The Invincible Moonsheen – Part-46 (Telugu Original “Venutiragani Vennela” by Dr K.Geeta)

The Invincible Moonsheen

Part – 46

(Telugu Original “Venutiragani Vennela” by Dr K.Geeta)

English Translation: V.Vijaya Kumar

(The previous story briefed)

Sameera comes to meet her mother’s friend, Udayini, who runs a women’s aid organization “Sahaya” in America. Sameera gets a good impression of Udayini. Four months pregnant, Sameera tells her that she wants to get a divorce and the circumstances are conducive to it. Udayini asks her to listen to the story of “Tanmayi” and pursue her to make her own decision after listening to the story. Tanmayi and Shekhar, who met at a wedding ceremony, go to marry with the permission of their elders. After the marriage they started their new life in Visakhapatnam. A boy was born to the couple in a year of their marriage. Tanmay engages in her studies deeply and enjoys the friendship with her colleagues forgetting all about her household disturbances. Her parents came to stay with her for a month while Shekhar is away on his long-term camp.

***

The day after returning from Visakhapatnam, Prabhu’s words — “I am coming Sunday” — kept ringing in her ears. What did he really know about her? He had studied with her during childhood. After all these years, he had suddenly come and was watching her life as she lived alone. He had never tried to ask what had really happened to her or why she had to live by herself. And it was also true that she had never tried to understand whether his silence was indifference or respect. But she didn’t want to think about what he might be assuming.

When Prabhu arrived, Tanmayi asked him directly.

“Do you want to know anything?” she asked.

“Know what?” he asked in return.

“About my past…” she began, but he stopped her midway.

“I don’t need to know,” he said.

“Are you interested in knowing or not?” she pressed.

“I said — no need,” he replied firmly.

“But I need to tell you something. If you knew how much I’ve suffered, you wouldn’t chase me. My heart is only now beginning to heal. I’m not ready for anything.”

She realised she had addressed him in the singular and corrected herself politely.

“No… you can call me in the singular,” he said sternly.

She glanced at him with affection and immediately turned away.

As if he understood, he said softly, “If you want to tell me, tell me. Maybe it will ease your pain.” He leaned against the opposite wall and listened quietly as she narrated every chapter of her life.

“…And this is how my life has come to this point,” Tanmayi concluded.

“Well done, Tanu! While listening to your story, only one thing came to my mind — your courage. You spoke without shedding a single tear. I truly admire your strength,” he said. After a brief pause, he took a deep breath and added firmly, “Let’s get married, Tanu.”

Tanmayi was shocked.

The word marriage itself was a bitter memory for her. Sadness suddenly overwhelmed her.

“Oh… did I make you feel sad?” he asked, stepping closer.

“No, Prabhu… go away from me,” she said, walking away with tears in her eyes.

“Why should I go?” he asked stubbornly.

She had no answer.

“Because I haven’t recovered yet. I don’t know when I will. I don’t want your life to be ruined by living with me. You want to marry me out of pity after hearing my story. And our families will never accept this. I am tired of constant fights. I can’t go through all that again. Please leave now,” she said, raising her hands helplessly.

“Do you think I’m saying this only out of emotion? Do you want me to prove it?” he asked firmly.

“But you’re thinking only about me. What about the child?” she asked sharply.

“The child is part of you. So he is equally important to me,” he replied.

“No… you are deciding out of sympathy,” she insisted.

“Maybe that’s how you feel now. Tell me what you want me to do,” he said quietly.

“Let’s see if you still feel the same after a year,” she said slowly.

There was a long silence between them.

“Okay… I’ll go. I’ll come back after a year — for you,” he said and stood up.

As he was about to leave, she stopped at the door and said, staring into emptiness, “One more thing… don’t come here during this whole year.”

As soon as he left, she collapsed behind the closed door and cried, “Oh, Prabhu!”

Only then did she realise that a feeling of love had begun to grow within her. She fell helplessly to the ground, sobbing.

About an hour later, Babu, who had been playing outside, ran in shouting, “Mom!”

***

That evening, with a heavy headache, she took a tablet and fell asleep quickly. As she slept, the morning conversation replayed in her mind. After a life filled with fears and shattered dreams, she still didn’t know whom to trust. A strange fear held her back from taking any step forward.

Was there any love in this world without deception? Even though her heart believed that Prabhu was sincere, the thought — “What if I’m wrong?” — stopped her. Everything she had told him was true. Even after two years of separation from Shekhar, her mind had not healed. Every face reminded her of the past. Anger and pain still lived within her.

Shekhar, whom she once trusted as a friend, and Karuna, who had tried to make her a second wife — all of it still haunted her. Just two days ago, Shekhar had appeared on the train, reopening old wounds. His insults still echoed in her mind. Now Prabhu wanted to share his life with her — but did he know the difficulties ahead? It would be his first marriage and her second. Society would never let them forget that.

Maybe Prabhu was acting out of emotion after hearing her story. What if that emotion faded after marriage? Their families were different in every way — finances, background, religion, and circumstances. It was not enough if only the two of them agreed. So many realities had to be faced.

It was better not to dream about what seemed impossible.

She lived such a lonely life. No one had ever truly stood beside her. All night she turned restlessly in her sleep.

***

As she was leaving for college, Tayiba greeted her at the doorstep.

“What happened, madam? Is everything okay?”

Tanmayi nodded with a faint smile.

“Last night I heard someone crying from your room. I wanted to come inside but didn’t… Hope you’re alright, madam.”

“It’s nothing, Tayiba,” she replied.

“Madam! The mechanic boy came twice during the holidays about the two-wheeler. Shall he sell it to someone else or will you take it?”

Tanmayi sighed. Whenever she saw other children riding bikes, Babu would look at them with longing eyes.

Her only goal was to raise her child happily. She had enough chit money at that moment, so she decided not to delay. After college she went to the bank, withdrew money, and by evening the scooter arrived at her home. It was the first big purchase of her life. She felt immense joy touching it and wiping the dust.

When the school bus stopped, Babu ran inside.

“Is it ours, mother? Is it ours?” he asked excitedly.

Seeing her son’s happiness filled her heart.

She washed up, changed her clothes, and said, “Come, I’ll buy you ice cream.”

***

The next day during a break, the maths lecturer asked, “Madam, are you interested in invigilation duty at the degree college?”

Tanmayi looked confused.

“The Open University exams are going on. The principal said anyone available on Sunday can attend. They pay invigilation charges,” he explained.

“Give my name, sir… but my child…” she hesitated.

“Can’t your husband manage for one day?” he asked casually.

Before she could answer, Tayiba, standing near the door, said, “I’ll take care of the baby.”

Tanmayi felt uncomfortable. “I’m alone… I’m a divorcee, sir,” she said seriously.

“Oh… sorry, madam. I didn’t know. What happened?” he asked curiously.

The question irritated her. It was not a short story — it was a painful one.

“I’ll tell you later, sir,” she said and left.

Wherever she went, the world never allowed her to live quietly.

Outside the college, sunflower fields stretched across the land. A cornfield lay on one side, custard apple trees scattered on the other. Some students walked behind her.

Turning back, she asked, “Don’t you have classes?”

“No, madam. Our economics lecturer didn’t come today.”

“Then why are you following me?”

“We just want to accompany you, madam… the fields are thick and miscreants roam around. You’re walking alone…”

Her eyes filled with tears. How much care these children had for her! Though she was strict with them in class, they still showed affection.

“If that’s the case, walk beside me,” she said gently.

They began talking freely. Most of them came from poor families — torn clothes, worn-out slippers, no proper shoes. Listening to them reminded her of her own youth.

“Why do you come late every day?” she asked.

“We have to fetch water early in the morning, madam,” one boy replied.

“We can’t afford bus fare, so we walk six miles,” another added.

“Sometimes we leave home without food… we drink tea and eat only after returning,” said another.

Hearing this broke her heart.

One boy handed her a stick. “Keep this when you walk alone, madam. It will protect you from miscreants and animals.”

She laughed and thanked him.

That evening she met Principal Yadagiri.

“Sir, we must start a midday meal program for these students,” she said.

“Yes, madam… but they must stay till evening. Let’s discuss it in a staff meeting,” he replied.

“Let’s seek help from local businessmen. We can also start evening study hours. I will donate two percent of my salary every month for meritorious students,” she said.

“And on August 15th, instead of sweets, let’s give slippers to children who can’t afford them.”

The principal was deeply moved. “In all my years of service, I’ve never met someone like you, madam. Let’s do it,” he said with admiration.

*****

(Continued next month)