Dear Mom, What Would You Say If I Got Divorced (Like My Friend Did)? [#ShortStory]

"It’s very easy to comment on and judge the lives of others. The finger is always pointed towards the woman, considering and labeling her as an irresponsible, self-centred, egoistic woman!"

“It’s very easy to comment on and judge the lives of others. The finger is always pointed towards the woman, considering and labeling her as an irresponsible, self-centred, egoistic woman!”

“Sonam, please check the guest list once. Hope I have not missed any names out here!” Sonam’s mom said to her while putting the list on the table.

“Mom, how will I read with wet mehndi on my hands?” Sonam said to her mom, laughing.

“Oh yes! I am sorry, beta! You know how excited I am, with only a few days left for your wedding. I still can’t believe that my daughter, my world is getting married. Will miss you Sonam! Love you loads!” Sonam’s mom said, fighting through her tears.

“Mom! please don’t get emotional now. I am here. You should be happy that I am getting married to the person who loves me like anything. Raj is an awesome guy. He will never bring tears to my eyes. So be happy now. I love you too, mumma!” Sonam said, hugging her mother.

“Mom, please read out the names on the list. After all, I want all my friends to be here.”

Sonam’s mom read out the names one by one.

“Mom, where is Anamika’s name? Have not you invited her? I didn’t hear her name on the list.”

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“Who’s Anamika?“ her mom asked.

“Come on, Mom! Don’t you know Anamika? She is my close friend. She was always there for me, whenever I needed her the most. How come you forgot to invite her to my wedding?” Sonam asked.

“I didn’t forget her,” Sonam’s mom replied instantly.

“Then? Why is she not invited?” Sonam persisted.

“Don’t you know?”

“No! What?”

“She is a divorcee!”

“So?”

“I don’t want her to be around you.”

“But why? She is a close friend of mine.”

“I don’t care. But she won’t be coming. She is a divorcee!”

“Mom! Are you kidding me! How is my wedding related to her divorce?”

“Sonam! There’s no point in arguing any further. She won’t be coming to the wedding, and that’s final.”

“I don’t want my daughter surrounded by a girl who has failed in her relationship with her husband. These people have a different mindset. They are non-adjusting people, who simply opt for divorce when they fail to fulfill their responsibilities. They are full of ego and pride. They don’t care about the consequences that both families have to face after they are divorced. They are self-centred. Moreover, a divorcee brings bad luck. I don’t want you to be in contact with such a person,” was her mother’s final stand.

“Enough Mom! I can’t believe you said all this. You have really hurt me. I didn’t expect this from you at all. How can you say this when you are a woman yourself?” Sonam retorted.

“Sonam, you can’t deny the fact that she is a divorcee and self-centered.” Sonam’s mom said again while cutting the conversation.

“Mom, let me tell you the girl you termed ‘self-centred’ was a sweet daughter, a loving, honest wife and an innocent sanskari (one who devoutly follows cultural traditions). She was also a caring daughter-in-law, who left her job for the sake of her in-laws. The girl who, you said, is full of ‘ego and pride’, knew how to offer unconditional love and respect to her families.”

“Okay ! if she was so cooperative and sanskari then why did she opt for a divorce? She should have continued with her marriage.”  Sonam’s mom said while looking at her, waiting for an answer.

“Mom, help me understand, What do you expect a girl to do after being cheated by her husband – other than filing for a divorce? She had devoted four years of her life for the sake of her husband and in-laws. What did she get in return? Physical and mental torture! Despite all this, she had wanted to carry on with her married life with her unfaithful husband for the sake of her family and society. However, the circumstances didn’t even allow her to continue.”

Mom, I wonder if you would respond in the same manner if I suffer a similar fate without any fault of mine.”

The heated conversation between the two was now replaced by a pin drop silence.

Sonam’s mom was in shock. Tears were rolling down her cheeks, her hard heart melted like butter. Without wasting a single second, she hugged her daughter tightly.

“I am really sorry, Sonam! You made me realize how wrong and harsh I was. I was so influenced by our so called society mindset that I forgot I am a woman and a mother of a daughter too.” Sonam’s mom said.

“You’re right, Sonam. It’s very easy to comment on and judge the lives of others. The finger is always pointed towards the woman, considering and labeling her as an irresponsible, self-centred, egoistic woman! The problem is that we judge people based on our own perceptions, without knowing at all what the person has actually experienced.” Sonam’s mom continued while holding her daughter’s hand.

“We woman deserves a man who is loyal and affectionate to her, protects her, and takes care of her health, needs and desires, and if that chosen male partner/husband turns out to unfaithful, then it’s not a fault of a woman.” Sonam’s mom said while passing a positive smile to Sonam.

“Yes, Anamika is a divorcee! and now I am proud of her and respect her decision to be single and not living with a cheater, characterless guy!” said Sonam’s mom, hugging her again.

Published here earlier.

Image source: shutterstock

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Swati Jaiswal

An HR Professional, A Practising Pranic Healer & Arhatic Yogi, A Reiki Healer, A Certified Angel Card Reader & An Aspiring Blogger…. read more...

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