Dependence Ports
The doorbell rang. It never rings at this time of the day she thought. After her husband had suddenly passed away, she had been so busy trying to keep the kids schedule as unchanged as possible that she didn't even really grieve at peace. The shock and loss of it was all that she had registered. Then the numbness of chores took over. But reality was peeking in from the corners. Savings were all but over. Relatives both his and hers were suddenly talking more about their problems whenever she spoke to them. As if she and her kids were going to pile onto them!! Oh! Vivek why did you have to come home so late from work that night. At least in rush hour people can't speed and run over others cars.
She went and opened the door. A chap was standing there. Smiling but looking like a fool. Two chaps wearing shirts with ties and sunglasses indoors were there with him.
The fatter of the 2 spoke. He's your new husband, he said. She looked at the three incredulously. Was this a Faustian joke being rendered with a gujju accent? the chap explained that this new improved husband not only had a better job than her deceased husband, he was more educated too, and from the same caste and gotra as him. Many cosmetic experts had claimed him far superior in look and build too. Had no vices at all, while Vivek was known to smoke occasionally. He is extremely fond of kids too according to his mother (but she stays in another city and would never visit). He has no affairs and will never be unfaithful.
The fatter of the 2 spoke. He's your new husband, he said. She looked at the three incredulously. Was this a Faustian joke being rendered with a gujju accent? the chap explained that this new improved husband not only had a better job than her deceased husband, he was more educated too, and from the same caste and gotra as him. Many cosmetic experts had claimed him far superior in look and build too. Had no vices at all, while Vivek was known to smoke occasionally. He is extremely fond of kids too according to his mother (but she stays in another city and would never visit). He has no affairs and will never be unfaithful.
Seema looked at them amazed and open mouthed. Screams rose and died within her head. she needed to thrash these 3 people, her husband was killed by a car owned by the chap who owned these minions and now he was buying her silence. She didn't speak. Just sat down in a dining chair.
Taking this for assent, the 2 oilies in ties sat down, while the new husband wanna be came and sat next to her. He had by now wiped the fake smile off his face. He sat opposite her and told her that he would not be replacing anyone. He himself would not be allow himself to be a replacement. He looked at her with genuine concern and said, I could probably marry someone else, but you too are young. The children are young. And if you go looking for love it may be too many stressful days before something materialises. Maybe never at all. After all, she did have an arranged marriage. Except for the circumstances in which they met, they would probably like each other had they met elsewhere. She did not have yto answer immediately, she could meet him for a few days before deciding. She scornfully replied that if she said no to him, would the oilies send another chap!? In all seriousness
He said yes. They could and would.
He said yes. They could and would.
She gaped at all in a dazed manner but her mind was working furiously. This chap was sent by the man whose hands are tainted with her husband's blood. Should she not call security and have them thrown out?... But how long before she herself would default on the rent? What then? Term fees in the school are also due... But what can be done. Certainly not this idiotic option.
Was it so idiotic? Even if she got a job will she keep the kids in the same lifestyle as before? Was she really ready to rough it out in Vivek's memory? Was their love not already strained due to his work comes first lifestyle? She heard herself saying something. Like if she agreed to give this guy a shot what would she have to do? Drop the case, was the pat answer. But its out of my hands now, she said. The police will still pursue it, they had warned her. Don't worry about the police they had said, the driver who did this had already surrendered and justice will be carried out. You just sign here and leave the rest to us. They pushed some legal papers towards her. Suddenly, she said, what if he backs out then. He grabbed both her hands and said, I won't. But the two oilies also replied, he can't. You don't worry everything will be first class.
She took the pen.
