My Horizon!

The clock ticked 14.20.

She looked at her watch. It was later than usual for her.

She hurriedly checked the hall wall clock again. The clock hands seem to be moving faster than usual. She thought why was she not home yet? Was she in some trouble?

She decided to give her a call.

Tring… Tring… (No answer)

It was half past two now and was late by more than an hour. Was there seriously a problem to her? What would have happened otherwise? Puncture? Traffic? No cab?

Ting… Tong…

She opened the door to see her outside dressed in pale blue jeans and a casual top, contrast to her in a dark brown sari.

“I had been waiting for you, for about an hour now. I get only one day with you and you are out even today!”

……

“Ok come on. Have food with me.”

……

“Isha? Do you even hear what I’m saying?”

With foot-falls heard close to her, she assumed Isha was approaching the lunch table. But alas!

“Isha?”

……

She looked at her. Something was wrong.

“Mom…”

……

“I’m in love with someone else.” Isha started to shiver in humiliation and uncertainty.

……

“Mom, say something!”

“Who?” She chewed the word out but it came out only as a whisper but audible enough in the startled home.

“Surya”

“Your school-mate?”

Isha shook her head in affirmation. Tears rolled down her cheeks.

……

“Mom, I know this means nothing. I should not have gone out with him today. If I hadn’t gone to my batch meet and today, I wouldn’t have had to overtly confront my feelings now.” Isha broke down and ran to her room to cry her heart out.

She was shocked. The incidents that were happening were too drastic to react normal.

She walked to Isha’s room where Veer’s portrait adorned the main wall.

“Isha. Get up!” She made Isha sit up.

“Mom, that doesn’t mean I didn’t love Veer.”

……

“Mom please forgive me. I didn’t plan this at all.”

“Isha, wait.”

“It is just a year since Veer left us in the accident. I feel so small.” Isha kept weeping.

“Does Surya love you too?”

“Yes mom. But, why does it matter, Mom? What will people say?”

She pacified herself with a deep breath.

“Isha, people will talk with what they see and not the truth. Why do we have to talk about people who don’t know the facts?”

“Mom, Veer was your only son. We married against your will. But you accepted us, unlike my parents. How can I bring so much shame to you, by bringing someone else in here?” Isha wept helplessly.

She smiled slowly.

“Veer is gone, Isha. It has been over a year now. You were everything to Veer and Veer was everything to me. Now, you are my horizon, dear.” She hugged Isha comfortably.

Isha’s weeps started to fade as their bond thickened in love.

“Isha…”

“Hmmm?”


“When are you getting Surya home?”