A suitable Man

Chapter 11

Smriti's house

Smriti was counting days............ Days to her doom. Why did it have to be this way? She thought, why couldn't she see any hope in this situation. She had tried speaking with her father number of times, she had tried to speak with Vishwanath himself, but her father had confiscated her mobile days before her wedding. He was hell bent on getting her married, that would be his key to vast wealth. His crooked mind had even thought of Vishwanath's demise, as the whole property and business would be inherited by Smriti.

Shashank had come home as his exams had ended and also for his sister's wedding, every time he asked his father for the groom's photo, he was shown the photo of younger Vishwanath. Although Shashank didn't like him on the first look, he was happy with the picture painted by his father of how wealthy and good family would Smriti be going to. But whenever he saw Smriti, he felt something was not right, something was bothering her.

Padmakar had warned Smriti to not speak about his arrangement with Shashank. Still Smriti had confided with Shashank about her wedding. He was very angry with his father for forcing Smriti so badly. They had quarrelled late in to the night for this. Padmakar had threatened him too with dire consequences. Shashank could not convince his father, he was helpless. He was younger to Smriti by good six years, a lad of mere 17, he didn't have much in his hands to help her out. He was still trying to help her, he suggested running away, but Smriti remembered her father's words. She was caught in an deep quagmire. Her only hope was far somewhere in Bangalore, unknown to her plight.

Smriti thought of talking about Mahendra with Shashank, but what would she talk about, she was unsure of his feelings and his present condition. She had said a silent prayer for his grandma, she hoped she recovered. All this was making her sick, she was not able to eat, to sleep. She had lost few pounds in the last ten days. The anguish was killing her slowly, her only respite was Ganga. She talked her heart out with Ganga. She had realised one thing, life didn't stop for anything, if she had to go through this marriage she needed to brace herself for it.

Her thoughts were filled with Mahendra and only Mahendra, it was so ironical that she had realised how much she had fallen in love with this man when her wedding was just days away. She was glad he was the first one who had kissed her, and that also so vehemently. He had branded her with his lips. whatever happened to her, She would always carry the sense of belonging, that moment of love with her to her grave. She would love only Mahendra, even though she married someone else, she would keep on loving him till the end of her life. She would be just a body that married, her soul would be with Mahendra and only Mahendra. She thought, hers is a one sided love, but this love is so powerful, no one had the right to this love but herself alone. It gave her a sense of satisfaction, no matter what happens unrequited love would make her strong enough to face Vishwanath. She prayed for his well being. It gave her a certain kind of serenity because she knew only few days remained to her wedding, there was no hope now. The only hope was she herself. Whatever happened she would not lose her spirit. Her father, Vishwanath would not even come near to breaking her spirit. She would no longer cry, she would stand up, straighten up and never give up on life. Her heart and soul belonged to Mahendra and it would be till the end.

For the first time in many days, she smiled, there was no fear, no dread now, only a serene calmness. She looked at her mother's portrait, her eyes welled up again. She had offered fresh flowers today too. She bent to seek her blessings when one flower just fell on her head. She took the flower in her hand and smiled looking at her mother again. Her mother had blessed her, nothing worse could happen now. She would carry her mother's portrait and Ganga with her to her new home.

The next morning was very surprising for Smriti as she saw Shankar at her gate trying to make her talk with Mahendra, yet again her father intervened. She didn't want to create a ruckus, anyways what would she speak with Mahendra in front of her father. Shashank too was at a loss. He asked her who the man was and whom did he want her to speak with.