That Woman [Short Story]
A woman who had married a few years prior. Before her marriage, she had attended school. It was the day of Holi. A boy applied red vermilion to her forehead and ran away. Her family members tried to catch the boy but failed to do so. At her in-laws' home, three years had passed since her marriage. Kaatch, a neighbor, was a good friend of her husband. He used to visit her home. Conversations began to develop between Kaatch and the woman. Gradually, a mutual attraction grew. Occasionally, they even began to touch one another. It was the day of Ganesh Puja. Kaatch was sitting on the bed with his legs stretched out. The woman was sitting atop Kaatch's legs. A few months later, neighbors in the village began spreading rumors. Consequently, Kaatch and the woman were unable to consummate their relationship. Embarrassed, Kaatch left the village to find work elsewhere. The husband harbored suspicions about both of them, though he had never actually witnessed anything. The New Year arrived. The Holi festivities had concluded. It was around 7 or 8 o'clock at night. The woman, having shut the door, was engaged in a video call with someone. A few days later, the husband went out to work during the day. In the evening, after making rotis, the woman sat on the bed watching television. Lakhini came over to chat with his friend. It was seven o'clock at night. The door was open, but the windows were shut. Lakhini entered the room and sat down on the bed. He conversed with the woman for twenty to twenty-five minutes. The following evening, he returned; once again, conversation ensued, accompanied by physical touches. A certain attachment developed between them. Neighbors in the village once again began spreading rumors. As a result, Lakhini and the woman were unable to consummate their relationship. On the third evening, having finished making rotis, the woman sat on the bed watching television. Influenced by the rumors circulating in the village, Makravi entered the room, sat down on the bed, and began conversing with the woman. Scarcely five minutes had passed when her father angrily called out to Makravi, and Makravi left for his own home. The neighbors began spreading rumors throughout the village. The husband grew suspicious of his wife. However, he had not actually witnessed anything himself. A few days later, in a fit of rage, the husband abandoned his wife. The woman returned to her parents' home. It was also true that—swayed by the neighbors' gossip or acting under a misunderstanding—the woman had indeed conversed with and physically touched other men. Yet, she had never engaged in an intimate relationship with anyone other than her husband. She called her boyfriend, but he told her, "If you couldn't be faithful to your own husband, how could you ever be faithful to me?" After hurling insults at her, he blocked her number. The woman sat in her parents' home, consumed by sadness, and barely ate. A few years later, she fell ill; her mind had become completely overwhelmed by remorse and despair. Meanwhile, her husband had let his beard and mustache grow long, and he remained completely immersed in his work. When the husband finally learned of his wife's condition—that her health was deteriorating day by day—he went to visit her. After all those years, the two embraced. Tears welled up in both their eyes.
