When its readiness for departure was announced, Roopa got into the train only to grab Sandhya’s hand greedily, as if it were a treasure.
Soon the guard gave the green signal that triggered a new phase in Roopa’s life, and as if hanging on to her memory, Roopa stood rooted near the gate and waved to Sandhya until she was out of her sight. Meanwhile, the train, for its part, curved to its right, seemingly enabling the driver to greet the guard at the rear.
“Come in Roopa,” she heard Sathyam and followed him.
As if to preempt a conversation, Roopa took the window seat and picked up ‘The Reader’s Digest’. Sitting by her side, Sathyam couldn’t help but admire her beauty in her profile.
“What a fascinating beauty!” he wondered. “But why is she so reticent?”
“What should’ve gone wrong!” he went into contemplation. “Was she forced into the marriage against her will? How it can be. After all, the matchmaker swore they were keen on our match. Oh, didn’t he maintain that if it ever came to missing our match they were ready to pull her out of the college and perform her marriage ahead of her elder sister’s. How pleased they were all at the gesture of accommodation. Was it no more than a mere white lie to hasten her marriage? But then, why it was so? Was she carrying on with someone? Oh, was she pulled out mid-course as it were to thwart her elopement? Or worse still, she might have got pregnant, prompting all that unseemly haste. Oh God, what’s all this!”
Whatever it was, he thought he should probe her forthwith. As he was about to open, she closed her eyes as though to stall his attempt. ‘How lovely she looks even as she closes her eyes!’ he thought endearingly, and espied her devotedly. As if compelled by curiosity, the wind surged through the window to have a glimpse of her wondrous demeanor. In turn, her luxuriant hair unsheathed itself from the plait to veil her face as though to foil that bid. Undaunted by the nature of the camouflage, the surging wind tried to disperse the guards on duty to get a proper view for itself, only to find them regroup every time. The unfolding tussle amused Sathyam.
‘When she’s so enchanting in her reluctance, won’t she be as devastating in her eagerness?’ he surmised. ‘Is she upset that I didn’t concede to her request?’
“Roopa,” he called her tenderly.
“Hahn,” she was nearly inaudible.
“Why, did you marry me,” he asked hesitantly, “‘against your wish?”