“I’ve told you a thousand times but still you did not make it,”Arjun shouted.
“Arjun, even I told you a thousand times
but you didn’t listen and now if you blaming me then what I can do?”, Anjali
retorted.
“Are you trying to justify yourself?, he
was furious.
“No I’m not, am just trying to explain”,
she calmly replied.
“No Anjali, it’s not new between us. It’s
been years we are married but you didn’t change” he paused and moving closer to
Anjali, added, “see even now you are trying to justify yourself; yes you should
apologize but you did not, not even once!”
She interrupted, “why should I Arjun?
Why am I expected to apologize when I’ve not made any mistake?”
“So, skipping a business party which was
most important to me despite being informed about it in advance, is not a
mistake on your part?”
She retaliated,” Arjun, you know that my
father is ill. At a time when he is undergoing intensive treatment how can you
expect me to attend the party?” she paused for a breath and continued,
exasperation in her voice,”I had made it clear then itself, at the time you
informed me about the party; that I’d be able to make it only if he is not
lined for any medical check-up. And when he called up complaining of chest pain
what was I supposed to do, tell me?”
“I don’t have anything more to say
Anjali, just one question, why did you marry me then?”
She sat morose, the visuals of the last
fight with him flashing before her eyes. She wished she never had to talk to
him again, but right now was left with no other choice.The amount was huge, all
she had was a big NO from everyone and everywhere.
Her fingers unsure with reluctance typed
out, “Hi Arjun, hope you are doing good. You already are aware of the health issues
my father has been facing. Unfortunately, his condition has worsened and become
more severe now, he needs to undergo a heart surgery immediately. You know how
expensive that is, I’ve contacted many people for money but am yet to receive
any positive response.
Reminding you of the promise you’d given me once, will you help me? I’d be forever grateful to you and promise that I will return the money as soon as possible”
Reminding you of the promise you’d given me once, will you help me? I’d be forever grateful to you and promise that I will return the money as soon as possible”
She analysed thousand times before hitting
the “send” button but every single minute that she delayed was endangering her father’s
life more and more. She sent the message. She got more flustered when the
double tick turned blue. She willed herself to not check her
phone to see if he had replied. It had been about three days now. She hated
that she was constantly checking his 'last seen at' status and yes, he had
logged in just five minutes ago. Yet she couldn't stop herself. This sinking
feeling to find absolutely no communication from him was becoming unbearable,
almost torturous.
And then, just as she sat down in her chair, her phone vibrated. With her heart thudding in her ear, she unlocked her phone and stared at the screen. Finally! It was his message.
But when she opened it and read it, she nearly stopped breathing. She didn't know if he was joking or not. What was this?
And then, just as she sat down in her chair, her phone vibrated. With her heart thudding in her ear, she unlocked her phone and stared at the screen. Finally! It was his message.
But when she opened it and read it, she nearly stopped breathing. She didn't know if he was joking or not. What was this?
“Sure dear, how much do you need?”
She couldn’t believe herself as
involuntary tears streamed down her cheeks, never had she expected that Arjun
would reply. “Did I misunderstand him? “, her mind was flooded by conflicting
thoughts and justifications. Putting them aside, she wiped her tears and the
next minute called him urgently as if her entire life depended on that one
phone call. His response was hugely positive.This was the first time they were
interacting since their separation of exactly three months since now. Arjun
agreed to pay the total money for her dad’s operation. The doctors had warned
that her father had to be operated within the next two days. Once Arjun agreed,
Anjali promptly called hospital and asked them to arrange for surgery
immediately.
The next day, Arjun arrived at the
hospital and called Anjali. Though she was dejected by thinking about her
father’s health, she was well dressed and groomed. Even though they had agreed
mutually to file for a divorce, now she wanted to live with him. When he
called, she almost jumped out of joy and literally ran down the two floors to
the ground floor in excitement; All memories, good and bad about him flashing.
Anjali
lost her mother at the young age and was very attached to her father. Arjun and
Anjali loved each other since college. It was love come arranged marriage.
Before marriage, Arjun promised Anjali that he would help her father who kept
sick financially, and he had genuinely kept that promise. Now the circumstances
were changed. Arjun always expected Anjali to apologize irrespective that she
had actually committed a mistake or not; Anjali was never the one to apologize
until she agreed to it as a mistake from her point of view. This difference of
perspective always created big clashes between them right since they got married
and eventually lead to separation.
Her feet slowed down once she saw him.
Arjun, with a smile on his face, moved close to her. She stood inexpressive, the
tears stagnant in the corner of her eyes. She took a deep breath and spoke, “Hi
Arjun, how are you then?”
“I’m fine Anjali. Hope you are doing
good, shall we go and see uncle now?”
She couldn’t believe her eyes. Again and
again, she checked if this was happening in real or a dream. How come had this
man changed completely? Anger, depression, frustration, once the constant
expressions on Arjun’s face, seemed to have faded away far. He looked relaxed
and spoke with her as if nothing had happened. “Maybe he was looking out for a
situation to reunite with me?”, thoughts ran wildly through Anjali’s mind.
They met Anjali’s father, elated to see
Arjun; and even more was he happy, relieved when Arjun promised him that he
will take care Anjali from then on. This gesture, Arjun’s kindness thawed the
remaining reservations she had and Anjali found herself melting totally now. She just wanted to hug him and say, “I love
you idiot!”, but controlled herself to wait for a better situation.
The surgery was scheduled to start by 10
pm. It was 9:30 pm, Anjali was waiting outside the operation theatre and Arjun
had gone to the canteen to have dinner. Suddenly nurse came and informed her,
“Mam, we have arranged everything and are about to start the surgery in another
15 minutes”.
“Yeah I know that, the chief doctor has
already informed me,” she replied.
“Yes mam, another 15 minutes,” the nurse
again hesitantly informed.
“I can’t get you, any problem?”, she
asked, in fearful anticipation.
“Yes mam, actually, the surgery charges
have not been settled yet. Since you are
close to the chief doctor, with his recommendation, we brought the patient to
the operation theatre but without the settlement of the charges we cannot
commence and proceed with the surgery, as per our norm and policies. Hope you
understand.”
Now what was this? Her head reeling in
confusion, she at once called Arjun, “Arjun, where are you? You have not paid
the amount still? Dad’s surgery is going to start in another fifteen minutes,”
she whimpered in fear.
“Hey, Anjali what happened? Don’t worry
dear. I’m at the reception hall and about to pay the amount. Cool down, relax.
Everything will be fine.”
Heartbeat became normal. He extended,
“Anjali, can you come to the reception hall for a minute. They are asking some
more details for billing which I’m not sure”
“Sure Arjun, I will come,” she
disconnected the call and went to the operation theatre.
“Dad, don’t worry. The surgery is going
to start in the next fifteen minutes. Everything will be alright,” she smiled,
added, “See how healthy you will be after surgery and play with your grandchildren.”
There was a big satisfied smile on his face.
He expressed, “Anjali, I never bothered
about my life. But the only thing that always disturbed my mind is your
loneliness. I was afraid what will be of you if something happens to me? I
don’t want to leave my daughter alone in the world. Now in all probability, I’m
the happiest person on earth. Since your childhood, I have accepted all your
decisions because I know that my daughter is an intelligent person. The time
you choose Arjun as your life partner, you filed for divorce, now when you have
decided to reunite with him, I will always stand by your decision. You never do
anything wrong. I could never save anything for you financially but I feel
proud and happy that I brought up my daughter with good qualities and good
thoughts. Always remember one thing, stand by your decision always no matter
what you are doing, as a father I will be happier if you live with the same
qualities that I taught you.”
These were great words indeed, and they
gathered more tears on Anjali’s eyes as the thought came that something might
happen to her father. But she took it positively and moved to the reception
hall.
“Hey Arjun, what’s up? Come to the
billing room, time is running out,” she was in hurry and tensed but Arjun
consoled her and added, “Before that, I want to talk to you for few minutes”
“Arjun, whatever it is, we can talk
after billing,” her tension was not reduced.
“For billing only I want to talk to you,
“he interrupted.
Filled with dread, she couldn’t
understand what he wanted to say when he slowly opened up, “Anjali, I still
love you deeply. I don’t want to lose you but at the same time, cannot live with
misunderstanding happened between us”
She remained inexpressive, her mind
unable to register anything else except the bill settlement and he continued, “I
understand that you are not getting anything. To make it simple, I want to
clear all our misunderstanding and put full stop to it in order to continue our
relationship, and your apology alone can erase all the ugly happenings between
us. If you do that now, we can start a new and fresh life. What you say?”
There was a deep silence, till she found
her voice husky, “Arjun, please make it precise, the time is running out!”
“Okay Anjali, Apologize to my friends,
business partners for not attending my business party. That was the reason for
our separation. So if you apologize, I can still forgive you!”
She interrupted and hollered in anger, “I
don’t want your damn forgiveness man. Try to understand this is not the time
for that. That old man is counting his moments. Please settle the amount, the
surgery has to start in another few minutes.”
“Anjali, you first try to understand me,”
Arjun retorted.
Her cheeks wet with tears gushing out
uncontrollably now, Anjali managed, “Arjun, are you playing? Its my dad’s life!”
“Anjali, now you are not my life
partner, so how can I help you? And if you want me to think and act like a life
partner, I just offered you the chance. I will call them. Just say sorry to them,
Anjali!”
She controlled the urge to scream at him
to avoid attention of the people around to and calmly replied, “okay Arjun, agreed
we are life partners no more, but surely you can help me as a third person, I
promise I’ll repay your debt with interest by tomorrow.”
“Sorry Anjali, I’m not interested
towards helping a third person. The only
way is to ask for sorry, do that and I’ll settle the amount right away.” He smiled
before adding,” That’s how arrogant women like you have to be taught a lesson.”
This unanticipated situation left her
too dumbstruck. Time was fast running out, she had to take a decision.
“So
your ego is more important than your father’s life, right?” His voice rose with
anger.
Not getting any response, he continued,
“What is stopping you from apologizing? Is that single “sorry” more than your
father’s life? Tell me Anjali..”
Her voice husky with increasing tears
she spoke, “A real man never resorts to emotional blackmail, Arjun. I just want
to save my father’s life...”
He interrupted, “Then agree to apologize
to them and I shall save him. The choice is yours now.”
There was again a deep silence. She
gathered all her courage and replied, “I will say sorry!”
A triumphant smile flicked across the Arjun’s
face. She did not say anything beyond that and he slowly walked towards billing
hall by calling his friends.
He halted as he heard her call out, she
had turned and moved towards him. Eyes blurred, trembling hands but clearly and
bravely, “You didn’t let me complete the sentence. I wanted to say, I will say
sorry to you for calling you!”
Wiping her tears she took a deep breath
and added, “And what did you ask, is “sorry” higher than your father’s life? In
that case I ask you, “is that same word greater than your love for me? “Sorry”
might be a small word for you but uttering that will destroy my character. If you can’t take me the way I am, then you
can never be a better husband. By expecting such, you are actually trying to
suppress the individual residing in a wife. Get it and understand clearly. I
might lose my father but will never give up the values he taught me and that
would make him happy rather than to save him or live with you. I shall find my way,
Get lost and good bye!”
