The waves kept lashing back to the shore, it brought back her nightmares. She could not accept what she heard now. Renu looked beside her to see the anxious face of Sriram."I know Renu, It's not easy as it is said, but you should do it. This is not Renu. She is bold, energetic." Renu wants to say no , but nothing came out. She gazed at the sea. Tears ran down her cheeks. Sriram held her face in his hands "For me Renu? ". She looked back at him helplessly.
Even after reaching home she was pondering over what her husband had told her.They had their food in silence. He kissed her goodnight , held her hands and dozed off. But it was not easy for her, for the past few months. She has forgotten how sound sleep would be like. When she looked at the bed side table, she found a piece of paper. Without disturbing him, she took the paper and read ' topic:- MOTHER'.
"Sriram, I don't think I can make it to movie today, boss want me hear to complete tomorrow's presentation. " "No, Renu not fair...I booked tickets only after asking you right? Where did this sudden work came from ?" "I know Sriram,but boss says its urgent. We both are working on it, this may go upto 9"."hmm..ok.I understand.Do you mind If I drop you back home? " "Yea , that sounds good. Should I say I am the luckiest person to have such a dutiful fiance? " "You better say that .." "Ha ha..ok Sri, let me get back to work so that I can finish in time".She disconnected the line and got immersed in her work. She did not notice the boss entering her cabin and closing the door.
When it was 9 Sriram was already in front of her office waiting for her. His calls remained unanswered this worried him. The premise was deserted except for half asleep security. He entered the building and located the only lit room.He walked towards the room. Through the glass he saw man drenched in blood. Sriram with the help of security opened the door. A man in his forties was on the floor ,his head heavily bleeding. His eyes frantically searched for Renu. At the other corner of the room he heard her cries. He rushed . "Renu?" The moment he touched her hand, she slapped him. But when she saw who it was all she could do was cry. He could not stand it. He helped her to his car. Meanwhile an ambulance arrived for the man.
The news flashed everywhere. Even though she was able to protect herself, the incident shook her. It took away the confidence of a successful corporate manager.
Her boss was fired. But it was not the end. The society blamed Renu and not the man.She could not take it. Renu decided to quit. She placed herself in a shell which she never wished to leave.Her future in-laws too found this unacceptable. But Sriram was firm. He got their wedding registered. Sriram's parents had no choice but to accept. Sriram also knew Renu was not back yet. So he took an apartment and moved, for Renu's comfort. The only person she could stand was Sriram.
And now after all the things he did for her, for the first time he was asking something from her. He has asked her to participate in the annual residential celebration. Renu have thought several times to talk with someone, but it reminded her of all the insults she faced. When this was the state , Sriram has also asked her to prepare a speech . For the old Renu , who conducted n number of meetings it would have been an insult, but now it is a task near to impossible.When Sriram woke up, he saw Renu asleep in sofa with a paper in her hand. He knew he did it. Along with the coffee , he placed a thank you note and left for work.
This was the day. Everyone one was in the lawn waiting for the program to start. Renu came down ,partly hiding behind Sriram.He held her close .She could hear wishpers around her as she moved ahead. Her eyes filled with tears as she took her seat between Sriram and his mother. "Sriram are you sure she can do this, by her looks I doubt. She will make you ashamed in front of all". " Amma, If you cannot encourage , please don't bother telling anything else. She will do fine".Renu was at the brim of a breakdown ,when her name was announced. She found it very difficult to walk upto the stage.Finally she managed it. She could see the smirks in people's face. Renu tried saying good morning but no voice came out. Everyone started laughing.
She closed her eyes. "Renu , I am right behind you. No one will laugh at you .Open your eyes and do it. For me ?" She felt Sriram's hands in her's. Tightly holding on them she started . " Mother. There is no better word in the universe to describe love. If mother is someone who loves you from heart, without expecting anything from you, stood beside you whenever you are in need..then... I am holding my mother's hand now." With this she raised Sriram's hand and pulled him to front.
There was a moment of silence , the audience broke into an applause. Sriram was in tears now."You did it Renu.." "For you Sriram". Slowly people started talking to her. She also started feeling comfortable with the crowd. Sriram's mother and some other ladies came to appreciate . One of the ladies "Sriram, now that she is okay, when are you going to tell us good news" .Renu knew what was coming.She was not ready for it. "Aunty , I have a little girl whom I taught today to speak, every stage in her new life is a good news to me. I will wait until she is fully grown".Saying this he took her hand and walked home.
She could not believe what she heard. Life was strange. It showed her a man who saw her nothing less than a piece of meat. It also gave her a man who respected and loved her. She felt a new energy filling up her. "He is all I want".............