SHE'S ONE OF US - CHAPTER 16

                                                   
                                              

Bunch of Sorrys

Shree was taken back by the words written in that bunch of papers. She held tight the bunch of papers and  said to the students "Excuse me, I will come in a minute". She hurried down stairs and turned over the pages. She wondered that how serious Sai concerned about her anger. At the same time she was proud that her upset was not a easy thing to him. The paper looked like an imposition. She closed her eyes out of unhappiness. She felt bad about herself seeing the bunch of papers again and again. She couldn't believe her eyes.  Sai had written "SORRY" in that bunch of papers. There were four thousands "Sorry s". Shree thought "Even looking at that bunch of papers was tired , How come Sai did that, Oh my Gosh! I was just pretending to be annoyed ".  Sometimes we get happy and sad for a same thing. Likewise Shree was unhappy  and thought "OH no.... , How his hands would hurt". Tears rolled down. The next moment , Sai's crazy blind love made her smile. She smiled through her tears.  There was a pain in her heart knowing that Sai had struggled . But when she realized it was out of his beautiful love, There was an immeasurable joy. Whatever,  She decided not to accept this . Shree don't want Sai to struggle even for petty things. The crazy part of love is , we do things outside of our comfort zone, even though those things may be inconvenience to us , but  we are always happy and excited to do them.  That night , Shree was deeply thinking Sai and his bunch of papers. She was much worried as their love  for each other went deep into their soul. She just came out from her love world , her family got into her mind. Already Shree's mom started doubting her activities, So she decided to sacrifice her love and also request Sai to do the same. She chose to write a letter to put a full stop for their love. 

Shree's letter to cut the shrub down

It was Saturday morning, Shree finished her tuition and came downstairs. She took  her college book and kept a paper on top of it. She wrote the letter and was about to fold. Suddenly a hand pulled the paper. She was shocked. Her head started spinning. She couldn't believe , it was her Mom. Her Mom starred at her . She read the letter and shouted turning to her Dad "I told you already that she's doing something without our knowledge, But when I told , You didn't believe me,  See .... Now what? ". Mom erupted like a volcano. Akhila stood silent starring at Shree without uttering a word. Mom turned to Shree and shouted "We pampered you so much , and You are punishing  us for that , How dare you do this and spoil our family name". Shree was dumb struck. She felt like drowning  in a pond.  She don't want to deny anything as she caught red handed. Her dad got the letter and read it. 

In the letter .... 

"Dear Sai , This letter is not for happiness.  I know you are so deep in your love and so do I . Our love been sowed and it is grown into a small shrub now. I don't want that to grow into a tree, because it is very difficult to cut it down. The pain we can't bare.  Love made me blind and crazy. I am supposed to consider my family first. So, Now ....Thinking of my family , I choose to cut the shrub down. I am writing this with heavy heart and tears in my eyes. I am afraid of the "Trust" my Family have on me. I am afraid of the "Love" they have on me. I am afraid of the "Hope" they have on me. After all I am afraid of my family's dignity. I am also worried about Akhila's life would be at stake if we do this. I am so Sorry.......................Forgive me. 

There is a complaint about you.

Shree's dad gently tapped on Shree's  shoulders and turned to her Mom and said in a cool tone "The letter is perfect. Shree has written it correctly". Mom shouted "What ?....". Dad said "Do not shout. It is very natural to fall in love at this age, but she decide to cut it off. She is getting into a right direction. Don't scold her or hurt her". Mom angrily said "Nothing to blame her. I'll talk to Sai . He is the one cheated us". Shree wept and wept. Her face turned pale and eyes were red. She was now bothered about Sai . Shree who always expected Sai to come daily , prayed that he should not come that day. Shree heard Sai's bike. Shree was too upset and closed her eyes with her palms as her eyes ached to see Sai in that situation. Sai came smiling without knowing the consequences he was going to face. 

The entire home was like a graveyard. Nobody said a Hello to Sai or even a smile. Shree's Dad was sitting in a chair reading a newspaper and Mom sitting beside him. Akhila  sat in front of them with gloomy face mixed with anger. Sai could feel something was terribly wrong. He turned his head towards the room , where he saw Shree with tears. He could see a swollen face of Shree because of continuous crying. He guessed what  had actually happened and he made up his mind to face this tough situation. Shree's Dad broke the silence and said  with a fake smile " Sai! There is a complaint about you". The moment Sai was about to open his mouth, but before that , Shree's mom started blasting . She said with tears out of anger and hatred "You betrayed us, This is your real face and with such a dirty mind you helped us. How can you do this? , I thought you were my son" . Sai broke into tears and said "I may be wrong , but Amma , Don't ever say that. Nothing can change that I am your son. Now I want to make you clear that me and Shree love each other and I want to marry her with your acceptance. I very well know we are not of same community , but we ...." and looked at Shree. 

"I Promise" - Shree 's heart stopped pumping

Shree sat idle sobbing with her glance fixed on Sai. Mom said  "Shut up and get out of this house right now". Akhila consoled her Mom and turned to Sai and said "Please Go". Sai turned to her Dad and said "Appa , Please understand. I didn't plan anything. Everything happened in its own way". Mom again shouted "Don't create any scene. There is nothing between you and our family. Mind your business and get out". Sai pleaded with tears "No , I can't leave her". Mom blasted "How dare you can say this . Okay if this is your thought , I will tell you mine. We are going to stop Shree from her college and send to her Uncle's home in Coimbatore and her uncle knows very well how to handle this". Sai cried "No Amma .. But her studies.???". Mom said "Let it be , because of you , her whole future getting spoiled . That's completely fine,  as our family dignity is much important to us". Sai said "No ... You can't do this to Shree" and took a deep breath. There was a silence for few seconds. He said "Okay .  I will forget her and won't come here again". Mom got relaxed and said "Words are not enough , you have to promise". Sai turned to Shree and looked her with painful eyes. Shree's vision blurred out of tears. Shree don't want Sai to promise and thought it was equal to kill her. She shook her head slightly. Though Sai understood  what she was thinking, and could feel her pain in her heart through her eyes. He turned to Shree's mom and said "I promise" and hurried from the place without turning back. 

You can change Sai , But not me.

Shree's heart bursted into pieces. She couldn't believe Sai uttered those words. She only heard the voice of Sai "I promise" all the time. She totally lost her in darkness, She couldn't sleep and she stopped having food. The Family consoled her , but she was not convinced. Two days she didn't have her food. Mom threatened her that the whole family won't have their food until she eat. So , she pretended having little food. Mom scolded her . Shree got mad and shouted "Yes , I love him , You can change Sai , but not me. I am going to be like this in my rest of my life" and wept.  Mom got mad on her  but her Dad said "Leave her alone , Don't compel her for anything . She will be alright soon by herself".  Akhila cried to Mom "Amma ! Everything happened because of me and I am the one who is responsible for all thing happened. I need to be blamed as I brought Sai into this home and not anyone else". Mom said "No dear , It's not you " and looked at Shree in a way that she was responsible for everything. Shree stood silent. She forgot to eat , drink, play, study, smile , listen , feel, see.  She was in a separate world. All she can hear only those words which Sai said "I promise". She can't accept Sai getting out of her life. She kept on weeping day and night. Shree's Mom was much worried as Shree became thinner day by day. It was almost ten days Shree being like this. She decided to call Sai on the way to college and home , but she would change her mind as Sai uttered those words. She thought  that, " To keep up his promise , Sai didn't turn up. He decided to forget the love".  But her inner voice said  Sai would come back as she believed , her love was true. Her eyes searched him on the way to the college and home. But Sai didn't turn up, however she didn't lose her hope. 

The Meet in Government Hospital

It  was the eleventh day, Shree's bicycle got punctured. So , she left the bicycle in the puncture shop and walked to the bus stop. When she was about to get inside the bus. A voice stopped her. She turned and it was her Table tennis friend Raji, First year B.com with her two wheeler . She said "Shree! If you want , you can join me in my bike". Shree smiled and said "Yes". Raji said "Where is your bicycle?". Shree explained everything  to her. Raji said "It is fine. you can join me in the evening too". Shree said "Okay". Raji showed her parking place and said " Whomever comes early can wait for the other here " . Shree nodded and said "Thanks".  Raji smiled and said "Don't mention it". In the evening , After college Shree waited for her in the parking. Raji waived her hands from distance. Shree too waived back. Raji said " Are you waiting long ?". Shree smiled "No problem , It was just two minutes". On the way , Raji was talking something to her. But Shree's eyes were searching Sai. Suddenly Shree started to weep. Her eye caught sight of Sai  but he disappeared. She was searching but he was right beside her. Raji was clueless and she stopped her vehicle. Raji said "Is something wrong?". Raji saw Sai was parking his vehicle beside her. Raji asked Shree "Hey do you know him ?". Shree nodded. Raji completely understood the situation and said Sai "This is not right place to talk, After half a mile , there is a government hospital , If we go inside no one will find us talking. It is a safe place". Sai nodded and both vehicles headed towards the Government hospital. Raji left Shree at the entrance and said "I will wait here , You go and come in five minutes. Okay?". Shree said "Yes". 

                                                         

 

I can easily carry you and run away

Shree stood under a big tree inside the hospital.  Sai parked the vehicle and came near Shree. Shree wanted to hug him tight and weep , but couldn't. She explained her sufferings of last ten days. Tears popped out of Sai's eyes , but he controlled himself as Shree was already weeping and  his tears shouldn't make her even worse. He said "I can't even wipe your tears. Everyone in the hospital seems like watching us. Wipe your tears". Shree said "But , How can you promise". Sai said "I said just "I promise" not anything else. That's why I hurried home after saying that. If i would have stayed Amma would definitely made be say in detail". Shree said "What ?....It means ???". Sai said "It means "I promised not to leave Shree even in death " and smiled. Shree naughtily smiled and said "How dare you can cheat my family again. Cheater. Count your sins ". Sai playfully said "All sins are deposited in your account as everything I do it for you". Shree laughed and said "You.............". The two heavy hearts became light. They were happy with each other. Sai advised "Please have your food. My heart really aches when I heard that you didn't have your food and you became so thin." and added "But there is an advantage I can easily carry you and run away". Shree starred "What ???". Sai said "I was just kidding". Shree said "No.. Don't say that ever,  not even for fun. Why we should run?. We both have families. I have lot of aims and dreams and you too. I love you a lot but..  ". Raji interrupted "It is already ten minutes. But I heard the last words of you. We need to lose something to get something right ?". Shree said "Who said so? If that is the case, Whenever a child is born , are we losing it's Mama?. My thinking is I need to be honest , loyal in my love and also should achieve my aim and dream and So do Sai. Now Amma and Appa may think I betrayed them , But one day they will definitely realize that Sai is the best match for me  and so do I for him". Raji smiled and said "Crystal clear. You are awesome Shree. That's how every girl should think". Shree said "Hmm.. " and looked at Sai and added "I am happy now , I can concentrate in my studies. Now I promise I never leave you again for any reason, If so that will be my final day. Got it ?". Sai  said "Yes ... Dittto" and twinkled . Shree added "Stupid Where did you go these ten days" . Sai said "There was a close relative's death in my native place. So I went there and Moreover I had some issues in the college and need to address it" . Shree said "No Excuses like this in future" and smiled.  Sai said "Call me every Tuesday when you are on the way home" Shree said "Yes." She wanted to talk more , but it got already late. Both of them left the place. Shree turned and saw Sai going in the opposite direction. She couldn't take her eyes off from Sai till he disappear. He thanked her Raghavendra swamy. 

 The Suspicious Guy

On the way , two eyes watched the girls in the bike and impressed with a girl . One side love at first sight. Shree's cycle got a major problem and she could not take her cycle to the college for a week, So Raji picked her  for the college  and dropped her in home . The two eyes noticed the timing of the bike arrival and he showed up daily morning and evening. Raji too fell in love with that boy at first sight. He was smart . He got a handsome look. His style , his attitude revealed that he belongs to a very rich family. He always would come to the tennis court which was on the way to the Women's college. That Day , Raji said "Do you noticed that handsome guy who is coming daily looks at me?". Shree blinked "OH .. Sorry , I didn't notice". Raji said "Oh my God , He is damn cute. I like him so much . I want to talk to him and introduce myself one day". Shree said "Are you crazy ? You don't know who is he. How come ? No Raji , It's dangerous". Raji said "Okay , I will show you today". Shree gave a blank look and a deep exhalation. On the way Raji said "Shree ! Watch out , He is the one standing near the Tennis court entrance with grey shirt on him . Oh my god ! Grey looks great on him". The guy too watched the bike passing the tennis court. Raji said "Hey Look  , He is looking me". Shree said "What ??" and looked back and saw him. The guy smiled at Shree as if he knows her before. He was extremely happy when Shree saw him. Shree said "Your hero is smiling at me and you say he is looking at you. I think he is not good". Raji consoled Shree and said "Hey , he just smiled at you because you are my friend". Shree don't like that guy even though he was damn handsome and felt something suspicious about him. 

And now I can hear you saying "Who was this suspicious guy , Was  he really suspicious or it was just Shree's thought  about him? Is he any way related to Shree's life ? " I say "Patience Patience Friday is not too far :) "