Suhasini cried through the night. Her eyes were red and puffed. She felt completely lost and alone. Her parents will never accept her back. The social stigma of a married girl being thrown out of her in-laws house is a big embarrassment. She wanted to commit suicide. That was the only way left for her now.
The door opened with a creaking sound. The new husband entered the room, gave a profound look at her, and asked Suhasini to get up and get ready. Suhasini was intimidated by his serious demeanour. She was looking at him with a blank expression when the new husband repeated his order. This time more sternly. Suhasini followed him like a possessed zombie.
He held her hand and navigated towards a cafe facing the sea on Bogmallo beach in South Goa. The cafe was still in its waking-up phase. The round table was covered in white linen with a blue umbrella hanging overhead, and a wilted rose stood sadly in the centre. He ordered for two strong coffee and sandwiches, without even asking Suhasini for her preference.
Suhasini was looking towards the morning sea with an orangish sky and blackish haze of boats in distance. She was avoiding eye contact with him. The breakfast was getting cold when the new husband ordered her to eat. Suhasini was not hungry. “I don’t want to eat”, she said. “Enough! Eat now”, he said, looking into her eyes with a controlled volume but implacable tone. Suhasini convulsed for it seemed he could see through her soul. She started to eat slowly.
“We can’t go like this. We have to make a decision. I have contemplated over this situation thoroughly and there is only one solution I can think of”; Suhasini’s interest was caught with the word ‘solution’. Will he say the taboo word – Divorce? Suhasini’s parents will kill her if he gives her a divorce so early in the marriage. They will know the reason.
“Marriage is a solemn affair. I strongly believe in this institution. However, neither do I want you to continue in a loveless relationship nor can I take the burden of truth that you have shared with me last night. Let us part ways and we shall remain a stranger for the next 5 years. We will have no contact. For legal purposes we will continue to stay as a married couple. I am not going to divorce you. This will give you the time you need. If we are really meant for each other then we will meet again otherwise we follow the course life takes. I also understand that this is not an acceptable way for the society we live in. Both our families will be heartbroken. So, I will lie to them. I will manage them. You don’t need to worry about it. Live your life as you have dreamt. We shall meet exactly on this day after 5 years and then decide”; Suhasini couldn’t believe what her ears were listening.
From honeymoon couple to complete strangers.This was radical. Suhasini took some time to digest this.
Read the previous post here – Chapter 22 – Expected Fantastico Honeymoon Becomes The Game Changer
Read the next post here – Chapter 24 – Impact Of Stranger Husband
This blog post is inspired by the blogging marathon hosted on IndiBlogger for the launch of the #Fantastico Zica from Tata Motors. You can apply for a test drive of the hatchback Zica today.
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