Scene 1- Coimbatore India

Archana got ready as usual to go to her college. She was busy thinking about the reference materials she had to complete today as her thesis was supposed to be completed by next month. She was so lost in her thought process and when she came to the breakfast table she was startled to notice there were only fruits kept for. She looked at MIL quizzingly as Savithri always prepared proper breakfast.

" Archana don't you know today is Noobu. You are supposed to have only fruits today. I have packed fruits as lunch for you. And come home a little early as the Nombu pooja time is 4:30pm"

Archana looked at her MIL and then at her mangalsutra. Savitri was unable to face her DIL. Archana didn't speak anything. She ate the fruits , took the lunch box and walked out.

Scene 2- California USA

Aravind was in a client presentation. The meeting was going on for the past 6 hrs and the clients were grilling him with one question after another. Irrespective of the tough questions thrown at him Aravind was able to impress the client and his organization won a business deal of $30mn.

As he came out of the board room everyone was congratulating Aravind for the successful deal. Then suddenly one colleague told " They say behind every successful man there is a woman and today we should not only raise this toast of victory for Aravind alone but also for his wife. Though she is not here with him I am sure in today's presentation she would have been Aravind's confidence booster" Aravind tried hard to suppress his emotions and smiled while everyone raised the toast and said " To Aravind and Archana"

Scene 3- Chennai India

Ancy was busy in her work and noticing the wedding card in front of her she looked up. Her collegues Revathy and Shyam were standing with the wedding card. Revathy spoke " Ancy you are the first person we are inviting in this office. You cant escape our wedding. You have to come".

Ancy looked at them. Revathy and Shyam had been dating for past 4 years and were now tying the knot. She looked at the happy couple and told " yes dears I will be surely there for your wedding " As they walked away Ancy sat looking wishfully at them , not even aware of the tears flowing from her eyes.

Aravind slammed the door of his flat and threw his briefcase on sofa and sat tiredly. His head was aching. The comment his wife was a confidence booster rang in his mind throughout. He closed his eyes and his mind went to that fateful Diwali holidays 7 yrs back.

" Hello Aravind are you coming home this weekend"

" Yaa Amma I am coming. I want to discuss with you something important"

" Yaa Aravind we also want to discuss something important with you"

When Aravind reached home he could see that everyone was unusually happy. There was some kind of festive atmosphere which was somehow not related to Diwali completely. He went inside, freshened up and had food. Then his Appa invited him to the hall. All the elders of the family were sitting there. His appa, amma, grandparents, uncle and aunts. There in another corner he saw his cousin Archana standing dressed up. His other cousins were standing behind.

Now his grandfather spoke. See it was decided long back that Aravind will be marrying Archana. Now Archana has completed her graduation and Aravind is in a good job in Chennai for the past 3 years. So as a family we feel it is the right time for their marriage. So today Aravind and Archana are here and also the families. So I guess during this auspicious occasion of Diwali we can exchange the thamboolam and fix the date for marriage.

Aravind was stunned. He looked at his Appa. He wanted to speak to him. This cannot happen. But no one was looking at him. His mother was busy arranging the thamboolam plate with saree, jewellery, flowers, kumkum etc.. and Archana's mother was doing the same. All the family members were happy and they were congratulating him. He looked at Archana and decided to speak to her atleast. But she was standing there her head bowed down and smiling. When he tried moving towards her , his other cousin's blocked him " Anna why hurry. You will get a lot of time to talk to Anni after marriage"

Aravind was getting suffocated and perplexed. Before he could say or do anything the thamboolam exchange ceremony was over.

Aravind exploded to his parents that night after everyone was gone. " Amma, Appa why didn't you tell me anything. Why did you exchange thamboolam."

His Amma asked " What was wrong in it Aravind. Yours and Archana's marriage was decided in family long back. So what permission we needed to ask"

" Amma who decided it. When have I ever told I want Archana to be my wife. Have I ever in my life gave any such hints. I have behaved politely with her till date. Amma how can these things be decided when we are babies. These are life's decsisions and need to taken while we also have the thinking power. It is after all my life"

" Aravind what are you telling. You cant marry Archana. Oh my God what will I tell your mama. It is better I die"

" Amma understand that I cannot see Archana as my wife. Even if I marry her I cannot keep her happy. I love another girl and want to live rest of my life with her" He blurted out and regretted it the next moment. This was not the right time to talk about Ancy

" Another girl who is she?" his mother was glowing and his father's face also looked angry.

" Amma we will talk about it later. But for the time being understand I don't want to marry Archana"

But now there was no stopping Savitri " Aravind tell me who is the other girl"

" Amma her name is Ancy"

" Ancy " thundered Savitri. " How dare you even think a Christian girl can be made DIL of this family". You are our only son. Aravind your mother will not touch even water if you don't agree to marry Archana"

" Amma" but Savitri was stubborn. She went to a fast. Even Aravind's father tried to reason out with her. But nothing worked. Savitri went on fasting telling she will have water only if Aravind agreed to marry Archana. Finding no way out Aravind conceded.

" Amma have some food. I will marry Archana" Aravind was bought back to the present by the constant ringing of his mobile phone. Wearily he took the call which was from his mother.

Ancy was sitting in her office bus. Her eyes were still moist. Somehow today she was unable to work and was thankful that she was going home. She remembered the call that came to her one day midnight 7 years back

Ancy was sitting in her computer. She was going through various wedding planner sites. Aravind had gone home and he had promised her that he will convince his parents. It had taken some time to convince Ancy's parents but finally they were convinced. Ancy was lost in beautiful thoughts when her mobile rang. It was Aravind. Ancy jumped and took the phone. Has he managed to convince his parents so fast

" Aravind did your parents agree" asked Ancy enthusiastically

" Ancy" Aravind didn't know what to tell her. He stopped.Hearing nothing from him Ancy was tensed.

" Aravind what happened"

" Ancy I am sorry I had to break the promise given to you. Ancy you can also shout at me, angry at me and can even say you wont have food or drink. But if you do that then I don't know what to do.

Ancy was more worried. " Aravind tell me what happened. We will find a solution"

Aravind told her the entire story as well as his decision. Ancy was breaking inside. But she didn't show anything in the next words she spoke

" Aravind your mother's happiness is of utmost importance. You as a son has to honour her words. Don't worry about me. It will be difficult for me in the beginning. But I guess I will survive this and you also need to survive this as a new girl is going to come to your life"

She didn't know what else to tell. She simply said " Aravind take care" and kept the phone.

" Ancy can we go for a movie this weekend. " Ancy turned and looked at her collegue Deepika who was sitting in next to her. Ancy smiled and said " yes Deeps we will go"

Archana sat for the nombu Pooja with other ladies. She performed the rituals mechanically. After the Pooja was over the elder ladies blessed the younger ones. Archana also took the elder's blessings. One lady told her " May you be blessed with a beautiful child this time next year" . Archana didn't know what to feel about the blessing. She was getting it for the past 5+ years and may get for many more years to come, but she knew motherhood was never in her fate. As she walked back home her thoughts flew back to the days 6 years ago

" Archana did you like this saree or do you want the other one. Blue will be good for you."

" Amma I want the green colour one and please I want that white stone studded jhumka too"

Her wedding preparations were in full swing. Archana's every demand was being met. Though she was happy and was fully involved in her wedding preparations something bothered Archana. Aravind had not at all spoken to her. He only told a cursory hi or how are you. There was no phone calls from him like her friends told. She didn't know whom to speak about her fears. She assured herself that maybe Aravind's nature was like that and everything will be fine after marriage.

Aravind's and Archana's marriage happened with all pomp and glory. All rituals were followed. But Archana could feel the uneasiness in Aravind. When the photographer asked them to stand close for photos Aravind never really stood close and he had to be forced to stand close to her. Even during games she found Aravind distant.

So by the time Archana entered their room that night she was really bothered. Their bed was decorated with flowers. But she saw Aravind sitting on the sofa. Archana sat on the bed and looked at him. Aravind spoke

" Archana I want to tell you one thing. I married you because my family wanted me to marry you. But I am not in a position to consider you my wife. I will be your friend and will do all the duties of the husband except that I will not be able to have a romantic relationship with you"

Archana sat there dumbfounded , tears flowing through her eyes. That day she slept on the bed and he on the sofa. Archana thought as days go by Aravind will change. But nothing happened. He remained what he was. He took her to Chennai, got her a job and took care of her in every aspect like a good friend. But that was it. He never once crossed the boundary of friendship with her. He also told her about Ancy the girl he loved. Aravind told her clearly that though he loved Ancy after marriage he had not kept any contact with her.

She didn't tell anything to anyone but after 2 years queries started coming in regarding children. When the queries became persistent Archana had no option she broke down and told the truth to her mother.

That was it. Archana mother's told her father and they called Aravind's parents too. Aravind's parents were shocked to hear the truth. They all came to Chennai.

By the time Archana reached home she was crying and she just went inside the room and closed the door.

Aravind asked " Why so late today amma". " Aravind today is noombu Pooja. Don't you know Archana had kept noombu. Why don't you speak to her ? It has been years since you spoke to her" " She is your wife Aravind"

" Amma please why are you making Archana go through this unnecessary rituals. I have told you multiple times allow Archana to pursue her research in Chennai. Let her mind be free of these things"

" What do you want by sending her away from home. We will either keep her here or you can come and take her to US"

Aravind stopped arguing. He was fed up. Fed up living for someone else. But he didn't know what to do. His mind went back to that black day 4 years ago

When Aravind came back home that day evening he was surprised to see his parents as well as Archana's parents. Archana was standing in the corner of the room her eyes full of tears. He looked at everyone.

Archana's father spoke "Aravind what is this. What are you doing to my daughter? She is your wife and she need to get her rights"

Aravind understood that they had known everything. He stood just listening to all the banter his parents and her parents were throwing at him. After listening to their shouts hours on end finally Aravind shouted.

"Enough. I have heard enough. I had told my parents well in advance that I cannot marry Archana. I love someone else. Archana was forced upon me and whatever you say or do I will not take her as my wife. She can be with me as a friend in this house and I will do all other responsibilities as a husband but our relationship will always be platonic"

Saying this he went to his room and closed the door. Archana's parents that day dragged her out of the house and took her with them. After this incident to add to the woes Archana's father died of the heart attack. That was the last straw. By this time almost everyone back home knew Archana's plight and with her father's death they were thirsting for Ancy's blood.

" Ancy where are you. Are you not satisfied destroying the life of a young girl. How can you keep a relationship with a married man. Today we wont leave you alive"

Ancy started to come out while her father stopped her. He told her firmly not to come out. There was an angry mob standing outside with firebands and all calling slogans.

Ancy's parents, brothers and neighbours were trying to stop the mob. Meanwhile someone else tried calling the police. But the mob was strong. Ancy's father got a cut in the shoulder, while her brother sustained multiple injuries. The mob was trying to break into the house.

Thankfully the police came and Aravind also was with them. Aravind told the police to arrest all troublemakers. The troublemakers were arrested and removed by police.

Aravind apologized to Ancy's parents and brothers. Meanwhile Ancy also came out. She was distraught and shivering. Aravind wanted to hold her, but he knew he cant as he was bound by the marriage vows.

Ancy's father pleaded with him "Aravind you have already destroyed our daughter's life. She is refusing to go ahead and marry someone else. Please have a life for yourself and allow our daughter to live peacefully. She didn't do anything to deserve this life"

Aravind didn't know what to say to them and slowly walked back. But he was determined to say something back home.

When he reached home that day evening as expected the hall was full and all his relatives were waiting for him. Before anyone could say anything he spoke

" If anyone of you think you will be able to give Archana a life killing Ancy then you are wrong. You will only make her a widow. Ancy has not spoken to me since marriage and I have also not kept any contacts with her. This marriage was forced upon me and I am trying to be loyal to this as much as possible. But even if you think of touching Ancy once again then you will see a different Aravind"

Seeing Aravind's rage and fury everyone was shocked. Aravind moved to his room and closed his door. He called his manager. He told him he was willing to go abroad for the long term assignment.

The sound of alarm woke him up. It was day and he realized he had fallen asleep thinking about his past.

Ancy got down from the bus and walked towards the hostel. For the last 4 years this was her home. She remembered that day when the mob stood in front of her house and Aravind had come. It was the last time she had seen him.

Ancy looked at Aravind with weariness. She wanted to run to him and wanted to feel secure once again in his arms. It took supreme will power from Ancy to stand where she was and not to cross her limits.

After that incident pressure started mounting on her to get married. Every week there will be some proposals some girl seeing ceremonies. Every prospective groom liked her, but Ancy was somehow not convinced. She was unable to forget Aravind. She felt no one could replace him.

Her parents nor her brother's understood her. Finally she couldn't take it any longer and she told her parents she is moving out.

She took a room in a ladies hostel and since then she was more or less alone. Her parents or brothers didn't want to see her or didn't enquire about her much as her presence in the house was creating problems for her brother's marriage also. Her hostel mates became her friends, her work became her life.

Archana came to her room and closed the door. She removed all the trappings of the nombu Pooja and sat in front of the mirror. Tears started flowing through her eyes. Her thoughts were on the day she has seen Aravind last.

After her father's death Aravind's parents has asked Archana to be at their house as they told the entire clan that Archana is their DIL and no one will replace her. So Archana moved in with her in laws. Aravind after that outburst had immediately gone back to Chennai and he didn't call anyone after that.

It was about 2-3 weeks after that incident Aravind came home one day and announced he is travelling to US on long term assignment. Within 2-3 days of that he travelled onsite.

Archana came back to present. It was 4 years. Aravind called from California occasionally and spoke only to his mother. He has not uttered a single word to her post her confession about the truth of their marriage to her mother. Archana who had enrolled herself for PG at that time had by then completed PG and now was doing her Research. Now she didn't think about her marriage much. She was at that point only concentrated on her research. At 25 Archana had seen it all. A pretty dream of marriage and how that dream turned out to be a nightmare. 

Second Chance is now a published work which is available on Amazon. If you wish to read the remaining part of the story purchase it from the following link 

https://www.amazon.in/Second-Chance-Meera-Gopalakrishnan/dp/B09LD732VQ/ref=sr_1_5?crid=1SJX8ZFSRCDOW&keywords=second+chance+book&qid=1639575886&sprefix=second+chance+b%2Caps%2C298&sr=8-5

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/second-chance-ebook-by-meera-gopalakrishnan-rakuten-kobo-in-2021--129619295550788072/

Please note I use my pen name Shruthi in wattpad and I have published this book with my real name Meera