Because it's the best thing we do...

                                    

It was a fine Sunday morning. The artistic golden Sun has brightened up the blue sky and the milky clouds began to float in the azure. It was more like a normal day where I was struggling hard to get up from my bed. All of a sudden I can hear some voices of people speaking in Gujarati. My heart always skips a beat whenever I get to meet gujjus in my city. Well, I am a Gujarati but I belong nowhere from Gujarat. And yes I am not a chauvinist! Finally, got up to find who was there at the next door. I was amused to find an elderly couple in their late 60’s – Mr. and Mrs. Mehta (as they introduced). Mrs. Mehta looked endearing with amber eyes, neatly draped in a saree. She looked so poised that I couldn’t take my eyes off her. Mr. Mehta looked placid and peaceable. They had shifted into the apartment next to mine this morning. I greeted them and invited for Tea so that we could have an ice breaking session. Meanwhile, my phone began to ring. How can I not expect these Sunday morning conference call from my Mother and Mother-in-law with a list of suitable grooms to marry off their widowed daughter. It is more like a daily soap episode where we all cry. I really hate this call. I wish if I could escape from this bitter truth of life. But that day was different. To my surprise, this time they were up with some family trip plan. And for a change no one cried that day.

It was almost 10 in the morning and I had so many things to do. Weekends used to be very special for me. On Saturdays Sarth  and I used to help each other with all the chores, we used to clean our place, bring groceries and what not; but I always made him to cook. I have hardly helped him with cooking. No wonder, he was an awesome cook. I miss all the delicacies he used to make with so much of love. My life looked like a “Happy Forever” kind of life. They say time and tide waits for no one. I wish if I could go back to those old days. Oh I wish! In the middle of this monologue, the bell rang. It was Mrs. Mehta was holding a bowl of Dhoklas. I was craving for Dhoklas! I greeted her and welcomed to our place. “I am in middle of something, will come someday else” said Mrs. Mehta passing me the bowl of dhoklas(smiles). “Sure! No problem. And please feel free to knock here. I would be pleased to help you at anytime” I replied. “I love dhoklas, thank you so much” I added. This lady has a Charismatic personality. There was something really special in her that I wanted to know her more. No doubt, dhoklas were yum. Then I continued with my household chores while playing Sarth’s playlist. His playlist has weird collection of songs. In the early days I used to get irritated by  these songs and now I do not listen to any other songs. Times change, and we change with them. 

I had decided to spend rest of my day by watching FRIENDS or HIMYM. People at my age are either getting married or busy in family planning. Sarth was more mature than me. No wonder, he had never watched FRIENDS or HIMYM. It was midnight and the bell rang signaling some kind of emergency. I got up and staggered to the door. It was Mr. Mehta standing restless at the door. “What happened? Is everything fine?” I enquired Mr. Mehta. “She…..She just fainted” he baffled. We immediately rushed her to the hospital. Mr. Mehta was tensed which was very obvious. “Mr. Mehta, everything will be fine. Please be strong. She will be fine”. I said trying to console him. Mrs. Mehta was diagnosed with Ventricular Tachycardia and she needed to be under observation. I decided to stay with Mr. Mehta at the Hospital. I don’t even know this couple for more than 24 hours but there is something special in them that I can’t stop myself from helping them. 

It was 3:40 AM I got a hypnic jerk and got up immediately to find Mr. Mehta who was sitting next to me. I began to search for him and finally found him sitting on a bench gazing at the sky. I sat next to him without uttering a word. After a brief pause Mr. Mehta said “Beta, she is very special to me. I don’t want to lose her.” Before I could think about something to reply he continued “I know Fatima since our college days. She was pretty, elegant and vivacious. I had a crush on her but was too timid to approach or talk to her. Days passed away and on the very last day of our graduation she herself came to me and straight away told me that she knew that I like her, she liked me too. And if I want to marry her I need to ask her father for her hand. I was astounded by her boldness. She was and definitely is-Unique. Unfortunately, I never had that courage to confess my love before my parents. In our time you would hardly find people agreeing for Love marriages or inter-caste marriages. And forget about inter religious marriages. In fact, you will hardly find people avowing their love. We call them-Orthodox! Days passed away, we lost contact. I married Shalini- a girl of my parent’s choice. I got busy in life by flitting my past. I was a good friend of Shalini but failed to be a good husband. She passed away after a year of our marriage. I was helpless then. You don’t know what you have until it’s gone. Years passed away, destiny made Fatima and I to meet again. I got to know that for all these years she had dedicated her life to abolish casteism and religious discrimination in our society. I have never imagined that she would be this dejected by my decision to move on. Today, she is a savior for so many people. I respect her, I love her. This time I wanted to confess everything to her before it’s too late. I don’t know from where I got an insane courage and proposed her. I had no expectations from her to say yes. To my dismay, SHE SAID YES! We got married yesterday. I want to see her happy till my last breath. I want to be with her, FOREVER”.  Tears rolled down his eyes. “You will! Nothing is going to happen her. She will be fine soon” I assured him wiping off my tears.

I was astounded by their story. Indeed love is unconditional. I really appreciate Mrs. Fatima Mehta and her altruistic devotion towards society. Everytime you get to know something extraordinary about someone you will definitely relate it to yourself. So did I. My mind was pooled with so many thoughts: 

Why do we let ourselves stuck in the trap of SOCIETY? And we call ourselves Independent. Are we? Do we even take our own decisions without having a thought of “Kya Kahenge Log”? Well, you need to think about “Kya kahenge log” even while buying a pack of Sanitary Napkin or Condoms!  But never ever care about “kya Kahenge log” when you are planning for fourth child because the first three were girls.        

           

Whenever you try to stand out of the crowd you will be criticized. Isn’t it good to be different? To judge someone on the basis of caste and creed is a tradition here where your name is enough to know your roots. Shouldn’t it be a crime? Today is the time where Euthanasia should be supported but, some generous people believe in Honor Killing. Forget about LGBT rights. I wonder how people can be so biased where on one hand they work for social upliftment of LGBT community and on the other hand they act as a bigoted group of reactionaries. Of course there are many things that should be appreciated like ruling out “Talaq-e-Biddat”. These things have been followed from generations. Is it necessary to follow them blindly? Isn’t it good to have your own opinions and views? 

Today, somewhere my Father-in-law consider me as a girl whose footsteps has brought ill fate to his family. And the reason for this is I and Sarth had an inter-caste marriage. I always try to change his views in vain. 

We can’t cling to Past. It is already gone; we can’t rely on tomorrow. Whatever you have is- TODAY. Love and Spread love. I am fortunate enough that I married the love of my life and am grateful that Sarth had supported me at every milestone. I love him and will always love him. When you love someone you just, you…you don’t stop. Ever. Even when people roll their eyes or call you crazy. Even then. Especially then. Somewhere out there is a Yellow Umbrella for everyone, don’t let it go. Fall in Love. Love your life. Love yourself. Love is the best thing we do!