Lalita's Ink

For the Anthology-Whispering Miracles

 Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it.

Mark Twain

Ira scrolled through her Facebook pages. Every photograph had a story to tell. Every trip that she had undertaken with Aman was embroiled in emotions. She wiped her tears, took a deep breath and edited her profile.

Ira Sharma Chopra

to

Ira Sharma

Relationship status: single

 She began deleting and wiping out those memories which had been caging her, making her bitter and sick. One last glance at the cozy picture she had reluctantly agreed for…. took her back on memory lane.

***********

 Aman weds Ira

The invitation card decorated with filigree and ribbons trumpeted the forthcoming years of bliss. They had known each other since school days and Aman was a frequent visitor to their home. Ira was his classmate and friend who with her jolly nature could make anyone her own. Time passed by and soon it was time to bid farewell to school. Aman was growing up to be a handsome man whom anyone would want to befriend. He had managed to get through his pre-engineering exams with a good score and got admission in a very reputed engineering college. Ira on the other hand was pursuing her bachelors and masters in English literature. “Mrs. Sharma, this is Preeti Chopra, Aman’s mother” We are coming home to talk about something important.” The Sharmas and the Chopras were brimming with joy as they discussed their wish to get Ira in marriage for Aman as they thought as parents both of them paired well as a couple. Both the children were consulted who readily agreed, as for them this was a dream come true. With a lot of traditional splendor and spectacle their marriage was held, as Aman and Ira were lost in weaving their dream home. … .. The home that they chose was beautiful and had an anesthetic décor. Ira joined a college as lecturer and Aman was in an MNC. Ding-dong…the doorbell rang and there was a surprise! It was Malini. Ira’s younger sister Malini was 2 years junior to Ira and from the same school. Tall and beautiful, she knew how to carry herself well and was an ambitious go getter. The two sisters were in contrast to each other in terms of their demeanor. Didi…jeeju…see I’m here. I have joined a college here and shall be staying with you both. Hope you don’t mind. Malini was her usual dominating self and cared little about knowing what others felt or thought. To her it was her priorities first even if they created inconvenience to others. But then relationships always take precedence over everything. Ira greeted her kid sister with a warm hug and welcomed her home wholeheartedly. Jeeju…. she dashed inside and hugged Aman tight giving him a strong kiss. Embarrassed Aman shook himself off and looked around helplessly as Ira laughingly scolded Malini. You still are behaving like a kid You have not grown-up baby. Malini was excitingly roaming from one end of the home to the other.

Tomorrow is the interview at college. I have to reach there by 9 in the morning. Jeeju! Would you drop me?

Hmm hmm …Tomorrow Ira has an appointment with the doctor. So…

Oh no…you can’t say no to me jeeju. I’m your guest and didi can manage on her own. Can’t you di?

The next day Aman took Malini to her college as she desired. After this most of Aman’s days were put to Malini’s disposal. Ira helplessly watched her own sister dominating on her newly married life. Soon, Ira started feeling like a stranger in her own home. There, Aman also started spending more and more time with Malini dropping her at various places, taking her out for shopping, picking her up from college and even going out for movies with her.

 *****

That day was the deadliest in Ira’s life. She had departed for her college after both Aman and Malini had left for their respective workplaces. On the way she realized that she had forgotten some important papers which she had to submit in the department. She took a detour back home.

As she opened the door with the pair of keys, she always had with her, she was startled to hear loud voices and laughter from her bedroom. Shocked she ran towards the room suspecting intruders. As she pushed the door which was ajar, she felt light-headed and fell to the floor. Malini- her own kid sister was ruining her life! And Aman? How could he forget those vows? How could he? Both the perpetrators had nothing to say except that they both loved each other and would like to continue with this relationship. There was no remorse, no guilt and no humanness.

*******

The divorce was smooth as Ira herself wanted to get rid of such a dirty deception. She cried, sobbed loud, and even wanted to end her life. Her close friend in college, Shreya stood by her and was with her like a shadow through these vicious days. She took her to Mount Abu for a session of rejuvenation and healing. A month and a half of the session worked like catharsis. Ira started getting over the bitter experience. The discourses of the life coaches echoed……

Forgiveness is the key to liberation. Stop being revengeful and look within. What a beautiful heart you possess. Just let the past go. Don’t cling on to it.  A beautiful new dawn awaits you. Embrace it. Breathe it in and see a new life entering into you……

 *****

Ira put up a new status:

Feeling rejuvenated

And she penned a few lines which to her surprise, were flowing automatically:

I forgive you and set myself free

The bitter past shall not reign on me

Liberated from the crutches of vengeance

The joys of exoneration are immense