Love Letters

                                                                                                                                                                                   14/02/2014

Dearest Mintu,

That is what I called you remember? I hope you are all settled down after the recent tempest in your life. I hope you are soon able to forget the past and put it where it belongs, in the PAST. But now let me answer the question that must be creeping into your mind. Why am I writing this letter to you and why now?

I am dying Mintu; I do not have much time left. I know I put it very bluntly but that has always been one of my flaws. How you always used to admonish me that I should learn to be subtle. It was some time ago that the doctors discovered about the cancer in my lungs. Years of working in chemical factories have taken a toll on them. And all these years, I never let you know. Every time, I mustered up the courage to tell you, I would get lost in the happiness of your eyes. And I would feel alive, living in the dream that you would weave with your thoughts. Yes Mintu, I just felt so alive. But I did not just want to feel alive, I wanted to be alive. I wanted to live the rest of my life with you. And that’s when I decided to go to the city and get myself checked. And they gave me hope Mintu. They gave me a flicker for me to follow.

And then I heard the news; the news that you would be married off. I never had any problem with you being married to someone else. I always just wanted you to be happy. But then this? I never expected, you would be sold off in the name of marriage. And when your own parents do it, I have no words to condemn the act. I wouldn’t know, I never had any parents. But then, if this is what parents do, I am much happier being without them. And that was when I made a decision. I made a decision to put my life to some use. I made a decision to use the money I had saved for my operation to some better use.

I have already sent you a cheque. Please use this to withdraw the cash from the local bank and put it in your parents’ hands. I am also sending you a ticket. If you want to, please do use it. It will bring you to this city. I will make sure, I make you independent before I move on to the other world. I have made all the arrangements. I hope you come, my love. I hope you find love again and I hope you survive and succeed.

I will not drag this letter forever because every moment is precious from the time you read this. Please hurry and come at the earliest. Waiting to see you just once before I say goodbye forever.

                                                                                                                                                                Yours forever,

                                                                                                                                                                Sujit

                                                                                                                                                                14/02/2014

Dearest Suji,

How are you, my love? I hope you are much better now. Yes yes I know. I know about everything that you have been enduring and suffering. Somehow, I always knew something was wrong. I was proved right when I met your friend, Raghu, the other day. All it took was a little bit of coaxing. Did you expect never to tell me all this? And you thought you would take care of yourself and keep me in the dark? That’s not how love works, my love. And see? Now I know it all.

I know you are in the city for your treatment and I know how much the treatment costs. I also have a fair idea how much you must have been able to scarp up of the required amount. And here is your punishment, Suji, for keeping the facts from me. Here is a cheque to sponsor your entire treatment. Now don’t ask how I got this cheque from. But then I know you will and I also know you will not take it unless I tell you how I got so much money from. Well, I am marrying. Surprised? Well you should be. I am being married off to the Sarpanch of the neighboring village. Not that this will be a dream marriage but it was the least I could do to save your life. For me, you are more important than anything else in this entire world.

I am not sure what the future holds for me, Suji. But you have given my life meaning. You have pulled me out of the depths of loneliness and showered me with love. I have always hopes someday; I would be able to repay you. And you please do not worry. I will be happy. I have some restrictions in this new place. I will not be able to keep in touch with the outside world. I would not really be able to keep in touch with you post marriage. The Sarpanch already has a wife and I would never be given that status of an official wife. I know that too. But he has paid good money.

Now, please do not worry too much. I want you to please get the treatment done. And I want you to be happy in life. I want you to find love again and just keep me in your memories. Do not worry about me. I have lived my life and I just have to survive now. I hope to see you again someday, my love. I belong to none other, than you.

                                                                                                                                                Yours lovingly,

                                                                                                                                                Meenakshi.

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