Worthy Realisation

They knew they would be friends from even the very  first day they met at the college campus for admission. They cleared each other’s doubts regarding admission norms right on the first day. Shilpa and Navin were seeking admission to the engineering college. Some of the classmates from school were there for both. Still, they sought each other’s company instead. In the welcome for the freshers, they were asked if they knew each other before. It was hard for the seniors to accept NO for an answer.

Classes started in full swing. It took some time for the students to get the grip on the subjects. And then there were many extra-curricular activities they could pick and choose. Life at the campus started with a bang. In the second year they both opted for the same branch of study. Hence the possibility of being with each other increased considerably. Combined study to clear their doubts also helped them to know each other.

Final year came. Most of the difficult subjects being over, placement was looming large in front of the students. It was then Shilpa broached the subject of future. Navin had been keeping a truth away from her. Now he decided he no longer could. “Shilpa, my parents are planning to send me to the U.S. for my management studies’. She was happy for him but at the same time she regretted she couldn’t do so. She came from a middle class salaried family and she didn’t want to make her parents feel their inability to send her abroad. She continued, “Navin, your studies will be over within two years and I am sure you’ll be back to take up your father’s business.”  Navin had to let the cat out of the bag. “Oh, Shilpa, I was wanting to tell you all these years. Fearing I would lose your friendship, I didn’t do so. I feel extremely sorry for it. My marriage has been fixed even from when I was a boy. Business community would not want their wealth to go outside. Hence my parents decided the marriage of convenience for me with my sister’s daughter. Both of us have grown up with this thought of made for each other. Shilpa was struck by lightning and thunder at the same time. What a shock it was for her! But come to think of it he has never fed her with false promises.

Is not suppression of truth suggestion of falsehood? Still, she was large hearted enough to forgive him. They parted as friends. She attended the placement interviews and got a good job with a decent salary. Navin went abroad for his higher studies. It took sometime for Shilpa to get over her disappointment and settle down. Once at the job, she put her heart and soul into it. He hard work and sincerity were recognised and she got duly rewarded for the same.

Niranjan, her collegemate also joined the same company. He always admired Shilpa’s skills. He was Navin’s close friend in school and knew his family very well. When Shilpa and Navin became close friends, Niranjan wanted to warn her of Navin’s commitment to his sister’s daughter. On second thought he refrained from it. He admired the way Shilpa took it when Navin confessed his commitment. She soon became special for Niranjan. Without mincing words, he offered her love and marriage. Being practical, Shilpa accepted it without much ado.

Niranjan and Shilpa became man and wife with blessings from both the families. Soon they were blessed with a son and a daughter to complete their family.

Navin finished his studies abroad successfully. His wedding took place soon after his return. It was a grand and memorable occasion for the family. Navin and his wife Vandana had a very smooth life. Everything was taken care of by the family. They had memorable vacations abroad. But…no addition to the family yet. As years passed by they felt the emptiness more and more.

They consulted doctors who opined that everything was normal.  But the long wait was testing their patience. Meanwhile, Navin was disturbed by pangs of conscience.  Somewhere he felt he had wronged Shilpa by not revealing his commitment to his niece earlier. But he was happy and relieved his behaviour hadn’t affected her life. Still his conscience had to be appeased. But how? He had a rare blood group that was always in great demand. He thought to himself “I may not be instrumental in bringing a life into the world right now. But I can always save a life by donating blood! Doing so I can have peace of mind also.”

A welcome decision! Miracles do happen. Let us keep our fingers crossed for Navin and Vandana to realise their wish!

(Dr.Hamsa Mani (Hamsa Thomas) retired as Professor of English from Presidency College,Chennai. She is a short story writer. She has published a book on Morris West titled Morris West At His Best. She currently resides in Mumbai. You can read her other short stories at www.readomania.com )