- 38 -
It had been almost five months since Rani was living separately. She was waiting for the completion of her stay in the flat, or say, to get rid of the loneliness with the same intensity as the faded moon in the daylight yearns for the evening to reveal its existence. In such a state of mind, she called Ramesh in the last week of January. After exchanging ‘hellos’, she asked, “Ramesh Ji, the court date is 13th February, right?”
Ramesh replied nonchalantly, “Yes.”
“Will the Judge give his decision that day?”
“Hope so, if nothing untoward happens….”
“There was a condition of one month’s notice for vacating the flat in the rent deed, right? While paying the rent for the month of February, please tell the flat owner that it would be vacated any day within February.”
“It means that you’ve decided to go to Alok immediately after the court’s decision?”
“After a thorough discussion, Alok Ji and I’ve decided to live together after divorce. There’ll be no reason to retain the flat after that.”
After disconnecting the call, Ramesh thought: ‘The things are turning out just as I had imagined. Rani doesn't want to live without Alok even for a day after the court’s decision.’ At the same time, a voice came from his heart, ‘How does it matter to you now? You’ll be free from the mental tension which you have been going through almost for a year. That in itself will be a big relief.’
……
After talking to Ramesh, Rani called Alok and told him about her conversation with Ramesh. Alok said, “Rani, even though we’re completely devoted to each other and the courts also permit ‘live-in relationship’, still I believe that despite the fact that there’s devotion even in a ‘live-in relationship’, yet there remains a tendency to avoid the responsibility and commitment, which is nothing but selfishness by another name. Married people, besides being devoted to each other, also sacrifice their ego and selfishness. Secondly, true satisfaction can be achieved only after the surrender of the self. Therefore, I want that once the divorce proceedings are over, we should perform the custom of marriage, whether in the court or in a temple so that people don’t raise fingers. One thing more, we’ll have to take the opinion of a lawyer as to how much time after the divorce, can we formally marry?”
“I fully agree with you. You take the advice of a lawyer, because after the divorce, I won’t like to stay in this flat even for a day. The day divorce petition is approved, I’ll come to you.”
……
The sky was overcast in the evening before the court date. Rani thought: ‘Who knows when the weather may change! It is cloudy today, it may rain tomorrow! If I get free from the court in time, I would go to Patiala tomorrow itself.’ Thinking thus, she started packing her clothes etc. A few minutes later, Alok called and asked, “Rani, perhaps you won’t need to take anything except your clothes etc. or do you have to?”
“I’ve to pack only my clothes etc., and that’s what I’m doing right now. Ramesh Ji will take care of rest of the stuff. I’ll be having three bags of my clothes and other personal belongings.”
“Give me a ring as soon as you’re free from the court, I’ll come to pick you up.”
“No, you need not trouble yourself. I’ll hand over the keys of the flat to Ramesh Ji and come by myself.”
“What kind of trouble? Am I doing it for any stranger?”
“Okay. As you wish. In that case, come before nine in the morning. I’ll prepare the breakfast and keep it ready and then go to the court. You’ll have to stay at the flat. We’ll leave for Patiala as soon as I get free from the court.”
*****
