‘Naina, you have separated
me from my family. You are the reason for all my sufferings. How I wish I had
not married you’!
Mukul’s words kept
replaying in Naina’s mind. She could not believe her ears. She was devastated
to know what Mukul thinks about her. Up until now she believed that she was
Mukul’s pillar of strength as they both stood many tests of time holding on to
each other. Their disagreements never made a way into their love life. Her eyes
were flooded with tears that she almost fainted.
Regaining consciousness,
now calm and composed, Naina replayed the movie of her life in her mind.
Mukul and Naina were
school mates. But their life took separate turns after they passed out from
school. Nearly after a decade, one afternoon on a rainy day, they bumped into
each other on a busy street of a local market. Back then neither of them knew
that their future was pre-destined. Within few months of knowing each other
afresh, they decided to get married.
Life seemed a bed of roses
as both had high expectations of love from the other. They were so mesmerised
by the very fact of being together that reality of life seemed nothing beyond a
fairytale.
Months passed by and years
took over. They became parents to 3 lovely kids. But the baggage of
responsibilities took toll on their relationship. Conversations turned into
arguments, fights became a regular activity in their life. Their actions were now
governed by their levels of frustration which at times were unexplainable.
Result of which was the
statement that Mukul had made today. Naina was unaware of what went down Mukul’s
mind that made him so rude and distanced. Naina’s first reaction was walking
out of the relationship by filing a divorce. She even considered suicide not
once but n number of times; and every time she was over powered by the thought
of leaving her children alone in this big bad world.
She was aware of her
husband’s strained relationship with his parents much before they got engaged.
The fact that Naina was not happily accepted in the family was also not hidden
from her. Naina’s mother-in-law grew insecure of her as she was Mukul’s choice.
After marriage she tried to bridge the gap but failed to an extent that Mukul
and Naina had to finally take a call of moving out from the joint family
structure in search of a peaceful living.
Life had its share of ups
and downs for Naina and Mukul too. But their love and understanding seemed to keep
them together.
Then what had dawned upon
Mukul that he did not think twice before blurting the harsh words out his
mouth. He forgot all the times when Naina stood by him, believed in his
calibre, motivated him to be the best version of himself, held his hands when
he felt weak, mended his broken heart; more so that unknowingly Naina had started
to live his life in her body.
Naina was upset. She was
hurt. She was vulnerable. For, by now, she had forgotten that she was another
individual with specific choices, desires and needs.
A day passed by. Naina and
Mukul did not speak to each other; as if everything was said n done between
them. A day turned into days and the silence became calmer just like it is
after a storm.
Naina took this
opportunity to retrospect about her life. She was now in her mid 40’s and had become
an ancient history to herself.
By now she had realized,
love was not enough to keep her going in this relationship; Marriage is more
than love. It is acknowledging that two people in an alliance are different
individuals with an opinion of their own that are framed according to their
life experiences. Marriage is also a two way route of give and take.
She had given upon her
dreams, her aspirations and her preferences without regrets.
Now was the moment to take
her pride back. She wanted to return in her most loved relationship feeling
equal. Naina began digging deep in her heart with a hope to find the little
girl she had lost long ago. She started to paint her dreams, take
accountability for her actions. The greatest lesson she learnt from her turmoil
was to learn to say ‘No’ at the right time, even if it does not feel good to
the other. Complying by saying ‘Yes’ to everything makes you no more than a
door mat.
Naina recounted all the
good times she had spent with Mukul. She came to terms with the fact that her
happiness is her own responsibility. Her suffering is her own formation.
Similarly, what Mukul was
going through was a world of his creation. Blaming Naina for his failures and
separation from his family was merely a way to escape facing the repercussions
of one’s actions.
Naina decided to take a
step back and stop being Mukul’s punching bag.
She knew Mukul had gone too
far this time with his words and that their relationship will never be the same
again. Naina had already forgiven Mukul for forgiveness she knew he will never
ask for. She loved him then. She loved him still, but this time she had learnt
to love and respect herself equally.
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