A LOVE STORY

This is not a story of two teenagers from different faiths falling in love and eloping; this is not a story of a middle-aged chronic bachelor and a confirmed spinster falling for each other; it is not the story of a widower and a widow in their old age getting together for companionship.  It is the story of an estranged couple, who have rediscovered their relationship.

The lady in reference now in her mid-sixties lost her father when she was very young. Her mother raised this lady and her four or five siblings with great difficulty.  This lady completed college and managed to get a government job.  Since her siblings did not complete their studies and didn’t have any permanent jobs, the responsibility of running the household fell on her shoulders.  She was determined to remain single to take care of the family, but her ailing mother coerced her into marrying a relative, who like her brothers, was unemployed, hoping that he would not restrict her from supporting her family. Post marriage, her burdens increased and unable to manage two homes, she moved back to her maternal home after a few months.  Her husband could not adjust with her people and demanded that they move out.  She did not yield and one day, in her absence, her husband and her brothers had a fight over a trivial issue and her husband left home.  Her pleading and efforts of friends and relatives to bring him back failed.  Years passed.  The lady continued to live with her enmeshed family and her responsibilities multiplied. 

                                            

The lady who over a period of time had come to terms with her fate, dreamt of a happy retired life, but unfortunately soon after she retired, got a call from her estranged husband after decades of separation.  He suffered a massive heart attack and was hospitalized and had no one to support.  He needed her help desperately.  (How this man survived after he left her home is a million dollar question!)  The lady had to pay his hospital bills and get him discharged.  She was hesitant to take him home and arranged for his stay in a dormitory.  After a few days, when she invited him home, he was adamant and refused to step into her house and demanded that she moves out with him.  He continues to live in the dormitory and she takes care of all his expenses. viz., rent, his food bills, medical expenses, telephone charges and conveyance. As her pension is not sufficient, she is forced to work. He meets her at her office during the lunch break and as he longs for home-made food, she gets him food everyday.  Her siblings are aware of the developments, but are playing it safe and are silent.  She desires to live with her spouse, but is too shy to reveal it to her people.  He does not want her to support her family and she doesn’t want to leave her dependents and the stalemate continues.