False Pride-continued

by Lakshmi Menon
(Bangalore)

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Tears of repentance rolled down Shalini’s cheeks and she breathed heavily so loudly that he could hear, but he did not respond. He succeeded in suppressing the anger and despair that welled up in his mind and slept off.

The next day dawned and both of them wished sincerely change in each other’s attitude. Because of their false pride the day had to pass mechanically again.

The long awaited holiday came the following day. Shalini found the life to be miserable and extremely difficult to pull on any more like strangers. After all I am the wife. What is wrong in me if I go and apologise to my husband? Her guilty conscious pricked her mind.

She brought a steaming cup of coffee to her husband with a broad smile and a fast beating heart; in return she found a ray of victorious smile on his face. Slowly his hands moved towards her. “Shalu…. My darling,” he whispered. The moment she heard the very words she longed to hear from her husband, Shalini clung to him like a child forgetting their enemities while the hands of Dinesh wiped away her tears. He felt an unwelcome pang of guilt.

“I’m ………sorry, Dinesh. I’ll not .....quarrel with you.... any more,” Shalini broke down.

“So as I”, holding her more tightly Dinesh whispered into her ears and kissed her. Shalini realized again how meaningful the life is!

The lonely lizard on the roof, witnessing the fun, made a noise approving their promise and closed its eyes shyly.

The End