The Costly Affair

It has been 6 months since Amrita was dragging the decision. It was not
like this always. I was all good for 1.5 years before I asked her to marry
me. I never understood why she had a problem marrying me. I was the
one who helped her to come out of her abusive marriage, enriching her,
helping her return to normalcy. Like me, she was divorced but 8 years
older to me and had a girl Channi aged 21 who was studying. Our age
difference and the fact that she had one daughter were main reason for
my parents to deny marriage possibilities .I bowed to their pressure
and married Manjari which resulted in divorce in 8 months later. Just
like that, I changed from single to being divorced.
With Amrita, the journey began with sympathy bur soon transformed
into love. Before her, I had countless affairs with my college students
which did not last long and finally, Amritas simplicity and maturity
ended my vain affairs. Now I wanted to marry her but for some strange
reason, she was avoiding to giving me an answer. Today we were
meeting again. She agreed to meet after a long time. I was already
seated in the caf when she appeared.
I asked, So what was your decision?
She replied, I love you Amit, but I could not marry you.
But why?
Instead of speaking, she placed a 4 years old picture of mine with a girl.
This was probably 3-4 years old pictures of mine. At first, I was unable
to remember who she was. A few moments later, I remembered my
college fling:
Samhita! I blurted out.
She looked in other direction and said, She is Channi my daughter.
Good Bye.
Difficult as it was to accept the consequences of my behaviour, it was
more difficult to see her walk away from me.