Omm

 

Strange is that girl. The more I tried to understand her, the more she became a riddle. She is content with less, I feel pity for her. She has no complaints against anyone. I developed a liking towards her. I am a well-heeled person, in affluence having a family with a sweet child and a loving wife. We as a couple have deep understanding. She is bestowed with all virtues of a woman. Still then I feel lonely and yearn for Om.

Om Ratha. I got stuck at her serial in the list of new recruits. It sounded like it was the name of a male candidate. But actually it was a lady. I wondered whether she could survive in the present service scenario. Aftermath I realized that she is not a girl, but a fireball. In every manner she behaved like aboy. It seemed like god had mistakenly made her a girl. I told her this, but, much later, when we had come closer. With much hesitation, she becomes my friend. She rolled into laughter when I told her this and become saddened. She wondered why she became a girlinstead of a boy. She has strange ideas. I am taken aback sometimes on her conduct.

She will arrive at unusual hours for assigned work. But, would protest if payment is delayed.

She was inside an invisible circle of her own. Nobody dares to reach her. But there were murmurs andI was her guardian stone wall. I did not entertain any discussion about her.

I sent message to her cell on New Year’s Day. I was horrified on her expected reaction. She was usually normal. No reaction on her face. Her indifference attracted me more towards her. I tried to know more and more about her. But she appeared more riddled. Her world was between her home and office. But I had noticed she has no hesitation in accompanying other on official work.

One day I found her talking to someone on her mobile. Nothing unusual. It had been over half an hour and yet she was still on her phone talking continuously. Her voice was heavy and eyes tear laden.

What Madam Hitler in tears, I exclaimed.

I called her to my chamber to discuss a topic. A strange transformation in a while. She was quite normal. But, eyes were still swollen.

: Is there any problem?

: No. With a forced smile on her face. She had dimples on her cheek. Actually speaking I had developed a weakness for those dimples on her cheek. After we got closer, I had tried to touch them once. But she evaded it.

Afterwards I came to know she talks with somebody at a particular point of time and does not tolerate any interruption. I smelt perhaps she is in love. I slew into rage.

I ventured one more SMS showing my inclination to her. The reply came, Om is meant for someone else. I did not get to scope his identification. But I named him Swastik.

The next day I confronted her and came to know that she is shrouded in a hard cell and inside lies a soft heart. I hadcome close to it. She was quite normal with me, and yet had some unknown fear of me. I was sure she had no weakness for me. Although She talks to me, chats with me whenever she likes. But Swati (my wife) on the other hand became suspicious on me. I disclosed everything about Om to Swati, but not my weakness. Could not tell it. I am sure that no husband on earth could divulge it. I did not want any disturbance for Om. Om had no knowledge of my marital status. I let her know about it. She was beaming with joy. I could not know the reason.

: You know Geet! My Buddha will be relaxed now. (She called her love Buddha).

I did not understand the relation of my marital status with Swastik. Om did not conceal anything from Swastik. AlthoughSwastik was sure that I had developed a weakness for Om.

: But Om! I really love you.

: I know. But I regard you as a friend. No one can replace my love. Her face glowed in a new light.

But she remains silent on Swastik. I wanted toknow what quality Swastik had to her heart. Sometimes she over spoke about Swastik and fell silent in the next moment. I could read the tangs in her look. I feel she is disturbed by the absence of Swastik. It was of course natural in those circumstances. She calls me a side hero.

: Where is the problem in getting married to Swastik? I asked one day.

: He is already married. Slipped from her tongue.

: But............

: But what? Asked Om.

I could not believe it or digest such a proposition. I left the scene quietly.

I was buried the whole night in her thoughts. I have overheard them. But never felt as if she was talking to a married person. But.......... How couldit be possible? I feel both of you are dedicated to each other.

: Your imagination is correct Geet.

: But..........

: But didn’t go further.

Swati was in agony over Om. I could not tell in details to Swati. I was alone at home. Swati had gone to her parents for Savaitri Puja. Suddenly Om called me.

: You have another existence besides me. You have a family with Swati and Sonu (my son). But there is no other person to standby my Buddha. I am the only reality in his life. Please don’t trespass. I want peace. She was weeping.

I could not read the situation. Again she rang me. I got annoyed. Switched off the phone. Even I did not come for chatting. I knew she would not get a wink of sleep that night. Still then I controlled myself. OnlyI know how I got through the night.

I got up with the sound of the calling bell. I saw Om at the door. I could not believe myself. How did she get my address? Nothing is impossible for a girl like Om. Her eyes were heavy with drowsiness. She clasped my hand and wept. I got irritated when I came to know she has come on the directions of Swastik. I know Swastik feel insecure regarding me. It is astonishing he could not expense any social recognition to Om, how could he become so intimate?

: You can’t understand it. Om said silently.

: I don’t even want to understand. I am pulling on well with my wife and she has not done anything which would provoke me to develop relation with another woman. I hurt Om knowingly. She had the incredible strength to absorb such humiliation and slowly intoned “my Buddha also can never betray anyone”. After a while she left.

Though we were at a same office, we work in different projects. We go separately as team head. Each project takes months together for completion. I had not met Om for a long period. I could have talk to her over phone. But both of us refrained from that. Once I met her in course of official work. Look pale and thin. I wanted to talk her, but she avoided. She called me from back.

: You’re not theonly dedicated husband in the world. Swastik would have become one, if I had wanted. Whatever he has done it is only for me. He has not neglected his family, or would not do so for me.

I asked why she looked so weak.

: I am at an advance stage of cancer. That is why I compelled Swastik to get married elsewhere. Tell me frankly, are u so dedicated? Did not you have a soft corner for me?

I remain silent. She was descending steps.