Happiness? (Part 2)

I'm continuing the story left off in the middle, ages ago. I guess those who read the first part have thought about different ways the story could take off..hopefully the way I have finally shaped it is different from what you thought but equally satisfying.

Okay, okay…let me start from the beginning. I was born the eldest in a family of 3 children. And being the eldest comes with its own set of problems. Parents tend to be over-protective. They’re afraid of anything happening to you, so they try to be extra careful. But since you’re the first, you’re also the guinea pig. They want to try all the parenting skills they’ve seen, heard, or read about from anyone in the world!

But, the worst is when the second child comes along. The elder one who was for so long being mollycoddled and taken care of is expected to become responsible overnight! Well, I tried my best to be the responsible one. But, it was never enough. At least that’s how it seemed.

Anyways, years flew by and I grew up, went to college, got a job...life was going pretty okay. Then I met him…Rishabh. I guess you could call it love at first sight. The day I saw him, I knew he was special. He was intelligent, charming, with an infectious smile and sparkling eyes. The best part? He liked me too!
To cut a long story short, he proposed to me six months later and I was thrilled…at first. Then I was petrified! How do I tell my parents? They had this dream son-in-law image that Rishabh would never fit into. Our religions were different, he was 10 years older to me, he’d been married once, and he had a 5-year old son...not really any parent’s vision of an ideal match for their child.

After a lot of debates and discussions with friends and a whole lot of support and encouragement from Rishabh, I mustered the courage to break the news to my parents. And as expected, all hell broke loose! “How could you do this?!!” “Did he trick you into this?” “Couldn’t you find anyone better?” “Didn’t you trust us to find a good match for you?!!” The questions, the arguments, the tears, the anger, the confusion, went on for weeks. And as the weeks and fights went by, I realized that there were only two major concerns my family had: What would the “society” think? and “How will we find a good match for the younger siblings?” It was like my happiness didn’t really matter now that I’d let them down. Their concern was not for my future but my sisters’ future.

When it became clear that nothing will convince my parents, we eloped. We got married in a court and the same day, my family disowned me. It was a strange day; on one hand it was the happiest day of my life, on the other it was the saddest. I realized what writers meant when they said “her heart was torn in two”.

Apart from the emptiness a missing family had left in my life, we had a good life…for exactly 6 months. 6 months after we got married, Rishabh died. Turns out he told me the truth when we said his wife had died after a long illness. But, what he’d forgotten to mention was that the illness was AIDS.

That was 2 months ago. I tested positive last week. Doctors say I can live a long life if I take proper precautions and medication. It will keep the virus under control. But the question is- do I want to keep it under control? My family has kept their word...they didn’t contact me even when Rishabh died. I’m sure they know what he died of. I’m sure they know I’m at risk. But, they still haven’t called to find out if I’m okay. I guess with the stigma of this disease, they’ll stay further away from me (if that’s possible).

Now you know why nothing matters to me now. My friends think celebrating my birthday at a posh club will cheer me up. Well, I’m going along with them. At least someone will be happy it’s my birthday.

Shikha is leading me into a nondescript building now. Probably one of those “cool” pubs that hide in the unlikeliest of places. As the lift stops at floor 5 and I step into the foyer, I realize this is my birthday gift. I’ve stepped into a group of like-minded people, the Greater Mumbai AIDS Support Group. My friends care more about me than I thought. I guess what they say about friends is true...they stand by you when you are all alone.

I look around the 50-odd faces in the room. All people affected by the disease that will kill me soon. They all have the same lifelessness, hopelessness, and fear I see in the mirror every morning. Then a face smiles at me… a small sweet face that reminds me of someone I need to live for…Aniket, the son Rishabh left behind, the son I consider my own. A light shines in my heart, a light of hope, a light of faith, a light of life.

This is not really how I thought it will turn out when I started the story...Honestly, the words just kept coming...I wasn't sure where it was going. Today when I decided to begin where I left off, that's what happened again. I did think of other twists, but somehow, this seemed to work.
As always, comments and brickbats are welcome.