The Hurt

Amay became very thin and weak and although he didn’t wish to be at Aditi’s marriage, yet he paid a visit. With a heavy heart, he reached the marriage hall. Among the vibrant crowd, Amay’s eyes were rubbernecking to have a glance of the bride. He was a bit apprehensive as he approached the stage and after noticing her sitting with her bridegroom, he was desensitized. In a bridal attire, her head was fully covered under the veil and one of her hands, with the dark-red outlined mehendi, was being held by her husband and the other one, laden with golden and red bangles, was pouring ghee in the pious flames. Through the transparent veil, her melancholic eyes were perceptible. She was not even looking at the ceremonial fire. Her eyes were as numb as Amay’s soul.

Amay felt a sudden surge of emotions as he witnessed this scene. He sensed as if someone had pierced a dagger into his heart, shattering all his spirits, sentiments, and his unfulfilled dreams. Beautiful memories oozed out his perforated heart.

“Hold my hand; there’s a lot of traffic here and I don’t want you to stay back and wait for the traffic to slow down.” He held her squashy hand and helped her out to cross the busiest street of Thane, in Mumbai. “Don’t you ever dare to leave my hand and even in the worst situations of my life, don’t you even think that I will leave you alone.” Blurted Amay, playfully dragging her to the place where they usually meet up. Such meets went on for at least a year and a half and they even were anxious about getting married soon. “Will I ever be able to persuade your parents about our love, Aditi? Will they ever let us get married, Aditi? I am so stressed out; I am unable to come up with any solid explanation, Aditi. I think I must approach your parents along with mine. Perhaps, my dad can put this up across your parents in a better way! What do you suggest, Aditi?” Amay was relentlessly trying to come up with some expositions, not realizing that he called out Aditi’s name several times. Aditi was tacitly staring at Amay and contemplating, “How am I supposed to tell him this?

Should I reveal the fact that I am getting engaged next week? Will he ever forgive me for manifesting this blatant truth?” Aditi’s mind was antsy; it was racing with all such devastating thoughts. They had been in love since their college days, and after getting jobs in Mumbai, they would meet every Saturday for a cup of tea or dinner

Amay belonged to Telangana and Aditi was a Maharashtrian. Even in the 21st century, most families are conservative. In inter-state marriages, there’s always a perception of unfollowing the regular conventions and traditions of the society; consequently, such marriage fixes are rarely approved. “How blithely is he talking to me today! What will happen to us if we don’t get married? I can’t conceive my life without him” Aditi’s thoughts were perturbing her. “Let’s elope and get married, Amay! Exclaimed Aditi, interrupting Amay’s plans. “How can you even imagine such things, Aditi? Do we really possess any authority to hurt our elders’ sentiments regarding our marriage? They will die a living death! We have no right to do such things even if their answer is negative for us. We can talk to your parents and make them understand our relationship. Why do we have to...” “I am getting engaged next week, Amay! Aditi punctuated him in between. With teary eyes, she continued, “My parents won’t let me be with you because they have fixed my marriage to a guy who lives in the U.S. They think that I would live a peaceful and content life with him. He is an NRI, and he has been having conversations with my parents for several months on this topic. They did not reveal this to me till yesterday as they didn’t want me to overreact or defy this fix! I screamed at them saying that I will take the decision of my marriage myself; however, my father smacked me and locked me in my room. He said he had always accepted my decisions till now; but in this matter, he wouldn’t listen to me at any cost. Why don’t we just run away from all these fake and superficial beliefs!!” Aditi cried inconsolably.

“I think you must listen to your parents’ verdict.” Exclaimed Amay, his voice choked with emotions. His whole life turned upside down. He could not perceive anything Aditi said thereafter. With their grief-stricken emotions, they both bid farewell to each other. Since that day, their promises ceased for each other.

Amay did not attend his office for almost a week after that. He made friends with strangers and started consuming alcohol to numb his senses and feelings. While scrolling his Whatsapp messages, he suddenly receives a message from an unknown number.

“Please attend the marriage ceremony on 10th May 2020 at 10 am at Pavitra Banquet Hall, Thane.”