Love-making is an art. It is a beautiful way to portray the complete acceptance of your partner, in body and soul. Our choices drive us to select our partner, the right place and the right ambiance to give ourselves completely to the one we love.
However, Pari, a beautiful young lady hailing from an urban town in India, did not have any such liberty. Pari was born, brought-up and educated to become a lovely maiden. Being an obedient child, she never disappointed her parents in any regard. Her beauty made her a desirable woman among the young, handsome and eligible bachelors. But, she was determined to tie the knot with the man who would be her parents’ choice.
Well, it was time and Pari got married to Rishabh, a young and handsome entrepreneur. Within a couple of years, she became the proud mother of 2 girls. Now, Pari’s world was encompassed with her duties toward her family. Time took its course and gradually Pari was no longer the beautiful young woman whom everybody desired. She had put on a couple of pounds post-delivery, her skin lost the glow and signs of aging were prominent. But, all these did not bother her; Pari was happy. To her, the extra pounds symbolised the proof of her healthy newborns, the signs of aging symbolised the love-filled decades she spent with her husband, the grey hairs symbolised the experience of life she had with him.
On some days, not too often, she would ask Rishabh to take her out, just to take out some time from the daily chores and re-live the joyful moments they had when they were newly-weds. She was happy to grow old with the person she loved so deeply. Rishabh would do everything to please her, except making love to his wife.
“Why would you not make love to me, Rishabh?”, she asked one day.
Rishabh was taken aback with this question as he didn’t perceive it coming from his obedient wife. But then, he knew, it was time to answer what he actually felt.
“I don’t like to make love to you, anymore”, said her husband, sipping a glass of wine.
Pari was heart-broken, immediately. She gathered her strength and further asked “Why, Rishabh? Don’t you love me anymore?”, fearing the worst to come.
Rishabh, hesitantly replied, “I don’t find you attractive anymore. All the weight you have put on makes you look old. The charm and the glow are no more there on you. I don’t find the lady I married in you anymore”.
Pari was left in tears. She felt miserable and disowned. She resented all the years she had been with him as they narrowed down to be the judge of her outer beauty. That fact that he repudiated her to be his beautiful wife left her in denial. The remark made her ambivalent about him. She realised she was staying with a stranger, the same stranger whom she married years before and who fathered her daughters. She was claustrophobic in her mind. The remark was a blow to her soul and her body, which, to her, was the proof of her love for him. She decided to be free from the ties of marriage, with a stranger, whom she failed to understand for all these years.
She ended her marriage and walked free like a bird. The judging eyes of people went unnoticed. Deep down, in her heart, she knew she didn’t separate from Rishabh for not liking her or her body, but for the insult, he brought upon the time of their togetherness.
And yes, she still carries those extra pounds with beauty and grace!
