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Coffee was finished in silence. Then a little hesitantly Arvind asked,“Nandini, you look unhappy. Why? Are not things all right with the marriage? Tell me Nandini. Maybe I can be of some help.”
Head lowered, Nandini was silent. When she looked up, her large eyes were filled with tears.
“No, sir, no one can help me.” She started sobbing, teardrops rolling down her cheeks.
Arvind watched her silently, she kept avoiding his eyes. He made no attempts to console or even ask her the reason. He thought it would be better to let her cry. That way at least some of her accumulated sorrow would be washed away. She would be partly relieved.
After about five minutes, Nandini wiped the tears and smiled at him. It was an embarrassed, sad and helpless smile. Arvind watched her silently for a few moments, then said, “Unless it is an absolute secret, you can tell me now.”
After a few moments of hesitation she came out with the happenings after her marriage. It turned out that despite his being handsome and otherwise healthy, the boy was incapable of performing as a man. He was a total zero. This defect was very much known to his parents and of course to himself. They had consulted renowned medical experts on the subject and after conducting various tests and trials they all concluded that he could never be a man in the real sense. Marriage was meaningless for him.
“If that was the case then why did he get married?” Arvind was puzzled.
“His parents consulted their Gurudev(family priest/advisor), who advised to get the boy married. He predicted that everything would become normal then. So I was chosen to be the sacrificial animal and my life was ruined.” Nandini wiped her eyes. “My brother and sister-in-law had no clue about this.”
Silently they sat for some time. Watching her sad tear-filled eyes he could imagine the extreme mental torture she underwent on those miserable days.
“What happened then?”
“After a month I could tolerate it no more. My in-laws were not bad people otherwise and my supposed to be husband was a simple man. He once showed me the medical report in detail. Quietly and secretly I managed to get a copy of the report and then one fine morning I packed my things and returned to my brother. My in-laws silently watched the departure and did not try to stop me. Perhaps they were afraid of any publicity.”
“Then what?”
“My brother and sister-in-law were furious on learning the things. I showed them the medical report also. My brother termed them ‘cheats’. Next morning he consulted an experienced advocate and filed a suit for concealment of facts and cheating. We asked for annulment of marriage.”
“Did they not contest?” Arvind asked.
“No sir. The medical report was proof enough. I was also clinically examined and confirmed to be a virgin. There was no contest at all. They avoided publicity. The matter was decided quickly. In three months, I was declared a single woman. This is the story of my married life, sir.” She smiled sadly.
Arvind was silent for some time. Then asked, “What will you do now? Have you decided?”
“I am trying for a Lecturer’s job. But my brother is asking me to re-marry.”
“Yes, why not. You can do both.”
“No, sir, once is enough. Who can guarantee that the next one will not be the same? You can not check these things before marriage. Can you?” She blushed and lowered her eyes.
“True you cannot, but such cases are very rare, once in few thousands. You need not be afraid, Nandini.”
“No, sir, I am really scared.”
She glanced at the watch and got up. “I must go now.”
“OK. By the way, how far is your place?”
“Very near. Third apartment block down the road.”
“I see. Then drop in sometime. We shall have coffee together. How is your nephew?”
“He has been admitted in the Nursery. Almost every morning I take him there, and then purchase some vegetables or small provisions. Afternoons I go out again and bring him back from the Nursery.”
Nandini picked up a book by Ian Rand from the well-stocked bookshelf.
“May I borrow this book sir?”
“Oh, sure. When will you come again, Nandini?”
“Sir, would you mind if I come same time tomorrow morning? I am thoroughly bored alone in the house.”
“Mind? I shall be extremely glad. You are welcome everyday.” Arvind opened the door for her.
Nandini came the next morning. She had a shy smile as she entered, “Good morning, sir. Today I shall prepare coffee. You don’t come to the kitchen.”
Arvind smiled. She looked much fresher today. The sadness and the pathetic look had vanished. She was almost her former self.
“All right, I shall only show you the things in the kitchen. It will then be easier for you.”
While sipping coffee they talked about books, films, TV serials and various other subjects. They laughed, mildly argued, expressed personal opinions, sometimes disagreed but mostly agreed. All through Aravind carefully avoided touching the topic of her marriage or future plans.Time passed by silently. They were absorbed in talking. Then looking at the clock, Nandini jumped up.
“Sir, I shall make a move now.”
“Will you come tomorrow?” Arvind asked at the door.
Nandini looked at his eyes for two seconds, then moving a step nearer and as though consoling a small boy, she said softly, “Yes sir, I shall.”
Nandini came the next day. Then the next, and the next. She was coming every morning now except for Sundays. She would be in his apartment for about an hour. They would discuss various subjects and what not over a cup of coffee prepared by Nandini. Every morning Arvind would eagerly wait for her and feel bad when she left. Sundays were dull and boring without her.
One day after coffee Nandini wanted to see the family photo album. Arvind took out two thick albums and gave them to her. He was on the opposite sofa. Nandini asked him to explain the photographs. Arvind came and sat next to her and showed her the photographs of his mother, brother, sister and their children. There were some snaps of his school and college days with typical hair styles of that time. Seeing a school-day’s photograph of Aravind in shorts, Nandini started laughing.
“Sir, you look so funny. Were you really that young?”
“Yes, once upon a time I was.”
She looked at the other photos. She admiringly looked at a college day photograph for a long time. They sat very close. Her shoulder and thigh were pressed against his. Arvind could feel the warmth of her body through the dress. Occasionally in the fan breeze, her hair would fly over to his face and he could get the wonderful feminine smell of her hair, her body and her breath. These were all new to him. Never before had he the chance to sit so close to a young pretty girl.
“You were very handsome in your younger days, sir.”
She looked at him for a long time then added, “Of course even today you are far better than many of the younger people.”
Arvind was pleased. He said, “Thanks for the compliments.”
Nandini continued to look at him and then asked, “Do you not feel lonely sir, living all alone?”
“I used to. But it is alright now.”
“Why is it different now?” Nandini asked.
“Because of you, Nandini. Every morning we spend some time together and that keeps me going for the rest of the day. Some nights I even dream of you.” Arvind was frank.
Nandini had a far away look, then almost whispered, “Why only for few hours, sir? Can we not stay together for days, months and years?” She looked away and her lips were trembling.
“You may think badly of me, but I love you. I cannot live without you.” Her voice broke.
Arvind could not speak for a long time. He put an arm around her shoulder and said, “Nandini you have told me exactly what I had been trying to tell. For a long time I wanted to express my feelings to you, but thinking of the age difference and what you would think of me, I hesitated. Nandini, you are exactly half my age. People would say that I am a cradle snatcher.”
Nandini leaned and put her head on his shoulder. “Does it really matter sir?”
Then suddenly she got up and said, “I better go now.”
“Must you go?”
“Yes, it is already late.”
She opened the front door, and then turning said with a twinkle in her eyes, “Sir, this evening I am going to tell my brother.”
“Tell what?” Arvind was apprehensive.
“Tell him to arrange my marriage, I have found my life partner.”
Laughing she went out. Arvind stood speechless.
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