“Listen son! I will explain you.” Mom tried to calm me down.

   I looked at mom, angrily!

“Why are you feeling so guilty? It was not your fault, Son!” She continued.

“Yes I know. But it was papa’s fault. But why did he do that Mom?” I was still angry.

“Look!! It was girl’s parents fault. Once you refused, we did not contact them afterwards”. She again tried to pacify me.

“Then why this matter was taken up again and again?”

“Try to be little realistic my son? Do not feel so bad” Mom tried to calm me down.

 “Mom!, I have always followed your teachings. It is because of your upbringing.

 You taught me that a woman’s heart the most sacred thing.  Do not ever break it. I have followed these teachings always. I do not know how successful I was but I always tried my best. That is why I am feeling bad about this girl, who is made to go through the process of acceptance and rejection many times”.

“I love you for that son but you need to understand”

Unsatisfied with the answer, I left the room.

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 My parents were almost about to give up thinking about their dear son’s marriage, when this proposal suddenly popped up in front of them. Someone from household suggested that my sister-in-law’s younger sister and I would make a good couple. My parents started thinking seriously over it.

            I was home on a few days leave when I came to know about it. I refused to think over it and asked them to forget about this proposal.

Actually I was, until few years back almost a non-social person. I did my schooling and Engineering staying in hostels. I had very little contacts with my relatives. Sometimes I did not meet any of them for years. In fact last time i saw this girl, was when she was in her teens.

 I had refused this proposal for marriage for two reasons. Firstly, I was not ready to think about marrying at this point and secondly I was against this “TWO SISTERS FOR TWO BROTHERS” formula. I had seen few instances where two sisters became sworn enemies after getting married in same family.

            From my side the chapter was closed. Next day I left for the city, I was working in and joined office. I was staying with my friend’s family and It was like my home away from home.

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Later I came to know that without my knowledge, the girl’s parents raised this issue again and again with my parents and my parents turned it down because of my reluctance. No one talked to me further in this regard.

When I came to know it, I was very disturbed. I was feeling apologetic to this girl because she was made to suffer without any of her fault.

After sometime she got engaged somewhere and later married.

But I was not at rest and always felt myself responsible for all this. My only wish was to meet her sometime and apologize to her.

Days were passing and I was living with heavy heart. One day, suddenly I got this chance-to meet her, to say sorry to her.

            It was a social gathering at one of relative’s house. Perhaps she was not aware that I was there and so was with me. But my bhabhi (sister-in-law) knew all this but kept me in the dark. Suddenly she took me to the place where she was and introduced us.

Her posture changed suddenly. She looked angry. Starting the conversation I asked about her married life and other things. I was happy to know that her married life was going well. And she was very happy.

“I am very sorry about the whole incident. Please forgive me. I know you suffered mentally because of our behavior. I have been living with this burden since then. Please forgive me and relieve me from this burden” I requested to her.

She was taken aback. Perhaps she was not expecting such thing from me.

She thought for some time. Suddenly she became normal and smiled.

“It is o.k. Yes i was angry with you and your family. I felt it very insulting. But now I am not”. She replied.

 I was happy like never before and thanked her again. After sometime, bhabhi also joined us.

The party ended with a happy note.

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 Reaching home, i rushed to meet mom first. I turned her around and looked at her face.

            She was smiling as if she had sensed everything... or may be was conveyed everything by bhabhi.

 “Mamma! I did it. Look I did it” Impatient like a child, I said, looking into her eyes.

“ I am very happy son. I never knew you will embrace my teachings so well.” She said, slowly. Her eyes were moist with happiness.

Seeing us engrossed in each other, bhabhi left the room… Smiling!

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