Blinded by Emotion

Chaya lived in her ancestral home with her husband Binu and son Anup. Her one hobby was gardening. She planted flowering plants in her garden and tended to it religiously. It gave her immense joy to see a new bloom. She marveled at the colors and could spend hours looking at them. 

It was four in the evening. A time when Chaya spent time in her garden, and she never liked any disturbance during that time. She would spend two hours watering, manuring, and admiring her garden before entering her house again at six. 

She had just stepped into her garden when a splash of color caught her eye; she moved towards it to see the new rose bush had its first bud. She moved quickly towards it, unable to contain her excitement, thinking, "how come I never noticed it before?" She had just about reached it when the shrill ringing of her mobile phone disturbed the silence around her.

Chaya's first Instinct was to ignore it, "I can always call back later," she thought. But the caller was persistent, and that's when she walked to the parapet where she kept her phone. She was ready to shoot the caller when the phone flashed," Brinda calling. "

Chaya and Brinda were childhood friends. Chaya got married to a boy from Kochi and continued living in her hometown. But Brinda got married to a boy from Mumbai and settled there. But that was nearly forty years ago. However, their friendship continued and blossomed over the years. They spoke to each other every day over the phone, and there were no secrets between them. Brinda made one trip every year and spent a few days with her friend. But this time, Brinda seemed burdened.

If there was someone who could call Chaya when she was in the garden, it was Brinda. Chaya answered the phone, saying, "Brinda Hello!"

"Hi, Chaya!" Brinda said, "I have news for you. I am coming to see you—" Before she could finish what she was saying, Chaya interrupted her saying. "—when"

Brinda laughed as she replied, "on Wednesday." Chaya was excited like a little girl, "this week!" she almost shrieked in delight.

"yes!" replied Brinda. "in two days. Wow, said Chaya. The two friends chatted for a while before disconnecting the call.

Chaya was beaming as she put the phone back on the parapet, thinking, "in two days, the best days of the year, Brinda is coming." She was so deep in thought, planning all she would do for Brinda when she came home, when Binu, her husband's voice, broke into her thoughts. "Who dares disturb my wife when she is in the garden. But it looks like you are not disturbed but smiling. What happened? Who called?" 

Chaya couldn't contain her delight. She beamed at her husband, saying, "Brinda is coming home on Wednesday."

"oh! That's wonderful," said Binu. He knew how much the two women loved each other's company. He smiled at his wife, "I hope she stays longer this time." as Chaya nodded.

The two days went by in a hurry as Chaya organized everything for her dear friend's arrival. She couldn't wait for her to come, and finally, it was Wednesday, and Chaya was on her way to the airport to pick her friend up.

Chaya waited in the airport lobby for her friend's flight to land. As soon as Chaya heard Brinda's flight's announcement, Chaya was alert and trained her eyes on the doorway, where the passengers had arrived. After a while, she saw Brinda, and Brinda too knew her friend would be waiting for her. She looked for Chaya in the crowd, and she instantaneously spotted her dear friend.  

Soon Brinda collected her bags, and she was walking toward Chaya. Chaya watched her friend walking toward her. Yes, she was smiling, but something was not right. Brinda looked much older and troubled. As Brinda got closer, Chaya rushed to her and hugged her, saying, "so happy to see you again." And Chaya replied, "so happy to be here again."

The two women chatted non-stop as they drove to Chaya's home. Once they got home and Brinda had freshened up and had her refreshments, Chaya went up to her friend and sat beside her. "Brinda," she said, "what's up? What's bothering you?"

Brinda tried to smile as she said, "Nothing is hidden from you, right? You read me so well."

Brinda tried to speak, but even before a word came out of her mouth, her eyes filled with tears, and she burst out crying. 

Chaya was shocked by her friend's sudden outburst, but she did not show it. Brinda told her, "Arun and Sobit have left home; they now live away from me in their own homes with their wives and children, rarely do they come to see me, and when they do, they just come for five minutes, and then their wives pressurize them to leave. I don't get to hold my grandchildren. I miss them so much." she said and started crying again. Chaya remained silent as she absorbed the news. Brinda continued talking. She mentioned how her daughters-in-law never wanted to stay with her and had left home immediately after getting married. She also explained they unnecessarily blamed her for things she had not done as she continued weeping. 

Slowly mustering some courage, Chaya asked Brinda, "what about Akash? Where is he?" 

"Oh, he is with me," said Brinda, "he keeps telling me that he won't marry because his wife may do the same." Brinda moved closer to Chaya and hugged her for comfort as she said, "looks like I will have to live alone in my old age." 

Chaya listened to her friend. She knew Brinda's son's from the time they were little. Chaya had attended their wedding and knew that they had moved out of their mother's house after marriage. But she wasn't aware that Brinda's daughters-in-law, did not have a good relationship with her. She was shocked to hear that they cast aspiration on her and denied her the company of her grandchildren.

Chaya spoke up. "Brinda, do you think you would be happy if your sons and daughters-in-law stayed with you?" Brinda nodded as she said, "there is nothing more I want."

Chaya continued saying, "but you say they needlessly blame you." Brinda nodded. Chaya said, "if they stayed with you, do you think you would be comfortable?" Brinda stared at her friend, not knowing what to say.

Chaya continued saying, "do you think you would be peaceful? They would blame you for everything!"

Brinda nodded, her eyes wide in understanding, "you are so right," she said, "my life would be miserable." Chaya finally said, "don't you think it is better this way? They come as a guest, and you get to see your grandchildren. You have your peace!"

Brinda's face lit up, "you are so right," she said, "why didn't I think of that earlier. Chaya said, "Tell Akash to get married. Even if his bride wants to get out of the house, let her." Brinda frowned, "I will be all alone," she said. Chaya asked her friend, "So what. You aren't helpless. And being alone can sometimes be more peaceful than having the kids around."

Chaya grabbed her friend by her shoulders, saying," Brinda, you aren't helpless. You can live on your own without unnecessary complications, what say. Trust your upbringing. You sons will keep in touch."

Brinda smiled at Chaya, "I feel so much better now. Why did I think of that earlier?" Chaya smiled back at her friend, saying, "because emotions blinded you."

My Thoughts

Sometimes things don't go as planned in life, and unfortunately, we let them disturb us to such an extent that we lose our peace. But that is because our emotions blind us. If only we reason, I think this world would be a better place, and you and I will be more peaceful.