How does a woman on the wrong side of sixties supposed to live after her soulmate departs suddenly? How is she supposed to deal with living alone day after day in the house she shared with her life companion of nearly forty years? What's expected of her? How does the society perceive her?
Shouldn't she be seen wrapped up in mourning ensemble, moping in a corner, waiting for the dooms day to join her beloved ? It seems some "well wishers" would like that very much as that would be the validation of her love and devotion to her beloved. How can she not shed tears and hide her devastated state of mind and not sink into a fathomless pit of loneliness and deprivation ?
Wouldn't doing the opposite make her being unfaithful to the dear departed ?
While ensconced in their happy, normal family life they just sit there and judge. They don't see the effort to combat the day to day pain, the will power to rise above the constant strain of loss and grief and show a brave face to the world. So that the people dont get the vicarious pleasure of doling out sympathy and advice, subconsciously relishing her suffering.
For them, if she makes the herculean effort to live for her self and/or her progeny trying her best not to deprive them of another parent and or showcases/shares the small delights she shares with them or with family, is bordering on blasphemy!
After all she's an indian middle class wi....w.
(Can't even bring myself to use the word).
The only consolation is that such "well-wishers" form a miniscule minority!!
