ManoharAsija My Dear Sister-in-law 1 My Dear Sister-in-law (A Fiction) By Manohar Asija 2 The kin and other relatives, friends and just acquaintances, who provided twists and turns to my life through their deeds or words, chosen deliberately or caused inadvertently, but virtually helped me `see a better tomorrow` 3 MY DEAR SISTER-IN-LAW A fiction by Manohar Asija Copyright © Manohar Asija 2013 All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the author. This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities, is entirely coincidental. ManoharAsija Author Dated: 1.12 ‘13 E-mail: [email protected] 4 CONTENTS Part 1 Upright Widow Part 2 Dear Sisters-in-law Part 3 Allurement Part 4 My Dear Sister-in-law 5 AUTHOR’S NOTE Manifestation of the truest form of the truth, as per one’s perception, is the desired goal of the artist, author, painter or sculptor, while engaged in his creativity. Whereas the essayist in general is committed to avoid portraying his fancies as actual events, the fiction writer is endowed with the privilege of letting his mental compass to reach any imaginary limits, subject however to the convincing probabilities that his reader may find self comfortable with, while perusing the document for his entertainment. Nevertheless, it is expected of a fiction writer to make available to his reader at least a few actualities also, with a view to enrich the latter’s coffer of knowledge. While performing my task of writing for the pleasure of my readers, I have always kept in mind to bring out from my memory some real happenings that took place in the past decades. Of course, every care has been taken while using any suchlike incidents for the purpose of inclusion in my narration that it is done without compromising the right of confidentiality of the identity of persons who actually suffered on account of those events. PRIOR TO THIS NOVEL, I HAVE ALREADY ACCOMPLISHED THE TASK OF WRITING FOUR NOVELS:- (1) A Match of My Choice copyright 2005; (2) Exploring, Exploiting copyright 2008; (3) Abraded Emotionality copyright 2012; (4) K’s Bhoomika copyright 2012. Dated: 1.12 ’13 MANOHAR ASIJA Author 6 PART ONE UPRIGHT Divorcee 7 ONE Mr Subhash Chand Arora too had got his name changed during the early fifties of the last century, alongwith his elder brother who was obliged by the changed circumstances to drop the surname `Khan` being proudly carried by the progenies of some Hindu businessman who received the title of `Khan Bahadur` as recognition of his loyalty and services as he supported the British Raj against the rebel forces during the Great Revolution of 1857. This elder brother of Subhash Khan had since become Sitar Chand Arora instead continuing to be called Sitar Khan, like many others of his native place, who might have descended from that ancestors of Sitar Khan. But, it was around 1960, when Subhash Chand Arora was tempted by some extraneous reasons to undo his great-grandfather's `feat` performed a century ago, by way of adorning his progenies through replacing his surname `Dua` with the ``Khan`, as he was thence renamed Milap Chand Dua alias Milap Khan. Of course, Subhash Chand Arora did not ever hear of his original sub-caste till the TIME, when his mother objected to his idea of entering into a marital bond with Maya Dua, a classmate of HIS. Perched in his wheelchair, at the moment on 30th June, 2007, this erstwhile lover of Maya Dua is expecting Vibha Ratra whose mother's maternal cousin has been Maya's younger sister's mother-in-law. Of course, this infirm oldie his first ever acquaintance with Vibha Ratra took place, when his family was invited by Maya's cousin for getting them introduced to Vibha Ratra, a girl in her mid-twenties, sometime during the year 1994. The purpose of this meeting was to let Aroras consider this maiden for acceptance as bride for their son Abhilash. They took a little time to finalize their decision to Induct VIBHA Ratra into their family Abhilash's wife. Unfortunately, the newly-formed couple could not pull on together; hence an irretrievable breakdown of marriage ensued during the very first year of their wedlock. Vibha claims that she received parental support in her matrimonial home from her father-in-law alone. It is why she continued to maintain contact with him, even after severance of legal bondage with her matrimonial family almost five years ago. Her visits to this house have been quite frequent after the death of Subhash Arora's wife, Mrs Suhagwanti Arora. Vibha claims that her duties to the person, "who always stood by my side, whenever he felt that I was being made to suffer, despite no fault of mine. Of course, he would try his best to accommodate me, by way of providing explanations to the things that I could not perceive in their new perspective at the inlaws.” The disparage suffered by her at mother-in-law's hands was often assuaged by this very person. He knew well his son Abhilash's shortcomings, so much so that he would prompt me to pour out my vows." Since Suhagwanti's death, Subhash Arora has been living with his daughter Lalima whom he desires to transfer this house, situated in Baldev Park. The three bedroom single storeyed house built on a plot of 145 sq metres comfortably houses this `family, an amalgamation of Aroras (originally Dua and Batra), now comprising of Shekhar Batra, his wife Lalima and their children Sahaj and Seema, besides Mr Subhash Chand Arora. Unmarried Lalima herself has been a little considerate towards her brother Abhilash's wife, when the latter's marriage brought Vibha Ratra here as a new member of Arora family. However, her elder sister Pratima would always connive with her mother to humiliate the new comer Vibha, who felt that Pratima would even skip from her matrimonial home unnecessarily, jut to enjoy `circus` by actively participating in the feud between Abhilash and Vibha or between the mother-in-law and the daughter-in-law, in her parental home. These days, Vibha would Usually come here to spend a few hours with her `Papa Ji`, on every Sunday, with a view to provide physical support to Lalima, as it makes the handling her domestic affairs in a bit comfortable manner. Shekhar and his kids also feel pleasure in finding some time to go for an outing, together with Lalima who would otherwise not afford leave her infirm father alone, because even their domestic maid takes Sunday as her weekly off. But, this 8 week Lalima had to go to her matrimonial family, where Shekhar's full family is obliged to attend his sister's engagement proceedings, today itself. Therefore, Lalima has asked her erstwhile `Vibha Bhabhi`, now turned `Vibha Didi` to ensure her presence, this week even on Saturday. At around 2.30pm, Vibha is seen entering the front courtyard area of her `Papa Ji's` house, making the kids here yell in unison, "Namaste, Auntie Ji!" Lalima looks towards the entrance, moves a few steps to greet her Vibha `Didi`, whiles her husband Shekhar stands behind away from her heels, so as to let the ladies use their limbs freely to `barter their warmth`. Having hurriedly got herself freed from Lalima, Vibha exchanges greetings with Shekhar, applying folded hands supported with a beam of smiles on their faces, and then moves towards her `Papa Ji` to literally touch his feet, before making herself seated beside him, on the adjacent chair. Having remained there till the maid served the water to the visitor, Lalima begs leave of her, who loses no time to respond, in the `clearest` form, "Yes, yes... Don't stand on formalities. I know that many people would be awaiting you very anxiously;" and Vibha rises on her feet to caress the kids as they are looking towards her for permission. By chance, her patting hand of the visiting lady happens to land on Shekhar’s back too. It makes the gentleman spontaneously bend before her; and it is marked by Lalima. Having chatted with the infirm oldie for an hour or so, Vibha feels like taking tea. Therefore, she asks, "Papa Ji, are you ready to give me company over a cup of tea?" Looking at his wrist watch, Mr Subhash replies, "Well, `Bitiya`, I won't mind having early tea at this hour of the day, if you make some `paneer pakodas` as well. I have already arranged for the cheese, as you know that I am fond of taking `paneer pakodas` made by you." The lethargic maid looked at the wall clock and spoke very politely, "Madame, would you need my help in the kitchen?" As if expecting an immediate answer, she did not turn her face away till she heard her employer Arora Saheb declare, "Our Vibha is very active and well-versed in working comfortably in this kitchen." with these words, he looked into Vibha's direction to ask, "What do you say, `bitiya`?" Soon, the maid leaves. Vibha bolts the door of the main entrance and moves towards the kitchen. Almost half hour later, Vibha comes out with a tray laden with two cups, one small kettle of tea brewing under the tea-cosy cover, and a little pot containing some hot milk.