The Taj, for Sangeeta, could never be a symbol of love.

“Will you marry me?”

Vinita heard David's voice behind her as she stared mesmerized at the stunning symmetry and exquisite overlay work of the Taj Mahal. 

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She turned around to find David on his knees, holding the biggest diamond she'd seen, set in gold, a delicate peacock design, her favourite.  

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Sangeeta’s orange dress heightened the blush on her surprised but happy face. It was the ultimate proposal, the pièce de résistance of love and romance, something Vinita had always wanted. 

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Vinita was rooted to the spot; her heart threatening to stop and end her life. Her face was like stone, expressionless, yet hiding a million confusing emotions inside of her. 

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There was a little argument last week. Something she couldn't even remember the reason for. 

In an impulsive moment, Vinita had said, “I think we should take a break!” David had wordlessly turned around and left. 

She didn't realize the enormity of that moment until now, when he had proposed to Sangeeta, and that too before their entire college gang, at a seemingly innocuous picnic party, which she had naively believed was for her benefit, to make up for the fight. 

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They were childhood sweethearts, goddammit! An impulsive spat, and he ends it forever? It was beyond forgivable!

When her thoughts cleared and she came to her senses, Vinita abruptly left the cheers for David and Sangeeta creating a deadly tinnitus in her ears. 

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The beauty and romance of the Taj Mahal congealed in her heart. 

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***

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Her husband couldn't understand her aversion to the Taj. How could he? She had never told him. They never visited the Taj in their 25 years of marriage. She always found a reason not to. He wanted to undo that wrong. 

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He booked a 2-day stay at a luxury resort overlooking the grand, imposing symbol of love. He told her he was taking her to Mathura, the birthplace of Lord Krishna.

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She didn't realise the destination of their second honeymoon until the car turned onto the road to Agra, just a few miles before Mathura.  

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At the first glimpse of the wondrous structure, she almost threw up. It brought forth horrendous memories, memories that had seared her heart and soul.

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The memory of David on his knees, popping the question to her. The memory of her heart lurching in joy, wondering how he knew that she secretly loved him. The memory of how she never exposed her love for David because she knew his heart belonged elsewhere. 

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The memory of her yes being rudely cut short in her throat when he suddenly got up and ran behind Vinita, even as their collegemates cheered. The memory of David stopping Vinita from going away. The memory of David telling Vinita it was all a prank and that he could never think of a life without her. 

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The ring was for her, he had said to Vinita. Vinita’s blush of happiness on her tear-filled face filled Sangeeta’s heart with a strange sense of anxiety, shame, and embarrassment. 

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The memory of David giving her an impish wink over Vinita’s hug mouthing a silent thank you. The memory of his explanation for not including her in the planning of the prank. Vinita would never have believed it if the surprise was not genuine, he had told her, later.

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The memory of bitter, unexpected, shameful betrayal that she hid in her heart for over 25 years. The memory of her utter naivety! The Taj, for Sangeeta, could never be a symbol of love.