“Rahul, just now your father-in-law called me. He said that Yamini was gang raped while coming back alone from office. The news is now broadcasting in TV channels also” Rahul’s mother’s voice was quivering while informing the news to Rahul. She feared how Rahul would react after hearing this news. He turned on TV to see the news. “Last night, a woman was gang raped near outskirts of Hyderabad. Woman shouted for help after she sprayed pepper spray in accused’s eyes. Police arrested the two youngsters. Woman was sent to the hospital.”
Rahul and Yamini were about to getting married in another twenty days. They had known each other from sixth standard before became best friends in tenth standard. Gradually, they became so close that each other knew everything about other person. They chose different career paths. Rahul’s dream was to become an entrepreneur. He did his MBA in IIM Ahmedabad. He floated one start-up. Yamini chose journalism. She pursued MA Journalism and Mass communication in IIMC New Delhi. They realised three years back that they had feelings on each other. They discussed their relationship in their respective houses and got green signal.
Now Rahul was in New Delhi, went to meet suppliers. His family and Yamini’s family were staying in Hyderabad. He immediately rang up Yamini. She did cut the call. He tried so many times, she switched off the phone. He called Yamini’s father and was told that she was in a deep shock, continuously crying and not in a position to face him. Rahul’s father told Yamini’s family that he didn’t want this marriage to happen.
Rahul canceled his meeting with suppliers and booked next flight to Hyderabad. After he landed in Shamshabad airport, he phoned his parents and requested them to come to Yamini’s house. Rahul reached Yamini’s house by 6 PM. Every one sat in the hall except Yamini, she locked the door from inside and was crying alone in room. Rahul knocked on the door and requested her to open the door. He had to plead her to make her open the door. He asked her to come out and sit in hall. She was walking with so much difficulty and feeling so much pain around lower abdomen.
She sat opposite to Rahul. She was not looking into his eyes. Her eyes were red, filled with tears. “I know Rahul. Your father told us to cancel this marriage. I know why you came here, to say sorry, right? I accepted your apologies” Yamini couldn’t wait for one more minute, stood up to go to her room. Rahul held her hand, said “No. I came here to ask you some questions. You just need to tell Yes or No. That’s it.” Yamini sat and was looking away.
- “Yami. Do you remember? When I was finding it difficult to start a start-up even after my father discouraged me that I couldn’t succeed, you were there supporting me and holding me when I was about to sacrifice my dreams. You even helped me with some money from your savings. You have always been supportive. Whether that supporting nature of yours got affected with this incident?”
Yamini looked up and said “NO”
- “My dear sweet heart. When we were swotting in IIMs, one day I met with an accident. Even though it was a minor accident, I had to stay in hospital for two days. I told you on first day. You travelled all the way from New Delhi to Ahmedabad to see me. You stayed in the hospital till I was discharged. You have always been a caring soul. Whether that caring nature of yours got affected with this incident?”
Yamini said “NO”. Tears were disappearing in her eyes slowly.
- “You tried day and night to help me in getting a chance in our government’s incubator programme. Your circle and contacts played a key role in that. The day I got the approval, there was no limit to my happiness. You have always done so much to make me happy and see me happy. Whether that nature of yours got affected with this incident?”
Yamini said with a little smile on her face “NO”
- “When I was in work tensions, I scolded you so many times for disturbing me. I even forgot to wish you on your last birthday. You didn’t say anything. When I said sorry for not wishing, you said “Stop idiot. I understood your work tensions. You should have said I love you instead of sorry.” You have always understood me. Whether that nature of yours got affected with this incident?”
Yamini was in tears while smile dancing on her lips “NO”
- “On my last birthday, you gathered my pictures from childhood and prepared a book. First page “Happy birthday sweet heart” line was engraved on our photo. Entire book showed me how much you are loving me. That was the best gift I have ever received so far. Whether that much huge love on me got affected with this incident?”
She was smiling with tears in eyes and said “NO”
Rahul’s father stepped forward and said “what would society think of you getting married to a rape victim?”
Rahul turned towards his father “Please, don’t call her rape victim dad. I don’t care about this society. I didn’t think of society when I was with her all these years. We solved problems on our own. We helped each other. We took care of each other. It was always she and me, not society. Now also, this issue is between she and me.”
“For me, Yamini means not her physical body, but her sweet words, caring soul, understanding attitude, lovable heart, I can do anything for you mindset. In single word, Yamini is mirror of my emotions. With her beside me I can live like the way I want to, no need to act anytime. There is much more in Yamini than her physical body. Father, I will marry her irrespective of the consequences. ”
Yamini stood up, hugged him tightly, kissed him on cheeks. Yamini forgot the whole world at that time. Yamini’s parents were wiping their tears.
Rahul and Yamini decided to go outside since it had been two days Yamini went out of her house. Rahul was driving the car.
Yamini said “I am so sorry Rahul”
“Why?”
“I thought you would leave me after this incident.”
Rahul was smiling after listening this. “Come on Yami, if I leave you for this stupid reason, there is no meaning to our three years relationship. I will never ever found a beautiful soul like you. Forget about everything, I am here to take care of you”
She wanted to smile but something was bothering her. She wanted to mutter it out. She gathered courage and said “I am so sorry Rahul”
“Why?”
“You are not going to be the first person” tears were building up.
There was a silence for some time. Yamini felt that she shouldn’t have said that.
“So what? From now onwards I am going to be the only person” Rahul winked at her.
They both laughed wholeheartedly.