1.

Beginning

I am waiting for her in bed at night.

Flower decoration all over the bed, fruit
and sweets at the nearby table. Your
thinking is right, today is my first night.
But, I don’t know about my wedding till
this morning. I know that it would be
shocking to you all. Still, I have a
confusion that,
'am l in dream?'. I was
afraid that it wouldn't turn out to be a
dream.
There are three major types of
marriage: marriage under the guidance
of parents, romantic marriage of their
own choices and marriage done by
convincing parents to accept their love.
But my marriage was beyond all of
these. When I think about it, all the
events flow into my mind.

2. Looking for her

I arrived at this paradise just yesterday

morning. Hometown would be a
paradise for everyone who works
alone in another district. After the
arrival, mom's words struck me like a
bullet,

"Hey Shankar, tomorrow is your

cousin’s(Aunt’s daughter) marriage,
you're the last person for her marriage,
is this right?".

Yes ,my name is Shankar, the one

who does not come to my hometown
for any good occasions. There are two
reasons that make my presence today.
One is my permanent friend, aunty's
daughter is getting married, and next is
her name, Shalini. It was the most
memorable name in my life.
Relationships are not known as seen
after a few years, after getting scold
from mother, it is the time of relatives.
However I managed them and entered
my aunt's house. My eyes searched
for her. She is the only daughter for my
uncle and aunty. The daughter will
always be the darling of the parents.
Then how she wouldn't be?. She is
one year younger than me. I feared
that,
'Is She having the same beauty
and love that she had four years ago?'
When I saw her four years ago, she
was in a hurry to go to college,
searching for books, food, water one
by one. She was not failed to notice
me in so much tension, After seeing
me,
"Hey stupid, What are you doing
here?"
, She asked.
Didn't I tell you before that she's a
friend, so she'll call me with respect.
She had well-braided hair, black eyes,
beautiful lips, moderate body with
moderate height. She never used
cosmetics, because there was no need
for it. She is gorgeous by birth itself. I
was afraid that she still had that beauty
and love. I went in search of her room.
The laughter sound of the women
came from one direction, while the
whole house was busy at the wedding
work. I confirmed that she should be
there. Because it is mostly men who
work in wedding houses. This house is
no exception for that. I went to the
direction, from where the noise came.
The noise came from a room in that
direction. One door of the room was
open and the other door was closed.
The curiosity to see a friend after a few
years made me go faster. I opened the
closed door and my guess was right
she was right there.

3. Surprise

Everyone was shocked, when I

entered the room. It is natural for a
woman to be shocked when a man
suddenly enters their room. The
woman who sits near her was shouted
angrily,
"Is this how you come to the room
where the girls are?" ,
I did not speak in the joy of seeing my
friend. To keep everyone looking at
me, it took her a while to find me. The
reason is the changes that came in my
body in past four years. The mustache
was only on my face when she saw me
before few years. The beard, which
had now grown to cover the face, and
the body, which had grown slightly
larger, had become stronger and more
beautiful through exercise. But, time
did not diminish her beauty but rather
made her more beautiful. Chudidhar
had evolved into a half saree. The hair
was not fully braided, few strips of hair
were on her forehead which made her
more beautiful, henna in hand, She
was became the woman, who ready
for marriage. But time couldn't affect
her eyes and the love she had for me.
Her black eyes recognized my face,
which hided inside a thick beard and
long hair. The next moment, the
objects in her hand rushed at me with
lightning speed. The gaze of all her
friends turned on her from me. My
hope was right, the same love was
there, yet she had not forgotten this
friend.

4. Conversation

She asked me after I escaped from her

attack,

"I thought that you were dead dear,

why the hell are you coming?"

I expected this kind of question. But

fortunately I had the answer for this.

"Is activities in social media decides

the someone's death?, I also thought
that you'll do register marriage without
even informing your parents" ,

Her respect increased when she heard

my answer.

"Shut up. Why are you late?" ,

She​asked.
This is also something I have guessed.
Keep looked her with smile,

"I'll be on time, if you marry me. You

are going to marry someone else,
that's why I'm late" ,

Her friends were shocked to hear our

conversation. One of them told,

"Even, It is not late yet, stop this

marriage and marry her".

I did not think that I would marry her as

her friend said. She turned to me
regardless of that,

"Did all the saloon shops near you

closed?
Why did you come here without even
shaving?" , She asked.
One of her friends who heard it, said,
"Hey, why are you scolding him?, He is
good with beard and long hair"
,
I'm glad to hear that, any boy would be
happy, if some girl said to him that ‘you
are handsome’. But there was no joy
on Shalini's face. I looked them with
smile and said,

"The girl who loved me, leaves me

alone. That's why I'm like this".

"I am single? Will you marry me?" ,

Said one among her friends.

"I'll kill you all, get out" ,

she chased them away.

5. Wishes

"Okay Dear, leave them. When did you

come?, have you eaten or not?"
,
She looked at me and asked with a
smile. I was just waiting for these kind
words.
"Yes. Well, what is your groom?"
,
Shock on her face as soon as she
heard it.
"Didn't anyone tell you, dear?"
I answered yes, then she said about
him.
"He is not like you, he earns 50000 a
month in Bangalore. We will go to
Bangalore after marriage"
, she said
happily.
Yes, she was right. I didn't earn that
much, only 35000. I only work in
Coimbatore, not in Bangalore. Then
she picked up her phone and showed
me his photo.
"Tell me dear, How is he?"
,
She asked eagerly. He was good. But
how could I say it to her,
"Not to my level, But he's too much for
you,
" I said.
"You're in jealous idiot,
"
she said with a laugh. Then I holded
her hand and said,
"I have only one wish dear, you should
always be happy and have a smile
ever on your face like this."
My words brought tears to her eyes.
"I'll be always happy, when you're with
me dear."
She said and wiped away her tears.

6. Magical laughter

While we were talking, suddenly

someone put their hand on my
shoulder. We both didn't anticipate him
there. It was her father. when I turned,
"When did you come?"
, He asked.
"Just now, uncle"
,I replied.
"Okay, there’s so much work to do,
come let's go"
,
he said and dragged me out. Shalini
had an uncontrollable laugh when she
saw that. I already told you right?, The
men will do all the work at the wedding
home.
He was right, there was a lot of work.
But, it wasn't tough, it was full of fun,
because I was there. We were working
fast, but time ran faster than us. Lunch
time came and we decided to feed the
women first. Accordingly Shalini, her
friends, my Mom, and aunties were
eaten first. All the men started serving.
Then one of her friends looked at me
and said,
"Groom, Bring me a water,
" she said.
I understood that their fun had begun. I
was ready to face it. But others didn't
understand that. My aunt looked at her
in confusion,
"To whom, he is the groom?"
,She
asked.
Immediately Shalini replied,
"Yes Mom, he is also the groom, don't
you know?".
Upon hearing this everyone
understood that they were kidding. My
mother asked them,
"Who is going to marry him?"
,
Now you know where my skills on
kidding came from. But, they were one
step ahead of my mother, when they
heared this question, two of them
raised their hands and said 'With me'.
No one expected that answer.
Immediately Shalini looked at me with
a smile and said,
"Hey dear, you have so much
demand?"
,
Next my uncle said to his part,
"Are these two enough for you?"
I didn't hear any of this in my ear.
Because, I was seriously enjoying
Shalini’s smile. She was right, that her
laughter did not stop as long as I was
with her. I was ready to turn into a
clown to make her smile. I was
mesmerized by her laughter to that
extent.

7. Present

Their kidding on me was continuing.

We also finished eating. Then we
cleaned the house and left to decorate.
While I was in decorating work, one of
her friends came up to me. I thought
she was just coming to make fun
again. But I was shocked for a few
seconds by the question she asked.
She asked the size of my shirt and I
asked why.
"I am not asking, Shalini told me to ask
you"
,
she said. I immediately went to Shalini
with her. Her friend asked the question
to her before me,
"Why don't he tell me his size?"
When she heard that, she stared at me
and sent her away. Then asked me
with anger,
"Can't you tell the shirt size?"
"Why all that?"
, I said quietly.
She looked Towards me in an arrogant
pose,
"I'm going to stitch a saree blouse for
you,
" she said.I looked at her angrily. Then she
replied quietly,
"Then you don't know that, why I am
asking the shirt size for?, To buy a
shirt for you dear"
,
Although those words bring joy, I said,
"Why else would it be? Unnecessary
expense"
,
Upon hearing it, she replied,
"I'm going to buy it with my money,
"
I could not believe it, starring at her,
"What money do you have? Did you
steal anything from home and sold it?"
,
I asked with confusion.

"Idiot, Do you think that I stayed at

home for two years after studying
journalism?"
,
She asked in her usual arrogant
manner.
"That's all right. Why all this for me
now?"
, I asked.
She Looked me with smile and asked
"Why, you are the only one to buy a
gift?"
,
She asked about the hidden thing, that
should have been a pleasant surprise
to her. how did she find out? Is she so
smart?. However, I was not agree,
"Why should I buy you a gift?"
My lies were not enough to deceive
her. She starred me with a smile,
"Aunty told me everything. Did you buy
the necklace for me?"
,
She asked with excitement. I thought it
would be a surprise for her. But, it
didn't happen.
"Giving you a gift for your wedding,
that's the logic, right?" I asked.
After hearing it, she said to me,
"I don't want all this logic, come here
after dinner. I'm just going to give you
a shirt for tomorrow, right?, Then don't
come to marriage with this arrogant
look"
After hearing this, I said my shirt size
to her and went outside. I cut my hair
as she said and trimmed my beard
slightly. Then, I took the necklace with
me, while I went to her room. I was
shocked again when I got there, I had
never seen her like that, when I saw
her, I asked,
"Is there anyone Shalini here?"
I was right. I can't see her face. She
sat with her eyes closed in the chair
with something on her face that should
have brightened her face in the
morning. My question irritated her
"I'm going to get married dear. These
cosmetics are common. you shut up
and come in!".
Once I getting inside,
"Your dress is on the table, take it
dear!"
,
She said in a soft voice. I wanted to
made her sight on me and my gift too.
so,
"Open your eyes,
" I said.
"Say it, like it is, I shouldn't open my
eyes now,
" she said with eyes closed.
Disgusted when I heard that, I said,
"Okay, I'm going to keep a box here for
you"
,
She opened her eyes as soon as she
heard it. I looked at her with a smile.
She could not suppress her curiosity,
"Now only you are looking handsome,
where is my gift stupid?"
,she asked.
I gave it to her hand and took the dress
for me. The blue shirt had a Dhoti
under it. After looked that,
"What is this for?"
, I said.
She understood that I was just asking
about Dhoti.
"Dhoti is the one, you should wear
tomorrow"
, she said.
"How's the necklace?"
, I asked.
She starred at me and smiled,
"How can I tell you the gift you gave
me is not good?"
,
She said with blush. I asked the next
suspicion that arose in me,
"How can I do work with wearing a
Dhoti? It will be difficult dear."
She looked me with anger,
"You're already done a lot of work
dear. Tomorrow Daddy will manage
everything"
,She said.
I said yes and went to the marriage
hall.

8. Desire!

It was in the marriage hall last night.

There were some of the works like
stage decoration, room arrangement. I
finished it all and went to bed at ten.
There was a good sleep yesterday due
to a lot of work.
I got up at four this morning, took a
shower and ready to see her by
wearing the clothes, which was given
by her. She got in the car and came
out. She looked like an angel after
bridal make-up. Her saree having blue
silks were interspersed with gold
colour. Only after seeing her, I
understood why she gave me the blue
​shirt. She wore her jewellery such as
beautiful earrings, lots of bracelets,
rings, necklaces and chains having the
weight almost equal to her. All the
shining gold, caught the eye of the
everyone, except mine. The ornaments
failed to impress me as I stared at her
face. Only today she had extra
radiance on her face, because of the
makeup she applied last night. Not
only that, but her beauty was further
enhanced by the cosmetics. My mind
told me to propose to her.
I have the right to marry her, but my
love was late. 'We grew up together
from a young age, shouldn't this desire
have come before?' I asked myself.
She looked at me and smiled,
"Dear, are you done?, Shall I move?"
She asked and moved on.
I realised that nothing can change her
jokes. Following her, her friends began
the kidding by call me the groom.
Without hearing them, I moved on.

9. Marriage
Everything was going exactly as
planned. My eyes never left her alone.
As the time approached, suddenly
there was tension in the hall, the
reason being that was no one came
from the groom's house and did not
attended the calls. Immediately uncle
called me,
"Shankar, I do not know what is going,
please go to their home, and bring
them soon" he said quietly.
I took one who knows their house and
went to their house. No one was in
home and neighbours didn't knew
anything. I came back hoping they
would have gone the other way and
been in the hall. But it didn't get there
like. Instead of trumpets in the hall,
only the mockery of those present was
heard. My friend, whom I wished to be
always happy, sat silently on the dais,
losing her usual jokes and
eye-catching laughter. Then Aunty
came to my mother and with tears in
his eyes.
"Don't you think, I'm asking because of
this situation, will your son marry my
daughter?"
,
We were all looking forward to my
mom’s response.
"We like your daughter, and we will be
glad to have her as a daughter-in-law.
But, please ask my son"
,
Said my mother. Now all eyes are on
me,
"Consent with her is important to me. If
she is ok with that, I'll marry her right
now,
"
I said, and happiness returned to
everyone's face. But Shalini said
nothing, her father came to me and
said,
"Why are you asking?, You already
knows that, please go to dias"he said.
I also went to the bridal table and sat
next to her. After some rituals Tali
alone reached the stage after the plate
with Akshat went to everyone. But still,
her silence remained the same. Priest
said 'Kettimalam'
, I took Tali. She
looked at me with tears, when I tied the
thali around her neck and said
"Dear…!"

10. Shall we talk

I have told the finished events that

have taken place and I don't know
what will happen anymore. So many
miracles in one day, but I am sure that
this is not going to end with this. I can't
understand the meaning of that look,
while I tied Tali. A thousand questions
in me, Did I marry her without her
consent? Or Did she make that look to
say thank you?, While I am thinking
about this, The door opens, She was
reluctant to stand outside to be
surrounded by her friends. One more
time her silence makes me worry. But
her friends are not like that,
"As like I said, you two get married.
I just developed an unnecessary
desire,
" said one of them.
I could not answer that. But Shalini had
the answer. She turned angrily and just
had a look on her. No one had ever
seen her so angry, and neither did I.
Yet the silence between the two of us
continued. I intended to break it. As
she sat next to me, tears welled up in
her eyes again, the same gaze
towards me. Her eyes are looking tired
due to continuous crying. I Looked her
and said,
"If you have anger on me, just scold or
beat me as everytime you did. But
don't be like this"
,
After hearing this, she looks at me and
said,
"Tell me, Do you want baby or you
need anything else from me?"
,
Her questions were full of hatred. She
could not accept me as her husband.
There is nothing wrong with her. Untill
yesterday we are friends, but now we
are husband and wife. How can she
accept this. So, I want to make her feel
good.
"I want to talk to you sometime. you
can go to sleep when I'm done
talking?"
, I asked.
She never thought that I would ask
this on the first night. She looked me
curiously,
"I'm not going to talk about whether our
marriage was right or wrong?, It's over.
There is no use of talking about it. I
married you not for your situation, not
for our parents. Untill yesterday, I am
considering you as a friend only. But
when the moment I saw you in this
morning, I fell in love with you. I know
you have nothing like that on me. I'll
wait till you love me. If it is not
happens, we will be friends forever.
The decision is up to you, not just now
but you can always make your own
decision. I will never interfere with your
freedom"
,I said clearly.
The sadness on her face faded a bit
when she heard what I said. She
smiled softly and picked up the pillow.
"Are you going to lie down?"
, I asked.
She keeps smiling and said,
"You're the one, who lying down my
dear"
,
I'm kind of glad I brought her laughter
and fun back with my speech. Well I
went downstairs thinking I was going to
lie down now. She see me again
"Just for fun dear, let's sleep together"
,
she said.
I immediately picked up the pillow and
went upstairs. Looking at me with
curious,
"Why are you doing whatever I said?"
,
I looked at her and smiled,
"Because, I love you so much…..!"
,I
said.
In the joy given by that word, our first
night was over.

11. Change!

The next day, sunlight penetrated

through the window and fell on my face
in order to stop my sleep. We both
slept well yesterday. I looked nearby,
she's not there. To be ashamed to go
out, lay there and think about what we
talked at last night. Suddenly the
closed doors slammed open. I looked
forward to seeing who's that. That’s
Shalini. But in other saree, it is a
normal cotton saree with golden color
all over. Her hair was tied in a
non-flying manner, but only the hair in
front of her was flying in the air and
slightly covers her face. She was
holding a cup of something in her
hand.
There was not a bruise on her
forehead, and I realized that she had
gotten up and bathed before of me.
But beyond all this, she has a quality, I
have never seen before, which made
her even more beautiful, was the
Blush. She was standing near the door
shyly. Thinking that she had coffee or
tea in her hand,
"I don't drink coffee or tea at all,
"I said.
Listening to it, she smiled softly,
without any shock, with the same
embarrassment,
"I know it dear, this is almond milk,
drink"
,
She said and handed the cup to me.
Very shocked to hear what she said,
Unaware of what had happened to her,
I poured it all over her mouth. I
struggled for a while without enduring
the heat. She smiled at that and went
out with the cup. But I still haven’t
recovered from the shock. I came out,
our dad, mom and some people were
sitting in chairs and talking. I also sat in
a chair. As soon as I sat, my dad
called her and when she came,
"Look, your husband has come. He
won't drink coffee or tea at all. Get
some milk for him"
, he said. .
"I have been already given to him
uncle,
" she said and looking towards
me ,
"Can't you tell?"
, she winked.
I was watching without knowing what
was happening. As she passed me
she came to my ear,
"I saw it dear!"
,
She said and moved on. I do not
understand this too. I have seen so
many mysteries since morning,
"What baby…..?"
,
I asked aloud in curious. It was loud
enough for everyone sitting there to
hear. She immediately ran inside. No
one could control the laughter. But
uncle came to me,
"Hey, what is this?, If you want to talk
to her personally, she'll be in kitchen
only. Go and speak. Why did you
speak infront of us?"
,
12. Accepted!

Not only him but everyone thought so.

Only I know why I asked that. I went to
the kitchen as he told. She stood
looking at the path as she waiting for
me. She smiled when she saw me, I
thought that this was her's game too,
"Did you play with me?, Why did you
speak respectfully?, What was
happened to you?"
,
I asked eagerly. She smiled again
without saying anything,
"This is called Love, Groom…."
,
her friend said from behind me. She
laughed again, but I was angry, looking
at her friend and shouted as,
"Get out"
,
She went outside. Then I starred her
and asked angrily,
"What did you see?"
,
She laughed again and said,
"I didn't beleive you on yesterday dear.
But, today morning, I saw the tattoo of
my name in your chest. Do you love
me so much, dear?"
,
I understood the reason for the sudden
change of her activities. The
mysterious things were concluded. Her
friend standing behind me and shouted
"Tell, groom!"
,
She said. As soon as I saw her,
"Are you still here?"
I asked and chased her, Shalini
followed us. My mom stopped me and
asked,
"Hey, why are you playing with her?"
,
"She was kidding me by calling as
groom, mom,
"I said.
Mom smiled and replied.
"Idiot, it's true. you are the groom
now!"
Shalini was watched what was
happening from behind me. Going a
little farther back,
"You're the groom for me…...! I love
you…..!"
, She shouted and ran away.
I'm glad to heard what she said, she
accepted me as her husband. But
there was also the guilt of cheating on
her. I did not tell her the truth for her
happiness.

13. New beginning

The time has come for us to leave

paradise and our relatives. Sivakasi is
our paradise(hometown) , Coimbatore
is the town where I took refuge to raise
my life from there. I work for a software
company there. I wished to take her to
Coimbatore with me. She also agreed,
because she wanted to join for a work.
Accordingly, she got a job in a TV
channel in Coimbatore. I also bought a
big house by my friends that the small
room I had before the wedding would
not be enough for us now. Coimbatore
and my new home were penitent for
her arrival. But our heaven, Sivakasi
and relatives refused to be apart with
her. Who would have liked to leave this
beautiful, lovely and talkative girl. We
all sadly said goodbye to everyone and
headed towards Coimbatore. I could
not even imagine her house without
her. It’s an event that has been going
on for a long time for those who having
girl child. I was sad to separate her
from them. She had the same regrets
but without showing up, she kept
talking about the new town, the new
house, the new job. We arrived to our
new home. The two of us together
changed the model of the house to suit
us. But in addition there was a
bedroom, which we reserved for
guests. On the first day, we ordered
breakfast and lunch. Then I bought
everything needed for cooking. When
she saw it, she asked a question that
surprised me a lot,
"Are you going to cook dear?"
,She
asked.
That question reminded me the words
of my father-in-law used when we left.
It's like,
"She's a fertile girl from a young age,
you should take care of her"
,
Only by now I understand what that
meant. I learned to cook when I was
alone in Coimbatore. It helped now.
After eating well what I cooked, she
said to me,
"Really super..! Don't you cook to me
daily?"
,She said.
I looked at her angrily,
"What?, Are you kidding me?"
, I said.
She said something to reassure me,
"I'm screaming to cook for you, dear.
Surely one day you will eat the dish,
which is prepared by me".
I was also waiting for that one day. A
month has passed. Every day, she
starred me closely while I'm cooking.
That day came, she told me to stay
out, she cooks by herself and serve it
to me. It was just fine.
In the morning, I should drop her at
work and pick her up in the evening.
Working together at home, cooking
together, going out for vacation in
weekends, that days were going good.

14. Welcome

One Sunday morning we were both at

rest. Then suddenly a call came from a
school friend.
"Tell me dude, how are you?"
, I asked.
"I'm fine, how's everything going after
marriage? "
,He asked.
As you all known, I didn't have a
chance invite any friends for my
wedding. I apologized to him.
"Why are you calling all of a sudden?"
,
I enquired.
"Nothing buddy, One of our friends got
married without inviting anyone. So we
want to punish him. That's why we'r
out of his house"
, he said.
As soon as I heard that, I got up and
went fast outside. Shalini does not
understand what is happening here,
"Where are you going?"
, She asked
followed me.
She did not know any of them.
However she invited them inside.
When they got inside everyone started
beating me. She didn't understand
anything, but she started beating too.
Everyone stopped when they saw it,
but she stopped after a while. When
the anger subsided everyone came
inside and sat down. One of my friends
in it,
"Hello Sister, we are all school mates.
we were the ones who did not call for
the wedding, that's why we hitting him,
don't mistake us"
, he explained.
When I heard that, I said to them,
"Hey, She is the one who hit me
harder than you. you told me the
reason, but she won't even say it".
Everyone laughed after heard this.
She went to make coffee for them. At
the time, I was narrating our wedding
story. When giving coffee,
"Did you come this far to hit him?"
,
She enquired.
One of the women in the gang pointed
to the other and said.
"Her name is also Shalini. They were
close friends during school days. She
got a job in Coimbatore. That's why we
came to ask him, if he can get a house
for rent in a place he knows"
,
Looking at her as soon as she heard
about her and asked,
"Come on, won't you talk to me?"
The reason is that she has not spoken
since she arrived. Immediately my
friend said,
"No, she's in anger on him. That's all ,
"
"You have problem with him, but why
don't you talk to me?"
,
This question from my wife, Put an end
to her silence.
"Congratulations on your marriage"
,
they began. In a short time the two
became friends. My friend Shalini is
also a cute girl. My wife told her to stay
at our house until we got home for her.
She came to our house the next day.
The room reserved for the guest was
transformed into her room.

15. Permanent friend

I was not surprised that she did not

speak to me. But how many days will
this anger last? That's the thing. Her
arrival caused many changes in my
routine. Putting the two of them
together in the car first leaving the
friend and then leaving the wife in her
office and me going to work, In the
evening, I picked them both up and
returned home, I became a driver to
them. But, another advantage of her
arrival was that both of them cooked
together. Well I thought I could relax at
that time, but will my wife leave? They
gave me the job of choppingvegetables.
The two were together
most of the time. As a result they
became close friends. But she never
spoke to me. I also tried various things,
all of which ended in failure. My wife
also said she didn't spoke to me. The
days moved on, one evening I could
not bring them out of the office. I
advised them to go home without
waiting. As all three had a separate
keys. When I went home, my friend
was the only one in the hall. I figured
my wife would be in our room, not
there, not even in the kitchen. Her
phone and laptop was in our room. So
it was understood that she had come
home and left. I went to Hall to confirm
though, looking at her,
"Where is Shalini?"
, I asked.
"I'm infront to you,
" she said teasingly.
I just don’t understand why these
women talk like this to me. Looking at
her again,
"Where's my wife Shalini?"
, I asked
clearly.
she replied without seeing my face as,
"I just came now, I don't know,
"
I was angry on her behaviour.
"Why can't you look at me and reply?"
,
I asked.
"Why should I do?"
, She replied.
I understood that she was just talking
about marriage. Slowly towards her,
"You know that how the marriage was
happened, then why are you talk like
this?, I don't know, you to be so
angry"
, I explained
"You do not know about my love, you
do not know about my anger, then
what else do you know?"
, She said.
Her words did not surprise me. I
already knew about her love on me. I
thought she had forgotten it. But that
did not happen. I wanted her as a
friend only. She said again,
"Yes, I loved you from the school itself.
I said it indirectly twice. You just don't
understand, I thought I'd tell you when
we got to work. But I do not know even
where you went after college. Just a
three weeks in advance, I knows that
you were getting married and in
Coimbatore. Well, I wished to see you
for a one last time. But, I am here
when I had the chance to be with you"
,
She cried.
I held her hands to comfort her,
"I know everything….."
I started talking about that. While I am
starting, the doors of her room opened
and my wife came out of it. She has
gone inside to clean the room. She
had tears in her eyes after hearing this.
She knelt down and began to cry. We
both walked towards her.
"Dear, you said, you loved me. don't
you?, I thought that the name in that
tattoo is me, but you lied to me. Tell
me dear, Did you love her?"
, She said
with tears.
"Which tattoo, does she talk about?"
,
Said my friend with confusion.
"You be quiet"
, I said and turning to my
wife.
"It has nothing to do with her, she'll be
my friend alone"
, I explained.
"I'm the cause of all the problems. I will
never come to your life again"
, she
said and got up.
Immediately my wife said,
"Where do you go for this time, stay
and leave in the morning"
,
That's what she is, thinks from the
position of others, the love is hers. She
was ready to leave in the morning,
came to my wife before leaving,
"I am sorry for everything I had done to
you. You should be blessed to have
him as a husband. Take care of him"
She said and came towards me.
Looking at my face,
"I do not know, whether I can forget
the love above you. I tried to be with
you forever as a friend"
she said, hugging me and saying
goodbye.

16. Past...

When she was gone,

"Who the hell is she to ordering me?,
whether I don't know how to take care
of you?"
, She asked.
I was a little angry,
"Stop talking about her, its enough."
,
Tragedy engulfed her face after
hearing that. That day we both decided
not to go to work. She said she wanted
to tell me something. We both got
ready to talk after dinner.
"Why don't you tell me about her
love?"
,
She asked in a soft voice.
"How did I tell you this? I didn't think
that she still loves me"
, I replied.
"Well, I was also hided onething"
,
Her word piqued my curiosity.
"My marriage was not stopped
accidentally. I am the one who stopped
it. I thought that If the marriage was
stopped at the last minute, then no one
will come marry me"
,
Said in a clear voice as she looked at
my face. I was shocked to hear that.
Then looking at her and said,
"You may have said to your parents,
that you don't want to get married"
,
"But what should I told as a reason?"
,
She asked.
I had no answer for that and she
started talking again.
"I loved Karthik. He was my college
mate. He was liked me too. After
graduation we went to work for news
channel. It's all gone well. Suddenly
one day, someone killed him for having
evidence against a politician. He was
dead infront of me, I can't do anything.
At the same time, my parents started
planning for my marriage, I didn't have
the courage to tell them the things
happened. I could not live without him.
I talked to the groom about the
incidents and told him to leave their
place in the wedding time. Everything
was fine, but I didn't think that they
asked you to marry me . I worried that I
had ruined your life. So I decided to
suicide after you slept in the first night.
But you said that you loved me and
we'd be friends till end. That's right, I
decided not to make you worry for the
dead one. Though I can't accept your
love. I just wanted to be a friend. After
seeing the tattoo on your chest in the
next morning, I understood that how
much love you have for me. After that I
loved you"
, She told me everything
that happened.

17. End....

I do not think there will be so much

sadness behind the laughter and
jokes. Wiping his tears and looking at
me,
"The name in the tattoo is mine,
right?"
,
She asked. By hiding the truth again
for her happiness, I replied yes.
Her beautiful face, which had faded
with tears, changed when she heard
my word. However she asked a few
more questions to confirm,
“When did you fall in love with me?
When did you put a tattoo?
Why didn't you tell to me before?"
,
She asked questions without a break.
The house bell rang, while I'm thinking
for answers, I jumped for joy that God
had saved me and ran towards the
door. She continued, shouting,
"Tell me...".
It was only when I opened the door
that I realized that the ringing bell was
a call for a hell. While I am standing in
the door way, I remembered the wrong
words that I told to my wife,
'Beat, if
you are angry'
, was the one. My
college friends were waiting to surprise
me when the door opened. You are
right, there is girl in that gang called
Shalini. She is my ex-girlfriend. My
wife stopped when saw them. One of
them said,
"We are all his collegemates"
,
She had a doubt after hearing that.
She looked at me and confirmed by my
face reactions. Then looked at them
and asked,
"Who is Shalini here?"
,
Everyone looked the one, and
immediately someone nearby said,
"They are close friends sister"
,
After hearing that, my wife looked here
and there, I was curious,
"What are you looking for baby?"
,I
asked
"Nothing baby, I kept a bamboo stick
here, I seeking for it"
,
Everyone ran after hearing that. But
she blocks the way and said.
"It's my fault to think you're good"
,
I ran inside the house and she chased
me.
"We made love in college for three
years, I got a tattoo that time, then she
left me after college, that's why I am
not came to see anyone for four
years… "
I ran into the house screaming. She
was not about to give up. My t-shirt got
caught in her grip. The shirt was in her
hands rather than me falling down. Do
you understand now why I was so
scared when I saw them. I don’t know
if it was my bad time, she got a knife in
her hand. As I lay down, she brought
the knife towards me. I closed my eyes
in fear and opened them after a while.
The knife was down, there were tears
back in her eyes but there was also joy
on her face. No wonder so. I had made
some changes in that tattoo for her.
She was shocked to see it. She
understood that I just loved her now.
She hugged me and said
"I love you dear…!"
,
I changed the tattoo from 'Shalini' to
'Mrs.Shalini Shankar'.