Last few months were hot and humid outside and inside it was increasing state of restlessness and fear for unknown.
A master in Chemistry, an avid reader and a classical singer she was
her in law's personal favourite. And that is how her fate got attached to that of Subhro's - the highly educated least affected professor of Physics. His universe was surely that of atoms and neutrons and his passion - coin collection. Her fate was supposed to be sealed on 9 th day of July when she would be called married with the sign of red vermilion on her hair parting and the white red bangles on her wrist. She sometimes thought that may be she would be less Snehalata Sen and more of Snehalata Dutta -the charming youngest bride of Tollygunge er Dutta Bari. Currently it was late afternoon and she was busy finishing "Dahan" by Suchitra Bhattacharya -her favourite.She had this premonition that this would remain unfinished if not done before the D Day. Preparation was in full swing, her red benarasi saree resting on the decorated plate called the tatta.Her youngest paternal aunt was due to arrive first from the relative circle. From the time her fate was sealed, she was all exited to be the bride.Her elder cousins who were already married had shared their views and experiences,some even from overseas.But as time was nearing,she could feel a void , a sudden emptiness -a better phrase to make people understand. She will go to an unknown home, start leaving with people whose names would take a few months time to remember,let alone the different faces and the face within. Her entire routine would change in sync with a yet to know stranger.She often wander would it be the same as it was now.Or would it be entirely different. She would better be left in here. Well she thought, that's very childish isn't it. Her mother had taught her that every girl meets her final destinity in her husband's home.As she came to the balcony,the breeze fell over her face, the untamed strands of hair falling on her temple. In a few minutes, the much awaited rain came pouring on the earth.Outside it was raining, her eyes were too - with tears of unknown and unseen. She thought to herself with a smile - lets call Prof Subhro - the complete geek would know the other universe - the universe of sorrow and love.
