Golden Days

“And the first prize goes to Lavanya.”

It was an ecstatic moment for her. Her smile looked as a blossoming flower. Spring came early for her. She was enjoying fresh cool air on her face. Where her eyes could reach, all that was green for her. She was in the seventh heaven.

Winning inter school singing competition at district level was not a piece of cake for her too. But by God’s grace, her efforts were recognized and valued.

She was elated on seeing her photo in the local News Paper next day. She was feeling blissful.

She had an extremely expressive singing voice, like God poured out his precious sweet honey to her. The combination of her charming looks and euphonious voice brought her in the forefront.

Soon, Lavanya started getting offers to sing in music festivals and shows. Her singing was highly admired.

She had made significant inroads into the shows at this early stage of life.

Then the day came when every girl feels special, and she got married to a handsome, rich and highly placed businessman. That day, she dressed up like a Queen, sitting beside the King, the King of her heart.

The outpouring of love and fame made her life beautiful. She couldn’t expect more from her life. These were the golden days of her life. She was grateful.

After a few days, she had a performance. Lavanya asked her husband, Vivaan, to join her in the evening event, he promised and left for work.

In the event, her eyes continued to search the crowd for Vivaan, but he was not there. Her performance was appreciated very much and she got invite for many more music events. After returning home, on asking, Vivaan told her, that he was busy in some conference. Thereafter, he never went to any of her music events, excuses were different each time.

“We have to go to a business party today, I will be back home early, be ready by that time.” Vivaan told Lavanya.

She looked at her wardrobe and took out light green silk saree with heavy border. Green was Vivaan’s favorite color.

It was driver at the door to pick her up for the party. It wasn’t really that she was getting bored there, but partying so often was not the thing that she required from life. Partying every now and then was having an incredibly negative impact on her life.

As a singer, she had proper food habits, which all get disturbed by parting so much. Her health was impacted. She was not able to pay attention to her practice too.

Then, another party. She told Vivaan that she had performance in a music event that day, but he insisted, saying “It is a really important business party, I am not going to accept any reason for not going there. You have to put everything out of your mind and be present there.”

Lavanya did not expect such a situation. Though she was reluctant, she had no choice but to go there.

Next day started with arguments.

“Problem is at your end. You don’t want to socialize. You will have to adjust, I simply can’t change my lifestyle. Moreover, you should stop doing these shows etc., I don’t want you to perform. It is embarrassing for me.”

“But singing is my life.”

“Then sing at home, who is stopping you from singing.”

“I want my voice be heard.”

Lavanya had hurt feelings. Vivaan refused to talk further.

She was shattered. It was not one incident. It didn’t happen overnight. The truth was that, she foresaw it already. Vivaan never gave importance to her singing, perhaps he never liked it. He never recognized how valuable singing was for Lavanya. There were differences in their lifestyle and personalities, which were gradually chipping away at the foundation of their marriage. She found him emotionally detached to care of her feelings. She was breathing stress on a daily basis. But the warrior instincts inside her were very strong, she didn’t hesitate to act.

Though, it was not a shock for Vivaan, when Lavanya asked for a divorce, yet he needed some time to accept that his marriage was ending. They were not getting along well for quite some time. But there are ups and downs in every relationship, why did she take such a harsh step. He tried to control his tears, but couldn’t stop them from streaming down. He wanted to tell her, how much he loved her, how much did she mean to him. But his male ego was hurt, and he didn’t say anything. He was emotionally drained. He didn’t want to force Lavanya to stay married to him. Disappointed with Lavanya’s attitude, he decided to divorce her amicably.

Years rolled by.

“And the best female playback singer award goes to Ms Lavanya”.

Today, she won the National Film Award for best female playback singer of this year. It is the third consecutive year, that she received this award. And next month, she will be honored by the President to win countless awards in singing at this age. There is nothing more satiating than to be able to do what you love doing.

These are the golden days for her or were those the golden days. She is still contemplating.