Entwined Lives

VIII

Ms.Mytla rode the 6pm bus back to her village. Her parents and brothers were worried sick since she hadn't returned like everyday at 4pm, that day.

She walked through the threshold to only encounter everyone in the hall. Throughout the bus journey,she had been very scared. First, she was late, this had never happened, and thus, for the first time she would have to hide the truth and give them a lie instead to believe. And second, she loved a boy whom she wanted to marry, which certainly would create immense commotion, if she told them, or they somehow found out.

''Where were you Mytla?!''

''I... I had extra classes today. They just told us about it this morning. We have a lot of portions to complete so, we had them.''

''Couldn't you at least use the school telephone to inform us? Don't you know what kind of men roam around after dark?''

''Yes, I should have. I'm sorry, it didn't occur to me. And they even told us that, we will have extra classes everyday from now on.''

''Alright, but you have to be home by 6pm.''

''Okay.''

She lied to them, straight to their faces, with a poker face on. Actually, this didn't disturb her as much as she thought it would. She was okay. And in no time, staying back after school to meet Gapo, became a solid part of her day. She would meet him everyday, they would talk, disclose themselves like they had before to anyone and just be with each other for a couple of hours until it was time for the 5pm bus.

Like that, months went by, and then, studies, from the back seat had to be shifted to the front as the final exams were approaching. And in that time, Ms.Mytla would return home from school without staying back to spend some time with Gapo. They had promised each other, that they would focus all their energy and time at studies and then, meet up after the exams to decide what had to be done about the parents.

The exam season got over before anybody had the time to keep track of time.

Ms.Mytla had made all preparations and excuses to meet Gapo from even before the exams had started. She would tell her parents and brothers that one of her friend is moving away so, she had to go and spend one whole day with her before she left forever.

Over the years, Ms.Mytla had built a reputation among her family, of always keeping their trust. Thus, she knew they would agree and they did too.

Ms.Mytla caught the 10am bus to the city and from the bus stop in the city walked to the river back where Gapo was going to come and meet her.

Gapo was waiting. After the formal pleasantries they exchanged, for they hadn't met and spoke to each other for over a month, they got comfortable and cut the chase straight to the parent tackling part.

''They won't listen. I'm certain. What do we do?''

''See I know it's not a common practice but.. We love each other and we have to figure a way.''

''What about your parents? Would they be okay with it?''

''For now, let's focus on your parents. Do you know anyone from your family who has had a love marriage?''

''No. Not that I am aware of. I bet I would have known, if there had been any.''

The whole day went by giving no plausible solutions to them. They were seriously running out of time. Ms.Mytla wouldn't be able to again come to the city and soon, her parents would start looking for a son-in-law of their choice. And so, they both came to the risky conclusion that if there was a way this was going to work out, it was by directly meeting Ms.Mytla's parents and asking them for permission. Legally, they didn't need permission. Both of them were above the age of 18. But in a country like India, in a year like that and in a village as such, where people still swore by caste in issues like marriage, parents always had the upper hand.

It was done and decided, Ms.Mytla was going to go back home that day, tell her parents nothing and the next day, Gapo would come and meet her parents.