I see the look in your eyes
and my heart constricts. I have never
ever seen that look before. I want to cry but I can't. When I wanted my way with you, all I had to do
was turn the tap on. I could tear up as easily as if I am peeling a sulphuric onion.
And you'd melt like butter cut by a hot
knife. But that look tells me it won't work this time . I am too numb. The tears just don't come. It
is as if they have been frozen by the feeling of numbness that is starting from
the base of my feet and hitting a crescendo in the middle of my scalp. Such a
gamut of emotions.I am shocked. I am hurt. But most of all, I am scared. I look
at you and I think "This man, who I first held in my arms as a new born babe,
is now looking at me with hatred and anger. This man, who used to call me Amma
with love and tenderness, is now spitting out the same "Amma" with dislike and
irritation. There is no love there." Even when your father left me with two
young children, I did not feel the desolation as I feel now.
I worshipped you.
I worshipped
you. You were the one steady factor in my life. My early memories were of
cuddling in your arms, smelling your scents, wallowing in your warmth. I felt
safe. I felt loved. I did not feel the
absence of a father in my life because you were my father, my mother, my guru.
My everything. No matter how tired you were or how busy, you would look at me
and smile and that smile would make my heart expand with joy. And it was that smile that took me through
the bad times, the hard times. And it was the inexplicable desire to keep that
smile forever on your face that drove me to do the things that no decent man
would do. It was the inexplicable desire to keep that smile forever on your
face that I did things I did at the expense of my family.
Family. Did you forget that for the main part of your
life, I was your family? It was just the three of us. You. Your baby sister. And me. Your father had
abandoned me. Physically. Mentally. Spiritually. I had to struggle. Society does not look
kindly on a single mother - if the husband dies before the wife, it is her
fault. The man is faultless. He could be alcoholic, a wife beater, a womanizer,
an adulterer. But that is all okay because hey, he is a man. He is an alcoholic
because his wife drove him to drink. He is a wife beater because the wife asked
for it. He is a womaniser because his wife refuses to satisfy his needs. He is
an adulterer because he is too kind to kick his wife out even though she does
not act as a wife and he has no choice but to seek his comforts and pleasures
elsewhere. He is a man. I am a woman. He has feelings. I don't. He has
self-respect. I don't. He has pride. I don't. But you know what helped me to
deal with the dislike, the contempt, the snide comments? My children. My
daughter. My son.
Any man would be proud of having two sons. It is a sign of their
masculinity, their manhood. Strangely, I never felt that way. At first. When
both of them were born, I gave a sigh of relief that at least one of them will
carry on with my business dynasty. I was out working, conniving, networking,
manipulating, cheating. Yes, cheating. Anything and everything to ensure that I
was the King of the World and one of my sons would sit in the throne once I am
gone. I now realise that it does not
matter - all this wealth and success. When the ones who are supposed to look up
to you look down at you, you feel as if your heart has been wrenched out of
your heart. It is not worth it. My
Surya. So named after the Sun God. But he turned out to be a soft lad. Nothing
wrong with that. A soft lad who is kind, loving and highly-principled. Like his
mother. Then my Gautham. Strong, bold, aggressive, emotional. But that tough
exterior hides a soft heart. Loyal, brave, loving. Just like his mother. His
mother. My wife. My life.
My
life went asunder when he walked out of the door. He packed his bags and left.
Just like that. Oh, he'd send me money every month and he would come back to
see both of you. I refused to let him come in and finally I told him
categorically that I did not want him to see both of you or have contact with
you. Oh, he does not want me but he wants my children?? And if he loved you
both so much, why did he have to have another son by that harlot? I couldn't
get over how he forgot the prayers, the saptapadi,
the agnipradakshinam. We took seven steps as we walked around the
fire, with him holding my hand and leading, uttering seven sacred vows. I felt
so protected and overwhelmed then...my small hand being held firmly and warmly by
this big manly one.
Step one - sacred vow one - ekamie viustv anvetu. Let us both create, secure and enjoy all the things and comforts
related to the physical body like food, clothing, shelter and other wealth
needed for the physical body .
Hah.
I made sure that all his physical needs were fulfilled. Didn't we get two
healthy children? Didn't we enjoy all that and much more? In what way did I
neglect my duties as his wife? I may have nagged him a bit and questioned his
movements. I may have gotten angry with him sometimes. But I was perfectly
entitled to do so. He was handsome, wealthy, kind and generous. I had to make
sure that no one, whether man or woman, took advantage of him. I had to protect
him. To protect you. To protect me.
But he still broke my heart.
Somewhere in my desire to win anything and everything at all
costs. I forgot the vows, the prayers, the the saptapadi, the agnipradakshinam.
We uttered seven oaths as we took
seven steps around the sacred fire. I remember feeling proud, happy, excited.
The warmth and strength in her hand as it was ensconced in mine. Confident and
reassuring. I was the luckiest man in the world - that this smart,
highly-intelligent, resilient and loving woman isbecoming my wife.
Step one -sacred vow one - ekamie viustv anvetu - Let us both create,
secure and enjoy all the things and comforts related to the physical body like
food, clothing, shelter and other wealth needed for the physical body.
We were. We did. But I must be honest. It was she who carried
the lion share. My lioness. Hahaha. She was carrying out her own duties and
responsibilities and she still looked after me, our children, looking after the
needs of everyone, her sister, my sister...her family, my family. But she never
made me feel insecure or inferior. But somehow along the way, I began to resent
her. And that resentment grew and festered. So all the physical comforts were
there. But not the spiritual and emotional ones.
Step
two - sacred vow two - dve rje
viustv anvetu - Let us join together without
ego.
Ego?
What ego? I never had any ego. If at times I did not bend to his requests, it
was because I knew what was best for him. That was not ego, that was actually
being thoughtful. On the contrary, it was his ego that made him walk out
because I was not the submissive, pliable wife he wanted me to be.
Step two - sacred vow two - dve rje viustv anvetu - Let us join together without ego.
I couldn't help it. After being spoilt rotten by you and Jyothi,
it was hard to take a backseat to a woman. She was egoistical too, so
determined and hell bent on doing things her way, without consulting me.
Finally I accepted that that my role was reduced to providing sustenance for
the family and I just started focusing on my business more. I was the master and in control. No one
questioned me or challenged me. If I say "Jump", they will ask "How high?". If
I said to Vani "Jump", she'll ask "Why?". It used to irritate me. But now I
realize that it is one of her strong characteristics. She is not sheep to follow
blindly. She is a lioness. My lioness.
Step three - sacred vow three - tri
vratya viustv anvetu - I will not force myself upon the other at
the physical or mental level when the other does not prefer it.
I
didn't but I can't say the same for him. I mean, we already had two children.
What was the need for those things? And yet he'd come to me at night -
sometimes even during the day. Ugh. And
still he forced himself upon me.
Step three - sacred
vow three - tri vratya
viustv anvetu -
I will not force myself upon the other at the physical or mental
level when the other does not prefer it.
We never had to. I really appreciate that part of her now.
Step
four - sacred oath four - catvri
myo bhavya viustv anvetu. I (the man) will help the
woman overcome the illusions she holds in the form of her fear and insecurity.
I (the woman) will help the man overcome the
illusions he holds in the form of lust.
I
failed on this one. He had no problem at all. I wasn't fearful and neither was
I insecure. They didn't name me Angayarkanni for nothing. The only time I felt
fear, and that too for all of the better part of an hour, was when he left me
and I did not know what to do or how to face the future. Then you pulled my
saree, my son, and I saw you looking fearful and unhappy. I was determined
there and then that my life is for you and I will never let fear restrain me
from providing you with the best. And I did provide you with the best.
Step four - sacred oath four - catvri myo bhavya viustv anvetu. I (the man)
will help the woman overcome the illusions she holds in the form of her fear
and insecurity. I (the woman) will help the man overcome the illusions he holds
in the form of lust.
My lioness. Fearful? Insecure? Hahaha. Never. Wasn't she the one
who pulled her sister and ran for their lives from the child kidnappers? At a
tender age of 9 or 10? No, nothing fazes her. So I had no duty at all to help
her overcome something that wasn't there. Lust was never central part of our
lives but she never failed her duties. I shouldn't be telling you all this but
you should know that after you, this was the woman who made your son happy. My
ego refused to acknowledge that.
Step
five - sacred oath five - paca
paubhya viustv anvetu. Let us look after our ancestors
and elders who are alive...
I
looked after his parents as my own. But after a little while they became
demanding and unreasonable. His mother was the mother-in-law from hell and
expected me to do everything for them. Was it my fault that they decided to
leave and go to an ashram? How peaceful the house was after they left. And he
did not realise it. When he left, I said to everyone "Let him follow his
useless parents". That was how angry I was.
Step five - sacred oath five - paca paubhya viustv anvetu. Let us look after our ancestors and elders who are alive...
She looked after you, Amma.
Step
six - sacred vow six- atubhya
viustv anvetu. Let us support and
strengthen each other in all moods and in all seasons, in all situations, at
all times and spaces, not only when one of us is weak or in low mood, but let
us share when we feel strong or when we are in high mood as well.
The
more I think about this, the more angry I get. Why do people make vows if they
have no intention of keeping them. There was no sharing, just take, take, take
and then when there was nothing left, abandon.
Step six - sacred vow six- atubhya
viustv anvetu. Let us support and
strengthen each other in all moods and in all seasons, in all situations, at
all times and spaces, not only when one of us is weak or in low mood, but let
us share when we feel strong or when we are in high mood as well.
We used to be like that when we were a middle-class family. We
were united and we shared all sorrows as much as we shared our happiness. It was
only when we became successful in our careers we drifted apart. I did not help
things further when you came back and I listened to you all the time, letting
your insidious whispers get to me.
Step
seven - sacred oath seven - saptasaptabhya
hotrbhya viustv anvetu . We promise to follow all that is covered here and
all that is not covered here as well. There could be many things that may not
have been included in the previous promises. So this promise covers all those
that have not been covered in any of the previous promises.
So
fidelity, trust, loyalty are all covered, right? What was going through his
head when he decided to walk off into the arms of that Madhavi? Only he wasn't
Kovalan. He did not come back. And how many times I wished I was Kannagi. I
would have burnt the city over and over again. No mercy. No remorse.
Step seven - sacred oath
seven - saptasaptabhya hotrbhya viustv
anvetu . We
promise to follow all that is covered here and all that is not covered here as
well. There could be many things that may not have been included in the
previous promises. So this promise covers all those that have not been covered
in any of the previous promises.
I neglected all the other
six vows, Amma, why should I observe this one? On hindsight, I am embarrassed.
No wonder my boys hated me and Vani was aloof with me. The only people who
cared for me and respected me were Rani and Swami. Look how I treated them. No
justification. No excuse.
When the seven steps are over. the husband has to call his wife "sakhe"
meaning "Oh my friend". Sakhyau
saptapad bhabhva
He called me his
friend. He did not treat me as one.
When the seven steps are over. the husband has to call his wife "sakhe"
meaning "Oh my friend". Sakhyau
saptapad bhabhva
I called her my friend. I did not treat her
as one.
I sacrificed a lot for you, Bhoomi. But I know now
that too much love can kill you. I am sorry, but I cannot do this anymore.
I sacrificed a lot for you, Amma. But I know
now that too much love can kill you. I am sorry, but I cannot do this anymore...
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I overheard my father talking to them in the sitting room. He was talking about me. Poongodi onum vivaram theriyathe ponnu ille. Ethu sari ethu thappunu yosike therinja ponnu".
I sensed the confidence and pride in his quietly-spoken words. I teared
up. Usually if anyone said that about me, I would reply cheekily "Athil santhegam enna?" But
no more. I don't think I am quite the confident and worldly girl my
father and the rest of the world think I am. Indeed the doubt about me
is huge, as huge as the pink elephant in the room which no one else sees
but me.
I have had a strange
childhood. You would have thought that two people like my parents, who
were so in love with each other that they would defy their families to
elope, would lead a happy life. That was not the case. For as long as I
could remember, my house was dominated by my mother. My father was an
appendage, a necessary fixture who brought in money every month so that
my mother could rule the roost according to her whims and fancies. And
her biggest whim and fancy was money. No, let me reword that: MONEY. I
swear she has dollar signs in her eyes instead of irises. She was always
moaning about money or rather lack of. Either that or she would spit
venomous drops of jealousy at my aunts, Vani and Rani. Admittedly she
may be jealous of Vani Athai - she is successful, smart and strong.
Everything my mother aspires to be but cannot. Deep down she knows it
and that is yet another grudge that is eating her insides like an acid
burn. But what I really cannot comprehend is her ill-feelings towards
Rani Athai. From what I was told, my father duped Ranima to come to the
Registry of Marriages and both he and my mother duped her (again) into
getting them married. As a result of this duplicity, her own twin
refused to talk to her. For 25 years. And yet my mother and her mother
make fun of her. That was their favourite pastime. Other women would
fix themselves in front of the television glued to the serials but not
these two. Our lives were episodes of a serial. People think that
serials have negative impact on society and family, but my life is a
serial itself!! In fact, sometimes I'd think my family life would be a
perfect fodder for serials. How I managed to deal with my mother and
grandmother without going bonkers, or worse, becoming like them is a
miracle. Thank God for my intelligence, my sense of humour and my
father. Being able to laugh and having a carefree attitude towards Life
generally helps. That is what I thought until recently.
Sara.
Or his full name Saravanan Swaminathan. What a mouthful, eh? Just like
the guy. Complex. Convoluted. Confusing. Really, I do not understand
what I saw in him. He is exactly the opposite of what I am. The
contrasts between us are so glaring. He is bookish. Head always bent
over his books. Me, my books serve as table rests, steps when I want to
get something from the shelves, somewhere to put my coffee on. He looks
as if he is carrying the burden of the world on his shoulders. I on the
hand think that the world is my playground. He respects the elders in
his family. You know the kind of elders I have, how would the respect
come? He looks up to Gautham, who is hardly the role model any young man
could have. Gautham??? HAHAHAHAHA!! I can easily take Gautham on - I
can match him courage for courage, gumption for gumption, dare for dare.
Hardly MY role model, but apparently it is Saravanan's. I don't know
what makes him tick. You tell him a joke and it takes 10 seconds for it
to register. Not that he is stupid, but he takes time to understand
humour. Sometimes a looong time - even little Thenu can grasp it faster
than her smarter elder brother. And you should see his face when I barge
on him. Have you heard of the idiom "Like a deer caught in
headlights?" It means being scared or frightened when confronted with a
situation or person unexpectedly. That is how Saravanan looks when he
sees me. Eyes widened in fear, jaw tight, lips trembling. You would have
thought that I was going to gobble him up. I used to laugh outright at
the expressions on his face.
But
somehow, without me realising it, I started teasing him not so much as
to disturb him, but to see that gorgeous smile, to hear that hearty
laugh, to see those eyes crinkle up in enjoyment. I started to
appreciate him more. A young man so committed to his family, determined
to succeed in life. It was new to me. It was refreshing. It was
heartwarming. I found myself falling for him. And I knew that he was
falling for me too. I just knew it.
How
things have changed. How he has changed. He does not give me the time
of the day. He snubs me and at times he is downright rude to me. I am a
girl, who once decides that she wants something, will go all out to get
it. He hardly smiles. The laughter has gone. I wish he was brave enough
to be honest about his feelings for me. Yet I never gave up. I even
feigned that I was hospitalised. The look of fear mingled with worry on
his face when he came rushing to the hospital would have been flattering
if it was not sad. His priorities have become all mixed up and his
reasoning even more so. Deep down inside he was still the goofy Sara
that I know and love, not the goonda Sara he tries to portray himself to
be. But how long can I go on like this? Being a girl does not meant
that I do not have any self-respect, that I do not have any dignity.
There is only so much that I can take.
And
then there is Karthik. What sin did I commit in my past life that I
should attract the attention of a spoilt brat like him? I don't hate him
but he has become an annoying pest, like an irritating mosquito that
keeps buzzing in your face. At least you can get rid of the mosquito. It
is not as easy with Karthik. Grandfather has spoilt him and now he
expects everything to fall on his lap. Even me. Everywhere I turn, there
he is, an idiotic smile pasted on his smarmy face. And he dares to
compare his "love" for me with my love for Saravanan. Could someone
please get rid of him? There is only so much I can take.
Why
can't life be simple? Why can't a boy fall in love with a girl and
vice-versa without any complications? We are marrying each other, not
our parents or grandparents or uncles or aunts. I don't want a man who
is not honest with me. I do not want a man who does not respect my
wishes. I want someone who treats me the way I deserve. I am tired of
crybabies and spoilt brats. I want someone who is strong, exciting and
at the same time honest enough to admit his feelings for me.
I switch on the television in frustration and they are playing "Irrukum idathay veethu illatha idam thedi, engego aleygindrar, gnana thangame". Is Someone up there trying to tell me something?
The doorbell rings.
I open the door. Standing there with a smile on his face and a rose in his hand is
Gautham.
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