In the morning today, I was shuffling through music playlist on my phone when the song ‘you look wonderful tonight’ by Clapton began to play.
I froze as the song flashed a vivid array of the coldest and the darkest of memories that were buried deep within me.
You are a wound Nash, a wound that has vowed to stay, never to be healed, and to remind me of the painful youth of mine. A wound so painful that even the oceans of tears I had shed for you seem only trivial.
It was as if you were singing to me mockingly today; laughing hysterically at a fool that stood in front of you, like you did in our days of past.
You had asked me to clad in the best attire I had, and I had chosen the white silk sari beautifully decorated with embroidery and stone studs, leaving no morsel of fabric, the one you gifted me on our anniversary. A dire need for a compliment from you was budding inside me as I stood in front of the mirror.
‘A..nd… that’s it!’ I thought as I finished my final touch up. I wrapped a shawl around my arms and sat on the sofa eagerly waiting for your car to honk.
The clock stroke 6 and you had promised to receive me by then. Rather, I received an unexpected call.
On the other side of the phone was an unfamiliar yet sweet female voice asking for me to go the venue on my own instead. ‘He has sent his driver to pick you up ma’am’, the lady said.
** What a disappointment for a woman desperately waiting for her husband! **
With lips curved in a wry smile I went downstairs. I asked Martha not to prepare supper for the night as I left. ‘You look like an angel, Missus’, she shouted from behind and waved me goodbye. I wasn’t sure if it made me happy, as the desire for words of admiration from you was yet to be satisfied.
****
A shiny silver Mercedes was waiting at my door step. ‘A perfect exhibition of your finest attribute’, I thought.
27 minutes seemed longer that night!
I got off your car and found myself gaping at a colossal palace in front of me; completely awe-struck by its glamour and spell bound for a while I stood there for a minute or two!
‘This way ma’am’, a man led me towards the entry.
My heart was pounding as I climbed the marbled stairs, for I knew that I had kept you waiting. My hands were feeling cold yet my palms were sweaty.The man opened the door for me and I walked in.
‘Oh! There you are my love!’ I saw you walk to me with wide open arms stretched to grab me right then.
You held my arms so tight that you almost hurt me.
‘Oh! Look at you! No wonder it took you so long!’ you said, clenching your jaws as you spoke.
‘This is my wife ladies and gentlemen. Isn’t she lovely?’
You were introducing me to every single being that stood there: shouting your lungs out. It felt as if I was a kid's newly bought plaything; . I could stop you but I wouldn’t dare to.
I just stood near you, smiling and motionless like a mannequin.
END OF CHAPTER: 1
