The Boundaries of Love

●12●

"Why don't you come home, Suman?" Shravan's mother asks me, "You will be able to decide the colour of your room." She wiggles her eyebrows as she looks at Shravan who has gone stiff suddenly.

We are sitting at the dining table, having lunch together. Everyone looks at Mrs Malhotra; "What!" She shrugs, "From now on, Suman is going to decide everything anyway."

"Why?" My mother frowns, "Shravan's point of views are equally important. Both of them need to decide the colour, together."

Mr Malhotra looks at me with an arched eyebrow, as if he is trying to make a point. Isn't it what he was trying to tell me, outside? That I am the one who would decide everything. I notice, Shravan's mother looks at her husband from the periphery, maybe she is trying to prove something to him too.

"I would love to. And anyway, I don't have anything to do apart from to slouch and read some books." I assure them with a smile.

Mrs Malhotra smiles triumphantly at her husband, who nods at me. On the other hand, Shravan too notices the exchange between his parents, and he frowns at me. "We still have time for that Maa." He says as he concentrates on the food before him.

My father agrees to him, and the frown on my mother's face deepens. "No, I guess she needs to go." Maa says, "And yes, as we have decided already, we will come to your house next Sunday."

"Sure. We will be waiting for you all. And Preety," Mrs Malhotra turns towards Preety, "Please do come with Dabbu. You said, he has gone to his Nana's house. I am sure, by next Sunday he will be here."

Preety nods. We all miss Dabbu. But after his final term, his nana came to meet and he suddenly decided he wants to go with him.

After chattering away another hour, the Malhotras decide to say goodbye. And of course, as Shravan’s mother has asked me, I got ready to go with them too.

"Suman," My mother nods at me, "I . . . I want you to be careful." I look at her with disbelief, to that she shakes her head, "It's just, why did she ask you to decide the colour, it’s a very minor thing, but I feel, there's more to that comment." I look at her, no doubt she is an intelligent woman but I didn't feel she would get the point so easily. I open my mouth, but she shakes her head, "Marriage is not what our ancestors had taught us, Suman. Always remember, any relationship is a two-way relationship, it's not like one would do everything and the other would just relish the fruit of the hard work his or her partner would put into."

I gape at her, "Did you . . ."

"Well, Mr Malhotra was not very subtle while talking to you. I appreciate though, he has clearly stated what he feels. but you need to think carefully. Do you like him enough to bear the baggage he would bring with him?" she caresses my cheek, "Whatever will be your answer, I'll be with you. So don't worry. just be wise."

***

How would you feel, if every single person you know, is trying to warn you about something your heart wants desperately? Is it wise to think, that we should consider those warnings when we know there is no way out? Or should we go by our heart putting our brain on mute? What if it doesn't come out as we have thought it would? Is it okay to take the risk when you know, you might live a life you have never dreamt of?

"You are worried." Shravan murmurs. I am sitting beside him on the front seat of the car, while his parents are sitting on the back seat and chatting away mindlessly. I look at their reflections in the rearview mirror. they seem so much in love even at this age. And I want that. I shake my head at Shravan, whose hand tightens on the steering wheel. "You and I, are going to talk about this when we don't have spectators."