Suffocating love

Sujana was walking towards a group of girls sitting and chatting on the college lawns. The three girls Lata, Rama and Prema were casually passing the time in the lawns as the first two periods were free that day. Sujana, who lived close by came late to the college. Due to the breeze her hair was getting into disarray and she was pushing the stray strands behind her ears. As she had a very thick long hair she chose to keep it long though it may not be the latest fashion. She had a unique way of dressing , which was a blend of modern and traditional and it suited her very well. As she was joining her friends, she was looking dignified, elegant and attractive. She had a very attractive and sharp eyes with a magnetic pull.

           Her friends started the conversation with praising her.  “ This has become a routine for us. Our day starts with appreciating your looks and we cannot avoid it however best we may try” said Lata with a heavy sigh and long face. They all burst into laughter. The bell rang and they hurried towards their class room.

They were all pursuing engineering courses in one of the elite Engineering colleges in the city of Hyderabad. The campus was sprawling with greenery all around and the students loved it and they would hang around in the campus during the free hours spending time in the canteen or library. In all, Life in the college was cool. It was a coeducation institute with good hostel facility.

Sujana had a silent admirer in her class and his name was Sharan. A handsome guy and only child of well to do parents. The problem with such guys is that they cannot take no for an answer, because money can buy most of the material things and parents have no problem in getting those. Not to say that Sharan was a bad guy at all. He was understanding, good natured and friendly but if he set his heart on anything he had to get it. But Sujana was not an object and he had to understand it. Now he chose a unique way to impress Sujana and win her over, you will soon know how it would be.

That day Sujana and friends were having lunch in the canteen and since the next period was free, they were eating at leisure when Rama observed that Sharan was sitting on one of the nearby tables with his friend. He was simply watching the girls. He was there till the end and left as the girls proceeded for their class. Rama mentioned this to other friends and they decided that it could be a coincidence and decided to ignore it.

However the same thing repeated several times with Sharan making it a point to follow the girls where ever they went and gazing at Sujana, which annoyed her to no end. Finally he conveyed to her that he was in love with her and wanted to marry her. She had very clear ideas about her life and marriage and definitely Sharan did not fit in. She was serious in pursuing the studies, following which she had planned to set up her own business and support her family. Most importantly, Sharan’s attitude of objectifying her and trying to possess her at all costs, did not go well with her.

One day, towards the end of sessions Sharan saw that all the girls were quickly getting into a taxi and Sujana appeared to be sick and out of senses. He quickly went to them and enquired about Sujana.

He was told that Sujana seems to have attempted to take her life by consuming some pills and they were rushing her to the hospital. She had left a note saying that she is dejected by Sharan’s behaviour and his so-called love for her was suffocating and depriving her of freedom and free will. She would rather die than be forced into marrying some one not of her choice. Sharan accompanied them on his bike and she was given treatment in a nearby nursing home. As they were waiting anxiously outside the operation Theatre, Sharan’s misery knew no bounds. He regretted his behaviour and thought that he would be responsible if anything happened to Sujana and the feeling of guilt and remorse was killing him. In few hours her condition was stable and she was in full senses.

Sharan rushed to her side and he was overwhelmed by the feelings of relief, joy and guilt. He told her that he understood her feelings now and would not bother her but if she agreed they can be good friends. Saying that he left.

Sujana and her friends looked at each other and were elated that their plan had succeeded. What a relief! Being a modern woman that she was, with the help of friends, she decided to make Sharan realize that he was forcing himself upon her and his so called love was suffocating her. Taking pills and subsequent drama was part of the plan and the nursing home belonged to Sujana’s cousin so that part also could be managed without any difficulty.

Love blossom spontaneously and is mutual, it desists coercion and force and becomes stronger by mutual trust and understanding, thought Sujana, as they walked out of nursing home.