Hits and Misses: social evil

Something is not in the way it should have been. I am taking a break in between my posts and more irregular in my friends blogs. Wish am regular from now on. Recession has finally hit the blogging world. Everywhere, I mean in many blogs authors are complaining about the lack of readers and their enthusiastic comments. Am no exception. The crux of this story is a real thing which we witness one day or the other. But this is a fiction. You will understand once you start reading it.

He opened his eyes when the sunrays caressed his face from the slightly opened curtains. The thought of yesterday's night sent a tingling sensation throughout his body. He thought, 'Really marriage makes a man complete'. He smiled to himself and saw the sunrays escaping from the red and yellow striped curtains. He turned and hugged her sideways. To his surprise his wife was wide awake. She lifted her face from the pillow and gave a brushed her lips softly in his cheek.

She got up and bundled her freely falling hairs. "At what time should we vacate this suite?". He changed his position in bed and said, "We have taken it for the wedding night only. So we can be here till 9Am I guess. That's what the manager told me". She nodded and let a faint smile. She went to wash her face. The smile which escaped her lips bothered him so much. 'What happened to her? I thought she was happy last night. But now..', his thoughts broke half way when he heard the bathroom door open.

She ordered coffee and sat in the couch after switching on the TV. She was completely lost in thoughts. He got up, came near her and sat on the same couch. He hugged her in the same sitting posture and asked, "May I know what's occupying your mind honey? After all its the first day after our reunion". She released herself from his grip, stood up and reached the balcony. He followed her and when he was about to start the conversation, the room service brought the coffee they ordered. He signaled the room service and thrust a 100 rupee note and asked him to leave.

She came inside the room and poured 2 cups of hot, steaming coffee. "You generally have black coffee or you want cream?", she asked. He wanted to impress her and make her feel comfortable from the very first day. So he uttered, "Whatever you wish...". She cut him short by saying, "I asked you want cream or not". He was shocked by her instant reply and said, "You hav....have yours. I will mix mine". Again she smiled at him and mixed cream in both cups and gave one to him. He wiped the perspiration that has formed in his head and took a sip.

She made weird patterns in the cup and was staring at the TV news. He asked, "Please let me know what you are thinking. I will try to resolve it". She shook her head by muttering, "Nothing darling" and took a sip from the cup. That Nothing again made him feel uncomfortable and tried guessing her thoughts. But he never knew the fact - Men are capable of even understanding the most difficult theories of nuclear theory than knowing/predicting/understanding what's running in the girl's mind.

She took her cup and moved to balcony and saw him lost in thoughts. She said, "What's my cost darling?". He was flabbergasted by this monologue and asked, "Whatttt?". She replied calmly, "I want to know the amount my parents have given you, or should I phrase it as hmmm... Wait......yeah, the amount you guys asked from them for having me". He licked his dried lips and kept the coffee unfinished in the table. She was expecting a reply but silence was the answer she got in the end. She came inside, kept the cup on the table and continued, "I am working as a system architect like you and earn as much as you do, in fact better than you do. But still you want dowry. Cant this wedding night be more satisfying if it took place in our 2 bedroom flat? Half a lakh for the royal suite we took in this star hotel for enjoying the wedding night. But that would have been more contended than this. Why do people still expect that the bride's family should spend their life's earning for the marriage along with dowry? I never wanted to tell you this. But I can't tolerate if my dad cries. From the royal suite to the reception, everything my dad spent. He is almost a pauper now."

She broke down after letting her heart speak out. He let out a deep breath and went near her. The moment he hugged her from behind, she turned and buried her face in his chest and started weeping continuously. He kissed her forehead, took her face in his hands and told, "Hey honey, stop sobbing. I understand you very well". She told thanks amidst her sobs. She took her bathrobe and went for taking bath. He understood her well.

He dialed his father in law's (FIL) number. At the other end, his FIL promptly attended his call in 2 rings. After exchanging pleasantries, FIL asked "How is the suite? You both are comfortable I guess. If you have any inconvenience tell me. I will speak with the hotel people for giving you the convenience you asked for". He shot back immediately, "The suite is absolutely fine and we love it uncle. Actually I called you to ask about the Honda Civic car you have promised to give me during the marriage". The old man felt a lump in his throat. He replied, "I have booked the car. But am expecting payments from two places. Will pay the full amount within a week and I will make sure that you get the car after you come from honeymoon".

He told, "Yeah mom told last night about this. I called you to tell something else uncle. I don't need the car...". The old man's heart skipped a beat and he was excited. While he was searching words to thank his son-in-law, he continued, "Instead deposit the amount plus some 5L in my account. If I get the car, your daughter will think that as a dowry. But this way, she couldn't find unless you tell her. I know you won't tell her. And don't forget to deposit the amount within a week". Again the old man's heart skipped a beat and he struggled to find words. Tears flowed freely and at the other end his SIL let out a sigh of relief. He checked the bathroom door and heard the closing of shower. He thought, 'She won't know this - Forever'. He understood her very well.