Walking slowly into the altar, her heart
full of devotions, Euthra, standing in front of the statues, folds her hand and
seeks blessing, closing her eyes. As a matter of fact, her life has been so
beautiful and she lived like a Princess. Even her friends envied her sometimes.
Many people call her, “Talented.” She was very popular since the primary
school, firstly because of her beauty, secondly her excellent academic
performance and thirdly her talents. Her photos on social networks cross
thousand likes within a minute as if she is a celebrity and many boys are after
her.
She feels lucky to have met Tshegyel back
in the college. She loves him not because of his wealthy parents as many think
she is but his personality. Even her parents are wealthy. He always makes silly
mistakes and there was never a time, when he didn’t make a mistake. Whenever
they meet, he makes a mistake, though unintentionally. Their interests match,
both business-minded. Thus, did same course back in the college. Though, she
was good in math, she opted for commerce.
She is hopeful that today, Tshegyel may not
commit any mistakes. Today is their wedding. With mouth reciting prayers, she
prays, “Kenchosum, I am very grateful for being kind to me till now and I seek
your guidance and support hereafter. Bless me, Kenchosum.”
Having said the prayers, she opens her
eyes. Getting outside with a feeling of being blessed, she walks directly to
the sofa and picks up her handbag. Then she calls Zam.
“Zam?”
Getting out of the kitchen, Zam stands at
the door, “Yes, Ashim.”
“Oh, I am going with Tshegyel. I will be back
soon,” says Euthra, heading to the door, “and take care of Shaycham.”
Zam nods and looks at her, as if to say
something. So Euthra asks, “You got something to say?”
“Good luck, Ashim.”
Thanking her with a smile, Euhtra gets out
of the house, embracing the gentle breeze on her face. She checks her phone and
it’s 9AM. She has not received call from Tshegyel this morning but he called
her last night and said, “Euhtra, meet me at my house at 9 tomorrow before we
go to the wedding hall.”
Walking towards the garage, she takes out
the car’s key from her handbag. It’s her father’s car. Unlocking the car, she
speeds down towards the town, where Tshegyel stays, as the Thimphu City wakes
up for the day. Driving down, feeling irritated by the morning traffic jam, finally,
Euhtra pulls over the car in front of a majestic building soaring high up as if
to touch the sky. Getting out of the car, she looks up. For last seven years,
she has been here only for three times. Firstly, Tshegyel brought her here to
meet his parents as a friend in the first year, secondly as a girlfriend in the
second year and finally, two months ago after their engagement. Today, it will
be the fourth time. It’s for her wedding.
Walking into the lobby, greeting the
receptionist, she goes directly to the lift at the corner. Getting inside, she
presses number, ‘5’. Tshegyel stays in this floor and her parents on the
fourth. His younger sister on the third. The second floor has a swimming pool
and recreation ground for the family and the ground floor is used as a kitchen
and has a coffee shop for celebrities.
As the lift stops, she gets out checking
her hair on her phone screen. Going directly to the Tshegyel’s room, she
knocks. A maid, standing at his kitchen with a broom in hand, attached to his
sitting room, looks at her. Ignoring her stare, she raises her hand to knock
again when the maid walks towards her saying, “Madam, Tshegyel is waiting for
you on the fourth floor with parents.”
Confused by the information, walking away
from the door, she dials Tshegyel’s number. He does not answer the call.
Walking down the stairs, she keeps dialing his number but no response. Landing
on to the fourth floor, she walks along the corridor, towards the room where
Tshegyel’s parents use as sitting room. Standing at the door, trying to compose
herself back from her angry mood, she presses the button. Breathing heavily,
she waits.
Then, a woman opens the door, looking sad.
Without saying a word, she walks inside. Tshegyel is sitting on a sofa opposite
to her parents. On seeing her, his father smiles and stands up, “Oh, here she
comes.”
Then Tshegyel turns his face and looks at
her looking terrified. His mother does not say a word. She walks slowly towards
them and stands near the sofa, not knowing what to say. Then looking at her,
his father says, “Please, be seated.”
After listening to Tshegyel’s parents for a
few minutes, Euthra stands up her mouth gasping for a breath of fresh air. She
feels suffocated. Forcing her heated body down the staircase, she rushes out
towards her car. Getting inside, she presses the accelerator.
Parking the car in the garage, she gets out
without locking the car. She has broken the headlights. Walking to the door,
she bangs. Opening the door, Zam stands stunned by her reddened angry face. Dashing
her, Euthra goes directly to the picture frame on the table, beside the TV.
Grabbing the frame, she swings it up against the wall breaking into pieces.
Then Shaycham rushes out of her room,
looking horrified. Standing at her room’s door, she looks at the broken pieces.
It’s a family photo. Then, her body falling down on to the floor, tears
streaming from her eyes, looking at the broken pieces, Euthra shouts, “Why are
you doing this to me?”
It’s has been five days, since she met her
parents. After admitting, Angay to hospital, they left to India for her
treatment the next day. They left without even talking to her. She has no idea
why they had to take that old woman to India. She is old and old people are
bound to be sick. No treatment will help their aged bodies. They have forgotten
her marriage. Back at Tshegyel’s house, his father said, “I am sorry, I think
your parents are not taking this relationship seriously. Today, it’s supposed
to be your wedding day but there is not even a word from your parents. It’s an
insult to my family.”
Holding her IPad in hand, Shaycham walks
towards her. Keeping her hand gently on her shoulder, she says, “Ashim, I
understand how you feel. But I want to say you something. The old woman who was
here in our house a few days before was no other than your mother.”
Story by: Phurpa Dorji (PJIKKS)
Chapter 6 Tomorrow @9PM
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