Echoes

"The art of living is the art of knowing how to believe lies. The fearful thing about it is that not knowing what truth may be, we can still recognize lies."

Ishwari Manan muses to herself as she gazes at the huge sky medallion in its early morning splendour: "They say and believe that every new day allows living a bit. Even while the sunset informs us that everything has a beginning and an end, the sunrise is a reminder that there is always hope for a fresh start”.

She has lived a multifaceted life, and all she has learnt is that just as dismal situations can provide a glimmer of hope, so do hopeful situations. She spent fourteen years with Parth Oman as her true love. A love story that began on campus was the impetus for their future together. He was the epitome of charisma, and everyone fawned over him. To put it bluntly, he was an alpha male who felt the need to dominate all situations. He never lost a match in school and had a body that would make any girl swoon. Iswari's normally level-headed demeanour was thrown into disarray when she encountered his sharp wit. They spent their college years cultivating and nurturing their love for one another, eventually becoming what one would term "ride or die" partners.

The well-orchestrated beginning wasn’t a determination of how the journey would be. From strangers to friends to lovers, what could be more meaningful than putting the interest of fellow being above you, Ishwari would often think to herself. It is contrary to common opinion and different from the tragedy of commons from a self-interest dimension. Their love blossomed and the glow was more than glorious.

The inevitable was bound to happen, and none of them saw it coming. Ishwari being the traditionally minded and submissive girl always attended to the needs of Parth. He had found a dime and he knew it, and to seal the deal he proposed to her their monthly trip. With the rock on her finger, she knew she was living her princess love story. They began making wedding arrangements, but first, as a cultured couple, they followed all traditions. Once the families agreed the two would get married, Ishwari’s family organized and planned Tulba (asking for the bride’s hand in marriage) where Mr Mannan accepted Parth’s request, they served sweet cordial prepared from fruits.

Two days before their big day Radwa was held, where all the male relatives from both sides, gathered at Ishwari’s home. The groom’s side made sure that Ishwari’s family was content with the wedding, allowing congratulatory notes from his elder brother Ishamali. At the same time, Parth’s female relatives had kneaded henna dough which was later applied to Ishwari and her sisters, cousins and aunties.

The men later proceed to Sahra, where they enjoyed performances from different groups and performed a traditional dance. These celebrations paved way for the traditional wedding ceremony, with the two signings a document that officially binds them as husband and wife. With a mutual agreement binding contract, they engaged in an extravagant wedding party. All family and friends from both sides enjoyed this function. To mark the celebrations, celebratory gunfire was shot in the air and they couldn’t ask for more. The groom joined his hands with the father-in-law to legitimately make their marriage official in the presence of witnesses. This session was officiated by a religious leader they both had respect for. Then finally had the final celebrations which included their closest family and relatives at Ishwari’s family house. It was such a glamorous celebration as they marked the end of their long festivity period.

A year later, they both realized they were the only people in this institution after such a crowded and happy celebration, where they were considered the centre of attraction. The happy bubble no longer existed and they had to decide whether to grow their families or wait a little bit longer. This was the most significant thought she could recall, about their relationship. Everything went downhill after this period.

No one prepared her for the storm that was about wreck her home and most importantly herself. She vividly remembers walking in to massive office, in Abu Dhabi. That day was a hallmark of their careers and professional life. She met significant entrepreneurs and closed a major tech deal that Parth was going to oversee.

Three months down the line, her husband and a few members of the corporate travelled to the same city to continue his prudent duties towards their business. Their marriage was founded on nothing but mutual trust. Ishwari took care of his travel, did all hotel bookings and made sure her husband was going to have an incredible, peaceful and stress-free stay, while the office admin to care of the rest of the staff.

After his departure, Ishwari liaised with the programs coordinator to plan a trip to the same location, with the hope of surprising her husband and celebrating their wedding anniversary together. She had everything planned and thanks to the personal assistant she had her husband’s schedule. After four days, she left for Abu Dhabi. Her heart still beating the way it did the first time she saw him. She smiled throughout her journey because she couldn’t imagine the look on his face when he gets to lay his eyes on her. She made her way and was picked up by the coordinator who took her to room 069, where her husband was. Having properly consulted with the hotel, she had her key. There she found her husband lying next to the newest female intern software developer. The shock, the spell of silence, the uncertainty and the unaccepted moment. A man of nothing but pure dominance experienced a situation that left him with no control at all.

“Today is a new day”, she tells herself. She still wonders how magically, she overcame the pain, anguish and unprecedented misfortune. She has been able to bear the thought their love was a typical definition of a body of lies. Her mind wallows and lurks trying to substantiate the aim of marriage, love and the idea of a family. Has loyalty as a virtue diminished in modern society? What about respect, is it a theoretical quality? What about the feasibility of better or worse? Have some of the virtues and qualities that form intimate relationships become extinct over time? In that sense then, what has become our social construct? She is puzzled as she admires the beauty through her window.