Romyani was just
trying to hold her head scarf against the high-speed wind. A storm was brewing
somewhere. The sky was dark, heavy and threatening. All the people on the
street were running helter-skelter to find some shelter.
For Romyani – holding
on to her scarf seemed to be on top priority !
Brishoketu was just
starting his sedan car – when this girl stumbled on his bonnet. He got out and
steadied the girl – “ Are you ok ?”
The girl – holding on
to her scarf – just nodded.
Brishoketu asked her
again – “Can I drop you somewhere?”
She nodded again.
He put her inside and
locked the passenger door.
The storm was in full
swing.
The girl was just
indicating the ways by hand gestures. After a while she signalled him to stop.
Getting out – she just folded her hands in gratitude and waved.
Putting the car in
reverse gear, Brishoketu noted down the address of the house in his mind.
Next day he had to
leave the town on an official tour – returned after 3 weeks. Thinking for quite
some times – he had gone to that house and rang the bell.
The door opened slowly
– showing a lady’s sad and long face.
Brishoketu tried to
explain that he wants to meet that girl once again. The lady broke down in
tears, asking him to come inside.
Brishoketu started to
squirm on the sofa – unsure of his next step.
Eventually , she had
calmed down and said that the girl – her only child – was admitted in the
Cancer Hospital – in an advanced state of throat cancer. That day – she had
adamantly gone out in the storm – to say adieu to her Mother Superior of the
Convent School – where she had studied and had been teaching in the primary
section. She could not speak for the last 7 weeks – only could use hand
gestures.
Her name was Romyani –
she had told her parents by writing about the gentleman dropping her home. She
had requested her dad to thank him somehow. They could not imagine how to get
in touch with the gentleman.
Brishoketu sat down
with his head buried in his palms. Meanwhile her dad had returned from the
hospital. Her mom tried to explain the scenario. He had some tears which did
not roll down his cheeks.
Brishoketu knelt down
before the couple – asking for their permission to marry their daughter.
They were visibly
stunned – how it can be viable at all ?
Brishoketu just wrote
down all her hospital details.
Taking a week’s leave
from his office, Brishoketu arranged for everything as fast as possible.
One fine morning, he
took a bunch of yellow roses and visited the hospital cabin of Romyani.
She had been put into
ventilator – all sorts of pipes and tubes and machineries around her face and
arms, eyes are closed.
Oh God – she is so
beautiful ! Just like an angel !!
Brishoketu just pulled
the bedsheet a bit – forbidden to touch her body for fear of infection.
She opened her eyes –
superb – enlarged them on seeing Brishoketu’s face above her !
-“Will you marry me,
please?” – Brishoketu asked, choking on tears.
Her eyes looked
shocked – and then they smiled. Her left hand fingers moved – all body parts
were saying - yes-yes-yes !
Brishoketu went out to
bring in the whole bunch of people – including the Director of the hospital.
Within a few minutes,
everything had been set up – everybody had taken their place for the wedding to
commence.
Her father,
Brishoketu’s mom and the Director had signed as the witnesses. Her left thumb
impression had been put on the paper. The Registrar of the Marriage had
announced them to be legally wed couple.
Everybody had vacated
the chamber – leaving Brishoketu alone with his bride. Both of them are simply
glowing with happiness and pride.
Next day at 4.35
a.m., Romyani had left for her heavenly abode – her fingers holding tightly
onto her husband’s.
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