LOVE UNCONDITIONED

It was love at first sight.

The first time we saw each other, we just couldn't keep our eyes off one another as we

tried to take in as much as we could, and as he smiled that innocent smile of his, all I

could manage to mumble were those beautiful words, "I love you".

But today was different. He was getting married.

As everyone else was showering flowers, for the first time in my life I was afraid of

saying those very words to him.

Tears rolled down my eyes as I remembered the days when I would be the first person

to get news of the exact no. of runs made by him or how he scored that all important

goal to win the football match. And when he got his first bike, it was me who had the

honour to be the first to go on a ride with him. I was the only woman in his life.

But my envious heart was betraying me as I saw him glancing furtively at the girl sitting

next to him who would soon be known as his wife.

From being the priority in his life I had become only an option now.

"Oh! How lucky she is!"

I saw him making the seven promises around the sacrosanct fire and exchanging vows;

he was more handsome than ever.

Finally it was over. Whatever little hopes my heart had harboured were dashed.

As they both came forward to touch my feet, I blessed them. And my son said, "Ma! I

love you"

As I hugged him, all I could manage to mumble were those beautiful words, "I love you

too".

~ Rudra

Batch of 2007