MAYA

Maya was in a perplexed mood. She didn't feel like eating or talking to anybody. Her parents had entrusted her to make a decision. A decision that would change the course of her and her son's life.

While lying in her bed, she speculated,

"I had remained single for thirteen long years under the protective shield of my parents. My son will turn fourteen soon. Is it necessary for me to remarry? No doubt the family that wants to get me married to their widowed son may be affluent. I am a government teacher. I can take care of my son. I am financially stable. Why my parents are in a hurry for my remarriage?

It was the time for Maya to relax, rethink and react. Notions like this didn't allow her to relax since the arrival of the proposal.

Fifteen years ago, she had married, Vijay the man of her choice after completing her Higher secondary education. She was madly in love with Vijay. He was their neighbour. One day Maya and Vijay eloped and got married in a temple without the knowledge of their family. Vijay's parents didn't accept Maya but he was their only son, they had to appease him before his will.

Maya's parents were very upset with their daughter's misconduct. They cursed themselves for giving her birth.

"This girl had brought a shame on our respectable family. I never want to see her back", Maya's father had uttered in disgrace.

Maya was tortured and tormented by her inlaws now and then for not bringing a handsome dowry. Vijay proved a good husband but only for some time. His mother poisoned his ears to an extent that he started hating Maya. Maya was beautiful, educated and talented. She took all the insults and scorns patiently. She had lost contact with her parents, she had nowhere to take shelter.

After a year, she gave birth to a baby boy. Vijay's demeanour didn't change. The mental abuses transformed into physical scars. Maya was not in a position to take it anymore. When her son was just three months old, she slammed the door and ran towards her parental home for protection.

Her parents were stunned at her condition. Her clothes were torn. She came to be frail as if she had been starved for many days. She clenched her baby tightly in her arms as if someone is going to snatch him away. Her mother hugged her affectionately and there was an exchange of tears between them. They didn't speak a word but the scars on her body conveyed it all. Although her father was deeply moved he tried to control his emotions and spoke to vent his anger,

"You married your love. You didn't bother to take our permission. This would have happened sooner or later. I am well aware of the boy and his family. You are the bringer of misfortune upon yourself. Nobody is to blame. Now get inside and stop shedding tears for those perilous creatures."

Her father got her enrolled in a college. She simultaneously completed her graduation, post-graduation and B.ed.She was a hard-working student. Her mother took care of the little boy while she attended her classes. Meanwhile, a divorce case was filed against her husband.

After separation and in the course of her studies, Vijay tried to disturb Maya by employing all possible means. He followed her to the college. He pleaded for a second chance but he dared not appear before her parents. He spoiled her peace of mind by giving her blank and missed calls. He was desperate to get her back. Maya couldn't forget the lifetime bruises he had put on her. He had even kicked her in the womb and at places where she cannot tell to anybody when she was pregnant.

"How could she trust him again and fall prey to him?"

Her father had strictly advised her,

"If you go back to him again, remember I will not help you anymore. The doors of this house will be closed for you forever."

So, she had realized her fault and didn't fall prey to any of Vijay's tantrums. She attained a Bachelor of Education degree and strived hard for the competitive exams. She qualified for the TET as well as CTET. She was recruited as a PGT teacher in a nearby government school with a high pay scale.

Maya won the divorce case after a lot of trials and tribulations. She had to appear in the court now and then at stipulated dates. Her son, Vyom was in a growing stage, he saw his mother struggling alone. All the sufferings made him rock solid. He never inquired about his father. His mother was his entire world. His maternal grandparents and uncle raised him to be a strong boy.

Life was going on smoothly when a marriage alliance was fixed by one of her relatives. The prospective groom came with his father and four-year-old son to see her for marriage. He was a middle-aged man and he had lost his wife to cancer a year behind. His mother had left for her heavenly abode two years ago. Nobody was to be kept in dark, they disclosed everything in the first meeting itself.

Maya was in a dilemma. Incessant thoughts inhabited her mind. She was worried about her son's future. Her mother came and sat beside her. She stroked her head with her hand and implored,

"Beta, I can fathom your inhibitions. Earlier you married in infatuation. This time you have to relax, rethink and react accordingly. They have given you ample time. Your father is going to retire next month, we have grown old. We want you to see you happy and settled. Vyom will beget a father. Rajesh is a responsible father to his only son. He is the senior manager in an International firm. If you are willing, I will propose another meeting for you to discuss all your problems. Take your own time. Think umpteen times before coming to a reaction. It's your life, your decision. Think wisely."

Maya sprang up from the bed, composed herself, confided in her mother and retorted,

" Mummy, how will Vyom react if at all I get married again? I am worried if he starts hating me. His teenage mind can take our relation otherwise."

"Don't worry about that beta, have faith in us. I, your father and your brother will counsel him and I am sure he will agree", assured her mother.

These words acted as a pain killer. She agreed to meet Rajesh personally the next day.

The following day Rajesh arrived with his son, Pritam in a car. Maya was all set to meet him. The family greeted them with due respect. Rajesh shook hands with Vyom, threw a pleasant smile at him and remarked,

"Hey, dude! What's up? You are my friend from today onwards. I have brought chocolates and gifts for you. Please let me know if you want anything more."

Vyom was delighted but he was reluctant to endorse the gifts. At last, he accepted it with recurring insistence from his grandparents. Pritam was equally interested to confront his new mother. His mother died when he was only three. He plucked a loving kiss onto Maya's cheek telling,

"Mumma Aap kab aaooge mere ghar?"

Maya was aghast. Rajesh gestured to her to stay calm. Pritam and Vyom befriended each other. They ran to the playground to play.

Maya and Rajesh were left to themselves in a separate room. After a long pause, Rajesh initiated the conversation,

" I know you are apprehensive about the proposal. I just want to tell you that I and my father had reared Pritam affectionately. His mother was abridged by cancer as soon as he was born. I gave him the love of a father and a mother both. I changed his diapers, fed him and took care of all his needs. When he was 1 year old my mother died a sudden death. My wife was struggling with the ailments, a day came when she died. I was left alone with my father and my son, the only means of my survival. I have never thought of remarrying but for the sake of Pritam, I had to agree to the advice of my father. "

Maya interrupted him," Why did you choose me. You might have got much more suitable matches? "

Rajesh replied pleasantly,

" As I told you I wanted to remarry for the sake of my son. I have promised him to gift him with a mother. I and my father think that woman who herself is a mother will take proper care of my son. I will also love your son like mine. The question of blood discrimination will never arise. We have many servants at disposal, I will not burden you with all the responsibilities. "

Maya expressed her anxiety,

"Would you allow me to carry on with my job?"

" Yes, I have no objection in it as long you feel comfortable. I will also apply for your transfer till then you can travel daily for your commitments", Rajesh reacted without further probing.

Maya was impressed and satisfied. She saw in him a caring husband and loving father. She didn't have anything to ask further. She implored Rajesh, "If you want to ask anything you can ask me now?"

Rajesh bent his head coyly reinforcing,

"I only want to know whether you are inclined to this marriage or not?"

"Give me some more time I will inform you at the earliest", she replied courteously.

Both of them headed towards the living room. The kids came up playing to their heart's content.

Maya noticed a spark of ebullience in both the kids. They were feeling happy, enjoying the company of each other. Maya had never seen Vyom so ecstatic before. He spoke to Rajesh like his friend. Pritam was jumping with joy, seeking the attention of Maya as if she was her real mother.

After one week of relaxing, thinking and rethinking calmly, Maya reacted by informing her parents that she is mentally prepared to marry Rajesh. A counselling session was carried on for Vyom. Without any bludgeoning, Vyom readied to accept Rajesh as his father but he will address him as "Uncle", he proclaimed.

Thus, Maya married Rajesh following all traditions. This time it was an arranged marriage. She married a widower and saved two families from pulling apart.

THE END