Sunday Story: It's not the Norm, But my Heart Doesn't Understand

My Story 

Geeta was working as a clerk in the department store. She did not earn much, but it was enough to provide for her mother's and her daily needs. She wasn't the eldest child, but she was the dependable child for her mother. They were four children, but her eldest sister had eloped with a distant relative much older than herself, and he was already married. And that was a scandal in the small town where they lived. It soon became the talk of the city, and whenever any of them passed, people would nudge each other and talk as they continued to look pointedly at them.

It has been almost 15 years since the incident, but the town has never forgotten the scandal, and her younger sister and brother fell in love and married. However, she was still single. Her elder sister Janaki and Edhas babu had never married. Still, they continued to live together. ." I hope Janaki didi is as happy as she seems to be." Geeta thought of her elder sister. 

Geeta was walking home from work when she suddenly remembered that tomorrow was her birthday. She felt a gloom descend over her. "Mom will cry again." she taught. On her birthday every year, her mother would cry, "who do you have after me?" Every time her mother said that Geeta would bravely say, "do all who are married have someone with them forever." but inside, she too desired she would find someone to love. Although with every passing year, her hopes dimmed, and disappointment grew.

Geeta woke up the following day to the smell of dosas frying on the cast iron pan. Her mom never forgot her birthday. Geeta rose from the bed and soon got ready for breakfast. As she walked into the kitchen that morning, she knew she had to be strong and not get carried away by emotion. She took a deep breath as she walked into the kitchen and called out. "Ma.." Her mother, Janahvi, turned, and Geeta noticed the tears in her eyes. She knew she must say something witty to cheer her up before leaving for work. Janahvi gathered her daughter in her arms as Geeta bent down to take her mother's blessings. 

Much later, as Geeta was walking to work, she thought of the time she had just spent with her mother. She sighed relief when she thought of how her mother had laughed at her jokes. "Somehow, Mom forgot her regular dialogue." They had indeed had a wonderful time together. Still preoccupied with her thoughts, Geeta stepped inside the store where she had worked for several years. Suddenly, she heard a harmonious happy birthday. When she looked up, she saw all her co-workers at the departmental store rush towards her with small gifts. Now, this was a first. How did they know? And that's when she remembered Dilip, who had joined them just 15 days ago. This must be his initiative. They had even brought a cake. 

"I am so sorry. I should have bought a cake for you, and all of you have done so much to make my birthday a celebration." Geeta said. "You are the seniormost staff, we all agree. But rules have changed," said Dilip. "What rules," asked Geet. "birthday rules," he said as the entire group laughed. "The person celebrating the birthday only celebrates, and we bring whatever we can to help them celebrate. You can join the others to buy the cake for the next birthday."

Geeta was touched by what the team had done for her today. She knew the person who brought about the change had to be Dilip. Late that evening, she knocked on the cabin marked inventory before leaving for home. That is where Dilip worked. She heard Dilip call out for her to come in. She stepped in, and Dilip said, "yes, birthday girl, what's up?"

"Dilip, thank you so much for the celebration this morning; it truly made my birthday a celebration. Geeta said. Dilip smiled at her, "such a beautiful smile." she thought as he wished her again. Little did Geeta know that this was the beginning of one long beautiful relationship.

Soon, Dilip and Geeta started seeing each other more than work required. The acquaintance grew to become a friendship, and soon, Geeta realized she was in love with him. But she would always remind herself of her age and think, "he must be younger than me. One scandal in the family is enough, and this can't be." Although that was what her mind constantly reminded her of, her heart kept falling deeper and deeper in love with Dilip.

One day when she had gone to the record room, she saw the records of the new appointees on the desk outside. "This is my opportunity to know for sure," Geeta thought. She looked to see if there was anyone in the room before quickly looking at the records. She found the entry about Dilip, and her heart sank, for the record states, that Dilip was 10 years younger than her.

She rushed out of the record room, unable to hold back her tears; she wanted to get inside the washroom before anyone noticed. But she heard a familiar voice that made her heart skip a beat before she could even reach the door. "What about my record makes you cry?" asked Dilip. "Is it my age?" 

Geeta wanted to run and hide. But she knew there was no escape. Before she knew it, Dilip was down on one knee in front of her with a little box. "I was waiting to ask for some time now. And I dont think there will be a better moment than this." Still down on one knee, Dilip asked," I love you. Will you marry me?" Geeta wanted to cry out an yes, but what about her age she was 10 years older the Dilip.

"Hey, my knee hurts; I can't stay like this forever; what is your reply?" Geeta stammerd as said, “b-b-ut what about my age?” Dilip smiled at her and said, "it doesn't matter to me, does it to you?"

Smiling, Geeta nodded, and Dilip smiled at the ring on her finger. They were soon married, and never did Dilip never make her feel older? He only told her that "age is a state of mind."

My Thoughts

Marrying a younger man is not accepted in our society. But whoever said that the heart followed regulations. What matters is how the two feel about each other. And if two people think that being together makes them happy, what does age have to do with it?

Liked this story? Read another one-'It's Never Too Early'.