Predestined

Every age has a demand of its own. When a kid, one wants chocolates, as a youth one wants cigarettes, as a grownup one wants money and at the early 30’s one desperately wants a life partner. Now the reason why I added desperately is to emphasize the seriousness of the issue for a girl who has been craving for marriage since 19. Mohona completed 29 today. Her birthday seemed a curse to her now. While dressing up for the morning puja, she thought it is the last birthday she is spending alone. On her next birthday she will be with Som. She wanted to get married this year but Som wanted some more time. How could she have forced Som for this? It’s just three months that he has got hold of this bank job. Although they are paying him well, he needs sometime to settle things.

Suddenly the big clock on the center wall of the drawing hall strikes. It is one of those big lavish rooms of an old Calcutta house. Situated in the centre of the city, this house is one of the priceless inheritances for the family. It one of those antique clocks that would strike eight times to tell you it’s 8 ‘o’ clock. Mohona went downstairs. The priest was doing the religious chores on their ancestral temple. She did her bit and went back to her room. Today for the seventh time she will have to pose as the bride-to-be. She hates it when someone comes with a marriage proposal to her parents. Neither could she inform her parents about Som, nor could she tell Som of all these. She suddenly remembered that it’s almost 9 and Som has not even wished her. Has he forgotten? Probably he is too busy to call. In sometime these people would come and she would get into the act of pretension. Before all these, she just wants to talk to Som once. She called up Som. The phone is switched off. This has been the same story last night. She became a little anxious. She again tried but it’s all the same.  

She heard kakima (aunty) calling her name. It’s probably for breakfast she thought. She went up. Her breakfast plate is ready with her favourite aloo dum and paratha; however she could eat only one. Sitting by the window with a cup of tea she started relishing her memories with Som.  He has been her first and probably the last love. So many times have they fallen apart but Som had never left her alone. He loved her so much. Then why did he always ignore the idea of marriage. Why did he never come to meet her parents? This is the reason she has to bear it every time. She got irritated and thought whoever comes this time, she will get hitched. She heard from dad that this family is his close acquaintance. Any which ways Som is not worried. He knew these people were supposed to come and on top it’s her birthday. But none of these made him call her once.  Mohona seemed upset. She went back downstairs and placed herself on the couch. She has noticed a lot of change in Som lately. He is not the person she has known for so long. Som is disregarding her now. She was sure that Som has lost interest in her. She was feeling deeply for him.

Mohona is awakened at a husky voice calling out her name. “Oh its baba” she thought. She went up to the stairs and replied.

“Get ready, they are here” said her father.

Mohona obliged. After returning back to her room she saw its 11 am. She did not realize she had gone to sleep. She checked the mobile but there isn’t any call or message from Som. She angrily pulled out a saree from the wardrobe and started dressing up. Before going down Mohona once stood in front of the mirror to grace herself. The white and pink hand woven silk looked so good on her. This was a gift from Som on her last birthday. So much has changed now. Leave aside a gift, Som even have not wished her yet. A tear rolled down her eyes. She decided to agree to marriage this time. She was determined to be the bride for whoever is waiting downstairs. For the last time, before leaving her room, she tried to connect to Som but his phone was still put off.

Mohona went downstairs. Her younger sister and kakima held her by arms and approached the sitting room.

“The guests are waiting for you” said kakima.

“You better call them my new family” replied Mohona.

They progressed to the room happily. The moment she entered the room, she got blown.

Her father said “this is my darling daughter Mohona” and “Mohona let me introduce you to Somnath Sengupta, Mr. Sengupta’s only son”. They want to include you in their family.

Mohona and Somnath (she calls her Som) kept looking at each other. Mohona’s eyes emitted grief but her smile was blissful. This is what she has been waiting for but the way Som chose to do it in was brutal. Som was only elated. His expression was that of accomplishment. Probably this was the gift he had planned for Mohona. Gosh! What could have been a better way of wishing her a birthday? 

Mohona loved it!

      

Good Wishes

Ria