Date published: 01/03/22

Padmini's POV

Stigma

Dreams dissipating like mist of dawn
Vaporised in ego's searing heat

Perpetual darkness engulfing verve
Lights of joy blown out in wrath

Little salty streams meandering my countenance
Bearing with them sediments of ache

Like a fish out of water gasping for breath
Unspoken words suffocate my chest

Love scorned like traces of plague
Sullied vamps he sought every day

Scars showered like kisses of passion
I bore them all like gold medallion

Bleeding blisters bejewelling this frame
Concealed in garb of grace, like a phantom of mirth

Cacophony of convictions handed like compliments
drugging my veins numbing my faculty

Derisions I willingly took, if that was all he would give
Forlorn was I, in the grips of despair

Mere pup at master's feet, dutifully I stayed,
Love, just a bone of contention amidst us

Devil incarnate was he, broiling me in seclusion
Assaulting my esteem, chipping away trust

Distorting my priorities, trampling mine zeal
Plundering all morality, eroding my worth

Assuming he'd won, was too early to gloat
Least he knew, intact was my soul

Bearing a spark of faith, fusing broken bones
Nursing the scars, regaining my breath

Retrieving myself with vials of vigour
Distraught no more, tranquillity brims my soul

Wiser by the minute, willing to let go
Ready to take a leap, lighter, free of shackles!

-by Anu
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

⚜⚜⚜⚜

Time is a powerful, enigmatic element!

It can evade, dodge and slip through your fingers like fine sand when you try to hold on dearly to it. If you disregard it, it can drag you, drown and swallow you like the quicksands of the desserts. It's tricky!

Time teaches you so many things, it moulds you unbeknownst. While in the thick of a situation, you fear that you may succumb to the test and tragedy.

When you manage to fight through and emerge victorious on the other side, you are euphoric! As you savor the fruit of your success a little pause, a reflection, will reveal your inner growth as a person.

There's a saying - 'nothing ever goes away until we learn the lesson we need to know.'

Well, my moment of epiphany did arrive that too in the most unexpected time. I didn't go on a pilgrimage, meet a Guru, or sit under the Bodhi tree like the Buddha.

As I spoke to Kayla, there was a brief flash, in the heat of the moment but, I knew that was the answer I was looking for. It could have been lost in the profusion of thoughts and emotions, but the profundity of it rung so strongly within me that it stayed floating above all the chaos.

Like sediments in a river stream, that settle at the bottom of the river bed once the turbulent waters calmed down, the rest of the cacophony and troubles seemed to dissipate, giving a crystal clear vision of my destiny.

⚜⚜⚜⚜

"Are you sure about this Mrs Malhotra?"

Padmini held a direct steady gaze at Chandrakanth for a moment and then turned towards the presiding judge at the family court.

"Yes My Lord! I repeat. I shall not ask for any financial support from Mr Chandrakanth Malhotra. I have only one request to the honourable court, to grant the divorce verdict as early as possible."

"Let me get it clear" the judge rested his arms on his desk, while placing his pen above the documents in front of him.
"This is an application for seperation by mutual consent. Were you forced by any chance Mrs Padmini?"

"No My Lord, I was not. On the contrary, I was the one who initiated this request, the date on my petition can be checked. It was about four months back."

"The reason for this seperation? After so many years of married life?"

The judge was perplexed, they do witness weird scenarios and cases everyday, this was just another yet, he couldn't help wonder, for the couple were in their fifties and one of the most affluent family in the country.

"Ours was a forced marriage, we are not a compatible pair. We had to live together for the sake of the elders and then the children. Now that children are settled, I think we both deserve to live in peace."

Chandrakanth was stunned at Padmini's clarity of speech. She had managed to answer all questions pretty diplomatically. He was on edge almost paranoid. If she drops a slight hint of the abusive marriage, he would be doomed for life.

The judge gave them a second date for the hearing as per rule and they all departed. He had assured that it was just a formality and since they both were clear and firm about the separation, the verdict shall be passed without any trouble.

Padmini walked towards the car, when Chandrakanth stopped her.

"Padmini" for the first time he sounded polite. She was surprised, but knew better than to trust him.

"Thank you!"

She remained quiet. Chandrakanth was puzzled, he continued.

"Thank you for not telling about me."

"I want to clarify few things before you get carried away. First of all, you were not the reason behind my silence. Getting into details of your true behaviour, your abuse might complicate things and delay the process. I do not want that! Secondly, just because I did not reveal those dirty secrets today doesn't mean you are safe forever."

She turned on her heel and stepped towards Paarth who was waiting for them.

Padmini turned back towards a dazed Chandrakanth, "Hope you were not expecting me to get emotional just because you thanked me" she snickered. The incredulous look that crossed his face confirmed her doubts.

"Padmini wait I want to speak with you for a few minutes".

Chandrakanth witnessed anger flashing in Padmini's face, for the first time.

"Ughh... you want to talk?"

She chuckled sarcastically. She grit her teeth, her voice a hushed whisper, not wanting to attract attention. Her honey brown eyes shone like tiger's eye, reflecting her suppressed anger, left Chandrakanth speechless.

"You have a great sense of humour, but unfortunately, I'm not in the mood to enjoy that. Thirty years... thirty damned years you had, to talk. What did you do? You want me to remind you Mr Malhotra? Now that everything has ended you want to talk? Guess what? I'm not interested! I neither want to talk to you, see you or even utter your name. I don't even want to be in your vicinity. You disgust me! Come let's go, Paarth".

She whirled around, got into the car and never looked back.
Chandrakanth was left in a dazed state. Sound of a car horn dragged him out of his stupor, when he realised that he didn't have any other vehicle to get back home. His phone pinged indicating a message from Paarth. He had arranged for another vehicle to pick him up.

Chandrakanth stood helplessly, too stunned to even react. Little did he know that this was the beginning of a new phase of life.