Dilemma
Pushpa was getting her daughter Tara ready for her first day in the primary school of the locality . Pushpa belonged to a lower middle class society . Her father was a class 3 government servant but was posted in another town. Tara was dressed best to her mother’s knowledge . But she had oil in hair , with two ribbons bands and a new pair of hawaii chappals. She hung from her shoulder a home sewn cotton bag containing her books and note books .
Tara was a simple and gentle girl with a soft voice . As she entered the class some of the boys and even a couple of girls laughed at her making mockery of her dress and hair . t Tara hung her head down , kept mum and sat on her seat .
Girls used to sit in the front row with two girls on a bench . Rita was sitting on the same bench next to her . Boys sitting in her back row laughed at Tara .Teacher had not come to class till then . One of the boys pulled both her ribbons , her hair flung open . Many other boys also started laughing . Rita stood up , pulled a scale from her bag and warned the boys “ Note it . I am going to hit you in front of the entire class if I see such mean behavior next time . This is my first and last warning . “
During lunchtime Rita and Tara shared their lunch boxes . Tara said “ Thanks Rita , you saved me from the boys in the class . “
“ It’s okay . These guys deserve punishment . They start bullying simple boys and girls . “
Rita belonged to an upper middle class family . Her father was a class 2 officer but belonged to a financially rich family . Rita was also a simple and gentle girl but she was smarter and bold than her friend Tara . Both were equally intelligent also . As most of their chemistry matched they became close friends . Rita gave useful tips to Tara to dress and look normal . Tara soon adopted those tips. Rita used to come to school by bicycle . Sometimes she gave rides to Tara back to her home .
Their friendship grew to an extent that they were sharing all their feelings and emotions, good or bad . From primary to higher secondary education they studied in the same school but after 12th grade they entered in different colleges. Tara joined a local science college while Rita joined a reputed National Institute of Technology in Maharashtra .
Even though Tara and Rita were studying at different locations they remained in constant contact via cell phone and video chats . Besides that whenever Rita came on vacations both tried to meet everyday and used to share whatever happened in their absence . Tara told Rita “ You know , my parents are trying to settle my marriage . They want to perform my marriage as soon as I am done with my graduation. “
“ Good .”
“ Not so good . “ said Tara
“ But why ? “ asked Rita
“ I wanted to do my post graduation . “
“ You can do it even after getting married . “
Tara completed her graduation . By that time her father also became a non gazetted officer in the state government .Rita got her B.Tech degree with flying colors.She got an offer for a job in a multinational company in Pune with quite a handsome package .
Tara got married to Ajit , a software engineer posted at Hyderabad . Rita came to attend her friend’s wedding . She said “ We will meet there also frequently . Moreover software engineers get transferred or keep changing jobs also . If I get an opportunity I would also try to move to Hyderabad . “
“ When are you getting married ? “ asked Tara
“ Not sure . But not before another three or four years .I will do my masters in the USA “
“ So long , why ? You were teaching me that I can do PG after marriage . Why not you? “
“ Wow , Miyan ki jooti miyan ke sar ( मियां की जूती मियां से सर ) . It means you are trying to fry me in my own fat .” Rita said laughingly
“ I will pursue my MS in the USA . But that depends on scholarship . If I get a scholarship then only I will go . I have already cleared my GRE and Tofel exams . “
Tara was happily settled in Hyderabad . Within a year she was blessed with a son also . Rita flew to Hyderabad to grace the occasion . Rita and Ajit were discussing their respective jobs as they were in the same field . After some time Rita said to Tara “ I have good news . “
“ Tell me soon .” said Tara excitedly
“ Besides your baby’s celebrations I have also come to join a company in Hyderabad . “
“ O my God . What good news . Thank God we are together again .”
Soon old friends were in the same apartment complex in Hyderabad . One day when Rita went to pick up her Biryani from Paradise restaurant she noticed Ajit dining with a young girl . They were enjoying food , cutting jokes and laughing in between like very close friends . Ajit didn’t notice Rita .
She went to Tara’s flat and said “ I have got Biryani for you . Let us dine together . “
“ Let us wait for some time . Ajit may come any time. “
“ I don’t know when he will come but I am in a bit of a hurry . Let us share it .” Rita picked up two plates and spoons from the kitchen . As Soon as they finished eating ,Ajit came with a packet and said to them “ I have brought Biryani from Paradise. Both friends can have it . “
“ Why not you ? “ said Rita
“ I was too hungry and I ate in the restaurant itself . “ replied Ajit
“ What a coincidence . We were also too hungry and just finished Biryani which I brought from Paradise . “ said Rita promptly
“ Okay . I am putting it in the fridge for tomorrow.”
Rita’s company’s cab picked her up in the morning and dropped her back in the evening . Ajit used to go by his own car . Once while going in the morning her cab stopped at the red signal . She noticed the same Paradise girl sitting with him and laughing . Rita pulled up her window glass to avoid getting noticed by Ajit. But she was not sure if this was a coincidence or there was something going on between the two . She felt a bit sorry for her friend ,
The same evening Rita went to the Shilpa Ramam exhibition . There she was looking at some crockeries . At the same time Ajit also came to the same stall with the same girl . Introducing the girl he said “ Meet Tanya , my junior in the office . Both are in the same team. “
“ Nice meeting . “ said Rita
From there she went to Tara’s house and said “ Can you make coffee for me ? “
“ My pleasure . Better stay here and have dinner . Today Ajit is very busy with meetings and he will have his dinner in the office itself . “
“ Oh , I see . Good . I will go after dinner . “
While dining Rita asked “ What you do the whole day . Don’t you get bored ? “
“ No , not at all . I am too busy with my son Montu . My life is too cool with Ajit and Montu .”
“ Sure , I can understand . “
Rita noticed Ajit with the same girl twice within two weeks . She thought she should warn Tara about it . With this idea in mind she went to her house in the late evening . After some chit chat she asked “ Where is Ajit ? “
“ These days he is very busy with some projects . Almost daily he is late .”
“ But your life is quite boring . You should also enjoy it . Get out of these four walls and enjoy the outside world . “
“ For the time being I am too happy . There is no time for outing as I am expecting another baby ? “
“ Congrats . You know I have got a scholarship from a U.S. university . I will be leaving within a month . “
“ Congrats . Good news for you but I will be alone again . “ siad Tara
“ Why alone , Ajit , Montu and your upcoming baby . “
Next weekend Rita went to Hussain Sagar Lake . She was sitting at an eatery at the waterfront . She noticed Ajit and Tanya in a boat in the lake . Tanya had her head on Ajit’s shoulder and Ajit was playing with her hair . Both were quite happy and enjoying . Rita felt sad about Tara . She thought this man was cheating my friend and left my friend for domestic chores and to look after kids.
Next morning Rita went to Tara’s house . She had come prepared to tell Tara about Ajit’s affairs . She saw Ajit and Tara playing with their son . Tara said “ You are just in time . Join us at breakfast .”
“ Thanks . I already had my breakfast . “
“ Okay , then have coffee with us . “
Rita thought when they are happy , it wasn’t right to disturb Tara .
After a week she left for the USA . She was in constant touch with Tara and enquired about her welfare . Tara always said she is happy and satisfied with her family life . After about six months she got Tara’s call “ You have got another nephew .”
“ Wow. Good news . Congrats .”
One day while having lunch in an Indian restaurant in the USA she noticed Ajit coming in . She waved at him and asked to join her table . Ajit came near her and said “ Sorry , I am expecting Tanya here any moment . We have come here for a month in case of a project . “
Rita was shocked to hear it . She thought now I must warn Tara . After leaving the restaurant she made a video call to Tara “ Hi idear , what’s going on there . “
“ Just see your new nephew . My life is so cool . “
“ Such a cute baby, “ said Rita . She was in a dilemma whether she should tell Ajit's truth to Tara . She kept mum for a few seconds .
Then Tara said “ You know Ajit has also gone to the USA on some projects . You might happen to see him but I don’t know his company’s whereabouts . I am too happy with Ajit . He has given me everything , above all these two lovely kids .”
“ I have seen Ajit here . “
“ How is he ? “ asked Tara
“ He is good and very happy . Enjoying the USA .”
“ Good tell him , I am also happy and enjoying India . “
Rita was silent for a while . She was in a dilemma whether to tell Tara about Ajit’s affairs . She thought - no I must tell her the truth. Tara may be upset for some time but after that she will kick Tanya out of Ajit’s life and will lead a happier life .
Meanwhile Tara further said “ What happened , are you listening to me ? Why are you silent ?
“ Oh , ya I am hearing . Actually now I have come out of a dilemma. It's about you ..”
“ Me , what’s that ? “
“ You are my closest friend . I can’t put you in darkness anymore .”
“ What are you talking about ?
“ Listen carefully . I have been watching Ajit’s activities for a long time even when I was in India . He is cheating you , having affairs with his junior Tanya . I have seen him with Tanya here also . Sometimes I have seen both to be too close , I will say objectionally close .”
“ What are you talking about ? “
“ Yes, I am warning you to wake up. I don’t want to see you to have a divided man . “
“ I have been living in illusion for so long . Why didn’t you tell me earlier , Rita ? ‘
“ I am sorry . I was in a dilemma whether to tell you but still it’s not too late . Be bold and ask him when he is back in India . “
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Note - This is a fiction
