shaped her into what she was. Her eyes filled with tears. Full story in caption It was 2 AM at night when Usha tiptoed out of the front door. She reached the end of the lane and turned to take the one last look at the house that shaped her into what she was. Her eyes filled with tears. Unfortunately she was left with no option but to leave. Usha was in love with Rajesh since 3 years. He reciprocated her love and they wanted to get married, but her parents were opposed to their wedlock as he was from a different caste. They were arranging her marriage with someone from her caste. Her repeated refusals fell on deaf ears. She wasn't even allowed to step out anywhere without being accompanied. Hence, she wrote a letter to her parents " Dearest mom and dad, I love you both a lot, but I can't imagine getting married to anyone but Rajesh. Please forgive me. I am going away with him. I will come to seek your blessings once we get married which is very soon. Please forgive me once more. I hate what I am doing but you left me with no choice. Love you both." She waited for everyone to sleep and slipped out at 2 after leaving the letter on her bed. Rajesh was supposed to meet her at the end of the road. She waited in the corner beside a tree. There was no sign of him. She tried calling his number. It was switched off. Maybe his battery was low. After all he had confirmed the plan at 9PM by text. She decided to wait a little longer though it was scary to be there at that time of the night. It was nearing 2.30. Doubts started creeping. Did he actually get cold feet and ditch her? Or did he meet with an accident or something? But she could no longer wait here alone at this unearthly hour. It was too dangerous. She tiptoed back home and tore up her letter. She tried calling him the whole night. But his mobile was switched off. She waited until morning and called his close friend Ramesh to find out if he knew what happened to Rajesh. He too wasn't aware and said he would find out and let her know. She kept waiting for some information about him. Suddenly her phone rang around 5 PM. It was Ramesh. He asked me to forget Rajesh. I asked him " Why? What happened?" He said " His parents came at 9.30 PM by car and emotionally blackmailed him of taking their life if he didn't come with them immediately to their native. By now, he must be engaged to his relative." Usha was speechless with shock and glad she was not married to such a gutless fellow.
