"Nilesh!?! The wedding is only two months away, and today you're telling me to break our engagement? Without even giving a reason?"
Nilesh stood with his back to Saisha, as if he couldn't bear to look at her in the eye.
"I don't need to give a reason."
Saisha went and stood in front of him. There were tears in her eyes, but neither did she bother to hide her grief nor the complaint that was bubbling inside her, and asked in a hushed voice,
"Don't you think, that after three years of relationship, at least I'm entitled to an explanation? "
Not wanting to see Saisha's crestfallen expression, Nilesh averted his gaze.
"Just understand that it was my fault to tie up with you. I don't like you anymore. Instead of repenting after marriage, it's better we get separated now."
Before Saisha could speak or ask anything further, Nilesh left her on the beach, crying and heartbroken. The beach ... their favourite meeting point. Today Saisha felt as if a tsunami had hit the waves.
Nilesh's bitter words pierced a knife in her and constricted her heart. Saisha kept thinking for many days. Everything was fine between them. So what could be the reason? She wasn't ready to believe that Nilesh didn't like her anymore. She couldn't understand his changed behavior. While crying, her eyes fell on the engagement ring on her finger. Real diamonds were embedded in rose gold.
"I have no right to this now. I shall go and return it to Nilesh tomorrow."
Keeping this in mind, she sat down to finish the work she had brought from the office.
Next day when she reached Nilesh's house, before Saisha could ring the bell, the door opened and a doctor came out. Seeing Saisha, he said hurriedly,
"Mrs. Nilesh Patel, please have a word with your husband. Make him understand. He needs to let go of his stubbornness and agree to get the surgery done. I know it's a little expensive, but nothing is more important than life."
Saisha was completely dumbfounded. Shock clogged her voice and before she could fathom what to say, the doctor sat in the car and drove away.
There was no one in the living room. Any which way, Nilesh lived alone. She went straight to the bedroom.
Nilesh was flabbergasted to see Saisha in his house.
Glancing at her photograph on the side table, Saisha understood why the doctor addressed her as Mrs. Nilesh Patel. Next to the photo frame was an envelope of reports. Before Nilesh could object, she quickly picked up the cover, and started reading. The blow was like a ton of bricks. She flopped on the bed next to Nilesh, totally stunned. It deeply hurt her, nonetheless anger was more dominant. Without a seconds delay she rained her rage on him,
"You don't like me anymore, or your life? Why don't you want to get the surgery done? Are you thinking of committing suicide? Tell me!"
Many silent seconds passed between them. Eventually, Nilesh lowered his head and spoke softly,
"There's only fifty percent chance of recovering from the surgery. I can become blind also. So I didn't want you to tag along ..."
"So you thought separating me from you was a brilliant idea, right?!"
She cupped his face in both her hands and said lovingly,
"I'm already your wife from the heart, and I don't need a marriage certificate for that."
"Saisha ....!"
"We'll consult the best doctor and nothing will happen to you, got it?"
Nilesh became emotional and kissed her forehead.
Saisha opened her purse, fished out the engagement ring and handed it to him. He was outrightly baffled. She laughed and said,
"I'm not giving it back to you. Although I had come to return it. But now I want you to put it back on me and recollect all the promises you've vowed so far."
Nilesh slipped the ring in Saisha's finger and embraced her in his arms.
"Nilesh, can I say something?"
"What?"
"The reason you left me was love and the reason I always wish to be with you is also love."
"That's absolutely right sweetheart!"
Nilesh thanked the Lord for Saisha and for saving him from making a terrible mistake.
Shamim Merchant, Mumbai
