Professor

55 | Hide and Seek

~~~~~~~~~~Harini~~~~~~~~~~

I once went to my inlaw's house along with Vicky bro for Vinayak chaturthi, who came to my house to pick me up in his car.

I was hesitant to meet them all. I don't want to go there. But my parents insisted that I go there and celebrate it.  Initially it was all uncomfortable for me. Just like Vikram sir I spent my time with the kids to avoid looking or talking with others.

I got jelled with the kids easily. Vicky anna's friends and their family always plan a get together or outing for few months once I guess. So I get to know about them and their kids as well.

My Father in law spoke nicely with me. He advised and cheered me for refraining myself from mingling with others. My mother in law still had cold shoulders with me. I was afraid to go and talk with her. Though I insisted in helping her out in anything, she does not object but shows her objection via actions.

The next day it was Vinayak chaturthi. She scolded me when we were preparing kolukattai (Modak) for Lord Vinayak.

"Harini.. come here. Why are you standing there? Come .. come and help me with this" Neeru manni requested me to help her preparing the modak.

"Neeru manni.. I..I dont know to prepare modak" I said with fear as my inlaw was carrying a stern face whenever I was near.

"its ok.. help me with.." she was interrupted by the words of my Mother in law.

"Ya you don't know anything. But know how to prank others. You know to hurt others with your words" her words came sharp piercing my heart.

Automatically tears formed in my eyes.

"sorry.. I wont hurt anyone with my words." I apologized but she did not look at me.

"Visa.. why do you talk like that? You are being too harsh and rude" my Father in law warned her which she did not even care.

Those few days of my stay in Chennai, I felt like living in a hell. I was so much afraid to meet anyone and talk. I was so much ashamed to even have food. I felt very lonely.

One night, I ate alone looking at my mobile. I called Neeru manni to join me , but she denied stating she would eat later.

Few minutes later, when I came down to fetch water to drink, I saw Vicky anna and Neeru manni feeding each other and talking. They looked so adoring and loving together. Last time in my Marriage too , I remember Vikram sir saying, Vicky anna eats with Neeru manni atleast once a day.

I now understand how my manni would have felt to eat alone. It is a horrible and hell feeling. From then on I decided to not come to Vikram sir's house. I just felt very ashamed and embarassed to be there. More than that, facing the wrath of my Mother in law was unimaginable for me.  For how long I am going to avoid it , I don't know. But I don't want it for now.

Days and months passed. I always secluded myself from mingling with others. 

"Hari.. get up.. eat something. why do you want to confine yourself like this at home and be so dull all the time? " My mother pacified me.

I did not reply her anything and sat silent.

"pattu.. don't worry about what happened. We all reacted badly when you confronted about your love and all your mistakes. We too did mistakes as an elder rather than explaining you on what and how to behave. We are indeed so proud that you thought of us when he proposed you before the marriage. And we know our Harini would not have done any mistakes nor would have agreed to go on a outing before marriage without our knowledge. May be we should have listened to your point calmly and reacted to the situation. Don't worry too much Harini"