Anniversary

                

It was Mita's 11th wedding anniversary. The day began like any other day. Mita woke up and got busy with her daily work. Just like last couple of years, this year too, her husband, Mahesh, had forgotten their anniversary. Mita was sad, but it was not her habit to complain. Her two children went to school and her husband went to his office. She now had the whole day to herself.

         As she sat down to have her cup of tea, her eyes fell on the picture hanging on the wall. It was their picture taken on their 1st anniversary. She looked coy next to the balding, potbellied, moustached man, who was 12 years older than her. She never liked him, but her parents never asked her opinion. It was enough for them that he was in a government job and didn’t demand a fat dowry. Over the years, Mita learnt to adjust with him. Though there was no love between them, but Mahesh was a good man and took care of her and the children. But she desired for more.

          Suddenly, the doorbell rang. Thinking it to be her maid, Rani, Mita went to open the door. But it was not the maid. As she opened the door, there stood in front of her, an extremely handsome man. He was six feet tall, well built, having a face you see only on magazines or posters. Mita was bedazzled by his charming smile. Who was this man and what was he doing in her house? As Mita stood speechless, the man bent down and placed a peck on her cheek and whispered, “Happy anniversary, darling”. Mita was taken aback. She got scared too. She couldn’t believe what just happened. She still couldn’t speak anything and looked at the man with her big kohl-lined eyes.

         “Why do you look so surprised? Did you really think I had forgotten our anniversary?”, the man said. 

         Our anniversary? Did she hear it correctly?

         “Why are you looking so confused? All right, I am sorry, I did not wish you in the morning, but it was all part of the plan. I wanted the kids to go to school, so that I can spend the whole day with just you. Now will you move a bit, so that I can come in?”

         Mita, still in a daze, gave way for the man to pass. He went and sat on the sofa. He patted on the seat next to him and said, “Come here, darling”. Mita seemed to be under his spell and mechanically followed his instructions. She sat next to him and finally asked, “Who are you?”

        “What?” the man looked genuinely surprised at her question. 

        “I asked who are you and how do you know it’s my anniversary today?”

        “Are you joking, Mita? I am your husband, Mahesh.”

        “You are not Mahesh. Mahesh does not look like you. He is much shorter, has thin hair, has moustache........ I mean, he looks totally different. How can you be Mahesh?”

        “Mita, if this is a prank, then please stop it. Ok, I understand that you are upset that I didn’t wish you in the morning, but this is no way to bully your husband.”

         Was she dreaming, or was this man a fraud? Why was he claiming to be her husband? How stupid of her to let him in the house. What does he want? Why did she become so enchanted by his looks?

          The click of a finger brought her out of her reverie. The man placed his hand on hers, “Honey, listen.........”

          Mita jumped away from him, ran towards the dining table, held out the fruit knife and shouted, “Who are you? What do you want? Get out of here right now, or I’ll call the cops.”

          The man looked really irritated now. “What has happened to you, honey? Why are you behaving like this? Why can’t you recognize me? I went out of here just an hour ago. You packed me my lunch, look", he held the green lunchbox in front of him.

          Mita was horrified. “What have you done to my husband? Where is he?” She started howling.

          “Shhhh....... calm down, Mita. I am your husband, Mahesh.”

          “No, you are not. You want to see my husband’s picture. Look there.” She said, pointing at the picture on her left.

          The man looked at the picture and smiled. “I have seen, now it’s your turn to see.”

          She looked towards her left and her jaw nearly dropped to the ground. It was the same picture, but the man standing next to her in the picture was not Mahesh, but the man right in front of her eyes.

           

Mita couldn’t believe her eyes. How is it possible? He had been sitting right in front of her the whole time. There is no way he could have changed the picture. She pinched herself. It hurt. She was not dreaming. Then was she going mad? Hallucinating about this handsome man? Was she so desperate and tired of her ugly husband, that she had started visualizing things?

          The man saw her helplessness. He came closer and took away the knife from her hands. She looked terrified and puzzled. The man hugged her and consoled her. 

          “I think you are too stressed. Sit down, honey. I’ll get you a glass of water.”

          He offered her water. She drank it and sobbed quietly. After some time, she was finally able to speak, “Please tell me what have you done and how? Where is my husband, Mahesh?”

          “Baby, I am your husband. Why don’t you believe me? And what has happened to you? I know I could not give you enough time, but I love you, I always have and I always will.”

          “But my husband doesn’t look like you or talk like you…..”

          “You saw the picture yourself, right?”

         “Yes, I did. But I don’t know how........”, she couldn’t speak any further. 

          “All right you don’t trust me, or the picture? So, ask me anything, anything only your husband would know. Something no one else is supposed to know.”

          The expressions on the man's face changed. He seemed to be filled with emotions. He tried to hold back his tears. With great efforts, he spoke,” Amma had said that I have taken care of you for so long, now I am going to meet your father. He needs me there.” The man turned around and sobbed softly.

            Mita was shocked. She knew Mahesh was extremely attached to his mother and was still agonized to remember her death. He never talked to her about his mother, except once when she had found him crying like a baby in front of his mother’s garlanded photo. He had broken down and talked about his mother for a long time. She also knew that he never discussed his family life with anyone at his work place. So, there was no way that this man could know this. But, how did he?

            The man turned back wiping his face. Her heart wanted to believe him but her mind said otherwise. 

            Just then the bell rang. She ran to open the door. It was her maid, Rani. She entered and stopped, looking confusedly at the man.

            “What is bhaiya doing at home at this time? Is he on leave today?”

             “Yes Rani, I have taken the day off today. It’s our anniversary”, he said smiling.

             Mita was getting shock after shock. How could Rani know this man? Were they involved in a conspiracy? Was his husband involved too? Were they all playing a prank on her?

             She rushed towards the door and peeped out. There was no one. The man called her inside. 

             “Now that you have believed me to be your husband, let’s celebrate. I have planned something for our special day. I called your mother and told her to pick up the kids from school. They are going to stay there tonight. So thay we can be together, just you and me.”

                Still unable to think straight, Mita decided to give in. The man was very romantic and treated her like a princess. She had never had such an experience in her 11 years of married life. They went to see a movie, did shopping, had lunch at a 5-star restaurant. Later they went to the lake and did boating. The day ended with a romantic candle lit dinner, followed by a long drive with her favourite songs playing in the background. 

               When they reached home, she was exhausted. But that day was the best day of her life. She had never imagined that such a day could come in her life. As she changed and went to bed, she started panicking. 

              “This man is not Mahesh. He is no doubt, quite irresistible, bit if I sleep with him, I would be cheating my husband”, she thought. 

              Mita knew that this man was charming as well, and if he made a move, she might not be able to resist herself. But to her surprise, the man said, “You have had a long day. You must be tired. Let us go to sleep now.” And he cuddled her and started snoring. Mita was relieved. “This is the only thing that matches with Mahesh", she chuckled.

             The next day, she woke up to find the bed empty. She looked at her mobile to check the date. It was the next day. So, she was not dreaming. The memories of the previous day still confused her. As she was engrossed in her thoughts, the washroom door opened, and standing in front of it, was her old Mahesh, potbellied, balding Mahesh. 

             Mita ran and hugged him tightly. She had never been happier to see him. Mahesh was surprised, but he smiled. “What happened Mita? Did you have a nightmare?”

             “Nothing happened. I am ok now”, she closed her eyes and felt his heart beat. “Where had you gone yesterday?”

              Mahesh laughed out loudly, “What do you mean, darling? I was with you the whole day yesterday. Did you forget everything. We watched movie, did boating and yes, didn’t you enjoy the candle-lit dinner?”

              Again a shocker, and quite baffling for Mita, but she kept her eyes closed. Her 11th anniversary will always remain a mystery for her, but she realized her love for her husband when she could not see him. His arms were her heaven and she felt secure there.