The weight of the wait

This is my entry for Vinod's writing challenge "Story from a painting" .

She stood there adjusting her teeka, centering it at the forehead. She gives herself a look in the Mirror "Not bad for a loser",  she thought to herself. She strides out the door towards the garden, to wait for her man. Life never seems to change for some of us. She asks herself- Why should I let him go? I could make things difficult for him? She sighs, a deep sigh of a decision made, this would be their last meeting. She would give him up. What else could she do?

She reminisces another time in the chapter of her life, when she was waiting. It was a different place and time, a different kind waiting. She was dressed more resplendently than she was now. Sitting atop a bed decorated with garlands of Jasmine. In the bridal chamber she had waited with a Kichdi(a dish made of rice, moong and different veggies) of emotions- anxious, shy, curious and excited at the same time. She blushes and smiles remembering her first time. How naive she was to think that Life would always be so blissful.

She had learned to love and be loved by this wonderful Man, her husband. She knew she occupied every chamber and crevice of his heart as he had hers, at least for a time. Two years into their marriage, they had no kids. After a visit to the midwife, her Mother in law decided it was time for action. Her son would bring in a second wife. Although the air is cool in the garden, she feels heat emanate from her body in anger- how could she do that? Wasn't a woman supposed to be more compassionate towards the plight of other women? Her husband resisted the decision for more than a year and finally crumbled to his mother's emotional blackmail, with the statement "Fine, I will remarry if I have Tabu's consent"

She was numb with the implications of that statement. Is this all he can endure for our love? Does he love me at all? How could he pass on such a responsibility to me? This was something her Self-respect could not digest. She told him he could have her consent if he would give her a divorce. She told him not to ask to meet her until he decides to give her a divorce or disagree to his mother's wishes. She moved out of the bedroom that night.

It has been three months now since the ball has been in his court. He respected her wishes. Today he has sent word that he would like to talk to her. So she waits anxiously- hoping for the best but preparing for the worst.

Here's Part 2