Fumes Of Love

By Swathy Prasad

Yamuna was just 22 when her parents fixed her marriage with Arun Kumar, 28-year-old young contractor.

Arun's parents fixed the deal when Yamuna's father, who is an NRI, agreed to give a dowry of 100 pawans of gold and a two- storeyed house, which is in the midst of Kollam city.

Yamuna was a graduate in B. Sc Botany. She was dark in colour with twinkling eyes and thick black hair. ' She was beautiful the way she was'.

Arun was a tall young man with fair complection, strong and stout.

Both the families were happy with the alliance.

Yamuna started dreaming about her new life, her romance with her hubby and she had all the rosy dreams about her ' suhaag '. She used to share all these with her younger sister Yamini.

Yamini was a naughty little girl who was outspoken, smart and bold unlike Yamuna who was pretty shy and timid.

Yamuna and Arun got married within two months and returned to Arun's home town, Trivandrum.

Within few days itself Yamuna got adjusted with the new family. She started loving Arun's parents like her own. She took charge of the whole house and treated everyone well.

Within a month Yamuna became pregnant. It was a great celebration in both the houses. But, day by day her health became weaker and weaker. Elders commented that, it was because of the pregnancy.

When she noticed a lump on her left breast, Yamuna and Arun went for a medical check-up.

That day might have been the worst day in her life! Doctor informed that she was diagnosed with breast- cancer after going through her biopsy report.

Yamuna was completely collapsed. She was frozen and couldn't move her limbs. Doctor informed her husband that, they need to abort the baby and immediately start chemotherapy. But, Arun was adamant that he wanted the baby.

When they returned home, Arun told Yamuna not to disclose about her disease with any of the family members especially her parents. He convinced her by saying that, they can start the treatment after the delivery.

Arun assured Yamuna that nothing will happen to her. He told her that, he wanted to see her beautiful face with twinkling eyes and thick dark hair which will deteriorate as they go for Chemotherapy.

Yamuna was completely moved by the words of Arun. She trusted him as her love for him was more than anything else in the world.

Days passed by and Yamuna became more and more weak. She was never send to her house as Arun and his family were afraid that she might disclose everything to her parents. She was not even taken for medical check-ups as doctors may not allow this pregnancy with such medical conditions.

Finally, Yamuna was under labour. She was taken to a nearby hospital and she delivered a baby girl. But unfortunately, the child died and Yamuna's condition was really critical.

When Yamuna's mom and sister came to the hospital, doctor informed them about Yamuna's health condition.

At that time, she was in the final stage of her cancer. Within 10 months, cancer had conquered major part of her body.

Even after knowing that Yamuna was counting the last days of her life, Arun had no particular sentiments. He was not even worried about losing his baby for whom he persuaded Yamuna to risk her life.

Arun's only intention was to take her properties and push her into the valley of death. To be frank, he never loved her. He didn't like her dark colour nor was able to see the love in her eyes.

After knowing all this, Yamini ran towards Arun and slapped him on his face many a times for destroying her sister's life so miserably.

Yamuna's father returned from abroad and took her to Regional Cancer Centre (RCC), Trivandrum.

But, Yamuna's body was not responding to medicines. It was not cancer but, the betrayal of the person whom she loved and trusted the most, that killed her brutally.

Yamuna was a river which merged in the ocean of time leaving behind lots of pain and fumes of love!

When love is cut with the sword of betrayal, even the air gets polluted with its venom.

Before her last breath, Yamuna told her parents to call Arun. With tears rolling down her eyes, she told him, " Thank you for all the pain that you gave me. Still, I love you!". With this, she closed her eyes forever.

For the first time, Arun felt the pangs of pain, his eyes were filled with tears. For the very first time, he realized the depth of his sin - a sin with no penance at all!

By Swathy Prasad