This story is part of a novella – A girl was born
Do check out the first and the subsequent chapters – https://firsttimemommy.net/category/a-z-blogging-challenge-2018/
Seven years later. Tia was getting ready for the party. She was late. Nikhil would be coming any moment now to pick them up. Tara was already dressed and ready.
She went up the stairs to check up on Tia. Tia was in Tara’s bedroom, standing in front of the mirror, applying makeup with a deft hand. She confidently dabbed rouge on her high cheeks, put kohl in her eyes and coloured her lips a soft mauve. Giving a final brush to her long, silky hair, she turned to face Tara.
“You are so beautiful, Tia.” This was true. Tia’s skin was dusky just like Tara’s and hence, Tara has always feared that Tia would be meted out the same punishment as she had at the hands of the society. She remembered how people would side up with her more beautiful friends in the college and completely ignored Tara as if she didn’t exist. As if she wasn’t standing there at all.
She remembered how her relatives would say to her parents, “Any man would do for Tara. She should be lucky if she got married at all.” She tried to ignore those hurtful words, but she couldn’t. They had become a part of her existence and pinched and pricked her constantly.
But, Tia was different. She didn’t care for what the society thought of her. She never had any qualms about her complexion. She rejoiced in her beauty. She carried herself with grace and confidence, something Tara never had.
“Mama, you are beautiful too. Let me show you.” And before Tara could protest, she dragged Tara to the settee in front of the mirror and made her sit on it.
“Your father should be here, Tia. You don’t want to keep him waiting.”
“He can wait. After all, he would be getting to escort two lovely ladies today.” Tia laughed.
Tara’s idea of makeup was limited to kohl and lipstick, but Tia put rouge on her cheeks, mascara on her eyelashes and winged eye liner on her eye lids. She then removed the band with which Tara had secured her hair and brushed them till they shone.
“Open your eyes, mama!” Tia asked and Tara complied. Tara looked in the mirror and found a different woman.
“See mama, you are so beautiful.”
“All kids find their mothers beautiful. Plus, makeup is bound to make you beautiful.” Tara joked.
“Maybe. But you are beautiful through and through. Why don’t you accept it, ma?”
“What you did, not many women can do. You could have stayed with daddy in a loveless marriage, but you didn’t. Thanks to you, daddy found Sheel (Tia called her stepmother with her first name at her behest), a dear woman who actually loves him. And, I have never seen you jealous or regretting that decision. You are today’s woman – bold and unconventional.”
Tara was proud of her daughter. She was unlike many young girls of her age. She had more wisdom and better perception than Tara had at her age. Nikhil and Tara had raised their daughter well.
It was time she told him about Himanshu. After all, Tia was at the age when Tara had already met Himanshu. She would understand why Tara did what she did.
“Mama, what are you thinking?” Tia asked. Tara shook her head and smiled at her daughter.
Tia was right. She had broken many rules and paid a huge price for it.
Read the final and concluding chapter of Tara’s life tomorrow.
I am liking this story more and more- it takes a lot of guts to do what Tara did when conventional wisdom and all the nay sayers would be telling her that whats the point of getting a dovorce after so many years of marriage; think of your daughter – who will marry her now? Waiting for tomorrow’ s chapter Anshu and I hope you turn this into an e-book.
Y is for Yarn Chopper #atozchallenge
Thank you so much Shalini! I wanted to portray Tara as someone who has her doubts and sometimes gets carried away, but she is still bold enough to challenge the rules of the society. Ebook – hadn’t thought of that!! Nice idea – Let me think some more!!
Did not expect this.. Had hopes that love will blossom again.. But anyways it is always the heart voice that matters. When she had no love or could experience love with nikil, she thought of moving away. That shows how much she cared for relationship to work out at both the ends. Also i must appreciate and applaud tara for being bold to take a decision to part ways happily. Nikil found some love atleast. Unexpected twist but a pleasant landing.
Glad you liked it, dear! I was a little apprehensive because this is not what usually happens. A woman goes back to her husband and behaves as if nothing has happened even though she is not happy. I didn’t want Tara to suffer anymore, nor Nikhil.
Why do I have this feeling that there will still be some last twist in the concluding chapter? Can’t wait to read what happens. Will she get her happily ever after.. I know there is no happily ever after though.. life is beyond that.. more Bea with it’s ups and downs.
Great characterization of Tara. Love her.
Thank you Priya! You have always stood by Tara. She gets confused in the middle, but she is now clear as to what she wants from life and herself. Hope the last chapter portrays her justly.
More Beautiful with its ups and downs (I meant)
I am so glad she took the decision to move out – that helped salvage everyone’s life. She is indeed an unconventional woman. Never expected the story will take this turn Anhsu, you have done a wonderful job
Thank you Akshata! Tara is different and she had to portray how unconventional she is even when people write her off as ordinary.
This is the most unexpected twist in the tale. Wow Anshu. Loving it completely. It’s going to be one awesome e book . Go for it
You too Aesha suggest that it should be turned into ebook. Well, I will definitely think along those lines now. Thank you so much and I am so glad you loved the story.
What happened Neethu? I thought you would like it now that Nikhil is happy. He has found true love now! 🙂
Good to know that Tara accepted the facts and followed her heart. Happy to see the understanding between all even after years. Would be eagerly waiting for the ending Anshu.
Thanks Rashmi! Tara is happy and so is Nikhil. It is important to accept in life and be happy!
Superb coming of age story. Wonder what will happen at the end tho. Another twist? Hmm…
Thanks Ashwini! No twist, just summing up the story and giving it a fitting end!
This is such a matured write up. I am feeling a bit sad for Tara though. But am happy how she showed strength. Kudos to author Anshu for this amazing novella.
Thanks so much Balaka! It feels so good to receive these words of appreciation, especially when they are coming from you, an absolute brilliant writer. I wanted Tara to do something meaningful now with her life rather than wasting it away pining on lost love! 🙂
I haven’t read the previous chapters but this one sounded interesting! Wondering what happens in the last chapter!
Thanks Reema for appreciating the post! Do read the earlier posts too whenever you get time, you will be able to connect the dots better then. Start with the first chapter – https://firsttimemommy.net/2018/04/01/a-girl-was-born/
So glad everything seems to be working out, but I’m looking forward to the closing chapter. Well done on keeping up the pace! Nearly done! 2nd last letter of the alphabet in the 2018 A to Z Blogging Challenge. Y is for Yes!
Thanks Shirley! I am glad you liked the story so far. Do come for the concluding chapter as well, I hope it will do justice to the novella.
This has turned really good Anshu, thank goodness as this is the only practical solution. Living with no love would have been punishing each other. Want to read the final one soon.
Thanks Dipika for the love! Yes, I think it is a more practical step. 🙂
Thanks Meena! He is a good person, he deserves to be happy and loved!
Tara is selfish, a little bit, but the last act was both for her and Nikhil’s happiness. Himanshu is out of the picture for good, I promise.
Wow! Loved how Tara has evolved as a person. Will quickly hop on to the last one.
Yes, she has got perspective now.
Cant agree Tia more…so true that Tara is a star!
More power to you dear for crafting such a tale. I am so hooked that cant wait to read the last episode.
Thanks Anagha for your kind words, they mean a lot! I am actually happy that you loved my Tara in spite of all her shortcomings.