Hi everyone, hope you are doing well! So today I bring the second half of my short story (maybe actually long) to you all. Sit back and enjoy reading as now we are in the climax!
As soon as I entered my house, I sensed my predictions were right. Father was perched on the couch and consistently turned stations on TV. His eyebrows high and red face indicated that he was upset about something. At the point when I peeped to check Amma, I saw her cooking while she quietly sobbed. On my arrival, my father gazed at me and goaded me with a lot of inquiries.
“Kashi, what were you doing so late at night? It’s 8 O'clock. Were you hanging out with that wild kid, Sam again? Where is the part of you asking permission before you go out so late?”
“Sam is not a wild kid; she is just bold and bossy Dada.”
“Don’t you argue with me, where were you wandering around? That's it you are grounded for two weeks. You do realize you have your all India entrance examination in three months and you are busy wasting time and walking late at night outdoors.”
Before I could reply, Amma came from the kitchen and defended her daughter.
“I sent her out to get Nikethan. Before going for a walk Kanna got my permission, you don't need to holler at her. Try to blast out your outrage on someone else instead of your own kids.”
Father got up and left immediately to his room. He slammed the door and Amma went away to the kitchen weeping. I wished to comfort her however she instructed me to help Nickie with his schoolwork. I unobtrusively left without any inquiries. When I enquired Nickie about the situation, he seemed to know nothing. I helped him finish his schoolwork and later Amma called us for supper. Father did not join us and Amma seemed to be less bothered about it. Amma didn’t have her dinner as well. I requested her to eat but she denied it and told me she was not hungry.
Later in the night, I decided to sleep with Amma and once Nickie slept I slid away slowly from the room. I did not find her in the room where father was sleeping so I went to our terrace to check. Amma indeed was lying there on Charpai, the four-legged bed. I went to her and Amma was reading a book with the lamp light switched on. She saw me standing and got up while she placed the book aside. I was holding a pillow and a sheet. She signalled me to sit and I quietly sat down.
“What’s wrong Kanna?’, she questioned.
“I couldn’t sleep, Amma. Can I lie here with you?”
“Sure, dear. Come here.”, Amma said while she made me sleep on her lap.
“Can I ask you something?”
“Sure, Kanna go ahead.”
“Why were you crying earlier when I came home? What happened between you and dada?”
“Don’t worry about it Kanna. It’s just a small rough patch.”
“Please tell me Amma.”
Amma did not wish to tell me about the situation yet on my continuous request she finally narrated the story. This wasn’t a new spot for me, I have seen my parents fight many times and that was one of the reasons why I loathed marriage. I arranged my parent’s battles into various classifications. There were three types, uncalled contention, lacking congruence and sound yet sensible fight. This time the story was again as expected, father received a transfer order and Amma didn't appear to be upbeat about it. Thus, this really falls under the last classification because of the fact that Amma had a sensible point so did Dada. We were living in this house for very nearly five years and she didn't wish to leave it now. Amma was additionally stressed over my exams and tutoring. She didn't want me to be upset while getting ready for the all India entrance test. While she requested the father to compose a letter to the higher authorities bringing up the worries that incensed dad because of the fact that in his whole vocation, he never denied an order letter. Dada is an individual who wishes to change in accordance with the conditions and get along while Amma wants the joy of her family and its prosperity. She is a person who points out her concerns and resolves the issue before giving up and later tries to adjust. Father didn't appear to like it, he would have rather not ask or argue and inevitably the battle had its opening. The contention began with the tension regarding relocation and it finished with a battle identified with the absence of thankfulness for the commitments given by them to the family. This is a run of the mill part of marriage as well, you start with an argument and end up fighting about something miles apart from what you at first began. I slowly got up and saw Amma who was controlling her tears.
“Amma, don’t you think if you were never married you never would have been in such a situation. You say marriage is a part of life and at the same time you say it is complicated, this is definitely an interesting paradox.”
“Let me tell you one thing, wouldn't life be monotonous and boring if we didn’t have challenges on the way. You say you wish to start an enterprise that would work for every community in the world and its sole motive is to create a sustainable life. At the same time, you do worry that you will have to face an enormous number of challenges but are sure that it will be fun and interesting. So similarly, Kanna my enterprise is my family and my motive is to keep you all safe, happy and healthy. So, when I face hurdles and setbacks during my mission that’s when life becomes even more interesting and realistic. The pain is temporary and it will fade away as time passes by.”
“Still, I would rather not get into these weird relationships and ties. I am happy with my family and friends and wish to have no more complicated chaotic relations.”
“That is wrong Kanna at that point by what method will life be meaningful and exciting. Remember having someone standing beside you is a boon. The same way I have your father and so does he but despite the quarrels and fights we still will never break ties. Today I might be furious with your father as is he, however, tomorrow if any of us are in pain or need to uphold we will independent of whatever happened before will stand with one another.”
“I highly doubt that when you both occasionally fight; Dada barely comes and takes care of you. You apologize to him every time before the fight escalates.”
“So does he Kanna, and what difference does it make. There are times where you need to act like the bigger person in a situation and it’s for your own good. In some cases, it's me and keeping in mind that occasionally it's you, Dada.
“Nothing that you say will ever change my views on marriage. I still think if you weren’t married you would have become the most famous, successful doctor in the world.”
“Then I will not have been blessed with such brave and amiable loving kids. Also, you would not have me as your mother which God planned.”
“True Amma, one way or the other it's good to believe there is a creator of the universe apart from science and evolution proofs. Among millions of humans, god selected the best parents I could ever wish for and gifted me with a life I am grateful to. The odds of it are only possible when I believe the existence of god and his plan but again, I will never get married.”
“Someday you will understand it. Don’t worry.”, and Amma smiled at me.
“You know by convincing me to get married someday or compelling me to like it you are trying to jeopardize our relationship.”
“I am willing to take the risk Kanna.”
“You know eventually I will wear you down in future.”
“Let’s see if you can dear.”
We chatted for some time leaving behind the conundrums and controversial debates and rather Amma enquired about my preparation and gave me some tips to overcome my examination stress. I told her about Sam and our discussion and she discreetly laughed. After some point, I drifted off and slept while Amma tapped me singing my favourite lullaby.
The next morning, I woke up late than usual. I got down the stairs and surprisingly to my eyes, I saw my parents chuckling while Amma prepared food and Dada helped her serve. I got down slowly and went to freshen up and when I came out, I went to Nickie to discover a few insights regarding the mysterious patch up. Unexpectedly, Nickie really knew something this time. My little dumb while cute eleven-year-old brother narrated to me the entire reconciliation occurrence. Early in the morning, Amma suffered from a knee cramp and she scarcely could walk. Dada quickly rushed to her assistance and provided her with medicines and a massage to soothe the pain. Afterwards, they spoke for a while on the arguments stimulated yesterday and came to a fair compromise. Dada decided to shift alone and visit us every two weeks while Amma agreed to it and decided to shift after our academic sessions concluded. Our family plunked down to have a lovely breakfast and chattered and examined news during the upbeat family time. Despite the fact that I was troubled about relocating and missing Sam yet I needed to leave in any case. I was preparing for college and some way or the other now I had to leave the place and my family to stay in a hostel. Eventually, we were also not attending the marriage with a change in plans. While I saw my parents talking and supporting one another, unexpectedly my perspectives changed. Amma had a horrible pain however when she had Dada stand next to her, the agony no longer appeared to trouble her much and she cherished the moments. At that moment I felt it was not a social paradigm to marry but it is an inevitable need for human life form. Marriage assembles connections and teaches them to work on maintaining them. Marrying for love seems rational yet it's not simply love that should be the only main motivation to wed. Respect and care towards one another must also be the contributing factors. I comprehended marriage isn’t about picking up predominance but is a mutually healthy relationship that requires a commitment that lasts forever. In spite of some illogical social norms behind weddings somebody, I still thought that there were some logical statements that eventually I came to understand. However, at this point I no longer showed tremendous contempt towards marriage, I now did not object to it completely. While once upon a time, marriage seemed an impossible aspect of my life now it seemed like a possibility. For a brief, I sat in a stunning situation and couldn't simply envision that I was no longer protesting with marriage. I realized I lost my bet the very next day. Nevertheless, there were still some aspects that I found ridiculous, be it divorcing or toxic relationships or the huge wedding ceremonies squandering cash. So, I decided to remain single and that definitely did not cause the world to rip off but though it certainly incensed and caused Sam to lose her temper, the day she lost the bet or to emphasize the day she got married. The bet stated that either I get married before Sam or change my views completely would result in my defeat. So practically I did not lose the bet till now since I stayed unmarried and didn’t change my perspectives totally. Though I officiated her wedding on her solicitation. Sam didn’t like to lose and even planned on postponing her wedding but I explained to her it was an insanely stupid idea. Eventually, she accepted her defeat however on her wedding day I discreetly murmured to her, “You never lost and I never won.”
So how was the story? Do drop in your thoughts in the comments. Also, a quick notice to all my readers that from now on I will be publishing newsletters once a month and no particular day is fixed so do keep eye friends! Hope you enjoyed the story, in case you missed the first part you can read it here!
Until then, take care, stay safe and au revoir!
Best wishes,
Ganga
Disclaimer: All the thoughts and ideas discussed are exclusively the author's individual thoughts and do not represent any association/foundation/individuals the author is related to. Anything that may have hurt the sentiments of any group or groups of individuals is inadvertent and without malice. The author at no point means to demonize or insult any religion, practice, gathering, or individual.
My short story!!!
Lovely story and interesting perspective 🔥❤