Aruna stared at Pratap with wide eyes. Had he really said, ‘yes’?

She remembered a similar morning a long time ago. Or had it really been just a few years ago when they had stood at the exact same venue? A morning filled with hope, cheer, excitement – moisture-laden clouds dotting the sky, a cool breeze spreading a paradise-like vibe.

Everything seemed to be the same today too. The morning vibe was the same, the same venue, and even the people were the same. Yet something was different. Or was it just her who felt so.

But then, he had said yes, hadn’t he?

A few years ago, it was she who had said ‘yes’.

Yes – a single, simple word that held the answer to a thousand questions.

How many times during their life together had they answered that one exquisite word to questions they had both put to each other. With each 'yes’ their bond had grown stronger, their friendship deeper and their love for each other only increased.

And yet, now, it had all come crashing down with the same word. A sharp rap of the gavel brought her back to the present.

‘I’m sorry?’ Aruna looked up, her eyes betraying no emotion.

‘Do you agree that you both have given this due thought, and have, after full disclosure of each other's financial statements, mutually agreed division of assets, decided to dissolve this marriage on the basis of irreconcilable differences?’ The judge repeated his question.

‘Yes.’

The gavel banged down with the final judgement. ‘Then I consider this marriage dissolved and declare you divorced.’

A relieved Aruna stepped out of the courtroom and into torrential rain – an exact replay of events and emotions from a few years ago. Only then she had become someone’s wife instead.