I had known my dad's cousin, for a few years, as the lady who chose to remain single amidst the traditional family she was part of. During family functions, she was a topic of discussion as the one who committed an act that is next to a cardinal sin! Though no one despised her at home, I always sensed a melancholic tone when people spoke about her.
Perennially our society has been one that strongly based itself upon the notion of matrimony for existence and procreation. Every child who is born into this system is raised with a constant reminder of the need for this age-old institution. This belief gets deep rooted so much that, anyone who dares to tread a path that is different is seen as an outcast. This nature of the public always remained a fascination right from the time I started decoding the algorithm of relationships in a family.
The chapters of my life flew by and one fine day I ended up at the doorsteps of the same lady. I was to stay there for a couple of months as part of completing my Post Graduation project in that city. My alternate agenda was to explore more on the psyche of a single woman on whom the society had attached a taboo.
Pages on the calendar were flipped twice and by that time I had my realization in place. I could figure out the discrimination, the so called civilization had shown on her. In fact I really admired her for resisting the act of bigotry for almost half a century! She was indeed happy being single and had no regrets whatsoever, unlike the concern people had for her. I could feel the sense of freedom she cherished and not to mention her own space she treasured!
Single or otherwise, maternal instincts form an inseparable part of the genetics that constitute the fairer sex. I experienced that with the care she extended towards my well being. I was truly thankful to her for making me comfortable during the couple of months I lived there. It was more like an eye-opener for me towards the definitions world had in store.
It was time to bid farewell to the wonderful camaraderie we shared. I thought of parting ways by gifting her something she valued. She being an avid reader, what else other than a book, could be the best gift? Hours were spent to fish out a befitting book that spoke volumes about living life to the fullest. Something that genuinely complimented her spirit of being single!
I got the book covered in a lovely gift wrapper and presented with a contented heart. Her naturally beautiful face glowed as I handed over the gift and soon enough she started unwrapping it. Till date I am not really sure of the sort of emotion that crossed her face, as she took a first look at the cover of the book!
It read, 'Who Will Cry When You Die?'
Jai Chetta this is one of the best posts till date :-) Did you ever find out if she dared to turn the leaves of the book?
ReplyDeletemacha..... i'm sure you knew what the book was all about.... coz you couldn't have bought her a better book. The book is all about making the opportunity to live the life you want to!
ReplyDeleteIt's a deceiving title and has nothing to do with marriage or being single, but if the intention was to be smug or sarcastic in asking her the question 'Who Will Cry When You Die?' just coz she is single...... then i guess you just played into the taboo that you are talking about!
@Sheetal: I didn't dare do that ;) || @Sudhakar: You are spot on dude, was just playing around with the title and the irony with her single status :)
ReplyDeletesingle or not...we had a lot of fun at her place when she was away :)...thanks for this note and the memories...
ReplyDeleteWhy is it a blunder then, shouldnt it be more like an irony?
ReplyDelete@ Viv: Indeed bro! :) It was one of the best times together!
ReplyDelete@ Anonymous: While a part of me want to say I agree with you, the afterthought of gifting a book with such a title made me use that term.
Hey... hmmm. .i know...whatever little i have known her...she seems to be a personification of "free spirit" :)
ReplyDelete@Anonymous: I completely agree with you, I adore her for her awesome spirit of self!
ReplyDelete