Destiny

29. Meeting Her?

Anand continued to receive letters from his mother. While they dwelt on her
own health and conveyed news of the family, there was never any mention of
Anupama. He began to write to his mother less frequently, but would call her up once in a while. India had become synonymous with bad memories for him.
Anupama's letters arrived-full of tears, difficulties, and information about the
progress of the disease. After a while they stopped coming.

Then Aadya's marriage was fixed. Anand flew down days before the wedding
like a guest. His mother made it a point to introduce him informally to many
people, and he soon became aware of her intentions.

His mother broached the topic once Aadya had left for her in-laws' place.
'Anand, I am worried about you. Now that Aadya is married as well, I want you to settle down, too.'

Anand did not answer.

'Last time, some strangers whose background we didn't know used beauty to trap you. This time you should marry into a known family.'

Anand still kept quiet.

'Anupama has not tried to contact us even once since she left home. Perhaps
she doesn't want to stay with you. I heard she wants a divorce and alimony. Poor girl! Let us be fair and pay her something. Though she deceived us, I'm willing to overlook that. But I don't want you to wait indefinitely.'

Irritated, Anand rose from his seat. Sunaina continued. 'Do you want to
become an ascetic? Our family should grow and our lineage should continue.
We have so much property. I want my grandchildren to inherit it.'

Anand felt her words pierce through him, but he did not know what to say.
Sunaina had tears in her eyes on the day he left, 'Anand, when will I see you
again?'

'Very soon.'

'Shall I go ahead and find a girl for you?'
'Let me think about it.'

Though Anand left without giving a firm answer, Sunaina assumed it was a
yes.

Anand completed his degree successfully and continued to practise in England
for a while. One day, a couple came to his hospital. The wife was using crutches
and the husband was helping her. There was also a baby in his arms.

He explained, 'My wife lost her legs in a car accident. Now she is unwell, and the
baby is irritable. That is why we are here.'

As Anand quietly examined the wife, the husband kept talking. 'We are God-
fearing people. That is why we make Him the witness in everything. In my
marriage vows I had sworn that we would be together until death. It is my duty to help her whenever she is in difficulty.'

Anand was touched by his words. Even in the West, where divorce was easy,
this man had chosen to take care of his crippled wife because of his commitment to the marriage vows he had made. Anand thought of Anupama.

He, too, had made many promises in front of Agni and all the guests who had come to bless them during the wedding ceremony. Now they were parted, but not by death.

Had he done the right thing?

His mother kept insisting that he should remarry.

He would have to make similar promises to another woman. What was the guarantee that this marriage would last? Having lived alone for so long, he would find it difficult to adjust to someone else's ways. He had not found happiness after marrying a girl of his own choice; would he be happy in a marriage arranged by his mother?

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Anand returned to India some months later to set up a practice in his home town.