His Failure - Partho

Partho

 

Partho stood up from his seat at the bus stop and wondered whether Priya would actually turn up. He had been waiting in the secluded bus-stop for over an hour. He did not want to be late for his appointment. Knowing that the streets of Calcutta could clog anytime, he decided to be early.

 

Partho was excited as a teenager. He would be meeting Priya after 2 years! He had been looking forward to this day since she had walked out of their apartment in North Calcutta. Priya had promised that she would meet him here at 5pm. A weird appointment for sure, but he accepted it. He was ready to accept every condition, back then! Anything to stop her from walking out of his life.

 

They had spent 15years together! Married. A better part of it was spent in surviving odds, financial crises and like issues. But they had managed not to keel over and drown in misfortunes. And yet, here he was wearing a blue cotton shirt she had gifted him.

 

For a moment Partho stole a glance at his watch. Priya was never punctual Yet he was early. He did not want her to wait for him. She had always complained that he always failed dinner invites because of his work! Today he had cancelled all work just to be with her. He knew in his gut that the meeting would not even last half an hour. His son had warned. But he hoped. Just in case!

 

Not knowing what to do, Partho tried to read the latest paperback. But his eyes failed to follow the print.He was suddenly anxious. Did Priya forget ? Or did she really think so poorly of Partho that he would stand her up! For a moment, he thought he would get himself a can of soft drink but shunned the idea. He did not want Priya to arrive and not find him.

 

Reluctantly he sat down and decided to continue reading in the dim light under the shaded bulb. The words still seemed a blur. His thoughts suddenly took an interesting dive into the past when he recollected a special moment twenty years before, when they were still teens.

 

Priya and he had to wait at this very spot under one umbrella, most hesitantly, waiting for a bus to take them home. But in the heavy rain, there were hardly any buses on their route. They were completely drenched! A faint smile appeared on his lips without his realization. Life had been a roller coaster ride for him. It was his Priya's presence that had helped him ride it out without fear.

 

While he reminisced, just across the street stood a young lady in mid 30s. She looked pretty and confident. Her jet black hair tied in a confident knot, her kohl-lined eyes shining with an excitement and her sweaty hands clutching an expensive gadget drew admiring glances from onlookers. She mused, life had treated her well while her estranged husband seemed he had aged by ten years. Yet she could not take the step forward and walk ahead.

 

Their continuous bickering during their last 5 years of marriage had torn them apart. Both had decided to take a break. An experiment which turned out well for Priya. She flourished in her new profession, made new friends and was glad that she had taken her son along with her! Now she wanted to walk down that road without Partho lurking anywhere. She had decided a year ago, she would ask for a divorce. Her parents had supported her decision. Now it was only a matter of minutes before she would broach the subject. Then she would be free!

 

Partho decided, it was quite late! Probably Priya did not want to meet him. It was futile waiting. But he did, like a fool that he was! He knew he had failed Priya and their son!

 

Fortunately, his son still loved him enough. Finally when the clock struck seven, He got up. Tired, upset, he looked across the street and walked away with stooping shoulders! He would have to consult his lawyer the very next day and free his wife from this parody of marriage, even if it killed his soul to do so! He knew Priya was never happy with him. He wanted to give her a chance to be.