Fiction
Love in the hereafter
Love between a man and woman is a gift from heaven. Yet this gift is like a delicate thread when shared by two people who are not supposed to be in love. But what can these people do when Cupid has pierced their hearts? Just wishing to be out of love does not make the gift go away. It is not something that you wash away like the wave that wipes away the writing on the sand. Trust and belief in love hold these two people together even when hidden, lurking danger shadows them all the time.
They found love in the most unlikely place. Both were waiting for the bus when they happened to look at each other. Their eyes met and for a fraction of a second the world seemed to stop. Both heard a voice saying,
"Why, you are the love I have been seeking all my life!" And they were connected, a strange chemistry working between them.
"Going to Sheorapara, right?" asked Abir.
Ruma nodded and smiled. Abir thought it was the most beautiful smile he had ever seen in his life, a smile that seemed to send the sun into hiding.
Ruma moved and came closer to Abir so they could converse in softer tones. It seemed to be only natural that she should be closer to Abir, as close as they dared without having eyebrows raised. In their late forties, both were as alike as two peas. Ruma could catch the faint cologne as she stood near Abir and she knew it was her favorite brand Tabu. Abir, catching Ruma's perfume, wanted to hold her in his embrace. It was such a light scent and yet seemed to draw him close. But the place was Khulna and in these small towns tongues can lash out faster than a whip. Here gossip traveled like news bombshell! On the very first day of their meeting they knew they were playing with fire.
Ruma was wearing a white red bordered sari. Abir thought she looked like a goddess with her perfect oval face and beautiful features. The eyes were widely set, giving her a look of being faintly surprised. The wide generous mouth seemed to hold a set smile. Ruma's complexion was dark and yet she looked so beautiful! Her dark complexion gave her the spring of a magpie. Abir, very strong and manly, stood beside Ruma, a perfect complement to the soft and tender beauty in her. They stood like husband and wife, though they were both married to other people and each had a family. People would say that love seemed to have chosen the wrong time and the wrong people. But Ruma and Abir were only aware of the singing in their hearts. It was the same love song that they sang. They were the perfect soulmates. And soulmates, when they meet, instantly recognize one another. They were born to be together, though life might have brought them together at a strange station. They were riding life's train.
It was forbidden love that they shared. It was a strange love born in their hearts. Society would say that were cheating on their spouses. And yet to Abir and Ruma their love was a gift of heaven. Otherwise how could two hearts feel as if all the butterflies in the world were fluttering in their hearts when they were with each other? They met in public places, never were alone with each other and yet love was as vibrant as ever. They knew the lines they could not cross, knew they would not jeopardize the family life they led and yet they could not live without the other. They had to talk, they had to write and they had to see each other occasionally. Like drops of rain on famished plants these little exchanges of love kept them alive, the infrequent meetings were like life elixir to them.
When the scarlet 'shimul" flowers stared up at the brilliant blue sky of spring, when the fat drops of first spring showers fell on the thirsty boughs and grass, Abir and Ruma could be found standing on the river bank. All around them birds would be clamouring and butterflies would be fluttering. They would be surrounded by the new burst of colors among the spring flowers. And there they would be together just for a short time, their love witnessed by the vast blue sky. And at times they would share lunch or tea somewhere far away from home. A matter of an hour maybe and yet that would be their heaven. Just a glimpse of each other and that seemed fill their hearts with joy.
One day they were sitting beside each other at the restaurant. They were just about to finish the appetizer when the lights went off. It was completely dark. Ruma felt Abir's hands cup her face and the next moment his lips were on hers. That was the first and the most passionate kiss of their five-year long love affair. When the lights came back they stared into each other's eyes. And yes! All those sweet dreams of having children together, living as a couple --- it all became real…
They are in the world hereafter. It is a beautiful home, a small cottage with a beautiful garden all around it. Roses, jasmines, lilies and swaying weeping willows adorn the garden. There is a tranquil lake flowing beyond the field that surrounds the house. Abir is sitting on the porch calling out to his five-year old son and the toddler daughter.
"Maya and Mahim! Come to Baba, I am waiting to hold you in my arms!" He calls out to the small children playing in the front yard of the cottage. The children look up from the toys they have been playing with. They see their father holding out his hands, calling them. They forget their toys and both of them get up and race into the open arms.
Abir hugs them. He plants kisses on their soft cheeks in turns. There never seems to be enough kisses for them. He smothers them with the love of his heart. He calls out to Ruma, who is busy painting away on her canvas. Abir and Ruma are both artists. A simple home, two loving children and a simple life and yet both are in heaven.
"Ruma, I think our children are hungry." Abir calls out.
Ruma puts down her brushes, takes a long look at the splashes of colour on her canvas. The abstract work is taking a fabulous turn, maybe it will be a grand piece of art work! Abir works mainly on nature and Ruma gets her inspiration from his style, using vibrant colors as he paints away the flowers and the trees, the sun and the sky, the birds and the butterflies. Ruma finds a hidden life behind all that he paints with his heart. Their hearts and minds find solace in each other, they seem to breathe together.
Abir joins Ruma. He holds Maya in his arms. He stands behind Ruma and takes a long look at her work. He likes the theme portrayed in the picture. It shows a mother and child holding hands. The background color is of different shades of blue as if to show the mystery of a mother child relationship.
"This is going to be one good piece, Ruma!" says Abir. "I think you should send it to Dhaka for the upcoming national art competition."
Ruma looks at his eyes. Abir's eyes seem to be always full of dreams. "I will if you send one of yours." She replies simply, smiling at him. She holds outs her hands for Maya, seeing the child arching away to come to her mother.
"That's not fair!" Abir says laughing softly. "When Ma is around, Maya does not want her Baba anymore."
It is always like this between Abir and Ruma, the playful vying for the children's love.
There is so much they share! Their work is passion for both of them and then both love reading. Afternoons are always spent reading for the children. They read in turns for the children and then they recite poetry for each other. They are immensely happy. They are not well off. Art does not fetch money in plenty and yet they never feel unhappy. Sharing life for them is more important than becoming solvent with money. They have dreams. Maybe at least one of them will end up getting a national award for the art pieces they are getting ready. Their children will grow up and grow into wonderful people, kind and loving to others. They will go on living in this small cottage because this is where they began their life. This home is full of happy memories.
These dreams are simple dreams, dreams that people who love each other can have while living a simple life. And yet they are afraid, very afraid of having their dreams shattered. If their relationship is discovered that will be the end of their bliss. Their hearts beat fast in fear even as they dream, even as they so much as hold hands. Maybe someone will discover their dreams and make it the travelling news of the town…?
Abir and Ruma continued to look into each other's eyes, their dreams holding on to their tremulous hearts. And yet their firm belief in the life hereafter multiplies their happiness. Maybe going to the next world is a debatable question for many, but for Abir and Ruma life hereafter is the dream they live on. They wait patiently for death to come to them, for then they will be reunited, and there will be their Maya and Mahim, the home and eternal love to bless them. It is a strange love, going from this world to the world hereafter! Maybe Abir and Ruma's beliefs in each other will take them to their desired land. After all miracles wait to happen!
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