What's her mistake ? - 15

Dammu continued telling her story as if the past has not affected her in any manner. But we could see that the face under the long flowing hair (now plaited) was very dull. The weight of the past was pulling her down; that was being seen very easily.

“I think the things boiled down on the day I touched eighteen. It was a very hectic day. I had decided to tell my father about my love story and introduce him to my boyfriend. The lawyer came and made the change in the will. I was the sole owner of a big house and God knows what all other things were the part of the property!”

Dammu smiled a sad smile.

“There was celebration in the house as the cook had prepared good number of sweets. My father was so eager to tell the world something. I could see in his action. He was trying to say something to me and it looked as if he was having two minds about it. Finally I asked him what is on his mind. Once he finished saying his part, I wanted to tell about my boyfriend. But what my father told me was not at all happy news for me!”

“What did he tell Dammu? You were telling that you are the only child and I am sure he would have accepted your boyfriend as his son in law!” exclaimed Nammu Aunty.

“Well may be, if the circumstances were different” Dammu said.

“What happened?” I asked out of curiosity. Now I was ‘dying’ to know what happened next.

“My father held my hand with a imploring look in his eyes. He had made a very good friend in the North during the freedom struggle and that friend’s son was the ideal match for me. Father said, ‘I know that you are a major today and you can marry anyone of your choice. But can you give a chance for me to show this boy please? We will leave for Delhi to see this boy tomorrow itself’”

“This put me in a fix” said Dammu. I could see that she was struggling to tell the next part. May be it is the saddest part of her life.

“Dad, I have to say something to you. Can I tell now?” I asked. He was surprised. He found that I was tongue tied which is never the case with me. He said so. The subject is like that I said. Funnily I could not say anything further. But at that moment, as if sent by God, my boyfriend came there.....” Dammu stopped.

She was very emotional now. This Dammu both of us had never seen. May be she should stop the story telling for now.

Nammu Aunty must have thought the same thing. She stood up and walked next to Dammu, touched her shoulder and said in a soft tone, “Let us take a break Dammu. We will continue after some time. Anyway I am feeling sleepy. Can I go to sleep for some time now please?” she asked.

Dammu was feeling guilty. I could see it on her face.

She stood up and caught hold of Nammu Aunty’s hand and said, “I am very selfish. I should have thought about your health. My story is not great. It can be stopped now itself”

Nammu Aunty immediately said “Oh no, I want to know how you addressed the situation about your husband, your kids?....” she left in the middle. I could sense that she did not know anything about Dammu and did not want to imagine what could have happened in Dammu’s life.

“Husband...? ha ha ha ha...! What is exactly a husband Nammu?” asked Dammu and suddenly fell back in her sofa and started crying loudly.

I was perplexed and Nammu Aunty’s situation was not very different.

Oh God! What is happening?