The much awaited wedding ended on a high note. People who mattered showed up and showered their best of blessings on the Dogras. Rati and Mayank Dogra were more than happy with the chain of events. It was a simple wedding with loads of warmth and genuine love. Their parents seemed to have blessed them from heaven above. Closest of friends had turned up and made it a memorable one. Rati Dogra, 39 years of age, smart and ambitious, was looking forward to conjugal bliss as officially 10 years of courtship had finally come to an end. It was a magical feeling. Mayank, 48-year-old, was a handsome man with a romantic streak. Money was important yes but Rati completed him. 

Losing parents early in life invoked a sense of responsibility. Both were introverts but something clicked when Rati and Mayank had come face to face for an interview. Mayank was the interviewer and Rati was at her best and had floored him to clinch the job by her sheer wit and confidence. Mayank owned a store that dealt in interior decor and the works. For the store website he needed a programmer to get the desired results. It was a company of repute and he wanted a facelift. With her knowledge and expertise Rati in no time made inroads in his heart too. Secret meetups happened after office hours and years kept rolling. A decade to their romance had added the much needed zing. 

‘Now as we are married, dear husband, we should take it slow. The past decade is close to heart indeed but a little me time is the need of the hour. So where do you think we should go for our honeymoon?’ asked Rati. 

‘I am so sorry Rati, we have to plan it now. Normally couples do it before the wedding but as a new store had to be launched it took much of our time. I appreciate your sacrifice and in debt for life for not being demanding. I am so lucky to have found such a patient soul in you,’  Mayank shared with pride. 

‘Oh don’t spoil me by making me hear all this Mayank. The way you make me feel I guess I just flowed and here we are. Love, hush, you still haven’t answered my question. Where do you want to go with me to create more memories?’, impatiently Rati put the question across again. 

Mayank smiled and held Rati close. He lovingly whispered in Rati’s ear, ‘Paris, let’s color it with our love. Guess it would be just perfect, don’t you think? questioned Mayank. 

‘Oh Love, you just said what I was thinking too. Guess it would be the ultimate destination for our honeymoon. I just can’t believe you said it. Yes, let’s make it happen,’ added Rati and hugged Mayank. 

‘Now as we have decided, please look into the matter and let me know the dates. I guess a fortnight from now we can make it, right? beamed Mayank.

‘On point, a fortnight, yes it is away,’ Rati concluded with finality. 

A lot had to be planned. Hotels and tickets had to be booked. Shopping for the same was due and there was hardly any time. The store was full of new stuff and round the clock work occupied the couple most of the time. While working they had those unexpected glances and touches that used to fuel the desire to get close once they reached home. Showering together and then making out refreshed them completely. Feeding each other was a favourite and life was beautiful. They had eyes only for each other when they dined out and became the envy of many. The transition from living alone to living with Mayank was effortless. It was a bungalow and Rati knew it like the back of her hand. 

A decade is not a short time to understand the nuances and needs of a bungalow. During courtship many times Rati had stayed over. The servants of the house were well acquainted with her temperament and mannerisms. To them she always came across as a warm carefree woman who loved Mayank dearly. The gifts for the wedding had started pouring in early and the couple had decided to open them all some day. Clients, well wishers, friends and relatives poured their love through gifts once they learnt that the wedding would be a simple affair with a few people who are very close to the couple. 

On a lazy quiet Sunday, three weeks after the wedding, on Election Day, after voting Rati and Mayank headed home. The store was closed and it was a good opportunity to just be with each other without thinking about work. Servants were on leave too. It was just the two of them arm in arm lying in bed and feeling the goodness of life in their veins.  It was hot indeed but the air-conditioned room had set the mood for a slow day. After a brief afternoon nap, Rati insisted on opening the gifts that were sitting pretty in the room adjacent to their huge bedroom. It was a good time to know who gave what as the arrangements for the honeymoon she had gotten over with before the nap too. 

‘As you wish, my love, let’s do it’, Mayank smiled and held Rati’s hand and walked to the room. 

‘We are leaving for Paris the day after tomorrow, in this way we would know what to buy and not to buy’, Rati said. 

With a lot of care the lovebirds started opening the gifts. It turned out to be a fine collection of idols of Gods, pottery, vases, showpieces, clocks, bedsheets, jewellery, glassware, kitchen equipment, paintings, clothes and lamps. Some were predictable and some were pure surprises. The Dogras were loved; it was not hard to guess. Among the gifts there was a red velvet box wrapped with a black satin lace with a note ‘With love’. It looked different from the very start and both had thought of opening it in the end. Love defined them and it was a handwritten note written in red color in very artistic handwriting. The handwriting was not at all familiar though. 

The couple chose to unwrap that red velvet box together on instinct. They gently opened the black satin lace and opened the red box. To their surprise it was a bamboo plant that signifies strength, stability, good fortune, happy life and growth. Both smiled and opened the note which was sitting next to it. To utter shock their smiles disappeared as they continued reading the note that read:

‘Rati and Mayank, I so prayed that you get married and I can give you this which has been specially made for you. It is not to double your joy but to deprive you of it. You were hated from the very first time you came to the restaurant for your first meal. Love is good but not good when it blinds you so much that you don’t realize the damage it may cause as you were so lost into each other even when dining out. You failed to see that someone else wants to reserve the table which had your heart every time. You don’t own it as it was the favourite of many. In spite of repeated requests you both did not pay any heed to it. I lost customers who were friends. You should have not opened the gift as it had black magic. Even if you throw it away you are cursed for the rest of your lives.’ said the owner of their favourite hangout, Mr. Pratap Gupta. 

Within minutes, after reading the note, their hands and fingers started trembling. The note ‘With Love’ turned into an ominous dark grey, the skin of their body was ashen and they could feel the stiffening of their veins. Both felt weak and their hair had grey streaks. A newly married couple looked haggard and dull. The love was replaced by horror. Nothing was making sense. It was all very sudden. A pungent smell emanated from the bamboo plant and they felt it was the beginning of their doom.