April 20, 2025

A sudden darkness and the rumble of thunder jolted Victor awake from his afternoon nap. He had indulged in a deep slumber after enjoying a special Sunday lunch. The betel nuts he had placed outside to dry under the sun needed to be brought in before the impending rain.

His wife, Jilly, coughing from the next room, also alerted him to the approaching storm. In Mangalore sudden thunderstorms were common. The thickening darkness, followed by a heavy downpour—as if the skies had burst open—was a familiar yet daunting sight in the coastal region.

Victor had two children. His elder son, Jeevan, had completed his studies and secured a modest job far from home. His younger daughter, Jacintha, was married, but the joy of that occasion had been short-lived, as her marriage soon fell into turmoil. Because of this, Jilly’s health began to deteriorate.

Victor vividly remembered how he had stood alone in opposition to his daughter's divorce. He had given strict instructions that Jacintha should not return if she chose to leave her husband. Despite numerous attempts by influential members of his parish to persuade him otherwise, he remained firm. In the Catholic faith to which he belonged, divorce was considered taboo. Marriage was a sacred bond, and as a devout follower, Victor refused to accept the changes modern society was embracing. He believed such changes were the work of evil.

Lost in thought, Victor drifted into a flashback, recounting the events as they had unfolded.

Jacintha’s marriage had been arranged with great difficulty. Victor was determined to find the perfect match for her. The responsibility of matchmaking fell upon Lia’m, a well-known matchmaker in their locality. However, Lia’m often found himself cornered by the ever-inquisitive Meena Bai, the self-proclaimed newspaper of the neighbourhood. She knew every bit of gossip, but what made her even more notorious was her tendency to interfere in others’ affairs. The younger women in the area despised her for it.

One day, Meena Bai cornered Lia’m with her usual curiosity.

“What happened, Lia’m? How far has the matter progressed?” she asked, eager for an update on Jacintha’s wedding.

Lia’m, looking uneasy, hesitated before replying, “Victor is too choosy about the match. I don’t know where I’ll find a groom for her.”

Meena Bai smirked slyly. “A girl of such quality? One who chats so freely with men—even the milkman? Every day, she laughs and talks with him. I wonder what keeps their conversations so interesting!”

“Speak softly! If Victor hears you, he’ll be furious,” Lia’m warned, trying to change the subject. Then, with a mischievous smirk, he teased, “Maybe I should find a match for you too, Meena Bai.”

“Get lost! If my sons hear this, they won’t spare you,” she scoffed. “I never talk about others.” Straightening up, she added, “Why should we concern ourselves with other people’s business? We should focus on our own affairs.”

As always, Meena Bai ended the conversation in her typical self-righteous manner, pretending she was above gossip—though everyone knew otherwise.

After several failed attempts, Victor finally found what he believed to be the perfect match for Jacintha—Arun, a young man from a neighbouring district. He was exceptionally handsome and financially well-off. However, as the saying goes, "too perfect can be a problem," and in Jacintha’s case, Arun’s so-called perfection soon became her greatest challenge.

From the very beginning, Jacintha struggled in her new home. Her in-laws constantly found faults in everything she did. No matter how much effort she put in, she was always wrong in their eyes. The situation worsened whenever Arun’s sister visited with her children. Their conversations always seemed to revolve around blaming Jacintha for one thing or another.

Though such issues were seen in many households, Arun’s reaction made matters unbearable. Instead of supporting his wife when she is right, he sided with his mother and sister. Over time, his behaviour became more aggressive. Whenever his mother or sister complained about Jacintha, Arun would lash out at her, eventually resorting to physical abuse.

Jacintha hurried to her mother’s house, seeking support. Seeing her daughter in such distress, Jilly was heartbroken. However, Victor objected strongly. In his view, no matter the reason, a woman should never leave her husband’s house. He made sure to take Jacintha back to Arun’s home, convincing him that she would not leave again. With a kind but pleading heart, Victor begged his son-in-law to take care of Jacintha and not to raise his hand against her.

Hearing Arun’s apologetic words, Victor believed he had successfully mediated their marital issues. He felt immense satisfaction, thinking he had brought the couple back in line with tradition. He often used their case as an example in casual conversations, reinforcing his belief that marriage was sacred, and that endurance was the only option.

However, Jacintha’s suffering did not end. She tried every means to make her marriage work, but without support from her family, she was trapped in a cycle of mistreatment. The matter soon spread beyond the household, thanks to Meena Bai, the neighbourhood’s self-proclaimed news carrier. Eventually, the news reached Jeevan, who was working far away.

Concerned, Jeevan returned home to look into the situation. When he visited Jacintha at her in-laws' house, he was greeted with exceptional hospitality. Arun’s mother spared no effort in ensuring a grand welcome, and their behaviour seemed flawless. Despite this, Jeevan managed to speak privately with Jacintha. She hesitated to reveal the full extent of her suffering, knowing how much her brother had struggled to fund her wedding.

Being familiar with their father’s strict beliefs, Jeevan knew that Victor saw tradition as supreme—where men were ultimate decision-makers, and women were expected to endure. Jilly, however, tried to convince Victor to reconsider, but he remained unmoved, influenced by people who condemned divorce and remarriage as sins against their belief.

Despite everything, when things became unbearable, Jilly found a way to help Jacintha leave her husband and file for divorce. Unable to go against his wife’s wishes entirely, Victor set a strict condition: Jacintha was not allowed to stay in their house after leaving her husband. She could live wherever she wanted—but not under his roof.

As Jilly neared her final days, she urged Jeevan to bring Jacintha back, handing him a small note with her address.

Jeevan sank into thought, reflecting on how tradition imposed severe restrictions on divorce. He realized that an ill-fated marriage could derail a woman’s future, trapping her in a cycle of abuse with no hope of relief.

He wondered, what if divorce were not allowed at all? What kind of oppression would arise in such a society? A male-dominated world where physical abuse, harassment, and inequality were accepted, while women were treated as mere objects of duty.

His perspective on marriage and divorce had shifted. With this newfound understanding, he rose to his feet and set out for the place his mother had asked him to go.

He discovered that Jacintha was living in a school run by a seminary. When she finally met her mother, their conversation was brief. A few days later, Jilly passed away in her sleep. Heartbroken, Jacintha stayed until all the final rites were completed. Afterward, she returned to her place of work. However, her visits to the family home became more frequent, and over time, her bond with the household was restored.

With the past behind them, Jacintha now wanted her brother to settle down. She urged Jeevan to marry, but despite several attempts, he struggled to find the right match. Years of working far from home had aged him beyond his years. He had spent most of his time and resources on Jacintha’s wedding, leaving little for himself. His age and appearance—especially his baldness—became a concern in matchmaking.

Once again, the responsibility of finding a bride fell on Lia’m. As expected, the news quickly reached Meena Bai.

“What kind of girl will he get?” she scoffed. “First of all, he looks old. On top of that, his sister left her husband! No decent family will accept such a match.”

Lia’m, as usual, tried to divert her. “Lower your voice, Meena Bai! And by the way, these days, young people find their matches on mobile apps. Hardly anyone comes to me anymore. That’s why I’ve taken up insurance brokerage. Maybe I should sell you a policy—who knows what tomorrow brings?”

Enraged, Meena Bai snapped, “Are you waiting for me to die? You think I need insurance for that? If my sons hear this, they will tear you apart! I mind my own business. Why should we interfere in other people’s matters?”

As always, she ended with her signature self-righteous remark, pretending to be above gossip.

Despite their efforts, finding a bride for Jeevan proved difficult. Age was a factor, but so was his insistence on marrying an unmarried girl. However, reality had changed—more educated and empowered women were now making their own choices. Jeevan came to realize this as he accompanied Lia’m on his matchmaking attempts.

“Girls have become smarter, Jeevan. They want more freedom, a house in the heart of the city, and all the luxuries. These days, families have only one or two children. Governments even encourage women’s education. They don’t want boys from joint families anymore. Traditions have changed, Jeevan. The male dominance of the past has completely shifted — women have gained their freedom.”

Hearing Lia’m’s words, Jeevan decided to try his luck online. He created a profile on a matrimony site and sent out as many requests as possible. But to his disappointment, very few responded.

This continued until one day, after finishing his routine work, he checked his phone and saw that Profile- A425 had accepted his request. Excited, he quickly looked through her profile and sent her a simple Hi. To his surprise, she responded almost immediately.

Jeevan bombarded her with questions, but her replies were short and vague. Finally, she said, “We can discuss everything when we meet.”

A meeting was arranged, and on the day Jeevan was about to leave, he overheard a conversation between a well-respected elder leader and Meena Bai.

“Divorces are increasing, Meena Bai,” the elder said. “People should be careful. It is a sin to break a marriage, and it’s a sin to marry after divorce—our beliefs don’t allow it.”

“What are you saying, sir? Nowadays, men and women change partners for silly reasons. Marriage isn’t as serious as before. Of course, it’s a sin when people separate for trivial matters. But how can we accept those who do so? This generation’s evil is active, sir. No genuineness!” Meena Bai replied.

Jeevan greeted them and moved on.

When he met A425(Her profile Number), he observed her carefully—she had an average appearance, she was calm and respectful. Her communication seemed mature, and the conversation started casually. They ordered coffee, and he finally asked for her name.

“Lilly,” she said. Then, after a brief hesitation, she added, “I want to apologize. I know you thought I was single, but I’m actually married. I fell into the wrong relationship.”

She then posed a question: “What should a woman do if she faces difficulties in her husband’s home, in a bad marriage?”

Emotion surged through Jeevan. He spoke passionately about women’s rights, advising that women should never ignore abuse. He urged them to contact helplines, file complaints, and take legal action. He shared everything he had learned from Jacintha’s suffering.

Lilly’s eyes lit up with a spark of realization. “That’s exactly what’s happening in my life,” she admitted. “I need to complete my divorce, but I haven’t told anyone yet. I will proceed soon, but I need to keep it a secret for now.”

She pressed Jeevan’s hand in hers before leaving. Was that an assurance? Jeevan felt hopeful.

Days passed, and Jeevan remained unsure about Lilly. So many matches had ignored him—maybe this one would too. She seemed perfect, but she was still legally married. His thoughts were clouded by his upbringing, deep-rooted cultural values, and the shift in his perspective after witnessing Jacintha’s ordeal. The words of the elder and Meena Bai’s remarks about sin echoed in his mind, pulling him back to his old beliefs.

He pondered, does society truly uphold these traditions? Those who preach about righteousness—do they practice what they preach? How easy it is for the wealthy to uphold religious values by donating a small part of their wealth, while the poor are judged and seen as cursed…

At that moment, Jacintha arrived on leave from her workplace. She was vibrant and cheerful, just like in her younger days. She moved around the house, singing and chatting, and placed a cup of coffee in Jeevan’s hands.

“You know what?” she said. “After our divorce, Arun remarried. Since he looks younger and has enough wealth, he found a bride easily—by hiding his past. But his new wife suffered the same fate as me. Recently, she met someone who encouraged her to fight back. She filed a complaint, and the police arrested Arun for harassment and dowry abuse. His parents were also jailed. She’s determined to get a divorce now.”

Jacintha paused, then added with a smile, “She called me recently. She told me everything herself. And you know what? Her name is Lilly.”

Jeevan, already deep in thought, was now completely conflicted. One side was tradition; the other was modernity. Which path was right?

Had Lilly taught Arun the lesson Jeevan had always wanted to teach him? Was karma at play? Would people say that he had taken another man’s wife? The noble elder and Meena Bai would certainly gossip about this for generations.

At that moment, Jeevan’s phone rang. On the other end was Lilly.

"Hello, Jeevan. Thank you so much for your guidance. Honestly, I really liked you—I was so impressed that day. You gave me strength. But in the process… Arun and his entire family have apologized. Thanks to the police and legal action, they’ve realized their mistake. I’ve decided to give him another chance. I hope you understand.”

Before Jeevan could respond, the line went dead.

He stared at his phone—left with more questions than answers.