Eternal Love

Sarika was a young girl living in a small town named Haridwar, Uttarakhand India with her parents and three siblings. She was an average looking girl with brownish colour skin and with a height of about 5 feet 3 inches. Her black eyes though were expressive and made her look astonishing. Sarika was a simple and shy girl and barely, she used to speak and always remain engrossed in her own thoughts. She being the eldest child used to help her mother in the house hold chores too. Her father was a Postman. 

    Sarika was studying in 9th grade, when she realised her passion for painting. She used to devote a lot of time towards learning her passion. But being from low middle class family, she could not afford extra classes for fulfilling her dreams. She was an average student and could not achieve much as far as grades were concerned. But School Principal and her teachers used to like her a lot, as she used to make beautiful paintings on school walls, which improved the asthetic sense of the school. Her class teacher had won the inter class room decoration competition and all credit was given to Sarika.

   She barely completed her 12th grade and was only 18 years old, when her parents thought of marrying her. Being from a humble background, the options of further studies was not there. She was married to a local man working in a mill. Sarika's life had a sudden change and she could barely realised it. Initially, the life seemed to be as expected. Her mother had thought her well about how to take care of the in laws and she was a good cook too. The initial few months went off in understanding and the patience which she held strongly. Her parents from the husband's side were good and used to make her feel comfortable. But one fine day, her husband came drunk to house, which was not a normal thing at home. He used to drink occasionally, but never got drunk. Sarika tried to help him, but he shrugged her away. She fell on the floor. She was frightened as she has never seen such a behaviour of her husband.

Although, he was never courteous towards her, but at the same time this was her first encounter with such rough behaviour by her husband. She could not sleep the entire night. In the morning she did her normal everyday preparations, like brooming the house, fetching the water from the nearby Municipality water point, cooked breakfast for everyone in the house. Her husband got up late that morning and shouted furiously for tea as he was suffering from headache, for obvious reason. Sarika went running to him and gave tea to him. She was standing as if, it was her mistake that her husband came drunk to the house yesterday. Nobody in the house said anything to Mukesh. All the people in the house behaved as it's a normal routine. Sarika was the only person who was stunned to see such a behaviour. But she also kept quiet, since her mother told her to be patient and never create problems for anybody. 

   It was only a week and Mukesh again came drunk and this time his condition was much worse. He started beating Sarika without any reason. Sarika was quiet once again and took the beating as if she was the slave of the house. But then, this became a normal routine and every time he came drunk, Sarika was prepared to get her share of foul language and beating. Slowly the nearby residents started taking about this, but they refrained from discussing with Sarika as didn't want to get involved. One day, however, Madhu, a girl who became friend with Sarika asked her, Why is your husband beating you? The reply came instantly, Don't know. To this Madhu was shocked and told her that she should not take this. You must tell him or discuss with your in-laws at least. Sarika said, probably, this is my destiny and a curse of my life. Madhu tried to explain to her but to vain. They started talking on this on a regular basis.

Atleast Sarika had someone now with whom she could discuss her heart out. Inspite of all her patience and good work, Mukesh did not stop and the condition was worsening. But as all bad things have to end one day, Mukesh not in his senses, picked up a burning wood and hit Sarika on his back and her dress cought fire. Although, to her good luck, her sister in law was near by and she could stop the fire immediately by throwing water on her. She was taken to the near by government hospital, where she was admitted and given treatment. Madhu came to meet her and along with her came Nagisa, a Social worker, who was already aware about Sarika's dreadful story. That one week of interaction with Nagisa, changed Sarika's mind. She realised that it was not her responsibility and she does not deserve this inhuman treatment by her husband. She took a decision of not going to her husband's house and instead told her parents that she would like to take a divorce. Her mother tried to reason out with her, threatening of dire consequences of not getting married ever again and ill-treatment of neighborhood and the society as a whole. But for the first time, Sarika was on her own and ready to face anything to save her life.

    After about an year, she hot the divorce, although her husband tried to tell her that he would improve and ofcourse threats of So called society. Sarika was free now, both mentally and physically. Since she was good at painting and her passion for buildings and structures, she joined an Architect diploma course with the help of the NGO, where Nafisa used to help. She was working for the NGO during her free time for which she used get paid for and was enough to sustain her life. After three year of diploma course, she got a job as an assistant with a local Development company. Sarika used to keep herself away from all social bindings and her only focus was towards her work. 

   One day, she was appointed to take care of a big project of a society being made by the builders, where she used to work. She met Harish, a senior  Architect working with the same firm. Harish was a jovial man and used to train happy with everyone. He was a short heighted man of 5 feet and 4 inches with small mustaches and green eyes. He always used to dress in a simple and sophisticated way. Shirt properly tugged in with a well polished shoes, he would look, emaculate all times. The interaction between Sarika and Harish grew because of the work.

However, Sarika who had already decided about her life and focused only towards her work and ofcourse the education for her younger sister. As she blamed the lack of education to the reason why she had to bear all that. She had never understood what true love is and how happy one can with that. Harish, on the other hand was started to liking her and tried to get close to her by talking to her and offering to have lunch together. But Sarika would always refuse as polietly as she could. This made Harish fell for her wanted to get married to Sarika. On one fine day, Harish proposed Sarika for marriage. Sarika obviously declined the offer. Harish without knowing the real reason thought that Sarika was being pricy but the love for Sarika has already gone deep into his heart. He went to meet her parents, after taking the address from the office. Her parents narrated him the entire story.

Harish came back home and that night he could not sleep and kept thinking about Sarika. In the morning, he discussed with his parents and the obvious answer 'NO'. How can you marry a divorced girl. Harish had already made up his mind and told his parents that he is certainly going to marry Sarika, come what may. But the bigger problem was convincing Sarika. She was not ready for marriage. He went again to Sarika and requested her to atleast discuss with him. Sarika was in no mood but since Harish was a simple man as everybody knew him, she agreed. 

    Sarika was very clear in her mind and would not going to accept the proposal. Harish on the other hand had different plans. The moment Sarika came in the restaurant, she was surprised to see her parents. She then was introduced to Harish's parents. Sarika did not like the idea initially but then after a long talk with Harish and her parents, she started liking the family and especially Harish. But she asked for time to think about marriage. 

   Late that night she was thinking that I hope that all the issues with my life I have been able to tell Harish and his parents. Thinking about the life she had earlier was not allowing positive thinking. Harish was waiting for th answer but he didn't ask her, when they met the next day. It was only after a week, Sarika told Harish that She is ready for the marriage, but she said that he will have to agree to her conditions, which included that he would never consume liqueur, he will never be allowed to be physically or mentally torture her, he would allow her to take care of her younger sisters studies, and allow herself to work, etc..etc..The list was endless it seemed, but Harish patiently heard her through and then said, "I will make sure all your dreams will come true and will forward everything possible to make her forget her past."

   After a month they got married. Harish true to his words, always kept Sarika ahead of himself in every thought of his. He used to love her a lot and would always make sure to give her gifts on every occasion. He never shouted at her, even when he was tired or had pressure of work or a bad day at office. The moment he saw her, actually all her pains and worries used to vanish.

   Sarika also started liking him and loved him from her heart. She would always cook good food as per Harish's liking. She even liked his parents would give her the respect she used to have for her own parents. Her in-laws also liked her would tell Harish that they are lucky that Sarika agreed to join their family. Together the life was going peacefully. The minor alterations between the husband and wife were always there but together they would realise and sort out the issue. Years gone by and they were blessed with two beautiful girls.

Harish was more than happy as to how the things were. Sarika also never forget to thank Harish for the love and affection she has been given. As a family they were like perfect and people would always talk about them in good sense. After about 10 years Sarika not only forget her past and in turn she lived as if nothing wrong has ever happened in her life. The eternal love of Harish made her live the life, which every women wants to live. Together the love and care grew and the mutual respect for each other kept them going and living happily together...