Bina was a chirpy young girl of 25 when I first met her in Mumbai, India. She was full of fun and a cheerful person to have around. She had a boyfriend named Vivan. They met during their post-graduation years and were together since. They were the most down-to-earth and “real” people I ever met. Very soon, Bina and Vivan got married and moved to USA within a year. They were blessed with a baby girl a year after. They were leading a happy life with their child and soon had another daughter to complete the family.
When the younger daughter was about 5, they went for a holiday to the Far East. They had a fantastic vacation and were back home after 3 weeks. On a Monday morning, Vivan was getting ready to go to work and the kids for school when suddenly Bina heard a loud thud. Vivan had collapsed and was out of breath. Bina rushed to him and rubbed his back to make him feel better. It didnt seem to work so she called her neighbouring friends and they rushed him to the hospital. Unfortunately, Vivan was declared dead as soon as he arrived at the hospital. Hell broke loose on Bina. She was totally at a loss. For the sake of the children, she decided to put on a brave face and carried on with his last rites. She could not sleep well for the next six months. She took sleeping pills and cried herself to sleep. Vivan had made his family financially secure, they also owned the home that they lived in and Bina had a job so money was not a problem. The emotional loss was diffcult to cope with but the three of them took baby steps in moving on with the support of friends and well-wishers.
Three years after Vivan passed away, Bina’s friends and parents suggested that she look out for a partner. Bina was unsure about it but listened to their advise anyway. Soon, with the help of common friends, she met a guy called Gary. They hit it off instantly as friends. Gary made Bina feel very comfortable and cared for. They began to meet often and then Bina introduced Gary to her children. The younger one liked Gary instantly but the elder one was indifferent. Bina told her elder daugher that she would not go ahead with Gary if she was not comfortable with it. Her daughter said that she missed her father more when she saw Gary with her mom and so it will take her some more time to accept this change. Bina respected her daughter’s wishes and decided to give her more time. Meanwhile, Gary introduced Bina and her daughters to his folks. They were very warm and welcoming towards Bina and the kids. Bina was slowly making up her mind to be with Gary forever.
But when she told about her thoughts to her parents, they were unhappy with her choice as Gary was not Indian. Bina felt let down as she thought that the only thing that should have mattered now is her happiness and nothing else. She turned to her brother to convince her parents about Gary. It took them a while to accept her choice but Bina’s parents eventually came around.
Gary and Bina soon got married and together with the kids they became a happy family again.
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