Short story: Destiny
by Dulmini MANAMPERI
I count the days for the wedding
and of course tomorrow I’m going to be a bride. Suddenly it took me to a
dream world wedding bed which is filled with flowers and tomorrow is
going to be an exciting day. Gifts, cakes, flowers all these things came
to my mind when I thought about tomorrow.
It took one year to prepare for the wedding. My parents and relatives
all went to India to buy the bridal dress. It was a pure white saree
with a massive work on it.
And the jewellery and even my pair of sandals were bought from India,
as well as the pink coloured dresses for bridesmaid and flower girls. We
planned all the things which were to be done on the wedding day.
My uncles and brothers decorated the car with white flowers and white
ribbons. Some buds are ready to bloom on the wedding day. All my
relatives gathered at our home and they were all busy with the tight
schedule.
I took the bridal dress, it was worked with white and gold beads and
it glistened in the light. It looked like a mirror. I took the saree and
smelled it and the freshness of it took me to a fantasy world.
He was one of my best friends, later on he became my soul mate. After
an affair that lasted three years we decided to get married. My parents
didn’t give their permission because of the rumours which had spread
about him.
But I urged them. Ultimately they gave their permission. But till our
wedding day my friends told me that he is having an affair with my best
friend. I never believed them.
Early morning my aunt came and dressed me. “Oh! My precious child you
look like an angel. You are so beautiful today.” My grandma came near me
and kissed my forehead. “Look at her smile” my aunt replied. “My dear
child, today is a special day in your life, you are going to leave us
all” I saw my mother’s cheeks wet with tears.
Then she advised me. “You are the only child in our family. I hope
you will live happily with your husband.”
“Oh mama you are crying, don’t, don’t mama. I’ll come to you soon”. I
embraced mama and wept. Then she went out. I looked myself over in the
mirror.
“Chatrine make haste and come it’s getting late” suddenly I heard a
voice calling from a distance. And I dropped the mirror. I collected the
pieces and hid them under the bed. Because everyone believes it is a bad
omen.
Though it’s morning there isn’t any brightness. The atmosphere is
dark and gloomy, and I saw a magpie sitting on one of the branches of a
mango tree.
The day began badly I knew something awful was going to happen when I
dropped the mirror and broke it.
The long cherished moment came. Everyone got in to their vehicle and
I got in to the wedding car which was decorated with white flowers.
We reached the hotel but no one was there from the bridegroom’s side.
We waited and waited a letter came from his parents, saying he has
eloped with my best friend.
“Come darling let’s go now, he is not coming” I heard my mama’s voice
who was trying to console me. “No mama he’ll come. He promised me and
and...” I couldn’t finish my sentence as I fainted... I took a flower
from my bouquet and threw each petal saying “he will come. He will
not...” ultimately one petal was left. Then I realized the truth. |
