Marriage Of Deceit

  Chapter 13

  On our way back from airport, I travelled not only a distance of 20 miles, but traversed my entire life span of four years spent with Rohit. I was hit by tumultuous waves of past memories some sweet but many were painful. I felt annoyed with myself for my blunt perceptions, and unable to analyze the deceit which Rohit had in his mind, probably right from the time of our first meeting.

  Sumit was fully aware of my turbulent mind especially after meeting mama and getting a full account of the past fourteen years of my absence from that house. I had a firm determination to never ever look back into my past and erase the entire script and start a fresh blank slate of my life with Sumit.

  My only aim was to bring up Aman with the best upbringing, and transform him into a good human being with no traits of his father. This I seemed to have achieved to a great extent.

  Suddenly the squealing sound of car brakes with a sudden jerk made me aware that we had reached Sumit’s home and I involuntarily said, “Oh! We have reached your house.”

  The slanting smile on his face, and a cool correction, “Our house has been reached. I know you were engrossed and entangled in some cobweb, and I wanted to give you full freedom of thought. I think Aman must be hungry and waiting for lunch, so let’s go in and have lunch with him.” I felt so relieved that there is someone else too who is concerned about my son.

  Then followed the most busy and hectic period of my life. Only a fortnight left for Aman to leave. All his shopping sessions, his packing and weighing of the suitcases more than fifty times in order to follow the baggage rules was all done not by me alone, but Sumit was an active participant in every activity. His involvement gave me a peculiar sense of protection and satisfaction. At no step did it appear that Aman was not his real son. Sumit would be so caring, so understanding, so concerned was beyond imagination.

  My whole family, mum dad and my brother’s family came to our house to bid him good bye. Sumit’s parents also took active participation and all elders left half a dozen instructions each, of the does and don’ts of life, to which Aman very gracefully and decently listened. Finally he spurted out, “Mum I am not a little kid that all of you are so worried.” Three of us said in one tone, “Of course you are.” finally the day of his departure arrived, which made me sad and tense. I tried my very best to maintain my composure and exhibit strength.

  Sumit asked him in a compassionate tone. “Son, would you like to say bye to your granny in lucknow, and take her blessings too.” I nodded in a positive gesture agreeing to his suggestion. Sumit dialed the number and handed over the phone to Aman. “Hell!” Was a feeble staggering faint tone from the other end? Aman looked at me as if wanting my permission whether to talk to his unknown father or not. I just nodded my head and he continued, “I am Aman speaking from Mumbai. I wanted to bid good bye to you and grandma, as I am leaving for US tomorrow.”

  “Oh, son you made my life, I am so happy; God bless you. Here you go, talk to mama.”

  “Hi granny, I am leaving tomorrow.” Aman addressed her respectfully. The speaker voice was audible to all of us, when she replied in an excited tone, “Oh, sweetheart, I’m so happy you remembered to say bye to us before leaving India. God bless you. Our blessings and good wishes are always with you. Take care of yourself, and don’t worry about Asha. She is in safe and loving hands.”

  I got choked with a lump arising in my throat. My heart beats were faster and louder, probably audible to the whole crowd around me. I held on to Aman’s hand till his number came for the security check. Despite the pleasant weather and air condiyioning, beads of sweat appeared on my blenched face like the tiny morning dew drops. Aman anticipating my state of mind held my hand tight in reassurance and glanced at Sumit as if praying to him to take care of me and not let his absence become felt. Then he just let go of my hand and turned to go for security check.

  Immediately Sumit encircled his right arm around me, drew closer to me and whispered, “no tears, you are a strong woman. You wanted to send him out for higher studies. We will go and meet him soon, once he is settled.” When we lost sight of Aman he whispered softly, “now can we go home?” I nodded in agreement and went to the parking lot for our car.

  Initially I missed Aman a lot but Sumit tried to keep me busy and made me talk to him nearly thrice a day. Then I realized that Aman would not be able to concentrate on his studies. So gradually the frequency of conversations reduced and we got engrossed in our routine. Sumit was exceptionally considerate and loving, trying his very best to keep me happy. After six months of Aman’s departure he came home one day and handed an envelope to me saying, “We are leaving for Lucknow tomorrow.”

  I gave him a look of surprise, and said, “Why?”

  His answer was very cool. “To meet mama.”

  Chapter 14