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Unruly tears rolled downed incessantly to Rajat's cheeks as he stood in his sprawling office cabin, trying to fathom the terrible news delivered to him in the mail he was holding. It was an agreement of dissolution of marriage or divorce papers sent by his wife Sujata's lawyers. They had been living separately the past few weeks after constant bickering and he had taken for granted the reality and magnanimity of the situation up until this point. He always thought Sujata would cool down as usual and they would kiss and make up like every time they fought. But this was it. Like the proverbial final nail in the coffin. This time the fight was very ugly with both of them tired of fighting yet Rajat had still hoped to fix things somehow. But the papers he was holding were the final blow to his hopes and dreams.
Finding it hard to breathe, Rajat sat down on his chair while his mind went back to their initial sweet memories of courtship. How they had met for the very first time in London. Both on a student visa, pursuing a course in Business Administration from the same university. Same dreams, goals and interests. They had instantly connected. How he had wooed and charmed her. Those study-and-revise-together sessions became mini dates where both were equally eager to meet up everyday to talk at great length and discover each other. How Rajat loved Suajata's simplicity, honesty and beauty and she loved his Never give up and go- getter persistent attitude. He had indeed lived upto his persistent image and persuaded the madly in love Sujata to marry him. They were so happy. Rajat went onto establish the business empire he had dreamed to build at the outset and Sujata was more than glad to look after him and be his silent anchor of strength. Yet, over the years they slowly grew apart and now Rajat sat alone in his big office thinking, we have everything but each other.
His sad mind drifted back to their last fight where Sujata was weeping and packing her bags complaining about the same things they had fought about a dozen times before. "Rajat work comes first for you. You neglect me. We live like two strangers in the same house. When was the last time we sat down and had a
proper conversation? This is not a home but a hotel where you only come back to eat and sleep. I even go to the parties all alone and am embarrassed every time i have to come up with an excuse to explain your absence all the while hearing hush murmurs from those around about the state of our marriage. But that is not the real issue, the point is I miss you and you don't seem to. Even if you do, you don't bother to show me enough and I can't go on in a marriage all alone. I just don't have the strength anymore." Half-heartedly, Rajat had inconvincingly tried to explain how he was working so much for her sake. To get her a comfortable and secure life but Sujata was in no mood to hear and had left. And within a fortnight, here was Rajat holding the piece of paper that would take away Sujata from his life forever.
But could he let her go? That easily? Wouldn't he try even once? He wiped his tears as he thought about that the quality which Sujata loved the most in Rajat was his never give up attitude and could he really give up that easily, the person that mattered the most to him in his life? An idea struck him like a bolt of powerful lightning and he rushed out of his office, during peak working hour and headed straight to Sujata's house.
Sujata heard furious ringing of her doorbell and rushed to open it, shocked out of her wits to see a teary eyed yet wildly grinning Rajat. He went down on his knees and before Sujata could react pleaded - "I am very very sorry Sujata. It is totally my mistake. I neglected you and years have gone by, wasted in this terrible ignorance. I cannot bring those years back but I sincerely urge you to please give me another chance to prove my love to you. Just one week is all I ask of you, to show you how much I love you and how sorry I am for having neglected my duties towards you as your companion. I believe we are soulmates and a paper cannot destroy our bond or sweet memories. So please Sujata please, just this one week. And if after that you still feel that your happiness lies in separating from me, then i will gladly give you your freedom. But please just this one week."
Sujata was too shocked and it took her a long time to agree to Rajat as she had already made up her mind. Yet the sincerity in his words and his eagerness to change sparked some tiny flame of hope that perhaps all was not lost. But the recent memory of pain was also very strong leaving her in a state of two minds and confusion. Yet this time she went with her gut and said, "Okay Rajat. I don't know how much of a difference a week will make and how long thereafter will you continue to be the reformed Rajat. But out of consideration for the years invested in our marriage, for old times sake, I think you deserve this one last chance. Before we take such a big, life-altering decision." Rajat got up and hugged Sujata and thanked her profusely. Fighting back tears Sujata asked, " So what now?" "Pack your bags, I am taking you back to where we discovered our love, only to re-discover it again. London baby, we are going to London" Sujata was shocked yet secretly pleased.
As soon as their comfortable British Airways flight landed in London and they freshened up at the hotel suite, Rajat took Sujata to their University campus, where they had first met. They walked the same campus, library and Sujata's mind was once again flooded with memories of their innocent young romance. The hot dog stall was still there, exactly at the same place where they had shared many meals together, the soft grasses on the lawn where under the shade of a tree, Rajat would keep his head on Sujata's lap and spend hours in total bliss. The relatively desolate stairs to the basement where they could steal few moments of privacy and also where they had shared their magical first kiss. Sujata smiled at that goose-flesh memory. They returned to their hotel in the evening and Sujata learned that Rajat had made reservations for a romantic candle light dinner at the restaurant. Sujata slipped into a lovely royal blue evening gown which Rajat just gifted her. She noticed that despite her diminishing resistance, she couldn't help but fall for Rajat...again. They ate more but talked even more losing all track of time. Sujata found herself pouring her heart out as a riveted Rajat listened patiently. And then Rajat spoke, realising so much had been left unspoken over the years. In a way the mystery to their marriage returned as they spoke and listened and discovered new things about each other. Finally Rajat happened to glance at his watch and exclaimed, " Shoot its 4 am! Where did all the time fly? Okay honey, I have a whole itinerary planned for tomorrow and we don't want to be sleepy or tired on this exciting trip. Lets sleep now and continue the lovely conversations, all day long tomorrow. Is that okay sugar?" A yawning Sujata couldn't agree more. He gently kissed her forehead and they headed back to their suite.
Over the course of next 6 days, the couple visited many places like Trafalgar Square, Hyde Park, Buckingham Palace, Royal Albet Hall, Madame Tussauds and other fabulous places. Sujata realised how many memories were attached to each of these places. Rajat was such an important part of her life. He was trying so hard to desperately and genuinely win her back and his efforts had not gone unnoticed by Suajata. She now slowly began looking at him with a fresh perspective that could have only been possible far away from the painfully monotonous routines of their daily lives on this blessing of a dream trip. The break allowed her to consider whether she had judged him too harshly and too quick? After all, he wanted to give her all the material pleasures of the world and though his method could be flawed, underneath his intentions were pure and benevolent. Maybe she should have been more kinder and understanding while he was struggling at office and bringing those worries back home. Fireman put out fire with water and not fire, she randomly thought.
One day on the trip, they stood waiting outside the O2 Arena, clicking goofy pics with Rajat's phone. Rajat then went ahead to get their concert tickets while Sujata waited outside. Suddenly Rajat's phone buzzed and Sujata realised he had left his phone with her by mistake. "Office Calling" kept flashing on the screen and hesitantly Sujata answered the call. It was Rajat's secretary Tina. " Hello ma'am" she said realising Sujata was on the other end. "I was strictly instructed by sir not to call him for a week under any circumstance but its a bit urgent. The deal with the Japanese firm, which was to be finalized today cannot go through and the partners are very furious at the umm...unprofessional way in which sir has disappeared. So they asked me to convey to Sir that the deal has been called off. I thought I must inform Sir as the amount is very big. They are big clients." Sujata was shocked and promised to inform Rajat on her behalf. When Rajat returned and Sujata reprimanded him for losing out on big business, Rajat was not even the slightest bit affected by the news. He smiled, romantically put an arm around Sujata while drawing her close and only said, " I can have many clients in the future but i have only one wife. My priorities are set. Now lets enjoy the concert show darling." Sujata was shocked, gulity and moved all at the same time.
It was their last day in London and Sujata was happy yet still a tad unsure in her mind of what the futurte would hold once they returned back. What should she do? She saw Rajat getting ready and asked where were they headed. He simply held her hand gently, looked her lovingly in the eyes and led her to the car without uttering a word. It was getting dark and they also had to get to the airport on time to catch the flight back home, Sujata was getting worried as she looked outside the car and suddenly noticed a familiar place. It was not just a familiar place but a special place as well. The tower bridge. Because it was here that Rajat had asked Sujata to marry him!
Sujata felt her pulse race yet a numbing sensation as she got out of her car and Rajat led het to the exact same spot where he had popped her the question. The bridge was bright and glowing in the multi-coloured lights like a new bride. The moon was luminiscent in all its glory. Rajat went down on one knee still holding Sujatas cold and trembling hands and said," Many years back, this is the same place where i professed my love to you dear Sujata. And here we are back again. Wiser with experience and yet more than ever madly in love. You are the best thing to have happened to me in my life and I was the happiest man when you said yes to be my wife. Here i am again, on my knee. Thanking you for agreeing to come on this trip despite everything we went through and i am asking of you this time, Sujata, will you stay married to me? Will you give me another chance to fill our marriage not with luxuries and money but with love and companionship, the real recipe for happiness? Will you say yes again my love?" Sujata burst into tears of joy, hugged Rajat tightly and said "Yes, Yes Rajat. I missed you so much. I love you. I promise to make this work too. I am in" Rajat wiped her tears and they hugged in silence. Then Rajat swept back Sujata's hair and placed a sweet kiss on her lips. As if on cue, the fireworks went off in the night sky, dazzling alongwith with a million stars, all partaking in and celebrating this holy re-union.
- S. Chaudhary
Pictures Courtesy : Google Images
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