Mastering Haiku

 
The intense rays of the Sun:
Sneaking through the dark shrouded clouds
Highlights optimism

The silence in the morning:
Killed by the chirpiness of the birds
Highlights enthusiasm

Broken Promises!

She met him when she was going through the worst phase in her life. He was a welcome change for her. His carefree attitude, undying spirit and above all his humorous side caught her attention.  He had numerous liaisons in the past, but he felt “There is really something about her that I haven’t seen in others”.

They met more often and the mutual attraction slowly turned into a relationship of care and commitment. The day, he decided to propose to her, she opened to him about her past including her broken marriage and her struggle of being a single parent. That didn’t deter him, his respect for her fortified.  He told her “I am not worried about your past; I see my present and future with you. I want to live every moment with you and be a doting father for your child!” He had healed her past wounds and she decides to eventually follow her instincts.

Back home, she hashes out with her parents. Like any other conservative Indian, her mother opposes to the entire concept of live-in. “What will society think? Don’t you know how it can affect your child?” her mother asked.  She doesn’t give up; she could see that her mother is heartbroken, but she adheres to her decision.  Eventually, her father agrees, more to overcome his guilt of marrying off his daughter at a young age and that too to a wrong person. He thought “I have done enough damage to my daughter, now that she wants to move on, why not allow her to!”

He moved in with her and her child.  She liked his protectiveness and possessives and his bond with her child. She was making his life very easy; he needn’t have to worry about any trivial things. But as wise men say “Happiness never last long”. He had never communicated about his living arrangement to his parents. He knew that his parents would never accept it.  That became their first bone of contention.  Initially his explanations were enough to soothe her but eventually, she saw them as his excuses. 

The fights were endless and they decide to part. He moved out, he kept himself busy. She tries hard to forget him but distance makes hearts grow fonder. Within few weeks, they decide to give their relationship one more fair chance. He informs his parents about her. All mayhem broke loose. They gave an ultimatum to him to break all his ties with her.  He thought “That’s the most difficult decision to take. I will need to manage it somehow.”  He opens to her on his parents’ demand.  She says “If it’s a matter of choosing between me and them, we can break up.” He assures her “I need you. Slowly but steadily my parents will give in.”

Days pass, weeks pass, months pass. His parents never accept her. Meanwhile, the whispers start to get louder and louder.  Her neighbors are curious; her parents are anxious and her child was growing up. “What is the next step in this relationship?” she asked him. He said “I want to marry you but with the consent of my parents. I don’t know how long it will take.” She said “How long should I wait? I would have been happy with the current arrangement but for my child.” He said “I don’t know. Why are you bringing the child in between all these?” 

The fights became the order of the day. One day, he said “If you can’t wait, there is no point in continuing this relationship. I can’t make my parents unhappy as I am their only son.”  Teary eyed, she mumbled “What about those years I have spent with you? What about those promises you have made?”  Without answering her questions, he left the apartment with his belongings.

Astonishing Absurdity!

They have been married for nearly forty years. They have been so much together that they have started looking alike. Their marriage is considered a perfect one, with no financial dependency, children acquiescent, obeisant and well settled.  People heralded their union as one of its kind, people say “We need to learn a lot from them, how they are each other’s support system, standing through thick and thin and of course, how well they passed on their virtues to their children!”

When they were young, they had decided to focus completely on their children, for them, like any Indian, children were their sole treasure. They used to say to each other “When we are old, we will have all the time in the world, then we will focus on things that will keep us busy and happy.”  Their children kept saying “We are so lucky to have Pa & Ma. Wish, we can a lead a harmonious wedded life like them.”

After retirement, he fell sick, she nursed him and he acknowledged her part in his recovery.  He fell sick again, but this time, the severity was more than he had anticipated. He was bedridden; thoughts clogged his mind “Am I a burden to her? Is she looking after me because of love or out of duty?” Any discomfort on her part, he interpreted it as her vexation. He adopted an approach of sudden outbursts and harsh words on her. Initially, she took it in her stride, she remained silent, and she remembered the good old days when he had been a supportive partner.

Slowly, but steadily his words began to hurt her profusely. She couldn’t just take in his hatred. She thought “What has changed? What did I do wrong? My silence is being taken for granted.” She started questioning him about his angst. Her questions riled him up; he thought “She no longer needs me. Our children will take care of her, very well.”

They start digging up the past, the incidents when they were hurt by each other’s actions and words.  He declares “Forty years of my life with you have been the most difficult.” She is shocked, as tears flow from her eyes; she whispers “You’ve been a good father, not a good husband.”

Their children come to know about the situations at home. They grow anxious, together they prepare the lectures and admonitions which they need to give to Pa & Ma. When they dial up home, their parents together say “You are not grown enough to lecture us. You don’t have to interfere in our affairs; we know how to sort out our issues.”  The children are amused and astonished at the absurd turn of events.

Mistaken Silences!

Suddenly an SMS flashed on his mobile. It read “Let deafening silence be the order of the day. GM and have a great day!” He was flabbergasted, he couldn’t understand the context or the emotion that the message carried. He thought “What did I do? What did the message mean?”  With a preoccupied mind, he drove his way to the office.

Back at her work, she was disturbed. He had been her sole friend in the new city who helped her to settle down. He had accepted her quirkiness, always been receptive to her garrulity. His sudden silence vexed her up. She thought “What did I do? Did I hurt him with my actions or words?”  After sending him the SMS, she continued with her work. She never thought how her blunt words would have affected him.

By noon, he called her up. After exchanging explanations, which they both agreed, was not needed, they continued with their trivial conversations. There was no animosity, no anger. The distance that the silence had created finally narrowed down.  A thought crossed her mind “Silence can be interpreted in so many ways. We stick to the most damaging version and fill our mind with lots of negativities. Every human action should be given a benefit of doubt.”