"Well, you both are divorced." Mr. Roy said when Gautham returned the papers.
"Thank you Mr. Roy," I said and turned to face Gautham.
"I really hope that you find a woman who deserves you," I said and ran out of the office, not wanting to face him anymore.
No one could ever replace Gautham. He would neither fade away from my memory nor my heart. The memories that we made would be enough for me to spend a lifetime without him, but he was never really mine, was he?
I was a walking corpse for the next five days. I re-joined my old firm and my job was the only thing that kept me going. I didn't feel like talking to anyone. Ankitha took me on several shopping sprees to try to make me feel better but it was no use. I didn't give a damn to my looks and resembled someone who just recovered from a coma. I skipped my meals which mum hated. My parents had been amazing when I told them about the divorce.
My mom was so persistent in taking me to the temple today so that I could have a refreshing spiritual time, which even I thought was something that I really needed.
"Wear this for today," my mom said, handing me the same purple saree that I wore when Gautham and I met for the first time. It carried too many memories. I really did not think that we were made for each other when we first met, but as months passed by it changed. He put an end to everything we had. But still, he had an undeniable place in my heart. But the wounds would never heal, yet I couldn’t break down in front of my mom. I couldn’t scare her.
I nodded positively, giving her a tight lipped smile.
We both got dressed up and reached Kabaleshwar temple. Memories flooded my brain as I stepped inside the temple. Why did God plan such a fate for me?
"Are you okay, dear?" my mom's voice interrupted my thoughts.
I wiped the brimming tears before she could notice. "I'm fine."
"Are you sure, Shakthi?"
"Yes Mom." I pulled her inside the temple.
"Not this way! We have to go that side," my mom said, pointing towards the place where brides and the grooms met.
"Why?"
"Shakthi! Listen to me! For how long can you stay like this? You need someone in your life, someone with whom you can share your happiness and sorrow with. You can't stay single forever."
"Mom! Are you crazy! I understand all what you say, but it has not even been a week! "
"No, dear! You don't need to get married right away. For now, just see if you like the guy and the wedding can happen any time you want!"
"Mom! No one can replace Gautham! Even if he is not mine, I was always his! I will not give his place to anyone and I am leaving right now," I said angrily and turned to leave.
"If you leave now, then you will be considered dead according to me."
"What kind of a threat is that? Mom!"
"Shakthi! No one is forcing you to get married! Just meet the guy! Don't you trust me?" she pleaded, with tears almost filling her eyes. I didn't want to see her hurt like this.
"Fine," I agreed and we went to the meeting hall.
The entire hall was decorated with jasmine and roses. Some grand event should have taken place, but there was no one in the hall for me to meet.
"Mom! Why is it so silent?" I asked and just then she tapped my shoulder.
I turned and my eyes met the same pair of silvery grey eyes.
"Gautham," I whispered.
He was dressed neatly in a silk dhoti and white silk shirt. The sleeves of the shirt were neatly folded up his arms outlining his delicious muscles.
He smiled as his long fingers caressed my cheek. "How are you?" he asked
"What are you doing here?"
"That is not the answer to my question, baby."
"I don't owe you an answer anymore! And don't baby me! Do you get that?" I said, removing his hand from my face and moving a step away from him.
"Wow! Someone is angry!"
"What? Now I need your permission to become angry?"
"For how long can you stay angry like this? You have to let go of it sometime!" He held me by my shoulders.
"Are you insane? We are divorced! There is nothing between you and me anymore! Please leave me alone and go find a better girl for yourself" I said and tears blurred my eyes.
"That is why I am here!"
"What? What are you saying?"
"I found the better girl for me Shakthi! She is such a crazy girl! Our relationship started in a weird way. She is not that tall but her height is cute," he said and he laughed softly as held my hand securely.
I was supposed to feel happy for him, but it really hurt me to think that he had another woman in his life.
"Even when she remains silent, her eyes speak volumes to me. She is not a saree person but when she wears it, she really has no idea as to how beautiful she looks. She loves roaming around the house in my shirts. She loves eating pizzas. She loves being surrounded by people. Solitude is something she can't handle! Our relationship grew stronger over strange circumstances. But it only became stronger. She was such a difficult person to understand, but once I understood her, she was the simplest person I ever came across. Her selflessness is something that I adore, but sometimes, she really goes overboard. She just has one bad quality, running away from her problems. But she can literally do anything for me, anything!" he said, looking into my tear filled eyes. He wiped the tears from my cheeks. He really did love the girl whom he was talking about.
"I can tolerate anything, but not her tears. It pains me to see her hurt. She loves me unconditionally that she even went to the extent of leaving me, thinking that I will be hurt when I get to know about her infertility."
He was talking about me, the whole time.
"I loved her with my heart and soul but she wasn't able to believe it. She doesn't know to lie at all. She made some stupid stories and left me. Even her written words couldn't lie. That innocent she is. But She kept doubting our marriage, so I thought, why don't I end it?"
I could see his eyes glistening with tears.
"I put an end to our marriage. She doubted if I would ever marry her if I ever knew about her infertility before our marriage. Even when I convinced her that I didn't want to pry on a thing that never existed, not even one percentage of her was ready to accept that. She didn't believe me that I loved her. She promised me 'forever' and I am here to fulfill her broken promise. I promised that I would marry her a thousand times and I am just done with one," he said, taking out a blue velvety box from his pocket and going down on one knee.
"I want to start afresh! I want you to believe that I love you. But you didn't believe in my words. You told me to find a better girl for myself and I did. I want to marry your soul, your character and you will be the only woman who would continue to fulfill my dreams. Will you do the honor of marrying me for the second time and be my life?" he said, opening the box, revealing the beautiful diamond ring.
My heart beat fast against my ribcage.
"My knees are starting to hurt, baby," he said playfully.
"Yes! Yes, you crazy man! Yes! I will marry you."
"Thank you, love," he said and slid the ring into my ring finger. He stood and crashed his lips against mine. Our lips moved in perfect synchronization. This was not a lustful kiss. This kiss was filled with love, trust and passion. He cupped my face and deepened the kiss. I fisted his shirt, bringing him closer.
"I love you," he whispered against my lips and kissed the tip of my nose.
"I love you more," I said and looked deep into his eyes. My infertility didn't really matter to him. His entire plan of getting divorced really made me realize his true love for me. If only he hadn't done that, then till my death I would have believed my infertility still bothered him.
"But why were you so rude to me at Mr. Roy's office?"
"If I weren't so rude, you wouldn't have believed the whole act! But I had such a hard time, seeing you hurt and helpless. It was the toughest thing that I had to ever do! I am sorry that I put-"
"No! When you told
me at Yercaud, that you would marry me in spite of anything, I really didn't trust that. But now, I realized that you love me no matter what. It's all because of your plan! So don't be sorry!"
"I really do love you, okay?"
"I know! But I love you more."
"Wait! Where is my mom? Was she? I mean, she was a part of your plan?"
"She must have reached home by now. Your parents supported me so much! They were so furious when I told them about divorce and remarriage, initially! But later they understood and agreed to help me," he said.
"I can't believe that Mom and Dad were a part of it! No wonder they took every news that I broke, so lethargically."
"Mhmm," he said and his lips slowly neared mine.
"Gautham! This is a temple! Stop it!"
"Ugh!" He groaned. "Let's go home then?"
"Mister Millionaire! Did you forget that we aren't married yet? Strictly no sex until marriage," I said.
"Come on! Don't be so mean!"
"You didn't even want to touch me at Mr. Roy's office!"
"Don't rub it in my face.”
"I'm sorry," I said and pressed a quick kiss on his cheek.
"And you know something? When you proposed, by mistake you said life instead of wife."
"It was not by mistake Shakthi! I meant it. I want you to be my life!"
His words brought tears to my eyes.
"Will you be my life? Will you be mine?" he asked, cupping my face. His silvery grey eyes always made my heart beat faster.
"I will Gautham! I'm all yours." I sealed the promise with a kiss.
Epilogue
Shakthi's POV
Today was the big day! No! It wasn't the day of our wedding. But it was an even bigger day! The day, I thought that would never come in my life. The day that I was dying to have in my life! I would give my entire life away just to experience this precious day.
I was holding our little baby daughter in my hands. Yes! My baby. Our little daughter. She was wailing, throwing her tiny hands in the air. My eyes filled with tears, holding our daughter in my hands for the first time.
"She looks so beautiful," Gautham commented.
"Without a doubt," I said, pressing a soft kiss on her forehead and laid her tiny body over my shoulder, patting her back to silence her cries.
"Why is she crying so much? Is there anything wrong?" Gautham asked.
"I think it's time for her milk Gautham! It's nothing serious alright! Relax!" I said, slipping the bottle of milk into her mouth. Her cries softened as she sipped on the milk.
"She is magic in our lives! I never expected that I would have a daughter who calls me her Mom," I said, caressing her eyebrows.
"That she is," he said, looking at her with so much adoration.
"The adoption papers are ready Mr. and Mrs. Gautham," Sister Theresa said, coming into the office, interrupting the first moment that we had as a family. She sat across the table, facing us.
"There are just a few formalities for adoption and then this little angel will be yours forever," Sister said.
"We can't wait to take her home," Gautham said.
"I'm glad you chose adoption," she said, holding out the papers to Gautham.
Our wedding took place within a week from the date of his proposal. It was a very private affair with just our close circle of family and friends.
That was the day when our lives took a new turn. We had a new start. We trusted each other more.
This time, we had a proper honeymoon and we chose Paris. It was a one week trip. But the only place that we visited was The Eiffel Tower. We weren't able to move out of the room. Gautham wouldn't keep his hands off me. Either we spent the days and nights making earth shattering love or sleep for a little while due to non-stop sex. He was insatiable!
But never once did he make me feel the need for a baby. But I wanted a child who would call us his/her parents. Our family always felt incomplete. Though we knew that we had each other, Gautham got the hint that I wanted a child. When we discussed it, he suggested that we should see the best doctors for my treatment, if that was what I really wanted.
I really wanted to give it a try. So we did approach the best doctor in India. But he said that there was less than a one percent chance for me to conceive and even if I conceive, my womb would be very weak to carry the baby. So, we were left with just two options which were surrogacy and adoption.
After a lot of discussion we decided on adoption. We wanted to parent a child who needed the care of parents. I didn't find it important of having a genetic connection with the child. The connection with the child should be through the heart.
"So, the formalities are done and this two month old baby is your daughter from now on," Sister Theresa said.
"Thank you so much Sister!" Gautham said.
"No problem Mr. Gautham! What name are you going to give this little one," the sister asked and that took me into deep thoughts.
"Can I hold her?" Gautham asked with so much expectation in his eyes.
"Of course," I said, placing our little bundle of joy in his strong and protective arms.
He looked affectionately into her forest like black eyes which turned dark brown when light fell on her.
"Can I have the honor of naming our daughter?" he asked, looking at me.
"Yes!" I was more than excited to know the name that he had in mind for her.
"She is a miracle that happened to us, she is a magic that God created in our lives and so I name her Maya," he said, kissing her on her plump, rosy cheeks. For the first time I saw Gautham becoming emotional. Maya was such an adorable name!
"She is looking so intently at you! Aww! Look at that!" I screeched.
After 4 years
"Maya must have woken up Gautham," I said, untangling my naked self from him.
"We have two more hours, baby!" he said, pulling me back to him and I landed on his chest. His fingers caressed my bare back.
"It's her first day at school!" I said, tucking my hair behind my ear.
"Mhmm," he said, pulling me closer for another session of love making.
We were already running late for Maya's school!
I slipped into a dark navy blue pencil skirt and its hem ended right at my knees. I wore an orange spaghetti top and threw on a matching blue blazer. I put my hair in a tight high ponytail and after wearing my mascara and kajal, I was ready to go.
I quietly walked upstairs. Now the blue room was Maya's. She loved blue and every small thing that she owned was blue.
As I walked up the stairs, I heard my daughter's cute giggles. I was more excited than her about her first day at school.
It wasn't the actual school. It was going to be her first day at her pre-kindergarten.
She adored Ria and whenever Ria was free, Ria would force Sri to drop her at our place so that she could play with Maya. Maya liked Ria so much that she wanted to go to the same school as her.
"No, Daddyyy! Blue clippy here, here! Not there," I heard Maya screaming in frustration at her Daddy.
I found her looking grumpy. Gautham was kneeling in front of Maya, trying to put her favorite blue clip on her hair. Maya was the only other girl to whom Gautham would ever apologize or go on his knees for. He had her whole room re-painted with Mickey mouse clubhouse characters the moment Maya started to love them.
Maya was nonstop nonsense just like me. She would never stop talking.
"I'm so sorry, Princess! I will do it properly now!" he apologized and tried to put on the clip again but eventually ended up spoiling her neatly brushed out her.
I couldn't help but laugh and that caught Maya's attention. Her little feet padded across the room towards me.
Her tiny arms looped around my legs. "Mommy! Daddy knows nothing! No clippy hair properly," she said in her adorable flawed English.
"My baby!! Come here!" I said, lifting her up and I took her to her blue dresser.
We had her beautiful black hair cut in a bob style. She wanted to look like
Dora the explorer.
I parted her hair and put on her blue clips which matched her cute blue frock. I tied the bow of the frock and she looked at me with a gleaming smile.
"Thank you Mommy!!" she said and placed a wet sloppy kiss on my cheek.
"You are welcome, sweetheart. Did you have your breakfast?"
She nodded. "Daddy made."
"Good. Go and wear your sandals, Mommy and Daddy will join you," I said and she ran out of the room
"Go slow! Don't run Maya!" Gautham's warning followed.
"Yesss daddy!!" she shouted from the stairs.
I had a last look at myself in the mirror and straightened my skirt again.
"Someone is looking all hot," Gautham whispered in my ears. He stood behind me and looked at my eyes through the mirror with a wicked smirk on his face. And he started to press soft kisses on my neck.
"Hmm..Gautham!!" I moaned, throwing my head back. His hands removed my blazer. He nipped at my pleasure spot and it was making my knees go weak.
"Ple..Please Gautham. Stop.”
He looked at me questioningly
"We don't even have an hour! We've got to hurry up!" I said, panicking. I put on my blazer, straightened my dress and hurried.
"On one condition," he said, stopping me by holding my wrists. "We are leaving our home only on one condition that we can continue this later on," he said.
"Do I have a choice?" I said and I already felt the blood rushing up my cheeks.
"You blush even after five years of our marriage," he said, caressing my cheek.
"Now come! We are already running late! We should also reach our office on time after we drop Maya at her school.”
I walked down the stairs and just then I heard a faint sound from the kitchen. It was the sound of repeated jumping.
I hurried to the kitchen and saw her standing on a stool and jumping on it, to reach for the jar of candy.
"Maya!!" I shouted when she was just about to fall. I ran and held her before she could fall.
"What happened?" I heard Gautham's panic filled voice behind me.
"Are you okay? Did you hurt yourself?" I pulled Maya into my arms and hugged her tightly. "Don't you dare do that again, Maya!"
"But Mommyy," she whined in my arms.
I'm All Yours Page 25