HER MISTAKE

Roopa PoV:

This day was special in my life ever. I achieved more than I aspired to, in my life. It was quite impossible for many girls to accomplish the goals they kept for themselves. Though they were bright and hard working, still they achieve no progress in their life.

I am Roopa, who faced the similar fate, a few years back. I aspired to work for my nation, save the lives of the people of my country, and be an inspiration to many girls. The task which I set for myself, is impossible to even dream, for a girl like me who came from a rural background in India.

Parents in India are of course loving, caring, understanding like any other parents in the world, but something differentiates them from the rest. It is their overprotective nature which is a bulwark for the development of their daughter. But, no parent accepts it. They name it as protecting their daughter from the evils of the society.

Of course, I do agree with that there are evils in the society. But, is it only confined to India? If sexual harassment and Eve teasing are the most significant problems of women in India, aren't the women in other nations didn't have this issue? Of course, they do. Problems are there everywhere and for everyone. But the way this problem dealt with by other nations is different from the way we see.

Most of the parents in India, deal with this problem by getting the daughter married at an early age and by cutting off their dreams in the budding stage without leaving a chance to bloom. That is what happened to me. My parents crushed my dreams with their love and care for me. They got me married off to the person who loves and cares for me, but who was not ready to support my dream.

"Today, I invite Mrs. Roopa Preetam, who is an inspiration to every girl in India, onto the stage, to receive this award. Hats off to Roopa," the host invited me to receive the prestigious award "Bharath Ratna" from the hands of the honourable Prime Minister of India.

Raising my head high, with a smile dancing on my lips with pride for being a woman, I went onto the stage to receive the award. I remembered my past.

A Few Years Ago:

“Hey Roopa! Wake up,” Nanda Kishore shouted, taking off the comforter from me.

“Nandu, let me sleep for some more time,” I said and covered myself with the blanket again.

“Roopa, today you are going to visit your parents. Wake up, sweetheart,” Nandu said again.

Listening the word parents, I opened my eyes immediately. The memories of my life appeared in front of my eyes. I sat on the bed and closed my eyes with my palm. Nandu side hugged me, understanding my feelings.

“It’s okay, angel. You didn’t do anything wrong. Circumstances showed you act as wrong, but not your intent behind the act. Relax and get ready. I am with you,” Nandu said.

I smiled for his support. I got ready within one hour. When, I reached the dining hall, entire room filled with the aroma of paratha made with ghee. Sanjana finished preparing the breakfast.

“Good morning, Sanjana,” I said.

“Good morning, sweetie. Come on, have your breakfast quickly. We will drop you at the bus station,” Sanjana said.

We completed the breakfast and reached the bus stop.

“Take care, Roopa. Let us know if you need any help,” Sanjana said, giving me a hug.

“ Roopa, don’t forget your target. You are going to your parents and husband, Preetam on a purpose. No love, no attachment, no bonding. You should return to us as soon as your work completes. So, don’t give any hopes to Preetam,” Nandu suggested as if it was so easy.

I didn’t object to his words. I bid bye to Nandu and Sanjana. I sat on the bus to my village. Getting down from the bus, I looked around reminiscing about my happy days in this village. I am visiting my native place after six months. The fragrance of the Jasmine from the nearby farm touched my nostrils, making me smile. Everyone gets delighted to visit the home after such a long time. But, my situation was different. I recalled the mistake done by me unintentionally, but was regarded as a crime by my family. Of course, eloping from home on the first night without informing anyone is not a small mistake. My smile turned into a sigh anticipating the consequences I may face from today.

I walked towards my home, ignoring the nauseating glances of the people. I always wonder why people don’t mind their business, instead of poking the nose into others’ lives? I reached my home. I knocked on the door with trembling forefinger. My mom opened the door and shocked seeing me. I get to hug my mom, but I am sure that my family won’t embrace me with love as before. I went inside the home as I don’t want to provide the free show to the neighbours about my life or hatred of my family towards me. I closed the main door.

“Mom, ” I tried to speak, but my mum went off, ignoring me.

Soon, my entire family gathered in the living room.

“Why did you come back?” my dad asked me bitterly, without looking at me.

I chuckled at my dad’s question, to hide the tears which I don’t like to show to anyone. Isn’t it hurting to see the aversion in the eyes of the one who raised you up with love since your birth? My heart ached the moment I saw the bitterness towards me, in my parents. I don’t mind even if this whole universe rejects me, but can’t imagine my family disowning me. Though I prepared myself to face this, now my emotions went out of my control. I don’t understand how to answer my dad’s question. It’s my home and how am I not supposed to come back?

“I am your daughter, dad,” I said in a low tone.

"We can't allow you to stay here. Just leave now," my dad who supported me every time, ordered me.

"Dad, where can I go now? I can't go to Preetam as he is angry at me,” I said, guessing how angry Preetam, my husband would be with me.

"Go anywhere you want or die. But I can't allow a daughter like you to stay in my home," dad shouted this time making me close my eyes.

"Dad, take her to Preetam and leave her there. He will decide what to do with her," my brother, Samhith advised.

Before I react, dad held my hand and dragged me into the vehicle. We drove off to Preetam’s office. After the drive of five hours, we came to the city where Preetam resides. As soon as we reached his cabin, my hands started sweating. I stepped into his room slowly.

Preetam is working on his laptop. He raised his head, hearing the door opening sound of his chamber. He bolted from the blue seeing his wife who fled away from him on the marriage day. He didn’t speak a word and stared at me as if trying to find the answers to his doubts.

"Preetam, my daughter committed a blunder. Now she is no more my daughter. Give her any punishment you like. Even if you kill her, we won't ask you," dad spoke, throwing me on Preetam’s feet.

Preetam didn’t react, and my dad left the office, leaving me to my husband’s mercy. Soon, his look changed into a glare. I observed him clenching his fist and gritting the teeth. I want to run away from here right now, but no, I shouldn’t make another mistake by leaving him again. His breathing became heavy, and I understood how mad he is at me.

I looked at him, but he didn't speak a word to me. After some time, Pretam continued his office work. Still, I am on the floor, and my elbow hurt so much as dad threw me forcibly. I looked at my mangalsutr hung around my neck. I stood up and looked at Preetam.

"Preetam!" I said slowly.

He didn't glance at me. I know I did wrong. The mistake that no married woman would commit. I stood there calmly waiting for his reaction. I am standing there for the last three hours hoping for his response. I know he will be enraged at me. After all, who will forgive a wife who eloped on the first night of marriage? I deceived him and his trust.

He got up from his chair finishing his work, and then signalled me to follow him. I went with him, though I don’t know what will he decide about me. He asked me to get into his car. I sat in the car, and he started the car. Where is he taking me? Why is he not saying a word to me, though he is furious with my mistake? He stopped his vehicle near a building, and the watchman opened the gate for him. We went inside the gate, and the beautiful rose garden invited me.

It’s surprising for me to see such a garden in the city. I inhaled the fragrance of the roses. My mind relaxed a bit after seeing these beautiful plants. For the first time, I am stepping into my in-laws house. I walked inside the house. I didn’t find my in-laws in the house. Is he staying here alone or do they go for a vacation?

"This is your room, Roopa. You can stay here till you find a job," Preetam said, pulling me out of my thoughts and went into the room opposite to my room.