True Love

Ravi was condemned to the prison, being sentenced to death penalty. He was in this prison for five years though it was an open and shut case. The legal procedure as usual, was lengthy and time consuming. He was caught red handed with the dead body of Yadav and the weapon with which he was killed. The lengthy trial is to make sure that only the guilty get punished. The judiciary believes that even if 100 guilty go free, a single innocent should not be punished. Did the judiciary succeed in protecting the innocent, nobody will ever know.

Ravi was confined to a small cell in the sprawling prison, alone. As he was convicted for murder, he was considered dangerous and confined to a solitary cell. Whoever came across him, the jailors. Prison staff, the fellow prisoners and the judges at the time of trial wondered if he really killed somebody. He never spoke since the day he was found with the dead body of Yadav. Everyone thought that it could be because of shock, and he was given treatment by the jail authorities but there was of no use.

Though physically confined to the cell, Ravi's thoughts were free to visit every nook and corner wherever his mind took. Through his mind's eyes, he would visit all the favorite spots of the village he was belonging to. He could visualize his house, a small one with a thatched roof. He could see his father as he was when he left the village. He was the only son to his parents and had lost his mother when he was 10 years old. His father was also his mother and brought him up with love and care. Ravi knew that he broke his heart.

Everything was vividly etched in his mind. Susheela, who lived three houses away from Ravi's house, with her parents and sister was deeply held in his heart and mind. To him, she was the most beautiful woman in the world. He loved her very much and the love for her developed over a long time as they both grew up together. Though the feeling was indelible and strong, he never ventured to express his love and was waiting for the opportune movement.

That fateful evening, Ravi walked out of his house in a very jubilant mood and was determined to reveal his love for Susheela. He was walking towards the temple where he was expecting to find her. She prayed at the temple every evening without fail. There was a pond in front of temple and together they formed a picturesque view. He was enjoying the beautiful surroundings which were furthering his romantic mood and he hummed a tune as he walked briskly towards the temple. As such it was a small village, and that area was not very busy at that  time. Suddenly he heard some squeaking and a rustling sound and he spotted Susheela struggling to free herself from the strong hands of Yadav who was a good for nothing fellow and a rowdy sheeter, Susheela was a clever girl and with her presence of mind she escaped from her predator's hands and with the knife that he was using to scare her, she deeply injured him and he fell to the ground and blood was flowing profusely through the wound. Everything happened in a short span of time.

Susheela came running to Ravi . She seemed to be in a hurry and told him," Ravi, Raghav is waiting for me at the railway station. We both love each other and are going away to city. Our parents will not agree for our marriage and therefore we are taking this drastic step. Please you take care of this fellow and keep my secret." She was so preoccupied with herself and her plan that she did not even bother to see Yadav's condition. She did not expect that Yadav could have died.

Ravi was shocked to know that his love was not to be reciprocated, and he took the knife from the ground and realizing that Yadav died due to stab wound. He decided to take the responsibility for the death on him and as police came, he surrendered to them, without any struggle. He did not utter a word in his defense or for anything from that day. His love for Susheela turned out to be stronger even than the love for his own life. He was determined that at least Susheela could lead a happy life with her love. But there was no way he could find this, and it bothered him to no end.

Finally, after the long trial the authorities were going to implement his death sentence in a couple of days and all the arrangements were completed. Everyone in the jail was sad but Ravi did not display any emotions at the approaching end of his life. Then the day before execution, Ravi was summoned to see visitor. He went out reluctantly and to his surprise, there was Susheela. Tears were flowing from her eyes and she fell on the feet of Ravi. She profusely thanked him for saving her. She said, "My husband brought me back to the village only two days ago, after we both eloped. He started a business and it is doing well. Therefore, we got the courage to face our elders. I did not talk about the tussle I had with Yadav that day to my husband and Infact I did not think that he could have died. Only two days ago when I came home, I came to know that Yadav died, and I could understand that I was the one who killed him. I have no words to express my gratitude towards you." Ravi took a promise from her not to tell the truth to anyone. Susheela was carrying her son and when Ravi enquired, she said that his name was "Ravi". They gave the boy that name out of gratitude that Ravi helped her on that fateful day and they could get married.

After a long time, a smile broke across Ravi's face, as he walked back towards his cell. Suddenly there were dark clouds and heavy rain poured down as if the universe was crying at Ravi's misfortune that his love herself was not aware of his love for her. What a great lover he was, whose selfless love was unrecognized and unsung and got crushed under the cruel wheels of life.