Planets aligned, moon
smiled, earth rolled over and she found herself married to her love. Together
they started their humble beginnings, defying society, family, even her
parents. Princess reduced her station in life as she toiled beside her husband
to endure life’s daily challenges. She carried on each day with a smile and
twinkle, even as she glanced at their honeymoon phase through the rearview
mirror.
Subtly, gradually, she
felt her feet hitting softer surfaces, her steps becoming wearier as she
trudged day after day. She felt herself crumbling, sinking as if in a quick
sand, a grain at a time. Romantic notions of marrying for love stared at her
head on as a splash of cold water from a deep slumber. Reality was that she was
princess no longer, no matter how hard Sunil strived in his own way, crudishly
sweet as that may be. She had become a commoner, an equal partner of her
husband, no longer the rose petal of her parents.
Then things got worse. He
lost his job and her slogging increased. Her parents offered their cushions,
raise her back to the status she deserved. She acquiesced, became their little
princess again and they rejoiced. For a while, she lived with content, her role
as wife and daughter, the sweet, innocent princess.
In time, without notice
her parents’ role in her life increased. She had become their little girl again
where Sunil had no place. The pull and tug began again where she felt herself
stretched from ends, to the point of breaking apart. While her parents played
games, Sunil retaliated. Aditi forgotten, the situation became a battle of
wits. Her descent into the deepest part of the valley complete.
to be continued...
