A New Beginning

Being a modern career woman was tough. Meera had to manage the house, her husband, work, all her daily responsibilities... the list seemed endless. But Meera was a determined woman. She wanted to prove to the big bad world that she could be a tough nut to crack.

She dressed hurriedly and picked up the car keys. As she locked the door, her mind wandered to Umesh. He would be flirting with his secretary. She felt the anger rising within her. She sighed and started down the stairs. She started mentally evaluating her chores for the day. She had paid the electricity bill and the telephone bill. She had settled the milkman's dues and had paid the newspaper boy too. She had deposited the rent cheque for the month. All her domestic responsibilities were fulfilled. She absently opened the car and slipped into the driver's seat. Her mind was now focussed on the politics at the office. Just then she remembered that she had forgotten to send the delivery record to the Business Center. "God," she breathed, as she rubbed her aching forehead. She had been working too hard lately.

Five years ago, Meera had graduated. She had immediately got a job of her choice and in just 6 months, she had made it to the Editor's post in a leading news agency. She had climbed the cliched ladder of success a trifle too fast... two rungs at a time, perhaps. She had become extremely successful. It was then that her parents had forced her to marry Umesh. They were scared that they might not be able to find the right match for her if she started earning too much. She had given in to her conservative parents' wishes, though at that time she had been least interested in marriage.

Umesh was a hard-core workaholic, who hardly had any time for Meera. And whenever he did spend time with her, he indulged in his frightening fantasies by flogging Meera. He was a maniac who enjoyed seeing others in pain. He tortured Meera day and night. Things got so bad that she began to consider divorce. But as fate would have it, her parents unexpectedly died in a car crash, and she was left all alone, completely shattered and lonely. Being the only child, she had no one to turn to, and so had decided to stay within the wedlock. She knew that the society would never accept her as a divorcee, and the social stigma of being branded as a divorcee was far too much for her to handle. So she continued to suffer in silence. Umesh ridiculed her in public and insulted her before all her colleagues. But she quietly bore all the pain. Over the years, she felt she had grown used to it.

She tried to shake off the disturbing thoughts as she slipped the key into the ignition and started the car. The engine roared to life. Meera put the car into gear and started off straight ahead, without noticing the lorry that was speeding up straight in her direction...

"How are you feeling today?" asked the kind Dr. Amit Srivatsav.

"Much better, thanks," she responded with a smile. And such a genuine, warm smile that she was herself surprised. She had not smiled this way in years! Nor had she felt so attracted to a man in as much time. She looked at Dr. Amit and her heart missed a beat.

Three months ago, Meera had been hospitalized following the car accident, with multiple fractures on her ribs and a severe head injury. All the doctors had nearly given up hope and had declared her brain-dead, but Dr. Amit had persevered. He had sat by her side and had literally nursed her back to health. If Meera was alive today, it was only because of him...

"D... Doctor..." she stuttered.

"What is the matter? Are you all right...?" asked a concerned Amit.

"I... My... husband..." muttered Meera.

Amit walked up to her and laid a gentle hand on her shoulder. He looked at her innocent face and felt an overwhelming urge to hold her close and whisper, "Don't worry, I'll be there for you..." Suddenly, he realized he was getting carried away. He said, "Meera, are you okay?"

Meera looked at him and began, "My husband..."

Amit interrupted her, saying, "Meera, I had hoped that you would not ask... but now that you did, I have to tell you..."

He shifted his weight uncomfortably from his left leg and to his right. Then clearing his throat, he began, "Meera, when you were comatose, your husband came in with the divorce papers... he said, 'if she survives, just get her signatures on these. I'm going to Germany with my new wife' - I didn't know how to react. But I took the papers from him anyway... I'm... I'm so sorry..." Amit braced himself expecting Meera to break down.

But instead, she smiled. And then, she said, "You don't know how happy I am."

Meera was discharged a few weeks later. She went back to her apartment, only to find that Umesh had sold it to someone and had made good his escape with the proceeds. She turned her back to the apartment and started walking aimlessly. It was then that all the pent up emotions finally surfaced. The tears streamed down her face. She kept walking...

Meera woke up with a start. She looked around. The surroundings were unfamiliar. Just then she heard a familiar voice say, "Ah, at last! Hello, dear, how do you feel now?"

Meera was surprised to find Dr. Amit sitting by her side. She tried to sit up, but he gestured for her to lie down and said, "Meera... I know everything about your past. Now let me tell you something. I am a widower. My wife died in a road accident. That was the reason I took it up so personally to see that you recovered. And when you did, I was very satisfied. Thank God I decided to come and check on you the day you were discharged! Or I would have lost you too. You had fainted in the middle of the road!"

Meera couldn't comprehend half of what he was saying. She was lost in his eyes. Amit moved closer to Meera and cupped her face in his palms. He looked deeply into her eyes and said, "Meera, I think I have fallen in love with you..."

At that instant, Meera let go. She leaped out of the bed and hugged Amit. She started sobbing uncontrollably.

Amit comforted her, and asked her gently, "Will you marry me, Meera?"

Meera sniffed loudly, and smiled at him. And Amit got his answer.