Today is my Angel’s engagement ceremony.

***

Oh, how time flies. The tiny infant, swaddled in a polka dot blanket, hardly able to open her eyes had now grown into a beautiful princess. I called her Angel only. As soon as my wife Rita delivered her, she started showing indifference towards the baby. The doctor called it a case of postpartum depression and assured us that it would pass. But with time, her indifference changed into a sort of hatred for the child which was heart wrenching for me. Rita, from the beginning of our wedded life, had shown a melancholic, sad personality.  Understanding the gravity of the situation, I started mothering the child. From feeding her from a bottle to changing her diapers, I took it in my stride. Angel’s toothless smile gave me a feeling of joy that could not be described. I felt my universe around my tiny girl as I wrapped her around me and slept. Slowly, I found myself telling her endless stories which sent out peals of laughter like tinkling of bells….

School brought in a lot of activities and Angel was now part of many clubs. She was debating, orating, singing and also bringing medals for us. Rita’s attitude towards Angel was still sour. People pinned it on the “girl child” mindset which I found very disturbing.

She had got selected in one of the prestigious colleges of Delhi and had got the subject of her choice. Tall and slim, she was getting prettier by the day. Her attachment to me made me worry more. What would I do after she marries? How would I cope up with the empty nest syndrome specially with Rita being a despondent partner.

There was this boy Vikram, whom Angel had got hitched to. Vikram was a very good match for Angel and was well settled.
I was elated for Angel but equally sad as she would be leaving us soon.

***

Musical repertoires, culinary stacks, floral curtains and joyous laughter was echoing throughout the venue. Both the groom and the bride-to-be were in their best outfits.

It was time for the exchange of rings. Suddenly Rita came up to me and told me she forgot to get the ring which was in the almirah locker.

I agreed to go inside to get it.
I opened the locker and put my hand inside to pull the ring box. As I pulled it, an envelope which got entangled came along. It was addressed as Dr. Ritvik which was me! I was surprised as I had not seen any such letter. With a pulsating heart, I tore the envelope open. It was written by Rita 22 years ago.

 It read:
Dear Ritvik,
I do not want to marry you as I am in love with someone else and am pregnant with his child.  My parents are forcing me to marry you….
I felt giddy…a stranger of 23 years… who had nothing to call his own....