After that discussion, it was decided that they would separate for one year. Children would go to school hostel.
Next month, Priya was flying to Delhi, and she pretended to be happy and free. She reached her father’s house and informed them that she was going to complete her studies.

“What happened, Priya? Has something gone wrong between the two of you?” said her elder brother.

“No, we are experimenting.”

“Staying away from your husband?”

“Yes!”

“You are mad!” said her brother with clear signs of worry over his face.

Next morning, she decided to meet her former friends. They did meet her but their faces said one thing very eloquently that they were not happy to see her. Priya found that her independence was really hurting the image of her parents in the society. People were talking. Some said that she had left her husband, and others said that it was her mistake because Raman was a thorough gentleman. Even her relatives were not exception.

“I want to take a separate flat, father,” said Priya to her father one evening.

“Why?”

“I don’t want my presence here should bring you disrespect,” said Priya very thoughtfully.

“This is India, my dear. When a daughter leaves her father’s house as a bride, she tells them goodbye forever. Raman was your choice and we respected your choice. Why you came back is only known to you, but, my daughter, I feel that it is your whims which have brought you to all this,” said her father in a very thoughtful manner.

She tried to look for the crowd of friends around her as she used to see when she was single but now the mother of two children was all alone. She met people but except for changing formalities, they did not show much interest in her. She went to her best friend’s house and found that she was happily married. She was helping her husband in his business.

She stayed in Delhi for about two months but was unable to find all that she had been looking for. She had written a few short stories and approached some publishers but they threw the stories in their trash basket.

She realized that the leaf without tree was so helpless. Even a slight change in wind could take it anywhere, and any passerby could crush it under his feet. She was incomplete.

Next morning she was flying back to Mauritius, to her tree, to her garden, with a resolution that she would make her garden more beautiful.

And it did happen! Once back there, her husband welcomed her with open arms. Their children came back from their hostel and a new happiness spread in the entire house.

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