Page 49 - Seniorstoday March 2024 Issue

to sort out issues between them. of Kanha Reserve in Madhya Pradesh to
Covertly, the marriage had been a
subdued beginning for Huma and
Salman. Evidently, Huma was not
mentally prepared for it while Salman
was more than eager to start his marital
journey. Conjugal overtures from Salman
were resisted by Huma for one reason
or the other and the marriage was not
consummated even after months. Salman
had thought it best to give it some time
and be patient since he knew Huma from
childhood days and was protective of her
and longing for her. But he was burning
from inside at not being able to have
conjugal bliss. Huma too was sulking and
feeling miserable with her lot. But she too
knew Salman from childhood for the good
person that he was and kept her amiability
with him otherwise. Both Huma and
Salman put up a cordial front, but those
close to them could feel the undercurrents
of tension. Huma and Salman would rarely
go anywhere together except to meet Sara
and Soha. During these moments, which
were getting to be frequent, Huma and
Soha would be chatting and laughing
away to glory like in the past while
Sara and Salman would have engaging
conversations, very often foraying into
personal territory, unlike the past. As
a foursome, it was all bubbly while as a
twosome, it was all simmering. Each of the
four, while sensing deep within what was
happening to the other , wondered how
long the façade can continue. Each of them
had the happiness of the other in mind
and decided to do something about. None
wanted the others to be miserable, given
their close relationship and friendship.
Huma and Sara and Salman and Soha
organized an intimate family trip along
with their parents to the salubrious climes
SENIORS TODAY | ISSUE #57 | MARCH 2024
soak in the dense greens of the forest, for
the sighting of the tiger and the wild and
hearing the soothing chirping of the avian,
amid the rich biodiversity on offer. It would
be a first time and a different experience
for all of them and would be a memorable
family visit for more reasons than one.
What could be a better setting for a heart to
heart chat amongst the family members.
Image courtesy: https://tourism.webindia123.com
On their return from the two safaris into
the wild and fortunate sighting of two
striped carnivores at close quarters, the
excited octet was sitting around a crackling
bonfire, all snug and soft, under a canopy of
stars, all alight and bright.
The foursome of children took to the stage.
The foursome of parents were all audience
and ears. It was not an act for the cast to
play, but a reality of the hearts to express
loud and clear. Huma goes first to say she
wants to divorce Salman. Soha goes second
to say she loves Huma. Sara goes next to
say she loves Salman. Salman goes last to
say that he accepts the wishes of Huma
and Sara. The engrossed audience of loving
parents was speechless. For they had
never before heard the silent voices of their
children. Hasina and Abdul and Salma and
Sohail saw the One in their foursome and
blessed them. For, what say can mortals
have in matters of heart and contours of
love.
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