What is her fault....?

He was sitting in the arm chair..very old, physically amd mentally tired. He was looking at her, she was smiling innocently at him and his thoughts drifted away to a pleasant day some 27 yrs ago..when he was blessed with a baby girl. He is Raghu, a govt servant who led a quite and pleasant life with his wife Shanta, a typical house wife. They were very happy when their only daughter Lakshmi came to into their lives. Their life was picture perfect. Lakshmi was the demure village girl, studious and breathtakingly beautiful. She was the pet of her parents.She grew up and got admission in one of the top colleges in town.

College life was fascinating for her..She was excited with all minute details of city life..and there she met her prince charming, the man of her dreams, Hari. Bunch of girls were behind him at college, but for him Lakshmi was his soulmate.Both of them finished the college with top ranks, very eager to let their parents know about their future mates.

Back home Raghu and Shanta were busy finding the perfect husband for their only daughter. They rejected numerous alliances. They wanted their son-in-law to be one in a million. In the mean time Lakshmi told her parents that there is already someone in her life whom she loves unconditionally. Raghu and Shanta were shattered hearing this. This was not in their remotest dreams. And hence they were unable to accept that their daughter has taken such an important decision of her life ALL ALONE. Lakshmi tried to explain them that Hari and his family were equal to them in all respects and Hari was the perfect gentleman with no bad habits and will atek good care fo her. Even Hari himself came and tried to make them understand that Lakshmi will be living a blissful life with him and he will be with her entire life. But his words was not enough to change their decision. They were against this marriage only because Lakshmi brought this alliance and it was not an arranged marriage.

Days and months passed monotonously, a crack forming between the father-daughter relationship. Shanta was caught helplessly between the two important persons of her life, her husband and daughter. Then one fine day Lakshmi surprised them when she told that they are willing to sacrifice their love for the sake of her parents. Raghu was happy to the core..Shanta on the other hand couldnt decide whether to be happy for her husband or sad for her daughter. Lakshmi made her understand that whatever Raghu and Shanta will do for her, it will be good.

Soon they found the perfect match for Lakshmi.. Prashant, an advocate from a very well known family. Financially they were mutch above Lakshmi's family and Prashant was their only son. He liked Lakshmi very much and they were instantly ready for marriage. Hari left the village before the marriage wishing her a prosperous married life. Marriage took place soon after, a grand affair. Lakshmi also came into terms with the reality of her life and accepted Prashant as her future. Raghu and Shanta were happy finally that their daughters life was going as they planned.

Months after the marriage, Lakshmi came to know that Prashant smokes and drinks and dat too beyond a limit.Even though it was very common among people at this time, she was not comfortable as he tried to hide these before marriage. But like a traditional Indian wife, she adjusted to that hoping that she will be able to make him stop all these things. Finally on the eve of their first anniversary she found out that Prashant is addicted to drugs. There were quarrel everyday at home and she was tortured physically and mentally. Yet she dint tell anything to her parents. Like a ray of hope in the darkness she came to know that she is pregnant. She thought she could find some happiness from her child.

Lakshmi gave birth to a baby girl, Priya. Raghu and Shanta were happy to the core, unaware of the tortures their daughter is going through. Lakshmi was back to her house with Priya and her life was looking brighter than before even though Prashant's behaviour was getting worse day by day. Prashant started doubting Lakshmi. One fine day when Lakshmi understood that Prashant was a threat to Priya's life also, she left his home forever. She told her parents the hardships she undergo during the 3 years of horrible married life. They were shattered but decided to help Lakshmi in starting her life new and applied for a divorce and much to their relief it was granted.

Few months passed like that when one warm afternoon Lakshmi got a phone call that Prashant was admitted in hospital. He met with an accident. Raghu and Lakshmi decided to go and meet, not aware of the disaster waiting for them there. At the hospital, from Prashant's doctor they came to know that he was HIV +ve and advised Lakshmi to have a check up since Prashant himself told doctor that he was aware of this even before marriage. Lakshmi was not in her senses after that, Raghu was desperately trying to support her and himself.. But God dint show mercy on her. She was also detected HIV +ve but luckily Priya was safe.

Their world came to a stand still. Their only daughter's life was crumbling down infront of theireyes and they were standing helpless. Raghu was cursing himself for the moment when he discarded Hari's proposal, who is now married happily and settled abroad. Lakshmi was numb..She was not feeling anything. Whole day and night she used to stand beside the window facing the small lake outside. Prashant committed suicide leaving a letter to Lakshmi asking for forgiveness.The whole village came to know about everything and they started avoiding the family. Shanta also died after 1 year unable to carry the burden of her daughter's ill fate any more.

One more year passed, it was Priya's third birthday and Lasksmi succumbed to her disease the same day leaving behind Raghu and Priya. There the day after her funeral,Raghu was sitting in the arm chair..very old, physically amd mentally tired. He was looking at Priya, who was smiling inoccently showing her toothless gum, unaware of what is happening around her, unaware of the fact that in this big world she has only her grandfather who is getting older and weaker day by day, unaware that eventhough she escaped miraculously from the deadly disesase which took all her happiness away, the people around her doesnt believe in such miracles...

What will be her future...? Who will support her after Raghu's death...? What is her fault....?

Luv

SS

NB: This is a true story, not something which I created from my imagination. Just wanted to make people think before taking important decisions in life.