A young man, who had married his childhood friend only four months ago, died of burn injuries from the Theni forest fire on Monday. His wife is battling for life at the Government Rajaji Hospital in Madurai after sustaining third degree burns.

Vivek and Divya were preparing to fly out to Dubai to start a new life. The couple had come on a pleasure trekking trip to Kurangani forest in Theni district.

Divya’s aunt, Amuthavalli was seen crying outside the special ward at the GRH enquiring about her niece. There are two other fire victims by the name Divya.

“It was me who arranged her marriage with Vivek after her mother rejected the inter-caste marriage proposal. She came to me pleading to help her to hold the hand of her childhood friend,” Ms. Amuthavalli said.

“Vivek had preserved with him a photograph of Divya taken in their school days, probably in second standard. Divya was very close to me and Vivek was also a nice boy. I took it upon myself and solemnised the marriage against my sister’s wish,” Ms. Amuthavalli said.

Divya was teaching in an engineering college in Gobichettipaalayam and Vivek was an engineer in Dubai.

“When he returned home on March 2 after more than 100 days, she had decorated the house with several of their photographs to welcome him. Divya wanted to go on a tour to Indonesia. It was Vivek who suggested for a domestic tour before leaving for Dubai by March-end,” she said.

Divya’s mother and brother have now come to meet her at the hospital. Her family is back with her. But, her husband is no more.