her my dear Shreya". Shreya's mother looked at her, sternly now, "what seems to be the problem, why do you refuse to talk to us, you think your punishing us, but in fact you're punishing yourself now." "Why did you drop out of university, that job you were going to get, what fool throws away opportunity like that" "you're not a child anymore, you're a married woman, what is with this silent rebellion, you were always this strong independent woman, why are you throwing all this away, was this Krishan's decision" Kaushalya ends hotly. Shreya, eye's flashing red with hot tears, shakily reveals "I can't do it maa, I just don't have the strength anymore, I feel absolutely broken. I need a break, too much has happened, and I don't know my path anymore".

Quizzically Kaushalya asks, "have you spoken about this with Krishan?" Looking down caste, Shreya replies "no I haven't" "I don't want to bother him, he is a very sweat man, but I'm already destroying his life, marrying him, when I love another". Shreya's mother looks at her, her eyes soften, absent mindedly she strokes Shreya's hair back, she advices "take my wisdom, love will eventually come between you two. I would advise trying for a child, then before you know it, your heart will mend, and you and your husband will be happily in love together".

Raghuveer calls for his wife! both mother and daughter wipe away and semblance of tears of a sad scene had taken place. And bring out trays of sweet puddings and juice. Getting back to the old friends competing in debates like children, on who's got the better toy. Kaushalya mutters exasperated between her teeth "men will be men" as they join the fray.