Desired Freedom

"Why are you declining the promotion? You deserve it. " Her boss asked in bewilderment.

"Sir I want this promotion desperately. I want to climb the corporate ladder but my family responsibilities are coming in my way. " She said in a monotone voice.

" You know I have an ailing mother and my niece to look after. The responsibilities seem endless for me. Hope you understand. " She continued. She felt as if her energy drained suddenly. Her posture stopped as she left the cabin.

With a sulked face she completed her office work and headed home directly.

He was standing at her building entrance waiting for her. His athletic body was covered with a jersey T-shirt, shorts, sweat, and mud stains. He was one of the finest football players and every club wished to sign a contract with him. He had proposed to her many a time but she had rejected him. It was not that she didn't like him but she had no time for a leisure romance. Secondly, he was not her type. He was a rugged football player and she wanted to settle with a sophisticated man.

"So you have come again!!!!! That too directly from the turf and without taking a bath!!!!" She said as she saw him at the building gate.

" I come every day for you. Come on marry me. I love you... " He said spinning his football on his fingertip.

"I am not interested at all. Please be matured enough to understand and leave my way. " She said.

He bounced back a bit and gave her the way. He kept staring as she hurried home.

Her mom was eagerly waiting for her.

" He came today to meet me." Her mom said.

"Who? That Jersey sweaty footballer?" She asked.

"Yes, dear. He wants to marry you and I have said yes. Please marry him. He is a nice boy and he loves you a lot. The family responsibilities will never end for you. It's your brother's responsibility to take care of me and his son. But he is abroad and seems not interested." Her mother vented out her frustration.

"But mom I don't want to marry a boy who has some weird tattoos all over his body." She said in a panic.

"It's my order. Marry him. "Her mom said authoritatively.

They got married much against her wishes. The imagination of the wedding night was haunting her.

If he tries to overpower me? What am I supposed to do? She thought. But the night surprised her. He didn't touch her. He understood that she was not ready to consummate their marriage.

" Your boss had come to our wedding yesterday. He said that you have rejected the promotion. " He said to her while having their breakfast the next morning.

"O Yes I did reject. You know my family responsibilities......" She said.

"Accept the promotion. Don't worry about your responsibilities. It will be taken care of. " He said with a silly grin.

"Don't grin this way. Do you think it's funny?"

"No, it's not funny."

"Then why do you grin? Who will look after my mom? " She asked in despair.

"No excuses. Go ahead and accept the promotion. Trust me on this. " He said.

A feeling of weightlessness crept all through her body. After her father's death, he was the one who gave her such kind support and encouragement. Joyful tears poured out of her eyes. She accepted the promotion and went ahead in her career. She got her desired freedom from the marriage she thought would make her captive.

He arranged for a good maid for her mom. He discussed the matter with her brother and made him realize that it was his responsibility to take care of his mom and his son. Her brother came and decided to take responsibility.

She got released from everywhere and she just swayed like a free-flowing kite enjoying her liberation.

That day, she was awarded the best employee award. She came home with the award and handed it over to him and the happiness on her face was unfathomable.

"You won this award. Actually, it should have been given to you. Thank you very much for rescuing me from the clutches and for allowing me to fly high. " She said.

She kissed him on his cheeks. It was the first time they came together.

"I love you and I always want you to be happy. " He said giving her a naughty wink.

She giggled in happiness.

"I never thought there was a matured heart hidden inside an extravagant and flamboyant footballer. I always thought you were kiddish and immature. But you have touched me beyond words. I love you. "

She rushed to hug him tightly. Electric jolt rushed in between them and they relished their state of euphoria.