The Toss of Fate

"Common Rani..catch me if you can..."...Raji kept running through the green pastures by the river. Rani ran as fast as she could- she had the wind in her legs :)

Raji and Rani were the best of friends. Best of friends ever since they had known their own identities. Social status, family situations or the joys and sorrows failed to touch them- their hearts were bound together. More than sisters probably.

Raji's father owned all the villages nearby, and Rani's father served him in his administration.

It was the time in history when industrialization had just begun, and the world was turning upside trying to adjust to the wars, the poverty, and the excitement of the various scientific inventions. The struggle for power and political stability was widespread and seemed to affect the man on the street in every part of the world.

Among all this turmoil, the girls and their friendship remained removed from this time and era.

Panting, they fell to the ground laughing. "Raji, this is not fair. You are too fast for me" complained Rani making a face. "I'am sorry - okay I won't win the next game. Now are you happy? Smile now" said Raji. The sun shone in her golden hair and enhanced her beauty even further. Rani was very simple but very pretty nonetheless.

Just then, they heard a rustle behind the trees, and before they could be up on their feet, were greeted by Sohan. He came out of the clump of trees and immediately stopped in tracks. He muttered an apology and was about to turn - Raji called after him "It's okay Sohan, it is just us. Please join us here". Sohan came by and sat at the edge of the river. The conversation was mellow in the beginning, but they were bonded better by the end of that hour. They split the lunch they had bought with them, and had the greatest time together laughing and joking about everyone around them and the silliest of the things! What a threesome they made :)

Sohan was the new gardener, and took care of the fruit groves. He was tall with very sharp features. Very aristocratic and good looking in his own way, had a royal way of carrying himself. All the girls in the vicinity surely took a second look at him when he passed.

Days rolled by and the time the three spent together increased. But, they had to be careful that the guards did not see them together. If they were caught with a gardener, Raji's dad would slay them on sight. The name and the honor of the aristocratic family mattered more than anything else to him. But, every clandestine meeting was full of fun and frolic yielding the best of times for the three.

That winter, Rani was away visiting her grand parents in another village. As per their routine,Raji and Sohan continued to meet. They met a few times in her absence. What seemed to change now was that there seemed to be a new meaning to their friendship everytime they were together. Raji was complete, confident and self-sufficient in every way. Sohan was reliable, strong and easy going. But, what he may have lacked was knowing what he really wanted in anything he did - Raji more than made up for his weakness.

There was nothing really said - no flowery language, no false promises. But in their hearts they knew that there was something special between them. All they did day after day was to watch the sunset together.

Seasons changed, Rani came back and things were back to normal. The usual running about, the tantrums, and chasing the sheep :)

Raji and Rani were sitting by the fountain one late evening, and Rani suddenly asked -"Raji, do you like Sohan?". Raji simply nodded. They never talked about it again.

They spent their lives together without a care for the world - happiness both self-created and bestowed by fate. Raji was raised by a step mother who hated her to the very core. And Raji on her part did everything she could to pick up every shred of happiness she could lay her hands on ! It was not worth being sad or upset about anything in this lifetime - happiness in every form is to be cherished and celebrated was her philosophy.

On a late Winter evening, when the cattle were returning home with the sun setting in their background, Rani came to Raji and just held her for a brief moment. Raji said "Hey, what is the matter with you - you even have a wonderful mother who loves you. Why are you sad?" She laughed at her own joke. Rani was silent and quietly said "Sohan's father and my father met this morning at the temple. They want us to get married in the summer"

Raji did not move for a split second, then she said "so, why does that have to make you sad - my doll? Can you first smile please?" Rani looked at her perplexed. The she said "Are you okay Raji? You are the one who likes him. How can I take away something that belongs to you?" Raji laughed.

The two friends just sat there crest fallen. They had a problem and no solution. Any solution they came up with would hurt one of them. After what seemed like ages, Raji couldn't take the silence any longer. She suddenly chirped up and said, "how about we toss a coin and decide who gets married to him!" What? Decide your life with a toss? Raji has surely gone crazy with her pain thought Rani.

The got out a gold coin and Raji said "Heads you marry Sohan, Tails I marry him". Before Rani could say anything, the coin was tossed high up in the air - and seconds later started it's descent back into Raji's hand. Rani shut her eyes with fear - fear of facing the moment of truth. Slowly Raji opened her palm - Heads ! Heads it was, and the decision made. For the briefest moment there was a shade of something that passed in Raji's eyes - gone the next second. No one could tell what the feeling was or if there had been anyt emotion there at all.

Rani sobbed and said "I'am sorry Raji. Please do not be angry that I'am taking something that is truly yours". "Sorry for what Rani? How can you take away something from me that never was mine anyway. Fate has a very interesting sense of humor- always. Spices up our lives just when you begin to get bored".

And she thought to herself - you always let go of things that were most precious to you! That was the joy of giving anyway !

Sometimes decisions made on a split second are the most painless. The more time we have to debate on the rights and the wrongs, often enough we humans in our greed to obtain and posses the best of everything, end up making the worst mistakes of our lives. Grab what comes your way, and think that fate has tossed the best pick at you ...Raji laughed and shouted - "Common Rani, don't waste time standing there. Catch me if you can..." She ran as fast as she could...

What happened after that was a whirl wind of events..

They said she'd give up
They said this was injustice
They said someone would regret it
In the end they were all wrong

Raji moved on in life - But every sunset brought with it a barrage of memories...

Like they say Love happens only once. The rest is compromise.