My Dear Sister-In-Law

ManoharAsija

My Dear Sister-in-law

1 My Dear Sister-in-law

(A Fiction)

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

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:-

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. Having placed the tray at the table, she re-enters the kitchen and emerges after a couple of minutes, holding a platter where from emanates a tempting odour of hot `pakodas`. They had hardly begun taking `Pakodas`, when the phone bell rings. She rises to assist Subhash reach the instrument, but he tilts his right posture to pick up the receiver. Then, she hears him ask, "Where are you, at the moment?" Having heard him, he resumes, "OK, `beta`, you are welcome at all hours of the day." Though Vibha betrays no curiosity on her part to know the identity of the caller or the contents of the information received by her `Papa Ji`, yet she looked a bit perplexed, as remaining engrossed in solving the quiz revolving around the fact that some person desires to visit him. It obliges Subhash Arora to voluntarily divulge the information, "Abhilash is in the vicinity and hence desires to come here, right now." It slows down the pace of her munching `pakodas` after picking and placing it into her mouth. Then suddenly she speaks, "Should I leave before or immediately after he comes?" “Idon't feel any problem in receiving or talking to my son in your very presence. I am sure that your presence won't spoil the environ, even if he comes here with his `latest wife`." The use of the superlative adjective `latest`, makes this 30-year-old lady smile. Thereupon Subhash yells out, "It's like a bold girl!" Almost half-an-hour later, the door bell rings and Vibha rises upon her legs to look out for the caller. She marks the arrival of Abhilash in the company of a female stranger. She moves aside to let them in, without betraying any signs of annoyance or irritation. He too moves towards his father, who is ready with a smile to receive him into his arms, if he bends down a little to enable the infirm stay put taking care of the equilibrium of his body. Alas! Abhilash would have kept in his mind the information on his father's latest condition that he received, this very morning from his sister Pratima with whom he had talked for the purpose of staking his claim to their father's

9 property that the oldie had intended to gift away solely to his youngest issue, Lalima. Thus, without bending down his body to reach to the infirm's fold of open arms; he simply clutched his father's right hand into his strong fist to reciprocate the gesture of greeting to signifying the son's arrival here. It caused the oldie look miserably into Vibha's face. The arrogant son then resorted to the formality of introducing his companion to his father, "My wife Swatu Blackstone." Then, turning towards his father, he resumes, "My darling Pa, Mr Subhash Dua."Both Mr Arora and Vibha could easily understand the necessity for the man to append the same Surname as stands suffixed to his own name. Meanwhile, Vibha has drawn closer two chair from the far-off point to Papa's wheelchair, so that the visitors may feel comfortable while conversing with the oldie. Then she moves towards the kitchen to fetch the drinking water for Abhilash and his `latest` spouse. Subhash marks the stranger's anxiety to know about the identity of the woman, serving water to the visitors. It prompts him declare, "She is my daughter Vibha Ratra." "I believe she is younger sister of my darling Abhi," with this assertion, Swatu stared into Vibha's face. Feeling annoyed over the silence from all the three persons around, this foreigner issues a blunt query, "Doesn't she understand English?" Before either his Papa or Vibha could respond to his wife's absurd question, Abhilash hurried to explain, “Actually, she is my first wife. In fact, she had developed a strong rapport with my father, even during the subsistence of her marriage with me. Now, when my mother is no more, she has virtually taken the position of a girlfriend for him," he spoke bringing a cunning smile on his face. Having ejaculated the venomous remarks not only against his erstwhile wife, but also willfully spoken against his father, he moved towards the kitchen. Noticing Abhilash's movement towards the kitchen, Vibha hurriedly came out into the sitting area. Mr Arora looked helplessly towards Vibha and gestured her to take a seat close to him. The restive son of the infirm oldie attempted to ignite the gas- stove, but failed to do the needful. Then he looked around the utensils placed on the cooking slab. Perhaps, the faint smell emanating from a covered platter caught his attention. Having uncovered the platter, he discovered a few pieced of cheese `pakodas`. He lifted the platter and came out of the kitchen for sharing the delectable Indian dish with his current wife. While he was enjoying the `Pakodas` in his wife's company, Vibha looked towards her `Papa Ji`, perhaps seeking permission to be relieved from this messy situation. Before Subhash could decide to take some firm action against his erring son, the latter spoke out, "After my mother's demise, there is none in this home to remind this rustic woman about our ways of extending hospitality." At this juncture the father spoke, "Are you a true Indian? Had you been a civilized Indian, you would have waited for the hostess of the time to offer you tea and these `paneer Pakodas` made by, her, even well before she learnt about your expected arrival here." Without bothering to answer his father, he spoke to his companion Swapu, "Her rustic ways had compelled me to throw her out of my house." statement enraged Vibha, who yelled out at the top of her voice, "Madame , it's a blatant lie on his part to claim that he shunned me; rather it was me who opted to quit this companion of yours, who is not only a liar, but also a maniac tending towards criminality. In our country, an average Indian woman is taught to believe and practise that for her, the father-in-law is as much adorable as her real father. Thus, the relationship with father-in-law must be as pious as with her own father. He has been instrumental in driving his second wife to insanity and eventual suicide. The criminal case for abetment for suicide is pending against him in a Maharashtra court." Abhilash rose up in rage, lifted the steel-framed chair and hit Vibha's head with it. This sudden heavy blow caused a grave injury to her face. Her spectacles flew away, blood began oozing from her mouth, and in a few seconds she lost her consciousness leading to her falling down on the floor. After two days, around dusk hour of the 2nd July, Vibha regains her consciousness and finds herself being caressed by her elder sister Poonam Bhatanagar sitting in a chair placed beside her bed. She wonders to mark her surroundings that looked like a private room in some nursing home or hospital. She shuts her eyes to recall the happening that had led her to this situation. After a few moments, she opens her eyes once again and finds that Supriya and Kanuj are entering the

10 room. As she smiles to greet them, Vibha is informed by Supriya that doctors say, "Our Didi is now safe. I have been sent to convey it to you that within few minutes, you will be requested to tell the investigating team all that happened around you, day before yesterday, I mean when you fell unconscious. The investigation is to be conducted by a lady Police Officer under the provisions of law, in the very presence of a doctor, who first examined you here. The entire proceedings are to be recorded with the help of electronic gadgets. Even my speech to you at the moment might be taken on record. You need not worry about anything, as a well-known social activist of international repute has also very kindly condescended to be present, during the proceedings, as requested by the family. She is on her way to this hospital and will be here with us any moment. Next morning, a few dailies have published the news relating to search for Abhilash Dua, who had grievously hurt his divorced wife Vibha, last Saturday. The news agency sending this report to the papers maintains that the information received through reliable sources suggest that the alleged culprit came to settle his claim to the share in his father's property, wherein lives his 72-year-old infirm father, alongwith his youngest child's family. Having marked the presence of his ex-wife there, the accused got enraged and after a little tiff with his father, and also prompted by his female companion he struck Vibha with the steel-frame chair. The identity of the female accomplice, who is a stranger for the family, has yet not been ascertained. Having read the above news item, Mr Sitar Chand feels like visiting his younger brother's residence, but a second thought impels him to talk first to Supriya, who is sister-in-law of the injured person Vibha. Thus, at Dargans' residence, he gathers the report from his `chulbul that her `Chhotey Dadaji` has done an excellent job in the form of getting the matter landing into the murkier silt. In fact, Mr Subhash has not spoken anything with regard to his son's absurd things about Vibha and her `Papa Ji`. It had saved the reputation of the family in the society, at least for the time being. Nevertheless, the sharp lady Supriya could make out this much from the newspapers report after having learnt something else from the voice recording being rechecked by the authorities in the presence of the noted social activist with whom she remained appended during the proceedings till the CD was duly sealed for submission to the court by the police. Thus, she takes it as her moral duty to keep the real statement of the injured, safe in her memory vault. She has already known on phone late last evening from that lady social activist that the authorities had already been alerted bout the revealing to the media about the baseless accusation of the drunken son against his father, relating to a respectable female citizen of this country. Having met his younger brother, Mr Sitar Chand is now back home, busy ruminating over the words spoken by Subhash and his daughter Lalima, while explaining their woes perpetrated by no one else, but Abhilash during the past five years. Nevertheless, Sitar Chand now knows more than what he had heard from his own grand-daughter, about the incident that occurred at Subhash's house, pertaining to Vibha's health. He is satisfied with what his brother had narrated about the occurrence. He had haplessly heard his niece crying and accusing Abhilash for the present bodily infirmity of her father. She was time and again, reminding her `Uncle Ji` how callous her brother proved on many occasions during the past many years. She referred to Abhilash's second marriage, and the result thereof in the shape of mysterious death of his wife Kuku Wilson, barely two years after their entering into wedlock in a church. The media has not yet closed the chapter of this unsolved mystery, though the police have stopped opposing his bail petition every time the case takes a new twist causing deferment of the case at the Session's level, to seek directive from the High Court. "`Taya Ji, ` (Uncle, by virtue of being elder brother of father) now a Red-Indian sort of woman, is introduced by him to Papa as his wife. He hasn't kept in mind how he blasted his family with the news that he had himself chosen a wife and required, his parents’ consent, before finalizing the matter. On reaching Nagpur we had discovered that our parents’ presence was necessitated to satisfy the Wilson couple desiring to see Mrs Pratibha whom Mrs Harjeet Wilson seemed to have known as her classfellow during their girlhood, when both lived in Timarpur area. The incidence of recalling her girlhood friend occurred while the would-be bridegroom had already entered in a marital deal with Kuku Wilson, his colleague in office. Her parents had bargained a sumptuous financial deal in the form of `dower` for their daughter, in addition to receiving cash to the tune of Rs 80000/- to meet the reception expenses. The desire to see his mother was expressed by Harjeet only when he was about to marry that

11 Kuku Wilson in a fortnight. The arrogant boy did not speak about his would-be mother-in-law's desire to meet his mother only on the fact of having remembered her as an ex-classmate. Our mother, though surprised to be getting acquainted by her son to Mrs Wilson as the bride's mother, chose to maintain silence about her knowledge of that lady's `swarthy` reputation in the residential vicinity, during their adolescence. It has been always her weakness to succumb to her son’s every type of demand. I have no problem in declaring that Vibha Didi would have pulled herself well to the satisfaction of, all of us in the family, had the mother shown magnanimity in dealing with this highly qualified bride for her son. Had our mummy used her discretion judiciously and checked undue interference from Pratima, Abhilash's first marriage could have easily been saved. I am pained to say that mummy had full knowledge of Abhilash's ongoing affair in view of his desire to enter into marital deal with Kuku Wilson, in accordance with the bride's family traditions. She never made mention of this affair at any time before the family members, here. Thus, none of us, probably, except Mummy herself, might be having an idea that we were proceeding to Nagpur, to attend the celebrations pertaining to the marriage that had already been solemnized." Mr Sitar Chand tries to read in between the lines and configure the real picture of his younger brother's life. After the departure of his elder brother, Mr Subhash is trying to introspect his role in the family affairs, during the lifetime of his wife Suhagwanti, in the light of what her daughter Lalima has expressed a few minutes ago. It makes him recall that his wife had told him on return home that Harjeet Wilson was indulging in flirting with young men even she herself was around 16. Our acquaintance runs back to 1952, when were students of a privately run school, where persons of different age-groups could be huddled together to form a class, if they were aiming to pass the Matriculation Examination from the Punjab University during the currency of a particular year. I began to dislike her shameful overtures towards the menfolk in our class. But another student of class, Mrs Paul, mother of two school going kids, who had joined the crash programme of barely three-month schooling eagerly befriended Harjeet. She could afford time and money on this girl, as her husband, an armyman was posted outside those days. Moreover, she was herself a working woman, employed in the government office, during the British regime, just on the basis that she had passed out from a middle school run by the District Board, under whose jurisdiction her residence fell during those days, when the Administrator of the Board was an Anglo-Indian and this lady's mother happened to be a cousin of that officer's mother. Harjeet had confided into Suhag Wanti that the former liked that bulky lady in skirt and with polished toe-nails was a special student for the school, as the lady's brother had helped the owner-Principal of the school to erect a complex of around dozen tents on the vacant government-owned plot of over 15000 square yards on the plea that it is being done to provide education to the persons displaced from the area that had formed part of West Pakistan in 1947.He also recalls that earlier, during the first few years of their married life, His wife had also informed Subhash that one girl, a classmate of hers who could not pull on well in her studies, was introduced to some Christian fellow, employed by Cecil Hotel as assistant in its bakery. Soon Harjeet fled away with that man and had by chance met Suhag in Karol Bagh shopping area in the company of a person almost 10 years elder to her. The `shameless` girl had told Suhag that the man accompanying her was her husband. At the moment, he feels like believing that this reference of elopement tends to suggest that it was Harjeet who would have run away from home to become Mrs David Wilson, who was introduced to his family as Kuku Wilson's mother. He had suspected that his son Abhilash had been duped by Wilsons via their daughter, who contracted with him to enter into wedlock after having been secured a dower of Rupees Ten Lakh, if divorced within 15 years of their marriage, as disclosed to his parents, when he visited them almost after six months of his marriage with Kuku Wilson. When asked by his parents as to why he did not bring his wife Kuku with him, he had replied, "She had travelled with him from Nagpur, but is staying with her brother's in-laws, where his brother's wife is already living for a very long time. Kuku has gone there with the hope to bring around the estranged lady to join her husband at Nagpur. A year later, he had informed his sisters and parents here, by sending an SMS to each of them, about the sudden disappearance of his wife Kuku. The kin here kept inquiring about the daughter-in-law/sister-in-law sporadically till they one day heard Abhilash on the telephone that the ill-fated lady had committed suicide as on recovery of the decomposed body suggested. In view of the previous acts of this `maniac`, his

12 family here felt that there was no necessity for travelling to so far a place, just to indulge in the formality of condoling the deceased's parents at Nagpur. Subhash now recalls that the idea to boycott Kuku’s parents for this purpose was mooted by Abhilash's mother, here. The saddest chapter in the life of his family followed this boycott. It had so transpired that one afternoon, Abhilash reached home in a wretched condition of mental as well as physical appearance. On being asked by his mother about his such a sordid state of affairs, the son had spoken, “I am being falsely implicated by the police, on the baseless report of Kuku's parents that I murdered my wife. So, I have fled away from there, because they were demanding the agreed dower, immediately after the disappearance of their daughter, and on my refusal to heed to their threats of implicating me in some serious case." But the astounded mother asked, "How it is that you had spoken to us informing the recovery of decomposed body of your wife Kuku?" Abhilash had answered, "I had been held hostage by the `goondas` on the Wilsons' behest. I was made to speak what they desired me to do." Perhaps, this information caused the mother her brain hemorrhage; and soon she went into a year-long coma that took the toll of her life. The son was telephonically informed by his father about the death of his mother. So, he managed to reach his parental house, well on time to participate in her cremation proceedings. But the man could not join the `Uthala` ceremony, because some phone-call from `somewhere` on the day following his arrival here, made him flee from that house, telling his father and sisters only this much that his immediate presence `somewhere else` is urgently needed. It, however, disturbed Subhash more than ever before, because he always remained under the stress about his son's wellbeing. One day, during his evening stroll, the oldie faltered in coordinating his `mental and physical pace that resulted in the breaking of bone at his hip-joint, dislocating its contact with the spinal cord. He presumes that negligence committed during the surgery on him, has left him with impairment that obliges him to be kept seated to his wheel-chair or remain straightened in his bed. He has begun repenting his financial as well as moral support to his son, whenever the young man sought it from him. The man had never thought of enlightening his educated father about his business activities at a distant place. To him, it looks like indulging into various activities, changing trade or business places very frequently by the ill-experienced man, with no saner counsels around has driven him to such a hapless condition. It makes him recall that on the third day of his second marriage, Suhagwanti had asked their daughter-in-law Kuku as to what were the most visited tourist places in the city of Nagpur. Her answer was, "The most favourite of all of them is the Zero-point of India, just across the road, where the building housing Abhilash's ice cream parlour is situated." Before his wife could divulge some other names, Abhilash suggested that only this place could be visited by “you this time, because we are to proceed on honeymoon trip to Pachmadhi tomorrow morning. We’ll take you around the entire city of Nagpur, when you come here, next time." The mother and her both daughters looked furtively into one another's faces.

At the moment, Subhash happens to relish the memory of the hours he spent in the company of full family at the park, which is named `Zero-point of India. It is the point, where The coordinates 0,0 lie on the scale for the geographical map of India, to measure the point of intersection of axis drawn from the territorial limits of the country from North to South and West to East; meaning thereby that here lies the crossing of the two lines, each touching the horizontal or vertical extremities, in all the four geographical directions of the planet Earth.

While approaching the gate of the park, he had marked the office of his favourite newspaper The Times of India, housed in the building with its front touching the road that runs skirting the profile of this park on its opposite side. As they came out of the park, the bride led them to ice- cream parlour, across the road. All of them were filled with ecstasy, when they read neon- signboard with the words: Abhilash's ice cream parlour. Of course, all of them had the flavour of their choice at that modestly sized outlet, vending from the deep-freezers of five different brands of repute, available also in Delhi. In a couple of days later, Mr Subhash had reconciled to the new establishment, though far away from hometown, for his son in Nagpur.

13 soon, the shameless words used by that very son, as spoken by him to his so-called `new wife Swapu, with regard to the father's pious relationship with the man's divorced wife, are reverberating around, as his is sitting at that very place, where he had witnessed the ghastly attack on Vibha on the previous day. It saddens him for Vibha, "who had been trying her best to give me company whenever Lalima had to leave the house to attend to some unavoidable affair outside our house. I hope, by now she would have been allowed to see the visitors during the scheduled hours." So, he calls Lalima to his side and enquires about the latest on Vibha's condition. Having been reminded of this matter, she immediately dials Supriya's number and learns that she has been shifted to the room, but there are still some restrictions to be taken care of, while talking about the incident that caused her shock. Then, she tells that Supriya has "requested me to tell her `chhotey Dadaji` that Vibha has repeatedly sought to see him as she feels sorry for him, who has taken the position of a virtual father in her life, since the time of her entry into his family as his son's bride." Subhash moots the idea of visiting Vibha in the hospital tomorrow, as the family sits for dinner. Lalima suggests that they should visit the aggrieved lady while she is back home, as it would provide them a more congenial environ to discuss our personal problems, in case she chooses to vent out her bitter memories of her short stint here. Before, his son-in-law could give his opinion on, the matter, Subhash puts a seal of approval from his end, as he says, "No doubt, it's a saner suggestion." Shekhar asks, “When is she expected to return home, at the earliest?" Lalima answers her husband's query by telling, "Supriya hopes to see her sister-in-law duly discharged from the hospital anytime after tomorrow."Subhash winds up the discussion by announcing, "OK, we'll go to her home in the very evening." Next morning, Subhash sits in the front courtyard of his house to enjoy the breeze that blows at the moment, perhaps as an aftermath of the pre-monsoon showers that Delhi had at dawn. He marks the school going children proceeding to the schools, as suggest the uniforms worn by these kids and youngsters loaded with heavy satchels at their backs and the water bottles hanging from their shoulders. This thought makes him aware of the fact that Vibha too would be mentally preparing herself to resume duty in the college as the University opens on the 16th of July, as usual. Since the demise of Suhagwanti, Vibha's visit to this house, in the early hours of this day, to seek his blessings has become a routine. During her stay here in her capacity as daughter-in-law, she had performed twice this task, considered most auspicious to start the new academic year with the blessings of elders. "I hope she would have, by then, perfectly come out of the impact of the trauma she suffered here, last week at Abhilash's hands." Having wished it, Subhash heaves a sigh, and then re- assures himself with the words, "Anyways, we must see that blessed girl, whose pleasant existence here could not be peacefully tolerated by Suhagwanti and Pratima. It was a sheer misfortune for this good-naturedly well-bred daughter of Ratras to be placed in a situation, where she was constantly abused, humiliated and threatened to be thrown out of the house, just because she could not unnecessarily bow down to the undue expectations of mother-in-law or her stupid husband Abhilash. I am sure that his moral values are of inferior level as compared to other males in our progenies. He might have derived some attributing factors vividly seen in the families on his maternal side. He feels no shame doing or talking about in the open, certain things that do not behoove well in our circles. He has never kept in mind the precariousness it might bring to my status as father, if he doesn't stop his ruthless indulgence into women and wine. Vibha's conduct with respect to our family, during post-divorce period, has all through remained commendable. I am sure that his apathetic attitude towards his wife had been the cause of rampant tiffs day in and day out. After all, how long the gentle girl could have withstood the piercing scoffs from mother-in-law and her son, who seemed hand-in-glove with each other to `demolish the latent soberness` of the young bride?" Subhash thinks that the syndrome of apathy towards others could not be contained by him during its exuberance, even when he was engaged in consoling his father, after having marked tears flowing down to his father's cheeks, as he sat all alone in his room, recalling the cherished memory of his wife's company, lost forever after 45 years of married life. Instead of consoling his father in a socially approved manner, the arrogant son had yelled out at the top of his voice, "Papa, you have had enough of her during the past 45

14 years. In case, you still need a woman's company, there is no dearth of this lot to provide warmth to your body. Even, if you need regular marriage, I shall not oppose it. Of course, I can't guarantee the support from `your daughters` to ensure this comfort for their `respected Papa`." However, the following morning, this very `rascal` was quick to fall at his father's feet, seeking his apology in the very presence of his sisters. During the past many years, Abhilash had been torturing his father's self-esteem by indulging into taunts, mockery etc. But the father has been just ignoring his `piercing shots`. On the 23rd day of July, Vibha Ratra, flanked by Ms Koya and Ms Sameeksha Fotedar has positioned herself at the podium in the class-room of the college to introduce the new appointees to the Second-year students of English (Hons). Pointing towards her companions, one by one, she says, "Your teacher Ms Sameeksha Fotedar and Ms Koya Zoroaster. I feel proud and pleasure to introduce both these learned ladies, as my students in this very college, during their undergraduate course at different times. I believe that all the three of us shall form a cohesive team. Having left Koya in the classroom, she took Sameeksha to First-year students in their classroom for introduction. After this initial task was over on the first day of the new session, Vibha entered her office, in her sole possession as Head of English Department, where she found Dr Madhukar Rawat waiting for her. She reciprocated his courtesy as usual and looking into his face, "So, what's new , Sir?" This question was need of the hour, as they were meeting almost after a month as he was abroad during the past four weeks. In fact, he had gone to Nepal in connection with an official business that envisaged assessing on the spot, the level of progress the Central Library for the propagation of Hindi, funded by India. On return to Delhi, just a few hours before he was required at his college on the day of `orientation meet` organized for the benefit of fresh entrants and their parents, to apprise them with the rules and regulations, in addition to encouraging them that the study of Hindi by the students would in no way should feel diffident about their career. Thus, both these senior teachers, already placed on the common level of affinity for each other, would not like to let such a long gap of time to take place between their meetings. Of course, they had been maintaining contact by means of their cellphones. In fact, yesterday Madhukar's sister had visited his residence. She had also brought along Madhukar's young daughter, who had been living with her since the death of her mother, almost fifteen years ago. The visiting sister Subhadra Pradhan, resident of Bahubali Enclave had let him know that her flat owner's younger sister Vibha Ratra had been hit with some blunt iron rod by some miscreants in Baldev Park, where she had gone to visit her ailing ex-father-in-law, last month. The informer had marked the appearance of the clear signs of anguish in her younger brother's face. Therefore, Madhukar is naturally obsessed with the idea of hearing from her friend, Professor Vibha the firsthand information pertaining to the ghastly incident about which the victim did never inform him, though they were in constant touch with each other on the phone, on and off during his long absence from India. Thus, having exchanged the usual courtesies, Dr Rawat asks, "How long you had to remain in hospital?" Vibha was not at all prepared for the situation, in which she finds herself now. So, she looks askance into her revered friend's face. He speaks apologetically, "Actually, my sister Subhadra had learnt from your sister, I mean the flat- owner of hers, about the attack by some hooligans of Baldev Park, when you were at your former in-laws, to give company to your revered `Papaji`, during Lalima's absence." Looking more serenely into his face, she replies, "Madhukar Ji, I don't feel shy of talking to you about the details of this episode, but I enjoin upon you, my dear friend, to let us defer the truthful revelation of the agony undergone by this friend of yours for a couple of days. Now, the aftereffect of trauma is over. After all, He wants us to keep in mind his human folk that they will have to face the consequences of the unusual feats being indulged by them, on and off." Back home after the day's work, Vibha ruminates over her act of avoiding Dr Madhukar's query about her admission to the hospital, last month-end. It occurs to her that he might be guessing about the reasons for entrance of hooligans into her Papaji's house, when no one beside her was present to take care of the infirm oldie. His curiosity might lead him to explore the grounds for her getting involved and so fiercely that she alone was injured, while no robbery was

15 committed. Of course, she is reminded of the decision taken by her brother Kanuj and his wife Supriya in her very presence that they would desist from telling anybody the real story of violence indulged into by Abhilash necessitating Vibha's being rushed to the hospital. It was agreed by her, before leaving the hospital for returning home on the third day. She had herself suggested an alibi that if somebody demands an explanation for her absent for two nights from home, all the three of them, besides her sister, who had been summoned to the hospital by Kanuj, would speak in one voice. This sister had rented out her portion of the parental house, as she lives in Preet Vihar with her family, occupying the expected share of her husband in the property owned by her father-in-law. So, all the four of them would give a brief account of the happening, though modified to look plausible, for general consumption of all and sundry. The modification meant to avoid the possibility of Abhilash's incrimination, as it would save her from that stupid person's rage against Vibha and also endangering the physical well-being of the infirm person. Thus, the concocted version would suggest that an unknown couple rang the doorbell. When she opened the door to look at the person who rang, she marked that a young couple directly entered the house, without asking her any question about anything or any person. They went directly went up to Mr Arora and sat close to her Papaji, by arranging the seats for themselves, after dragging two chairs that stood at some distance in the open courtyard. Vibha thought that the couple might be known to the infirm, as they did no extra effort to receive a welcome signal from the person, whom they might be strongly connected. A little later, she smelt that the old man was getting scary of the visitors. Therefore, she made efforts to overhear the visitor's dialogue with her `Papaji` and this made it possible for her to make out that they seemed to be demanding the immediate possession of the property, as per their agreement with him through a broker, a long time ago. Soon, the lady accomplice got enraged and even excited her male companion to extend the threat to Mr Arora, as the visiting male spoke, "I am being compelled by this eccentric oldie to use muscle power to get him out of the house." Vibha came closer to her Papaji, with the intention of resorting to intervention, if needed in the case of the verbal violence being perpetrated to culminate into the use of physical assault. It enraged the hot-tempered man, as he lost no time in rising up from his chair to strike its steel frame against the head of the oldie, who had no power to dodge the approaching blow. Thus, it was imperative for Vibha to stand in between the two men. The man took no time to raise the chair to his own head's height and gave a sudden blow over Vibha's head. Noticing the flow of blood oozing from her forehead, the female accomplice gave the call, "Move out swiftly." At the moment, Vibha tries to weigh `her selected approach` of using this concoction in her own circles, whereas not caring to foresee the result if someone happen to match the different version that might crop up in Aroras' circles. It seems a rare probability that the person learning and matching both the versions might take the trouble of confronting her with his own vexation over the glaring anomalies in the two versions. She consoles herself by saying, "I belong to Ratras, so I should think of Ratra family first, before taking notice of any member of Aroras." But, soon she thinks of her Papaji's innocence in the whole affair, maybe it cost her very dearly. In fact, this lady cannot easily forget the little obligation `bestowed on her` by anyone. The following day, while exiting from the faculty meet, Vibha marked that Dr Rawat looked eager to join her, while she was proceeding towards the group of some junior teachers of her department, already waiting for their head of the department. It prompts her to attend to her team- mates in the English Department, maybe the Head of Hindi Department, though a good friend of hers, Dr Rawat might not have liked this `preferential` treatment in favour of juniors. While sitting in her cabin, with these teachers of her own department, she derives satisfaction that everyone of them is eager to give a `reasonably` good start to the new academic session as they receive with a smile the report being passed on to them about the today's meeting of the Arts Faculty. These teachers believe that enforcement of semester system would not disturb the syllabi for the 3-year Degree Course, until the Academic Council of the University drastically changes the entire scheme of material for the study of English literature. Nevertheless, she kept on tossing with the various aspects of the narration to Dr Rawat, of the real incident at Abhilash's parental home, leaving traumatic affect on her emotional health. It takes a couple of days to reach at a determination for disclosing the truthful version to her

16 revered friend, of course after having secured from him a promise of keeping it safely with himself all these contents. Thus, she sends the following e-message to him.

July 29,2007

Sir, I am sorry that I have kept on hold too long my answer to your query on last Monday, regarding my health and the consequent hospitalization, when you were abroad during the end of June. Actually, I had to decide my position vis a vis my good friend, Dr Madhukar Rawat, before answering the personal question asked by you, while we were together in my official premises. As your elder sister Madame Subhadra is a tenant of my sister, I found myself on the horns of dilemma, whether a personal matter of delicate nature should be talked about with a senior colleague, at our official place. I hope, you won't mind coming to my floor of the building before climbing upstairs to your sister's residence, while on your next visit there. Two days later, Vibha finds in her e-mail inbox, the following response:

August 1, 2007

Vibha ji, I intend to visit you on the coming Sunday, please suggest the hour that suit your own convenience.

Aug 2, 2007

Sir, it would be better, in case you make it for before lunch.

Vibha receives Dr Rawat with due cordiality. Having asked about his daughter's success in the efforts to get a seat in vocational course, she learns that the girl has dropped the idea of seeking admission to vocational college. Now, she is determined to continue her B.Com (2nd Year). She fetches two tins of juice, places the drink at the center table. Having opened the first one, she extends it to her guest and then touches the second one, simultaneously requesting him to start taking it, so that it does not lose its chill. After a couple of sips, her guest looks towards the hostess with a friendly smile, perhaps expecting the answer to his pending query about her hospitalization, a month ago. She initiates the matter with the words, "May I take the liberty of asking you, sir, for a favour of a promise that you will keep it quite confidential, in case I reveal my predicament?" He replies, "You are welcome to deposit any information in the safe vault of my memory. It will remain intact, unless you provide the `Password`, by way of an oral command, whether alone in my company or in some other person's presence. Having assured her of utmost confidentiality, he looks serenely at her. She begins, "Madhukar Ji, I am thankful for being provided emotional vents. On that faithful day, I had taken upon myself the obligation of looking after the needs of my former father-in-law, in the absence of the family of her younger daughter, Lalima Batra, with whom he has been living since the demise of Abhilash's mother. Perhaps, you remember that Mr Abhilash was my husband, till the completion of legal proceedings to dissolve our marriage on the ground of irretrievable breakdown of marriage. None in the family can tell with certainty where Mr Abhilash lives, as he has been changing places since our divorce. Perhaps, he had re-married someone, somewhere in Maharashtra. On the day of my presence with his father, almost in the

17 evening hours, my father-in-law received a phone-call that informed the old person of 73 years, compelled to use wheelchair during the past five years, by Abhilash that he is arriving home very soon. I was also told by the infirm oldie that his son is accompanied by his `latest wife`. This phrase amused me and I asked Papaji whom he had married and how she is being referred as `latest wife`. He had jocularly spoken, "Bitiya, I know nothing about her. So, I remained on the cautious note on this account. I am sure the woman accompanying him was a foreigner. Abhilash performed the due formality of touching his father's feet and introducing to him his wife, named Swatu. I kept myself busy in preparing tea and snacks. The visiting lady asked Abhilash if his maid understands English. As her companion ignored her question, she looked towards his father, who spoke, "She is my daughter." It made the lady ask a supplementary question, "Is she Lalima or the elder one?" Before he could answer appropriately, Abhilash came out with an explanation, "No, darling, she is my ex-wife whom I had thrown out of my house, but her present status is of my father's girlfriend." I could not digest this false and nefarious accusation. So, I yelled out, "It's I who kicked him off, almost a decade ago." It enraged him. He rose up from his chair, lifted it and struck my forehead with its steel-frame. I had fallen into unconsciousness. The rest you might have heard from your Subhadra Didi."" Really, it's an agonizing account," Madhukar ejaculated following a long sigh. After a short while, he resumes, "You can bank upon, this humble friend for all support, whenever required at your end." A few days later, Vibha feels like talking to her junior colleagues, who are new entrants to this college, in their capacity as teachers for English. With this end in view, she sends a note to both of them to meet her in the department office, around 3.30 pm. She has decided this hour of the day, after having verified that neither of them has any class today at this hour of the class. Moreover, there are no classes after 4.15 pm in the college. Having received them with an affectionate smile, she asks, "Are you free to spend some time over a cup of tea, right now?" She notices a sign of a girlish jubilation in Koya's face, as if she has regained the personal touch she used to receive from her Ratra Ma'me, during her days of studentship here. But Sameeksha's face betrayed some sort of anguish." It makes the senior ask, "Ms Fotedar, or you otherwise busy on some other account?" Bringing a forced smile to her face, the junior replied, "No Ma'me. I shall definitely enjoy your company, a rare privilege." Thus, she gets a chance to look at these youngsters from a more personal angle. Koya tells that she is a single woman, living in a working women hostel, while Sameeksha lives with her parents, who "are busy in a vigorous search for a competent person `to groom` this rustic daughter of theirs." This cryptic statement from Sameeksha makes both the listeners go into peals of laughter. Then, she adds, "Actually, my father has been suffering from macular degeneration, a genetic disease of eyes. It is why he is in a hurry to see me settled as soon as possible." Koya says, "Yaar Sameeksha, you were junior to me by two years, during our undergraduate studies, here. It means, you would be around 25, by now." Professor Vibha is reminded of the hurried efforts of her own mother, already widowed for over a decade, rushed me into the family, where the groom-to-be had almost attained the status of `a chronic bachelor. No proper enquiries were made about his age, academic career, employment etc. Just because some distant relative, Maya had recommended the family, my mother had ignored some vital points to be considered for marrying her well qualified, decently employed daughter, gave her consent to that lady teacher who happened to have served under her, without considering the compatibility of the match being suggested for her daughter. Of course, Professor Vibha's reverie is broken, as Koya says, "Madame, though my contact with you as your student is just two year older than Ms Fotedar's, yet my acquaintance with you dates back to the time, you were sitting besides the person to be married. You looked a real beauty at the podium." Though taken by surprise, Vibha tries to send a counter surprise, as she says," At that time, you would be just a girl of 15 or 16". Of course, the lady, mused at the appropriate guess about her age at that time, hastily asks, "Ma'me, do you remember my face, that was being

18 shown to both of you, by your younger brother kanuj, from the group of his close friends, invited to the reception party to celebrate your wedding?" " Truly speaking, I took no notice of the individual faces before me, as many friends and relatives on both sides were being introduced to the would-be couple, merely for the sake of formality." With a view to divert Koya's attention from the account of her own marriage, she hastily adds, "I picked you up from a very large group of young persons, to be taken to the would-be- couple for introduction as one of my favourite pupils in my class, during your undergraduate studies. It was there and then the fact of your being very close to both the spouses-to-be, was brought to my notice by Supriya." A singular incident the `tongue-on collision` between Abhilash and Vibha, dated June 30, 2007, has sent stirring many a mind, in their families. Perhaps, they have begun to realize that they were living under the false notion that a female divorcee in India, has no option but to lead a silent and low-profile life, to establish her innocence in the matrimonial duel that eventually culminated in dissolution of her marriage. Most of them have now resorted to ruminate over the young life, in the form of Vibha Ratra, leading a poised and self-reliant life since 2002, in the civil society, after having been forced by the tyranny of circumstances to enter into a mutual petition before the District Judge for the dissolution of their `unfortunate` marriage that took place in 1999. Some of them have begun to claim that the 25-year-old M.Phil bride was treated by her mate with superciliousness; hence, she could not withstand for long the disdain at the hands of ladies in her matrimonial family. Moreover, the father-in-law spent all his energy in manifesting his brinksmanship in all the matters , despite the extended scope of the family setup, sequel to the inclusion of a daughter-in-law.

19 TWO

Madan Mohan Tandon is engaged in ruminating over the incidents that shaped his life style, during the past fifteen years. Sometimes, the changes in his attitude towards the social code of ethics, as of now, make him unnecessarily tizzy with his surroundings. During such moments, he feels like fleeing away from this new home. But the `mistress of the establishment`, Maya Bhabhi, till now has never failed to gauge at times the intentions of this most needed type of a companion, whose desires are very few, but utility is enormous. Of course, before joining her family, he had thoroughly considered the pros and cons of her affectionately conveyed persistent offer to join her elder brother’s widow, after he had himself suffered around seven years of a widower’s life. Both of his nephews, sons of this widow Maya Tandon, spending a widowed life for over 18 years, had approached their `Madan Chacha`. They insisted upon him to give up his forlorn lifestyle. when he shifted to their residence in Kucha Baijnath in the year 1996, Maya’s one son and the only daughter were already married off; and only the younger son Pushkar Raj was to be got married. Therefore, Madan Mohan was allocated for his sole use the single-room accommodation on the ground floor, whereas the rest of the members of this establishment were left to the use of only the first floor accommodation. Here, the married son, his wife and two kids had for their sole use, two-room independent structure, with a separate kitchen and toilet facility; and Maya had to shift her personal belongings to first floor to share with Pushkar Raj, a single room structure with kitchen and toilet facility. Soon, the search for Pushkar Raj’s bride started.

Sonika was one of the three tentatively selected from short-listed girls to be the best choice as daughter-in-law. But her parents had pointed to the dearth of accommodation in the house, while they were negotiating the desirability of the match-making of their daughter Sonika with Pushkar Raj Tandon. They had been assured by Tandons that some alternative arrangement would be definitely made by them. Thus, the betrothal ceremony was duly performed, without addressing to the inadequacy of the space for the `couple-to-be` as already pointed out by the Vermas for the comfort of their daughter. The girl’s side was anxiously waiting to hear from Tandons about the efforts being made to create `essential privacy`, before the entrance there of Sonika who was used to enjoying the sole occupation of a room of their recently acquired building in Mukherjee Nagar, now being sent to live in this small house of Kucha Baijnath. Thus, a frantic decision was made to vacate the ground floor portion of the house for Pushkar and Sonika, after sending Madan Chacha upstairs, just a few weeks before the marriage was to be solemnized. But in the meantime, Maya’s daughter-in-law Rashmi,wife of Prakash Lal Tandon, pointed out to her husband towards the fallacy in the decision made with respect to `Chachaji` vacating his room for the newlyweds. She raised the question of the non-availability of a separate room for `Mummy` at the first floor. Both sons and Rashmi huddled together to discuss the point threadbarely. They concluded that Chachaji , who is at least seven years younger than his elder brother and almost four years younger to brother’s wife, was being meted out at our Mom’s hands, a motherly treatment, particularly in the wake of our grandmother’s demise when he was just fifteen years old boy, as learnt from elders. Thus, they saw nothing unbecoming in Mummy and Madan Chacha sharing the single room at the ground floor. In case, we have Elders at the first floor, `Madan Chacha` would have to face an ordeal in climbing up and down many a time, everyday. Pushkar Raj suggested that in this case, when we are going to have eight members in the family and have to accommodate all of them in four rooms at our disposal, it is better that Mom be shifted to stay downstairs. Thus the new situation made Maya to share the ground floor with `Madan Chacha, within three months of her son’s engagement with Sonika. Both of the duos would remain on the lookout for opportunities to devise newer and newer ways to spend time together, with a view to raise the level of rapport between themselves. The younger ones were satisfied to mark them in good humour, all the time. Rashmi had an extra reason to be happy, as her mother-in-law would now find no time at her disposal, to meddle into her kids’ personal life. The 58-year-old lady would keep herself attached to her blind Madan

20 Bhaiya, during most part of the day. Madan too felt elated to have found an all-time companion around. Though he had already enabled self to manage many of his personal affairs independently, yet Maya Bhabhi would keep on offering assistance from her end every now and then. The presence of a versatile reader, who could read out the printed material in four languages Vis a vis, English, Hindi, Urdu and Punjabi, besides providing facility of conversing in their mother-tongue, i.e. `Sairaki` was an added charm for him. Both of them were fond of reading modern poetry in Hindi and Punjabi, but in Urdu, any famous poet, whether living or of yesteryears would be read with equal charm and fervour. But her moody stances, manifested sporadically, kept him guessing about her actual expectations from him, at a given time. Madan was clear about a few needs of her. One of these requirements was his presence around her, almost all the time during daytime, beside the usual presence during night, in their joint room. Though not much happy with his present circumstances, Mr Tandon finds himself incapable of leaving this abode without Maya’s explicit consent. During the past four years, he had raised this issue with Maya several times, but to no avail. Keeping in sight the utmost confidential nature of the matter, it was raised and discussed in complete secrecy. Madan would ensure for himself that neither any member of the family or a maid is present in the house, before asking for `his release`, whenever he found himself in utter disgust. He knew well that Maya alone was not responsible for this messy situation, for both of them.

It had so transpired that at the time of Maya shifting downstairs with her personal belongings and bedding, Pushkar had suggested to his Mummy that she should not sleep on just a mattress spread on the bare floor, while in her Madan Bhaiya’s company in the room that used to be her personal prior to Madan Chacha’s coming to stay there. Therefore, Pushkar got transferred the bed being used by himself those days, while his mummy used to sleep on a mattress spread in Pushkar’s room. At this juncture, Rashmi had spoken out, “In fact, Mummy would not allow any male other than the one related to her directly by blood, to sleep on the bedstead, given by her parents as part of her dowry. To her, the twin bed has been very dear, because of its sacredness as reminiscence of her life with `Papaji`. But in the case of `chacha ji`, she has relaxed the norms.” All the persons around would have heard these words very clearly, accompanying the sarcastic expression on her face which only Madan Mohan could not mark, owing to his visual impairment.

On her return home from her honeymoon, Sonika had asked Rashmi about the presence of `Chachaji` in Mummy’s` room. In fact, she had devised her query in a bit sarcastic tone, as she spoke, “Is Chacha Ji a regular member of our family?” Rashmi was already on the wait for an opportunity to pollute the newcomer’s mind, with respect to mother-in-law, as she believed that she would be thus weakening her prospective grip on her both daughters-in-law. Therefore, she had communicated to the questioner all the facts related to Maya’s insistence for bringing Madan Chacha to this house, abandoning for ever her own room for the use of the `guest`, while her mother-in-law opted to share Pushkar’s room, as an exigency plan, even in wake of the ongoing search for a bride for her younger son. “Soon, she was obliged by the circumstances to quit her space in Pushkar’s room, in favour of `my sweet sister-in-law; and it meant that she reverted to her own room at the ground floor.” To make the matter worse, she supplied to her junior all the details available with her concerning the financial stringencies being faced by the family at that time. This uncalled for and undesirable venture of hers painted for the newlywed girl with an imaginary load of `burdensome` future ahead. But Rashmi‘s inquisitive nature prompted her to ask the listener, “Were your parents not given to understand, prior to fixing your marriage, about the inclusion of our Madan Chacha as a full-fledged member of our family?”“Well, maybe, my parents might not have considered it essential to tell me about this senior member, while they gave me information about the other material facts.” After a short pause, Sonika resumed, “Actually, Pushkar Ji had referred to one uncle, who was in possession of an independent one- room unit at the ground floor; and there was the provision of a separate two-bed room unit on the first floor, solely used by Bhai Saheb’s family comprising of Prakash Bhai, Rashmi Bhabhi, Anushka and Rachit; and Mummy recently shifted to the downstairs one-room accommodation in the ancestral building, situated in Chandani Chowk area. I learnt it from Pushkar Ji, when we met for a few hours to know each other’s background, immediately prior to

21 entering into the wedlock. Now, I find both these oldies are living in the single-room constructed area at the ground floor. Please let me know Didi, what is the relationship of this Chacha with our mother-in-law? If he is the real younger brother of our father-in-law, does it behove well, in the social setup, we are placed in?”

“It is a pity that her sons can’t find any fault in their mother who cares a fig for social norms, in her own case. Shall either of these men pardon his wife, if his wife invites his real brother of her same age-group, to sleepin the bed, where she herself is sleeping in the adjoining bed?” Sonika grumbled, looking straight into her senior in the family. Rashmi felt encouraged at the development that she desired to take place, at the earliest, seemed in the offing. In fact, she did not like the idea of sending her mother-in-law downstairs to share the ground floor accommodation, but could not at that moment oppose her husband’s avowed stance of `doing everything possible ` to continue living in the very house, come whatsoever. Sonika’s overture tending to oppose her husband, if he too falls in line with his brother Prakash, aiming to sustain the status quo, might bring down the joint establishment; she believes . Rashmi was aware of the fact that Pushkar Raj had been more close to Chachaji as compared to his elder brother’s affinity with `this ever-welcome guest`. Of course, both brothers often recall pleasant as well as awe-inspiring incidents, while they used to play cricket under the supervision of this very Chacha, who would happily take them on his bicycle to the Kudsia Gardens ground every Sunday during the period he had his posting in New Delhi. “Even during his Annual monthly-off from Kuwait, where he worked as Production Engineer of an oil company, he continued his coaching us, till we used to play for our Area Association.” Both the brothers claimed that they had seen Madan Chacha more than their own father, who remained badly `sunk in business` of trading in spices that required a lot of travelling.

Thus, for them he was a regular member of their family, even when he had got his family settled abroad, later on. Nevertheless, it has been Rashmi’s belief that `present must be encashed to secure future`. Thus, she immediately determines to develop intimacy with this younger bride of the family, by means of always treating her at par with self, in all the matters of the family, no matters, if it does not go well with the eldest female of the family.

One day, it so happened that Sonika had decided to avail a day’s casual leave. She wanted to visit Book Fair (an exhibition); but she did not consider it worth telling her mother-in- law, as she was to accompany a friend. She left her home at usual hours, as she went to that lady’s residence, where she was to join her for breakfast prior to visiting the Pragati Maidan, the site of the exhibition). Unfortunately, the program could not materialize, because the lady informed her that she was to go to Nigam Bodh Ghat (A cremation Ground at the bank of the river Yamuna). Thus, she preferred to return home, instead of going to her school.

Reaching home, she pressed the door bell; and it made her mother-in-law rise in a huff, wiping off her tears. Maya was surprised to see her daughter-in-law back home, so soon. She casually asked, “Have the schools been closed today, for some reason not known beforehand?” Having issued the query, Maya turned hastily towards the toilet, without waiting for the reply. It intrigued Sonika. She looked towards Maya’s room; and was surprised to spot a cheque-like` document lying on the bed. It prompted her to enter the room on the pretext of speaking for a while to Chacha Ji, who had already got ready to greet her, having heard Maya’s query and felt the presence there, of someone other than Maya. Before her mother-in-law came back, the daughter-in-law had gone closer to the cheque and knew the contents of the entries written in ink. It seemed like a crossed cheque for the amount of one lakh rupees, drawn in favour of Mrs Maya Tandon. She could not decipher the signatures, despite her prolonged efforts till the entry of Maya into the room. The elder lady seemed to have made effort to smile, before advancing her explanation for rushing towards the toilet, “I could not withstand the urinary pressure.” While Sonika was explaining the reason for her coming home abruptly, Maya had marked the smart bride keeping her eyes fixed on the demand-draft.

Then, there came an unsolicited explanation from mother-in-law, “I have already made it clear to your `Chachaji` that I cannot accept such a heavy amount as a token of his gift on my

22 birthday.” Manifesting an intriguing look on her face, Sonika spoke, “I was not told by anybody that today, it’s our dear Mummy’s birthday,” having taken her mother-in-law into a warm hug, she yells out, “Happy birthday, my dear Mummy.” At this juncture, Madan Mohan spoke, “It’s on the coming Saturday.” Sonika hurried to speak, “Okay, I reserve my right to ask for a sumptuous treat at some hi-fi restaurant, on Saturday.”

The elders chose not to drag the matter furthermore. Both of them played a safe game, as they agreed to let the bride keep this money in abeyance till then. Having marked Sonika climb the stairs to reach her room, Maya moved towards Madan to whisper, “Madan I don’t like you to squander away you’re hard earned money, like this. Our sons are capable of meeting the domestic expenses. Moreover, their wives are also earning persons. It’s their own responsibility to think of their future needs.” He placed his strong arm around Maya’s waist; and as usual she bent her head towards his shoulder. Having rested her neck at his chest, she resumed shedding the tears that had not been released when this duo were just in their complete privacy, but for the interruption caused by Sonika’s unexpected arrival home, a little while ago. Oblivious of the fact of Sonika’s presence in the house, she began murmuring, “Had you not entered into my life, at the time when I was feeling devastated, I would have perished by now.” He issued a consolatory statement, without knowing that by that time, Sonika had climbed down on her tiptoes to listen behind the door, left ajar as usual, during the day-time. She heard Chacha say, “I have performed my duty and shall continue doing it. After all, we have already enjoyed to our full satisfaction, during our prime age. Why can’t we pull on together like that, till the end? God alone knows as to which of us lives with the sweet memories of the other for the rest of his or her life.”

“Sorry, I have come back to disturb you, as I was going to make tea for me, I thought it my duty to ask my elders if they too would like to have some refreshment, at the moment.” Sonika had vividly marked Maya lifting her head from her `Madan Bhaiya’s` chest with a jerk, as if pushed away by him, having sensed the appearance of some person, at the threshold of the room. Sonika had also noticed her `Mummy Ji` wiping off her tears, in a huff, while moving silently towards the bathroom. Having cleaned her face, she announced, Okay, both of us are coming upstairs to join you over a cup of tea. Then, without looking towards the man, she spoke, “Madan Bhaiya, Please do come upstairs to join us there at a second instalment of tea. We’ll take just ten minutes to ready the tea.” It meant that she was ready to accompany Sonika to the kitchen upstairs; and also that she did not like Sonika to stay back unnecessarily, in case she just leaves the bride behind. While, both the ladies were normally working in the kitchen, the mother-in-law, in a bid to win the confidence of her new bride, spoke to her in a whispering tone, “Beta, I cannot accept such a huge amount of money as a gift from my rich brother-in-law as a gift on my birthday, for the acceptance would mean lowering down my sons’ presents that they bring home on the occasion of birthday of every member of the family.” These words worked magic for enticing the young woman towards her. Sonika’s face exuded self-satisfaction, as she was asking her mother-in-law, “Mummy Ji, if you don’t mind, I may pronounce my `verdict on that cheque`, of Rupees Five Lakh, when Chacha Ji sits here for tea.” In reply, she heard, “Okay, my sweet child; I would definitely welcome it.”

Thus, when all the three had settled down at the table to take tea, Sonika abruptly spoke out, “In case, my elders permit me to award my decision on the case pertaining to the `gift amount` of Rupees five lakh, I am ready to do the job, right now.” Before Madan Mohan could open his mouth to respond to the new bride’s suggestion, Maya ejaculated, “Welcome Ma’me!” It brought forth the arbitration award in the form, “This enormous amount of wealth being bestowed on a relative, towards the `gift on her b’day`, is bound to have serious repercussions on our family budget that has a sound provision of material gifts of an amount not exceeding one thousand rupees, presented to the `celebrity of the day`, on behalf of the whole family. I am sure, my Chacha Ji would not mind, if I request him to wait till the blessed hour for all of us arrives.”

Maya knew well that her brother-in-law, the then 51-year-old Madan Mohan had been sent back home by his employers with a kitty of 1.8 million dollars paid towards one-time payment for life, in lieu of the final settlement of his claims for physical damages, compensation for job

23 loss, gratuity, family pension etc, in 1993, after the Iraqi annexation of Kuwait had been foiled by Western alliance. She also understands Though this `gift of five lakh rupees in cash would mean a lot for the 60 odd-year-old Maya, but her self-esteem would not allow her to yield to Madan’s persuasions for acceptance from a friend, who shall feel obliged forever, for this expected honour from Maya Ji.

A couple of weeks later, Sonika happened to narrate the above incident of `enormous gift` by Madan Chachji to Mummyji, to her sister-in-law Rashmi, who could not accept it without a tinge of doubt. Therefore, she `ventured to cross-examine` the narrator, with a view to elicit all the details, shred by shred. Sonika was amazed to learn that their mother-in-law as an `adept squeezer`. Rashmi’s remarks about the senior Mrs Tandon served as an implant of a germinator of suspicions around every activity wherein the duo (Madan and Maya) were the sole participants. Sonika would be always eager to spy on these oldies and communicate the results to Rashmi. But the latter would use this information to broaden the existing cleavage between the two, one senior and the other junior to self.

Nevertheless, Madan had tried once again, to spend money to lend grandeur to the occasion of celebration being organized to mark the first b’day of Sonika’s child, but could not succeed to let Maya yield to his sincere feelings towards `his own progeny`. Of course, he was bestowed with the honour of being addressed by all and sundry, as `baby’s grandpa`, without the formality of prefixing `Chhotey` to qualify the word that denoted his relationship with the child.

All this had happened during the first two years of his present tenure of stay at his brother’s residence. It was his third and the longest stay here. However, the man is sure that the previous two suchlike prolonged visits, though shorter in duration, were in no way insignificant for him. The first one took place in October-November, 1990 when he had visited India during his first-ever vacation, after his wife’s death in 1986. He chose to stay with his married daughter, since her family insisted upon his doing so. But during this period, she went on a month-long tour of Scandinavian countries, as spouse of Mr Kundra, who was part of the Indian delegation for Cultural Relationships. Thus, he decided to spend the rest of his vacation with his late brother’s family. The second spell of his stay here lasted for just a fortnight, when he was specifically asked by his Maya Bhabhi to be there during the arrangements for the marriage of her daughter Pritigya, in August, 1992.

He is very clear in his mind that Maya’s daughters-in-law are engaged in spying on `Maya Bhabhi’s closeness with her Madan Bhaiya`. However, he decides to put off, for the time being, his final decision to leave Maya’s company, as he still feels `indebted` to her for providing him moral support even in the wake of scathing criticism coming from various quarters to `break the solidarity of this `illegitimate couple`.

24 THREE

"Auntie, government ka koi regular aur permanent khasam nahin hota ("The government doesn't have a regular groom").” The youngest of the group of three ladies strolling on the track laid inside the Surajmal Park, along its boundary wall, is heard saying in response to SuhaniJoshi who has the habit of cursing the government for every dam happening, by way of mumbling, "Khasma noon khani sarkar kujh naheen kar sakdi" (the government that is devourer of its own groom, can't do anything)." Having delivered her `judgment` on her companion's oft-repeated complaint, the 27-year-old well educated Ms Supriya , happens to mark Mr Sitar Chand Arora close at her heels, as if requiring to overtake this group, whose pace is not as brisk as this old person is habitual of maintaining. She not only clears some space for the elderly person, but also wishes him a good day, in her fond manner "Ram Ram Dada Ji!" This particular greeting is considered most essential in his case, whenever she comes across him for the first time on any day. The overtaking person responds in his affectionate tone, "Hello, `Chulbul bitiya`," as he has his way, leaving them behind. The third lady Mrs Shano Gidwani, who is almost 65 in her age, venturing to eulogize the oldie's lifestyle mumbles, "Sitar Bhai is a regular walker. Only downpour can stop his brisk walk twice a day. Even when it is drizzling, you'll find him walking with his umbrella over his head. This young woman Supriya is not just an acquaintance of the 74-year-old Sitar Chand Arora, a retired Central Government Officer; rather she is a kin of his. She lives in an adjoining colony in a house originally built by her maternal grandpa. The reins of the domestic establishment are in her hands since her marriage with Kanuj, Deputy General Manager in a multi-national consultancy organization. Though the family that resides in this two-and-half storey building proclaims to be headed by 72-year-old Ganesh Lal Dargan, yet the virtual controls wielded by Supriya in all the affairs, domestic or social, leave nothing in this oldie's domain to have a final say. Of course, the intimacy between Mr Dargan and Mr Arora provides a solid support to this young lady, who is a grand-daughter of both of these oldies. The youngest person in this family, is Modak just a two-year-old female baby. Usha Dargan, the grandma of Supriya is generally not in good health, as she suffers from stiffening of joints in the body. Mr Arora and Mr Dargan have known each other since their boyhood, while they were students, though at different levels, at V.B. High School in Dera Ismail Khan, a district town of the North West Frontier Province of the undivided India. Both had felt fascination for each other, when Arora's younger brother Subhash, having been beaten by his classmate Ganesh Lal, during recess period on one wintry day in 1946, had sought his elder brother's assistance to avenge the punches inflicted on him by Ganesh. Sitar's unexpected response to his younger brother's wails surprised both the youngsters, as he had advised both of them to be friends, keeping in view of traditional relationship between their respective parents. The `concept of traditional relationship` happened to make both the feuding boys recall the scenario in their respective homes, when Ganesh's mother was being taken to hospital, a couple of months ago. Subhash had marked his mother getting readied in a state of urgency to accompany the suffering friend the moment the patient's cot, supported by four persons was to reach the corner, where the lanes from their respective streets namely `gali Khana wali` and `gali Dargana wali` had a convergence. Whereas Ganesh had marked Subhash's mother (Leela Mausi) coming to his home much before dawn to sit beside his mother, who was crying in pain; And it was also Leela Mausi who was keeping intimate contact with the midwife Santo in the interior of the house. He had marked that it was also on her behest that the final decision could be arrived at to shift the patient to the Victoria `Zanana` hospital, situated close to the `Company Bagh`. The 10-year-old Chulbuli had one day asked her grandpa, "Nanu, sometimes you say that my `Dadaji` and you are of almost of same age, but quite often you seem to be overawed by him without any obvious reason. `Nani` says that `Dada's` anger point is a little closer to the normalcy point as compared to the one in an average person's case. Were you ever beaten by him?" His

25 reply was, "He is virtually my elder brother, as your `chhotey Dadaji`, I mean Subhash was my classmate during our school days in our native place. Sometime later, Mr Dargan had brought to Mr Sitar Chand's notice the fact of this innocent query from their common kin Chulbuli, when they were together enjoying the mirth emanating from the child's `mature-like` way of sharing her impressions of the mischiefs and blunders of her classmates. Mr Arora had tweaked the prominent nose of his grandchild, for whose sake he had been visiting Dargans very frequently, as the child had been living with them since she was almost of the same age as her baby Modak is today. Supriya Arora d/o Chanchal and Kapil Arora has no mental image of her parents' faces, as she was just in the vicinity of two years, when her parents died in the accident that resulted in the death of 32 persons, travelling in the over-crowded bus, carrying some teachers and their families, mostly residents of Nimri Colony in North Delhi. This group of 46 persons was on an All- India tour, organized by someone amongst themselves, to avail the benefit from their department under the `LTC scheme` during their summer vacation in 1981. The driver and the cleaner of that bus were also killed. All the other passengers got injured. Those who survived the accident told the investigating authorities that the driver was under great stress to complete the tour within the stipulated period of 24 days. the time lost on account of meeting the `solicitation` from many passengers on one or the other compassionate ground, needed to be made up to save the anticipated profits getting affected by way of over-stay in any State, as it would mean the transport department charging extra fee for the road-use permit at the point of vehicle's exit. The unanticipated time-loss was to be made up by keeping the vehicle on the move for very long hours continuously many a time. The strain of drowsiness over powered the alertness of the driver, who failed to manage the control over the vehicle while swerving over a bridge on a rivulet in the vicinity of Nasik in Maharashtra. Of course, she was around eight years old, when she learnt the details of this ghastly incident from her maternal grandparents, with whom she lived since the day her parents had left their infant for care, before leaving Delhi to proceed on that ill-fated tour. For all practical purposes, Mrs and Mr Dargan acted as her real parents. It is why she feels herself tied to them, even today. This old couple earnestly feels proud in declaring that their granddaughter happily provides all the services they would have expected from their son Kailash, in case they had opted to live with his family in newly developed area of Ghaziabad, on the outskirts of Delhi. Mrs Shano Gidwani, a distant cousin of Mrs Arora and also a resident in the neighbourhood of Aroras, quite often turns out to be a virtual messenger between Supriya's grandparents at both the ends. Mr Sitar Chand and Mr Ganesh Lal have a very clear understanding between themselves to pick up the reality from the ostensible volumes of `fresh news, sought to be conveyed by this `sweet- tongued news carrier`. Supriya is also very quick to ward off the affect of the `bug` brought, though inadvertently, by this `in-built` messenger between her grandparents at both the ends. With this end in view, she keeps on visiting her paternal family at least once a week to activate the anti-virus software `Mental Storage Cleaner`. Thus, it makes her draw satisfaction from the fact of feeling of reasonable rapport between the two families, each playing the best possible role at its end to help her survive, develop and be harmoniously moulded into an attractive person in the society. At the moment, Supriya is basking in the sun, in the company of her `Dadaji`, Nanaji` and Naniji. They are enjoying their tea also while they are chatting over the price rise, growing crime rateand the speculations about the second term for the present incumbent as head of the State in India, as set afloat in the daily paper by a well-known auther. However, Supriya had already discussed with Mr Dargan the exact import of the author's views in the background of the political happenings in the post-independence era, prior to placing this paper before her `Dada Ji`, whose political leanings she already knew not only by way of discussions on political affairs of the country, but also gathered through clarifications often sought by her from her `Nanu`, whose opinion on various matters at times seemed to her quite different from those of the former. She had curiously looked her grandpa Mr Sitar Chand perusing the page placed before him by his `Chulbul Bitiya`; then remaining silent for some time and thereafter smiling cunningly into his friend's face before expressing his response, "Of course, it's a praiseworthy task performed by

26 this well-known authour. I believe this unbiased thinker quite often sounds the alarm well in time to save many from slipping into lanes, where only a `gory track` is the single option for the faltering ones." Mr Dargan read more than anybody else here could do from the statement issued by Mr Arora. It was a clear signal for Ganesh Lal Dargan to perceive the transformation in the mindset of his friend's case with regard to the justification of the claims of those who say that Rahul Gandhi would be the most appropriate replacement for the present incumbent Dr Manmohan Singh, at anytime from now. This thought makes Mr Arora tease his friend by asking, "Do you have anyone else in your mind to lead the Congress and/or the government?" Before Mr Arora could open his mouth, his grand-daughter had suggested in a jocular mode, "We want only young people to lead the immature and inexperienced youth to be prepared for sacrifices while taking cudgels with the corrupt ones. I think that this `sacred task` can be performed by only those persons, whose ancestors has a glittering record of self-sacrifices. They can at least dream of becoming stars, notwithstanding the fact of reservation of the `sacrosanct position` of a moon for a specific family, whose past record is full of going through enormous travails and tribulations for the sake of their humble countrymen." However, Supriya had already discussed with Mr Dargan the exact import of the author's views in the background of the political happenings in the post-independence era, prior to placing this paper before her `Dada Ji`, whose political leanings she already knew not only by way of discussions on political affairs of the country, but also gathered through clarifications often sought by her from her `Nanu`, whose opinion on various matters at times seemed to her quite different from those of the former. She had curiously looked her grandpa Mr Sitar Chand perusing the page placed before him by his `Chulbul Bitiya`; then remaining silent for some time and thereafter smiling cunningly into his friend's face before expressing his response, "Of course, it's a praiseworthy task performed by this well-known author. I believe this unbiased thinker quite often sounds the alarm well in time to save many from slipping into lanes, where only a `gory track` is the single option for the faltering ones." Mr Dargan read more than anybody else here could do from the statement issued by Mr Arora. It was a clear signal for Ganesh Lal Dargan to perceive the transformation in the mindset of his friend's case with regard to the justification of the claims of those who say that Rahul Gandhi would be the most appropriate replacement for the present incumbent Dr Manmohan Singh, at anytime from now. This thought makes Mr Arora tease his friend by asking, "Do you have anyone else in your mind to lead the Congress and/or the government?" Before Mr Arora could open his mouth, his grand-daughter had suggested in a jocular mode, "We want only young people to lead the immature and inexperienced youth to be prepared for sacrifices while taking cudgels with the corrupt ones. I think that this `sacred task` can be performed by only those persons, whose ancestors has a glittering record of self- sacrifices. They can at least dream of becoming stars, notwithstanding the fact of reservation of the `sacrosanct position` of a moon for a specific family, whose past record is full of going through enormous travails and tribulations for the sake of their humble countrymen." in fact, Mr Arora has not forgotten the pangs suffered by his sister and her husband whose future happiness and optimistic approach to life had been smashed by the cruelty suffered by both of them almost simultaneously, at the hands of overzealous and extraordinarily self- obsessed unscrupulous volunteers of the `brigade` raised by the second line of the so-called innermost force to serve as `pillars of support` for a kin of the `great ruler`, whose one-point agenda was to silence the opposition that might provide embarrassment to her uncalled for step of promulgation of the state of emergency on the midnight of June 25-26, 1975. There was an atmosphere of fear psychosis in the nation till the emergency was lifted by the ruler in March, 1977. The ruler could not mark the illegally usurped extra-constitutional powers wielded by this member of her family to go scathingly on the path of getting sterilized more and more of persons in the age-group that denoted the probability of their being in the `fertility zone`. These young persons were lured, induced and even coerced or abducted to be virtually `dragged` to the hospitals for vasectomy/tubectomy. Almost every day hundreds of them were flocked and taken to the various hospitals in Delhi and other big cities. Unfortunately for Sitar Chand’s sister and her husband that both of these spouses were carried to the operation theatre for sterilization, under coercion, on the very same day, though picked up from different places and in varied circumstances.

27 It had so transpired on a fine morning of October in the year 1975 that Mr Roshan Lal Makkar was enjoying his usual morning walk in Roshanara Park in Sabzimandi area of north Delhi. He happened to mark a band of few unknown persons briskly moving towards him. He looked curiously into their faces, but was stunned to feel that he was being carried forcibly by the two strong men. Before he could raise any alarm, the muscle men threatened him with dire consequences, in case he tried to wriggle out. It had taken hardly a minute for completing the nefarious task of carrying their victim to the lane skirting the boundary wall of the park. He realized their intention of `kidnapping` him, when he marked that they were dumping him into a truck, which already had almost a score of persons betraying fear in their eyes. In no time, the `predator band` reached the victims to a government hospital. Their every one of them was required to fill in a printed form his name, age and address only and leave the other entries blank. No one asked them any other question. Their signatures were obtained on the incompletely filled forms. At a distance, an official of the hospital was seen scribbling some words or figures. Finally, a doctor in white coat looked into each person's face and then signed all these forms. On returning home in the late evening hours, Mr Roshan Lal found a gathering of a good number of ladies from the neighbourhood at his doorstep. He thought that his wife would have been worrying people around their house for sending `good Samaritans` in various directions in search of her husband. So, he had prepared himself with some alibi to put off the divulgence of the real happening since he had been picked up from the place of his morning walk, after his wife and the two daughters had left for their school in the neighbouring colony. Seeing him arriving at the doorstep of their home, both the daughters came out to cling to their father and conveyed the sad information available with them regarding the hospitalization of their mother, as was reported to these small kids by the Principal of their school, a little before the last class and also offered them company to their house, because their mother Mrs Dharam Makkar had been sent to hospital on account of sudden health problem during school hours.

It was a great shock for Mr Makkar; but he mustered courage to console the sobbing kids. Soon, he announced, "I am taking you to your Sitar Mama's house. You'll stay there, till I bring your mother back home from Hospital. “At Sitar's home, he reported the latest information about Dharam Devi; and in return received consolation in the form of Mrs Radha Arora w/o his brother-in-law, Sitar Chand quickly readying herself to give him company to the hospital. Mr Arora's suggestion that they should visit Principal Batra's house to collect the facts available with her, before proceeding towards the hospital, was readily accepted by both of them. At Batra's house, both the visitors felt that they were `unwanted arrival`, as at the very outset the Principal had declared that she was expecting some important guests at that hour of the evening. So, the visitors too remained on alert to rise from the seats at the earliest. Of course, it served the lady's purpose of evading them to ward off the bitterness that might erupt, as and when they would proceed on asking details of the happening at the school. Having undergone the formality of serving water, the Principal said, "You know that everyone in the governmental organizations is being tightened on one or the other ground. During Dussehra holidays, we were required to give the particulars of our family members on an affidavit, duly countersigned by the immediate superior officer in every deponent's case. Our school' administrative staff was asked to prepare in a tabular format details of the personal data, based on these affidavits, of all the personnel from top to toe, posted in the school. This report was to be sent to the OSD (officer on special duty) appointed very recently. By the time, our salary bills for the month of September reached the Pay and Accounts Office, the `family Data` reports had reached the OSD, whose staff had drawn a list of persons who should be sterilized immediately. Thus, the Principals and heads of lower schools were communicated orally to get affidavit from these classified staffers of the school that they would be offering on their own to be sterilized within a fortnight of the receipt of salary for the previous month. The names of only two persons from our school, one Mrs Makkar and the other woman who had just joined duty as teacher as a fresh appointee in a government school, only a few months ago, had been considered as liable to be put under the tagged clause `salary against an affidavit`."

28 The stupefied husband gestured the accompanying sister-in-law to get up quickly with a view to reach their kin in the hospital at the earliest. By the time, the duo reached their destination, the visiting hours had ended. After a persistent spate of requests, only the female companion Mrs Dropadi Arora was allowed to see her sister-in-law Dharam Makkar, convalescing in the general ward for the females. The visiting sister-in-law was shaken to see the daughter of the Arora family lying on a shabby bed, spread on the bare floor. She could not help control the trickle of a few tears drop down to the patient's bed, as she had squatted herself beside the patient obliged by the circumstances to keep herself straight, lest the bandages get dislocated. In a few words, the visiting lady could gather the complete picture of the agonizing report intended to be divulged by the horrified patient to the sensible senior woman in her paternal family. Soon, the attendant hawked from the distant end of the ward to let all present there to be notified the imminent arrival of the doctor there, meaning thereby the clearance of the unauthorized presence of the patients' visitors. It compelled Dropadi to rise on her legs in a huff, but also taking care of her `saree`. In a minute or so, the visitor slipped from there with a very heavy heart. While outside the main premises of the hospital, on seeing curiosity-laden face of her brother-in-law, Dropadi mumble a few words to convey in broad sense the urgency for the surgery to grapple with the problem that erupted during sterilization in Dharam's case. The unemployed person, husband and father of two daughters, and himself already under the stress of having been coercively sterilized in this very hospital in the morning without having ever thought of undergoing this process of limiting his family's size, could not speak out any word in response to his sister-in-law's effort to convey to him the reason behind the sudden arrival of Dharam here, without any information to him.

A couple of days later, when Roshan Lal and Dharam Makkar were closeted in the privacy of their house, both conveyed to each other, the travails and tribulations suffered by him/her. Mr Makkar was extremely sorry to learn that the doctors making preparations to operate upon his wife did not perform the pregnancy test on her, despite her repeated declaration that she had not undergone menstruation periods during the past two months. She was sorry for her husband who had been lifted as stray cattle from a public place. Both the spouses had to keep their mouths shut in view of the state of emergency clamped by the government that had assumed dictatorial powers for crushing opposition. There was still more pain and shock in store for them. It came through the attitude of Mr Sitar Chand Arora towards his younger sister, Dharam Devi, whom he advised to refrain from taking the matter before the Shah Commission set up by the new government formed by the alliance known as Janta Party for all practical purposes, after giving crushing defeat to the Congress Party at the 1977 General Elections in 1977. Notwithstanding the fact this Commission had the mandate to look into the excesses committed by the authorities against the people during the Emergency Rule that remained in force from June 26, 1975, only in wake of the complete decimation at the hustings, of the party that had dared the democratic values enshrined in the sacred Statute Book for the Indian people, Mr Sitar Chand asserted that Dharmo should not risk her government job by going in for maligning the `time-trusted most patriotic family of India, simply because the short-lived anger of the people instigated by the `disgruntled element` has been successful in bringing about a temporary change in the circumstances around in the country. This aggrieved couple was extremely hurt to listen to their senior, eulogizing head of the previous Government, now brought before the Shah Commission to answer some specific questions touching the excesses committed during the period of Emergency while she was in power. Sitar Chand kept on harping on the single point that the `brave lady` refused to answer any questions posed by Mr Justice Shah to her in full public view during the Commission's regular sittings in the premises of Patiala House on Tilak Marg, New Delhi, during the regime of Janta Party in 1978.

Supriya's grandmother Usha Dargan and Sitar's friend Mr Ganesh Lal Dargan has till now remained under the notion that the former, being a staunch Congressite would react as a person who never sees the light of the day to evaluate afresh one's own leanings and views, in the wake of the multitude of political parties finding berths for themselves in the national polity here. The change observed by both of them is being discussed in Sitar absence. Now, Mr Dargan feels that he had remained ignorant during these 36 years about the change taking place in his friend's

29 mind on account of the ways and means chosen by the political parties from time to time to attain their goals. But Usha Dargan tries to provide some humorous tone into the chat, as she says, "I happen to recall a short poem `the Battle of Bathlem`, prescribed in our syllabus at school level. The poet while narrating the sufferings of the natives of the inhabitants of this area, uses the technique of an oldie explaining to his grandson the suffering during the battle fought in that area where both of them have reached while on a usual stroll. The inquisitive child seeks his grandpa to explain the existence of the graves of different types: some were crowned with the epitaphs, whereas some others were covered with irregular stones, and there was also the presence of hundreds of unidentified soldiers strewn in the fields. But the old man time and again harps on a single sentence, "But it was a great victory!" Of course, Supriya feels amused with the timely recall of the gist of the interesting poem read by her `Nani`, sometimes in mid-forties of the previous century. She proclaims, "Hats off to my great grandma for sustaining and diligently maintaining her `computer-like RAM!"

Supriya's grandpa says, "Your granny is the embodiment of a multitude of good qualities like cute observation, determination, endurance during multi-polar pressures of antagonistic nature and at the top of all she still possesses a sweet `girlish` charms despite her years." It makes the `old girl` blush, but her husband continued his earnest appraisal of his wife," Sometimes, I wonder how she keeps on caring for even those, who have at times openly displayed inimical postures towards her." Supriya draws her grandma closer to her side; looking into her face with a smile, she declares, "I know the secret of her success in facing various types of situations. I can reveal it, if permitted by my sweet `Nani`."At this point of time, Mr Ganesh Lal looks into his wife's face, bringing a grin to his face, whereupon Usha pokes her middle finger into her grandkid's left loin, before drawing a mischievous smile, conveying thereby her mod. Supriya says, "My Nani is apt in the skill of touching the extremity and receding swiftly, if desirable at that moment. Nanu, you must have marked that she enjoys drinking very hot tea or coffee and also intensely cold `Lassi` or aerated drinks, while she doesn't feel herself comfortable to take the chilled water." Both the oldies look into their grand-daughter's face with intrigue. Supriya explains, “It means that normally, she remains comfortable with her routine, but she has the in- built capacity to go to any extent to meet the pleasure or pain, without getting herself stuck there too long." After a short while, Supriya resumes, "Now, you can draw your own inferences from the fact of her tastes for the drinks at certain optimal temperature, while as a matter of course, she likes to have the commonly drinkable item, the plain water, at its normal temperature. It reflects her natural temperament, at times in different situations."

Ganesh Lal heaves a long sigh before speaking out, "Your mother, I mean, our daughter Chanchal also had this quality of character." Supriya says, "Nani had once told me that it is why you people had named her `Chanchal`." "But you too are placed in that category, though on a higher pedestal, as you used to be full of pleasant mischief during childhood or even your early girlhood too." At this point of time, her granny pulling her towards self speaks out, "My child, It is why we had named you Chulbuli, when you were around 4 years old; as we had by then succeeded in our struggle for making your paternal grand-parents agree to our request for letting us retain you as our daughter," finding it difficult to hold back tears whelming at the corners of her spectacles-covered eyes, she ventures to complete her statement, "Of course, we had been bound on a solemn oath of affirmation that Chulbul shall never use `Dargan` as her surname; rather she would be encouraged to use Arora as her own surname." Though I have always loved to have this name, yet I could feel the import of this qualitative word only when I was studying the chapter on `manifestation of complexes in personality` in my main subject Psychology at under-graduate course. Through introspection, I could dig out the symptoms of this unusual pattern of expression, though made unconsciously, classified as `fidgety` in me. Of course, it is the extended form of `vivaciousness`, which is the most appropriate word to denote the quality my mother's name stands to denote. Thus, it proved to be the time, when I became conscious of placing my bodily movements under restricted parameters, while being in public view. Today, I have solved another riddle, hovering my subconscious mind since I heard my `Dada and Dadi` harping on their plan of solemnizing my marriage with Kanuj in the traditional manner, whereas me and Kanuj repeatedly praying for a civil marriage followed by

30 a jointly organized `Reception Party` by both the families, whose children were going to begin their married life. The latest info that you had been granted permission by Arora family for retaining the girl belonging to them, as per Hindu customs and traditions in this part of India, only on the condition that you will not change her surname, it is now evident that they were having in their mind a religiously mandatory duty of performing `kanya dan` (giving daughter's hand into the bridegroom's hand), in lieu of their dead son and his wife. Now, that quandary stands cleared forever, as to why the rites of `kanya dan`' were performed by Aroras, instead of the couple, who played the role of parents for me without any break, since the demise of my natural parents." Supriya makes it a point to be kept in mind that her `Dada Ji and Dadi Ji` had in no way cast her away for want of their interest in her proper development. Anyhow, she always thanks Him for saving `this humble soul` from going astray, as the opportunities to see reason and reality reach her, before it is too late. Of course, the matter of her having been compelled to undergo the ritual of traditional and customary Hindu marriage procedure did in no way affect her emotional bondage with Kanuj. Both always relish the memory of those hours that they spent together during an informal group meeting of seven classmates as students of Post-graduate Course in Social Management. They had gathered at Nirula's on Bungalow Road, touching Jawahar Nagar and Kamala Nagar close to University area. Since then, they have reminded each other the date of this informal meeting, that provided them seeds to grow for themselves a `sapling` for friendship. Nevertheless, it was at this very gathering, when both of them had sensed the existence of `an affair` between Koya and Dhiraj, but they had revealed this fact to each other only when their own friendship had gone far off to consider each other as compatible for entering into a nuptial bond. Now that their friendship, based on the seeds sown, immediately after that group meeting of April 2, 2000, had fructified into marriage on May14, 2005; of course they sometimes feel sorry for Koya and Dhiraj who could not cross the barrier of religion to get their friendship translated into a proper marriage and rather hastened to choose the illicit way of `having each other`. Of course, they are now unfortunately fighting the legal battle, after plunging into the arena of courts to pass on the buck in the form of responsibility for their mutual creation, a handsome baby. One evening, Supriya informs Kanuj that Ms Koya is anxious "to see both of us at the earliest. I have invited her to breakfast tomorrow morning. I am sorry that I have done it without ascertaining your consent to meet this one-time common friend of ours." Kanuj says, "Supriya and Kanuj have concurrence of opinion with regard to Koya and Dhiraj affair. I am sure that she has earnestly desired to consult both of us at the same time. Moreover, tomorrow being Sunday, you could well suppose that I won't be going anywhere, leaving my `doll and her mom` behind, without seeking their permission." Looking into his eyes with a smile on her face, she says, "Kanuj, I am proud of your heart-felt attachment for me and our Modak. I feel like making an effort to bring Koya and Dhiraj together keeping in view the future of their `extra-marital progeny`. Let's remind them of our latest discussion around the topic, essentiality of the institution of marriage to have at least certain socially desired restraints, with a view to ensure a respectable pedestal for the offspring." "Of course, that's the most appropriate scheme in this particular case," Kanuj expresses his satisfaction with the plan of action his wife seems to have drawn, for the time being. During breakfast the next morning, Koya didn't betray any sign of lurking problem for her. Kanuj tends to believe that the lady was under no stress at all; she might be feeling bored with life around and therefore, would have fished for an invitation from her friend Supriya, with whom she has been maintaining contacts via `Nihswarth`. Soon, it occurs to him that the presence of their elders might have kept her obliged to put her wails aside and rather camouflage her personal woes, as she happily makes it a point to congratulate all the four adult persons, while dabbing at Modak's back, she pronounces, "My dear friends here, have been successful in redeeming their wish of constituting an ideal family." Of course, the elderly couple, already under the impact of notification concerning the guest's sorry state of family life, reciprocated with a feeble smile, whereas Supriya jumping on an ecstatic note, happens to meet the glaring eyes of her husband, who has by now realized delicacy of the situation and hence asks, "Koya, how do you feel about the Punjabi dishes your friend has cooked specially for you?"

31 Rising on his feet, while signalling the young ladies to slip away from there, immediately after the breakfast had been taken, Kanuj enters the drawing room, followed by his companions. Even here, Koya once again commends her friends over their success in "establishing a home of their choice." These words aptly serve to trigger the couple's memory to recall the moments at the `special coffee session` they had with their bosom friends to announce turn by turn in their very presence, "Well guys, I have discovered a match of my choice." Before, anybody could ask them to declare the name of that `most fortunate person`, both of them had sprung up on their toes to extend their hands towards each other. The din of the clapping by their group members drew the attention of many others present there around. Koya had asked them to stand closer, `distinctively enough to be exhibiting pride over your marvellous success brought about by the feat you people had performed during a strenuous toil of many years." The moment they stood aside, Abhinav wanted them to "Please take each other into a warm hug." Nevertheless, they performed the act, though hesitatingly, to the pleasure of their friends around. But neither of the duo expressed any inclination to accede to another demand, this time coming from Dhiraj, "Kiss please!" A few months later, Kanuj and Supriya had proudly told Koya and Dhiraj, "We have made a resolution on this New-year Day that `we'll soon have a `home of our` choice." Supriya had marked that Dhiraj had pointed out that it required a lot of money to build a house, whereupon she had to emphasize that she was referring to `home`, certainly not a house. At this juncture, Kanuj had to assert that `home will be òurs`, not only mine or hers`. Of course, Koya had already marked Supriya applying the emphatic stress in her pronunciation of two words, `home and our`. Now, the hosting couple, having properly linked their guest's remarks to their merrily made proclamation with respect to their future plans of action, during some sitting amongst a number of their close friends of those days, each strives to prompt the lady to come out with her expectations from them, at the moment. The smart guest understands that the task of courtesies has been accomplished thus she embarks upon unfolding her latest `woes` before her friends without awaiting any cue to divulge her `wretched situation`. Thus, she declares, "I have lost all hopes of retrieving my `love`. Now, I find no support from anywhere to put my life on the smooth track once again. I have been led to the state of affairs where I am being compelled by my own earnestness to have faith in the omnipotence of `Superiormost of the optimums`, as often sermonized by our dear Supriya, while comparing and contrasting the contents of the most popular brands of religions. Actually, I had failed in judging the efficacy of the religious balms available at hand, for almost everyone who believes in charismatic powers of those who occupy the highest saddle in a particular sect in human society. Perhaps, those days I didn't know that balm is useful just for a temporary relief from pain, but in no case it should be taken as remedy for the ailment. I have been lured by the fruitful results of my parents' mutual love for each other. The single word `LOVE` could not be correctly defined by me in my own case. It's why I misjudged my partner in life. I couldn't at that time gauge the strong roots of fickleness, though perceivable at surface, sporadically. My counsel has advised me to ask for paternity test via DNA to prove that Lubna was certainly begotten by him on me. But the pendency of such claims to pass through the legal channels has been a lifelong botheration in most of the cases, particularly wherein the defendant is either himself or stands connected to the `so-called high-up in our Indian society. His `Phoophaji` has approached me with the final offer of an off the record one-time alimony to the tune of 2.5 lakh, as a bargain to withdraw my both suits under the provision of òut-of-court settlement`. Of course, a threat annexed the `generous offer` has also been forwarded, via a telephonic call, aimed to reach my ears directly. It meant to convey that any effort on my part to meet Dhiraj would mean àn invitation to dire consequences`. Now, I feel myself in a cross-haired situation that begs the well-considered advice from your end." During her routine reporting hours, Mrs Sameeksha Goel, one of the trusted most workers in the Delhi Brigade of `Nihswarth`, is busy chatting with her colleagues about her daily domestic chores, as they usually find some moments to discuss with one another, their personal problems also quite often in Supriya's presence, of course, expecting some `wonderful remedy` for their `mental sores` being offered by their `Didi`. `Didi` is the Proper Noun that stands assigned to Supriya Arora, here in this organization.

32 Supriya asks Sameeksha about her general health, as she does not seem in her best of spirits, today. Sameeksha responds, "Didi, this morning I received a telephonic message from Mumbai informing me about the death of the person, whom I have held in high esteem all along the time, since I had seen him for the first time during my official duties, over a decade ago." Hariya, another member of this group tries to peep into her colleague's personal life by raising a query, "How old was the deceased?" "He was certainly older than my father," Sameeksha looks into her colleague's eyes, while answering her with a cunning smile on her face. Supriya's sharp recall memory helps her guess, as she asks, "Was he suffering from some visual ailment that turned into cancer?" Of course, that good soul, whom I have known for fifteen years, breathed his lost in Lilawati Hospital late last evening." Sameeksha updates her Didi on this account, as she had been doing about many other personal matters. Hariya, who had never heard about this personality from her senior colleague, makes it a point to learn more about it from her, during some mutually convenient hours. By chance, they happen to come across each other at the CrossRiver Mall, the very next afternoon. Hariya's overwhelming curiosity impels her to ask her colleague for a favour to "Please, give me company around a `double-shot cofechino, right now." As they are waiting for their order to be delivered, Hariya broaches the topic of her interest with the words, "Madame, yesterday, you had referred to some adorable personality's passing away. Was he at the management board of the institution you had served for a good number of years, as office assistant?" Keeping in view, the emotional surge displayed by her younger colleague, Sameeksha decides to narrate all that she carries in her mind about the best qualities in the shape of memories of Mr Fotedar. Thus, Sameeksha narrates in the shortest possible format, the gist of the chain of interactions she has had with Fotedars during the past 15 years. She conveys it to her colleague that one day during her usual hour of functioning in office, she marked the entry of Mr Mehra, a frequenter, being escorted by a man of his own age. She could guess it from a distance that the blind person, Mehra was telling details of the path his escort needed to follow to reach the bosses cabin. She had satisfied herself that they were at the right place, as she heard Mr Mehra addressing the boss, his own friend, by name, as he was being helped by his escort to be seated in the chair opposite the person, whom he had been visiting sporadically even before Sameeksha’s joining this office. Her curiosity helped her ears draw the information that the newcomer was being introduced to her boss as Mr Fotedar, recently retired as Principal of a government school in Delhi. She already knew that Mr Mehra was officiating as Principal of some school for the blind students. She was also aware of the level of intimacy between her boss and Mr Mehra, as the former would often tease his guest with the words, "Yaar Mehra, what else you have imbibed from your Professors at Perkins, USA, except the strict adherence to the dress code, as you have never been seen in public without a necktie?" Mr Mehra would enjoy this sarcasm, as it would draw a giggle and the rhetoric, "I wonder the blind persons in my country can see the dress worn by others, without having a feel of touch." Then, they would produce a simultaneous giggle for their personal enjoyment of the recall of some joke or a real happening that they did not afford to speak about in the presence of others. "I for myself was sure that I need not go in for peeping into those two males' personal life," says Sameeksha. Now, focusing herself on Mr Fotedar, she says that having treated his visitors with a `welcome drink` in the form of plain water, her boss summoned her into his cabin, where Mr Fotedar was introduced to her as a friend of Mr Mehra; and then desired to be made conversant with the Low Vision Aids available at their office. Having understood the instructions from her boss, she requested Mr Fotedar to accompany her to the room, where they had various types of gadgets for display as well as for use in testing `per se` the deficiency in the vision of the person desiring to be tested. Having been examined by the lady for the use of some magnifiers in his case, Mr Fotedar rose up from his chair to report back to the head of the organization Vis a Vis his desire to thank him and also his friend Mr Mehra. Before he could find an opportune moment when he would speak to interject into the ongoing friendly chat over the matters concerning various such organizations scattered around Delhi, Sameeksha took the initiative to report and also suggest for "a checkup by the ophthalmologist on the day fixed for `our patients`."

33 "Thus, Mr Fotedar came to my boss's cabin, well in time to be checked by the eye-physician. My boss called me to check if all the patients for the day had beenduly sent to the doctor's clinic that was in the same sector of the colony, where we had our organizational office. Immediately outside the main building, the rickshaw puller was awaiting us to pick up from the portico and carry both of us to the doctor's clinic. At the ophthalmologist's, I felt like explaining to Mr Fotedar that the doctor would checkup every patient turn by turn, as per the list sent y our office, on the basis of their reporting to our office. Offhand, I can tell you that your turn is at the sixth place. Please don't mind, Uncle." The moment I addressed him `uncle`, he looked into my face and bringing a pleasant smile to his face, "Beti, it's all right." I kept my lips pursed, but he asked, "I have heard your boss addressing you by your first name, I mean `Sameeksha`. In fact, my daughter is also named Sameeksha," he said apologetically. It encouraged me to prolong the dialogue, as I asked how old she was. Thus, the further questions and answers on both sides yielded further information, Vis a Vis her age, marital status and the number of issues she had. On my part, I made him know my husband's position in the office, as chartered accountant, my father-in-law's business of general merchandise etc." While Mr Fotedar was asked to read from the list of alphabet-chart hanging on the opposite wall, he could read only four lines by using his left eye, whereas his right eye would not let him go beyond top two lines. The doctor put dilating drops into his eyes. He was then advised to keep his eyes closed for fifteen minutes. During this period, the doctor asked him a few questions regarding his avocation. He said, "I remain busy in reading and writing literature. Naturally, the next question was posed immediately, "Do you engage some reader for doing this type of activity?" His answer was that he did all such things with the help of computer, loaded with softwares to read for him. Then, he had to tell as to what type of books he was writing; and he made the doctor know that he was a fiction writer. He further said that he wrote romantic novels. This information sent pleasantly sensitive thrills into my whole being, for believing that the same man was sitting so close beside me; as I had already decided to read his latest novel, after having been fascinated while reading reviews of his latest work. On way back to my office, I marked that the esteemed writer was feeling uneasiness around his eyes, as he was time and again wiping off tears collected at the corner ends of his eyes. Just to show my concerns for his discomfiture, I spoke, "Uncle, I should have got the office van readied, had I known that some distinguished person was to be provided services at our end." My diplomatic language had fetched beam of smile to his face and a simultaneous gesture of giving a reward in the form of a pat on my back with the fondest words, "My thanks for this smart 'bitya`." It was after a few minutes when I realized that the `learned man` had also used his compliments in a diplomatic manner. I extended to him my hand to support him, while getting down from the rickshaw; and he once again, blessed me by putting his right hand over my head, before speaking, "Wish you a very happy, fruitful and durable married life." After a short pause, Sameeksha resumes her narration to enlighten her colleague Hariya furthermore about what had happened immediately thereafter, "Having failed to find my boss in his cabin, he looked into my face, perhaps to know if I had some idea of his presence at some other place in the office premises. Having heard from me that the boss would have left for lunch by now, he betrayed perplexity before asking in a straight question, "What are the lunch-break hours?" Shunning formality, I extended my invitation to share this interval by way of joining me at the table for lunch. After some hesitation, he asked, "I notice that no one is in his seat. Do you have some common place for taking your lunch during these specific hours?" Instead of answering her question, I repeated my invitation by employing more endearing tone, as I spoke, "Uncle, I know that you will feel bored in the absence of your friend. Please, join `this` Sameeksha at lunch, just for whiling away your time." Having reached the dining room, he looked around, as if searching for his friend's presence there. Immediately having seated himself, Mr I could answer, the kitchen attendant had laid before both of us the platters laden with food for lunch. Mr Fotedar scanned both the platters, as if to confirm the similarity of contents therein; and quickly surveyed the platters before others on that big table. Having done this spade work for resolving the predicament before him vis a vis the acceptance or rejection of the food before him, relying on one or the other ground that might not seem offending to others at the table, he furtively observed the position of my hands. I mustered courage to speak in a whispering tone, "Uncle, here we don't have choice, but to eat or remain hungry till the last minute of our duty

34 period. In case, we don't take food from the common kitchen, we are even then not permitted to take food brought from our house. I know that the employer had already got our consent to accept the lunch and a cup of tea provided by the office twice a day, as part of our salary package. Thus, everyone here tries his best to adapt to this type of food. I noticed him taking half a spoon of rice to his mouth. Having tasted it, he asked me why I hadn't commenced taking food. I had replied,“How can I start before my uncle did it. My response made him heave a few partially filled spoons of rice, `dal` and curry into his mouth, sporadically, perhaps waiting for me to have gulped down my throat all the stuff in my platter before he would permit himself to announce that he had taken to his fill. Having finished the lunch, we left the table; and proceeded to the working area that had remained hidden from us, because of a collapsible thin wall for partitioning purpose set up there, to facilitate the workers to sit for food here, only during this specified length of time. By that time, my boss was back in his cabin, as usual, to indulge in smoking in a leisurely manner. I had marked Mr Fotedar typing some number on his cellphone to call on someone's phone before stepping into my boss's cabin.. Of course, my curiosity to read this person kept my attention fastened to listen and then guess as to whom he would be talking to. Yes, he had called upon the listener to reach here as per his earliest convenience as he had finished his task here. Then, he entered the cabin, sat down there for some time, and may be to thank his friend's, the virtual all-in-one on the management panel. He remained there for a couple of minutes, before his cellphone rang. It made him rise on his legs, say `good-bye` to the man, still busy burning not only his own bodily system with deadly smoke, but was also engulfing others in the vicinity, with that poisonous over-saturated smoke-screen. Having reached out to my desk, he stood before me with an affectionate smile on his lips. I deemed it essential to divert my active attention from my monitor and attend to him with befitting grace. Thus, I stood up with folded hands to say him `good-bye`, but happened to ask , "Uncle, are you now OK with the after-effect of the dilating eye- drops?" When I heard him say, "Actually, a bosom friend of mine lives in this area, I am sure, it's in Sector 4-B. He is just coming to take me to his house, where I shall spend some hours in his company, who is all alone here having `seen off` his wife for ever to her heavenly abode. I felt like offering him a seat, but could not find any unoccupied chair. I became restive for the old man standing on feet, but there was no justification for me to keep myself unduly engaged in chatting with an outsider without some known and socially acceptable reason. Luckily, another man of the like-age was seen by me as entering the hall and looking into our direction. Yes, as he came by, he addressed his friend Mr Fotedar by his first name "Basant", before touching his shoulder. Before I could take my seat, Mr Basant Kumar Fotedar spoke, "Bitiya, please do me a favour", and amazed me with his action of pulling out a 500-rupee note from his pocket and forwarding it towards me spoke," I am entrusting you with a task to be performed on my behalf, in my absence." The last three words, `in my absence` intrigued me the all the more. I looked askance into his face. But he lost no time in clearing the haze, as he explained that I had gone, you would give it to your boss telling him that this amount is to meet some portion of the cost his organization had to spend unnecessarily on me today. In case he doesn't accept it, you will, of course, deposit it as my humble donation to the organization," with these words he caught his escort's wrist and turned his face towards the exit." At this juncture, Hariya asks, Didi, could you ever know as to what transpired between your boss and this adored personality that made the later leave the money with you rather than asking the CEO of your office to accept what he wanted to pay?" "Yes, a few days later, while I was sitting in my boss's cabin for noting down the directions to be followed as I draft the final report with respect to some confidential matter, the phone at his table rings, he picks up the receiver to say, "Hello!" On hearing the caller's voice, he addresses him in his usual way, "Yaar mairey," and continues listening for some time, before bringing anguish look to his face and retorting, "It was rather your friend Fotedar, who slammed me in the presence of my staff," again heard the explanation being advanced from that end for his consumption. Then, he abruptly advanced the receiver towards me to "tell what Mr Fotedar asked you to do with that currency note of 500- rupees." Hariya's curiosity impels her to ask, “Did you ever happen to meet Mr Fotedar at some later occasion?" "Of course, it was a year or so later, when Ihappened to notice him pass by me, accompanied by two ladies, in the crowded market of Rajouri Garden. I felt like accosting him; the

35 words"Namaskar, Uncle; Iam Sameeksha Goel," just slipped out from my mouth. I marked both of his companions looking curiously into my face. He looked surprised towards me and having recalled my voice after a while, he yelled out, "Oh, Sameeksha Ji!" Then, giving a gentle dab at his companion's shoulder, he spoke out, "What a coincidence to get you introduced to your name-sake, `bitiya`?" Thus, I got introduced to his daughter and her mother. Mrs Fotedar eagerly proposed to exchange our mobile phone numbers. A few months later, she rang me up as a courtesy measure; and it made her learn from my office that I had delivered a female baby and so was availing maternity leave, ending after a fortnight thence. Around 20 days later, Mrs Fotedar confirmed that I had resumed my duty and thus both the Fotedar spouses visited me in my office, with a special purpose of delivering for my child a pack of `utility-items` marketted by the most popular brand. This gesture of theirs impelled me to invite them to the `mundan` ceremony of the child on the following Baisakh Purnima`, slated to be performed as per our family traditions." Sameeksha prefers to give an end to this topic and tactfully directs Hariya's attention towards the new changes being envisaged to fortify the smooth functioning of the NGO `Nihswarth`. Back home, Sameeksha cannot help reviewing her experience beside the Cancer-inflicted Fotedar's bed in the two-bedded ward of Rajeev Cancer Hospital, Rohini, where she attended on him for a couple of weeks, during October and November,. She had been obliged to do perform this needful task on the urgent request of the patient's daughter, Sameeksha, who had to rush up to Mumbai, to look after her mother-in-law who was bed-ridden due to fractured leg. Of course, she could not have known about the misery of her Fotedar uncle, had Sameeksha not tried to contact her via Mr Luthra, who got her contact phone number from the Blind Relief Organisation, where she used to work, during the days where Mr Fotedar had happened to know her, more than a decade ago. Sameeksha feels like recounting the situation , she had found her uncle Fotedar and his daughter eagerly waiting for her. His Sameeksha was scheduled to fly after around five hours to Mumbai to reach her mother-in-law convalescing with fractured leg. Immediately after are arrival there, Mr Luthra and his wife had reached there. Thus, Fotedar's Sameeksha was made to feel assured by all the three persons present there around the patient that her father would be looked after by them, round the clock. The departing daughter heard the three of them agree to the plan for the first week, leaving its revival during the following weeks, subject to success during that very week. They had planned that during day hours, Mrs Luthra and Sameeksha would attend the patient on alternate days, whereas Fotedar's servant would continue remaining close to his master's bed, spreading his mutilated holdall tied in the rolled position with a plastic rope and placed underneath the sofa bench meant to seat the visitors for the patient during the specified hours in the evening. This thought had time and again made her recall during the past few months the `abominable` scene relating to the patient in the other bed, as witnessed by her one afternoon. It had so transpired that the patient, Mr Sehgalhad suddenly manifested violent gesture by way of throwing away his pillow towards the farthest of the floor. A little later, he began hitting his head intermittently to strike against the handle of his steel bedstead. Then, lowering one of his arms to reach floor, where his bathroom slippers had their proper place; hastily picking one of them, he lost control of his body and was on the verge of sliding down to the floor, when he was arrested by two female attendants. Immediately thereupon, one of them, the daughter-in-law asked him, "Papa, do you want to move about on your feet?" The patient got so much annoyed that he hit the daughter-in-law with the slipper. It stunned not only his attendants, but also Mr Fotedar and his attendant Sameeksha also. Though, Sameeksha knew both those attendants well, as sometimes they had together gone out to enjoy some snacks and also chat over a cup of coffee. She had also by now known the level of intimacy between these two sisters-in-law. The elder of the duo, Kriti, the only daughter of the patient was a casual visitor here, as her presence in her nuclear family was needed most. This daughter-in-law Mukta was the junior to Shikha, whose husband was the overall in-charge of the Sehgals family-enterprise, in the name and style of `Zameen aur Chhat`. Sameeksha had already marked that the doctor had alerted these attendants of Mr Sehgal towards the possibility of getting overcharged due to the effect of drugs used during the

36 treatment. Therefore, she was not at all intrigued to notice emotional upsurge in the overt actions of the patient. But she was moved to the core, when the patient reacted miserably to the task being undertaken by his family members, as having tied his legs with the spare bedsheet lying close by, these ladies had indulged in firmly clutching his wrists to be tied together with the `dupatta` (head covering cloth) of the daughter, who could afford to remain without having it around her neck, in her father's presence. The feebly articulated words, "Foolish girls, I am not yet dead. I am pained to feel being prepared to be `taken to the pyre prematurely`." Sameeksha had no words to react to the news, she heard from her Fotedar Uncle, while he was explaining the presence of another patient, where she had seen Mr Sehgal being maltreated by his very kin, the other day. Fotedar's words, "The lucky oldie at last got his release from the tortuous hell he had been situated. He had all the more been lucky to have breathed his last in the very presence of wife," struck Sameeksha's attention as the remarks were accompanied with tears flowing from his eyes. Nevertheless, the details of the `happening moments` were provided to Sameeksha, when she received a ring on her mobile phone from Mrs Luthra, as the lady wanted to express her regrets for failing to inform her about the demise of Mr Sehgal with whose family members Sameeksha had developed a sort of rapport. These days, Sameeksha often happens to recall her days that she spent in the ailing Fotedar Uncle at Rajeev Cancer Centre during October-November last year. Though she had attended on the patient for almost two and a half weeks, yet the length of duration of her visit she stayed with Mr Fotedar extended even beyond eight hours every time. Sometimes, Mr Fotedar would unfold before her his `treasured woes` lying hitherto unrevealed. Mr Fotedar's complaints about his neglect by his siblings during his boyhood had equipped Sameeksha with information that would enlighten her about newer and newer aspects of the life a visually impaired person might be experiencing. She feels that it was very hard for him to utter anything against his own family.

37 FOUR

Supriya is presiding over the meeting of the volunteers of the Delhi Chapter of the NGO `Nihswarth`. Around fifty delegates from various towns of the NCR (National Capital Region) are attending this day-long programme. Many lively reports presented by seven delegates on the happenings around their area of habitation were discussed in an orderly manner in pre-lunch session. Then the steering committee of five persons drafted a conclusive 5-page report to be adopted by the General Body. Thus, a common minimum programme has to be chalked out on the basis of this report, in the wake of emergent needs to enlighten the society over the hidden aspects of the ailments it suffers from, for centuries. This organization provides guidance to those persons, who approach it for assistance to resolve their ticklish problems with regard to education, general health, family disputes etc. The organization has a team of counsellors to act, for doing the needful, earnestly and without any expectation from the sufferer. All the expenses made by these `volunteer counsellors` on account of reaching `useful assistance and guidance` to the `petitioner` are born by the `Nihswarth`. The funds for this activity come in the form of donations from the individuals, business houses and the grants from local self-government bodies. The volunteers and counsellors come from different walks of life. The governing bodies for the chapters of the organization are constituted on the basis of the election by the volunteers to choose from themselves the office-bearers for the Chapter they belong to. The national council is formed by inducting into it all the heads of the Chapters. No politician or Government employee can head these chapters. The ultimate authority is vested in the Board of Trustees, numbering five, that includes Ms Supriya Arora.

Having transacted the day's business, the participants at this meet, are enjoying an informal talk with their beloved leader Supriya. Here, they often bring their personal enigmas unhesitatingly desired to be solved with the help of colleagues, before moving to the auditorium for attending the valedictory address to be delivered by the distinguished guest. Today's celebrity for the purpose to have this privilege is a noted cricket player of his times. Throughout the address, he dwelt on usual rhetoric; but only one instance of his doling out some advice from his end to the audience deserves mention is as below:- "If feeling bored with your surroundings, please make some mental efforts to find out for yourself that you are getting out of tune with your own drab and dull thoughts. Of course, it happens with so many of us, at times. But we are quite often shielded by our laziness to reach to some newer ideas available at many places around us. The input of newer ideas is food for our mental activity. We feel mentally active, when our mind gets some fresh food. Just recall, what happened day before yesterday, I mean the 16th day of March, when Mr Sachin Tendulkar scored the most awaited century. It was around 4.30 pm when his strike with the bat sent an emotional outburst of profound pleasure amongst not only his fans, but also those who like to talk about the cricket game, across the world. Of course, it was a much awaited feat, because this very shot made him set a world record of cricket accomplishments. It added one more feather the highest of all, to his cap of unmatched glory of attainments in this game. This century had yielded him a landmark of having to his kitty of unparalleled score of making hundred of `hundreds` in international cricket. The cricket lovers exchanged over a million SMS Greetings within an hour of this `magical moment` that ended the stress of uncertainty the watchers in the playground at Mirpur, in Dacca, the capital town of Bangladesh, together with those who were watching the proceedings via their TV sets or listening the running commentary on their radio sets. I was moved to see the great hero becoming standstill for a few seconds; as he looked towards the sky, perhaps thanking Him for bestowing on him the capacity to perform the task, being talked about amongst cricket lovers."As the Chief Guest was engaged in delivering his address, his prying

38 eyes caught a glimpse of an attractive motto written on a wooden plate hanging on the opposite wall of this moderately sized hall. He could not help expressing his pleasure over the import provided by this maxim: Feel Happy, Be Happy and Make Others Happy. Thus, having concluded his message, he says, "The motto about `happiness` is one of the few sacred principles to ensure peaceful life for oneself. I believe that some keen observer of life would have thought of placing it on a noticeable distance of the persons on the dais." At this point of time, one female amongst the audience stood up to draw the speaker's attention to a fact that was already known to almost everyone in the gathering. She says, "Sorry to interrupt you, Sir. The same motto hangs at your back, as it also serves to keep us mindful of the `principal pivot` that keeps us on the track to attain our objective: `selfless service for everyone who needs it`. Our Supriya Didi always places these plates in suchlike position, wherever she is working at that particular time." The cricketer says, "I would love to join her brigade of workers to serve in the form she would direct me to deliver the utmost from my end for the benefit of humanity." Rising on her feet, Supriya accepts the offer, as she looks into the guest's face and speaks, "You are always welcome, provided you don't join or intend to join a political party." This daring statement makes the addressee overwhelmingly pleased that he not only folds his own hands, but bows before this lady, who would be younger to him by at least 20 ears, with the words, "Thank you, Didi!" Quite a good number of delegates are looking with intrigue a sudden change in the body language of their Supriya Didi, as she returns after having seen off the Chief Guest in a customary manner, at the main gate of the building in the presence of a couple of her colleagues. Now, her usually smiling face is marked as wearing a somber look. Nevertheless, she displays courage and fortitude enough to confess her defeat at the hands of the cricketer had smilingly pointed out to her mistake in judging her `the most honoured guest` of the time, a little while ago. She minces no words while recounting his dialogue with her before offering her a hand-shake as a customary measure. She lets her audience know precisely, that he made a verbal request, "I hope, Supriya madame would support me during the next State Assembly elections, as I have determined to fight for one of the three seats in my view, as an Independent candidate as no party of some consequence would allot me ticket for the purpose, because I have never been a favourite of any leader in a political party." Supriya tells that she had reminded him that their organizational ethics bars its members to bring any political leader to the dais, "whereupon the cricketer had drawn my attention to the fact that I had mentioned the phrase `political party` instead of a single word `politics`." One evening, Supriya informs Kanuj that Ms Koya is anxious "to see both of us at the earliest. I have invited her to breakfast tomorrow morning. I am sorry that I have done it without ascertaining your consent to meet this one-time common friend of ours." Kanuj says, "Supriya and Kanuj have concurrence of opinion with regard to Koya and Dhiraj affair. I am sure that she has earnestly desired to consult both of us at the same time. Moreover, tomorrow being Sunday, you could well suppose that I won't be going anywhere, leaving my `doll and her mom` behind, without seeking their permission." Looking into his eyes with a smile on her face, she says, "Kanuj, I am proud of your heart-felt attachment for me and our Modak. I feel like making an effort to bring Koya and Dhiraj together keeping in view the future of their `extra-marital progeny`. Let's remind them of our latest discussion around the topic, essentiality of the institution of marriage to have at least certain socially desired restraints, with a view to ensure a respectable pedestal for the offspring." "Of course, that's the most appropriate scheme in this particular case," Kanuj expresses his satisfaction with the plan of action his wife seems to have drawn, for the time being. During breakfast the next morning, Koya didn't betray any sign of lurking problem for her. Kanuj tends to believe that the lady was under no stress at all; she might be feeling bored with life around and therefore, would have fished for an invitation from her friend Supriya, with whom she has been maintaining contacts via `Nihswarth`. Soon, it occurs to him that the presence of their elders might have kept her obliged to put her wails aside and rather camouflage her personal woes, as she happily makes it a point to congratulate all the four adult persons, while dabbing at Modak's back, she pronounces, "My dear friends here, have been successful in redeeming their wish of constituting an ideal family." Of course, the elderly couple, already under the impact of

39 notification concerning the guest's sorry state of family life, reciprocated with a feeble smile, whereas Supriya jumping on an ecstatic note, happens to meet the glaring eyes of her husband, who has by now realized delicacy of the situation and hence asks, "Koya, how do you feel about the Punjabi dishes your friend has cooked specially for you?" Rising on his feet, while signalling the young ladies to slip away from there, immediately after the breakfast had been taken, Kanuj enters the drawing room, followed by his companions. Even here, Koya once again commends her friends over their success in "establishing a home of their choice." These words aptly serve to trigger the couple's memory to recall the moments at the `special coffee session` they had with their bosom friends to announce turn by turn in their very presence, "Well guys, I have discovered a match of my choice." Before, anybody could ask them to declare the name of that `most fortunate person`, both of them had sprung up on their toes to extend their hands towards each other. The din of the clapping by their group members, drew the attention of many others present there around. Koya had asked them to stand closer, `distinctively enough to be exhibiting pride over your marvellous success brought about by the feat you people had performed during a strenuous toil of many years." The moment they stood aside, Abhinav wanted them to "Please take each other into a warm hug." Nevertheless, they performed the act, though hesitatingly, to the pleasure of their friends around. But neither of the duo expressed any inclination to accede to another demand, this time coming from Dhiraj, "Kiss please!" A few months later, Kanuj and Supriya had proudly told Koya and Dhiraj, "We have made a resolution on this New-year Day that `we'll soon have a `home of our` choice." Supriya had marked that Dhiraj had pointed out that it required a lot of money to build a house, whereupon she had to emphasize that she was referring to `home`, certainly not a house. At this juncture, Kanuj had to assert that `home will be `ours`, not only mine or hers`. Of course, Koya had already marked Supriya applying the emphatic stress in her pronunciation of two words, `home and our`. A fortnight later, Supriya is enjoying the chat between her grandparents and the guests, her Nani’s girlhood classmate Maya Tandon who has arrived in her brother-in-law’s company, a short while ago. She is showing keen interest in their gossips as well as factual narration of some old happening during their early life. In fact, she has always been curious about the life around people migrated from those parts of undivided India that formed the western segment of the newly created country, named Pakistan on August 14, 1947. Madan Bhaiya, I am sure; the youngsters here would enjoy when they learn about your first misadventure of `creation of an oral fiction`, prior to becoming my classmate, “ Maya is heard urging her companion. It makes Supriya mark the appearance of streak of blush on the guest’s face. She issues an urgent request in her fond manner, Tandon Nanu please, rest assured; your secret won’t be allowed to go astray.” The rest of the group looks askance into Tandon’s face. It prompts him to initiate his narration:- “Having passed my first Public Examination (High School Examination by the Board of Secondary Education, Delhi) in 1950, I was obliged to earn my livelihood. Those days, I was living with one of my paternal uncle’s family in newly developed colony, Vijay Nagar. It came into existence, to settle around 250 families, migrated from the territory that had formed part of Pakistan, as a sequel to the partitioning of India, in 1947. I had to go to place of my work in Hauz Qazi, in old Delhi by the bus plying on Route No. 1 that ran between Kingsway Camp and Fountain, Chandni Chowk.

A former classmate of mine, Kanhiya Lal s/o Roop Lal, owner of a printing press, was fond of spending daily his morning hours leisurely, before going to his father’s business establishment, started giving me company till I remained at the bus terminus, at Kingsway Chowk, waiting for the requisite bus. Both of us continued our light chat till the start of the bus. I preferred a corner seat, so he would keep sitting beside me, until the crew boarded the bus. Having marked the entry of the two-member crew, he would rise from his seat and would briskly get down touching his feet down to the payment safely. One day, it so happened that oblivious of the entry of the bus-crew,

40 we could not terminate our chat, thereby leaving no scope for his alighting the vehicle in time. He thought of enjoying the ride in my company upto Timarpur. I knew that the bus has a regular five- minute stoppage at the T-junction inside the Timarpur Government Staff colony. Therefore, we could afford this luxury by paying one Anna, in lieu of an additional fare for him, whereas I had a monthly single-route bus-ticket;“ here he stops to gauge the audience’s curiosity for his narration, he resumes,” having come down to the ground, my buddy stood there , talking to me till the time, the bus moved from that point. In the evening, during our after-dinner stroll together, he asked me about the fascination of the girl who was sitting beside me and looking furtively at both of us. I would have blushed, as the next sentence spoken by him suggested. “Don’t hide your secret; I know that she seemed to be used to the comfort and pleasure beside you.” The next day, I was asked by my friend to deliberately let him have my company to that point, so as to check “if she briskly takes the seat today also, as and when vacated by me, like she almost grappled the space vacated by me yesterday. He was very happy to have been allowed to enjoy that `probable event`. Of course, she came and could easily take that seat. Kanhiya had congratulated me for having been lucky to be seated beside the `beauty who seemed to have an eye on my endearing personality`. A couple of days later, my friend asked if I had been by then able to seek her introduction. I told him, “Her name is Prabha and she studies in Lakshmi Narain Girls School, somewhere in Chandni Chowk area. Her father is an officer in Prime Minister’s Office.” Then, came a query from Kanhiya Lal Ji, as I was required to enlighten him about the interest, if any, exhibited by the girl in knowing about my circumstance. I told my buddy that the `beauty queen` was told by me that I was working as a salesman in a reputed store dealing in hardware items, in Chawri Bazaar. At this point he heaves a sigh, before resuming, “Almost daily, I had to concoct something new to amuse my Kanhiya Yaar, who is now no more! It was all, nothing but a sequence of lies, though it seemed probable. I couldn’t stretch the fable too long. Finding myself in a state of enigma, I prayed to Him for immediate relief from this `sin of uttering lies every day. In a winkling, it struck to my mind that the girl did not turn up that day. Nevertheless, I felt the pressure on my mind to ìnvent new dialogue that would serve the purpose of pleasing my `yaar`. Of course, I felt like blaming self, for `producing an imaginary feast` for both of us, day in and day out. The imaginary dialogues and reporting of never-felt sensation of touches caused me emotional disturbance almost in sleep. I got tired of `submitting` every evening, the false reports. I once again, prayed to Him for `deliverance`; my goodness, it was readily granted. As we met in the evening, Kanhiya read à cute expression of grief`, in my face. I heard him say, “Have you quarreled with your `sweetheart`?” My cryptic reply `”Only a fool will quarrel with a dead person`.” Stunned my friend; and after a while, he gently took me into his brace. Of course, I felt so much under the sway of that fictitious bereavement that I began to doubt the poise in my physique, at that point of time; perhaps it sounded crumbling down in a moment. He hastily took me to a nearby tea-stall, to sooth my shattered emotional condition. After a few `dragged-on sips` of tea, I looked into his face. He issued a formal query, ”Madan Bhai, I am sorry, can you tell, who gave you this bad news?” Of course, I was ready with my answer, “Perhaps, you had seen one of her companion, wearing red-coloured `dupatta` around her shoulders. Her name is Sarita, as she was one day introduced to me by Prabha, as they were to walk together immediately after alighting from the bus and I had to take my way to `Gali Purathawali`, for availing a short-cut to Hauz Qazi Chowk. Of course, it was a very sad story that Sarita had told me. She says that someone had marked Prabha frequently talking with me very intimately, not only in the bus, but continuing chat even after alighting from the bus. Her parents admonished her and threatened to `finish` her`Laila-Majnu` love-episode forever. The very next morning, she was found dead. Her parents had recovered her suicide note that mentioned your name in an oblique manner, as MT . Her parents preferred not to hand over the case to the police, for fear of ignomy of the family, as three younger sisters of the poor girl were got to be married off. Even the elder one would face hardship at her ìn-laws’ hands`, in case the police once enters their house.” Having ended his fable, Madan Nanu of Supriya issues a

41 guffaw; and then says, “It is the `brief answer to your question. Moreover, I could not have recalled the full contents of entire daily reporting to my `Kanhiya Yaar`, after a lapse of 60 years, as of now.” After the guests’ departure, Supriya asks her grandpa if he had ever read his friend Tandon’s fictions. He says that he had received a couple of times, a copy of his new book. He hastens to add that it was very long time ago, when he received a copy from his end. Then, `Chulbul` turns towards her grand-mother; and with a smile on her lips, she asks, “Nani, let’s have your reaction to Tandon Uncle’s verbally delivered, serialized fictional narration, during his teens.”In reply, her granny says, “I believe it to be a real happening in his life, as he claims today. Of course, the friend’s name seems to be fictitious.” It brings a grin at Mr Dargan’s face, as he ventures to comment, “After all, my dear wife knows many things concerning my friends of adolescence.” “Now, I am better equipped to understand Supriya’s genetic peculiarity that makes her urge very strongly to peep into my boyhood male friends’ affair, if any, in a particular case,” Kanuj says casually. At the moment, Mrs Usha Dargan and Mr Ganesh Lal Dargan are taking their usual stroll, in the Surajmal Park in the vicinity of their colony. They walk at a slow pace, as it suits Mrs. Dargan’s capacity. Mr Dargan utilizes these moments to enjoy a one-to-one exchange of views that they do not like to discuss in the presence of other members of their family. Ganesh Lal initiates the talk with the statement, “I think Madan’s decision to spend the rest of his life in Maya’s company is a sensible act.” Usha heaves a long breath before saying, “But her daughters- in-law are capitalizing this occurrence to malign their mother-in-law’s reputation. Personally, I have no objection to their living together in a single-room apartment. Of Course, it’s an era of `live-in-partnership`.” Almost at the same time, back home Madan Mohan is reverberating around the environ created by Maya at Dargans’ house, requiring him to narrate his first-ever fiction, delivered orally by him to his boyhood friend Kanhiya Lal, during their adolescent period of life. Now, these thoughts make him recall the situation when he was asked by his Maya Bhabhi in early seventies of the last century, about his first-ever fiction. He vividly remembers that he was in Delhi on a three-month posting on deputation from his head office, in Dehradoon. “It was in this very room, where I had my bed and other belongings; as I was sitting alone, Maya came downstairs after putting her kid Prakash to bed for the night. That night, Pritam Bhai was out of station. It was usual for us to spend some time in chatting, as and when feasible. Thus, during one such chat, she had asked about the days when I attempted to create a fictional narration, prior to my first story that was published in a fortnightly from Delhi.” Within minutes, she had from the hesitant brother-in-law poured out all the details of this very story that was being narrated by him at Dargans amidst mirth and cheers from the audience, young and old alike, almost an hour ago. Thus, the very remembrance of the scene enacted nearly three decades ago, in this very room, even now sends sensual waves all through his body.

42 FIVE

An hour or so ago, Mrs Harjeet Wilson arrived at Pratima's residence in Moti Nagar, under the pretext of seeking her assistance to save her daughter from committing suicide, as she cannot endure such a long absence of her husband, Abhilash. She expects Pratima being the sister of the absconding accused, would make it a point to keep in mind that there are chances of her house being under the surveillance of Police, day in and day out. But, to reach at the objective in her mind, she had to use her tongue with sweet-flavoured coating, while recalling Suhagwanti's closeness with her during their school days. When the visitor marked that time and again, the housewife had to attend to the call from the adjacent room that can be entered through the connecting door, she tried tolend an ear to her talk in that room, while the hostess would carefully open a little of the doorway and bring it back to the previous position of `closed`, after having passed through it, the either way. Of course, the knowledge gained in this process, provided the clever visitor with a cue for inquiring into her business activity at home. The business lady brought herself into a `showoff` mode, perhaps to impress upon the oldie who had neglected the importance of the need for taking into confidence, the would-begroom's parental family, while fixing her daughter's marriage with Abhilash, almost a decade ago. Therefore, she speaks out, "I am sorry, Auntie, for the interruption. Actually, I am running a boutique. Sometimes, my personal presence is immediately required to satisfy the customer's query about the latest fashion. Everybody can't be a dress-designer, unless the person has undergone a specialized training and a flair for the job." But the clever visitor had guaged that the girl might be doing a tailoring job at her residence, to augment family income. She was about to open up on her daughter's behalf, the topic of enforcing the partitioning of the share amongst the legal heirs of the late Suhagwanti, Abhilash's youngersister when Lalima is seen entering the apartment. Though the incoming person has clearly marked the presence of her brother's mother-in-law, yet she pays no heed to her and enters into conversation with her elder sister," Didi, there is a very good new with me for rejoicing." Having spoken this much, she stares into Pratima's face to watch the reaction from her sibling's end, and also thereby gaining time to limit her narration to the extent permitted by the unexpected circumstance on account of an outsider's presence. "This morning, I marked Papa standing on his own legs, without any aid. It means that the latest therapy has begun showing good results. Isn't there a cause for rejoicing?" Pratima responds, "Definitely it is, in a few minutes, your `Jijaji` will receive an SMs from this end. You will soon hear from him how soon he can leave his office to personally congratulate `Papa`" Immediately thereafter, Pratima picks up her cellphone and types the message. All this unexpected happening dismays Mrs Wilson, the proprietor of the chain of Wilson's Breads & Cakes, who had planned this visit of hers to this house to ensure some extra bucks for her daughter Kukoo, considered to be the legal wife of Abhilash. However, the shrewd lady rises up and turning towards the exit speaks, "OK, `Pratima Bitiya`, I hope to return to you soon, for furtherance of the matter at hands." Though Pratima could not comprehend the exact import of the `matter` referred to by her visitor, she hastened to bend her head a little before the lady, who preferred to walk away without indulging into the courtesy of `bestowing` the usually expected blessings from the aged persons, in acknowledgement of the regards received from the younger one. Of course, the visiting person's trick worked, as it made Lalima keep guessing about the subject matter of the talks going on between her elder sister and the `avowed enemy` of her parental family. Within the next 15 minutes, Mr Subhash Arora had received an SmS on his mobile from his both sons-in-law, felicitating him for being put by the `Almighty on the path to his speedy recovery. This good news reaches via SMSs to Supriya and Vibha. It stirs Supriya's soul to the extent that she rings Vibha and Kanuj with the proposal to huddle together, for planning a surprise dinner this very evening, forthe progeny of the person related to her by blood. Pratima's group, comprising self, husband and two daughters, was the first to arrive at the Baldev Park residence of Lalima Batra and Subhash Arora. Of course, the next party, `piloted` and headed by

43 Vibha Ratra, also reached there within the next quarter of an hour. Supriya does not want to lose any time to reach the open fold of her `chhotey Dadaji`; therefore leaving Modak into Vibha's charge, she almost drags her husband Kanuj to the inner portion of the house, where the person to be felicitated is expected to be present. A little later, looking at his wrist watch, Subhash speaks out, "Well, I think the ladies should take care of the kitchen, so that everyone gets his dinner on time. I am sure, my daughters know the choice of their husband and kids very well." At this stage, Pratima cannot help produce a guffaw. It catches the kids' attention, as they feel that something pleasant has been told to the elders. Though they are continuing with their activity of finishing the sweet drink in their glasses, yet their ears are very much attentive towards the elders' chat. Mr Subhash dare not ask his elder daughter explain the cause of her laughing so heartily, because he is afraid that his over- fondled child might feel offended and get started to overreact. The confounded oldie rather looks into Lalima's direction, whom he had already marked as unmoved. Vibha thinks that it is now her turn to open her mouth, so she asks, "Papaji, what would you like to eat for your dinner?" Before her `chhotey Dadaji` could answer Vibha's query, Supriya asks him, how do you like the idea of having chicken roast from some reputed outlet?" It was at this very moment, when the doorbell rings. Subhash is once again puzzled to mark Supriya rising in a huff, but taking care to pick up her shoulder bag alongwith. She quickly takes out a wad of currency notes and moves away with it. He notices that Lalima follows her. He is utterly intrigued to mark the two ladies moving towards the main gate of the house. Within a minute or so, both the ladies are seen coming in, holding six packets in their hands. Marking the printed name of a reputed and popular food outlet of the area, kids begin clapping, and yelling, "Meals from a very good eatery!" As the ladies come closer to their sitting area, Subhash smiles at the smartness of his kin, who are now busy placing the food at the dining table. Pratima too joins the group already engaged in bringing the crockery necessary cutlery etc from the kitchen. Thus, the `surprise` is now over. The choicest food for all the persons around, is available. It is how the things sometimes do happen in one's life. Mr Subhash Arora had almost lost hope to recover, but the road to recovery was at a little distance. It so transpired that one day his daughter took him to a nearby mal. While he was sitting in his wheelchair, positioned very close to the cash desk, as Vibha accompanied by Sameeksha Fotedar happened to spot him. Naturally, the gentle former daughter-in-law bent before him and stood erect with folded hands, before uttering, "Papaji, Iam glad to see you here, as it's very good for a change." Sameeksha had marked the oldie patting affectionately at Vibha's back. A little later, these two young teachers were sitting over a small table to enjoy a few sips of coffee at the vending outlet of a reputed chain of coffee-bars. Sameeksha had asked there, if the oldie to whom Vibha had bowed down, and addressing him `Papaji`, was her father or father-in-law. Vibha had replied, "Neither of the two," looking with a smile into her colleague's face. Having marked the signs of intrigue at the listener's face, she had added, "He is more than that as one can suppose. Actually, he is the father of my ex-husband. He was the only one in that family who could be banked upon for support and advice, after my quarrels with Abhilash. Till today, he maintains that I am his third daughter, notwithstanding the fact of myself being senior in age to both of his real ones." Sameeksha had spoken, "He goes by the seniority by virtue of entry into his family." And then she had urgently added, "May I know the reasons for his using a wheelchair?" Having heard about the problem of some disorder in his spinal cord, Sameeksha asked her colleague to get this `Papaji` of hers checked up by a particular neuro-surgeon. It led the Batra couple insist on meeting the desired surgeon with the hope that their `Papaji` would be cured of this infirmity forever. Their plea was that a relative of Vibha's colleague from this infirmity, and that well-ex-experienced surgeon had a thorough checkup of the patient and eventually referred him to a multi-therapy centre, where he was completely got rid of the infirmity. At the moment, Lalima feels like thanking her own stars for keeping her on the right track, during the days when she being an unwed woman in the family she chose to be neutral when both Pratima and her mother were actively engaged in polluting the mind of males here. Her non- aligned attitude helped a lot to her, but saved `Papaji` go astray while expressing his anger against the newcomer and resort to using foul language as was being done by Abhilash `Bhaiya`.

44 Supriya and Kanuj are on alert to come to their Vibha Didi, in case her sister-in-law chose to be indecently sarcastic towards this innocent daughter of Ratras, whose outdated philosophy of searching son-in-law kept them bound to a limited group of known families only. It is why the need for compatibility between the would-be spouses was over looked. A post-graduate girl was made to let her be tied to a person, who was not even a degree holder. Everybody knew that Abhilash was a diploma holder in hotel management with speciality in Nutrition and Health. Of course, those days he was employed with a very reputed company that ran a chain of Hotels. He was working under a contract that ensured him a hefty package of 3.1 lakh per annum.

While the dinner is going on, Pratima's husband Naresh asks his father-in-law, "Papaji, how long you remained under the treatment to recover this much?" Mr Arora replies, "I think, it was around 20 months ago, when I visited the Dilshan Multi- therapy Centre after having being referred by a neuro surgeon, who had conducted a thorough check-up on my body. Nevertheless, the treatment is still on. Iam required to be present at the therapy centre every month for the followup. Anyways, Iam quite satisfied with the results so far. They have a comprehensive programme for each patient. This task is undertaken only when doctors from various department sit together to formulate the programme for every patient, after at least one doctor from every department has examined that person for the first time." Pratima asks, "What are the specific departments involved in your case?" Her father replies, "Well, these are neurology, physiotherapy, naturopathy and psychology. All these departments are headed by a duly qualified and experienced doctor for the concerned discipline.It's all due to the coordinated efforts of various branches of knowledge that I am today back on my own feet. Actually, I have been practicing it during the past one week. As per their instructions, I kept myself close to my chair. This step gave me psychological support. Yesterday, I paced a couple of steps in my room. So, today I called Lalima to witness the demonstration in the open courtyard. I was so glad to mark her wisdom, as she remained at a reachable distance; it was only having got me settled back into my usual place that she gave vent to her ecstasy by way of clapping and jumping as she used to do during her childhood to express her joy over victory of her own or somebody else’s. A couple of minutes later, Subhash’s cellphone rings. Having pressed the requisite key, he speaks, "Hello!" Then, he keeps on listening to what the man on the other end was speaking. Then, he brings smile to his face and says, "Thank you!" Vibha has marked Pratima observing her father's face with a cunning smile, while the others around remained indifferent to the interruption caused by the fact of Mr Arora keeping engrossed in listening to what was being communicated by the person at the other end for a couple of minutes but in response from his end, there went just a cryptic phrase "Thank You!" Now, Mr Arora resumes expressing his impressions of the Dilshan Multi-therapy Centre, as he says, "Sorry for the interruption. I was telling you how it satisfied me to find that the specific- team members join their minds together to reach the relief to their patient. It is essential for the persons handling patient to wear a top quality band on his left wrist, so that patient is assured of the fact whether he is being touched or otherwise attended by a qualified and hence recognized person for the task being undertaken by that person. The colour of the band must match with the category of the staff of the Centre, as shown in the chart hanging before the eyes of the patient, wherever he might be stationed for reason, inside the premises of hospital. I believe that this step has been taken to mitigate the apprehension arising these days in some cities that unqualified and unauthorized persons are being detected at many places as doing the job of doctors." Lalima desires to let the audience know one thing more about the management of this centre. She makes it to be known to her audience here that one day she had observed that the staff of the hospital have a separate exit and entrance door, where they are to get a fresh band tied to their wrist and to get it cut off with scissors before they are allowed to exit. All the categories of the staff have to undergo this treatment, irrespective of their placement in the hospital. The person performing the task of placing or removing the band has to enter this fact in the computer. It means that concept of discipline is very dear to the management."

45 Two days later, Supriya asks her `Nanu`, if he would like to visithis friend, who is her `Chhotey Dadaji`, today or some other day during the near future, to see him and enjoy the friendly chat with him. Before, Mr Dargan could respond to his grandkid, his wife intervenes, Of course, I would also join him, because it’s our duty to personally congratulate him on his recovery from a long-drawn infirmity, as reported by you, the other day.” Thus, in the afternoon, Supriya drives her grandparents to Mr Arora’s house, after confirming his availability to receive them without any inconvenience. As per planning, both these ladies remain with the males for almost half-an-hour; then leaving both of them to enjoy their friendly chat as long as they desire, with the promise that they would not be blamed for the additional expenditure on shopping done by the ladies , as is usual for them to `kill boredom`. Lalima is busy with her children, in her bedroom, where the kids are doing their homework, under the `strict surveillance` of mother. The two oldies are now free to exchange their views freely, though in a low-pitched voice, taking care none outside the room would have an inkling of the subject-matter of their `intimate chat`. Sporadic reminiscence of the last year of their schooling together brought them to the point where Subhash had become a favourite for a few girls in a refugee school, where the co-education happened to be the need of the hour during the final year, because the number of girls had fallen below the mark of 15 in that year of the Matriculationlevel. Ganesh Lal asks, “How is your Maya Darling, these days?” It was a month or so ago, when she came to see me, alongwith Vibha `Bitya`,” then heaving a sigh, he adds, “Yaar, old age has inflicted her with multiple ailments. I sincerely feel sorry for the entire gamut of her physical as well as emotional health. She had spent all her retirement funds in getting a colossal revamp of the very old house in `Koocha Baijnath in Chandani Chowk` area. Both the sons of this widow have shared the possessionof almost the entire building, leaving just a single room, besides the essential constructed space for the bare minimum facilities, like kitchen, toilet and bathroom. The flight of staircase to the first and the second floor commences from the open courtyard that remains closed from the inside. Thus, she cannot have privacy or independence of coming from and going out, on her free-will. To add insult to the injury, the sons and their wives have openly announced, in her very presence, “This ground floor will be got converted into A `commercial premises`, when our mother departs from this worldly life.” Maya says that she intends to give this portion of the house to her third and the youngest issue, as her son-in-law has not yet firmly settled in business; so he may keep it for commercial use, without disturbing the family life of his brothers-in-law at the upper level of the house, derived by her from her parents-in-law, immediately after the demise of her husband, over a decade ago.”Ganesh Lal tells him that so far as he remembers, his friend Subhash had lost contact after Arora family refusal to let `the love-birds` enter into a wedlock. Therefore, he dares to ask his buddy when they met after the girl’s marriage.Because he remembers that by the time of Subhash’s marriage, Maya had already become mother of a son. Subhash tells him that it was the time when he was just entering the street of `Koocha Baijnath` to proceed to the famous Homeopathic medicines store of reliable brands. She accosted me with a smiling face, together with folded hands to indicate `Namaste`. Of course, we exchanged our material facts and departed on a friendly note. One day, we once again happened to come across ; it was during the wedding party of some common acquaintance, when I got her introduced to my wife. Later on, during the time when search for Abhilash’s spouse was on, she approached my wife and they happened to enter into negotiations for considering a distant relative of hers as Abhilash’s spouse.This girl was none else but Vibha Ratra, a first-class M.A. from Delhi University, expecting a lecturer’s post, during the coming months. My wife hastened to grab this `expectant gentle cattle` for her domestic establishment.” Few weeks later, Vibha finds herself in a precarious situation, as Supriya comes to her with a complaint against the latter's maid, who had been circulating `baseless rumours` amongst other maids known to her and employed in the vicinity. She says, "Had it not been against the interests of my sister-in-law, I would have personally reprimanded her, as I have done in the case of my own maid, who told me the contents of the rumour."

46 Vibha was surprised to hear from Supriya that the rumour is an attempt to blemish the innocent divorcee, as the content s of the information in circulation are being quickly transmitted from one house to another. Supriya maintains that the information per se does in way seem to have been spoken to tarnish "my Didi's image", but the ordinary housewife might smell something fishy in the words, `nowadays, the b widower brother of Mrs Pradhan stays for a good dal of time at Divorcee madame's floor, whereas previously he used to go straight to her sister's floor and on return he would visit Vibha Madame, in his sister's company, if at all he needed to visit the Professor `Sahiba`." After Supriya's departure, Vibha sits brooding over the situation created by her own maid and reaches the conclusion to quiz the illiterate menial in a circuitous manner. Having exhausted all her patience, in the effort to prepare a tentative list of queries that might lead her at least to reach at the truth, if fails in securing a confession out of her young maid,she decides to shelve the matter off her mind, for the time being. But, her thoughts still hover around the prick provided by the latest information concerning her reputation. It makes her consider the possibility of an urge on the part of Supriya, though younger in age, to gain supremacy over her `Bhabhi`, as is commonly seen in our society. "Of course, everyone aims at deriving the maximum out of the other person's burns," Vibha tells self. She thinks that double speak has attained an offbeat status, these days. Everyone is clamouring to squeeze the present moment for maximum profits; and this attitude impels him to lie about a little here or there. "In case, I hasten to reprimand my maid, she might keep a grudge in her mind and at some later occasion, she would avenge her `injury`. It's in my own interest to ignore this information from my sister-in-law." A second thought makes her jump to take a look at another aspect of the matter. She thinks Supriya might be prompting me to quickly explore Dr Rawat's mind, if he is interested in marital union with her. After all, Supriya and Kanuj being quite younger in age, if compared with my age; I am almost a decade senior to them in age," Vibhamurmurs. Of course, the state of attention asdirected by the above thought reminds her the absence of elders for her, to suggest her the idea of re-marriage. How can anyone expect Kanuj and Supriya to fill the vacuum created by the deaths in quick succession of both the parents? Even Kanuj, who was just in the final year of schooling, naturally had little say, when Vibha entered into marital relationship with Abhilash. The circumstances prevalent in the Ratra family compelled her to submit to her mother's wishes, who had been approached by a distant cousin, Maya Dua with particulars of the first and only male issue of Mr and Mrs Arora, who were known to Maya's parents, on account of their coming of a Sairaki town in the NWFP, now in Pakistan. The compatibility of the cultural background of Aroras was the main attraction for her mother, whose ego had already been hurt by the in-laws of her elder daughter Poonam, who had opted for a relentless position for marrying Surinder Bakshi, even in the stiff opposition from her father Dilbagh Rai Ratra. While tillthe engagement ceremony date, the boy's family insisted that they would not accept any dowry, as they wereinterestedin acceptingjust wrapped in three clothes the girl, whom their son loved. But immediately thereafter, they expressed their desire to have a details of the reception for the `baraat` (marriage party) and insisted on the menu and caterers of their choice at the time of wedding. Though almost every essential item was given to the bride by her parents, without being asked for by the Bakshis, they opened their mouth to demand `the most essential gifts` for their close relatives, numbering around 50. It upset allocated budget of the girl's family. Mr Dilbagh Rai could not bear the strain to his dwindling funds, as some definite amount had been kept in reserve for Vibha's marriage, in the wake of his failing health on account of a heart illness of serious nature. Eventually, a massive heart attack took the toll of his life. Thus, Vibha's surrender to the wishes of her aggrieved mother, as she accepted what the latter brought before her, though she was doubting the real worth of `that base coin` in her life it had already placed before a shining career of a lecturer in a college, governed by a body approved by the University of Delhi. She happens to recall the moments, when Poonam would talk to mother on phone to arrange a dinner/lunch for a sizeable group of relatives from Bakshis, just a day later. Mother and her two unwed children would join to make that `event` a grand success. A few words of praise would mean a lot, because it was an indication for feeling assured about Poonam `spreading her roots` firmly into her marital field," she tells self. But her mother could not sustain long, as suchlike requests had become an order of the day, and also the level of gifts at

47 such occasions for the guests was assuming newer and newer heights. Moreover, the decision to marry into that family was Poonam's own, so the mother was not heartily prepared to do à bit extra`, as desired by Vibha and Kanuj, every now and then. Thus, to assuage the hurt feelings of her mother, Vibha let her decide the course of action plan at every stage of negotiating the selection for her lifemate. But the treatment meted out to her at in-laws triggered a sort of rebellion against the very ìnstitution of marriage`. Her conscious would not allow her to seek other's permission for every dam act, she wanted to perform, during the routine activities, whereas her mother-in-law always expected her to play subservient role not only to the elders, but also to her married daughter Pratima, despite the fact that she was younger to Vibha by almost 3 years, though married just six months prior to Abhilash’s marriage with Vibha. Anyway, she thinks lucky enough to find their younger daughter Lalima a considerably reasonable soul there , to support her many a times. She happens to recall Pratima's cunning smiles at her, whenever she was being reprimanded by` Smt Suhagwanti` or having been rebuked by Abhilash, during her wordy duel with the latter. Though aperiod of almost six years has gone by since her flat refusal to live with that ìll-bred husband`, and subsequently agreeing to join in filing a petition in the District Judge's court, praying for the dissolution of their marriage, under the relevant section of Hindu Marriage Act 1955, yet till date it has not been possible for her to forget even a single anecdote that forms part of the long list of innumerable sessions of quarrels between this ìll-fated` couple. The memory of Pratima's sarcasm accompanied with cunning smiles every time she indulged into this nefarious `hobby` of hers, had brought to her fore, in the past also, in that very house, where she was extending her full cooperation during the dinner party of the progeny of Mr Subhash Arora, when his elder daughter brought a similar smile to her face, while Mr Arora was seriously engaged in listening to a phone-call, without expressing anything as response from his side. Now, a few weeks have already gone after that party, Vibha is reminded of the intrigue she had felt at that moment. Of course, nothing unusual has been reported to her on this account by Lalima, who had definitely rung her up twice, during these days. Even the request for `baby- sitting` in favour of `Papaji` has not been made to her during the past two Sundays. Of course, she does not feel like taking any initiative to visit them, without any obvious cause. A little later, she happens to recall Supriya's talk with regard to Dr Rawat's visits to her premises and the stench caused by her maid's sheer stupidity or inaptness for viewing the social relationships in its proper perspective. It makes her to remain undeterred by these gossips of the `menials` around, as they are to be considered as `necessary evil` for enjoying one's life in one's own way. The other day, when she is busy in chatting with her junior colleagues, Dr Rawat happens to enter her cabin. All the three ladies rise on their legs to show their regard to Dr Rawat. In fact, the Professor has come here with a view to talk to his friend Professor Vibha on the stench emitting matter that has already polluted his minor daughter. But the presence of other persons, though known to him, thwart him speaking on this account; rather, he chooses to extend the usual courtesies to know both the visitors there a little furthermore about each of them. After spending a few minutes, he looks at his wristwatch and then announces, "I have a class, right now. OK, see soon all of you, again." With this announcement, he quits the cabin. Immediately thereafter, Sameeksha asks, "Madam, may I ask some question touching your personal life, while acknowledging my revered teacher's right to snub this pupil of hers?" "Let's see what comes out of your naughty brain. Please go on." The senior looks with a smile on her face towards Koya, perhaps, to gauge if the two of them are working in tendon at the moment, to elicit some personal information about her. Sameeksha says, "Excuse me, madam, if I happen to be a bit blunt, in telling that you were a divorcee, while we were your students. Till date, you haven't remarried. Didn't you ever think of making another attempt to enter into the matrimonial arena?" Vibha says, "My dear young lady, I appreciate the `coinage` of the phrase `matrimonial arena`." It makes Koya remark, “Let’s grant copyright for this phrase to our dear Sameeksha." By this time, Vibha has readied her response to Sameeksha's query. “Of course, sometimes I do give a serious thought to this substantive aspect of life. But nothing concrete emerges. By the time, my divorce proceedings were over, I had cleared My M.Phil. I had offers from the families,

48 offering advice to think of re-marriage. But the matches suggested by them were beyond the parameters of compatibility, as drawn by me in my case. When I felt bored with my stereotyped life, I felt inclined to enhance my academic level by means of doing research. Now, the result is before you.”

49 SIX

“Bhaiya, have I ever shirked to acknowledge your sacrifices for my family?” Pratima responds to her brother’s admonishing remarks, as he speaks to her, at the moment, on telephone. As usual, Abhilash keeps on reminding his younger sister of the fact of his knowledge of her sinful blunders during the past many years. However, his persistent efforts to convince Pratima to grant him some special favour of confidential nature, are seemingly tending to prove the futility of this long-drawn exercise on his part. However, an inkling can be traced down from the `mercy petition`, being submitted by the sister to her `powerful` brother, as she humbles down furthermore, while saying, “ Abhilash Ji, take mercy on me. My kids would be the sufferer-most.” Having spoken this much, she listens attentively to what the caller is telling her. Meanwhile, a beam of smile appears on her otherwise composed face, before she answers him, “Don’t tell me you will act `Kansa`. You know Krishan was the seventh issue of his sister Devaki. Do you want to say that your sister should give birth to such a large number of babies?” No doubt, my son Krish would prove strong enough to take care of me, during my old age. Certainly, he will never dare to take cudgel with his `Abhilash Mamu`.” Almost an hour gone, Pratima is sitting under the impact of veiled threat extended by her brother, whom she had been serving as an agent for taking care of his interests in the parental property. Of course, she has begun to realize that the crude ways of Abhilash towards all the members of the family that equally belongs to both of them, has wrought havoc not only to self, but has caused the loss of mother also. Now, the paramount question before her is, “Shouldn’t or should I continue to cooperate with him furthermore?” Nevertheless, it directs her attention towards the ways and means of Ratra family in the amicable partitioning of the immoveable property left behind by their parents. No doubt, there has been no news around, to suggest that any rift ever occurred amongst the three issues of that `blessed couple` Mrs. and Mr Dilbagh Rai Ratra. Soon, she happens to compare the combination in each family with respect to female and male children. She finds it evidently clear that both the couples , Ratras or Aroras have had two daughters and one son. It makes her smile. Meanwhile, she feels like searching the minds of both the sisters-in-law, Vibha and Supriya, for knowing the true status of rapport between them, as they had successfully put up a very good show at the felicitation get-together at Lalima’s residence to mark the happiness of Mr Arora’s children over their father’s recovery from the long- drawn ailment. Pratima’s anxiety to know the reasons for their mutual cordiality, though a rare phenomenon in the case of sisters-in-law, stirs her mind to take an initiative towards befriending Supriya, who is not only close to her in age, but she is also daughter of one of her paternal cousins. Here, at Arora’s residence, Mr Kuldeep Patni is busy in telling Mr Arora about The travails of his recently-wed daughter. Accompanied by his wife Savitri, he has come to lighten his heart, and also to checkup for his own and his wife’s satisfaction that they were on the right track, while dealing with their daughter Madhuri’s matrimonial family. Having listened patiently to his visitors’ `vows` against their son-in-law and his parental family, Mr Arora heaves a long sigh, and looks into their faces with intrigue, as if desiring to convey, “What I am expected to do with all this `woeful anecdotes` relating to Madhuri’s matrimonial life?” “Isn’t it the proper moment to initiate legal action , right now?” Stunned a bit, with this query, Mr Subhash says, “Well Patni Saheb, I am not conversant with `legal armour`, better you ask some lawyer.” Mr Patni says, “Actually, I have come to know from you the name and address of the lawyer, who got you the desired relief from the `unwanted bride` in your family, within a period of few months.” It makes Mr Arora change his tone a bit to get rid of `the unwanted visitors`, as soon as it can be attained modestly. Hence, he says, “In our case, the `clashing spouses` took the

50 initiative in making it known to their respective parents that their marriage had reached a breaking point. The parents on both sides helped their child to suggest a few names of their common friends, so that one of them who seemed to be the trusted-most could be requested, on the advice of both the breaking spouses, to listen to both the spouses in detail, before coming back to both sides separately, with the `recommendations from the common friend`. Thus, an amicable solution was in sight that both the `fighting youths` signed the requisite legal papers for getting their ùnfortunate marriage` dissolved.” But, the `smart couple` looking into each other’s face, stood up to seek leave of Mr Patni’s onetime senior colleague, but Mrs. Patni speaks in a casual manner, “Bhai Saheb, you too would be eager to get your son remarried, without any unnecessary delay.” “Frankly speaking, my son found a match of his choice and informed us to see the girl and do the needful, in case we didn’t have any objection to their marriage.” It makes the visitors, turn their faces with the words, “OK, bye!” The very next morning, Mr Subhash feels like recalling the Patnis’ visit, with a view to make out the real purpose of his coming to his residence from a far off place, known as Okhla Residential Area. This rumination brings forth the bifurcation of entire gamut of the narration into two inter-linked phases. Phase one dwell on clearing the air around the `foreseeable stigma of divorcee` that their daughter Madhuri would be obliged to bear for the rest of her life. The second phase tends to reveal in a very cryptic way, the possibility of consideration at their end the availability of Arora’s son, as a replacement for that àss of a man`, who seems to them as `good for nothing`. Smiling over his `discovery`, Mr Arora ejaculates in a very low-pitched voice, “This Patni is still practicing the hypocritical way of dealing with known persons, as he used to do during the days, when he had joined as my assistant, while I was posted as Accounts Superintendent in the Department of Posts and Telegraphs. Perhaps, he believes in òutsmarting everyone and everywhere`.” This thought leads him to revert to the memory of the days, when “I started my journey to reach to the position of Zonal Deputy Director of the Post and Telegraphs, before laying off my office on superannuation.” Quite often, suchlike chain of reverie would take him into the annals of his history with respect to this very department that had once rejected his candidature via passing through the written test for the selection to fill up some vacancies for the Postman, in early fifties of the last century. At that time, he was just a Matriculate, but was not a sincere aspirant for this pos; rather felt being coerced by the family’s financial circumstances, he was àlmost dragged` by his father to see his friend Mr Kalra, the then Postmaster of Delhi, for finding some avenue into his department for this `cogently qualified` son of his. It was there that the information with regard to be consider for the position of a postman, was delivered to them. “I should be ready to sit for the qualification test to be held after a couple of weeks” did not go well with young Subhash’s mindset. The trail of Subhash’s reverie is broken by the call received by him from Lalima asking, “Papa, are you ready for the breakfast?” Subhash marks that the call has come from the kitchen. Hence, having replied in the affirmative, he proceeds on a moderate pace towards the destination for the breakfast. In a few minutes, his daughter takes a seat on the opposite side of the table. It is usual for them, to take their breakfast together. Suddenly, it occurs to his daughter to ask him if he has talked to Vibha Didi, in the recent past few weeks. It alerts his mind; and he makes an effort to recapitulate if he had ever talked to her after the time of her departure from here in the evening `Jubilation Recovery`. He is wondering how such a long period has gone by without speaking to her, either in person’s physical presence or at least on the phone line. “For me, it’s a cause of worry. I wish she is keeping good health.” Lalima says if I ring her up just now, she might me busy with her students or some other affair in the college. Better, we should wait till 5pm; by then she would be available to speak freely at least for few minutes.” Around 5.30 pm, Vibha is responding to Lalima’s call, “No Yaar, I remained quite a bit busy in my official activities; and it caused me keeping me away from my òwn people`. I am really

51 sorry, for maintaining such a long silence, without any cause.” Having heard Papaji’s voice, she says, “Papaji, I seek your forgiveness for the trouble caused to my mentor and protector during the period of `ordeal`.” Having exchanged a few more sentences full of cordiality on both sides, she explains her tight schedule for the ensuing weekend. Vibha is telling Mr Arora that this Saturday, she is to participate in a birthday luncheon arranged by her neighbours to celebrate their daughter’s 16th birth-anniversary. “In the evening, I am to accompany my brother and his wife Supriya and her grand-parents, who have already planned an outing to which I also stand committed . In case, you people don’t have any other engagement on the Sunday, I would like to see you, leaving the menu and venue to my `Papaji’s` choice. However, I would like to be informed about your decision at the earliest, as only two working days are left reckoning this very moment.

While alone in his room, Subhash is tossing with the different possibilities of Vibha having marked some annoyance ensuing fromPratima’s action or words, in his absence.Later on,she might have thought of protesting by means of unduly long spells of silence, as she had been doing so, whilst her stay here in her capacity of a daughter-in-law. Around 5.30 pm, Vibha is responding to Lalima’s call, “No Yaar, I remained quite a bit busy in my official activities; and it caused me keeping me away from my `own people`. I am really sorry, for maintaining such a long silence, without any cause.” Having heard Papaji’s voice, she says, “Papaji, I seek your forgiveness for the trouble caused to my mentor and protector during the period of `ordeal`.” Having exchanged a few more sentences full of cordiality on both sides, she explains her tight schedule for the ensuing weekend. Vibha is telling Mr Arora that this Saturday, she is to participate in a birthday luncheon arranged by her neighbours to celebrate their daughter’s 16th birth-anniversary. “In the evening, I am to accompany my brother and his wife Supriya and her grand-parents, who have already planned an outing to which I also standcommitted . In case, you people don’t have any other engagement on the Sunday, I would like to see you, leaving the menu and venue to my `Papaji’s` choice. However, I would like to be informed about your decision at the earliest, as only two working days are left reckoning this very moment. It was only last evening, when Mrs. Pradhan, accompanied with her husband, had knocked at Vibha’s door, to invite her to a modestly sized gathering of a few families, already known to one another, at the luncheon being organized to celebrate the birthday of herbrother Madhukar’s daughter Akshita. This very morning, she had all the detailed list of invitees, immediately and voluntarily made available to her, when Akshita reached her, to extend to her `Professor Aunti` a personal invitation from `her own end` a few minutes before she was to leave for her duty in the college. Now, she knows that besides the families of the owner and tenants in the portion of the ground floor apartment, owned by Kanuj, the family of the owner of the top-floor apartment in Pradhans’ possession who is also Vibha’s kin,besides Dr Rawat and the hosting family are to be the only participants.At the top of the building, put up on a 150- sq metre residential plot of land, there is only 2-bedroom structure, with kitchen and toilet facilities, where four-member Pradhan family lives. This structure is built on the front side of the building, facing the 36-feet thorough lane. For today’s gathering, they have put up a 24 feet by 12 feet `Shamiana` at the terrace to provide shelter to the party gathered for the luncheon. Two side curtains also give this area an improvised dining hall exclusively designed for this function. By 1-00 pm, all the guests have arrived and the table for `cake-cutting` ceremony is being decorated. The b’-day girl Akshita, flanked by her first cousins, the Pradhan siblings, arrives in a couple of minutes, followed by three ladies, emerging from the kitchen. Immediately after the cake is cut horizontally as well as vertically by Akshita, her cousins partake of the cake into slices. Then the elder of the two, Sahil, picks a morsel of the cake and puts it into his cousin Akshita’s mouth, his sister Mohita follows suit. Only then, her father Dr Rawat has his turn to put a piece of cake into the daughter’s mouth and she reciprocates by placing a large-sized morsel into her Daddy’s mouth, who fondles the grownup child by way of patting at her back. Then, there come her foster parents, the Pradhan couple to do the same. After this, the b’-day girl picks up a small platter holding two slices and moves towards her `Professor Auntie` with a beam of smile on her face; there she offers the plate

52 to Vibha Ratra, who picks up one piece, breaks it into two pieces with her adept fingers and puts one piece of the divided slice into the girl’s mouth, before taking the second portion to her own lips. The girl insists on her accepting the second slice, but she declines the offer with a sweet smile, followed by a warm hug and a presentment of a pure leather valet, where on the emblem and the name of hi-design are vividly discernible. Vibha takes care to whisper into the recipient ears, “Take care, it contains some valuable documents. Don’t open it in public. You may do it in the presence of your family members, if you like.” She thanked her `special guest`, and the rest of the invitees had by then have been given a slice each by the `volunteer squad`, as they remain in their seats. Soon, Modak reaches her `Bhui`, where she is seated at her lap.Immediately thereafter, Akshita and her cousins also huddle together in close proximity to the child. In a few minutes, the kid feels like roaming about in the company of these elder children. Supriya is mentally engaged in looking with prying eyes at the movement of Vibha, particularly in reference to Dr Madhukar Rawat. She is interested in knowing if she is moving towards Dr. Rawat or the vice versa. She has kept her attention focused mainly on this very covert activity,though she has marked another instance of interest for self. It was when the b’-day girl had received her gift from Vibha, she did not place this article beside the other gifts so received, by then lying at a separate table. The recipient had taken the article presented by Vibha to her room, perhaps for its absolute safety. At around 3.00 pm, the guests start leaving for their homes. Soon, Poonam’s family also gets up to leave, but Vibha requests them to stay for some time at her home, then she requests Supriya and Kanuj also to stay with her for the time being. Modak is pleased to remain clung to her `Bhui’s` wrist. Thus, an informal get-together of the three Ratra siblings, with their families has taken shape at the first-floor apartment .Poonam happens to ask her younger sister, “Vibha, I am sure your gift was the costliest amongst the presents received by Akshita at the function.” Before Vibha could react, Supriya says, I think, its cost would be close to five.” Vibha feels proud in announcing, “It’s over 5k.”Poonam’s youngest daughter, a student of 5th standard, listening intently to the elders’ chat, questions?” Her mother tells her that the letter `k` appended to a figure stands for thousand, as if denoting the word `kilo`.” The girl’s face brightens with the pleasure in adding something new to her `kitty of knowledge`. Though, Supriya had marked her Vibha Didi` whispering something into the b’-day girl, while she was handing the wallet to her, yet she does not feel like referring to that issue, at the moment. After the dispersal of guests, Mr Pradhan asks her niece Akshita to bring out the gift from her `Professor Auntie` from the almirah. The brand name astonishes Mr Pradhan, as a few months ago, one of her colleagues, Mrs. Swaraj Dhuria was showing to her companions a wallet of the like size that she had purchased at Rs. 5620/- from the showroom of the company in Connaught Place. When she brought this thought to her lips, her husband looked at her with amazement. The recipient , a naturally gifted girl, stares into her father’s face with intriguing look. She knows that a tenant’s family member cannot be treated at par with house-owner’s sister or by any neighbor, who is herself a co-sharer of the house. Certainly, it seems to her ”Dad might be exchanging such costly gifts amongst his colleagues,”presuming that he does not consider it befitting to discuss his friendly circle’s matters with his sister as well as her family.She asks her `Bhui`, May I open it now, as I was told by Professor Aunti that it contains some valuable document?” All the three adult members look into one another’s face with amazing smiles. Dr Rawat answers, “Yes, my child has every right to do so.” As the wallet is unzipped, the girl marks the presence of currency notes. Without making any effort to pick them up, she places the wallet into Mr Pradhan’s hands, who is amazed to find some currency notes. She takes the money out, shows it immediately to others. Dr Rawat remains unmoved, while his brother-in-law keeps staring into his wife’s face for a few moments, and then murmurs, “It’s quite burdensome! We aren’t as rich as the Madame is. How and when shall we be able to repay it?” A few days later, while Supriya is busy in kitchen cooking dinner, Kanuj is performing the task of baby-sitting, as their Modak` is asleep. In fact, he considers this `job of baby-sitting` to be the most remunerative he would ever have had till now. He would not measure the `wages` with

53 the monetary yardstick in this particular case, where the task itself is highly rewarding in the form of an emotional gratification `oozing` from the very presence of his doll-like infant before his sight for a good length of time, without any interruption. Gliding on the wings of imagination, he visualizes the child to have grown up to have entered into her teens. It muses him to toy with the idea that Modak has assumed taking the lively mannerism to turn into a fidgety young maiden. "In case, it so happens, I'll name her Chulbuli the 2nd," Kanuj tells self. Almost at this point of time, Supriya feels like discussing with Kanuj the advisability and feasibility for doing something different on the occasion of their 5th wedding anniversary, next month. In the past, they used to have their dinner out, in the company of only those with whom they are livings. Of course, they would visit Aroras and Ratras while returning home after their dinner to gift a pack of confectionaries to both the families. Thus, having wrapped up the `chapatis` in aluminum foil, for securing its freshness till the vegetable dish gets ready, she advances her steps towards the bedroom to avail the intervening moments for floating the idea of doing something new on their anniversary this time. But her attention is seized by the approaching maid, who informs her that `Nani Ji` desires her to come downstairs to check her body temperature. It makes her shelve the matter for discussion with Kanuj for the time being. Thus, the rest of the evening is spent in doing odd jobs as per daily routine.

But she is surprised to find her lifemate broaching the subject, while all the four adult members of this family are sitting at the table for dinner. Of course, she welcomes the idea and looks into her `Nani Ji's` face, as she says, "Nani, get well soon, to participate in the extended group that might be specially invited to celebrate the occasion, because Kanuj and me are going to accomplish the 5-year-long journey together without any `man-mutao` (bickering). "Chulbul, your suchlike expressions remind me of your mother, who was always pleasing us with her newer ideas or even innocent pranks," Mrs Usha Dang reciprocates to her grand-kid's emotional surge.

It is Monday the April 2, 2008. Supriya and Kanuj are enjoying the evening party they have arranged at a well-known food outlet in the premises of Cross River Mall. The group of invitees comprises of only their close relatives from the parental side of both of them. Modak is elegantly dressed up befitting the occasion. This evening, the restaurant has specifically earmarked a considerably sufficient sitting space, barricaded by placing some flowerpots at regular intervals on the floor to create a clear impression of segragation of this area on two sides of this party space whereas the other two sides already have the boundary in the form of the structural walls for the premises of this rendezvous for this group of around 30 people. Nevertheless, they have created a semblance of the `welcome entry`, as here the gap between the flowerpots equals thrice the length between any other two flowerpots in this arrangement, here. Moreover, both these flowerpots are distinctively bigger than others used here; and each of them holds a placard supported on a fine quality bamboo stick measuring a metre or so. The placards has been pasted with a light pinkish paper, designed and elegantly printed on their computer by the proud parents of Modak, whose photo-image as well as name suggests that this arrangement has been done to felicitate this very baby. Both Aroras and Ratras together with their spouses seem very happy to have this opportunity of intermingling, as is evident from the fact of their frequent change of seats to enable themselves to have a chat for some time with persons related to them only through Kanuj or Supriya. Vibha Ratra happens to mark a man in his early fifties, looking very eagerly towards Supriya and Kanuj, as if scanning their every movement. The body language of this man, accompanied by a group of five young girls and two boys of the same age-group, all sitting at two tables joined together immediately in the neighbourhood of `Modak's arena`, intrigues Vibha. It makes her mentally away from her own surrounding and rather looks furtively into that unknown person's table to gauge activities there. Suddenly Vibha comes out of her state of oblivion, as she mark that man clapping, without any visible cause around him, rather everybody in her group was clapping and singing in a chorus, "Happy birthday to you! She marks that many of her party have surrounded the b'day baby, for watching the cake-cutting ceremony. It makes her also realize the fact of her having already been assigned the task of slicing the cake to be served to everyone in the group. She knows that her managerial skill at exhibited by her during suchchlike festivities is commended by

54 most of her relatives. This occasional shower of praises helps her feel that she too has some worth in the eyes of others. Supriya, though junior to her in family ranks and age, never fails to commend her effort and zeal to make the function successful, despite the fact that in many fields of life the same sister-in-law Supriya does not hesitate to snub Vibha over her lapses of `no consequence`. As Vibha is busy in slicing the 2-kg cake and getting the pieces placed on paper plates, to be carried around on a tray in an orderly manner, Supriya's nephew and niece are assisting her in the accomplishment of the task to her complete satisfaction. These youngsters, in their teens, love to work under the charge of their Vibha Auntie. They already worked on suchlike occasions under her. Suddenly, while turning her face to check that everybody gets the slice, before proceeding further to ready a few more slices, if someone needs a second helping, Vibha happens to mark the entry of that intriguing person who had been surveying Kanuj and Supriya, for a very long time. Now, Vibha's curiosity holds her for a short while from attending to her task. She marks that the man approaches Supriya's table and bringing a smile to his face, forwards his arm towards her, for a handshake. She looks into his face and bringing a forced smile to her lips, rises on her feet; then folding her hands pronounces a single word, "Namaskar!" Looking from a little distance, Vibha marks Kanuj's posture of indifference, while the `visitor` retraces his extended arm to reciprocate likewise to the person he had addressed as `Supriya Ji`, now extends his palm to bless the b'day kid, and wish `A Happy birthday, little doll!" It prompts the smart child to clap and simultaneously jabber, "Happy `buth-day`!" Then, looking towards her grandma, on whose lap she is perched upon at the moment, asks, "Nani, where is my doll?" This innocent query draws a hearty giggle from many quarters. Now, the visitor pronounces his identity in the form, "I am named Vichittar Budhiraja. I am a candidate from your Assembly Constituency. Assuming you to be already aware of the fact that the elections for Assembly for the State of Delhi are to be held on May 3, 2008, I enjoin upon all of you Please do come to the polling booth allotted to you on time to cast your precious vote for electing your representative from the long list of many candidates. I beseech all of you to vote for me, an Independent candidate, who can attend to your problems concerning governance, in a better, rapid and transparent manner. Because I am not tied to any party's superfluous and dictatorial code of discipline, I can provide you genuine services.” With these words, he turns his face towards the exit. Kanuj whispers into his wife's ears, "Please ask Vibha Didi to offer this uninvited `guest` a slice of cake." She replies, "We don't have as much cake to spare for all the members of his team." He considers this response for a moment and then says, "OK, we may send two slices, just for courtesy sake! After all, he addressed you by name." Having spoken these words, he looked into his wife's face with a mischievous smile. She feels helpless to explain her mind to Kanuj in the presence of `this extended family of theirs`.

55 SEVEN

“Well, all this exercise tends to prove that I am not at all possessed of `the killer instinct`, that seems present in most ladies of our age,” Vibha Ratra tells self. In fact, she has formed a habit of introspecting, on and off, whenever faced with a riddle of the kind, persistently present before her for a long time. She has quite often found the practical solution to the problem at hand. Nevertheless, the present exercise has made her recall many a painful eventsconnected with her marriage with Abhilash, though varying in intensity at times. She feels that the morning episode of December 25, 1994, culminating into horribly obnoxious situation, “when the `brutish mentality` of my bed-partner came to the fore, immediately after we had `settled` in our bed, at around 11 pm.” It had so transpired that the previous evening, the newly-weds had returned home very late, whereas the family had been kept waiting for long, though inadvertently, for their presence at the `special dinner` organized by Pratima and Lalima. Pratima had come with her husband, with a view to spend the Christmas Eve with her newly married brother and his wife. But Abhilash or Vibha had no inkling of even the probability of the visit by either of them to their house during that evening. But the ladies in the Arora family took a serious note of the newly-weds’ absence from the home, without any previous notice. Mr Subhash too was convinced by his wife and the daughters-combine to take a serious view of the lapse committed by the newly-weds. Immediately on their return, the couple was asked by Mr Subhash Arora to explain the delay. Abhilash took an exception to the mannerism and the selection of the words used by his parents while referring to Vibha’s parental family, while they were responding to his explanation that they were unable to resist the pressure being extended affectionately from Kanuj and his mother for delaying their departure by a few minutes. As the exercise was repeated a couple of times, though inadvertently, they failed to mark the time their stay was getting delayed. Vibha too could not withstand the scene; she moved towards her bed-room. But her mother-in-law spoke in a dry tone, “How long should we extend our wait for taking dinner with our son? Vibha, you must have marked the presence of your brother-in-law’s presence here. We cannot disregard our son-in- law’s compulsions about the time; your mother might have afforded to have done so. The sarcasmhurt the bride very deeply. She could not help shedding tears, though sporadically, while taking dinner. Abhilash, under the impact of sympathy for his wife, slipped a few quick morsels down his throat, stood up, had a hurried mouth wash and then quickly moved towards his room. Of course, Vibha stayed there, till the guests remained around. It was around 12.00am, when she bolted the door of her bedroom from inside. Abhilash was sitting in the chair, perhaps waiting for her. As he extended his open arms towards her, she almost fell on to his lap. Having felt the touch of his caressing hands, she began to sob intermittently. It had made her husband stamp a few kisses to express his affection and concern for the `hurt partner`. After a short interval, he poured out some consolatory `well-considered` phrases that meant to convey the impression that in case, any maltreatment is again meted out to his dear wife at any future time, he would not remain a silent spectator; but would rather make a unilateral declaration of `independence for his unit`, comprising Vibha and Abhilash. It had made her calm down and resort to changing for the night, whereas Abhilash had already accomplished this routine task. Thus, it was all normal, from that very moment. They fully enjoyed their `society in bed`, besides planning the special menu for the day, the 25the December, that has already moved on by a couple of hours, as the clock showed 2-12am. Eventually, they woke up at around 8-50am. Mr Subhash Arora,already upset with the happening that took place last night, was not happy with his son and his newly married wife sticking to the interior of their bed-room even to this hour of the day. He kept his ears tuned to the voices coming from inside of his son’s room. He was sitting in the chair, placed at a point very close to the window of their room. With an extra effort of concentration on his part, he could make out very clearly, though spoken in whispering tone, the words coming from his son’s mouth,

56 “Darling, please do it only for once right now. Everything will come to normal, after Papa’s anger is extinguished by the eloquence of thislearned lady Professor.” When they came out in the morning, Mr Subhash Arora was sitting in the front courtyard of the house, basking in the sun. Both of them, took their positions, standing on their feet close by. For a while, there was no move from any of them. Then, Subhash marked his son pushing his wife with his elbow towardsthe father-in-law. He remained ostensibly unmoved ;suddenly the bride stood before him with folded hands, as if begging to be pardoned, as she spoke, “I am Sorry, Papaji.” “For what?” Vibha could not withstand the stress of the intonation brought about the mannerism of the elderly person; so a stream of tears was seen flowing from her eyes. The father-in-law melted down and spoke, “Bitiya, please take the seat.” As he was pointing with his finger towards the seat, lying vacant beside his own, he observed Abhilash giving a gentle push to the girl, who eventually fell on to his lap. The pro-emotional oldie placed his hand on her head for consoling with the words, “

57 teens.”In reply, her granny says, “I believe it to be a real happening in his life, as he claims today. Of course, the friend’s name seems to be fictitious.” It brings a grin at Mr Dargan’s face, as he ventures to comment, “After all, my dear wife knows many things concerning my friends of adolescence.” “Now, I am better equipped to understand Supriya’s genetic peculiarity that makes her urge very strongly to peep into my boyhood male friends’ affair, if any, in a particular case,” Kanuj says casually. At the moment, Mrs Usha Dargan and Mr Ganesh Lal Dargan are taking their usual stroll, in the Surajmal Park in the vicinity of their colony. They walk at a slow pace, as it suits Mrs. Dargan’s capacity. Mr Dargan utilizes these moments to enjoy a one-to-one exchange of views that they do not like to discuss in the presence of other members of their family. Ganesh Lal initiates the talk with the statement, “I think Madan’s decision to spend the rest of his life in Maya’s company is a sensible act.” Usha heaves a long breath before saying, “But her daughters- in-law are capitalizing this occurrence to malign their mother-in-law’s reputation. Personally, I have no objectionto their living together in a single-room apartment. Of Course, it’s an era of `live- in-partnership`.” Almost at the same time, back home Madan Mohan is reverberating around the environ created by Maya at Dargans’ house, requiring him to narrate his first-ever fiction, delivered orally by him to his boyhood friend Kanhiya Lal, during their adolescent period of life. Now, these thoughts make him recall the situation when he was asked by his Maya Bhabhi in early seventies of the last century, about his first-everfiction. He vividly remembers that he was in Delhi on a three-month posting on deputation from his head office, in Dehradoon. “It was in this very room, where I had my bed and other belongings; as I was sitting alone, Maya came downstairs after putting her kid Prakash to bed for the night. That night, Pritam Bhai was out of station. It was usual for us to spend some time in chatting, as and when feasible. Thus, during one such chat, she had asked about the days when I attempted to create a fictional narration, prior to my first story that was published in a fortnightly from Delhi.” Within minutes, she had from the hesitant brother-in-law poured out all the details of this very story that was being narrated by him at Dargans amidst mirth and cheers from the audience, young and old alike, almost an hour ago. Thus, the very remembranceof the scene enacted nearly three decades ago, in this very room, even now sends sensual waves all through his body.

58 EIGHT

Dr Madhukar Rawat, accompanied by Supriya Arora and Kanuj Ratra, is sitting in Advocate J.N. Hathkonda’s chamber, in the District court complex. He had already met this eminent lawyer at his residence, this very morning, on being referred to him by a colleague cum friend. Advocate has placed before him a few type written papers for his perusal, but he chooses to throw a cursory glance at the papers, puts his signatures, wherever required; and then taking out from his pocket a wad of the highest denomination of currency notes, in circulation these days, he places the money before Mr Hathkonda. The advocate Saheb turns towards his `Munshi` (clerk), asks him in a very casual tone, “Munshi Ji, deposit this amount in Mrs Vibha Ratra’s account, as paid by Dr Rawat.” The clerk in turn counts the number of the notes, before announcing, fifty thousand,” he speaks out in the manner to get the confirmation from the client’s side that he actually intended to pay this much.

Two days later, these three persons are sitting in the chairs meant for the advocates, litigants and the general audience in an Additional Sessions Judge’s courtroom. When title of the case, `Vibha Ratra versus State` is announced by an official of the court, Advocate Hathkonda proceeds towards the bar of the court. The Judge, having seen a few papers at the top of the file, looks into Advocate Hathkonda’s face, to signify that the Court is ready for the `hearing`. The advocate states that there is apprehension of his client being falsely implicated in the matter concerning an old person suddenly falling unconscious during the party attended by the select group to celebrate his 75th birth anniversary. As the desperate police has not yet been able to reach at any probable clue that can lead the investigation to some logical conclusion, even after a fortnight of the happening, while the `media` is mounting pressure on the police to find the culprit who served the victim the cold drink mixed with some poisonous material, in the wake of the preliminary forensic report on the examination of the evidence collected by the police from the place of incident. My client, a lecturer of a University college, who happened to be amongst the select gathering at that very time, took an active role in taking the victim to the hospital in her own car. Therefore, she is cooperating with the police in the ongoing investigation. In case, the police, as it sometimes happens, in a bid to save its face, hurries to exhibit alacrity, pounces upon the liberty of a person, though not in the sphere of suspicion. But the damage caused thereby to the reputation and emotional state can in no way be recuperated. Therefore, my client Dr Vibha Ratra prays for the grant of an anticipatory bail, in the interest of justice, equity and good conscience. The court asks report to be filed in a week’s period, during which the applicant cannot be arrested by the Police without 24-hour notice to the applicant.

Having marked their counsel, bowing before the court, the trio rise from their seats to join their legal representative at the bar, now turning towards the exit. Soon, the advocate’s clerk suggests them to wait in the chamber, as the `Vakil Saheb` (Mr Advocate) is soon expected to arrive there after attending one more Court. On their way to the lawyer’s chamber, Kanuj and Supriya look towards Dr Rawat’s face, with an expectation of learning from him the exact connotation of the court’s order. He understands the state of mind of his companions; and thus speaks, “So far, so good! Now, the police cannot harass Vibha Ji. It’s a sort of interim anticipatory bail. It may be regularized, after hearing from the State that has been ordered to comply with the court’s notice to appear with its reply to our application, meanwhile, there cannot be any arrest of the applicant by the police.”

59 “Can the Police ask her to report at the police station for further interrogation?” Supriya raises a query, to satiate her curiosity. In response she is told that even after regular bail, she can be called by the Police for cooperation during the process of investigation of the case, till the charge-sheet is filed by the concerned Police Station. However, there is a legal restraint on arresting her without a notice.” On the next day of hearing, the Police submit its report. The Judge is seen perusing it. It takes him a few moments to announce that the hearing on this case has been adjourned till 2-30pm. The trio spends their time in discussing the reasons obliging the court to `act indecisively. None of them could say anything with certainty. They spend sometime in the canteen of the court, to have some refreshments. When the Court starts its post-lunch session, Vibha’s application is taken up at number one. The Judge reads out the written order:-

Dr Vibha is granted anticipatory bail as prayed by her. However, she is ordered to appear before the court of Metropolitan Magistrate of the area, on the day and time to be fixed by the concerned court, to secure bail within a period of one week, on furnishing two sureties of rupees 25,000/- each, besides the personal surety of the like amount, together with the bond to cooperate with the Police for investigation.

Outside the courtroom, their counsel’s Munshi directed the trio to wait for the `Vakil Saheb` in his chamber, where he would be reaching soon. As they are advancing towards their next destination, Dr Rawat says, “I think that Vibha will not be required to approach the court personally for seeking the date for the submission of the bail bonds etc. Her counsel may himself get the needful through his assistant or junior, because there the task is to be done by the Reader of the Court. We can be telephonically informed of the date fixed by the Court for submission of the requisite papers and the attendance of the persons who would stand surety for the purpose.” After a few minutes, Munshi appears before them, accompanied by a group of a few persons. It seems that he is in a hurry. He addresses to the leader of that group to tell them that their matter is fixed for next Monday. Therefore, they were required to receive instructions from `Vakil Saheb`, so that nothing untoward occurs to spoil their interests.

Having settled that group in the chairs, he looks towardsDr Rawat and says, “Sir Ji, I’m sure that you have understood the contents of the Court’s pronouncement that tell you that Vibha Madam has been granted anticipatory bail. “ Having heard the grunt ejaculated by the listener, Munshi spreads his palm towards him, before resuming his speech, “This humble fellow expects `Inaam` from you, Sir.” Dr Rawat takes out a currency note of Rs 500/- towards the `humble fellow`, who takes out all the money from his pocket to arrange the notes in the order of their denomination. Supriya marks that the `humble fellow` already was having 13 such currency notes, besides over a score of hundred-rupee notes. Having secured his cash, he speaks out, “Tomorrow, my first task would be to fetch from the Sessions office the certified copy of the bail orders, to place it before the area magistrate positively in pre-lunch period. It will ensure the fixation of the date for Madam’s appearance there in a week’s time. There too, some `kharcha paani` (gratification money) would be needed.” Having marked the listener looking askance into his face, the humble `money lender` says, “Okay Sir, I’ll spend from my own pocket. In that case, I shall be raising the bill for the exact amount spent by me.” Dr Rawat says, “You have my mobile contact number, I suppose. Please get the needful done by tomorrow afternoon; and let me know the result of your efforts, before you leave the court for the rest of the day. Understood?” The `smart listener nodded to signify his acceptance of the assignment unconditionally. The trio rise to move out of the chamber.

While they were settling themselves in the car to return home, Kanuj says, “Doctor Saheb, it means, these people are minting money. I have heard many people grudging the way they were `fleeced mercilessly` by these `black-coats`.” “I was amused to mark that `humble fellow in

60 pajama` was collecting a handsome amount by way of the `Inaam`,” Supriya says with a grin on her face. “His way of taking out all the money, kept into his pocket having been pushed down carelessly, during this single day that has not yet ended, suggests me that he might be earning more than an average teacher of our colleges earns after having acquired so much accomplishments in the academics.“

Now that Vibha has secured her liberty and her Papaji has regained his consciousness, Lalima and her spouse feel a great relief from police teams visiting their house, time and again, making their stereotyped queries, to the annoyance of members of the victim’s family. Kanuj, Supriya and Madhukar are gradually engaging Vibha into recalling every step that could provide cue to the suddenness in breakdown of Mr Arora’s health during the period of festivities at his home, where around 30 persons were present, enjoying delectable food items, cold drinks, tea or coffee. Their focus was on the point that intrigued why the only one person was subjected to such a horrible ailment, while none else felt anything unusual in food items or even the after-effect of any of the items served and consumed during the party.

Lalima used to meet her Vibha Didi daily to enlighten her with the latest on her father’s health during the period, when Vibha was staying with Supriya and Kanuj to escape the probability of facing police harassment, while her brother and sister-in-law were rushing from pillar to post to secure the anticipatory bail for their dear Vibha Didi. This evening, , Lalima brings the fresh and encouraging news of her father’s regaining his consciousness; Vibha shows her eagerness to rush to `her Papaji`. But her host Mr Dargan advises her not to see him anywhere, whether in hospital or at his home, because the investigators might use this fact to robe her in the case. Though the exact import of this elderly person’s unsolicited advice could not be comprehended by the young Dr Vibha, yet her modest nature impelled her to wait and watch. Three days later, Vibha learns telephonically from Lalima that her father has been discharged from the hospital and has been convalescing at home; and he sends his good wishes and also a piece of advice for his` Vibha Bitiya`, that clearly meant his agreeing with `his Dargan Bhai’s` opinion. It makes Vibha feel at peace with self. A day later, Koya happens to visit her friends Supriya and Kanuj. It pleases her to find her senior colleague Dr Vibha Ratra there. Having completed the exchange of courtesieswith all the members of family present there, the visitor feels inclined to spend some time in chatting with her colleague, before entering `private into dialogue` with her friends. Supriya gestures her hubby to move towards the adjoining room. Both of them discuss the pros and cons of letting Koya initiate conversation on her finding the firm and final solution to Koya’s own problem in Vibha’s presence. In a minute, they take the decision to enquire both the colleagues separately, to know if they are ready and willing to accommodate each other, as they expect to be benefitted from the well-considered advice from one who is very senior in age and experience in difficulties relating to marital affairs.

Vibha is astounded after having been made to understand that Koya had conceived and delivered a child from her boyfriend. She is bearing all the expenditure on the child, who is being reared in the family of some common friends of theirs. Whereas the man who fathered this child on her has not only deserted her, but has also blatantly disowned the offspring, sequel to his maternal uncle, having secured from him a promise on oath that the youngman would marry his first cousin, after his relationship with Koya stands finally terminated. It has resulted in Koya receiving threatening phone calls, suggestive of dire consequences for Koya and her son, in case she did not give consent to her boyfriend’s offer of a final settlement , relinquishing all her claims of hers and also of the child against the man, in lieu of the one-time alimony to her, right now. Dr Vibha keeps her head hung down for some time, before opening her mouth to speak, “Was this man Koya’s classmate during her graduation?” Koya’s affirmation encourages the questioner to issue another query, “Well, Ms Koya, can you allow me to guess the name of this youngman, who would have charmed you to jump into the `love-bath`?” Now, Dr Vibha looks smilingly into

61 her junior colleague’s face. Koya looks into her friends’ faces with bewilderment ; then says bringing smile to her lips, “Let’s try; I see no harm in it. “ Koya cannot help betray her astonishment, when her one-time teacher announces, “I am sure; it cannot be anyone other than Dheeraj.” It makes Supriya look gravely into her husband’s face,to ensure that he would immediately prompt his sister to explain immediately as to how she could make this guess so easily and so correctly. Kanuj says, “Didi, have you already heard about our friends’ affair from someone?” Vibha replies, “ To put the records straight, I may inform you people that Dheeraj’s maternal uncle had approached me around a year ago, complaining against some `ex-student of my college` dragging his sister’s son, also an ex-student of mine into vice, i.e. indulging into sexual affair without getting married. Finding me unmoved, he offered to identify the girl in the event of me promising help from my quarters. Now, I feel no hesitation in soliciting you and Supriya to recall the face of a man transgressing into our exclusive area, while we were celebrating our Modak’s birthday party in a restaurant.

Having recalled the event, Kanuj says, “I think he was the man who was soliciting votes for him, during the Municipal body’s last elections. Supriya looks askance into the face of her friend who needed immediate help and guidance in self-defence. Meanwhile, Vibha asks Koya, “How old is your son?”

“He is around two years .”Then, there comes the next query, “When did you meet Dheeraj last?” “In person, we met around three months ago, but thereafter we had telephonic conversation twice. Every time, I tried my best to make him keep his solemn promise of entering into marriage under the legal provisions, as my parents could not be convinced by me of letting me go through an out-of-religion civil marriage.” Vibha asks, “Are you sure that he is still a bachelor?” Koya says, “I believe he is still a single person. ” In case you deem it fit to let me have his mobile phone number, I may speak to him and try to bring him round.”

At the moment, Vibha feels like re-evaluating her stand about re-marriage in own case. She feels no problem in thinking over the suggestions coming from his brother and his wife Supriya, though tendered obliquely. In fact, her thinking has been propelled by Dr Madhukar’s daughter, as she had stated to her Buaji, a few days ago in the very presence of Vibha, “I wonder why my father chose to lead the rest of his life as a single person, after my mother’s death. Why couldn’t he be persuaded by his own kin to get remarried? Professor Auntie, you can bring around your friend and colleague, Dr Rawat to act when he is still in the marriageable territory of his age. Please, don’t mind my straight forwardness.” At that juncture, Vibha had just smiled away the request coming from an adolescent’s mind. But now, there is something else to add to the reason for considering this aspect of life. Supriya had told her that Dr Rawat was reluctant to be reimbursed on account of the money spent by him in connection with making payments to the advocate, Munshi, stationary, typing etc, besides `kharcha paani` to others, when they were engaged in securing anticipatory bail for her. She has further told her Vibha Didi, “ When pressed hard by me and Kanuj to accept the payment, keeping in view the enormity of the amount spent by him, the Professor Saheb replied that he had a joint account with our Vibha Didi; thus none should venture to peep into that `treasure of friendship`.”Thus, to make the transaction a transparentaffair, she had arranged a luncheon party at her house, for all the `caretakers of hers`,namely Dr Rawat, Kanuj and Supriya. She had placed before Dr Rawat a sum of Rupees one lakh, with a humble submission, “Madhukar Ji, please oblige me with an opportunity for clearing my debt.” Of course, the recipient had taken some time to reach at the final figure that he had actually spent on this account. Then, he took out a leaf from the small sized note-pad from his pocket and writing the details, he had summed up the amount against every item, before scribbling an official notation, `Received the payment in cash`. Extending the piece of that paper towards his colleague, “`Ratra Ma’am`, here it is an official confirmation of the amount received,” Dr Rawat had brought a grin to

62 his face before shoving the wad of currency notes towards the lady. However, Vibha’s kin had witnessed that it was with great resistance and reluctance that payment was accepted by the `Good Samaritan`, Madhukar Ji.Vibha is sure that both of her family members looked as `watchers at some show`. They were engaged in sporadically passing smilesat each other, showing thereby utter indifference towards the justification or otherwise for her efforts towards getting out of the debt burden. Maybe, they had almost accepted the statement about the existence of ” my joint account with Madhukar Ji, as he had seemingly claimed.”

Soon, she is also reminded of Lalima’s concern about her remaining divorcee for a very long time without any ostensible reason.She had made a query on this account, when Vibha was convalescing after having been hit by her prodigal brother, Abhilash. It seems that Lalima was expressing her remorse and grief to the injured former sister-in-law, who had been present at the place of occurrence only because Lalima had requested her to take care of Mr Arora, in Lalima’s absence, as she was to leave her father behind, while moving out to participate in some function under social obligation during those hours. Now, Vibha happens to look at the other aspect of her question. To her, now it seems that Lalima meant that Vibha being without a family of her own, has formed a habit of reaching help to everyone, just because she has no family responsibilities of hers.

“How could I reach out to an eligible person directly? Can I afford to compromise the socially acceptable norms of modesty limits for a woman of my stature? Of course, there have been instances of youngmen making advances towards me, but I saw danger to my chastity, in case I allowed latitudes to the person approaching at an extraordinarily fast pace. The sloth on my part in `responding to the call` made the advances disappear forever. Shouldn’t it be interpreted as `a mere call for sexual indulgence`?” This introspection helps bring Dr Rawat’s image to the fore for making a comparison of his friendly intimacy with that of overt efforts on the part of others, during the past couple of years.

A week later, Vibha is busy in her cabin engaged in anunofficial chat`, when Koya appears on the scene. The senior gestures the visitor to have a seat, whereas she continues her talk with Dr Rawat. Having reached a landmark of their discussion, Vibha looks towards Koya with a smile, as if to exchange a few words of courtesies and niceties. Dr Rawat marks the unusual hurried way of hers in dealing with the new comer, as she was still in the state of formal greetings, when her hands were searching something inside her wallet; and in a couple of moments she had fished out an envelope, unflapped it and took out a wad of currency notes of the denomination of one thousand rupees. Extending the money towards the requisite destination, she faltered and the money found its place before Dr Rawat. Both the persons sitting across the table, in front of Dr Vibha, look into her face with an intrigue, as neither of them had any idea, even obliquely, regarding the context this large amount of money was being passed on for some impending transaction of so LARGE AMOUNT WITH HIM/HER.

“SORRY,I MISPLACED THE CASH.ACTUALLY, THIS MONEY IS MEANT TO BE HANDED OVER TO MY FRIEND KOYA, GIVEN BY ANOTHER FRIEND OF OURS.I AM JUST A MEDIUM IN BETWEEN THESE TWO LUCKY PERSONS, WHO BEFRIENDED EACH OTHER DURING THEIR COLLEGE DAYS.DR RAWAT’S SUSPENSE DISAPPEARS, AS HE SEEMS TO HAVE MADE OUT THAT SUPRIYA MIGHT HAVE SENT THIS MONEY TAKEN AS LOANFrom the payee, sometime back. But Koya is still looking towards her senior with an expectation to be provided with some explanation pertaining to this amount, unexpectedly reaching her hands. Vibha says, “OK! First, count the cash. It should be rupees fifty thousand, as told by the person, desiring it to be passed on to you. I have also been authorized to communicate it to you that it is the first instalment of the money he owes to you. This cash is all yours. You may spend or invest as per your wish. In case, you are free after your classes for the day, you are welcome to join me over a cup of coffee, in the college canteen. There, I shall give you further information on the subject of my efforts in recovering your dues from the person, whose phone number I got from you in my brother’s presence a couple of days ago.” It brings smile to the young lady’s face; and she speaks out, “Thanks a lot, Didi.”

63 On the following Sunday, Kanuj, Supriya, Koya and her lucky friend Dheeraj have gathered at Dr Vibha’s residence, on an invitation for `an Exploratory meet around the luncheon table`. All the persons seem to be at ease, as they are very much clear about the purpose of this informal meet, envisaged by `their Vibha Didi` and approved by the rest. They have been chatting around odd subjects, at random as is usual during informal luncheon get-togethers. Having spent around 100 minutes in this formulation, Vibha announces, “Now, I am leaving alongwith my kin folk. We expect Koya and Dheeraj to utilize these moments to sort out their differences. We’ll be back after receiving a call from either of you. Bye, take care!”

The trio climbs down stairs to reach Kanuj’s apartment, recently vacated by the tenant, who was transferred on promotion to a higher post in Lucknow. Thereafter, Dr Vibha dumped her old furniture to make room in her apartment for the new one, definitely more stylish than the pieces sent down stairs. At the moment, they are busy planning the best utilization of this furniture that can form part of the many items needed for setting up an independent office for the tours and travels organization in the name and style of `FROST` (Fly, Ride or Sail Tours) already being managed by Supriya on a very small scale. Now, she has plans for expansion.

Kanuj marks that the couple left behind has issued a call within just half an hour. On reaching there, the trio marks positive signals being issued by both Koya and Dheeraj. Both desired to have one such meeting after a fortnight, so that a `common minimum action-plan could be placed for the satisfaction of all, guaranteeing a semblance of total agreement to act in a phased manner with a view to `reclaim their baby` before it is too late.

64 NINE

Dr Rawat, Dr Vibha, Kanuj and Supriya are discussing the saying, `Mysterious are the ways of Nature`. In fact, theyhad last evening learnt that the challan has been submitted by the police in the court of the Metropolitan Magistrate, with regard to the report by the hospital treating Subhash Arora’s ailment in the form of suddenly falling unconscious during his birthday party at his residence, almost three months ago. This morning, Dr Rawat has brought a copy of the FIR, as registered by the Police in this case. There is no mention of Vibha’s name. It seems that the police took no notice of her presence, on the ground that she was not an active participant during the celebration or cooking food items. The preliminary inquiry and the investigations conducted under section 154-156 have brought to light the fact that his son had mixed some mild sedative, in large quantity, into the glass of liquour, served by him to his father. The ailment was the cause of that drug that manifested its effect almost an hour later than when the liquour was actually consumed sip by sip, by the father, Mr Subhash Arora. The prodigal son had left unannounced the scene of the party. It was why the police got match the finger prints on the outer surface of the two glasses used by these two persons, an hour prior to the arrival of the guests. As he is already à wanted person` in Vibha’s injury case, still lying ùndecided` in the Police records of this area, the police got activated and received information from the Maharashtra Police Department about three other cases registered against him in Nagpur area. The finger marks collected by the Nagpur Police, to be placed on record, while the court in Maharashtra was granting and accepting his bail, was addedto its àrchives of the noted criminals`. Now, that the finger prints lifted from the glasses here by the police have been confirmed as matching with one person, Named Abhilash s/o Mr Subhash Arora, whose residential details match with this Subhash Arora, the Police are sure of Abhilash’s incrimination in this case also. The reference of the Nature triggers Dr Rawat’s mind to let it be known to all the persons present in the gathering, once forever, his personal views about the mysticism pertaining to God and Nature.Having gauged the level of curiosity present in his listeners’ mind, at this particular juncture, he resumes, it is a legal entity in our country; I don’t have any idea about its legal status in other countries of the world. So, as an Indian, I am personally concerned with this `legal entity, here in India, others here may or may not like this notion of mine. But my right to `freedom of speech or expression` empowers me to place before you, my friends, the thoughts that keep my mind churning, at times.” Having gauged the present level of the listeners’ curiosity, he resumes, “I am not an atheist; better I may be taken as an agnostic. To my mind it suits to believe that there is some supreme power responsible for the creation, control and modification of the Universe. The modification is brought about through certain readjustments in the animate and inanimate substance of the Universe through a self-regulatory process, set in the very nature of the substance itself. We may signify this Supreme Power by using one or the other word, preferably known to or understood by the person being communicated to in respect of this concept, which we are going to refer as Supreme Power here for the present. This Supreme Power is the real Lord, enjoying sovereignty over all matter and energy, which may be termed as Nature for reference here. Thus we, too, are part of Nature. I am sure; such a postulate will make the things easier to be comprehended. I, for one, begin to sense or feel the things from here. You will excuse me for crutching on this assumption.”

Whilst alone, Vibha’s ears are reverberating with the idea as propounded by Dr Rawat, conjoining God and Nature, with a view to simplify answers to many a question to Science and religious theories to attain or at least feel like enjoying `salvation`, whilst one is very much alive. It amuses her to recall the recent research work done by a dedicated agency on the `origin of

65 universe` that claims to have found through an analytical process, the `God particle` seeming to have triggered `the emergence of universe`.“His proclamation pertaining to his belief in the existence of some invincible and invisible Supreme Power that controls all the animate and inanimate matter, provides one with an ultimate support during crisis,” she tells self.

At the moment, Vibha feels like talking to Lalima, with a view to receive detailed information about the preparations for the celebration of b’day party to felicitate `Papaji` at their house. Thus, she contacts her telephonically; and the meeting is fixed for the same afternoon. This meeting yields her the news that Abhilash had requested Pratima to convince the father for agreeing to let his three children celebrate his b’day, this time at a larger scale. Papaji had agreed to let all the siblings join hands in creating a festive mood around him. Pratima also requested her father to talk to Abhilash on the phone for conveying him his concurrence with his sisters’ idea of planning the event. Thus, to save himself from being seen and nabbed by the police, Abhilash stealthily reached their residence almost two hours prior to the commencement of the guests’ arrival. It provided him an opportunity to spend alone some time in father’s company. During this period, he lured father to taste the new brand of whisky brought by him specially for the occasion. The police believe that during this period, he might have played his trick of `injuring` father’s health. It intrigues Vibha as to how police concludes that the son wanted to injure his father, without any ostensible reasons.

But soon, she happens to recall that in the past few years, Abhilash is reported to have repeatedly made attempts to make father yield to his demand for his 1/3 share in the father’s property without any delay, as the finance is badly needed for augmenting his business. Then, she tells self, “Anyways, it’s none of my business to deliberate over Abhilash’s finances or pecuniary Gains. Of course, I definitely feel sorry for his father, who does not feel like taking preventive measures to keep the prodigal son at a bay. The ultimate sufferer will be the `gold- hearted` Lalima, who is still like a younger sister to me. She always keeps at the top of her mind my act of having acceded to her request for deferring my divorce proceedings against his brother for a few months, as her marriage had already been fixed for solemnization in the period of next 45 days. Not only this, she has always been prompting `Papaji` to act impartially with me, as I had honoured his personal request for postponing my filing divorce petition against his son, keeping in view of the impending `social slur` on his family arising out of the girl’s elder brother facing divorce proceedings.”

Then, she is reminded of Madhukar’s daughter Akshita, whose innocent request toher wasfor convincing her father for remarrying. Koya too feels oblige to her after her final settlement with Dheeraj, regarding the formal solemnization of their baby’s `mundan` (first head-shaving) next month in full public view and it to be followed by the modestly thrown luncheon for the invitees assembled to bless the child.Nevertheless, Dr Vibha definitely has a `behind the scene` support from her friend Dr Rawat. These days, she often wonders, why `this sage` came so late to her ambit of friendship.She is nursing a belief that in case Madhukar Ji had come across her, before she was `just handed over ` to the `rogue of the person named Abhilash Dua, via a sacramentbefore the `holy fire`, her life would have been entirely different.

A couple of days later, as she returns home after her working hours in the college, Akshita appears before her, to announce, “ Professor Auntie, I have been waiting to see you for a very long time. In fact, I have purposely come here to request you to join me and my Papa over a dinner out. I am sure, you won’t disappoint me.” Having marked the force employed by this young girl, Vibha could not help smiling at her for a while, before asking, “Who is hosting this dinner, you or your Papa?” The answer came in a circuitous but cryptic phrase, certainly neither you nor

66 Papa.” The Professor Auntie looks into the girl’s face with an intrigue, as if engaged in guessing. Then, abruptly she yells out, “I suppose, it’s this naughty girl who is going to host this dinner to celebrate some achievement of hers.” The girl draws a shy face, before declaring, “May your guess prove right!” With this explanation, she issued a command, “Then, get ready by 8.00pm. I have already conveyed my choice of the venue to Papa and he has approved it.” Vibha asks, “Won’t you tell me which place we are going to?” The girl replies, “It’s at a distance of around 40 minute drive from here. Don’t worry; I will do the navigator’s job for the benefit of driver.”

As they reach `Food and Spices` restaurant of a 5-star hotel in Chanakyapuri, they are told at the reception counter that the table e-reserved by Miss Akshita is ready for occupation. It propels Vibha give a gentle pat at the girl’s back, as they are being escorted to the table by a courteous staffer of the establishment. It is Vibha’s first ever interaction in an outdoor engagement. She feels impressed with the girl’s quick but courteous mannerism during menu consultation with companions at the table, placing orders, using finger-bowls etc. The expert waiter had also marked that the couple has come there under the patronage of this young girl, as is evident that he expects the `final nod for computing the bill` from this `young Ma’me`. The moment the `bill folder` is placed at the table, Akshita gently picks it up to have a cursory glance at the bill, unzips her wallet, very cautiouslya wad of hundred-rupee notes; separates four of them and then placing back the rest of them in her money bag, she draws three notes of thousand- rupee denomination to be joined with some inferior denomination currency notes, before placing the entire money into the `bill jacket`. The waiter takes off the bill folder and moves towards thecash counter. Meanwhile, Vibha imploringly asks the hostess, “Darling, may I know the fact that prompted this young lady to treat her Professor Auntie?”

“Of course, I have brought you people together at this table to be introduced to each other. I am sure; you are mature enough to think of your future jointly or severally. This child of sixteen can’t do more than this. Please take your time, before communicating your final decision to my `foster mother`, I mean my `Buaji`.” Both the elders look amazedly into the speaker’s face, as if wondering at the strength being displayed by her in leading both of them together into an alley that they have never before thought of entering.

Back home, Dr Rawat is engaged into brooding over the wrapping up remarks by the young hostess at the party. He wonders if she had been tutored by someone on this account. “It might be the `brainchild` of Subhadra, who had been frequently `pestering` Me on the single-point of her strong desire of seeing me as a `married brother`. I don’t find any fault in her display of concern for her 39-year-old bachelor brother, who voluntarily chose to remain so, for the sake of an innocent child, who might have otherwise found abode in an orphanage, during itsvery infancy.I am sure; the unfortunate child must not be exposed to the risk of receiving from her benefactors end `a heartbreak`.”

At the same time, Vibha is stuck in a quandary as to what stand she is expected to take, in case the proposal comes directly from Mrs Pradhan. “After all, women do sometimes prefer taking such circuitous routes, in these matters. But , she should have prior permission of her brother, whose future peace of mind might be affected, in case sister’s indirectly sent proposal is altogether ignored,” Vibha supposes. Then, she asks self, “Should I check up with Dr Madhukar in a straight forward manner?”Vibha asks self and then smiles.

67 ”But, let me tentatively think over the hypothetical situation coming my way to make my intention known to Subhadra Ji or her brother, anytime in the coming days.” It makes Vibha fall into a reverie of suddenly becoming a mother of this sweet grownup girl, without having undergone any pangs of labour. I think; I would prove capable of `mothering` her during all the times to come. I am sure; she deserves it. It will make the vacuum filled in the life of both of us. So, let the Nature play its role; we should believe that it’ll happen for our good,”she assures self.

Supriya and Kanuj are enthusiastically engaged in giving final touches to their plan regarding setting up a regular office in the drawing-room sized 19 ft by 12ft, leaving the rest of the apartment for the use of the probable tenant family, comprising of Koya, Dheeraj and their baby.

Three days later, Koya and Dheeraj reach Vibha’s residence, with a view to update the group of friends, who had got an inklingfrom this estranged couple that they would meet them again, only after having sorted out all the points that were blocking the settlement. Their Vibha Didi smiles at Koya and then asks her tolet the trio be enlightened with the latest position Vis a Vis her relationship “with you and your baby.” Koya says, “Dheeraj is my husband and father of Meera, the `only product of ours`.”

Then, she asks Dheeraj to confirm and prove his consent to Koya’s assertion. Taking out a wad of papers from his portfolio,he commences reading out from the zerox copy of the Affidavit testified by him in favour of Koya Durani, confirming that he had been living with Koya Durani as her husband since the solemnization of their marriage, sequel to their entering into an agreement to stay together as husband and wife. “This agreement had been witnessed on September, 2, 2008, by four persons, two of whom knew me well, while the other two were her friends.”

Now, Professor Vibha briefs the `audience` comprising of Dr Rawat, Supriya and Kanuj. She tells them that an application for the registration of their marriage has already been filed by their attorney in the Marriage Officer’s court under the Special Marriages Act. Yesterday, the orders for notification of their intention to marry in the presence of the Registrar of the Marriages, under whose jurisdiction, they are living at present. They will be appearing before the court, to be `bestowed with the status` of a legally wedded couple w.e.f. that blessed moment for them, almost after thirty days of this notification.

It had so transpired that after collecting Dheeraj’s cellphone number from Koya, Vibha called Dheeraj; reminding him of being one of his good students in the English (Hons), she gauged the presence of her clout on the person who was her pupil over 7 years ago. Having satisfied herself with the quality of response, she asked him if he could spare an hour or so to share a cup of coffee at Nirula’s, someday in the evening.

Thus, they met at the appointed venue after just two days. She began to search her pupil’s mind by way of eliciting information about his professional responsibilities, satisfactionderived from income and finally the marital status. Here, the pupil was marked by the teacher as dithering while trying to come out with a clear-cut answer. She looked into his face with a curious smile. The man could not withstand this expression betraying doubtabout his response; it made him break down. She rose up to fetch a glass of water from the stand at the farthest end of the hall. This extraordinarily courteous move of hers made the gentleman to be transparent to the core, before his erstwhile teacher. Thus, he spoke, “I stand wedded to a classfellow of mine, but an estrangement has occurred during the past one-year.” Further inquiry yielded the exact information that the complainant Koya had described. By this time, Vibha felt that she has won the confidence of the man. Therefore, she offered her good offices to help both of them. This

68 proposal was happily accepted by him. Therefore, she invited him to lunch at her home, telling that this meeting would provide him with an open opportunity. Of course, at the very next meeting, the man was made ready to share the expenses being born by Koya alone for the child, so far. In fact,he had readily accepted to pay the expenses on account of the child being reared up in a trusted friend’s family. Vibha made him pay the arrears also; and it meant `easing out` around two lakh. Thus in a week’s period, the first instalment of Rupees fifty thousand was handed over to Vibha personallyby Dheeraj, to be given to Koya, before Vibha would initiate the necessary steps to make Koya settle all the differences. Then, she advised Koya to relent abit and give him some time to get rid of his uncle Vichitr Budhiraja. When the final settlement was ready with her, she procured the mobile phone number of the so-called politician and spoke to him straightaway, “My former students Koya and your nephew Dheeraj are legally wedded couple; it is confirmed. In case, you come in their way, you might be sent to jail, as per provisions of law.”

However, before engaging the Attorney for the purpose of conducting the Civil Marriage, the second instalment of one lakh rupees was also got made by the Professor in her colleague’s favour. Now, the most needed item, a modest shelter for the family, has also been secured for Dheeraj and Koya, by this mentor of theirs has virtually got possession of the portion of the apartment, owned by Kanuj. The gentleman has already paid three-month rent in advance to his friend, the house owner. Nevertheless, both these friends settled the rent, without any third person’s intervention. Koya has also secured herself by way of getting her `lifemate` to join in sharing the security of rupees one lakh, deposited with their `common mentor` as a forfeitable amount, payable to the person who stands lurched without the consent of the person left behind during the at least three years of their staying together.

When the `couple in the legal pipeline` had departed from there, Supriya asks, “Didi, what about the paternity rights of Meera? How shall she be recognized by law?”

Vibha tells that the child begotten without a legal marriage is always treated by law of the land is termed as `illicit`. Therefore, Meera may be an illicit child in the legal parlance; but the acceptance of parents , whose product she is; in yet another document the factum of the birth of the child Meera, after their privately solemnized marriage, would definitely gives immense force to the fact that she was born at least 280 days after the date of their privately solemnized marriage, in view of the claim of the petitioners for the registration of marriage before the Civil Marriages Officer.It would go a long way to support the child in the society that she was in no way less than a `regularly begotten` child. Moreover, the illicit child also has a right to claim the share in its father’s property, in the case of father being governed by the Hindu Succession Act, 1955. So far as Koya is concerned, she would be the legally wedded wife of a Hindu husband, the point of time her marriage is registered in the court. Thus, all the three would more or less, be enjoying their rights, fully.

Having spoken out her point of view, Vibha looks into Dr Madhukar’s face, perhaps, how he takes this piece of information. But, she marks that Madhukar’s face is focused towards the floor, as if engaged into some deep thinking.

A few days later, Vibha receives her Maya Auntie, at her house on this Sunday morning. She says that she has come just to `see her niece` who is living a solitary life. Meanwhile, she tells her that Poonam Bitiya had made it known to her that Vibha was in close contact of her former inlaws. Now that Usha Dargan has told him that Subhash Ji is not maintaining good health, because of constant bickering in his family. Maya also informs her hostess that she was told by

69 Usha about the sad incident during his birthday celebration at their residence. Then, she asks, “How is Subhash Ji, now?” A little latter she advances a piece of advice towards her niece, “Bitiya, it’s a horrible thing to live alone, during the prime years of one’s life. It’s thousand times better, when one finds a new partner to share one’s life.” Then, Vibha is informed that her younger daughter-in-law has moved into a rented apartment in Vivek Vihar extension. Then she adds, “Actually, my brother-in-law got a three-storey-house built last year, on a modestly sized plot of land, purchased at the cost of 1.5 crore during the recent past. He has gifted one storey to his own daughter, whileone has been rented out to Pushkar Raj. He is insisting upon my accompanying him to the ground-floor apartment, leaving my Old Delhi property into the sole possession of my elder son Prakash, but my daughter-in-law does not like the idea of my going away from her.”

The above information stirs Vibha’s mind to think about forming a marital union with `Madhukar Ji`.

70 PART 2 SISTERS-IN-LAW

71 TEN

A duo of sisters-in-law, Dr Vibha Ratra and Supriya Arora, have brought this group of six elderly persons, four males and two females, here to the grassy plot of land that is known as Children’s Park, India Gate. They are here, on the first Sunday of February, with an objective of facilitating them to bask in the open sun, after a long-drawn wintry spell of many weeks. Out of the six persons two are widower real brothers, one regular couple and the third duo comprises of a live-in-partners. Though all the three pairs are known to one another, yet it is their first chance to have a get-together in thisformat. They have been enabled to enjoy these moments, thanks to an unlabelled group of four young ladies. While the two of them are Vibha’s colleagues, whereas the third one is her husband’s sister.It was Dr Vibha’s colleagues, who mooted this idea of arranging the get-together for the benefit of these elderlies. It had so transpired, when Koya and Maneesha Fotedar were sometime discussing the beauty of the English proverb `Charity begins at home`. “I believe the pragmatic approach is the best option in suchlike situations,” with this suggestion, Mr Tandon shuts his mouth, anticipating others to drag the issue at hand, if it seems desirable.Mrs Dargan repeats the quandary that she had placed before these experienced persons, “I am afraid that we are allowing the very fabric of our society to be eaten up by moth with a view see that it assumes the shape of a monster in the near future.” Sitar Chand expects his younger brother Subhash to raise his point of view once again, as he was opposing Mrs. Usha Dargan’s plea that courts are taking a hasty step to let the rapist go scot free, if he accepts the victim as his wife; nevertheless by way of undergoing through the due process of marriage as prescribed by law. Of course, the participants in the debate are expressing in Hindi, barring an occasional use of some English words, for which a Hindi equivalent is not spontaneously available at tongue. Assuming this observationto be applicable in the case of the use of `pragmatic approach` by Mr Tandon, the elder brother of Mr Subhash advances a cue to his sibling by murmuring, “Madan Mohan Ji suggests a practical approach.” Mr Subhash hastily retorts, “Should we assume that the offender be placed behind the bars; and the unmarried girl be exposed to ignomy for the rest of her life, just because some unreasonable youngman made her a target for atemporary phase of emotional surge leading or compelling him to satiate his sexual urge?” His elder brother thinks it wise to look towards Mr Dargan to bring forth his point of view, so as to relieve his brother to stay peaceful, as he seemed restive after having retorted as above. Before Ganesh Lal could open his mouth, Maya speaks, while facing Subhash Arora, “We can’t afford to revolutionize the entire social network by shouting at the top of our voice, “We should `feel modern, look modern and act modern`.”This statement of the lady, who was addressed by the then 25-year-old young bachelor Subhash, by using this very slogan to prompt her to flee from her parental family fold, for accompanying him to some secret destination before undergoing through the procedure of a civil marriage.Barring Mr Tandon, all the other members of this group can easily `read in between the lines` of the matter that the lady wanted to convey to her one-time lover. Once it so happened that Supriya overheard her paternal grandfather as advising, “Maya Behn, after all we the human being keeps on changing our attitudes and opinions from time to time. Let’s forget the past rancours. At this age, we find ourselves at the mercy of tide the life provides from time to time.” The young lady has also marked Maya Auntie clearing off tears from her cheeks, in a huff. The young adults and their kids, all having affinity, on one or the other account, with this elderly persons’ group, are available at some distance as huddled together. Manisha and Koya are constantly busy in keeping Modak and Meera in good humour, while Supriya and Vibha are moving to and from the elderlies’ camp, at regular intervals for contacting and enquiring about their immediate needs, if any. Once, it so transpires that while approaching the elders, Supriya happens to overhear her grandpa, Mr Sitar Chand speaking, “Maya Behn, after all, we as human beings are prone to changing our attitudes and opinions about various things. Let’s forget the

72 past rancours, particularly those concerning the persons who are no more now.” Theyoung lady also happens to mark Maya Auntie mopping off tears from her face, in a huff. This scenario intrigues her, but she does not lose her poise. Marking signs of perturbation on his younger brother’s forehead, Mr Sitar Chand, tries to use his prorogation, he draws the attention of all to the fact that they have sidetracked, though inadvertently, they wanted to discuss. Mr Madan Mohan recalls exactly where they had vainly stuck; and therefore, reminds his friends that Sitar Bhai Saheb had just begun as to how the law against dowry demand is being mercilessly exploited to squeeze money and property of the in- laws. It makes Ganesh Lal narrate one suchlike happening in their colony. He tells that the dissatisfied bride, after a just 20-day-stay at in-laws, commencing the day of marriage, called her parental family to get explanation from their daughter’s in-laws who had subjected the `innocent bride` to ill-treatment of `unbearable magnitude. When the complainant’s troupe of saviours, comprising six persons, reached there, after the formal exchange of oral courtesies the newlywed girl got up to fetch the cold drinks etc from the kitchen, to be served to the visitors. The boy who married this girl is a doctor employed in a governmental organization, smiled away the sarcastic remark by his mother-in-law when she remarked, “See, how dutiful and smart girl you have been married to?” But the mother-in-law had specific complaint in her mind, as it was made known to the boy and his family for the first time, triggered the feud that could not be contained; rather it took the form of a `pitched battle of accusations and counter accusations. The neighbours had listened the girl’s side repeating time and again, “Our delicate girl is being subjected to humiliation in her social circlewith the `label of a poor girl, whose husband cannot afford a honeymoon`. Her friends doubt that the bridegroom isn’t a doctor. They suspect the man could be just a Vaidya (a practitioner of Ayurvedic system of medicine).” The response to this accusation could not be heard clearly, as it was lost in the din created by the complainant’s party. One thing is clear that the boy is a graduate in Allopathic system and holds an M.B.B.s. Degree from the Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Delhi.The neighbours had watched with intriguing looks the scene that depicted the newly-wed leaving her marital home holding a small- sized attaché case, while the two companions of hers were each holding one big-sized attaché in his hand. They had been identified as father and brother-in-law of the girl, moving with this baggage towards their car parked at some distance. Having gaugedthe intensity of his friends’ interest in his narration, Ganesh lal resumes, after a little pause, “Theestranged bride was not seen around, during a period of almost a year thereafter. One day, that friend of mine, who is a practising lawyer in the District and Sessions Court, told that he had got the anticipatory bail secured from the court for 13 persons, related to the groom, either through blood or marriage. The advocate friend, who is also a resident of our colony told me, “It was considered to be an essential prerequisite for them as the estranged bride had lodged a complaint with the police alleging dowry demand against all of them. My advocate friend proudly claimed that it took over 10 years for the bride’s troupe to realize that they won’t be able to get anything from the groom’s end. They contacted me through their counsel for an out-of-court settlement between the parties. Accordingly, I informed my client about their adversaries’ offer. They wanted to know my point of view, before committing themselves to consider the offer at hand. My experience in such matters tells that the loser takes the initiative to sit for conciliation. Of course, the proceedings held so far showed nothing that might go into girl’s favour, but you never know the possibility of an honourable acquittal, till the final verdict comes. My clients put up a brave face and announced that they were not interested in out-of-court settlement, even if they are reimbursed for the heavy cost in terms of money and the defamation penalty by them. At the very next date of hearing, the bride’s mother contacted me directly to tell that they were interested in bringing about an agreement to end the litigation, as it has already been an unduly long-drawn battle, to the disadvantage of both the parties. I learnt from her she had meanwhile become a widow. As I entered into the formality of condoling over her loss, she melted down and began to shed tears on another account that meant that the first daughter too had been sent back by her husband `to live with her parental family`. Then, I told her that they had a better option of joining their adversary through a common petition for quashing the FIR. It worked, as both the parties were

73 losing in terms of `age-factor`, pushing them away from the ambit of a reasonable opportunities for remarriage. Thus, it brought the` closure of the marital deal` entered over a period of 9 years back. Both paid for engaging afresh their counsel for this joint petition to be granted in the interest of `saving the rest of their youth`.” The above narration made Mr Tandon heave a sigh and draw his companion Maya’s attention, as she took to looking askance into her brother-in-law’s face. Usha Darganwas impelled to yell out, “`Kala coat, Dhola coat ….. Bhai Na milain inse hoth` (God forbid, brother you don’t join your lips with the person, donning black or white coat).” It sends every member of the group into peals of laughter. Maya too feels like putting forth another rural proverb on these lines, as she speaks out, “Usari, Kachehri and Bimari (construction, litigation or illness) are the worst forms of the channel that drains out our `richness`.” Though all, except her companion smiled over this proverbial narration, yet it didn’t cut much ice with the audience. Stung by Maya’s act of `abrupt exposure in public` her ex-lover’s timidity` that brought about their failure to enter into a wedlock, Mr Subhash now feels like challenging her to debate the entire gammut of their45-year-old affair, in the very presence of these common friends. But a second thought impels him to ignore her, as he knows well that she is a woman who knows no boundaries of decency; none can stop her from mudslinging. While making a counter offensive, At times, she can `pour tears in litres` without making an effort on her part to see reason and respond to the appeals coming from the other side. A few days later, Supriya narrates this scene to her sister-in-law; and immediately asks, “Do these two oldies have some sort of family relationships that might have been snapped due to some bitter event taking place, before we people grew up to understand such things?” “My mother had told me afew facts that concerned the father of the boy I was going to wed. I was made to understand that Maya Auntie was not acceptable to Arora family for Mr Subhash Arora; and it had made Maya, my mother’s distant cousin, feel dejected. She gave me this information, with a view to be on the cautious note, as and when some reference came there with respect to Maya Tandon, who was Maya Dua till her marriage.This much information made me curious to know if there was some affair between Mr Arora and Maya Auntie. My mother responded to this query very frankly. She made me know that Subhash Ji and Maya Dua were classmates during their under-graduation level studiesin a private college where coaching was provided for the purpose. Naturally, they would visit each other’s home too, as they began to feel confident about each other when they discovered that their parents came off the same district in the Sairaki belt that formed part of Pakistan, as a result of Partition of India in 1947. Both began to dream of entering into marriage. When Subhash Ji got employed by the Central Government, he made his family know about his intention of marrying Maya. His sister-in-law, I mean your `Dadi Ji`, flatly refused to consider the girl, because of her having the same sub-caste i.e. `Dua`, as this family of Aroras too were virtually holder of the sub-caste Dua.” Last night, Mr Madan Mohan had asked Maya to give a firm stand on leaving this house to her elder son and his family and shift alongwith him to the new house, where Pushkar Raj and Madan’s daughter have established their respective homes at the floors allotted to them with joint consent of Madan Mohan and Maya herself. He finds her to be non-confirming to this proposal. In fact, she is diffident of telling him frankly that this step of theirs would add salt to the injury already suffered by her, owing to the speculations circulating around in their social circle, pertaining to their use of common bedroom. These days, people are openly questioning her elder daughter-in-law Rashmi about the plausible reasons as to why she has not shifted back to the first floor, where shehad her bed in her younger son’s room, prior to his marriage. The daughter- in-law would just smile away the query, leaving the questioner intrigued. A cousin of hers, whom Maya had sarcastically teased many a time, almost 50 years ago, using malignant expression of phrases is busy these days in highlighting this fact of her sleeping in the same room with her brother-in-law, almost of her own age . Maybe the then young girl of 23, that cousin of hers had used her discretion to choose a spouse for self, who was almost double her age at the time of her marriage. But the fact of her eloping with that old pock-marked person and stealthily entering into wedlock with him was used by Maya not only for spreading venom against the love-lorn couple,

74 but she teased her too, on her reappearance in her social circles, after a couple of years. Maya had then asked this cousin Rohini, when the latter visited Maya’s parents at their Rajender Nagar house, “Have you married a man of your father’s age or he had fallen in love with you, during the times when he used to lie prostrate before you when you used to go into swoon obliging the people around, to believe and declare that that some `goddess` was reigning your acts? If the first preposition is true, then he is husbanding his daughter or if the other preposition is taken as true, he has married his `mother`, as he used to address you by this very name, while bowing down to you. What do you say on this account?” Thus, the `socially Errant` person was received in this fashion, at her maternal uncle’s house, to face òbnoxious remarks` that she could not pre- suppose, before moving towards her maternal uncle’s house, in the block adjoining her own, where she was staying with her lover, an electrician and decorator of `shamianas and pandaals` during events at various places in Delhi. This lover had a hefty bank balance, beside this house, inherited from parents, both of whom passed away within a couple of years after purchasing it from the Refugees Rehabilitation Department against their claims money to be paid by the Indian Government as a settlement of their claim for the immoveable property left behind by them in their native place that turned to be part of West Pakistan in 1947. But this ùnusual stance` of the daughter, prompted the parents to flee from their self-owned house in Koocha Natwa to avoid disdainful glances and scorns being issued in their direction on and off. By now, Vibha has determined to `peep into` Madhukar’s mind with a view to know whether or not he had taken seriously his daughter Akshita’s `piece of advice` concerning their future, if taken together. Thus, she calls him on phone to probe if he would spare some time to spend with her outdoors. This step of hers `pays dividends` as it impels the gentleman to promptly suggest that they should dine at Barbe-que Nation. They have begun taking the `starters`, before ordering the main course. Placing a piece of `grilled garlic fish` into her mouth, she provides him the lead by way of speaking in a whispering tone, “ I wonder how smartly the young Akshita had conveyed to both of us simultaneously her desire, when she had hosted the dinner, just for the three of us.” Bringing a little smile to his face, “To my mind it appears that she finds a sort of void in her life, though she seems to be putting a brave face to express her desire. But she is not in the knowof the true facts pertaining to her mother’s death,” having said this much he looks into Vibha’s face. To alleviate the sudden surge in the listener’s mind, Dr Rawat says that the facts of her mother’s death had never been truly communicated to her. God only knows as to why we could not till date muster strength enough to tell her the truth that this Madhukar Rawat has absolutely no role in fathering this ìnnocent and ignorant` child on Sheetala, Akshita’s mother who died when this lone child of hers was just one year old. Of course, by virtue of the solemn promise made by me to my sister Subhadra and her husband, I would not ever reveal to this child the truth about her parentage.” The moment he finishes this statement, he marks that the dumb stricken Vibha, whose right-hand thumb and the adjacent finger, holding the spoon filled with soup have stopped midway while moving towards her lips. It prompts him to ask, “Do you feel the awkwardness on my part to choose this moment to swear on an oath of solemnity that Akshita is not my child. I can furnish you the truthful information, provided you won’t reveal it the child concerned till both of us make a joint decision to it.” “Is she the child of a person in your family?” Vibha asks in a sort of dithering mode. He replies, “Of course, her parents have been students of the college, where I, Subhadra and Mr Ujjawal Pradhan were also studying.” She asks, “Did either of her parents ever advance claim over the child?” “Let me make the things clearer by elaborating the matter furthermore, believing the acceptance of the clause of confidentiality from your end. All of us were students at the University level when my sister’s fast friend Sheetala confided to her that she had inadvertently conceived from her boyfriend Madhusudan Rawat who hailed from Ghazipur District of Uttar Pradesh. Though Sheetala had secured a solemn promise of marriage from the male partner before

75 entering into copulation and also the man was ready to go in for a `civil marriage` with her, without any further delay, yet she herself was in favour of getting the fetus aborted, keeping in view her family’s attitude to suchlike matters. Subhadra and her close friend Mr Ujjawal Pradhan who was my classfellow at that point of time had together heard this pronouncement from the lips of Sheetala, in the very presence of Madhusudan. I had also heard for the first time that Sheetala’s parents lived abroad.They sought my opinion as well as assistance in helping out `the persons in trouble`. I talked in privacy to Mr Madhusudan Rawat and evolved a `pragmatic solution`.” After a short pause that Madhukar considered essential for reformatting the vital segments of the `most confidential part of the remaining information`, he looks into the listener’s face, who is ready with a query, “What happened to Sheetala?”, ““A couple of days later, they were advised by us to let the pregnant lady spend her time comfortably in a private house, rented for the `married couple studying` at Naini Tal Degree College. Thus, Madhusudan would frequently visit her, particularly during weekends;whereas his mainstay at the University Hostel as essential criteriafor pursuing the final year program would be deemed as an absolute necessity. Hardly two weeks had gone by when one day the `the ostensibly married couple` told us that Mr Rawat was taking Sheetala with him to his village, as he has already secured through one of his cousins a `safe conduct` for her. They were of the opinion that before the symptoms for pregnancy become apparent through her body language, she would have found her due place in the family in his village. Before leaving their residence, they told us that they might not be able to fulfill their mission by the expected deadline that was the same as the date fixed by the college for us to submit the forms for the Degree examination for onwards transmission to the University. Therefore, they paid the advance house rent for the next year, to the house-owner, in my presence. However, Madhusudan came alone before the deadline for filling up the forms for the University Examination; whereas Sheetala was expected to follow him after having stayed a couple of nights with her sister in Baghpat in Western U.P. Of course, she kept the word that she would join him at Naini Tal, as she was to sit for just the college-level annual examination. Again, after the examination, as usual they went home immediately after the examination for a couple of days. “We kept anxiously awaiting their arrival at Naini Tal till we left to our homes during the midterm vacation for the duration of approximately 3 months. During the beginning of second semester of the final year of the degree course, one day we marked Sheetala moving hurriedly from one room to the other in the administrative block of our college. After the college hours, she went to the women’s hostel to visit Subhadra. Thus, in an hour or so, me and Ujjawal joined Subhadra to walk down to Sheetala’s residence situated in Tali Tal, the lower part of the town of Nani Tal. ”Here, again, Madhukar took a short break to assimilate the remaining material facts available as `lurking` on his active memory, at the moment. Meanwhile, his listener, Dr Vibha continued staring into his face. He resumes, “We noticed with pleasant surprise Sheetala feeding an infant lying at her lap. She greeted us with a broad smile, as the youngman who had opened the door for us, stood aside, measuring furtively all the three of us, from top to toe. Having duly requested us to be seated, she introduced the youngman as Shiv Swaroop Rawat, Madhukar’s first cousin. Thus, she completed the remainder of the papers in one go and sat for the examination. Having accomplished the task for the degree course, one day she announced that her husband had run into a serious trouble with her parental family, so he needs his wife’s immediate presence there to satisfy them about the wellbeing of their daughter. He had also directed her to leave the baby Akshita in the `trusted hands of his friend Madhukar whom he felt capable of looking after the emergent needs of the child with the help of `Good Soul` Subhadra Ji. Thus, since that day me and Subhadra are bound together for the upbringing and safety of this girl who treats me as her actual father.” Does it mean that she really never turned up?” Vibha asks sceptically. “Of course, she never turned up personally, but she sent back Shiv Swaroop Rawat as her messenger to tell us that her circumstances do not allow her to come back for retrieving the child.

76 However, she also conveyed through the messengerthat the amount of five lakh rupees beingsentthrough the messenger meant only for the purpose of meeting all the incidental expenditure on account of providing facilities of fine nature for her immediate needs. All the three of us unanimously decided to accept the money and believing in the truthfulness of the messenger allowed him to go back without leaving behind his or Sheetala’s or Madhsudan’s address, as he had told us that he too would have to face rough weathers in case he didn’tabide by her instructions to the effect that address or name of any person relating to the episode mustn’t be communicated to anyone at any cost.” `The suitors` remained silent for a considerable length of time till the ice was broken by the hostess Dr Vibha as she spoke, “Should we decide the menu for the main course?” Nevertheless, both indulged fully in discussing the menu and ordered quantity just enough to be consumed, leaving almost nothing, barring perfectly ripped off chicken bones. Both are already conversant and happy with this `quality` in the other person. Now, they are talking around random topics. In an hour or so, they are returning homein a perfectly `normal mood`. It seems that both realize the need to spend some more time for thrashing out the pros and cons of the latest information on the 16-year-old parentless girl, who is to be taken cognisance of for look- after and moral support as being received beforehand, at Madhukar and his sister Subhadra hands. Vibha is now of the opinion that the earnestness of Madhukar is strongly reflected in his manner of giving a clear account of the way how this girl Akshita, named so by her real mother whose identity is not known to this child, as a self-invited lifelong responsibility was being owned by his benevolence. By now, she has re-assured self by way of stealthily perusing the bio-data available with respect to this employee of the college. Till date, he is bachelor with no dependent, as per the officially maintained records.

77 ELEVEN

More often than not, we feel like expressing `you aren’t like me, but certain compulsions come in our way to do so. However, our estimation of others remains perched on the foundation, inscribed with the unequivocal declaration `you aren’t like me`. This very notion drives us to believe, comprehend respond to or even react, in a peculiar fashion, while making a move towards other person’s statements. Almost suchlike circumstance propelled Mr Subhash Arora’s reaction to his elder brother’s telephonic advice concerning Subhash’s consent to Vibha’s desire that he should act as the bride’s father during the rituals pertaining to her prospective marriage with Madhukar Rawat, slated for the next Sunday morning.

“Sitar Bhai’s selfishness and stubborn postures at all times have often cost him dearly, while expecting respect from youngers and affections from equals and elders. No doubt, he is maintaining very good health. Can one be dead sure of keeping such a state of mind and body till the last breath?” Subhash is musing over the new development that took place in Vibha’s `dry life`, before his very eyes last week. He was present in the court room as co-witness with Usha Dargan, before the Marriage Officer, while an official approval was being granted by the competent officer to register Ms Vibha Ratra’s marriage with Madhukar Rawat. Madhukar’s witnesses were his sister Subhadra Pradhan and her husband Ujjawal Pradhan. When Subhash was asked by the Marriage Officer to `sweeten the groom’s mouth`, the youngman made an effort to bow before him, prior to letting him to slip into his mouth a piece of `burfi` (a confectionary item). Viewing the youngman’s effort to bow very low to touch his feet, Subhash got emotional and began to drip tears while quickly holding the `humble youngman` to be hugged warmly by him with smiles on his face. The Additional District magistrate (the Marriage Officer) spoke, “Of course, we the Indians get emotional when we are on the verge of parting with our daughters at such events. Vibha too bowed before Mr Subhash Arora, who again became emotional as he spoke, “`Sada Suhagan Raho`! (May your marriage remain intact till your last breath!)”

At this juncture, the Officer having checked some entries from the papers before him, asked Ms Usha Dargan, “I feel like asking you whether you people aren’t Punjabis.” Ms Usha looked with intrigue into the officer’s face as he hurriedly elaborated his viewpoint, “I wonder the Punjabis are accustomed to allowing their daughter to bow down to touch father’s feet.”

Usha replied, “ Sir, actually Mr Subhash Arora is the father of Vibha’s ex-husband. She never forgets the fatherly treatment afforded to her during her very short and unlucky stint at this gentleman’s house. The very ex-father-in-law has offered himself to be permitted by people on Vibha’s side to perform father’s role, when we shall be having the ritual around the `Agni` (the sacred bonfire) on Sunday morning. The very thought of the `blessed moments in the offing to perform the sacred duty of handling over the armof one’s young daughter to a competent person, may be a cause foe old man to feel overwhelms with the acceptance of his wish by him.”

Of course, this newly-wed couple had a detailed discussion among themselves, in complete secrecy a couple of weeks ago, to foresee all the tangles likely to erupt anytime concerning the family they are going to set-up together for a happier and prosperous future. They have considered it wiser to stay in the apartment Vibha already owns and possesses, as it will not uproot Akshita from her present abode. As they reach home in a procession-like formation back from the Marriage Officer’s Court, Subhadra’s kids led by their cousin Akshita, supporting Supriya Auntie’s Modak, are present at the entrance of the building to shower rose petals and sprinkle Jasmine- perfumed water at the `Professor Auntie and her Madhukar Ji` whom she treats as her very best friend.

78 When all the guest have left the `newly formed couple` alone in the apartment, almost ready to home this `blessed couple` from the next Sunday, Supriya and Kanuj return here holding some brochures. Madhukar is quick to smile at the very sight of these attractively printed papers. Vibha loses no time in remarking, “My kin seem extraordinarily smart in promoting their business.”

Resting at her newly acquired relationship with Madhukar, Supriya brings a cunning smile to her otherwise serene face, and then speaks out, “Jeejaji, brides do not like to come closer until taken to `honeymoon trip`.” He responds, “Okay! What do you suggest AS some affordable destinations?”

At this juncture, Kanuj takes the reins into his own hands and comes out directly with their plans. He spells out, “We are aware of the fact that our elders have to perform multifarious duties, besides stealing some moments for mutual benefit and entertainment of strictly personal nature. Therefore, we have come at this moment to tell you people that you decide the destination and communicate to us as and when you are through, After having deliberated all your constrains, except the pecuniary one, As we shall feel honoured to have taken care of this item by your youngsters.

During the hustle and bustle hours of their reception party, the newlyweds were cautious of making available equitably their attention, whether severally or jointly, to the guests whether already familiar or made so by the spouse right there. Vibha’s Maya Auntie, though already having been marked by Vibha, walking around to spot people from their social circle, succeeds to notice only three couples, one in her own age-group, while the other two were in the close proximity of Vibha’s age. None have brought their children alongwith them. Vibha has also marked this auntie entering the `reception area` in the company of her grand-daughter whom she has settled with one of these couples, before moving towards the spot where Vibha and Madhukar were present to receive the blessings and greeting likely to be extended by all the guests. With this end in view, they have kept themselves on their legs, as both of them are used to this exercise as part of their professional duty. Every now and then, a new entrant is spotted by them; so they expect the guest to look around to spot the known persons or at least the newly- weds, immediately after they have found some unoccupied chairs around a table to accommodate them.

“It’s good that you people have clearly indicated on the invitation cards that only the person mentioned therein would be a `welcome guest`. Of course, these `five-starred hotels` are very expensive”, remarks Maya.

Vibha knows her guest’s nature of indulging into sarcasm without keeping in mind the `environ and occasion`. Therefore, she looks obliquely with a faint smile towards the guest; whereas the expected presence of an expression of `no concern` at her man’s facereally pleases her. Both of them are fully aware of the fact that everyone of them was acting freely to use his/her discretion to prefix the usual words, `Mrs and Mr`; Ms or Mrs; while both of them had already concurred on the point of using `with family` tag for the persons strictly in very close social circle on the side of the anyone of this `Group of Six` comprising of Madhukar, Vibha, Subhadra, Ujjawal, Supriya and Kanuj. The list of the invitees was given the final shape by the concurrence of this group. When they were jointly perusing the finally drawn up the list of invitees, Vibha had communicated to Madhukar the distance of her blood relationship with Maya Tandon and also the fact of her being a widow.The matter for the invitation was drafted jointly by Subhadra and Supriya, whereas the selection of the card to be usedhad been left to the common wisdom of Ujjawal and Kanuj. Of course, the task of writing the names on the printed cards was done solely by Akshita.

At the `check-in desk` of the Airways they were to report at least one and a half hour before the scheduled departure time for the flight they were to take, the desk-person having perused the names of two tickets presented by Dr Rawat , stood up and began looking around to see the second person. Madhukar had by now recalled this student of his, felt amused at the keen interest of the lady to confirm if my companion was the same Vibha who was also a teacher

79 in their college. Before the lady could spot the `wanted face`, Dr Rawat addressed the lady by her name and asked , Are you trying to assure self that my companion is the same Vibha who was my colleague when you were doing Hindi Hons in my department? “

At this, the lady folded her hands before her teacher; then marking a well-known pleasant smile at Madhukar’s face, she resumed her desk work. A little later, as Vibha and Madhukar were busy in their chat while sitting in the waiting lounge, the same official of the Airways came there to say “A happy and pleasant journey, m’a’me!” After a short while, another official of the Airways approached them with a tray holding two cups of coffeeand a small pack of cookies. Having placed the tray before them, he spoke in a whisper, “ Hingorani Ma’me is almost sure that you people are on your honeymoon tour.” He stood silent till Vibha brought a broad smile to her face before yelling out, “Our students have always been smart in guessing about such things.”

Here, at Subhash’s residence some unidentified group of youngmenpasted billscalling him `FAKE FATHER of A FAKE DAUGHTER`; `IMPOSTER, user of different surnamesKHAN, ARORA and DUA`; …..`BETRAYER of DYING WIFE’S LAST WISH`. He believes that the miscreantscommitted this nefarious act during the hour, when he moves out to enjoy a stroll in the open lawns of the Municipal Park, leaving behind the house unattended, as usual.

His estimation is based on the evidence available before him. Copy of the two bills has also beenpasted at the inner-entrance of the house. The watchman says that he had moved away from the lane to piss. It was only while returning to his duty area that he had marked three unknown youngmen speeding away on their single bike. Now, he concentrates over the subject matter of the three bills taken together. It makes out sense to point the finger at him alone. Then, the question arises as to whose interest seem to be served by this type of scandalous remarks?There seems to be none in the ambit of suspicion at the moment, because he is alert with regards to indulging into a `wild goose chase`.

His attention is diverted by the ringing of his cellphone. A press on the `caller’s Id-button` tells him that the caller is unidentifiable. He presses the `receive button and speaks in a low tone, “Hello!”The caller, whose voice and tone are suggestive of maturity in age, speaks very calmly, “I believe you are on your way to IGI Airport tomanifest your closer affinity for the `legally acquired son-in-law`, last week only.” “May I know who is speaking at the other end?”In reply to Subhash’s query, the caller speaks, “Well, Mr Arora, I mean formerly Mr Khan, as I haven’t asked your name, you too needn’t ask my name.You would know it when summons from the court to stop your efforts in entering into a `future deal` in respect to a disputed property.” Then, the connection is abruptly snapped.

“Who could be this rascal?” Subhash asks self; and then makes analysis of every phrase in the context of foregoing or following words in the given sentence. Suddenly, it occurs to him that Maya Tandon, formerly Maya Dua was unhappy with the fact of Vibha’s unnecessarily taking a recourse to the court proceedings for entering into marital bond with a person of her own choice, irrespective of the caste barriers already envisaged by `our ancestors`, centuries ago. Seated close to my table, she was busy in chat with a group of people unknown to me. In order to prevent her spread rumours, I could not resist self from asking her to enlighten me over the caste- barriers in the case of Vibha Ratra’s marriage with Madhukar Rawat. She looked poignantly into my face as if I hadno reasons available with me to ask her the question. Of course, she had enlightened me over the fact of the sub-caste Rawatfalling in the fourth group in easternpart of Uttar Pradesh, whereas it occupies a berth in the first group in the hilly areas of Utrakhand. In Rajasthan also, there are two varieties of this caste. In the wake of my ignorance, I had no option, but to resign to silence. A little later, she had shifted herself to my table whereLalima and her husband were also there. In no time, she had complained of receiving the invitation card without any mention of her family.Isn’t it possible that she might have reared a `grouse against Vibha to such an extent thatspoken to her brother-in-law with whom she has been living for a good number of years, in somewhat strange format.”

80 It was sheer unfortunate that Subhash could not recall to his mind that his elder daughter Pratima too had protested, rather more strongly, against the `one-person invitation to her, despite the `Mrs and Mr Batra` invitation in her younger sister’s case. Rather, she had made her absence conspicuous by way of ignoring it all together, as no response was sent by her to any of the inviting persons.

Had he recalled this point also, he would have definitely taken into account the possibility of Pratima’s role in this misfeasance, as she too was being deprived of her share in the property, despite Suhagwanti’s bed-time wish to divide the house equally into their three issues.

It had so transpired that almost a fortnight ago, Supriya had telephonically informed Pratima that her Vibha Didi’s marriage has been fixed. She had also requested her to make her presence on the occasion ensured; however, the formal invitation card being sent through courier service was expected to reach in a day or two. The short but courteous dialogue ended on the desirable note.On her return from her school, the very next afternoon, Pratima found the invitation card at her study table. Perhaps, some other member of the joint family might have received it. Her curiosity to know the contents of the printed matterimpelled her to open the enveloped card by stripping off the sealing tape. She read the entire text in one go.The venue, Hotel Oberoi Ginger attracted her attention so much that she kept musing over the seeming trend of `uplifting change` in the social level of the girl whom she used to virtually trample under her very feet. Soon, she busied herself in the daily routine.

In the evening, on his return home, her husband marked on the study table the presence of a colourful envelope with the printed words Madhukar and Vibha sandwitching a beautiful iconic figure of handshakeprinted in pink colour.His scrutinizing eye caught the peculiarityin the name of the addressee as denoted by the words Mrs. Pratima Swaraj, without the usual adage `with family`. Though he opened the envelope and thoroughly read the contents of the invitation. He preferred not to issue any comment or make any reference toit. It was during dinner when Pratima initiated the topic of Vibha’s proposed marriage and the venue selected for the Reception.Of course, they already knew that the parties to the marriage have been through the judicial procedure for a civil marriage and now only the social notification to this effect remains to be issued. The Reception would provide the medium for this purpose.Pratima had asked him if was available to join her and the kids to attend their Vibha Auntie’s wedding celebration. Wryly he had responded, “Don’t you know that Ratra family expects you alone? Perhaps, they have forgotten that I had the privilege to play the role of `sarbala` (groom’s guard), when the `baraat` (procession to lead the groom to the bride’s place) at the time of your brother’s marriage with this very Vibha” This assertion had stirred the listener so much that she immediately rose from her seat to have a fresh look at the `invite`. Yes, `with family` tag was missing. `This error or omission` was thus treated `an offence` against the entire Swaraj family.

The enraged `ex-sister-in-law` of Vibha Ratra conveyed to her brother on telephone the very next day the `everlasting impact` of insult hurled by her brother’s wife’s parental family.In turn, the absconding brother asked his `hurt sister` to keep on supplying every detail of `that bitche’s honeymoon tour. Thus Pratima became `proactive`, as is evident from the words used by the muffled voice` to reach Mr Arora’s ears as spoken by the caller, within minutes of his return from the stroll.

81 TWELVE

Mr Sitar Chand is engaged chatting with two friends, almost in their mid-seventies. While he is sitting on one end of the bench making use of the elbow-rest on his left, his friend Amir Chand Malhotra is positioned likewise at the other end of the same bench, leaving the space in between them for placing two small bags, containing some food items for refreshment, at irregular intervals. Close to the latter, sits Harvinder Singh, occupying the like place on the other bench positioned perpendicularly to their bench. Thus, Amir Chand acts as source person for supplying not only food items, but the repetition of the words spoken by Sitar Chand to Mr Singh, whose hearing sense is fragile. Anyways, Mr Harvinder Singh is happily coping up with his infirmity. They have known one another since their college days at R.K. Teachers Training College that was running two types of courses in late fifties of the last century. They were pursuing their studies for the Bachelor of Teaching (B.T.) after having obtained their Bachelor Degree from any recognized University. In their class, there were 63 students on roll for this program.While Harvinder was a local boy, the other two had gone there from Delhi for the only purpose of studies.

These three boys, very studious but very jolly in nature, had become `a sort of sore for some other group of students that had developed jealousy against these students, who were fond of taking part in debates, declamation contests, literary meets. The level of their spending in the college canteen was very generous. Almost every day, during recess break, they were joined by a large group of boys and girls for accepting a treat, for on one or other pretext, from this `trio`. Even a couple of teachers of the college would meet them in a very friendly way. In December tests one of these boys had obtained top position in class in one paper, while the other one had been placed at second position in another paper. They had never entered into serious quarrels with any of their classmates or staff working in the hostel. Their care-free nature had become instrument in making them sullen, in the afternoon of January 30.

It had so transpired that during the very second class of the day, the lecturer (teacher), suspending the lesson, announced that it was going to be 11 o’clock in a while; therefore , the class will stand up and observe two-minute silence to pay homage to the Father of the Nation. Soon, the bell was sounded to signal the moment to go into pin-drop silence. Immediately thereafter, the entire group of students went into peals of laughter, without any obvious reason. The teacher was very much annoyed with the development. He announced the `shameful failure` of the event to pay obeisance to our beloved leader who had fallen martyr on this day.” Then, picking up his note-book, he murmured, “Perhaps, I am not fit for taking this class, “he moved towards the staff room, adjacent to this classroom. One student rose from his seat and moved on to the podium, to `admonish` the rest of the class, as he had spoken, “I want the `culprits` to come forward for accepting their guilt here before us and then join a delegation of a few students who voluntarily choose to approach the worthy Professor Saheb for seeking his pardon.”

This trio, who had their seats side by side, in row two of the class, exchanged glances and left the classroom led by Harvinder Singh to enter the canteen hall that was at a considerable distance. As usual, the waiter asked them, “Should I serve the tea right now, or wait till I get a signal from your end, Sirs?” Having gulped down a few sips, Harvinder spoke, “I find some conspiracy against my `Bhapa Ji` (elder brother), because it seemed to me as a stage-managed show.” The other two looked askance into the face of this very intimate fellow of theirs. Then, a lull ensued. Perhaps, his non-Sikh friends, who were already aware of the fact of a feud going on in the adjoining Degree College, run by the same management that runs their college too, about the demand for raising the strength of the teachers for Punjabi language, an optional subject. Those days, the demand for separate State to be carved out of the East Punjab (as then popularly named in this fashion to save from confusion arising out of the partition of pre- Independence Punjab) touching the boundary of Delhi. This demand looked justifiable, as the

82 States Reorganization Commission Report of 1956 sought to have carved out the future political map of the country on the lingual basis, but leaving some fallacies here or there.

After a couple of minutes, Sitar Chand had asked Harvinder, “But how do you link the present happening with the official wrangling in the neighbouring Degree College?” Harvinder had replied, “Perhaps, you people don’t understand the local politics of this town. My heart bleeds when the so-called intellectuals of this town see the Sikh community as aclass of `outcastes`. . Last month, they passed a resolution to declare their language as Hindi, so that at the time of division of the state of Punjab, our town stands as stumbling block for inclusion into newly formed Punjab, leaving the other part, commencing the point where it touches Delhi’s boundary to be given a new name with a separate administration at the State level. The self-styled leader of the class used the derogatory remarks against Lajpat Rai Kadianwala, who had jocularly spoken, immediately prior to the commencement of the `solemn silence` spell an uncalled for sentence that triggered laughter from the girl who is his cousin as well as the `special friend`. It proved the ignition spark for the uncontrollable loud laughter from many of us. His father, the headmaster of a middle school here, also placed on the managing body of the Degree College had last week challenged my brother to count his days in the college faculty. Let’s see what’s their next step towards their adversary. I felt like raising a quarrel with Lajpat, but Thank God, I happened to make a peaceful exit for myself.”

When the trio were returning to the classroom, they heard that after the delegation came back after tendering the verbal apology , the Principal also came there alongwith. He looked into each and every student’s face, present in his or her seat. He called the rolls, noted down the absentees and left. Soon, came an official announcement read out by the clerk: “The class has been called off for the day, to facilitate the urgent staff meeting.” In the evening, they learnt from one of the hostellers thatafresh notice was being affixed at the notice board of their college, immediately before locking the main gate to their college premises. Harvinder was still not gone hone. He went to the Punjabi Department of the Degree College to meet his brother. There, hereported the matter pertaining to the day’s proceedings at the R.K. College. Within minutes, a peon was sent through the common corridor, connecting the buildings of these colleges, to find out if some fresh notice has been put up there. He could simply make out only this much that the notice dated January 30 had three names on it.

Harvinder’s Bhapaji wanted to play safe. It made him sit in silent posture for a considerably long spell of time. Therefore, he called a trusted pupil of his to be seenat the Professor’s residence, “tomorrow morning for an extraordinarily swift, heroicand extremely confidential assignment”; and then asked his brother to keep this information burried in “your chest till I retire from my service.” Thus Harvinder came back to his friends with a heavy heart, preparing himself for some odd thing to happen with respect to `the naturally formed combine`. On his way to hostel, he kept himself busy in praying to `Baba Ji` (the great guru) for giving him strength enough to keep his promise to his Bhapa Ji. By the time, he was within the sight of his these two friends, close to the hostel corridor, a smile appeared on his face, as he looked into the inquisitive faces of Sitar Bhai and `Yaar Amir`. He spent some time in their company, without leaving behind any inkling or trace of the knowledge available with him regarding the matter that equally concerned those two also.

The following morning, it being Sunday, the Professor Bhapaji of Harvinder sent the trusted pupil to the college with detailed information about the route to reach his destination; and signalled him to perform, as he said, “Go and read carefully the contents of the notice.” In a very little time, the young fellow brought the saddening news. The notice was to inform the three students, named therein, about their suspension from the college. They were required to pay penal amount of Rupees fifty each, together with a written unqualified apology, in case they intended to get the suspension revoked.

By the time, the college reopened for the next working day, every student had got the latest news. Harvinder had come prepared to face the `meet the sport spoil in the befitting manner`, but Sitar’s counsel to `adopt the Gandian line of `Ahinsa` (non-violence). The he

83 brought a bedsheet from his room; spread it in front of the entrance of their college premises. Thus, all the three suspended from the classes were sitting there, showing brave faces with smiles on their lips. Surprisingly, Lajpat’s cousin whose giggle had triggerunwarranted laughter the other day, stood before them, apologizing for her irresponsible reaction to the call made by `someone` to the female students of the class, as he had spoken, ` kurio, chuni sir te rakh lo!` (Girls, cover your heads with your headgears!).

On February 2, a girl student came there with a paper bag, full of roses; took the flowers out and spread them in front of the `protesters`, however, taking care that the flowers remain on the sheet of cloth, without interrupting any of the persons on `dharna` (sit-on protest). This move of hers, though made inadvertently, stirred the authorities to such an extent that around 10pm, the same night, Principal of the Degree College personally arrived at the door of Sitar Chand’s cubicle and asked the accompanying Hostel Captain to check if the allottee of the premises is inside. The student leader thumped vigorously at the wooden door. In response, they heard, “Who’s there?” The Captain announced his own name and also let the inmate know in a straightaway manner yelled out, “ Sitar Bhai Saheb, Our worthy Principal Lal is here to see that you are alone in the closed room, as per hostel-room rules.” The unruffled 29-year-old student rose on his feet and opened the door in a while; and stood up at the threshold with folded hands to welcome the intrigued visitor. Though inwardly Sitar Chand was engaged in fighting with his perplexity over the fact of the presence of neighbouring Degree College in the hostel assigned exclusively to the trainee-teachers, at such late hour of the night, yet the brave person maintained his poise, all through the time when the visitor started quizzing the student about his personal life that he had spent so far in Delhi. The arrogant looking, 55-year-old Professor Lal then asked the already `muzzled pupil` to follow him, as he indicated the Hostel Captain to move towards his next destination that the student leader had already been informed about; whereas Sitar Chand could easily guess by now they were going to wake up Amir Chand. When they reached at the next door, Prof Lal was surprised to peep through the set-ajar door of this room that the boy was busy in studying, keeping his back towards the door. . A gentle tap at his door, directed the studious boy look behind and yell out merrily, “Whose body needs etching to be done by this humble servant of the humanity, at this late hour of the night?” Sitar had marked the instant impact of the hark produced inadvertently by his ever-jolly friend on the stone-faced posture of Professor Lal, who was impelled to be on the verge of issuing an instant guffaw, perhaps recalling to his active mind the memory of his days of studentship, while he might have involved self in suchlike situations, sometime in the past.

Taking the two `incriminated youth` alongwith, Prof Lal directed the Hostel Captain to remember that the ” good-fellows were giving me company for a few minutes, “as he moved over a transversal strip of the 50-metre length of metalled road towards the exit through the vast `kutcha` portion of the land owned by the Degree College , enclosed with a 5-ft high wall, touching the main road passing through this town to link two main cities of Punjab. Having reached the desired point, he asked some frivolous questions; then directing Amir Chand to go back to his room, he `requested` Sitar Chand to give him company till the point where the entry of to the town bazaar meets this road Thus, the Professor tried all the `armoury at his disposal` at that hour of the cold night of February, while they walked abreast on the almost desolate stretch of road, having no provision for municipal lighting. Having squeezed out information on the material facts about the companion’s life in Delhi, the Professor spoke that the Director of Education was a friend of him, since their introduction through a common friend, a Garhwali fellow. Then an arrow was shot towards the youth in the form of cajoling, “I am pained to learn that a young son of a refugee family from the parts I too belong, has been taken into a dragnet, just because of the doings of his `fair weather friends`.” Thereafter, came the advice that the man should go to Delhi, talk to his elders on this account; even he may directly go to his Director for this purpose. His P.A. would definitely accommodate him for a meeting with the officer, “the moment he is told that you have been sent by Professor Lal, a senate member of the University;” then, feeling the inertness being displayed by the person addressed for a very long time, the `tormentor` stiffened his posture and spoke out, “Perhaps, you don’t deserve mercy. What do you think these handful friends of yours would be given a martyrs place in the college history, as you

84 ill-informed and just literate people trying to threaten the college authorities with flare-up emerging from the flowers offered at your feet by the stupid girl of Banga villager family? You know that the recent strike in my college by a handful of students brought their parents at my feet, before I relented to accept their unconditional apology.”

By this time, the turn to the left for entering the bazaar had been reached, the Professor stopped there for a moment, placed his arm on Sitar Chand’s shoulder, and spoke in very fond tone, “My son, shun arrogance and visualize your own future that can mean a lot for your wife and child alike.” Sitar Chand could not control self to withstand all this `hypocrisy` any longer, as he yelled out,”Mr Lal, Don’t think that we are honour sellers. Please mind your own business. I don’t think you have any locus standi for interfering into day-to-day affairs of RK College. I am well-versed enough to read between the lines. Better you remain within your limits, by shunning adventure of talking about my family life.” I t made the Professor turn his face towards the road that would have led him straight to his own family.

Next morning, when Harvinder reached the hostel, much before their college hours began, Sitar Chand re-narrated the happening there the last night involving Amir Chand andhim. Thus, all that Sitar had already narrated to his co-hostler after he had bade `Good-by` to Professor Lal, was then being narrated to Harvinder in the very presence of Amir Chand. This exercise produced a strange type of heat in Sitar’s eloquence; and it was marked by his these two friends also. After a short pause of silence, Harvinder put forward his suggestion, in the wake of last night’s happening. He was of the opinion that they should immediately leave for Chandigarh to get themselves migrated from the Punjab University, as a pre-emptive measure. “It would scuttle the college’s move to rusticate any of us, if concocted any time under some false allegation,” said Harvinder. He further told them that he knew a person there who would complete all the official work to handover the requisite certificates in person the same day itself.

When they reached Chandigarh by bus, it was already 2.30 pm on the fifth day of February. They straightaway went to the seat of the known person. It seemed that Harvinder received a hearty welcome, when their eyes met. Everything was spoken by these two in the presence of `his comrades-in-arms`. By the time it was 4.30, all of them had the requisite document in hand. Then, the official contacted by Harvinder for the purpose, requested all the three young men to `honour him by accepting a cup of tea from him. The other two looked into their companion Harvinder, whose arm was in the official’s grip, while this 45 years mature person persistently implored for being granted this privilege. Seeing Harvinder in `non-obliging mode, the gentleman looking towards Sitar Chand, spoke with a broad grin on his face, “Brother , please help me relieved from the impending `penalty of no-food for a week`, likely to be imposed by my dear wife, who is none else but the younger sister of Professor Saheb’s wife.” It took them another 20 minutes to gracefully perform the function of `being equally civilized guests of a courteous host, who had served `samosa and Burfi` to provide the desired grace to the `cup of tea offered by him. All the four walked together to the exit gate of the building, confirming to the real Punjabi hospitality norms`.

Soon after they reached the point, where the buses running on the Chandigarh-Roper route and beyond stopped for taking in or taking off the passengers. After waiting for over thirty minutes, they saw to their pleasure a bust plying on this route was fast approaching. The bus driver slowed down his vehicle, having marked the presence of two passengers waving their hands. As they were getting into the bus, its `benevolent conductor`, seemingly very close to his retirement age, yelled out the trio, “Kithe Jana thuwanu? (Where are you people to go?)”

Harvinder named the town, as their destination. The driver got up from his seat, to look out from the left window and addressing the trio, in their costly woolen coats, spoke out, “Veer Jiyo (Dear respected brothers!), ours is the last bus on this route. If you keep on waiting here, soon the night would fall; leaving you no other option, but to go back home, wherever you have your residence in this incomplete city. You may go to Roper in our bus; then try your luck to check if the last bus to your destination is yet to leave, as the traffic on Ropar Jallundhar route continues till 8-50 pm.” A quick decision brought them to Ropar at around8-20 pm. Looking at their watches,

85 they agreed to Amir Chand’s suggestion that a quick dinner be taken, as the kitchen of the hostel would have wound its business for the day, by the time they would reach their destination. But, while enjoying their spicy non-vege dishes, they forgot the stringency of the time at their command, and thus failed to catch the last bus that had left, perhaps a minute or two before the scheduled time. The happy-go merry Amir Chand yelled out with a guffaw, “It stands prove that `women and watches never agree`. The example is before,us Sitar Bhai may or may not agree. It’s strictly his personal matter.” This jovial remark make them realize that it was period of celebration for them, as they had already procured the urgently required `shield against the rustication threat hanging like a demoscle's sword` over their heads.

Now, the big question before them was to find some night shelter. Despite their best efforts, they could not find neat and clean place to spend the night in a cosy room. Moreover, the beds being provided to the perspective inmates for the night were also not upto the mark of their satisfaction. Harvinder suggested that better we would be walking on the road leading to the destination, rather to take the risk of catching some infection in these dirty beddings. Thus, it made Mr Sitar Chand announce, “Ok, let’s believe in the veracity of the popular proverbial statement often enjoyed by the listeners while in the company of members of one’s own sex.” Harvinder spoke, “Of course, it’s always advisable to lie down and enjoy, when you know that you are going to be raped.”

Thus, they kept their march till the time they had reached the Balachor turn, where they could expect the buses at the day-break time. It was almost dawn, when they were accosted by a bullock-cart driver, who respectfully stopped before them, presuming them to be some officers on surprise checks on the movements of the unauthorized vehicles. Nevertheless, the tired trio under the impact of almost 9-hour long walk at a stretch, politely requested the middle-aged man to take him to the next bus stand, whereas the man whose cart was needed in the fields, that lay 1.5 miles (over 2.5 km) of the road expressed his helplessness. Of course, he offered him this `joyride, they too accepted it eagerly, as they had already walked on foot for 24 miles (40 km) at a stretch. When they were getting down the cart, it looked very difficult for all of them overcome the effect of drowsiness acquired during their rocky joyride. Though all of them had clearly heard the elder advising them, marking their dithering steps on the ground, yet none felt like taking any serious note of it. But having boarded the much needed first bus at the next turn, from where it would start at 7.45 pm, they heaved a sigh of relief and Amir Chand returned to his normal jolly mood, as he had recalled, “The advice tendered by that cart driver was worth keeping in mind. “Sitar Bhai, did you listen his words, “Eh Madi cheez tan bande nu chheti muka deu (This bad thing will definitely finish the man quickly).” In the hostel, at the point, where there was a sort of a entrance given shape to by two steps with a minimal rise, they were received with a smile by their Captainnamed Hari Shankar Sharma. He whispered into their ears, “Professor Bhruta, I mean Warden Saheb was worried over your unannounced absence from hostel during the night. Sitar Chand offered him a courteous handshake that restored confidence in the leader and he asked if he could know the reasons for the absence of “`Sitar Bhai Saheb` and my beloved Amir.” Upon this, Harvinder showed him a stern face with stiffened hand on the pretext of seeking a handshake, though with angry looks.

Now, on this day of February 6, they made no attempt to sit on `Dharna`; rather they chose to sleep in Sitar’s room, by spreading two beds, one brought from Amir’s room to be spread on the floor , just to accommodate all the three of them. Nevertheless, the hostel captain, Mr H.S. Sharma had duly informed the Warden Professor Bruta, about the arrival of `missing hostellers. On the following workingday, they took their position to show their solidarity in a non- violent fashion, against `irresponsible administration` of their college . Around 10.20am,Professor Shanti Swaroop Kathuria received a phone call, through which the caller had warned him to play safe in dealing with the protesting students. The caller drew his attention towards the uncalled intervention into his administration, without any jurisdiction, with a sinister motive. Mr Kathuria had taken a few seconds to check if the students who did not show their presence on the last working day, near the entrance, were there at that very point of time, so as to rule out the possibility of one of them making a phone call . He moves out of his office room to find if they

86 were sitting there. “It means the caller is somebody who is aware of the lacunae left inadvertently by us, in rushing up the pasting the `suspension notice`, last week. Perhaps, it’s an unamendable fallacy on ,y part to trust my staff.,” Prof Kathuria told self and entered into a state of hypertension. By the time, the classes for the day were over, he had decided to meet these students, in his private and personal capacity. He engaged self in devising opportunities of appearing before these students outside the college premises, ostensibly without any premeditation on his part. He had many a time found them this trio in the bazaar or enjoying tea etc at the restaurant that could provide its interior view, when seen from the balcony of the drawing room of his residence on the first floor of the building situated on the opposite side of row of buildings on this Station Road. With this end in view, he called his phone on his residential line to keep her vigil on the restaurant , immediately thereafter when he tells her to watch the movement of two or three students, who, they often had a chance of seeing them there. To be sure about the identity of the persons, he will inform her about the colour of their dresses worn on that very time.

Luckily for Professor Shanti Swaroop , his plan clicked the very afternoon. The moment he marked the trio leaving the college premises through the fields, through which traversed a kuchchapath ran, to make it quicker for the person to reach the bazaar from the college. Even some staff members of both these colleges were using this path as bicycle track. The moment, he received information from his wife Durga Wanti about the presence of the targeted boys, he sent his confidant peon to stay at the end of kuchcha path where it meets the bazaar, for signalling to him in case the `wanted persons` were moving towards the hostel via this kuchcha route. Thus, he moved on his bicycle at the pace that would enable him to cross them mid-way amidst the thick bushy ground, outside the institutional limits. As expected, the angry pupils ignored their teacher by way of crossing him without any effort on their part to accost Professor Kathuria. It was even better that the local boy Harvinder was not in their company at that point of time. The Professor alighted from his vehicle, turned back to accost them. By chance, the boys expecting his back to be seen, turned their faces in the direction the Professor was moving to, happened to find him coming towards them, clutching his vehicle with one hand. Desiring to let him cross once again, they left a wider path. It gave him a chance to `thank the passersby`. The well-bred Mr Sitar Chand folded his hands and nearly melted to bow before his `guru`. The smart teacher placed his free hand at the pupil’s shoulder. Meeting no resistance, the Principal asked them to close the bitter chapter forever. He was even not fully confident of the way the entire episode was permitted to be enacted.so ruthlessly and perhaps missing thereby vital links also.” He invited them to talks in his office, where in he would be the only official representative all though the parleys. Sitar Chand made it very clear that all the three affected persons will be present as they are committed to stand together in hell or heaven. Having okayed their point of view, the Principal moved on towards his home, whereas the students preferred to continue their feet on their `kuchcha track towards the college canteen that remained open till dusk to serve the hostellers. There, they found very few students in the vast hall; and they too were not ready to order anything to eat or drink, as they had just then taken their evening with snacks. There, they picked up and filled their glasses with drinking water before sitting in an obscure corner to talk over the probabilities of the terms and conditions coming from the `opponent’s end`. The canteen contractor, Mr Ram Labhaya Mahajan personally came to them on the pretext of booking their order, but without caring to see his business, he was impelled by the environ at that point of time, to express his heart-felt sympathy for those young chaps who had placed their very future at the `altar of truth` that he had known from his reliable sources, during the past week. Amir Chand had even marked the tears welling in the corners of the emotionally pulled man. So addressing him as `Chachaji` (paternal uncle), he thanked for his sincerest feelings. After the contractor had left their table, the duo felt like going to Harvinder’s home to inform him about the latest update on the `crisis they were facing collectively `.

The next morning, around 11-30, the college peon was sent to the hostel to inform the trio that Principal Kathuria was awaiting them. During the meeting, the Principal offered them a choice to fulfill either of the two conditions laid for their reinstatement by the Disciplinary Panel. They had already foreseen this probability, thus the solution seemed nearer. As they had already

87 discussed amongst themselves that Sitar Chand, the eldest and the more experienced by virtue of his being in service, he would lead the team during negotiations. He maintained silence for some time, before speaking, “Well, in case we choose one of the two conditions to be more suitable to our self-esteem, we must know in advance the riders, if any, appended to that type of punishment.”

The Principal replied, heaving a sigh of relief that looked to him in the offing, “No brother, absolutely no riders. In case, you are ready to pay the fine, pay the cash to the office clerk before entering the class with smiles on your face. In case, you cannot afford to pay the fine, you may simply seek apology by way of writing a single sentence and signing underneath, with your dated signatures, and move into the classroom, as if nothing had happened.The shrewd teacher had already feeling the sensation of victory for self, but some sort of uneasiness suddenly sprung up in his mind, he felt like reclining in his `towering chair` for a couple of moments, with his eyes shut. By the time, he opened his eyes, he found Sitar Chand holding currency notes in his hand that rested at the table. `Glare` created by the money around itself, brought him back to swiftness of mind, as he spoke, So, all the three of you are ready to pay the fine right now.” Sitar Chand said imploringly, “Sir, would you please call the cashier to your table, so that the transaction is made in your very presence, in a smooth way.” “Before Principal pressed the button of his call bell, the student spoke, “Please also tell him to bring the Cash Receipt Book alongwith.”

Anticipating no problem, the Principal acted likewise. As the cashier appeared before the Principal, Sitar Chand asked, “I hope, Mr Puri you are already aware that we, the three students present here, are making a payment of fine imposed on us, by the Disciplinary Committee of the College, so we are ready here with money to get absolved of the impact of the notice dated January 30. Please, see beforehand that the Memo/Cash Book brought by you is the appropriate for the purpose.” The cashier looked into his bosse’s face with intrigue. The clerk/cashier‘s dismay perturbed Mr Kathuria and he hastily spoke, “My pupil is well-versed in office management. I am sure; he will soon be heading a school. Do check, don’t waste time; in case you have brought the wrong Cash Receipt Book, go and fetch the proper one.” Principal’s order put the `poorly placed single-person-office manager` on his tenter hooks, as his way of pulling up his trousers and clumsily way of exit from there suggested. He came back with the requisite book, counted the money received from Sitar Chand and spoke, “it’s on behalf of all the three of you, I suppose.” It prompted his over-zealous boss to answer the cashier’s question, as he spoke, “Yes, everyone of them will be issued a separate receipt for the amount, under the head `sundry`, at the back of the receipt, the caption in their case is to be defined as `fine`.” This way of specifying irked Harvinder the most, he looked into Sitar Chand’s faced; and the latter winked at him, signalling thereby that he was already seized of the matter. Having made the entries, the clerk removed the carbon paper, at that time placed under the third receipt, filled by the clerk, with the imprint made on the following page to serve as office copy. Then, he placed the book before Sitar Chand, to get the acknowledgement of the payer. Putting aside the pen, given by the clerk and by now already in his hand; and requested the Principle to use his `extraordinary power` to absolve the payer of all the penalties pertaining to the notification dated 30 the January. Principal looked hesitant, and promptly came there another suggestion from Sitar Chand, “Sir, please write this much: The student …….is hereby permitted to attend the classes as usual, without any conditions, with immediate effect.” Principal smiled and signed at the back of all the three receipt, underneath the noting made by the clerk. Thus, there came a truce. From there, they went straight to the classroom, and sat at the places, they could spot empty chairs. The entire class felt surprised over the entry of the trio. Some suspected disruption, others suspected `bow down` by the boasters; there were a few others who suspected the `revealof the real culprits`. Nevertheless, the absence of Lajpat and his cousin looked very conspicuous to every one at that point of time. Even `the heroes of the moment` too were intrigued to mark the absence of Lajpat Rai.

The moment the lecturer finished his lesson for the day; many students went to the one of them, sitting in the vicinity. Mr Sitar, reaching close to the podium, shouting at the top of his voice, made an announcement, “Dear Friends, all the three of us have decided to address our

88 classmates, during refreshment-break, in an hour from now. The entire bill will be footed by the three of us. Please do come and oblige these innocent classmates of yours.” In no time, there came the clerk to read out the notice from the Principal’s office, informing all the students that for today the recess period has been extended to 45 minutes.” In fact, the trio had chalked out this plan, before entering the classroom.

In the canteen hall, a few tables were got joined through voluntary efforts of the gathering itself. Mr Sitar Chand was requested by Harvinder Singh to address the gathering, saying, “Now, our Sitar Bhai Saheb will reveal the truth about the entire episode commencing 11.0 hours on January 30 of this year.” Mr Sitar Chand told the audience, “Thank God, Truth has prevailed. The real culprits have been identified. They will meet their fate. Our innocence stands proved. Let’s enjoy our refreshments. There is no bar on eating the number of Samosas or the quantity of the cups of tea consumed but please limit the taking of `Gajar Burfi` (a kind of sweetmeat made primarily of carrot and milk) to one piece per person, on account of limited supply as available with our dear contractor, I mean our respected Mahajan Chacha Ji.”

Nothing specific was told. All the questions were parried very smartly. After dinner, the trio assembled in Sitar’s room. It was decided to cautiously watch the situation for a couple of days, before depositing the migration certificates for due cancellation of the same at the university as per rules. This too seemed to be their priority, as the date of filling the requisite forms by the students and the submission by the colleges concerned for forwarding the same alongwith the requisite documents etc to the university office, would be quite at hand, for appearing in the ensuing examination to be held by the University, sometimes in April. This matter was handed over to Harvinder Singh, who seemed to be confident of getting it done solely in a couple of days.

Since then, during the past 50 years the trio has been more or less regular in having `their Meet Recount On-foot Yatra` from Ropar to Tripta Nagar, covering a distance of 46km, as part of their journey from Chandigarh to their destination, i.e. their college hostel.on February 5.

Of course, there have been sporadic lapses due to other matters engaging attention of the one or the other concerning his personal life, on this particular day of the year. But today, they are celebrating the Golden Jubilee of the event.

Sitar Chand’s both these friends are to stay with him, to continue the entertainment program till found feasible and comfortable for every participant. The agenda for the day includes sun-bask here till the warmth provided by the intensity of the sun lasts. From here, they will walk upto the Cross River Mall for lunch at a famous food outlet; and the coffee is to be enjoyed at café, providing its services inside a simply enclosure created by a 2.5-ft high wooden-bar-frame in the front setback vast covered passage. Then, they will return to his residence in Surajmal Vihar, where both had arrived around 10.30 am, had their breakfast with the host, went through the daily Newspaper before moving to this place. Though they have carried with them some fresh fruits to this place, but they could not consume more than a little bunch of grapes, three pieces of banana and just one orange, as the rest is to be distributed amongst the children, playing cricket in the adjoining segment of this vast park, before leaving for lunch around 2.30 pm.

Around 5.00 pm, they are sitting in the lobby space of Sitar’s residence, when an old couple is seen entering the house, after the door is opened by the lady preparing evening tea for the `collegium` of these intimate friends. Both these visitors move towards Mr Sitar Chand, having spoken just `Hello-hello` to this middle-aged lady, Ramita Sethi, occupant of the upper storey of this house. Mr Arora rises on his feet to welcome these unexpected guests. Having exchanged the formal cordialities, they are requested by Sitar Chand to move into the drawing-room. Then, he goes towards the kitchen to whisper into Ramita’s ears, “Now, all of us would be having tea together.” Thus, his two friends, HarvinderSingh and Amir Chand are also requested to join the family friends, introduced as Mr Madan Mohan Tandon and Mrs Maya Tandon. Ramita too sits amongst these oldies, till the tea session is over. Then, she abruptly rises up to collect the used cups and plates to be carried ways to the kitchen, leaving the unfinished snacks behind at the centre table. From there she climbs the stairs to reach her floor.

89 Ms Maya Tandon initiated the chat by askingMr Harvinder Singh, “Sardar Ji, You look to me a familiar figure, I have been trying to recall, if we ever met before.” “Well, Behnji, many bearded persons look almost similar.” It draws a guffaw from Amir Chand, whereas Maya and Sitar Chand look into each other’s face with a faint smile.” Harvinder says, “I am sure; I am alive just to keep happy the people around me. Now, a serious search on the issue leads me to know if you are related to the family where the business of dry fruits at the import and wholesale level is being sustained for over half a century.” “Of course, my father and his two younger brothers were engaged in pursuing this family trade that we carried to Delhi from our native place, now left behind alongwith the cherished memory of so many other things.” “Actually me and Mr Pritam Lal Tandon were class-fellows Amritsar, where this boy was admitted in class 8th, sometimes in 1949, but left the school after passing class 9th examination. Once, I happened to meet him at his retail shop in Khari BaoliMarket. Actually, I had gone there accompanying my father to explore the market, because he wanted to place a bulky order for very large quantity of resin and almonds, to be supplied to some Ayurvedic Medicines Manufacturing company in Pathankote. I think, this chance meeting of ours took place sometime during the period when I was studying in Khalsa College. How is my friend these days?”

It made Maya draw a morose face; pull her dupatta` to her face and began to sob, as if trying her best to stop the tears, ready to-well -out. Her action of taking the corner of `dupatta` again and again to clear off something from the corners of her eyes suggested the probability of this fact.

Harvinder drew a deep breath before ejaculating, “`Rab da bhana`(It’s God’s will!”

Amir Chand, who had been under the impression that the visitors are a married couple, as the way they had moved in, hand-in-hand and also the lady taking care of her male partner’s needs at every step, during the tea-session, is now looking into Mr Tandon’s face with intrigue. It impels Maya to announce, “Our Madan Bhaiya has a very poor vision. One has to address him before attempting to speak out the words particularly intended for his attention.”

“Is it an ageing effect, in the case of your vision, Mr Tandon?”

“No Sir, It’s the After-effectof the injury received during the Iraqi bid for annexation of Kuwait, during 1990-91. In fact, one of my eyes was to be operated upon to take out the portion of the splinter issuing from the exploding bomb that hit our office building.” The inquisitorHarvinder asks, “Had you been in service there or were doing some business of your own?” “ Bhai Saheb, I was an employee of the Zara-Bakhatar Oil Exploration Corporation controlled and managed by a big multinational House based in USA.”

Amir Chand says, “I have heard that those companies are very rich and therefore are in a position to send back to home their employee in this type of trouble, immediately making a onetime payment on all accounts, settled within 60 days of his discharge from the hospital.” Harvinder says, “I am of the opinion that the capitalist is more concerned with the `perennial working of his money mint`. It’s why they are in a hurry to pack up the `injured bull, alongwith his fodder for a year or so, before `kicking him off`, without giving him an opportunityto be considered for an alternative job.”

Till now, Sitar Chand has been a passive listener, but the reference to `Capitalists` activated his latent power of debating on suchlike issues. So, he stimulates his friends to take their positions Vis avis Capitalism versus socialism. But he is astounded to mark `a u-turn` in Amir Chand’s ideology.

Having found the menfolk involved into `a verbal spinning game`, Maya rises up from her seat to announce, “I am going upstairs to spend some time with Ramita and her child. Please continue with your chat.” In response to her specific enquiry pertaining to the latest on Sphurti’s

90 treatment for the autism the 13-year-old child’s mother , Ramita says, “Auntie, nothing new. How are your grand children?” “All of them are happily enjoying their lives, with their parents to look After them.” Then, there comes another query, “Auntie, why don’t you like Madan Uncle’s proposal for shifting to the unoccupied floor of his newly built house?” “Who told you about my refusal to leave the place where I have spent my entire post-marital life?”

Ramita says, “Supriya had one day heard you telling Vibha about uncle’s persistence to see you agree to his point of view about leaving the congested area, when a spacious house to accommodate both of you, close to younger son’s family is available. I think he is right in insisting to enjoy the old days of life at the place that he had built by spendinghis lifetime earnings.”Having spoken this much, she looks into the listener’s face with a beam of cunning smile. This attitude of the hostess disturbs Maya and the shrewd Ramita marks her visitor’s commotion. Therefore, she quickly changes the topic of their chat.

91 THIRTEEN

Around 250 guests have gathered to welcome and bless the newly-born baby named Uphar, a product of Dr Vibha and Dr Madhukar, after almost thirteen years of their married life, more or less peacefully except the sporadic pricks from Pratima whose venom against former sister-in law Vibha does not seem to lessen its toxicity. Keeping in view the track record of Pratima and Abhilash , during the subsistence of Vibha’s earlier marriage and also the period afterwards, the organizers of this auspicious assemblage have set up a very strong cordon of security in and around the main hall of `Dawat-e-Yaraan`.

The group of organizers, comprising Of Vibha, Madhukar, Pratibha, Ujjawal, Supriya and Kanuj, attired in their bests, are standing at the entrance of the hall, though seemingly in a leisurely mood, to receive their guests with warmth, yet they are busy performing also the duty of vigilant officers, acting in tendon`. The moment a guest approaches anyone of these `vigilant inspectors`, his or her stance of greeting and also being reciprocated is captured by the CCTV and the image is transmitted instantly on the monitor of the `Notebook`, placed at the desk, in front of Akshita’s chair, placed half a meter inside the entrance point. The alert and confident maiden of 18 years assures herself that the computer provides the image at least one of the codes, as distinctly assigned to every one of them. In the event of any person passing through the entrance without the requisite code, Ms Akshitaraises her head to look into the physical face entering into the hall. If not satisfied with his/her identity, she would briskly click the alert button to simultaneously stir vibrator of a light weight gadget placed in one of the pockets of the sleuth’s moving around at a little distance from the guests. Almost in no time, Akshita would move towards the `unverified entrant` for accosting him/her.

By now, all the five sleuth would have mentally readied themselves to receive `distress signal` from the `Desk Officer`, Akshita M’a’me. They know that the signal would mean that the `target` is kept within the seizability range from all the points they have by now stationed themselves. The moment they mark Akshita moving towards the point where the group of hosts is stationed. They expect her to return in the company of at least one of the organizers. If it so happens, they would positionthemselves closer to the target and wait for the next signal that is dependent upon the `clearance or otherwise` from the organizer fetched by her. Of course, Akshita would signal them through the designated code of gesticulation.

Inside the hall, amid a good number of friendly women Lalima is firmly saddled with the b’day baby on her lap. Of course, two ladies, unknown for the rest of these ladies are spending their time peacefully chatting with each other.However, their arrogance does not encourage any other woman to ask for their introduction, whereas Lalima knows well the identity of the `duo`, as none else but the qualified black-belted combatant colleagues of the male sleuths in this hall. At a little distance, around a long centre-table are seated in the sofa couches are Mr Subhash Arora, Sitar Chand Arora, Ganesh Lal Dargan, Usha Dargan, Maya Tandon and Madan Mohan Tandon. The young ladies from the Tandon family are sitting in a different group. The elderly persons are busy in chatting over the changesthat they do not find comfortable in their own case, on one or the other account.

Over 20 colleagues of the Professor parents of the b’day baby have come with their families. All the children are moving around in their own groups, tasting snacks and other food items of their choice, talking about the return gifts received at such meets of their parents’ friends. Here, an added attraction is the performance of Puppet-show, in between `snacks-round` and the proper dinner, studded with a variety of chocolate items. During this period, Vibha has thrice taken the child inside for giving him milk, pulse-soup or banana-paste at different times. Lalima is the overall incharge of the baby’s safety and security. Therefore, every time she accompanied the child’s mother whenever shetook the child into the room. The `blackbelted combatant` ladies, though in their plain clothes, were a matter of the other guests’ curiosity, as they do not seem to

92 be known to anyone here, and also spoke a little to the child’s mother of Lalima, whom they were always following every time, while moving around.

While the function was close to be over, Lalima had handed over the baby to its mother Vibha, and Lalima’s husband had gone out taking along their kids, to bring his car, and Lalima stood alone, Subhash gets up from his seat and indicates her to move aside with him. There, he hastily asks in a very low tone, “Do you have any idea why Pratima hasn’t come?” She replies, “She was not invited,” having said this much, she prefers to shut her lips. Subhash marks that Vibha’s core group is around; therefore, he changes the subject and says in a bit louder voice, “Everything has been done majestically. It was superb!” Having marked the appearance of their car, Lalima and Subhash move towards the members of Vibha’s family, just to thank and also wish them well. Vibha and Madhukar bow down to touch the elderlies’ feet. Soon, they are in their car and off for their destination.

Here, Akshita asks, “Why did Pratima auntie not come?” Actually, almost all the adults in this family-like group had heard Subhash’s query to his daughter Lalima on this count and also Lalima’s reply in this regard. Vibha takes the young girl into the fold of her right arm; and using the other arm to dab at her back while trying to cajole the young maiden with the words, “I’ll talk to her on the phone sometime tomorrow to know the reasons behind her absence.”

“Of course, I had foreseen all these problems to come in my brother’s life. But I am hopeful of gentle handling of the young girl. She has been answered in the best possible manner,” she tells self. Supriya is reminded of thee incident when this girl had treated “our Didi” as her equal, while seeingher for the very first time, on return from their honeymoon trip. Supriya had heard her speak out in front of many persons, while greeting her step-mother, “Well, my Professor Auntie, would you please permit me to ask your choice on my addressing you Mummy, Mom or Momma, now onwards?” Of course, Supriya had very gently and sweetly tackled this young girl of around 17, then. Stamping a few kisses at the girl’s faces, Vibha had spoken, I leave it to the discretion of my sweet young friend.” With these words, she had given her a strong hug. “Perhaps, she is prejudicedand predetermined to take the reins of the newly established family of her parents,” Supriya thinks on these lines. Let us see what impact this line of thinking on both sides of her father’s wife, affect the maiden’s future life.

The next evening, when Akshita and Vibha alongwith Uphar are upstairs with Pradhans, Rawat is busy perusing the morning newspaper, his perusing process is time and again hampered, without any obvious cause. He puts aside the paper and looks towards the ceiling as usual, to regain his concentration. Sometimes, it also helps him to find the mental irritantcause. This time too, it has helped him dig out the female image hovering over his subconscious mind.

“Oh Yes, When me and Kanuj had just reached the office of the `DAWAT-E-YARAN`, I marked a woman hurriedly whisk away from the table and her seat being rapidly taken over by a male person. Of course, I had distinctly seen her face that looked familiar. Later on, I remained occupied with that official in settling the details of the function and forgot that incident of seeing a familiear face for a second or so. Now, it seems to me that it was Sheetala’s face, though withered somewhat after such a long time around two decades, as I retained in my memory when she was placing her three-month baby into my hands for its safe custody. Maybe I am confusing this image altogether; as had it been she, she would have accosted me and hinted in some way to meet me sometime later in privacy to enquire about the child abandoned by her.”

This thought leads him to imagine that the presence of some peculiarly cruel circumstances around her might have compelled her to keep her `blood and flesh` away from self, with a view only to ensure the child’s safety.Then, he tosses with the idea of the advisability of sharing this fact with his wife. It also occurs to him that Vibha shall unnecessarily be put on alert till some tangible thing emerges to the fore with respect to Sheetala.

Mr Madan Mohan Tandon and his daughter Ratna are seated across a table for two persons, during dinner hours in the dining Hall of Bukhara restaurant at the first floor of Sheraton

93 Hotel at Sardar Patel Marg. While enjoying the starters, both are busy in taking a visual survey of the surroundings. During this `leisurely visual survey`, Ratna happens to mark the presence of a known male figure, busy in a chat with his female companion, seemingly younger to him by at least a decade. They are seated in the adjacent cabin, separated by means of a glass-pane. Their table is also of the size as the one in Ratna’s cabin. It takes a couple of minutes for Ratna to decide whether or not she should accost the person, who looks like Abhilash Dua, a classmate of school days, more than 25 years ago, at St. X-avier’s. Soon, she decides to take the initiative to revive acquaintance with him and thus speaking in a very low voice, she tells her father that she is going to the next cabin at his backside, with a view to revive her acquaintance with a classmate of hers during “schooling period, almost quarter of a century ago.”

Having received a nod from him, she moves towards the adjacent cabin and within a couple of seconds, stands before the desired person, who in turn looks amazedly at her. She folds her hands in the greeting mode; he takes her to be a staff member of the restaurant, who greet their customers in the traditional Indian format, as if receiving their guests. His companion at the table takes this person as a very senior official holding a top position, hence moving freely without usual uniform prescribed for the staff of this establishment.

Anyways, the extra vigilant female companion of Abhilash hears `this official` ask, “I believe you have been my classmate Mr Abhilash Dua.” Her companion rises up to move , while mumbling, “Excuse me,” as if in a hurry. Both the ladies look at his back and notice that he is moving towards `Loo`. Both of them remain unconcerned about each other. Ratna prefers to return to her own table where her father awaits her. Buther curiosity does not permit her to leave the vicinity of that table, as she has furtively seen the other lady, pulling a very small-sized gadget After unzipping her vanity bag and giving a hard press at a very tiny button coloured red, slips the gadget back to its place in the bag and looks sternly towards the direction Abhilash had gone. By now, Ratna happens to mark Abhilash being held by two hefty men, whereas this lady also moves towards them with a revolver pointingin that direction. Ratna treads a few steps behind that lady; and then stops to observe from the distance as to what is to happen to Abhilash , onetime classmate of hers at X-avier’s.

Within a couple of minutes, everything looked normal, as all the diners remained indifferent to what had happened there in an extraordinary manner. Of course, Ratna could not remain unconcerned, as at the moment she was a little wary of situation wherein the probability of a query from her visually impaired father to know if the man turned to be the same as her guess suggested, would put her into a piquant situation. Therefore, she voluntarily declares, “Of course, my guess was right; the man is the one who was onetime my classmate.”

The day after next, Ratna happens to read in the morning newspaper that an absconder Abhilash Dua already loaded with 13 criminal cases against him shot at sleuths and was arrested after scuffle outside the premises of hotel Sheraton , was nabbed and produced before the judicial magistrate. The news perturbs her peace of mind. But soon she realizes that it was sheer her luck that she did not tread the corridor to the end, “otherwise the police might have suspected my movements. His accomplice looked dangerous while using that tiny gadget, holding out a revolver, flashed out from her pocket, as if used to suchlike situations. But there is no mention of that woman; maybe she had given a slip After shooting in the air. Anyhow, it’s not my hobby to read detective stories.”

In the afternoon, Ratna’s aunt Maya Tandon pays a casual visit to their apartment, before going to her children’s portion of the building. Ratna greets her, “Ram Ram, Tayiji (wife of father’s elder brother)!” After a short time, she tells Madan Mohan that Subhash’s son has been ultimately arrested.” Her Madan Bhaiya asks, “Who told you?”

Ratna had in her mind that Subhash was the father-in-law of Vibha, a well qualified girl, employed as lecturer in Delhi. Unluckily, the marriage could not run smoothly and a divorce resulted. As she remains out of India, most of the time, she knows a little about her father’s

94 acquaintances or relatives. As she hears furthermore about the incident being talked over by her elders here, it makes her believe that is about the same happening she read in the morning daily. Thus, her interest gets a hype. Therefore, she tries to listen more and more about Abhilash’s life so far.

They have hardly finished their tea, when the cordless receiver of the landline telephone rings and Madan, sitting closer to the side-table, as usual hastens to attend to the caller. A female voice at the other end is heard as asking, “Is it Ms Ratna Kundra’s residence?” Madan takes a second or two to reply, “M’a’me, it’s my residence. I am Madan Mohan Tandon. May I know whom do you want to speak?“

The caller clarifies, “I am from Chanakyapuri Police Station. Day before yesterday, Ms Ratna rang up from this telephone Number to get a table reserved for two persons at Bukhara restaurant, in our jurisdiction. Therefore, we are to see her in that connection.” Can you help us identify her?”

“Well, I am her father. She is staying temporarily with me,AS SHE LIVES ABROAD AND ME being a blind person, it is somewhat for her to locate the police station you wantus to reach. wouldyou please consider our difficulty and allow us some time to find out for ourselves acompetent escort in this regard?”“Okay, sir! Please send her to our station at 9-30AM.” The moment he felt the line other end, he resettled the gadget into its socket. His daughter had been eagerly and attentively listening to what has being spoken by her father. Her tayi Ji had also the appearance of signs of perturbation at the young lady’s face, however, both the ladies prefer keep their lips tight. Meanwhile, Madan Mohan has considered the pros and cons of discussing this matter in Maya’s presence.

After some time, he breaks the silence by way of suggesting that first of all Ratna should tell us all that had happened in her presence. She had told me only this much that in the adjacent cabin one person who seems to be known to her is sitting in the company of a lady not known to her. She showed her eagerness to check if the person whom she takes as her school days classmate, is really the same person. Finding no trouble from my end, she left me seated alone in our cabin. I heard her speaking to someone, but could not make out the words that came from a distance and also on the other side of the glass pane between the two different cabins. Of course, she returned within a minute or so. As she had left the table, after the starters had been finished, we immediately entered into dialogue over selecting the items for the main course. I don’t remember if she had told me anything about that supposedly classmate of hers.”

Maya asks, “Ratna, didn’t you know that Vibha’s marriage was fixed with a class fellow of yours?” Ratna says, “During those years, I used to stay with my mother in Bombay. From there, I went to Guttenberg for further studies. I lost touch with the friends and acquaintances here.” Maya asks the young lady to tell precisely as to what happened thereafter.”

Ratna says, “Tayiji, I walked up to stand face to face before that person whom I thought to be my classmate at Xavier’s in Delhi. Thus, I accosted him directly with the words, “I believe you have been my classmate Mr Abhilash Dua.” He rose up tomove, while mumbling simultaneously, “Excuse me,” as if in a hurry. I was stunned at his arrogant way of responding; so I kept looking at his back, surprised. The direction he chose to turn at the T-point suggested that he was going to `Loo`.

I preferred to return to my own table where my Dad awaited me. But my curiosity did not permit me to leave the vicinity of that table, as I has furtively seen that lady companion of his, pulling a very small-sized gadget After unzipping her vanity bag and giving a hard press at a very tiny button coloured red, slipped the gadget back to its place in the bag and looking sternly towards the direction Abhilash had gone. By then, I happen to mark Abhilash being held by two hefty men, whereas this lady also moves towards them with a revolver pointing in that direction. I

95 was impelled to treads a few steps behind that lady before stopping to observe from the distance as to what is to happen to Abhilash , onetime classmate of mine at Xavier’s.

Next morning at around 9. 00am, these three persons, alighting a hired three-wheeler, are seen by the plain clothed police personnel, on duty at the pavement, in the proximity of the Chanakyapuri Police Station’s main entrance Gate. Inside the Gate, one of the few police men in regular uniform accosts them by asking, “May I help you?” Ratna responds, “I had been telephonically informed last evening, for reporting in person at this station.“ He smiles and indicates towards the portico, where a police official in uniform is sitting at a table, surrounded by four chairs, including the one occupied by him. Ratana repeats the words spoken by her to the previous official of this police station. Here, they are requested to be seated get their particulars registered and signed in the `visitors’ list. At 9.20am, an instrument that hangs at a portable stand, emits Ratna’s name in a sweetly spoken female voice. All of them look into the face of the official at this desk. In return, they listen from his mouth, “Duty Room awaits you.” Maya hesitates to move, even After rising from her chair. The official very politely speaks, “Yes Mataji, you too can go inside, holding Babuji’s hand for his smooth movement.” She is thus encouraged “to give company to your niece also.”

On reaching the Duty Room, they find that the Duty Officer has a couple of small registers spread on the table before him. The visitor may take either of the two chairs placed across the table. He asks in a very gentle tone, “Yes M’a’me, what do you expect our office to do for you?” Hardly she had spoken a word to repeat the complete sentence as had been already spoken twice by her , just a short while ago, she happens to mark the official picking up one of the registers, spread before him. As she observes that his attention is already engaged in searching for a particular entry on some page of that `dwarf-sized` register, she decides to restrict her response to the phrase, `last evening`, to wait for his attention return to her. She now finds him busy in looking at the monitor of the `computerized notebook`. Just a gentle click of the mouse button and punch of a few keys by him completes his task, as now he may have the `luxury of bestowing` on every visitor, in our traditional Indian way of hospitality, by asking with an artificial smile, “Thanda or garam, kya chalega? (Hot or cold, what’ll you like to have?)”

“No, thank you!” Ratana speaks humbly and inwardly feels like articulating her joy over witnessing such a pleasant environ at the police station, generally dreaded by innocent people like her. Before she could make an attempt to look at her family members, seated behind her at a distance of almost 5 feet, perched on a three-seater sofa couch placed against the rear wall, when she marks the appearance of another police official who addresses her by name, in a very gentle tone. She rises up on her feet and looks into his face to know if she had ever seen this face. He says, “Pleas come along with your parents , into my room. There, we shall have our friendly conversation in a more pleasant milieu.” So, all the three of them march towards the room, following their `next host`.

Here, all the three find their seats, of course, with the indication of their `host`, who himself is moving towards a single-seater sofa couch in front of a oblong centre-table separating him from that couch to accommodate comfortably all `his guests` here. Immediately, a non-uniformed youngman of adolescent years comes there, holding a tray that has atop three empty glasses, covered with disposable paper disks, besides a jar of water duly covered with a glass lid of the proper size, so as to eliminate the chances of water getting contaminated by air. Having placed the tray, he is moving out of the room, closing the door behind him.This officer produces a grunt before commencing his brief for the benefit of all of them. He says, “Please note that all that we speak or do is being recorded on the machine, placed on the small table placed in that corner, Simultaneously, a copy of the recording here is being transmitted to our headquarters. You are nice and educated people. I believe that you will answer my questions directly and truthfully. Only that person will answer should answer to whom is the question is directed . I am sub-inspector Mannu Singh and now you will speak out your name only. First of all, I request the young lady to speak out. Then, he indicated towards Maya Tandon, and then he looked towards Madan Mohan

96 and spoke, “Babuji, it’s your turn now. Having elicited the desired answers, he speaks, “Babuji, tell us your relation whip Kundra M’a’me.” Madan Mohan replies, “She is my daughter Ratana Kundra.” Then, he indicates with his finger towards Maya Tandon,” Madame Tandon, “Now, it’s your turn to tell your relationship with Ratana M’a’me.” She says, “I am widow of Madan Mohan Tandon’s elder brother late she Pritam Lal Tandon. Thus, I am Ratna’s `tayi`.” He smiles to have an accurate and concise reply.

Which of you got the table booked by telephone at Bukhara restaurant in the premises of Sheraton hotel?” “ It were me who got the table booked for self and my father in this restaurant.“ “Well, Mrs. Tandon, where were you during the period these two persons of your family were at Bukhara?” She replies, “Sir, We don’t live together, as I live in the house owned by my late husband.” The Inspector asks, “What’s the address of that house, “It’s located in Kucha Baijnath, Chandani Chowk. I never tried to memorize the long stretched number provided by the Municipal Corporation. The postman brings us the mail sent and addressed to any member of my family.” Gauging all the faces before him, Sub-inspector Mannu Singh expresses in a very casual, “Well, I don’t think that Mrs. Tandon’s evidence can be of any consequence in nailing the notorious gang of criminals. At now, I feel like speaking to Babuji alone; so please both the ladies should move to the refreshment and recreation room, where you may have tea or coffee made as per your choice. The boy who brought us water here, is available to serve you.” Both the ladies exchange glances, rise from their seats and silently move out of this `studio room`. Both of them are fully aware of the fact that the blind person being left behind is capable of managing. His fine perceptibility helps to understand the surroundings, at least to the extent of feeling the normal movement of persons and objects though at a little distance.

During the absence of ladies, Mr Tandon is asked by the investigator, “Well, Mr Tandon, please let me clearly know the status of your visual capacity.” Madan Mohan speaks, “Sir, at this stage, it’s in the proximity of zero-visibility, though almost five years back, it was a little over 90 percent loss in both eyes.” He is again asked, “When did you feel that your eyesight was crippling your routine life?”

He replies, “I think it was around two decades ago when the doctors attending on me in the post-surgery care department allowed me to leave the hospital as my damaged vision could not be restored fully.”

Oh! I am sorry for you. May I know how this damaged was caused?” He replies, “Those days, I was working under a Qatari company engaged in oil exploration. I was posted as surveyor. Our field-office was located on a ship, to survey the existing off-shores wells. Iraq’s bid to annex Kuwait was being resented by USA. The `enemy forces bombarded our ship too. Splinters of the exploding missiles used to fall in our office’s compound also. It was just a routine to be hit by some flying piece of metal and then be treated for the injury caused. In my case, the penetration of the splinters was very deep into my body. More than dozen spots were bleeding. Unfortunately, the eye-injury remained unnoticed for an unduly long spell of time. The injury in this case caught infection that needed surgery for its removal. It was here, that the permanent loss was detected.”

Okay! Where does your wife live?”

Tandon replies, “Sir, the entire residential block of the ship was sent ablaze by the brutal attackin forces. The charred body of my wife was identified by one of my colleagues on the ship, as I was not in a safe physical as well as mental position viable enough to be communicated about this colossal damage of mine.” After a `customary pause` necessitating the investigator’s participation in his `guest’s bereavement`, Tandon was asked, “So, your daughter would naturally be taking care of your domestic life. Am I right?”

No sir, she seldom comes to India. Her husband holding some important post in the Commonwealth Organization.Most of the, times his posting has been in London and one or the other big city of Australia. I am being taken care of by Maya Bhabhi.”

97 Inspector takes a long breath before declaring, “Mr Tandon, now the last question: When Ratana went to the adjacent cabin to meet her friend Abhilash, recall her words spoken to you by her.”

“Yes, my daughter told me that she happened to spot from her seat that a man in the adjacent cabin seems to be a schoolmate of hers at Xavier’s, in Delhi; so she desired to confirm if her guess is correct. With these words, she moved from our cabin and was back in half-a-minute or so. Neither of us spoke about `this expedition`.” Then, the Investigator presses his call bell; his orderly appears before. He is instructed to send the two ladies awaiting their turn in the Recreation Room. The moment these ladies appear before him, he announces, “Mr Tandon’s examination is over. He may be escorted to the Recreation Room by his Bhabhi Ji, whereas Ratana Ji will spend some time in this studio, before leaving for her home.

When the oldies are gone, he speaks, “Ratana Ji, now I request you to answer me, as I need some clarity over a few points relating to this obnoxious incident at the restaurant where only high ranking people like you are the frequenters. First of all, repeat the words you used to accost your onetime classmate during schooling.” Having heard her speak the same words, he asks, “Please recall the words you and Abhilash’s lady companion used for your very short conversation, during the moments you were together in Abhilash’s absence.” Ratana firmly denied having a word with that unknown lady.”

98 PART3 ALLUREMENT

99 FOURTEEN

“REALIZATION ABOUT FAMILY BONDAGE COMES TO YOU, WHEN YOU RECEIVE JERKS AND JOLTS FROM WITHIN THE GROUP WE KNOW AS FAMILY, SUBJECT HOWEVER TO THE PROVISION YOU BADLY NEED THIS ENTITY, FOR ENJOYING THE SUBLIME NATURE OF `INTERNAL PEACE AND COMFORT`. However, it requires lot of effort on your own part to `experience` this sublime gift enriching your soul.” Mr Sitar Chand expresses these words, during the chat with his friends, Amir Chand and Harvinder Singh as they are sitting under a canopy in the Ram Manohar Lohia Park, in the trans-Hindan Area of Ghaziabad. It is very close to Lajpat apartment, where Amir Chand resides these days.

This group of `TRIO, January 30`, as they have formally given it a brand-name to their friendship, during their `golden Jubilee` get-together at Sitar’s residence last year, at the moment are joined together on this day of March 8, 2011 that is coincidently the International women’s Day, when all the nations are celebrating women’s Day, in their own fashion. The reference to `family life` prompts Harvinder to heave and say, “Personally speaking, at this stage of my life, I find myself in bewilderment whenever I try to imagine self in a family that I would have probably raised, in case I had married.” “There is no use crying over the spilt milk”, Amir Chand ejaculates merrily.

Sitar Chand asks, “Where is your Rani Ma’me these days?”

Harvinder replies, “When she met me in Ottawa, almost a week before I was to fly back to India, ILEARN from her that she would be soon returning to her elder son, who was still engaged in property business at Amritsar. I suppose her to be there, as she seldom leaves for long the part of her family residing in India.”

“Alas, my friend would have adhered to the godsent female companion; both wouldn’t have to pass through intermittent spells of such a terrible separation during this period of life.” This light-vein sarcasm coming from Amir Chand irks Harvinder for a short while, but soon he realizes that it is just an indirect effort on his friend’s part to recall their days of youth, when they enjoyed sharing with each other the unusual happenings in their lives.

Sitar asks, “Is she still an active member of the Party?” “Oh yes! She was telling me that her primary purpose of travelling to India was that an urgently called meeting of the `district Party officials was to take place in June that year. After that, she would be joining her husband and the younger son’s family. I shouldn’t have drawn hasty conclusion that she was returning to India for good. Moreover, it’s always cheaper to plan one’s visit abroad much in advance. Maybe, she would by now have returned to her daughter’s family where her presence is needed more than here in India.”

It makes Amir Chand recall some stale news with respect to one of Rani’s grand-daughters woeful plight. Therefore, he asks Harvinder, “I hope by now her daughter’s daughter would have come out of the legal wrangles she was in.” Sitar Chand looks into Harvinder’s direction, perhaps to express his curiosity with regards to the progeny of the lady about whom he had pronounced his `well-considered judgement` almost four decades ago. Sitar’s this friend had admittedly praised him for saving him, by way of issuing a timely alert, when Harvinder had sought Sitar’s advice over the issue of entering into a marital bond with Rani who was making moves towards Harvinder After having jilted his elder brother Professor Devinder Singh. Nevertheless, Rani had continued working for the Party, shoulder to shoulder with Professor Singh for almost a decade. With this background relating to the Rani Ma’me-Harvinder equation of those times, Sitar Chand too enters into a merry-making mode, as he asks, “Yaar Harvinder, Idon’t press you to place nakedly before us the latest about `her crush on your goodself`.”

100 “No, Bhai Saheb! Making a timely use of your philosophy `Your Aren’t likeMe’, I may place the bare facts before my esteemed friend, for your kind consideration the plight of her grand-child. Now that the unlucky girl has already come out of the perilous mental condition, since the charges and countercharges with respect to `misrepresentation to the opposite party at the time of negotiating the marriage sometime during 1995 have already been mutually withdrawn, I feel no problem in confiding to my sincere friend like you, the story concerning this `marital feud`.”

Having marked the presence of a solemn composure in Amir Chand’s face, Harvinder’s starts his narration, “Rani’s daughter and her husband had opted to let their ònly issue`, the daughter complete her studies, at least up to Degree level in India, with a view to determine for their own sake the choice to continue staying in Canada in the near future or return to India in a short time during the first few years of 1990s. Thus, the young girl of around 20, having finished the studies for degree course, fell into a trap of some racketeer dealing in the unlawful business of providing òvaries on rent` to the needy couples. These scoundrels were always on the prowl of employing the `surrogating mothers` with an ambitious outlook to become cogently rich overnight, enough for the next few decades. The first choice of the seekers would be to entice the married couples, as it was more or less safe to enter into a written contract with them. But the dearth of this type of couples, in the wake of high demand from the `tenants` would mean bringing forth `fake couples, so that `the tenant` is assured about `the bonafides of the ovary owner`. Close to Indo- Nepalese border, some people are actively engaged as liaison persons in this ìllicit trade` in Ghazipur area. These persons do not directly charge any fee or Commission from their client, but expect `some money as their client’s token of acknowledgement for the good work done by them to the òvary owner` or the seeker of the òvary on rent`. Both the parties to the deal are made to see each other’s face, only when they are in the Nepalese territory. Here, the òvary owner` is made to stay in a rural house with modern facilities. It becomes her residence for the time being. She won’t be allowed to skip from there till she delivers the baby. For the surgery period, the parties are brought to some city of India, preferably in the southern state. The entire expenditure is born by the `tenant` till the time the baby can be fed on milk procured from the market. /At this stage, the òvary owner` is relieved of the job and assisted to return safely to her destination in India. Of course, The rent for the ovary was paid to the `surrogating mother`, in India itself, in the presence of `her male partner`, well in advance. During the on-going process, The tenant is to shell out at least fifty lakh rupees; of course, the bill may shoot up to one crore rupees, depending upon the level of services required. Having paid off hospitalization bill, hotel charges, transportation costs, paying-guest charges together with in- house services provided by the `tout-in-chief, the òvary owner` earns over 50 percent of the deal amount. “

After a little pause, the narrator resumes, “The smart girl could not resist the `inner urge` for keeping the infant close to her breasts, in the wake of the fast approaching time to separate her from the child delivered by her. She was staying in a moderately furnished `guest house` situated very close to the highway, in Aligarh and was in the know of the fact that one of her school days friend was in the penultimate year of her medical degree course. Luckily, she had spotted her in the Hospital, during her post-operative care visits there, One day she thought of skipping alongwith the baby from her residence, with the help of another classmate of hers, who was also a neighbour of hers in Gurgaon. Thus, during her next visit to the hospital, though accompanied by an illiterate maid, she managed to find the pupil-doctor and through her efforts contacted the desired chap on phone. This youngman, who habitually chose to remain unemployed for long spells. With his help, she escaped from `her prison-like abode` and came back to Naini Tal with the baby in her arms. Thereto, she successfully secured the sympathy and assistance of her classfellows by telling them that the man accompanying her was her `dream boy`and the father of the child. They accepted to manage the baby during her absence from Nainital when she planned to go back home with `her dream boy` for soliciting her parents’ approval for their `secret marriage`. She was sure that none of her classmates there knew her Gurgaon address. Thus, relieved for the time being, after she had employed a needy couple to be in charge of the girl child, by way of luring with a hefty remuneration, she came to her residence in Gurgaon and from there flew to Canada. In a year’s time, her parents got her settled with a rich Indian businessman.

101 Having been married for three years, the wife could not conceive. The man’s parents took the daughter-in-law to a gynecologist, who on examination found that the woman had already got her tubes tied after the very first delivery, during the recent past. Her own parents were stunned over the `thunderbolt` that came down heavily on their heads and hearts. The groom’s party filed a case of defamation against the son-in-law, whereas the man filed a case of cheating against the wife. The bride kept on repeating, “I had already disclosed the fact of my previous marriage to the man under consideration,and buts he was badly in love with me and would shout at the top of his voice, “OK, I am fine with it.” Ultimately, the out-of-court settlement helped them come out of sticky situation.”

Sitar Chand remarks, “Western life style, social norms and the justice delivery system causes much problems for those Indians who haven’t lived there enough to make oneself attuned to the new situation one is in.”

Amir Chand says, “Nevertheless, even here the changes are coming at such a very fast pace that people of our generation find it very difficult to understand briskly the newly acquired gadgets, whereas our grandkids, studying in lower middle classes, seems to have mastered the skill for working with these things, almost in no time.” “Now the leadership of the household is in woman’s hands; and therefore, the man has to look to her for almost everything”, Harvinder declares boldly.

“Of course, during our studentship together, we used to feel the impact of women’s emancipation, now we have to suffer the onslaught of the bogey of `women empowerment`, being thrust from all the corners of the world.”Having reacted in his elderly person’s fashion, Sitar Chand looks into Amir Chand’s face.

“But their ùnilateral declarations` sporadically thrown out at men folk’s face irritate me much. Ifthey would have treated us equals, there shouldn’t have been enormous problem in the society,” Amir Chand expresses his grouse. Looking with a smile into Harvinder’s face, he asksif hehas some comments on this view. Sensing the presence of some rancour trying to emerge to the surface in Amir’s mind, Harvinder considers it wiser to pass it to Sitar Chand, as he yells out, “Our Sitar Bhai is rather more competent to analyse and comment on the thinking and acts of the female section of the Indian society.” Sitar Chand brings a mischievous smile to his face, before remarking, “Of course, our friend Harvinder has had experience of tackling Indian females on foreign soil only, whereas Amir Chand might be thinking to tell us something about the rapid changes in the thinking and behavioral pattern of the women here in India. Of course, I have recalled to my mind one anecdote narrated to us during the days of our studies together in Punjab. He was telling us about his experience at the time of writing of paper for English À` while he was appearing in the University Examination for Intermediate (Final) in 1956, as a `Refugee candidate`. If permitted, I can request him to let me throw a cue to help him dig out that `genuinely intellectual effort` on the part of this great thinker of our limited-member club.” Amir says, “Bhai saheb, no leg-pulling, please. I may retell that anecdote directly without any cue from my benevolent friend.It so happened that I had prepared for the examination with the help of `Guide for English` for Intermediate Examination, 1954-56, session. Over two hundred topics for the probable Essays had been prescribed. Hardly a dozen had been tagged with the year of the examination, they had found their place in the last 10 years. Therefore, I decided to have a quick reading of only those essays as given in the `Book of Popular Essays`; and left it to my luck to come to my rescue, in the examination hall. When I could not find known topics in the paper before me, at the time of examination, I found myself lured to a topic `The Modern Girl`; took a long breath, before concentrating on a single fact as to how à modern girl` looked like. In a few moments, a long row of fashionable girlsbegan to land on the surface of my imagination. Of course, I found them walking on the Ajmal Khan Road, in the process of developing like Anarkali Bazaar of Lahore (as relished by many refugees from the Pakistani side of Punjab those days. As they say; `God helps those who help themselves`, proved true in my case. I had to limit my description to 500 words, so I had to wrap up the description very quickly. I was surprised to find my task being over within

102 the time limit of 35 minutes as earmarked by me for attempting this question worth 15 marks only. I had pointed out their dresses, their gait, their way of looking furtively towards youngmen seemingly in the vicinity of their own age. Their love for music, dance and fiction reading was given a due share in my essay. My last sentence was: Amongst these samples, my would-be lifemate can be definitely spotted.” Harvinder lobbied a query, “Did you ever disclose this `venture of yours`?” “Of course, I repeated it at so many times during the first four decades of our marriage and every time she responded with a sincere laugh.” Amir Chand spoke out proudly. At this juncture, he looks at his wrist watch and is impelled to announce, “Well guys, it’s time for me to report for my duty of`home guard`, because `Modern Girl of Today`, I mean my sister’s Bahujiis to leave home definitely by 4-30 pm to keep her appointment with her beautician at `Millennium Cosmetics` in Safdarjung Enclave. In case she fails to keep the appointment, she is likely to be `blacklisted` by the Saloon owner, for causing her losses `without any valid reasons`.” The other two old men also rise upto give him company to the main entrance of the group housing enclosure, as they intend to take the bicycle-rickshaw from there. So, they move alongwith their friend Amir Chand. But neither of them kept any account of the passing time and the embargo on their friend’s `liberty` to extenuate his leisure time. Unmindful of Amir’s impending problem, they even did not encourage him to leave them behind and reach home at the brisk pace. When they took the last turn that was around 50 metres from the group housing’s large sized entrance gate, managed by the guards round the clock, Amir Chand marks the presence of Anupama’scar. Yes, she is already at the driver’s seat. Amir Chand took hurried steps towards the car, as he reaches close to the dickey, he notices the lady fastening her seat belt. The moment he was close to the bonnet of the vehicle, she protrudes her left arm towards him with a bunch of keys dangling fromthe clutch formed by her thumb and the index finger. By this time, his friends were just at the distance of only one metre. “The arrogant Anupama must have seen me in the company of my friends, but the bankruptcy of commonsense might not have let her behave decently enough to observe some courtesy in their presence,” Amir Chand tell self; hanging his head moves into the gate. By this time, the `Bahuji’s` car has sped away and the friends duo are perplexedly looking towards the back of their friend, who is going home without manifesting Any gesture to signify `good-bye`, friends!”

“I shouldn’t have accepted this thankless job of `providing parental cover` to my sister’s daughter-in-law, duringthe absence of my sister Rukamani Ruia, till she returns home after having paid her obligatory homage to Mata Vaishnu Devi, Jwalaji, Chintpurni shrines and a week’s stay at Khattarwal Ashram. Of course, she has gone out just for a fortnight pilgrimage, taking my wife alongwith as a mark of respect towards her elder, immediately following laying of her office of the vice-principal of a school on February 28, as a sequel to retirement. I too had agreed happily to give company to this cogently educated youngwoman, employed as lecturer in a prestigious college in Delhi. Hardly a week has gone by, I am feeling suffocated with her behaviour. Now, in case I choose to leave her home on some pretext and don’t show up until our ladies return from their `religious tour`, she might create a scene to allege `negligence, ruthlessness and shirking of responsibility` against me.Of course, with just a little effort on my part, I can convince Gaura about my hastily taken harsh step in her absence, but its repercussions might endanger the existing ethos of cordiality between the sisters-in-law equally dear to me. No, I can’t afford it. But, how to assuage the hurt feelings of my friends whom I couldn’t offer a cup of tea or coffee, even as they were in the vicinity of the apartment I have been staying in for a week. Had Anupama not shown that callous attitude at that time, I could have offer them `at least this much hospitality` at my kin’s residence.” At dinner time, as Anupama is serving for both of them, the edibles placed at the table, seating herself on the opposite side, she tries to break the silence. “Mamaji, I am sorry for my failure to come out of my car to properly greet your friends. I am sure; you will excuse the fact of my being oblivious of my responsibilities while undergoing the spell of tense moments. As you know that Nishchal will be spending this week-end here at home, while being in Delhi for some

103 official work; So, I am to keep self in a presentable outlook for his sake. I had determined to avail the extraordinarily specialized services of the top ranking beautician who comes to Delhi just for two days in a month. Actually, I was desirous of finding some slot for me even yesterday, but the `smart beauties` of the town had got the booking well in advance to be freshly readied for the International Women’s Day. Anyways, I must be ready to receive Captain Nishchal, with a pleasing face on Friday evening, when he will be looking at me physically after a lapse of over four months. I believe; I really owed this explanation to my elders, so that Iam forgiven for the lapse, though committed inadvertently.” He marks that the `modern girl of these times` is staring at him. Under the stress of his inability to engage self with chatting around the topics she has brought in an innocent tone with the person elder to her by almost half a century, he can muster spirit just cogent for manifestation of a forced smile. The `undaunted chatter-box` now comes out with a lollypop, “Mamaji, We should invite your friends for tea sometime next week, while Mummy as well as Mamiji are back here with us.” He just smiled over her suggestion. He knows well that there is no use in locking horns with persons of this type of nature. He thinks that the silence on his part might mean acquiescence. “But the peace of mind is more important, “Amir Chand solaces self. Next morning, as they sit for their cup of morning tea with biscuit, Anupama says, “Mamaji, it is Wednesday, you have to attend to your patientsat your clinic in the evening, so I’ll keep in mind that I am to be home definitely before 4.00 pm But I have a request to make; please make changes in the scheduled workings for this Friday and Sunday, so that you have some more time with your nephew Nishchal, who in turn will feel elated on account of this gesture of exhibiting the feeling of closeness for him.” Mr Amir Chand again feels perturbed, as he had been dragged out from the realm of relief he expected to have, as before going to bed last night, he had decided that on the Friday morning he will leave the house as usual for the clinic and won’t come here to stay;whereas he may talk to Nishchal on the phone line while staying at his own house, on Saturday. He might visit him on Sunday after the usual hours of his clinic till 2.30 pm. He considers it most appropriate to give the recently married couple as much time as possible for remaining stuck to each other. So, once more he has to explore for him some excuse to get away from the situation created by this `arrogant girl`, who seems to care a fig for his elders to live as they want to. At dinner time, she asks if he had put up the requisite notification for the temporary changes in the working hours of his clinic during thenext two working days for the clinic i.e. Friday and Sunday. Though this reminder vexed Amir Chand to some extent, yet he remained composed and tried to make his own point of view be known to her. Therefore, he speaks softly, “Beta, you will be having a naturally provided companion, who is certainly in a better position to look after your security needs.” “Mamaji, all of us are educated people who can express their opinion on suchlike matters in an unambiguous manner. I have been brought up in an atmosphere where clarity of thought and frankness of opinion is appreciated by all and sundry. So please do not mind my frankness. I think that I have read your message even without needing the medium of language.” She looks towards him, with a mischievous smile on her lips. Finding him unmoved and inarticulate, she speaks out, “At present, you are occupying the room used by your sister for sleeping and resting. Now, tell me, in case Mummy instead of you had been here, definitely she would not have ran away on hearing the expected arrival homeof Nishchal on this weekend. So, I don’t see any difference it would make to my privacy when my husband, the same person shares the bedroom with me, while you are here in Mummy’s place.” This plea makes the elderly look with blank eyes into Anupama’s face. She looks more emboldened when she resumes her frank expression while inviting her `Mamaji` to come to her rescue, as she says, “I thank my stars that this time instead of Nishchal’s mother, you are here when my husband comes for a very short period to spend some time with me. I expect you to support my view point while opposing Nishchal’s demand relating to planning the child immediately, without caring for my career that depends on my passing the M.Phil within a period of six years from the date of Ad-hoc appointment, three years ago. Mummy supports her

104 son, without listening to my pleas. I have tried my best to stop coercing tactics employed by him every night, much to the detriment of my emotional health. I am sure that both son and the mother are aware of females needs.” Marking signs of helplessness in the adored guest`, she softens her tone and says, “OK, I shall initiate discussion on the matter with him immediately after dinner, but certainly before it is time to enter our respective bedroom. You may just enter into the dialogue, as and when you deem fit, as I am in favour of an amicable solution TO this rancorous issue in between our marital life. I believe that wise couples do not settle such things between themselves while keeping off their kin away from such delicate and to somewhat private but certainly personal matter. AmirChand feels bankrupt of words at the momentand considers it wiser to sit with downcast eyes. It makes the young woman feel victorious, as is evident from her declaration, “My parents fully support my viewpoint. Of course, they have the knack of moving along the times. They agree with the stand taken by me and also are in favour of pronouncing openly that in reality every one of us admits the futility of the ritualistic sermons around in the air, while the couple in the formative stage is just sitting and participating mutely during the proceedings being watched seriously by few persons. Therefore, the so-called social binding should not have moral sanctity to keep the parties to the marriage as we are quite often subjugated to this type of forced unity, achieved through coercion, through a veiled threat to `accept or die of hunger`. .” Thus, the `Bahuji` succeeds in bringing round her `adored Mamaji` to be witness tothe moments that might prove to be the `fission point` to split apart the unity of the two young lives with heterogenic ideology. Amir Chand stops motionless for a while, ostensibly tohold his breath, but actually to check if his nephew Captain Nishchal has by then arrived, as he is now back here after closing his clinic as usual at 8.30 pm. A gentle press at the button of the doorbell makes the door open ajar and the emergence of the young Army Officer to bend down to his `beloved Mamaji`. The affectionate touch of the oldy’s arm make the strongman enter into the `warm hug` followed by a continual pat at his back; and also enjoy betrayal of the welling of the `tears of joy` into the corners of Mamaji’s eyes. Chirpingly, Nirupama welcomeshim with the words, “Mamaji, why are you so late, when you had already been requested to be here well by the time Nishchal is expected to be home?”

“Of course, my child had informed me well in advance about our Capt Saheb’s coming home anytime this afternoon, but my loyalty towards my clientele obliged me to deliver to them all that I can. Work is worship for me. Now, I am hundred percent here with my young children. So, what’s new, Captain Saheb? Now, we shall be having the full day tomorrow at our disposal, so that we enjoy unhindered.”

Anupama hastens to say, “Actually, Nishchal has so far withheld from both of us some good news. He is adamantly doing it to give hype to my temper. Mamaji, please order him to reveal that news without any further delay; I am issuing an SOS. Both the listeners produce a giggle and then Anupama clutches the man’s wrist to give the `jawaan` (an Armyman) a few jerks. He says, “Please, offer some drink or fruit to the tired person, before we sit for the dinner. I am also not in a position to withhold it from my adored kin any longer. By the time she returns from the kitchen to the lobby area where they are right now placed, Nishchal announces, “Ok, right here, we celebrate the good news over the `drink of my Mamaji’s choice`, as he happens to spot three bottles of aerated drink of different brands. Mamaji picks up the lemonade flavoured soft drink bottle and pours the content into three glasses. Then, he declares, to the health of `secrecy to be busted`, right now!” Having gulped down a sip or two, he looks into Nishchal’s face with an interrogative look. At this, the happy Captain Nishchal announces that he has been awarded out- of-turn promotion and also will be given next posting at some family station, close to Delhi, in the next few days. Till then, I will be reporting for my Ad-hoc duty at Headquarters, in Delhi Cantt.”

Anupama feels like clinging to his broad shoulders to stamp a spate of kisses, but the presence of third person around compels her to restrain her pent-up emotion; and she just expresses her ecstasy, Congrats, Major Nishchal Ruia!” Amir Chand extends his left arm towards

105 his nephew, “Come on, my child.” The youngman tilts a bit towards him to receive his blessings via an affectionate pat at his head.

As the dinner was being served at the table, Amir Chand was busy contemplating about the possibility of Anupama not initiating the contentious matter between them, at least this very evening. He wished it to be a peaceful night for them.

Of course, the very next morning, when they gather at the breakfast table, Amir Chand asks his nephew, “In the past many months, we have been reading in our newspapers about the Chinese incursioninto Indian territory; asthey have been seen as constructing a medaled road almost along the Pandong Lake. Our papers are pointing fingers at the Government’s inefficacy. I had read somewhere that one-third of this 375 km long lake is in our control, whereas the rest lies in China. Have you ever been to those areas? Of course, I have not only an extensive tour of this area, but have always been prepared to smash the enemy.”His Mamaji says, “But the political bosses have so far been indifferent to it.” The young officer feels annoyed at the remarks, “Mamaji, in fact, such things always remain under our radar and we do whatever is within the purview of local commanders: Of course we are to seek area commander’s permission to move heavy machinery like bulldozers. The one who take quick and most urgently needed action are even rewarded in the form of out-of-turn promotion. Their cases arealso decided as quickly as they did their job at the site.”

Amir Chand smiles and fear-stricken wife of the proud Army officer’s almost clings to the shoulder of her husband Nishchal, who speaks out, M’a’me Ji, “ They say, God helps those who help themselves; and He commands us to protect our motherland. Thus, there should be no cause for any sort of fear in the soldier’s life. I’m proud of assisting my colleagues to defend almost 47 square km of our legitimately owned land at the height of more than 15000 feet from the sea level in Ladakh region of the state of Jammu and Kashmir,in protecting it from falling into the clutches of inimical neighbour China. Thank God, he provided me courage to swoop on the usurpers, who had entered deep into our territorial limits at a little distance from Pangdom Lake that runs partially into the territorial limits of both the country; more than 125 km out of the total length of 375 km lies in our country’s limits.

When Gaura and Amir Chand find themselves closeted together, each apprises the other of the newer facts, learnt in the other’s absence. However, he remains on the guard lest he might feel tempted to bring to his lips the pathetic appeal made to him by the `Bahu Rani` of his sister Rukmani, during his stay at their house. “I won’t let myself be dissuaded by any oblique reference to Anupama’s attitude towards me, come what may,” he has already resolved.

106 FIFTEEN

Today, there is an extraordinary vigil around everything in the precincts of Patiala House Courts, New Delhi. Perhaps, some dignitary or a dreaded criminal is expected to arrive for appearance before any of the 30-odd courts situated in this complex. At the main entrance court, a luxury car, with CD number plateand the Commonwealth flag hoisted at the nose of its bonnet is seen approaching the alert guards. The chief guard at the main gate salutes and the driver takes it as a signal to move on. So, it stops underneath the canopy. The chauffeur is the first to alight. Then, he opens the rear door of the car, to let the three persons deboarding one by one without any embarrassment. One of these persons is Ms Ratana Kundra, flanked by two stout persons, whose body language is suggestive of performing the duty as her special guards. At a few steps away, they are accosted by Sub-Inspector Munna Singh ready to lead his witness to the designated court’s room. Close to the threshold of this room, Mrs. Kundra happens to spot the `Abhilash’s accomplice`, now engaged in conversing with two police officers standing alert before her whose prying eyes stare into Ratna’sface. Ratana dithers at this point, but her guards encourage her with the words, “Absolutely no problem, m’a’me.”

She is taken to the front row where her guards take their position on her left and right seats. After a couple of minutes, Abhilash, firmly held by two stout policemen, steadfastly intertwining the accused’s hands with their own, each holding his one hand with that of the accused, is brought into the court-room to stand in the box. He feels that the doors of the courtroom were immediately shut after he crossed the threshold. His curiosity impels him to have a cursory look at the faces of the people present there. He knows that he can freely move his neck around only till the Judge’s seat remains vacant. He has marked the presence of his father SubhashArora with Lalima and Pratima seated beside him in the last row of seats. Somewhere in the middle row, there sit Maya Auntie and her brother-in-law, a blind fellow. In the front row, there sits, Ratana Tandon, his onetime classmate during schooling.

As the judge appears behind his seat, entering fromthe ante-chamber, all the persons present in the room rise on their legs and remainstanding alert till he has seated self in the designated chair. The Reader of the court places before him the cause list for the day. He puts his signatures at the beginning of the long list, as a token of his having seen the complete list. Then, he shoves this pin-stitched sheaf of papers towards the Reader, who takes it as a token of his responsibility on his part to call these matters turn by turn. Many people presumably know that the person already in the box is the first one on the cause list, as shown on its carbon copy hanging near the door of this courtroom. But the formality to announce the title of the matter is duly undergone, byway of Reader telling the Orderly, “State versus Abhilash Dua,” and setting him in motion to walk up to the door and looking outside announce at the height of his pitch these few words. The investigating Officer, Sub-inspector Munna Singh is seen looking into the Public Prosecutor’s face, who indicates towards the lady whom Ratana Kundra had suspected to be an accomplice of Abhilash. Ratana is intrigued to speak her name and designation to be recorded by the Judge, as she speaks, “Sir, I am ACP Madhu Bansal.” Having noted down these words, the Judge directs her to get her entire statement recorded in one go. Every attentive person in the court-room m listens her state how on getting a tip from her `reliable informer`that the conman is in the trap laid in Bukhara restaurant for him. So I took my position at the table, supposedly booked by his `his agent`. When he reached the table, I came there accompanied by his ` agent` to finalize the deal for 1 kg of heroin. We continued taking starters of his like and were in the process of discussing the modalities of the `transaction`, when alady in her early forties abruptly appeared into our cabin. In a few seconds, she succeeded in attracting Abhilash’s attention by addressing him in his real name, otherwise he was discussing incognito, by already introduced himself Viney Arora. The moment the words, “Mr Abhilash Dua, I believe that we have been classmates at Xavier’s during our schooling,” as spoken by the lady were heard by both of us, we

107 looked amazedly into each other’s face. To escape from the awry situation, Abhilash rose up in a huff and just mumbled, “Excuse me,” and then hastily walked away, placing his right hand in the pocket of his trousers. In his absence, I used my `machine` to get the vibrators under its control at that point of time, to alert their holders, spread around in that dining hall. I was at a little distance when I found the `most wanted criminal` in a besieged situation, as he hadn’t been left with any escape route. As per our plans, the smooth running business activity of the prestigious restaurant was to be taken care of, to the maximum possible extent. I marked the notoriously fugitive getting emotionally ready to pull out his hand holding the revolver. By this time, my team had succeeded in compelling the `man to take his steps out of the limits of the restaurant. Considering that here the chances to cause the loss of human life would be minimal, I announced, “Mr Abhilash Dua, you are under arrest. Now, surrender or suffer forever,” and simultaneously I pointed my revolver at him. In another couple of seconds, we were in the vast lobby. I repeated the warning, but he could not desist from the charm of fleeing from our virtual custody. I shot at his ankle tothwart his mobility. It was at this stage that he threw away his revolver, before pouncing upon the `agent for heroin deal`. Three men of my team used kicks and fist-knocks to subdue his wrath. “

Immediately hereafter, Ratana Kundra was respectfully asked by the Public Prosecutor to answer all his questions; and he began, “What’s your name?” “What’s your address for correspondence?” “Are you Indian Passport holder?” “Do you know any person by the name of Abhilash Dua?” “Please look around and then answer if you can say it with definite determination that the man is present here in the court room? “Please point out at the man you believe is Abhilash Dua.”

A few other questions to identify that the sole companion of her former classmate Abhilash in the cabin of the Bukhara was none else but the lady who has deposed before the court as AcP Madhu Bansal. She was cross-examined by the defence lawyer also, so as to save her of the botherationin coming to India especially for this purpose, once again.

After this, the Judge picked up the next case file; and the policemen made a move to take their prisoner out of the court. Abhilash looked towards his sister Pratima with an endearing glance, heaved a sigh and then went off haplessly being dragged by others. Ms Ratana Kundra too followed her escort deputed by the Commonwealth High Commission. She stops aside her father and aunt Maya Tandon who had stood outside the courtroom to exchange some courtesies with her. Subhash,who had spotted Maya seated in the middle rows, but could not imagine that Maya Tandon was on record the local contact for the Prosecution Witness number 2 in this case.

Instead of thinking on the line of contacting Maya to get the information as to how she happened to know this `specially protected witness of the prosecution side, he unfortunately landed into the memory of unexpectedly indifferent treatment meted out to him by Maya, onetime his `sweetheart`, during the prior two meetings. It made him develop a strongly embittered view of this shrewd lady.Soon, he embarked upon the scheme to malign her by pointing to everyone who knew this lady that there exists an impious relationship between her and her brother-in-law Madan Mohan.But none would take it in good taste. This type of reaction from all and sundry was `unacceptable` to him. He went into depression that took a toll of his memory. Pratima blamed her sister Lalima for this `pitiable` condition of their father. Ultimately, Lalima thinks of approaching `her Vibha Didi` for finding some solace for self.

These days, Sheetala too remains seriously engaged in ruminating over her past deeds and the consequential permanent damage to her reputation.At the moment, she is tossing with the pros and cons of making her appearance before Subhadra, Ujjawal or Madhukar who had never responded positively to her advances towards him during her college days. She is sure that Subhadra would have supported her Stand in case Professor Rawat appreciated her feelings for him.“Therefore, I cannot expect a whole-hearted apology from his end. It was why I quietly slipped from my counter, the moment I marked from a considerable distance that Madhukar Ji who would have `proclaimed me a fraudster`, very many years ago. So, I would be committing a

108 blunder if I venture to accost him, because he can shout at me. But my natural love for the child, who developed in my womb, over 18 years ago, impels me to move closer to her, fondle her as a kin and if possible, stamp a few kisses at her face. She is my only issue, though not begotten through marriage or at least conceived from a loved one,” Sheetala tells self.

Suddenly, it occours to her that she can collect further information from various sources, bit by bit, about the `her child’s so-called step-mother`.It emboldens her to hit the point that her secret meeting with Professor Vibha might prove fruitful as the lady would be talking to her withnon- partisan attitude.Luckily, Sheetala happens to be apprised of the fact that Professor Vibha owns the apartment she lives in. The top floor of the building that houses Dr Rawat’s sister’s family is owned by Vibha’s elder sister Mrs Poonam Gandotra, a school teacher, whereas the apartment on the first floor of this building is owned by Vibha’s younger brother. All these three floors were built by the widowed mother for her three issues. Sheetala is confident that this lady teacher Ms Poonam Gandotrawould turn up to be her onetime class teacher in 7th standard.

Amir Chand is busy in attending to his patients, as usual, in his clinic. These days, Harvinder Singh also likes to spend some time with his friend here, though occasionally. This evening, there is a surprise for both these friend. Firstly because Harvinder happens to mark the arrival of `Ramo` (Rani Mohinder Kaur), who chooses to move towards her `Vinder Ji`, after quickly finishing the formal courtesy of saying `Namaste` to her doctor . Secondly, she is introduced to Dr Amir Chand as my very old friend, comrade Rano, a staunch follower of Karl Marx. My elder brother Professor Devinder Singh always depended on her support for getting his ideas pushed through for publication in the official journal of the Party.”

It takes Amir Chand some seconds to prepare an appropriate response, in the wake of sudden appearance of a person in an entirely new context, after being known to him as his patient for the last couple of years. The doctor who has been treating her for Asthma knew a little about Mahinder Kaur’s past. Of course, he hasalready been given to understand that she is not a regular resident of Delhi; rather she comes to stay at her grand-daughter’s residence in the neighbourhood, for particular occasions. Now, as she has been introduced to her by Harvinder Singh, he is in a position to attribute some incidents happening sometime in her life, during the past, as narrated by Harvinder to him, decades ago.

Thus evincing no interest in her being a friend of his `chummy`, Harvinder, he is just laying due stress on the facts only pertaining to extent of her physical malaise and the relief reaching her through his quick diagnosis and also the patient’s cooperation in the treatment that included the adaptation of the new regime of lifestyle. Harvinder is much pleased to watch the way his friend has kept this wild, but well-read woman tamed for years.

While alone in his bed-room, Amir Chandhappens to indulge into rumination over the reports received from Harvinder in Canada, during their days of youth about the insistence of a lady of Indian origin for entering into a solemn marriage, though she had already twice placed before him `her chastity on a platter` for his enjoyment.As the time went by, such reports of enjoying sex with her at different places in an entirely different milieu each time was the order of the day. He always referred to this girlfriend of his as Rano, though he knew that her real name was Rani. Now, he recalls how this patient ventured to impress with her knowledge of Homeopathy when visiting his clinic for the first time accompanied by her grandson-in-law Ishant Jagotra, a renowned caterer in the area, already father of four daughters, remarried after his first wife’s death.

This thought leads Dr Amir Chand to recall the grand-daughter of this lady, occasionally accompanying her to his clinic. He recall that once that young lady had asked him if there was remedy in the Homeopathy system of medication for improving the chances of regaining fertility in the case of a woman whose menopause stage is more than a decade away. He believes that his counter question had impelled the lady to change the topic. Now, the answer to that query raised by him can be supposed by way of `peeping into the information` already passed on to him By Harvinder, a good number of years ago.

109 Harvinder could not reappear at his friend’s clinic for a prolonged stay with Amir Chand, the day Rano had surprised both the friends with her sudden appearance there, as she had directly asked him to move out of the clinic for a few minutes, when she had been handed over by her doctor the pack of medicine for a fortnight; and then in privacy outside the clinic, also had desired his company for the rest of the evening. So, today he revisits him `with an earnest desire to be pardoned by his friend for his insolence` committed during his visit last time. His `confidante` chummy smiles away the formal request with a friendly inquiry “I am sure you had been seduced. Wasn’t it so?”

He tells him that she desired the chance meeting to be utilized to enjoy like `intimate friends`, as they had been during their prime period of youth.Amir Chand ejaculates, “My dear, you are young even today. How is her life going on, here in Delhi?” A little later, Amir Chand congratulates him on being lucky to have some hours of romance with his `retrievedlove`.

Next morning, Amir Chand woke up under the impact of moroseness left behind on his mind a nightmarish experience. Sliding away the curtains, he looked through the large glass- paned windowto mark the sun appearing at the front wall of the top-end floor segment of the opposite house; and too his surprise, the table clock shows 7-30. Before he could get up to move towards the kitchen to find out, if his wife is ready with the tea, he feels like recalling “what it was that made me wake up.” Then, an image of the situation he wasexperiencinglands on his mental screen. He remembers that he was having a dosing bout, otherwise trying his best to remain alert. It makes him tell self, “Yes, the man on my left too was trying to maintain his equilibrium to stop falling on me.” Again, it occurs to him that he was sitting in a big congregation hall, where all the persons were wearing whites only. The gathering had a clear-cut division on the floor for males and females. There were innumerable rows of persons in both the segments. Then, he looked behind to seethat he was almost in the last few rows. Close to the dais, there stands a youngman, in white Dhoti` and Kurta` (a bottom garment to cover the entire lower and Indianised shirt for the upper body) supported with a Saffron-coloured stole spread over his shoulders. He is also wearing a `Rudraksha` garland (herbal seeds, strewn with a thread) around his neck. It means that this man holds the post of a priest in this gathering that seems to be of mourners. He believes that it does not relate to anyone of his family members, because in that case, he would be occupying the place in the front rows. Amir Chand thanks God for this relief, but his curiosity makes him search for the `framed photograph` of the person being mourned by the assemblage, a couple of days after death. Yes, it’s the photograph ofthe lady, last seen by him around 20 years ago. She was wife of his onetime close friend, Mr D.K.Luthra. He feels sorry for the bereaved family of his friend, but a jolt awaits him as he marks that the young `Pandit ji` (priest) silently stands looking serenely at the audience who are supposed to be attentively listening to the `holy sermons and the commentary thereof` flowing from the speaker attached to a gadget, set on the`play mode` as its blinking lights suggest.

Soon, it makes him realize that around three months ago, one day around noon, he had marked this photograph in the advertisement columns of his daily newspaper under the caption `UTHALA/RASAM PAGRI`. The contents underneath carrying the message on the sad demise of the lady, Swaran Kanta w/o Mr D.K.Luthra, a retired journalist etc confirmed that it was same D.K.Luthra, who was his colleague for over 30 years. He called his wife to his side to read this insertion and then waited for her reaction. He was expecting her to suggest that they should immediately rush to the place where the congregation was to take place in Rohini area. But finding her reluctant to accept his suggestion that they would be reaching there, well in time to be amongst the mourners before the dispersal started. She knew that only a radio-cab taxi could transport them to such a far-distance destination. Of course, she pleaded that the amount of money and the sprain on nerves thus spent or suffered wouldn’t be worth the attention likely to be received by them, on account of their presence. Thus, the `project` was shelved for the time being, hoping to visit them after the bereaved family had `cleared the other tasks` relating to this incident.

110 For the whole day, Amir Chand remained pensive after having recalled once again his association with Luthra and also Sat Pal Kaura the other colleague of those days, whom he lost three years ago, on account of his death. Amir Chand maintains that Kaura remained nearer to his heart because of their natural affinity and for believing in and also practising a fair amount of sincerity towards each other. It was he who encouraged him to practise as a Homeopathic doctor, to spend partially his post-retirement leisure hours in the service of immediate community. “Of course, I had got myself registered as Homeopathic practitioner, during my posting in Guahati, having undergone three-year postal diploma course then, with a view to utilize this knowledge for treating and curing my friends and acquaintances only. But to extrapolate its scope was undertaken by me only on persistent suggestion to this effect coming from Mr Kaura”, Amir Chand tells self.

Having been trained for teaching, Amir Chand felt that he does not have flair for becoming a successful teacher, so he started looking for new avenues for earning his livelihood. He happened to mark that a group of known corporate houses holding Newspaper business had entered into a joint venture of establishing a training institute for the journalists. Besides the in- house personnel, a few fresh entrants were also being inducted into this programme. Thus, the nature had brought these three youngmen in their early twenties together to be colleagues, as being placed in the same batch for Reporting, Writing and Advertisement in Part 1 of their course, while going in for Editing, Printing and Cultural Heritageof India in the following semester as PartII. Thus, during their practical training to work in mountainous towns, they were accommodated in one room for a fortnight stay at Missouri. It was here that the seeds of friendship were sown.

During the next two decades, they often recalled their on-foot

111 journey from Rajpur to Mussouri, as a part of their training programme. They liked to be stuck together during entertainment slots. By chance, a small group of women were also being trained, after being in service for almost five years, in different organizations. The shrewd women had taken a suo moto initiative to extend hands for friendship with their group. Thus, sometimes both these sex-based groups would mingle up to form a `larger interest` entity.While back in their own room, these gentlemen would like to indulge in any two joining to make fun of the third one. Thus, such pranks would also form part of their reminiscence of togetherness in the past.

Kaura and Amir Chand were taken into their service by a Delhi-based newspaper in 1964, while Mr Luthra was taken by another newspaper based in Chandigarh in 965. However, it may be taken as one of the grounds for Luthra drifting away from the companionship of the other two. Thus, Amir Chand proved to be the sole confidante of Kaura’s sorrows and agony, perpetrated by his incompatible wife. Amir Chand believes that his friend Sat Pal Kaura had to pass through the most agonizing period commencing three years prior to his death. The impact of the disease known as Parkinson’s that manifests itself through the shivering of any one of the extremities of the human limbs. It has no permanent cure, except for a temporary relief by way of administering sedatives of strong potency. Soon, the patient gets used to this doze, and then he requires either the higher potency or the quick frequencies of the drug.

Amir Chand had noticed that his friend Kaura began taking 12-hourly doses; when it became ineffective, the gap between the two doses had to be reduced to 10 hours. his The reduction of the gap between two successive doses was reduced till the medicine totally lost its efficacy for this patient, who looked around for help, but could in no way express himself as by then the disease had taken toll of his tongue, legs and arms. Kaura was reported to have spent the last two months of his life in a very pathetic condition.

Quite often, Dr Amir Chand recalls that the workable suggestions for the functioning of his clinic were his friend Kaura’s brain-child. By the time, the module framed with kaura’s guidance, had successfully worked for over 12 years, his friend had one day asked him totell him if he was facing any financial problem in running this clinic on `demi-charitable` basis. Doctor had proudly hugged his friend On hearing from him that in case he needed some philanthropist to share the financial burden taken on by him exclusively on own shoulders so far, it could be now arranged by inducting someone into the procurement of finances. “My dear Sat Pal Ji, now every penny that is needed to be spent on medicines, packing materials, stationery, cleaning operator’s charge, newfurniture etc is reimbursed from the collection in the Charity Box, when its seal is taken off on the 31st of March every year, in the presence of the committee formed from the list of patients who visited most during the previous calendar year, either for self or considered to have visited by proxy through their wards on the Identity Cards. This time, Doctor had taken an oath in the presence of thisseriously ailing friend of him in his bed that he will manage and maintain the clinic till his last breath, in this manner. Thus till date, Amir Chand’s clinic does not compel any patient to drop some amount into the `Charity Box`, in lieu of the free medicine they are taking home. It has been left to the patient’s conscience, whether or not to drop something at that given time. The notice to this effect, jointly drafted by both these friends will never be redrafted, the doctor swears.

On every successive day of hearing on the State Versus Abhilash Dua, Mr Subhash Arora has been sitting at the back bench in the courtroom of Patiala House District Courts. He looks helplessly at his son who, in turn furtively looks in his direction, while entering or exiting from the courtroom. Today, the matter is posted for final arguments on the evidence on record. The defence lawyer is trying his best to find faults /contradictions in the statements given by almost every witness in the court and the original complaint that forms part of the FIR or a substantial variation in the statement of two or more witnesses on the same point. Sometimes, he chooses to harp on the already beaten note, claiming the illegal way of the Police reaching innocent persons like his client to lift the so-called accused unnecessarily to be taken to various other courts to waste time of these honourable courts, where they may be later on found not the actual person who committed the particular offence. In his reply, the Public Prosecutor says, “My

112 learned friend must keep in mind that this court is trying the accused in the matter that lies in its jurisdiction. There is no need for the Police to explain why a particular officer had been deputed for the purpose of laying the trap. There is no illegality in engaging the culprit into parleys over the subject he might be otherwise be interested in. before or after the meeting. Our intelligent officer sprung into action, the moment she found an appropriate occasion to nab the culprit in some other crime for which he had already been declared proclaimed offender. The appropriate person to identify this proclaimed offender had been provided by the nature in the form of a person addressing the culprit in his complete name with reference to the institute they studied together.”

Of course, all this legal jargon for Mr Subhash was just Greek. Anyways, he was there simply to send signals of solidarity with his `nor-e-chashm` (as valuable as one’s eyesight). He followed at a slow pace his captivated son a few steps from the court’s threshold in the covered portion of the veranda, where his son’s defence lawyer accosted him, “I think, Bhai Saheb, you are Abhilash’s father.” Mr Subhash heaved a sigh of relief and the Advocate took a step or two to indicate to his clerk, “Munshi Ji, take this elderly to our chamber. I am coming in a couple of minutes.”

By the time, Advocate Manchanda reaches his chamber; his client’s old father is kept engaged in passing on information by the Munshi Ji (Advocate’s clerk) regarding the progress and the possibility of the relief to his son. Now, Subhash looks abegging into Advocate Manchanda’s face, whereupon the latter speaks, “Yes, Mr Dua, till now Abhilash’sfriend, an old client of mine, had been paying my fee and the overheads on your son’s behalf. But at the time of last payment, he had let it be known that all that he owed to Abhilash had been repaid by him with that last instalment that covers my labour upto this juncture. Now, if the verdict in the case does not meet our expectations, we will have to file an appeal against this court’s judgement. We don’t know who is authorized by Abhilash to follow the progress and also make the payments in that eventuality. Better, you visit your son in jail, of course after going through all the legal formalities and seek his instructions on this account. I hope; Ihave made my position amply clear to you.” With these words, the lawyer turns his face towards the other party waiting for his turn to be attended.

113 SIXTEEN

Having returned home after meeting Sheetala at her Poonam Didi’s flat, in her school’s complex, Dr Vibha Ratra sits with a heavy heart. Now, she is to face an entirely unexpected situation that might turn murky if not handled with due caution based on subtlety; she thinks. “There is no doubt that the information received by me a few hours ago, in no way conflicts with that I had already got from Madhukar Ji prior to our joining our hands for wedlock. Rather the fresh facts may be construed as extension of the chain of events earnestly communicated to me by Dr Rawat. But the problem lies with my act of allowing Sheetala make me bound down to a solemn promise of secrecy. At that point of time I remained under the impression that she was not asking for much. Now, I find myself reeling under the impact of the probability of `annoying my sweetheart` by hurrying into a promise without considering the pros and cons of the task I was going to undertake,” Vibha tells self.

It had so transpired that when Vibha at her Didi’s residence, she marked the presence of a lady of her age whom her Didi introduced “Ms Sheetala, onetime student of mine. I found no difficulty in recognizing her after she bowed and stood with folded hands before me, like a docile pupil in the class, during the gone by days. Actually she has come to see me for the first time after passing out of our school. She is even today a chatter box. During lunch, she requested me to let her make a solemn confession. I asked her to go on, but she requested me to send for my sister, as she remembers you having seen you here during your school days, then. Taking it lightly, Poonam had rung Vibha to tell her that some old acquaintance awaits her there. Here marking the presence of a third person unknown to her, before Vibha could express that she does not know her, Sheetala rose to welcome her and extending her hand towards the M’a’me’s sister, she had yelled out, “Hello, Dr Vibha. I am Sheetala, a pupil of Ratra M’a’me. Congrats, I am very glad to know about your accomplishments from your elder sister. I am really happy to have seen you once more.” After a little pause, Sheetala looks towards Poonam M’a’me before declaring, “Please let me confess before you about the happening something odd in my life. I believe you will preserve my statement as a secret of my life, because I repent my doing some misfeasance which has proved to be the bane in my life. Unless, I confess, I won’t be forgiven even by God.” With these words, she fell at her teacher’s feet, whereupon both the sisters also simultaneously helped her to sit in between them. Then, Poonam implored her pupil to continue her solemn confession. “I assure you that neither of us shall ever divulge before anyone your confessional statement.”

Thus, the Ratra Duo is made to listen attentively to the narrator, Ms Sheetala, “During my college level studies, I happen to fall in love with a classmate Madhusudan Rawat who hailed from Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh. Our intimacy was matter of everyday talk amongst many students. During one winter vacation, wetook a short trip to Delhi, Jaipur and Agra. This 10-day-long round the clock companionship made us cast away all frontiers of modesty andfind ourselves ready for each other to join the nuptial arena, just under a fake assumptionof soon initiating to draw plans for taking a plunge into matrimonial relationship, immediately after Madhusudan secured some reasonable job for earning a regular livelihood for both of us. I was studying in India in my capacity of a ward of an NRI (Non-resident Indian) as my parents were engaged in business in Canada. Thus, I enjoyed ample freedom in the absence of parental control in India. During the next winter vacation, we planned to go the Ghazipur, stay in a luxury hotel before moving to Madhusudan’s village to seek his parents’ blessings. We spent a couple of nights together in that hotel. Here, I was introduced to Shiv Swaroop Rawat, a cousin of Madhusudan, who kept visiting us, in hotel for two days. In the morning of third day, Madhusudan and I agreed that the man should go alone to his village, talk to his parents and return in the evening. In case the circumstances at home were favourable, he would return by the time it is too late in the evening. It meant that both of us would travel the very next morning to the village to seek his

114 parents’blessings. Otherwise, he would be returning soon, well enough to catch the night bus to Lucknow. Then, after a few days’ enjoyment there, we would return to Nainital. Around 4-30pm, Madhusudan returned to hotel with a very dreadful news. I was shaken from top to toe, when I heard from him that our lives were in great danger, as the faction leaders of the area that covers over a dozen villages around ours were by chance already engaged in session to regulate the temporary cease-fire obtained with the intervention of the District Magistrate last year, after the burning alive of a girl of the lower-caste with one boy of the higher Hindu caste, who flouted the `Khap Panchayat` traditional directives to enforce separatism. Madhusudan tried his best to assuage my fears by telling me that these `Khap Panchayats` had no legal locus standi, but I kept on harping that we should immediately flee from there To ensure that we were out of those rascals’ access. I started packing our baggage, whereas Madhusudan sat etching his temple sporadically, maybe engrossed in the exercise of finding some `sure-shot escape route. Ultimately, he took my face into his palms and spoke endearingly, “Sheetal, I have just found one solution to be quickly out of the rural rustics. But in that case, we may be travelling by bus the whole night.” “Okay, no worry,” I had spoken with a sigh of relief. Within a period of 15 minutes, we had jumped into a rickshaw to take us to the bus terminus. There, he had counselled to avoid talking unnecessarily during this long travel Next morning, when we alighted from the bus, it came to my notice that we were in Nepalese territory. We had landed in a town inhabited by around 3000 persons. We kept ourselves busy like affluent students of some far off University. We were enjoying like `lovebirds`, chirping around, tasting food of different variety, taking no notice of our daily expenses. One day, he mooted the idea of planning for the back journey; thus the immediate need to count our money in hand and also sufficient amount in our bank at Nani Tal to pay immediately the next instalment of college duesetc. The reckoning resulted in bringing forth asense of despair. Next morning, when we were packing off, some old friend of Madhusudan employed in a tourism office of a reputed tours and travels organisation, bringing a group of travellers from various states was seen as making inquiries at the hotel’s counter. They shook hands very warmly, and then I was introduced as my love Sheetala. He reciprocated my `Namaste` with “Good Morning, Bhabhi Ji.” After a short while, he took Madhusudan’s wrist into his hand and took him aside, leaving me behind. I marked him getting him introduced to someone in the group of persons who had just now entered into this hotel in his company. As I was standing at a considerable distance, I could not decipher for my consumption the words being exchanged there. In order to mitigate my boredom, I indulged in evaluating the dresses and the ornaments worn by those three ladies; it also impelled me to observe their menfolk. They too were wearing branded garments. All the three wore heavy rings. There was none else in that group. My sweetheart had stayed there for a minute or two before returning to me. Here, he asked me to accept his friend’s hospitality which included Lord Buddha’s birthplace, as per their belief. I saw no objection to extend our stay at his friend’s cost. Thus, we were taken around the places we had not yet visited. Those six persons were also taken around in a bigger vehicle. We were never at the same place. But I could mark them distinctly from a distant. When we were in our bed at night, Madhusudan said, “Sheetala, my friend whom I got you introduce this morning, has placed before me a proposal for entering into a deal that could let us an amount in the vicinity of ‘rupees one crore in Nepalese currency. If you are interested in earning this huge amount by working here for nine or ten months, we shall be rich enough to purchase a small apartment in a decent colony of any big city, where it is not very difficult to find employment. The problem of paying rent that could be almost 30 percent of our earnings would be solved overnight. This logic of enjoying the ownership of a house at the very start of our lifetogether seemed to us a very romantic idea. We indulged into day-dreaming about the `good days ahead` to such an extent that we forgot that we hadn’t yet taken our breakfast. A bellboy knocked at our door to tell that breakfast would soon be taken off the buffet tables. So, we hurried to the dining area, where the tourism employee, whose name was not readily coming to my tongue was marked by me. Meanwhile , the man Indicated with the display of a small brief case with a smile on his lips. Madhusudan whispered to me, “He tells that cash is ready. We can settle the deal and receive the advance money in cash, right now. So, we went up to him. He stood up to greet me in his humble tone, “Bhabhiji, welcome to have accepted my humble offer of this simple hospitality.” I smiled, and completed the formality of acknowledging the gratitude expressed by him, with the simple phrase, “Most Welcome!” This type of response was fashionably in circulation, those days.

115 When we had taken our seats on the opposite side of the table, he hurriedly placed before us a medium-sized brand new brief case. Turning its opening towards our faces, he spoke, “Please see for yourself the contents. I didn’t move my fingers to touch it, but Madhusudan lost no time to unzip the case, wherein wads of currency notes of the denomination of INR500 (Indian Rupee), found their place packed methodically packed with the use of a beautifully bounded note-book. Two Parker pens were also lying inside the upper flap-pocket. In a whispering tone, my companion asked me to check any three wads, picked up randomly. During this process, I had also counted the number of wads in each row and by multiplying that number with the number of rows. It meant the entire money amounted to INR10 lakh. When he pulled its flap down, his friend was heard saying, the receipt to acknowledge the delivery of this amount is lying in the note-book.” Thus, both of us understood the purpose of placing the note book in the middle of the four rows. Madhusudan lifted up the cover of the note-book and we found a type-written note, above the revenue stamps affixed at the bottom. I read that this receipt was being issued by me (Sheetala w/o Madhusudan Rawat of Taptapa village, Ghazipur district in the state of Uttar Pradesh (India) to acknowledge that I was accepting the sum of INR 10 LakhAs advance money for my agreeing to participate in the project, detailed in the legal agreement annexed alongwith. I understand that the balance amount of INR 50 Lakh would bepaid to me in parts, during the progress of the project towards completion. On receiving a nod from my companion, I put my signatures and then he was asked to pick up for use the other pen for signing against the words: witness, Name and address in India and Nepal also.”

Here, she provides a short pause to prepare self for the sadder part of her narration, and then suddenly re-embarks upon the self-sought for confessional statement of hers. “Thereafter, the tourism services provider opened his large brief case and took out a file to be placed. I noticed that these legal papers readied to be signed by the parties to the agreement. He acted very briskly to reach at the last page of the bunch before our eyes. He pointed to the blank space after Serial No. 2, gesturing Madhusudan to put his signatures there. Then, he asked me to put my signature against Serial No. 1. I did it tamely. He picked up the file and placing it into his brief case, spoke, “Okay, in half an hour, my `Gypsy King` alongwith driver shall remain at your disposal for the rest of the day and take around for visiting the places of your interest. Thus, in half an hour, we readied ourselves. And the fateful journey began. Hardly we hadtravelled for an hour, whenMadhusudan complained of pain in his stomach. He was telling it again and again that the problem was shooting up. I asked the driver to take us to the nearest doctor that point of time. Without uttering a word, he turned the vehicle towards the right to go a few metres backwards. He brought the stretcher and we carried the patient to the casuality room, where we were immediately attended by the doctor. I looked around and noticed that it was a moderately sized hospital. The doctor gave him an injection and then indicated me that I should wait outside, as the patient needs some rest. They were doing some serious type of observations, so I moved away from Madhusudan. For two hours, I sat in the doctor’s consultation room, when a nurse was sent for this and giving a prescription to my driver, issued instructions for fetching some urgently required medicines from the lone chemists shop in the town. She did notlet me give some money to the driver; rather she forbade me to do so. I did not pursuethe matter further. After a couple of hours, I was called into the room, where I was told by another doctor that Madhusudan’s problem has been detected, well in time. “Let’s be thankful to God that you are available at hand. Now, it is open for both of you together to utilize our services immediately, to get the remedial surgery done in his case. This would require a few hours stay together for both the spouses in the hospital, right now. We are almost sure of succeeding in getting the remedial surgery done here, in our own OT. Please both of you remain here in this room. Of course Mr Rawat shall continue to lie in the stretcher. Your contributory support would be required to let us work to reach our goal, “with these words, the doctor went out of the room. I reached out to Madhusudan; and placed my hand on his forehead and then begged him to forgive me for the inducement from my side, without caring for your general health. I made a mistake many a time, when I kept you clutched into my strong fists, when you were required by Nature to go in for urination. I remained indulged in this very practice even till last night. Madhu dear, I may lay down my life for you. Please allow me to tell the lady doctor that I am ready for the cooperation to save my husband’s life.” Within ten or fifteen minutes, I was lying on another stretcher that stood at some distance from Madhusudan’s

116 stretcher. The clever nurse, having marked me scanning the room, spoke, “M’a’me, This much separation is needed for two doctors to exchange prickly from one person to other, while moving from one end to the other while administering small dosages of medicine. Please bear this cleavage for a little while. Then, you have a complete span of life to enjoy with him.” But I could not resist my intrigue to be expressed, and I asked if that was O.T. of their hospital. She clarified that there only sampling of blood etc would be taken for immediate tests, before proceeding to the `designated OT`. I was fully awake when a nurse was drawing blood sample from `my husband’s arm.Almost at the same time, a lady doctor was administering an intravenous injection to me.

When I woke up, Madhusudan was sitting in a wheeled chair, beside my bed in the small recovery room. I smiled at him and he reciprocated with a `flying kiss`. I could not muster enough power to speak out a few words. In a short while, a nurse appeared to take away Madhusudan’s chair from that room. I again woke up after a long spell that could not be reckoned in the absence of any gadget at my disposal. Of course, at this point of time, Madhusudan and his friend, `my employer` who had paid me 10 lakh rupees, were sitting in the chair at a little distance, where no other furniture, except a small table of modest height, beside my bed , in that room. Nurse was called in to attend upon me. As they were seriously looking into each other’s direction, while the nurse was mobbing up my face and hands with a wet towel, before requesting me to take some fresh fruit juice. In the meanwhile, I remained under the stress of an apprehension that my appointment under the project was not only being cancelled, but the sizable portion of the advance money already spent on Madhusudan’s surgery would have been paid out of the money in the brief case lying on that small table.Thus, in the wake of impending burden to repay such a huge amount to this `good Samaritan `, I could not relish the sips of juice sliding down my throat. After I had finished, and the nurse had left all the three of us alone in the closed door room, I feared a serious tiff over the mode of repayment of the debt. But to my surprise, the gentleman rose up from his seat, picking up the brief case, tilted it towards me, before unzipping it partially to form an opening. Then, he broughtthe ajar `treasure` right under my eyes. I was intrigued to mark the absence of writing pad and the pens. It made me have a full glance of the bundles. I found to my intrigue, the volumeof the case looked larger this time. I looked into my `hubby’s face`, who came to my rescue by announcing that this time the amount was 20 lakh, “as per our agreement.” I simply looked into `good Samaritan’s` face with a faint smile on my lips. He could read the affect of drowsiness on my face. Therefore, he quickly opened his folder pad, brought out a printed receipt to be signed by me, I heard Madhu asking me to put my signatures, he was telling me that he had thoroughly checked and counted the money. I signed at the blank place as directed by my companion. I think I might have fallen asleep immediately thereafter. Because, as I woke up again, Madhu was lying on the mattress spread over the floor. When he woke up, his first worry was to check that the brief case, placed beneath the bed cover, underneath his head was in place.We were served our breakfast in that very room, before shifting us to the private ward, where we had a separate room entirely for our use, till the period of convalescence. From there, we were shifted to an Indian town, however taking every precaution that none gets an inkling of the huge amount of money we were carrying with us. During our first night of stay, here I was given to understand by my dear companion that our recently earned money has been safely sent to Mahesh Swaroop Rawat, his cousin, already introduced to me, before our fleeing from Ghazipur. Then, I was also told that there we will deposit a large chunk of this amount in“your name by opening fresh accounts at various branches of a couple of banks, with the active support of Mahesh Swaroop for identifying you, at the branch offices, as he already has so many accounts in this town for business purposes. “Having done this, we reached Naini Tal,deposited twenty five thousand each in our personal accounts. Now, we had a sum of over thirty thousand for indulgence into an extravaganza of our mutual liking. I knew that Madhusudan had never travelled by air, so I insisted on going by air to any place in India for a week’s stay at a modestly tariffed hotel. We may use our ordinary mode of transportationto return to our hostels, well on time. Thus, ultimately, a programme that eventually evolved made us travel by a night bus to Delhi and from there a flight to Amritsar, stay for 4 nights in Hotel Saheb Ji, sightseeing and dreaming a good future with so much cash , recently acquired in advance to work for the project undertaken in the bordering area of Nepal. So, soon we had resumed our studies at Naini Tal. I was anxiously awaiting my menstruations, overdue for a week,

117 then a fortnight, ultimately when it was delayed for a month, I spoke to Madhusudan Ji who took it lightly saying, “Maybe, you have conceived. Don’t worry; we’ll rear up the child.” I began to shed tears. He began mopping my cheeks with the corner of my `dupatta` (female’s headgearlarger than stole dimensions-wise). When my sobs ceased, he tried to buck me up, “The Merciful is there too come to our rescue. He wants us to be brave the situation.” Tomorrow, we should tell to our group of close friends that we are going to have a baby. Let it be via a reckless laughter at our cost.”But after due deliberations, we devised a scheme to adopt a serious posture before our friends so as to win their confidence and sympathy, if needed. I confided to my fast friendSubhadra that I had inadvertently conceived from my boyfriend Madhusudan Rawat who hailed from Ghazipur District of Uttar Pradesh. Though Ihad secured a solemn promise of marriage from the male partner before entering into copulation and also the man was ready to go in for a `civil marriage` withme, without any further delay, yet I was in favour of getting the fetus aborted, keeping in view my family’s attitude to suchlike matters. Subhadra and her close friend Mr Ujjawal Pradhan who was my classfellow at that point of time had together heard this pronouncement from my lips, in the very presence of Madhusudan. All the four of us decided to take our senior Mr Madhukar Rawat, elder brother of Subhadra.He had heard for the first time that my parents lived abroad. We sought his opinion as well as assistance in helping out `the persons in trouble`. He talked in privacy to Mr Madhusudan Rawat and evolved a `pragmatic solution`. A couple of days later, we were advised by our confidantes to let the pregnant lady spend her time comfortably in a private house, rented for the `married women/couple studying` at Naini Tal Degree College. Thus, Madhusudan would frequently visit, particularly during weekends; whereas his mainstay at the University Hostel as essential criteria for pursuing the final year program would be deemed as an absolute necessity. Hardly two weeks had gone by when one day the `the ostensibly married couple` told their friends that Mr Rawat was taking me with him to his village, as he has already secured through one of his cousins a `safe conduct` for me. We were of the opinion that before the symptoms for pregnancy would become apparent through my body language, I would have found my due place in the family in his village. Before leaving our residence, we told them that we might not be able to fulfill our mission by the expected deadline that was the same as the date fixed by the college for us to submit the forms for the Degree examination for onwards transmission to the University. Therefore, we paid the advance house rent for the next year, to the house-owner, in Mr Madhukar’s presence. However, Madhusudan went alone before the deadline for filling up the forms for the University Examination; whereas I was expected to follow him after having stayed a couple of nights with my sister in Baghpat in Western U.P. Of course, I kept the word that I would join him at Naini Tal, as I was to sit for just the college-level annual examination. Again, as usual we were expected to go home immediately after the examination for a couple of days. Thus, ostensibly, we were moving towards our hometowns, but in reality, we went to Moradabad to stay there for a few days. One night, I once again initiated the unplanned eruption of the symptoms of pregnancy. Madhusudan tried to smile it away, but I expressed my apprehensions for not been able to return to the Nepali territory for accomplishing the project, in the near future. Madhusudan heaved a long breath, before taking me into his the strong fold of his arms. Then he spoke, “You have almost accomplished a major portion of the project. I looked into his face with bewilderment. Before releasing his one arm, he stamped a spate of kisses all around my cheecks, nape, and bare shoulders and then placing his free palm over my tummy he spoke, “You have already taken up your performance of the contract, here.” Struggling to tear away my body from his fold, I shouted at him, “What do you mean?” He remained unnerved for a few seconds, then trying to assuage me with the fake sincerity from his end, he spoke the words: “My only sin in the whole affair is that I didn’t take your permission for making you conceive.” I spoke, “Please, don’t make the matter murkier. What do you mean by telling me about the permission to make me conceive?” He looked intomy face sternly and spoke, “Now, look here and keep in mind for ever that you have contracted with a very rich person of India to let your ovary to develop a baby for him from that person’s semen Technically, this act of yours is called ` surrogating your womb`. In return, you are to be made richer by INR 75 Lakh in this transaction. Already a sum of 40 lakh rupees has been paid to you; the balance would be paid in two instalments, first instalment of Rs 30 lakh to be made when you deliver a sound baby and the balance of Rs 5 lakh would be paid to you when you actually hand over the baby to that family. Is it not in your interest to complete the project in

118 an honourable manner?” I felt myself in a precarious situation. I could not muster strength to argue or at least quarrel. So I switched off the light, turned my face, wishing not to be touched by him. But, a little later, I felt his arm approaching my breasts. I feigned sleep, but almost an hour gone, I asked, “In case, we repay him all the money, shall we be allowed to abort the sinful fetus?” He said, “As per contract he may ask for penalty amounting to five times of the contract deal. From where shall we bring that much money. In case, we don’t accomplish the project willfully, he may confiscate Mahesh’s commercial property, as the title deed of that building has already been deposited with him in a legal manner. I have already tendered my apology to you for the lapse on my part. Finding me mum, he pulled my body in a very gentle manner towards him: but I shoved him with the strongest possible push at my disposal. I climbed down from the bed in a huff, anticipating retaliation from his side. Then, I seated myself in the sofa chair. He was looking sternly in my direction. It incited a pre-emptive strike from my tongue, as I yelled out, “Your were pretending to be believer in the philosophy of parity between the sexes, whereas you are basically a chauvinistic rotten egg. How dare you defraud me of my chastity?” Damn your monetary gains and losses in the deal that involves chastity of a Sikh girl of Indian origin. Maybe born in the surroundings where the moral values pertaining to sex are different from the ones provided in oriental ethical code. Main purpose of my grandparents taking a recourse to sending this young child is to stay away from Western influences during adolescence. My father says, “Beti, you are legally and socially independent after attaining the age of 18 years, but always remain on the guard that you will never succumb to any sort of pressure coming from any direction to compel you to compromise with an assault on your self-selected code of ethics.” So, I challenged him to prove that you had my consent for what you have done to a true friend. I may quit this place, without taking any penny from you, nor shall I ever complain against you to the authorities unless you make any move to harm my body or soul.” Finding him silently looking at the floor, I rose up, picked up my wrist watch to read the time. Then I spoke, “Okay, it’s 11.00 pm. It’s unsafe for a lady to move outside the house. Tomorrow, I am leaving this hotel alone, around this time in the morning to contact the person who joined you in this malicious deal, for informing him that the deal stands cancelled.” Imarked Madhusudan trembling with fear of ignomy.After a while, he pulled the other chair in the room to make himself seated in front of me. I paid no heed to this act of his; rather closed my eyes to feign sleep. Nevertheless, I was fully awake, even to the extent that I could feel his movements in the room. Ultimately, he entered the toilet. Now, I assumed it obligatory on my part to keep an open-eyed vigil to prevent him do anything detrimental to the safety of either of us. He came back; reclined his back against the back of the sofa chair, with a view to enter into a dialogue to thrash out an honourable settlement for ever. As it became evident from his next step, “Sheetal, We have had enough of intimacy. Let’s submit to `His Will`. I am sure, you are ready for parting our ways. I still have faith that both of us believe in the supremacy of the humanistic aspect of life’s existence. Thus, I ask you to keep aside my blunder and ask your conscience if there is any legitimate power that allows you to smash the fetus taking shape in your womb. Who knows `this brewing life` might develop into a human figure being sent by Him to alleviate human sufferings, as being done by Him from time to time,” here Sheetala introduces a short intermission scan the listeners’ interest. She joins the giggles being produced by the audience, following Vibha’s query directed to Poonam, “Didi, your pupil has done good research on the history lessons taught in the schools at the elementary stage. Vibha also proposes that this break be utilized for taking some refreshing drinks. Poonam already knows choice of both these ladies, so she proposes that let it be a `coffee break`.

Having gulped down a few sips of coffee, Poonam asks her former pupil, “Sheetala, it means you want to convey to us that the actual father of Akshita is not our Madhukar, but someone else whose wife was unable to conceive, pfertilize and develop the fetus to form a baby that took the form and name of Akshita d/o Madhukar Rawat.” “Of course, that tiff with Madhusudan, during that fateful night of ours reached us to the point of a broader settlement that I will keep my appointment with the `liaison`,who was to issue further instructions to Madhusudan to bring ‘his wife` to the city where she would stay till deliveryunder the supervision of a maid- supported member of the `tenant’s domestic establishment. So, we reached Tirpur, a moderately- sized town, close to Chennai. This town at that time was a point of attraction for luring buyers and sellers of loom fabric, particularly `batik painted`. A small flat was rented out, usually to tenants of

119 our kind, where the tenant’s family member was to avail domestic facilities during her pre-delivery visits to the hospital, famous for its gynecology department. I had a separate room at my disposal, where my `husband` had free access. The second room, smaller in size, was in the occupation of an unmarried sister, somewhat older to me, of the person who was to become the `father` of the child taking shape in my ovary. The maid would sleep in the store-room, adjacent to my room. Whenever Madhusudan would visit me, both of us would take all precautions that our rift remains imperceptibleoutside our bedroom, where we slept in the double bed, without thinking about ever reviving relationship. So, the day arrived when I was taken to the Operation Theatre of the hospital. I was lucky enough to deliver a healthy female baby without any botheration. Madhusudan was looking after all my needs like a `good husband`. One night, while inside our bedroom, I whispered into Madhusudan’s ears that according to our contract, the man should relieve me by now, after making the balance of payment. He telephoned the `liaison` and heard him say that `tenant’s wife was in hospital and therefore he has authorized his sister to make the cash payment to your wife immediately and his sister shall take the child into her care and custody and would stay there till we reach there to fetch home the child and her `Bua` (father’s sister). Having received the money, I asked Madhusudan to help me see the doctor who attended on me during delivery, as I suspected some problem with my reproduction system. At hospital, the doctor advised me observation for a couple of days, so I insisted that he should return to college, because the time to pay the dues for the last semester was running out. He agreed also to take the money with him , leaving only one lakh with me for the present. He opined that better he would send for Mahesh Swaroop to take care of me and the money. I saw no problem, because I had already observed that man and his allurement for money. Thus, the `brother-in-law reached there to replace his for day-duty, whereas the night bed sharing was done by the baby’s Buaji`. Within the next two days, the money had been sent to my bank accounts via his `dasti` (By hand Payments) transactions from this very town. By this time, doctor’s consent had been obtained by `courtesy Naina Ji`, my newly discovered Naina Didi. Thus, I could reach Nainital, with a hired `Mahesh Swaroop`. There, I sat in the final examination , a few days later, I skipped from Naini Tal, on the false pronouncement of compulsion for going to Baghpat for seeing my ailing sister, leaving behind my child, with a heavy heart to be taken care of by the Rawat siblings.”

Here, Vibha asks, “I may assure you that Akshita would be always getting motherly treatment from this `circuitous Mom. Hope you too want her welfare. At the moment, I cannot make any commitment of bringing her face to face with you. Would you please elaborate for my satisfaction as to how you arrived at the final settlement with your Madhu Ji?” Sheetala had said, “Of course, the otherwise thoroughly gentleman Mr MadhuJi made it very clear that he would never claim any money out of that transaction, because he had not played his role fairly. Of course, during our chancemeeting in the lounge at Mumbai Airport, when both of us were travelling by the same airlines to take the two different flights to Jaipur, one succeeding the other by 30 minutes he had told me that he had learnt from his cousin Mahesh Swaroop that `ovary tenant’s wife` could not withstand the loss of so much money as well as the baby. The `liaison` too did not hear any complaint from any quarter with respect to this transaction. AsII had cooled down by then, I utilized the period of ten minutes at my disposal to find out if he was unmarried by that time; and having learnt that he was still unwed, I search if there was still some place left for me in his heart. I got a clear signal that there wasn’t an iota of it available for me there.”

120 SEVENTEEN

It is the first Sunday of July; of course the last Sunday of Nirupama Ruia’s here at Kasauli, a hilly town, having a tidy and orderly looking area for tourists, falling under the jurisdiction of Cantonment Board, for the civic amenities. Nirupama is to return to Delhi after having spent her almost entire summer vacation here in the company of her husband Major Nishchal, posted as commandant of his Battalion, since the first of May, this year. Now that she is to be off from here in an hour to take the flight from Chandigarh to Delhi around 3-00pm, Nirupama is busy in packing her baggage, whereas her husband is sitting at his table, engaged in clearing files relating to the Cantonment Board’s affairs, as usual on Sundays only, because on other days of the week, he attends to other duties of purely ascribed to the army tasks. Nirupama cannot ignore the irksome intermission when her husband looks around before glancing at his wrist-watch laced with a broad-band pure leather strap. She has been of the view that all army officers in senior ranks have a fancy for this jumbo dialed watch on their wrist to create `an awe in the junior ranks`, whereas she abhors the sight of the watch of this size on any person’s wrist. Maybe, it demands the same type of `awful obedience ` from her too; she thinks.

Having finished her packing task, she enters the dressing cabin to change her dress. Soon, she is out and sits upright in a chair at a little distance from her husband, who is engaged in his work, as if unmindful of his dressed-up wife. She draws a long breath signifying her `pathetic mental struggle` to fight the pressure of fleeing time. Finding no response to impress empathy from the devoted armyman, she speaks in a feeble tone, “Nishchal, it’s time for me to take the carriage from here to Chandigarh Airport.” He presses a button on a very small gadget placed to his left and speaks, Send the pickup.” Someone is heard answering on the speaker, “Okay, sir!” Within a minute, a gentle tap is heard at the door; “Come in! Command is issued from this end. A JCO ranked armyman enters the room; Makes his `presence known by way of stamping one of his feet before halting his entry and then simultaneously saluting before yelling, “Jai Hind Saheb, Jai Hind M’a’me.”Anupama is unmoved all through the time; her husband is issuing orders to his subordinate with respect to taking care of all her conveniences till she is allowed entry into the Security Checkup Lounge` at the Airport. This Junior Commissioned Officer is seen picking up her baggage already placed apart at a small low-height table and then looking around to know if anything else is to be carried away for placing in the army jeep. Having ascertained that only vanity bag is lying on the bedside in the vicinity of her two medium sized articles, already having been taken by him, he looks into Nirupama’s face and bows down before exclaiming, “Okay, M’a’me.” “Yes, move on!” Major Saheb has commanded, only after having marked a smile on his wife’s face. Both stand still for a minute or so, without any movement from their respective end. Both come out into the corridor guarded by the couple of sentries. They pull up themselves into alert postures after marking their commandant’s movement alongside his wife. They are seen by the driver from a distance as approaching the portico. By the time, they have stepped down to the floor of the portico, the sentry opens the door of the vehicle. Here, both of them are seen SIMULTANEOUSLY forwarding the right hand TOWARDS EACH OTHER FOR A WARM SHAKEHAND, before SHE ENTERS THE VEHICLE. The moment vehicle is off; Major Nishchal Ruia turns back towards his bedroom.

“The Madame’s looks grim, as if trying to cope up with the situation created by the compelling circumstances that have forced her to go away from her `just gotten husband`,” JCO Arun Kamakhya tells self. In fact, the lady having lost her 48-day-long battle, is inwardly completely devastated. Therefore, she is trying to concentrate on devising a new strategy that would mean `too convey` to Nishchal that the last battle may be reaching his door very soon, if he fails to take early steps to mend his ways of dealing with `her respectability`.She spends this 2- hour-drive to the airport repenting over her unnecessarily remaining confident of winning him to her side, sooner or later. The stress of the rest of the journey, where her personal involvement is

121 very essential, does leave no room for any grumbling or sulking over what had happened to her dreams during this married life for a little over six months. By 8-45pm, she was entering the IGI metro station to reach Rajiv Chowk for changeover into another line that would take her to Vaishali Station in Ghaziabad jurisdiction. Here, her mother-in-law would be already there to provide company for onward journey towards home. While at home, Nirupama’s mother-in-law asks her if she would like to have a cup of coffee or tea before sitting for dinner which is almost ready.

“No Mummy, I had my evening tea while our flight had just taken off . So, right now, I don’t feel like having anything.” Having communicated this piece of information, the daughter-in-law went into her bedroom. The senior Mrs. Ruia’s curiosity to get some detailed information about the air-flights keeps her waiting to talk to Nirupama, because she had never experienced this type of travel. So, she eagerly awaited Anupama’s appearance in the lobby area of the flat, as she quickly gives final touches to the dinner items. But the `bride` having been reminded of once again of the scene created by Nishchal on the strength of his sheer arrogance during their `first night`, here in this very bed-room made her sulk. Therefore, she reminds herself the vow that she was terminating the solemn promises made by both them during the matrimonial proceedings while accepting each other as spouses. This vow is as recent as the previous day, when both of them had honourably agreed to continue `to play spouses` at least till the time some tangible solution to their acute differences is not fount by both of them. It impels her to keep a tab on her overt actions , with a view to save both of their parental families from the unnecessary nonsensical social ridicules.

Having come out of her personal room, Nirupama enters the kitchen and initiates sharing the remaining task with the `husband’s mother`. The elder asks, “How long she was sitting in the plane from Chandigarh Airport to reach here?” Nirupama replies, “Hardly half an hour. Of course, the total time spent in reaching from that home to this home stretched to as long as 6 hours.” Then she was asked if the tea sold in the plane was upto your taste?” Nirupama says, “ Mummy, they provided the beverages free of cost, during the flight. They had three options for all the passengers. One may choose any of the three varieties. They had tea, coffee and mixed juice.”

Again, inside the bedroom, she found herself being hounded by the memory of the happening on the night when both of `the just married` persons were expected to shun the physical distance between themselves to `merge into each other`. Unfortunately it was not to happen, as the wordy duel started immediately on their being closeted could not be extinguished and they remained seated in their night dress , occupying seats in the chairs placed considerably apart; and none dared climb the specially decorated bed. The tiff had its roots sown by the paramount family tradition of taking the bride to the Ashram, for seeking blessings from the `Babaji`, in person before letting the newly-weds go home. As the return cavalcade starting from the bride’s house at 5-30am in the cold November morning had reached at 6.15am at the Aashram, they found that the doors of the ashram had not yet been opened by the security staff. So, the vehicle carrying Captain Nishchal and the bride, beside his mother and the younger sister, had to be parked in the open field for almost an hour alongwith seven other cars of this troupe? The bride’s sister-in-law, sitting adjacent to her, whispered to her mother Rukamani Ruia, “Bhabhi is shivering due to cold.”But this information was completely ignored. The bride let a short heave to signify that her discomfituremight be understood. She expected that her husband Nishchal would have felt the `blow oozing out` from her lips reaching into his right ear, on the immediate left of the driver’s seat. Of course, Mrs Rukamani Ruia reflected her `sympathy` by speaking in a very low tone, “By now, Babaji would have received her prayers transmitted through an SMS sent by her to the senior Sewadar on this account. It put on alert the already cautioned `just married girl` by a senior colleague when she narrated her elder sister’s story whose virginity was `muzzled at the altar of sacred touch by some Babaji’s holy body`, in the identical situation, almost a decade ago.

“Of course, I hadn’t any intention of spoiling our very special night in life together. It was him who showed furious face when I told him to keep in mind that the air tickets and other necessary

122 papers with respect to our honeymoon trip had been delivered at this addressed under signatures obtained from Mummy Ji by the travel agents almost five days ago. Do you have any idea about the timings of the flight? This simple and straight forward and question enraged him. It is crystal clear from his statement. I think he or his mother could have informed us immediately on receipt of the documents they had been ordained by their `religion chief` not to undertake any journey within the first fortnight of our married life. We could have got the papers changed accordingly, well in time. This plea of mine struck his `highly laudable` brain to shout at me, “Keep in mind. Here, everyone has to show due respect to `Babaji’s dictate`. We can’t run the risk of losing our peace and gains by flouting his advice. I could not help remaining silent and act as a docile pet. I giggled before placing my views with regards to such types of dictats by the persons whose task should remain restricted only to educate his disciple on morality of the highest order,” Nirupama tells self.

On the tenth of February, 2012, around 4.30pm, five persons, four ladies and one male, driven by one of them Mrs Vibha Rawat, approach the Reception counter of Hotel Dola Maru, Jaipur to check in for the two room booked by Supriya Ratra. They had begun their journey from their residence in East Delhi at 8.10am. The first portion of the travel, from home to ---, a distance of around 140km, was completed by Dr Madhukar Rawat in almost 3 hours, whereas the second portion measuring around 55 km was steered by Supriya Ratra in one hour and 20 minutes after having spent over an hour at the Mid-point eatery a popularly known stoppageon this National Highway (NH 8). Here, immediately after crossing the Ajmer-sikkar Road, Vibha took the controls of the travel into her hands to cover the last portion of around 70 km in 2 hours when her vehicle touched the inner end of the by-pass to avoid some of the crowded portion in the city area. Akshita is very much excited, as she is enjoying a long drive in the company of her `mausi` (mother’s sister whom she finds to be an endearing personality. Poonam too has been attracted towards the young girl, after having got such a long spell of company with her, during travel.

All of them are interested in attending the Literary Fest, 2012. Of course, this town, popularly known as `pink city` has already been visited by them, so the primary interest of all, barring Supriya, who is also interested to sell her franchise `FROST` to one of the few locally reputed tourism and travel establishment. During the very first session, Vibha happens to mark her Maya Auntie escorting her blind brother-in-law to the reserved bloc of five rows for the `most distinguished invitees` and the persons whose works have been submitted/selected for the appreciation; as Vibha Soon marks this person’s name being announced from the list in the hands of a lady before the podium fitted with microphone; and he is seen moving close to the dais for showing his face to the audience, numbering over 1000 persons. Vibha looks furtively towards Supriya seated to her left; and she pleased to mark that her sister-in-law’s posture suggests that she is already looking attentively towards the blind author, related through her own mother, but to Supriya it is through her mother-in-law’s pre-marital family. She feels proud of `being nearer` to this author than it would be in the case of Supriya who derives the relationship through her husband Kanuj who is at par with Vibha.

But Vibha is perhaps not in the know of the fact that Supriya had already met this learned person and not only had read all the fiction wrote by him, but had also heard from his very mouth the `oral fiction` created by this oldie, during his adolescence. Soon, the critic in his case, takes the `physical charge` of the author from his escort, to lead him to the two-staired high stage, to seat the author in the designated chair placed at the point where at the backdrop the digital display of signage reflects his name. He is expected to listen attentively to what is being spoken by the critic at the podium, as is expected to express his views by way of accepting, rejecting or ignoring the points raised by the speaker at the podium. Of course, he would reply only when the critic requests him to comment on a point immediately after he finishes that point. A remote- controlled microphone is handed over to him immediately after he is placed in the seat. Supriya happens to initiate the laughter when the critic declares, “I’ll first take up his very recent novel that a few of you might have read. The novel is titled `chit bhi meri, pat bhi meri` (Tails or Head, Both are Mine). Soon, the entire house sounds as running into peals of giggles. Being out of touch with Hindi, Vibha turns her face towards Madhukar seated at her immediate right, as if begging

123 explanationfor this spontaneous short laughter. She hears him say, “The title of this Hindi novel conveys a unilateral declaration “In both cases, I should be accepted as winner.” It was at this point of time that she felt like bringing a smile to her face, and also to justify Supriya’s spontaneous initiation into laughter because `being very good in Hindi` during her studentship under her (Vibha) in the college for English course. Of course, the `rule of natural justice that the virtually better placed sister-in-law` in the context of relationship, shall nowhere be pleased with self unless she has exerted her superiority, here stands satisfied. In such situations, the other factors like parity or otherwise of ages, qualification, earning capacity, richness in beauty or wealth etc do not play any significant role, while a sister-in-law compares self with her counter- part, related through their siblings. The contemporary social conditionsalways give an edge to one who is the wife of other’s brother.

At the dais, the critic draws the author’s attention to a couple of paragraphs picked up from Chapter 5 and Chapter 9, where critic finds a fallacy of contradictions in authour’s conviction. Then, he demands an explanation to this effect. The author responds, “Sir, I have nowhere claimed my convictions. I am a fiction writer. My first and foremost objective is to entertain the reader by way of placing before him many such things that he sees, feels or is confronted with , but lets them pass by without receiving any serious and concerted attention from his own end. Of course, it’s human nature to `mind one’s own business`. Thus, some people enjoy at other’s losses or woes. Such persons many a time remain under the `reeling of an ambivalent desire` to see directly or at least hear about the woes of their opponents in whatsoever field of walk they may be. So, they are always in want of listening sad news about others. In short, I would like to say that my writings in fiction tend obliquely to point out to the reader that `every dog has its day`. In Chapter 4, you read that the daughter-in-law has been nourishing a sinister design to push out the husband’s aged parents, close to eighties, out of the house they have been living since their marriage half a century ago; whereas in the Chapter 7, the same daughter-in-law is falling at the feet of her widowed father-in-law to make his feet retrace while he had readied self to cross forever the threshold of the very house where he has spent over sixty years of life. When you reach last but one chapter, you will reach at the conclusion that most of us are nursing a desire to see the recognition of our own accomplishments, needs, demands, views, desires, likes and dislikes etc to find prevalence upon those of theirs. Most of the timeswe are driven by this very force, though quite often inadvertently. Our overt acts are many a time apparently self- contradictory.”Sir, I always believe that through this fictional narration of mine my readers deserve the right to enjoy a sumptuous variety of characters and situations, to pick up at least something for their `chewing, digesting and absorption by their mind`.”

During tea-break, Vibha and Supriya nark this Hindi fictionalist getting surrounded by more and more from the audience. Though Supriya feels like talking to the man right now, yet she prefers to be in the company of Akshita who addresses her Supriya Mami these days and not Supriya auntie as before. Akshita says, “his novel seems to be interesting one, what do you say, Mami?”

“Of course, the title is much fascinating, but I haven’t read it yet; otherwise I have read four other novels of him. He was telling me that one of his previous novels is likely to have translations in English very soon.” Having heard this statement from her Mami, the young girl asks, “Do you know him personally?” “Of course, she has been my granny’s classmate; and he is your Mom’s distant uncle also?” “Yes Mami, I think I have been looking at this female companion of him, from close angles, during my childhood.” Then, she looks at Supriya and Vibha turn by turn, both of whom are smiling into each other’s direction. Poonam too likes to be brought into their chat, so she asks, “Akshita, this lady is my aunt too.” “Of course, Mausi Ji,” the girl replies and immediately asks, “Now, the skill, attained by me through solving geometrical propositions, enables me to understand that this lady is your dear hubby’s distant aunt too. Am I right? If so, you should have preferred to declare that this lady is your aunt-in-law. It gives you more nearness than you claim through your granny’s acquaintance with the author.”

124 Poonam jumps in, “Supriya is claiming her acquaintance with the author and not her own relation with his escort.” The smart girl chants, “Sorry, sorry, sorry! I jumped to an assumption that the escort could not be a family member of the blind person. Okay, then I claim that the author is my Mom’s uncle, howsoever distant the actual relation the intervening persons might be having. Thus, the so-called modern generation is not wrong in addressing every Tom, Dick and Harry as `Uncle`,” Akshita feels like having won the point. But Mr Madhukar dabbing the girl’s back, smilingly announces, “I believe the learned author might have revolved his plot around a character of the type as my sweet doll to justify the title, `Chit Bhi MeriPat Bhi Meri`.”

During the luncheon break, Madhukar swiftly goes out and soon returns with a copy of the book in his hand. Handing over the book to Akshita, he says, “In case you aren’t in a hurry to possess this book, you should give it to your Mami, who would read it first, though not at all under obligation to finish it at a brisk pace.” Supriya receives it From Akshita’s hands, but looks at Madhukar to say, “Thanks, Jija Ji.” His response is `Welcome, `Salhaj Saheba` (wife’s sister-in- law on her parental side).

Around dusk, this group is busy in having a close look at the items at display for sale, at various showrooms In Johari Bazaar. Ladies seem more interested in shopping than in appreciating the set-up of this `Pink City`. Therefore, he has opted out to stay put on the pavement, instead of giving company to the lady companions at the counters of various showrooms. Suddenly, his eyes catch a glimpse of Sheetala passing by, engaged in conversing with an old lady. He is upset for a moment, but soon gathers wits enough to attend to his own business of studying the hustle and bustle that he notices here, after a gap of 19 years during his last and the first-ever visit to this city. This thought brings forth the memories of that `educational tour`, during his studentship at Naini Tal. He happens to recall that he was fond of remaining in the group, formed inadvertently, by the four of them. Subhadra was fond of remaining in the company of either her brother or Ujjawal Pradhan who had soon become her spouse. Nevertheless, he is also conscious of the fact that he too was inclined towards Sheetala. He might have moved further towards that attractive girl, had she not deceived the remaining three of this group. His fascination for this girl was at the high tide at the time four of them were engaged chatting merrily around a table, enjoying `Pyaz Kachauri` at the BMB eating house in Bapu Bazaar area. She really looked an extraordinarily gifted female companion. He recalls that how much deprived of those charming moments he had felt, when Dr Shafih Ahmad, one of the senior-most teachers in their college, with the assigned powers of chief coordinator of this tour had come to their table to remind, “Well, the young guys, the time for evening snacks is already over. Please move out.”

At this point of time, his present time companions, the four females are seen moving out of a jewelry store. Madhukar looks towards them to receive a signal to the effect if this shopping is over by now. Of course, his `doll` Akshita` quickens her face too quench his curiosity on this account, as she holds her `dad’s` left bicep to whisper into his ears, “Dad, Mausi Ji has purchased a pair of precious stone studded ear rings that suit my face.” He replies, “Okay!” By this time, the other three companions of theirs have joined them. Supriya asks, “What the sweet daughter is telling her father in whispers?”

“Just relax, Salhaj Saheba. My doll wants me to take her to the M.I. Road where she is to select some dresses. Everybody in the world knows that Akshita’s demands cannot be ignored by me. I feel we should move in that direction.” They enter an outlet that has showcased various dresses of some famous brands. Akshita’s `parents are busy in helping their child pick up some really good dresses Here, Vibha whispers into her daughter’s ears to select some dresses for her cousins too. Having finished their job, all the three of them approach the other two companions for the formality of obtaining their approval. Looking quaintly into the youngster’s face, Supriya asks, “These shorter sized garments won’t fit you, shall they? “

The reply comes from Vibha’s mouth as she declares, “These short-sized dresses are for her cousins.” Both the ladies smile away the info. At this point, Madhukar says, “It is now the turn

125 of the grown up ladies to pick up at least one saree each of her choice, to oblige this `fellow traveller` of yours.”

As they reach the parking lot, to pick up their vehicles, Sheetala and her aged companion are alighting from a cab. Both Poonam and Sheetala happen to see directly into each other’s face. Their eyes meet; so the elder enters into a courtesy to accost her one-time pupil, “Hello, Sheetal!”They exchange a few niceties and curtseys befitting the occasion, before parting their ways.

Back in their hotel, they are sitting in the common area of the suite, where one room has been provided for the couple, whereas the other room, a larger one, accommodates the three females. Here, Poonam takes out from her vanity bag, a small box of jewelry and hands it over to her. The girl acknowledges her gratitude with the words, “Thank you, mausi Ji.” Madhukar asks, “What’s it, Didi?” “Madhukar Bhai, please don’t mind my overstepping your possession of `our` doll.” The use of the word `our` with a peculiarly twisted tongue and stance reflected through her eyes impels him to react in a mischievous manner, as he speaks, “Of course, they say that `Sali means Aadhi Gharwali` (wife’s sister is half wife), How can I resist my `worse half (the other aspect of the better half)?” It draws peals of laughter from all the companions and Madhukar keeps looking at them with a smile. When Akshita was about to leave for the night in the company of her room-mates, Madhukar marked her handing over to her `Mummy` the jewelry Box and an envelope covering the receipt cum guarantee document issued by the seller. Vibha has immediately placed into her vanity bag. Inside their bedroom, it was Vibha’s first business to show the ornaments to her hubby. His reaction was, “Who made the selection?” Vibha replies, “Our young daughter did it all by herself.” The answer startled the man andhis wife marked the reflection of his feelings on his face, so she initiated the explanation, without waiting for the next question from him. Madhukar often feels proud of their mutual relationship, as both are of the view that the beauty of relationship existing between the spouses can be felt by maintaining the mutual transparency at the optimum level.Thus, Vibha explained how her sister, who seemed to have come, prepared with the idea to give `her niece` some valuable article. “She prompted us to move a particular jewelry shop of her confidence, based of her previous experience here. There, she had beckoned the person at the counter to show some extraordinarily variety for the ears. The sales person asked, “M’a’me, should I show `Jhumkas`, ear rings or tops?” Her answer was `tops only`. When a few pairs had been brought before our faces, he began opening one after the other box. I marked Akshita looking at a particular pair with deep interest. I believe that Poonam Didi might have also watched the young girl feeling fascinated with the design. I can vouchsafe it as she politely told the child to just adorn her face with this pair. The girl obeyed without any hesitation. Then, she was asked to look her face in the mirror. All the three of us marked the spontaneous smile on her face. Then, she read the price tag, asked for the break-up details of the amount she would be paying. I heard her being told that only the rate of the gold varies from day to day basis, too be in consonance with the gold market rate. The Gold used in this item is 1.3 gm, today it is worth Rs 3626/- and the stones used , though technically called `semi-precious` , yet cost 2300/-. Then, the making charges cost the buyer Rs 1500/-. Of course, the different rates of taxes are applicable on these three amounts. These taxes accumulate almost Rs 700/- to make the so hefty to the tune of 8000/-. Didi used her card for payment, received the box and the papersto find their place in her bag. It was on our way, finding Supriya and me out of the audible range; she whispered into the girl’s earsthat tops had been purchased specifically for her.”

While in bed, both are engaged in recalling their experiences during the last three days. They have entered the bedroom, after having assured that none of the occupants in the adjoining room is likely to knock at their door. Nevertheless, neither brings into the chat the instance when Poonam had accosted Sheetala, while they happened to cross each other in the parking lot. Having talked everything, Madhukar is feeling sleep. So, he declares `Good Night` and turns his face aside in his usual way to accept sleep’s occupation of his mind and body together. Then, Vibha happens to recall once more the instance when her Didi was exchanging courtesies with her onetime pupil, Sheetala who was furtively looking towards Akshita, made out of her blood and flesh; and whose father the delivering mother had never seen. She thanks her stars for giving her

126 courage to tell her husband about all the detailed information she had received from Sheetala’s own mouth. She justifies her breaking the solemn promise of keeping the secret of Akshita’s parentage to herself, until decided by Poonam Sheetala and her jointly at some later date. Vibhais almost sure of having committed no sin in doing this act, in the wake of the possibility of the girl being misled by anybody in the future. Their joint responsibility towards the girl who is under their guardianship entails the duty of protecting her from all sorts of harm or danger. “Now, that he knows every detail of my meeting with Sheetala in the very presence of Didi, there should be no cause of any possible misunderstanding between us, at any time in the future.”

Next day, when Vibha had gone to Koya’spremises,she intended to check if their baby is awake. In case, if she is still awake, she will fetch it to their own floor, so that Akshita too would get a little time to play with her endearing child. Madhukar happens to recall Poonam’s chance meeting with Sheetala last evening at the parking lot in Jaipur. He thinks that there could be no fraud behind this chance meeting, as if somebody causing deliberately to bring Akshita face to face with Sheetala. “Anyways, I did no damage by hiding the fact of having the glimpse of Akshita’s `real mother` at the catering agency while I happen to be there for arranging our kid’s first b’day part celebrations.”

A couple of days later, one morning, Vibha receives a phone call from Lalima that her father wants to see her for discussing some personal problem. Vibha explained her difficulty to spare much time because her son needed her immediate attention for a few days in continuity, as he had to miss his mother for three nights, owing to her being out of the town. Then the caller had asked her Vibha Didi, if she has no problem in seeing the mentally upset person at her own home, hecan be brought there by Lalima’s husband, so that the immenent turmoil in their family could be averted. It made Vibha relent to some extent, keeping in view the possibility of Mr Arora creating a scene to secure a point for self, as it had been his habit of dealing with suchlike situations. Thus, she said, “Okay, I will reach your house at around 5.00pm and will definitely leave for my homeby 6.30 pm, where Madhukar Ji would be keeping the child busy till then.”

At Aroras, she finished the courtesies in less than 5 minutes and expects her `Papa Ji` to tell her what is his immediate problem for which she has been called. The old man has either forgotten the purpose of his calling for her or by now his problem has been resolved. He looks grim and pale. She is time and again looking at her wrist watch. Ultimately, she rises up to enter his daughter’s room. At this point of time, he opens his heart after controlling his sobs to say, “I have lost my son. It seems he won’t be freed in my life time. I seek a promise that you will perform all the funeral rites of my body, in my son’s absence.”

“Papa Ji, you will certainly live to see your son back home.” Vibha tries to pacify the sick oldy. But he rebuts her with a scold, “I am not a child to be pleased with `tifle tasalian` (pigmy solace being repeated). The time at my disposal is very short. Now, give me solemn promise, so that I leave this cruel world with the hope that my body receives the respectful sendoff at the pyre and the essential rites as prescribed by our dharma (religion) are not ignored to ensure peace for my soul after death.” Vibha’s emotions surge; falling at his feet, she begins to cry while uttering, “I promise to do all that is expected of a son, in our society.” At this point of time, he politely asks her to call Lalima to his room instantly, as he needed to let the daughter listen to what is being told to Vibha, in her very presence. Lalima enters his room and Vibha is asked once again to repeat the assurance she has just given to him. Vibha obeys without any hitch and then she begs leave of him, with the promise of returning to him in a day or so.

Back home, Vibha tells Madhukar about the solemn problem just given by her to the ailing man. Finding him silent to the extent that he manifested no signal to indicate that he had heard what she had said, she not only repeats her words, but ventures to explain her position, in considerationfor the affection received from `Papa Ji` and Lalima’s whole family. He says, “At face, there is no problem in daughter `leading the cremation of one’s father/mother by a daughter in the absence of a son. But the man already has two daughters from his wife. He could have chosen any of the two. I feel your act might antagonize both those ladies, whose natural right is being usurped by you. It may bring you a bad name in the society.”

127 She replies, “Have we forgotten that he played the role of my father before the holy fire, at the time of our marriage, in the presence of a large assemblage?”

“Okay, I concede defeat. Vibha dear, you have a wonderful style of convincing me, whereas outside the home, nobody can defeat me in debate.”

“Well, my dear sir, please keep in mind in debate you are aiming at winning a point, logically or sometimes illogically. Here, your concern is tosave your wife from falling into a trap, just for want of sincere counselling from the person who is liable to share all the `consequential rewards` for a foolish step of hers might yield.”

128 EIGHTEEN

It is April 20, 2012. The Junior Dargan couple, maternal uncle and aunt of Supriya, who entertained a 80-strong-gathering last Sunday to celebrate their Silver Jubilee Anniversary at the lawns of the Sports Club, are at present, being felicitated by Kanuj and Supriya during dinner at `dum pukht`, IN THE BASEMENT OF hotel Maurya Sheritan ON Sardar Patel Marg, New Delhi. In all, the party comprises of 10 persons, sitting around a big round table that stands in the second row from the point of your entry into the basement that can accommodate around 80 persons, as says the count of chairs, voluntarily done by their children, a little while ago.

In fact, these two teens are more inclined to spot and seek the autographs of the cricket players, staying in this very hotel to spend the night before the match they are to play at FerozE Shah Kotla grounds. Both the siblings are busy `hunting in unison` the players of Dare Devil Delhi and also their opponents Pune Warriors India. By now, they could succeed in reaching Rahul Sharma and Ashish Nehra, while these youngsters were sitting beside their parents, in the lobby area to wait for the rest of their party, as the hosts were yet to arrive at the hotel. This wait has been necessitated by the fact of their desire forjoining them to proceed together to the restaurant, where their Supriya Didi has already got a table for ten person reserved by utilizing internet facility.

Even here in the restaurant, having spotted Mahila Jayawardhne and Angeleo Methews dining in this very restaurant, these teenagers are very happy about their `find` of these celebrities. They approach the Sri Lankan duo for autograph. Having got their mission accomplished, one of the Dargan teenagers asks the players, “Sirs, may we know that despite here in the IPL, having been hired by two different teams, now going to play in the opposing teams for tomorrow, you are enjoying your dinner at the same table?””Perhaps, you are unaware of the fact that we are bosom friends, besides having been trained for `sportsmanship`. It has provided us capability to fight for victory during playand forget the rest. Bother not about our personal equations, while being in arena.”

Almost at this verymoment, their Kanuj `Jeeja Ji` is recalling the presence of Mr Vichitar Budhiraja, ex-player of cricket, standing in the company of two other players, one of whom he knows as Morne Markel of South Africa. He had spotted them outside the entry to the `Bukhara` restaurant, when their party of ten persons was proceeding towards their destination. This man, Mr Budhiraja, having got a glimpse of Mr Dargan was propelled to move a few steps towards Dargan’s way to have a handshake. Though he would have clearly marked the presence of Supriya, walking aside her uncle, he ignored her presence all together. Kanuj feels like finding for his own satisfaction the reason behind this callous attitude towards the lady, with whom this man was seen so anxious to exchange cordialities, barely a couple of months ago.

Of course, he remains on the guard, while keeping engrossed into the task of watching every movement of the fellow, whose smartness was devastated by his Vibha Didi, while`this nefariousuncle` held Koya’s future to ransom, by way of withholding his consent to recognize Dheeraj’s marriage with Koya. Just a single telephonic call from the `fearless intelligent lady` made the `rascal lick the dust. After the war had been won by Koya for self and her child, Vibha had one day narrated how she succeeded in vanquishing the `demon`. She had spoken into his ears through her cellphone, “Vichitar Bhai Saheb, please recall that once you had come to my office to express your anguish against one of my younger colleague. You had used all the vulgar and indecent words at your command to impress upon me the `truthfulness of your baseless woes`. I have by now thoroughly inquired into your charge that Ms Koya wanted to usurp the wealth of your nephew Dheeraj Madhok, whom you claimed to have reared up since he lost his parents in the Canada bound Air India Boeing747 plane tragedy in 1985. Both Koya and

129 Dheeraj have corroborated each other’s version of what they know about your intentions and the immoral practices, under the garb of falsely claiming your nearness to top politicians in both the major parties.The benign forces helped the `naturally clubbed lovebirds` voluntarily get their statements recorded through a legally approved procedure. In case, you are unaware of the sections of the IPc (Indian Penal Code), likely to drag you to the various courts `to face the music` inviting your attention to the alarm heralding long stay behind the bars, maybe till your last breath.”

While ruminating over what he had observed with regards to Budhiraja’s overt actions last evening at hotel Maurya, Kanuj tells self that it tends to prove that like many politicians, Budhiraja too is a timid person loaded with strong predatory instinct. Kanuj decides to go alone for the followup of this `intriguing stance of this man who otherwise looks normal in every respect.

Next morning, when the schools re-open, Rukmani goes to the school where she had her last posting to collect some dues. There, she learns that Lalima Arora’s father expired day before yesterday. Lalima had her previous posting here. She had a good number of friendly contacts with many teacher of this school. She had always been in good books of Mrs Rukmani Ruia, the headmistress. She asks for her address as per school records or if someone is ready to attend the Uthala ceremony of the deceased father of Lalima, please talk to others ; in case I can get information on the date and venue of the gathering, I would like to go there, in that person’s company. Within the next few minutes, two lady teachers came to see their former headmistress. They outrightly offered to accompany her, after the school hours directly from there, as the ceremony is scheduled to take place today itself.

By the time, the three ladies alight from the three-wheeler arranged by the retired headmistress, the programme seem to have already started. Amongst the many ladies, in the few front rows, all clad in white from top to toe in white, Lalima had been spotted almost instantly. One of the headmistress’s companions spoke in a whisper to the other, “The lady sitting on the left of Lalima was the lady who performed the last rights of the dying person. The other says, “Yes, I know that she is divorcee of Lalima’s brother. Mrs Ruia says, “I remember that she was working as lecturer in some college of Delhi, when the unfortunate marriage broke up and a mutual divorce was being planned by both the parties. But, I fail to gulp down the inforegarding the divorcee daughter-in-law was projected as performing the last rites at the funeral pyre of the deceased supposed to be done by the son of the deceased.”“They say that Lalima’s brother is in a jail, facing multifarious criminal charges under various sections.” The headmistress expresses her intrigueover the strangeness of the situation, wherein a divorcee wife is acting proxy for her onetime husband’s father at the cremation ground. Soon, the sermons from the `Purohit Ji` (priest) conclude and he indicates to the stage manager to take controls over the pedestal mounted microphone. The moment he is seen there, woman in black-coat reaches close to the dais. The manager, before makingany announcement, gestures towards the lady in black coatto stay put in her seat, for a while. She goes back to her seat, `luckily notusurped` till then, otherwise she would have to be on her legs for another five minutes. Having done it, the manager announces that the main and the most essential ritual that signifies our collective oneness with the bereaved Arora family is to take place right now, in the form of `Rasam Pagri` (adorning the head with a turban , of the person who had lit the pyre of the mortal remains of the deceased). Please be kind enough to pay your benign attention to watch the proceedings with your solemn prayers for the departed soul. Three ladiessitting amongst the closest circle, rise up to climb the dais. One of them stands a little bit apart from the other two who are daughters of the deceased. Then the manager announces, “Sisters and Brothers, I pray to all the persons in the assemblage here, please don’t mind the deviation, desired by the deceased immediately before his death. The family feels itself duty bound to respect the last wish of the dying person. Now, Mr Subhash’s in- law’s side are to hand over to `Prohit Ji` the cloth to be used for the ritual. Immediately, an old man sitting adjacent to Sitar Chand rises from the frontline mourners group to move upto the priest. The latter takes it, sprinkles a few drops of holy water before chanting some `mantras` (holy sermons) at the cloth, unfolds it and hands it over to the two sisters, who stand still during the period the sermons are being recited. Then, receiving the signal from the manager, both

130 proceed towards their third companion, named Dr Vibha Ratra, as introduced to the assemblage by the manager. By the joint effort of the duo, this stol is placed on the shoulders of the learned lady, Dr Vibha Ratra, standing still with downcast eyes, trying to control the dripping tears, as the increasingly exerted pressure on her lips is suggestive of this fact. Immediately thereafter, the stage manager speaks out, “ This was the first part of the deceased’s last wish, whereas Subhash Ji had also wished that the will written by him should also be read over by his Attorney Miss Kitab-ul-Nissan a noted advocate immediately after the Rasam Pagri is over. So, please continue your benign presence to let us complete the rest.

The lady in black coat rises to the dais; bows a little to the audience, before uttering a single word, “Thanks!” Then, she commences her job of reading the will, written on the stamp papers, held by her in hand:-

I, Subhash Chand Arora s/o ...... r/o ...... hereby declare:-

(i) that the `WILL` as given belowhas been written by me, without any pressure, coercion or inducement, exercising my right to dispose of my self-acquired assets (moveable as well as immoveable)in the manner I deem fit (ii) ; I also affirm that I am in my sound mental as well as physical health. I also affirm that the property as mentioned hereunder is fully owned by me and has also been acquired by me through personal earnings. It is free from all encumbrances. (iii) I also assert that I am competent to pass on this self-earned property to the person/s of my choice. (iv) That I hereby debar my son Abhilash Dua from sharing with his sisters any part, portion or segment of my property. (v) That the entire property shall be vested, at the time of my death, in three persons, namely Dr Vibha Ratra, the divorcee of my son Abhilash Dua, my daughters Pratima and Lalima, and none else. (vi) That the inclusion of Vibha Ratra, the said divorcee in the list of beneficiaries after due consideration of the fact of Vibha agreeing to my proposal, seeking her consent to me been permitted to perform `Kanya Daan`, the prerogative of the real or surrogating father, at the time of her marriage with Dr MadhukarRawat. That all the three ladies as stated in the above Para are entitled to jointly acquire, amicably divide and then singly own one-third of the estate, comprising my immoveable property as mentioned above , bank deposits, jewelry in my locker etc. (vii) I also affirm that this is my first and the last `WILL`.

Witness (1)

Witness (2) signed by

Subhash ChandARORA

Dated:

Immediately thereafter, the three beneficiaries huddle together to announce in one voice, “We have extinguished the differences, grievances, claims or counter-claims of whatsoever against one another and promise one another to live like real sisters fromthenceforth. Thanks!”

It had so transpired that almost a month before his death, Subhash had sent for Vibha and her husband for some urgent talks in the presence of his two daughters, at his residence. This meeting had been called by him after having talked to his daughters, with a view to secure their approval to his proposal for the division of his assets. His plea before them was that he wanted to ensure that neither of them would ever thereafter grudge nor resent his decision over the sharing of his property, acquired solely through his own efforts. When the

131 girls had shown their pleasure with regard to his formulae to divide the property equally between the three persons, he made his intention clearly known to his kin, with the support of the fact that Abhilash wouldn’t be permitted by his circumstances to make the righteous use of the property being left behind him. He also pleaded for his good daughters to be content with what comes to their lot,assuredly straightaway without any legal fight with one or the other sibling.They were also notified to them that he had not yet written his `WILL`, whereas the word in circulation about it having been written substantially in favour of Lalima alone, is utterly false. He maintained that having been convinced of the fact that his conscience impelled him to believe that Vibha should get her ex-husband’s share.

Then, having received Vibha and Madhukar beside his bed, he gave a call to his sons-in-law who had already been communicated about this proposed conclave. Thus, in a few minutes all the seven members had huddled to put their seal on the draft written by the deponent, in his own hand, for the purpose of forwarding this manuscript to a noted lawyer for preparing the legally sound draft for registration. Of course, all the six had agreed that this hand-written document would hold good, till the registered version did not reach their end.Today, what had been read out to the audience by Advocate Miss Kitab-ul-Nisan is almost the legallyformatted copy of what the deceased had written in his own hand.

On way back, Mrs Ruia, travelling towards homeis availing the company of the two school- mistresses with whom she had reached here, had learnt from them that Vibha Ratra looked very impressive holding an earthen pitcher, clutched firmly in her hands while escorting the dead body, laid on the wooden plank, duly wrapped and tied to the plank, being carried on the shoulders of four young males from the social circle of the family, the rest of the crowd walking swiftly behind it.

Back home, Rukamani Ruia, cannot help recall the reminiscences of what she had gathered through her own senses, during the period she was in the socially essential assemblage organized by the Aroras to mourn the death of their head of the family. Of course, she had spotted Maya Tandon amongst the close relatives in the white attire, as she wasbusy in surveying the faces in the audience, while the `Purohit Ji` was concluding his speech. But at that moment, She didn’t feel any need to accost Maya M’a’me, after the solemn meeting ends, for engaging in a courtesy dialogue with this onetime immediate boss of hers ,during the days Kamini had entered into the job.Later on, when the ladies were busy in `socializing`, Mrs. Ruia felt some female’s hand affectionately touching her shoulder; she turned about to finds Maya’s face smiling towards her. She bowed a little and was immediately into her senior’s snuggle.During the preliminary exchange of courtesies, Rukmani learnt that Dr Vibha Ratra was her niece. Immediately thereafter Maya had let her know that she had information that Ruia’s daughter-in-law, a teacher in college, had been student of Maya’s younger daughter-in-law Sonica. Thus, both enjoyed the `at par status` to their satisfaction and parted to meet others. She had also marked Maya being received very respectfully by a very old person, at least 80, as per her estimate. Her curiosity to this effect was soon quenched, as Lalima accompanied with that man was getting all her friends, colleagues and maybe some acquaintances. In a while both these persons reached them with their folded hands for thanking them for the support to the family at the time of bereavement. This tall oldie was introduced by Lalima as “My `TayaJi`; my mentor and my former boss,our most respected Ruia M’a’me.”

These thoughts lead Ruia to a mental disposition that needed to realize the urgency of more care and affection for Nirupama.

This evening, while back home, Amir Chand having marked his Sanwari somewhat indifferent towards him, pleads to be excused for the undue delay. Softening her attitude towards her husband, Sanwari says, “Rukmani called to tell me that she needed urgent consultation on some important issue. Twice, I tried to encourage her to throw some hint with regards to her urgent and immediate problem. But I found her reluctant to open her mouth on this account. I understand that `blood is always thicker than water`. Now, I leave it

132 to you whether or not it is worthwhile to call back at this hour of the night. Then, during the breakfast hours, Amir Chand’s cellphone rings; and the caller’s Id shows Rukamani’s name. The person at that end is saying, “Bhaiya, Nirupama had left for her parental home for a few days stay and was expected to return home, at least a day before her summer vacation ends. As she didn’t turn up on the appointed day, I presumed that she might have gone directly from there to the college to return home with the baggage well before evening. I rang her cellphone, but the phone was picked up by her mother, to respond in a very casual tone. It made me worried about her health. Naturally, I asked, “How is Nirupama?” The answer shocked me. The lady shouted at me, “ How can you dare shedding crocodiles' tears over the brutally marred health of my daughter?” With these words, she abruptly snapped the connection. I don’t want to disturb Nishchal’s peace of mind. Please, try to contact her and get her back to her place in the family, here.”He is heard solacing his sister, as he says, “Let me take some time to devise some mutually respectable procedure. As they say `haste makes waste`.”

Sanwari has time and again brought before her husband, the latest on the info pertaining to Rukamani’s daughter-in-law, Nirupama . Keeping alive the reminiscences of his recent experiences with the `mod girl`, during his last stay at his sister’s residence, barely a few months ago, Amir Chand feels helpless to make a start towards finding some tangible solution to her predicament. He is almost obsessed with the impact of the stories in circulation amongst a large section of middle-class Indian society. Every tiff between the newly formed spouses, if not handled cautiously, might tend to `culminate into lodging a complaint under section 498-A of the Indian Penal Code`. This section deals with cruelty against woman, with particular reference to `dowry demand`. But, the methodology of its ruthless implementation at the hands of unscrupulous persons engaged in the delivery of justice has wrought havoc for many youthful lives, during the past 30 years. Under the guidelines issued to the police, the first and the foremost requirement for the investigation officer is to arrest all the persons, named in the complaint. Unfortunately, none bothers about the panic this first step, aiming just to `assuage the feelings of the hurt bride`, brutally smashes `the emerging finery of tender sinews for mutuality` in between the newlyweds. Who bothers to take care of the innocent daughters and sons of others? The hypocrisy- ridden society aims to enjoy at the cost of ignorant. The moment the news about the tiff over any trivial affair in the life of a newlywed girl reaches the ears of one’s friends, relatives and acquaintances, everyone expects the estrangement to blow up to unimaginable magnitude. Therefore, the self-styled sympathizers begin to vie with one another in adding fuel to the fire, till the marriage reaches the status of `irretrievable breakdown of marriage`.

Mr Amir Chand is wary of such circumstances around the unfortunate well-read wife of his Army-disciplined nephew. But the availability of a breakthrough does not seem at hand.

Ultimately, the sisters-in-law agree upon the plan that Amir Chand and Sanwari should approach personally, the estranged daughter-in-law with a clear mandate from Rukmani to explore the young woman’s mind and make all efforts they deem fit at that moment to bring her around, for staying at her matrimonial home. In fact, Rukmani has already deliberated with her son, with whom she is in constant touch, over this `brief for Mama Ji and Mami Ji`.

At Anupama’s residence, where the duo reached after fixing telephonically the time for their arrival, Mama Ji and Mami Ji receive warmth and cordiality at the optimum level. Almost after half an hour, Amir Chand asks Anupama to return to the home that awaits her with open mind. It is marked that the lead for negotiations is firmly in the male’s hand, whereas his female companion Sanwari Mamiji simply keeps on supporting her husband. This stance helps them win the confidence of Anupama’s mother. The meeting ends on a positive note, expecting to see each other in a cordial atmosphere, very soon.

During the next few months, Amir Chand and his wife Sanwari were kept out of the circuit involving some other persons, Aiming at the very same target that meant to fetch that `darling` of Major Nishchal Ruia, of late being `used as `mantelpiece`for rest of the family.One day, suddenly

133 there appears an Army Jeep, from where an officer of the rank of Brigadier, with his Adjutant in the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, jumpdown to ring the door bell of Mrs Rukmani Ruia. Having checked through the window of her bedroom, the arrival of these high ranking officers in uniform, the strong woman is now almost sure that the storm has reached her doorsteps.

134 PART 4 MY DEAR SISTER-IN-LAW

135 NINETEEN

Dr Amir Chand, having parked his 32-year-old Vespa scooter in front of his clinic, finds to his surprise the presence of his `chummy` Harvinder, inside the premises. His visitor too had already found to his surprise, brand new furniture, tapestry etc, besides, the creation of separate examination room, pedestalled weighing machine and a self manageable one stretchable height- measuringgadget. Whosoever is interested in keeping his weight under check, may avail this free service. Dr Amir Chand knows his patients well, who have been nursing and nurturing every facility available here. The dream of these two friends has borne these fruits. The 15-year-old pattern that demands no onetime cash payment or monthly or annual membership fee from the patients in one or the other form is rolling on smoothly. The donation box is regularly unsealed on the end of every fiscal year. Both the friends simply passed the smile and chose to remain wordless, till around 20 patients reaching within the prescribed timings have been attended to by the doctor. Both the oldies rise up from their seats to stretch their bodies, before enjoying a very warm and much needed hug from the other.”Yaar, it’s ages I am seeing you!” Amir Chand asks his buddy; and in response hears him reply, “Actually, I had been planning to come to you, during the past few months. It was sheer lethargy on my part that stood my way to step out of my home.”

“”So, be ready to be penalized,” Doctor smiles into his friend’s face, before resuming, “This evening I must have at least two hours of your company.” The moment his guest yells out, “I bow before your command, my dear sir,” the doctor picks up his mobile phone to inform his wife, “Hello, Sanwari, Vinder reminds me the relishing taste of chicken curry he had in my company when he last visited me, over a year or so ago. So, please grant us your permission to dine out.” Harvinder is very much pleased to mark that his friend is living a happy family life, as the old man remains busy for a minute or so, sporadically giggling, supported with fun-provoking remarks. Having terminated the call at his end, Amir Chand smiled into his friends face to pronounce `the recently attained independence` to enjoy the evening together without any distraction. “Let’s commence our `much needed togetherness` with a cup of tea.”

“As you please!” Harvinder replies. As they were talking at random, during the tea, Sitar Chand’sreference comes their way. It propels Amir Chand to inform his friend that Sitar Bhai’s younger brother, Subhash expired a couple of months ago. I hope you already know that my daughter Pragya’s husband is from their circle. Anayways, I received the telephonic message well in time to be able to reach the cremation Grounds. As the black painted `rehearse van` approached the main entrance, all those waiting for it, slowly moved towards the persons, getting down the van carrying the dead body. First of all, it was a lady in white `Kurta and Pajama`, holding a pitcher in her hands. Then, the four youngmensitting in the van with the body, were seen as indicating one another to take the positions at all the four ends of the plank whereupon the dead body of their kin had been fastened, now to be lowered down a bit to be firmly handled by another group of four persons ready on the ground to take over the charge. By this time, the lady with the empty earthen pitcher had been escorted to the hydrant to fetch the water. Having filled the pot to the brim, the lady was seen with dripping tears to her cheeks, pacing slowly, with the pitcher firmly clutched between her hands, towards the point where she had left behind the corpse. the dead body by then had been brought to be carried on the shoulders for further journey of over 20 meters, led by the lady holding the pitcher, rest of the relatives, friends neighbours etc chanting `Ram Naam Satya Hai`, moving briskly behind the men carrying the plank, as per our Indian traditions.” Harvinder asks,”Had you ever seen ever before such a sight, where a female is to perform this type of rites at the funeral?”

“No brother, I had never seen or heard being spoken around on this account.” It was a new experience for me. Two days later, my sister Rukamani, who attended the Uthala ceremony told me that the `deceased’s Will`had been read out to the audience by Subhash’s Attorney,

136 making it public that the deceased had wanted his all assets to be divided equally amongst his three daughters, two of whom his wife had given birth, whereas the third one whom he considered as his third daughter, though this lady is the actually a divorcee of his son, who is rotting in jail.”

Harvinder is quick to reflect, “Subhash Ji might have assured her sometime in his lifetime to reinstate the unfortunate girl. To compensate her, he might have left his son’s share in this divorcee’s hands.”

“No Bhai Jaan, this divorcee, a highly qualified girl, had rather chosen to caste away his prodigal son within a few months of their marriage. Now, she stands married to an equally qualified person and by now they have got a male child also. Both of them are senior lecturers in the same college ofDelhi. Mr Subhash joined by our Sneh’smother-in-law played parents for this girl’s marriage in the Registrar’s Office. Even, as per Subhash’s `Will`, the duly attested copies of the legally registered document of `will` were given simultaneously to the three recipients in the very presence of their spouses, present at the dais. Here, all these three ladies declared in one voice that they had extinguished all their complaints against one another, as they were feeling sorry for what had happened in the past on account of their mutual mistrust.”

During dinner, ordered via `Home Delivery Service`, Amir Chand asks his guest as to how he feels about the quality of chicken. It propels the man recall the delicious chicken he ever had in the recent past was the one he had in Rano’s company at Jaipur, during their first sojourn, while on official tour planned by the party, in 2010. Of course, he had gone to the same restaurant, this February, with the expectation that the very same dish ordered this time would be as much delicious as it was barely two years ago.

Finding his friend inattentive to his query, the host repeated the question, “Tell me frankly, if the dish is not upto the mark, we can make another call to order something more tasty; can’t we?” “No, brother! Actually, I happen to recall something else. It’s very delicious. Can you recall the day we were staying at Sitar Bhai’s residence, during our Golden Jubilee meet, when an old couple happened to stop for a moment to exchange their formal courtesies with him, before climbing upstairs to see the ailing child in the family of their relations? The male blind companion was being escorted by the female. I had initiated a dialogue with the lady to tell her that I had been her husband’s classmate during our schooling.” This thought brought mirth to Amir Chand’s face, as he quickly ejaculated, “Yes, Yes! You were holding back some interesting information of very confidential nature pertaining to her married life. I could guess only this much.”“This February, I happened to spot in a jam packed auditorium, that very couple sitting in the second row facing the dais, where the authors, critics or the top organizers of the Literary Meet in Jaipur. During the very first session, I heard his name as Madan Mohan Tandon for reaching the dais. The lady Maya, widow of my boyhood friend Pritam Lal was escorting him to move at a comfortable pace to reach his destination, where the critic awaiting him took charge of this blind author purposely to impress upon the audience the value and worth of differently enabled persons for their ability to perform. During the tea-break, this author was the most sought after interviewee. For the benefit of the audience, there was an announcement from the dais that Mr Tandon has condescended to answer the press reporters at 5-30pm in the convention hall of the hotel he was staying in. The next morning edition of national dailies carried the pictures showing this blind author of 14 novels, answering to the Press; most of the pictures had footage designating him with the title of his own latest novel `Chit Bhi Meri, Pat Bhi Meri`.”

“Had you gone there all alone?” “No, From here, Rano and her grand-daughter Sheetala gave me company to my hotel, but they had their way to some remote village to get the young lady afflicted with cervical cancer, blessed with `holistic treatment` from a 83-year-old `fakir`. They had left me back around 5.00am, in a taxi cab and returned around 8-30pm. God knows; which town or village they were to go to fall in queue. I had over heard them talking about the arrangement that allows only 30 patients to be treated in a single day.”

137 “What about Sheetala’s husband whom she married in Delhi?” Doctor Saheb remembers him as one of his Old patients.

“That relationship is over, now,” Harvinder replies. “Did the marriage happen to run into serious difficulties?” His friend issues another query.

“Truly speaking, in fact, it was a farce; in reality, they needed each other’s society in bed when they joined hands around eight years back, though ostensibly just as business partners. They could not keep a tab on the expenditurethat accrued on account of unduly large establishment. Their personal coffers `began to shed weight` and the result was irritation and intolerance. Soon, they reached the stage of abject dearth of replenishments. One day, Sheetala learnt that the new owner of the property was pressing for the `free from encumbrance` possession of the property he had purchased. It is the plot of land whereon they had their residential as well as commercial office, so in the absence of partner, Sheetala could not resist for long the ever increasing pressures of the creditors. She had to part away with all her assets, leaving just a pair of ear tops. Even this nominal ornament was conspicuously missing from her ears, while I happened to look into the young lady’s face, immediately on her return to me with her grandmother.”

A month later, Kailash Dargan, sole proprietor of `Max Designers and Marketers receive a call from an unknown person identifying self as Vichitar Budhiraja, seeking an appointment. The meeting is fixed for the next afternoon. But, around noon, his secretary reports to Kailash Dargan on the phone line that her boss is to go to Chennai immediately. Therefore, his slated appointment with Mr Dargan be put off for some time, and if possible, Mr Budhiraja be enabled to speak to Dargan Saheb to have a short telephonic conversation, in the evening hours. Kailash gets an impression from the callers short speech that the man means business of an enormous magnitude that could fetch around one crore rupees as commission to his firm, during the coming three years. So, he agrees to see Mr Budhiraja’s client in the hotel room, where the said client is staying, during his very short visit here from Chennai. Mr Paruthi, with a domineering tone and texture clutches Dargan’s palm to impress his all-round superiority over the man who had come to enter into a confidential deal that would be expected to deliver goods to both the parties.

“I already know that you are the sole proprietor of the Max Designs and Marketing Consultancy, housed into the commercial premises owned by your father-in-law, a practising Homeopathic doctor at the ground floor. Thus, we don’t require additional space to introduce the new business. Only one dedicated table of the size of 4’ by 3’ft is all that we need. A trained person to handle this venture of ours is already on my staff. Of course, his salary would be paid in cash from the proceeds of the sale, every month. In case, sometimes we feel money crunch, one of my firms that deals in borrowing and lending, would always be there to our rescue.”

Thus, the verbal MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) had been agreed upon, that places both the parties at par. Kailash Dargan is very much enthusiastic about the just concluded deal. Next week, a brand new table and a laptop (portable Computer) are brought by a youngman named Aakaash Sethi. One corner of the spacious office room is immediately allotted to him by Dargan’s staff.

Mr Kanuj Ratra has by now learnt about the fact of `beginning of some new business by `Kailash Mamaji` and looks forward to establishing a strong conduit to make him feel the flavour of the new venture set up by Vichittar Budhiraja, whose face Kailash Dargan hasn’t seen so far. Kanuj is emotionally tagged to Kailash, maternal uncle of Supriya from whom all this secretive activity on his behest, is being kept away by the dear and the most trustworthy husband of hers.

Madan Mohan Tandon is lying in his bed with high fever, affecting his active memory. Sitting beside him are Maya and Sonica Tandon, treating him with cold water soaked pads.

138 Occasionally, these ladies exchange glances mutely and look towards their patient helplessly. The clock says that it is midnight past 1-45. Sonica’s husband Pushkar Raj is busy in his official tours. Both ladies know that he is somewhere in eastern parts of the country, right now. The delirium affected patient sporadically moans, “Maya!” Both the females have marked the change in the way the brother-in-law “Madan Bhaiya’s addressing his Maya Bhabhi. Since the time, Sonica had joined her mother-in-law almost three hours ago, she has marked that the patient is fast clutching the lady’s wrist close to his own body.

Suddenly, Maya pulls Sonica to her side to draw her attention to the words she wants to convey to her `responsible and more mature` daughter-in-law, “I have been desiring you to take charge of `my personal pangs`, before it’s too late. Both me and Madan have found you worthy of firmly holding the family’s esteem intact, even in the wake of what you had seen with your eyes. You may or may not agree with this old woman’s claim that social morality is just a thin shroud around what we really practise as `essentially moral conduct` in our private life. But, please listen, ponder over what I am going to say on my word of honour and act freely under the dictates of your conscience. I have been a woman, indulging into the practice of polyandry. Only my first issue is from Late Mr Pritam Lal Tandon, whereas your husband Pushkar Raj and his sister are from this man whom I had loved from the core of my heart. Now, you would find a scheme deliberated diligently before its execution in the allotment of these three apartments amongst our children. We have chosen to keep our daughter-in-law closer to us , leaving our daughter completely to her husband. It reflects our philosophy of leading a peaceful life till the end. Now, I am to tell you that this ground floor apartment shall go to the ownership of Madan’s daughter Ratanafrom his legally wedded wife.”

At this juncture, the patient begins to pant, as if indicating that “all that I had wanted Maya too do, has been done rightly!” Maya looks desperately into her daughter-in-law’s face and she in turn rises to go upstairs to knock at her sister-in-law’s door. Her brother-in-law, looking amazedly speaks out, “Bhabhiji!” She replies, “Yes, Jeeja Ji, Please come downstairs to Chacha Ji’s floor. He is sinking.” With these words, she rushes downwards to reach `Papa Ji’s apartment, where her presence is urgently awaited.

Mama Amir Chand has once more been deputed by his sister Rukmani to visit Anupama’s home without any aide. He reaches there on the appointed time. The lady seems ready to receive `her Mama Ji together with Mamiji., as it evident from her posture, as she keeps standing even after her `adored guest` has already seated self comfortably in the single seater, the daughter-in-law is looking around as if expecting someone to join her. Of course, she rightfully asks, where have you left `my sweet Sanwari Mami Ji`?

”

Having heard from her guest’s mouth, “She is a bit unwell, so she preferred to be left behind for the present,“ Anupama says, “Okay Mamaji, let me convince her how I have been longing to let her taste the cake baked by me for my Mummy’s birthday, who would be here within next few minutes. While you would be enjoying my mother’s company, I would fetch my Mamiji. It won’t take me more than half an hour to reach your residence, pick up and bring her back to be seated beside you, here.”

So, she spreads her palm towards him and ask for his mobile phone. She asks him to dial the desired person’s number. The man immediately condescends and hears him speak, “Our Anupama Bitya doesn’t want to recognize without my `Sanwari`. Now, I am handing over you to her.” The person at that end, trying to read between the lines, gathers her emotive nerves to hear something extraordinarily pleasant. Of course, `the chatterbox initiates her talk, “Mamiji, I am coming to touch your feet to convince you to sit in my car and I would be driving you to your `Gorey Lal Ji.” This sentence make both the spouses produce a long giggle, as she hears them clearly, with a gentle smile on her face. She speaks out, “Mamaji is also happily laughing to recall your dialogue of the early years of married life.”

139 Then, she gently hands over the cellphone to the elderly person, with “Thanks!” He snaps the connection and places the gadget in his pocket. By this timed, Anupama’s mother enters with some bags of different items, nevertheless the `potato samosas` are conspicuously emitting their pleasant odour. The daughter immediately moves out telling her mother that she is taking out car to fetch `Mamiji`. This manifestation of a gesture that reflects complete rapport between the mother and daughter impresses so much that he is mentally preparing self to be on the brinkOf reaching an immediate settlement between his `somewhat arrogant` Rukmani and these `sweet and gentle natured ` people. Meanwhile, the lady of the house keeps him engaged in discussing the primacy of Nux Vomica over the other drugs, numbering around 380. He is very much impressed with the working knowledge of the system of medicine he is practising since his retirement from the field of journalism. He makes it known to her that he is practising as medical practitioner after acquiring a regular licence that was obtainable those times, after passing out an examination, held by the Council of Homeopathic Medicines, almost two decades ago. Thus, both these persons felt nothing that could make uneasy in the each other’s presence.

Nevertheless, Sanwari had telephonically informed her sister-in-law on the impending arrival at her residence, of the `estranged daughter-in-law` in a few minutes to fetch her to her parental home. Of course, the listener’s tone left an impression on the caller’s mind that the `mother-in-law was not happy to hear this positive news. On the arrival of Sanwari and Anupama, the snacks and tea were served. The lady guest `was honoured` to assist the 69- year-old baby to cut the cake. Anupama was the first to make the b’day baby to receive a morsel firmly into her mouth. Then, Anupama requested her Gorey Mamaji` and `Sanwari Mamiji` to accept into their mouths from the `daughter’s hand` a reasonably-sized chunk of cake, turn by turn.

Everything is going on smoothly. Anupama is explaining how this `fortunate couple` changed the complexion of the spouse to suit their beautiful eyes, during the first week of their coming into new pattern of life. Her mother asks, “they would have enjoyed this `mischief`., during their honeymoon.”“ No honeymoons were available to the people in the socio-economic strata of society we were placed, those days,” Sanwari speaks out in a normal tone. The lady of the house comes out with a heart-felt exposition, “Behnji (sister), your transparency has won the praises and good-wishes from the cores of my heart.” Anupama teases the elderly with her childlike demand, “My sweet Mamiji, please renarrate the incident on this account that you were narrating in my very presence to your `sister-in-law`.” It makesthe addressee blush like a bride and focus her eyes on the carpet. Amir Chand is smiling with a pride over his bride. Then, Anupama’s mother comes out with a straight question, “Okay M’a’me, please be kind enough to tell us simply your official name.”

“Of course, my name is Gauri. But my hubby affectionately calls me by the name of Sanwari. I too am enjoying the privilege of reciprocity as I address him as “Gorey Lal.” It makes all the four to giggle over this pun; and the other lady in the same age-group is seen engaged in verifying the truth underneath this pun. Yes, the wife is not fair-complexioned and the husband also cannot be placed into the category of fairly brown complexion.

After a little while of silence, Dr Amir Chand speaks, “Well, Anupama Bitiya (daughter), when should I come to fetch you to reunite with your hubby, with whom I had felt you living a happy married life, during my last stay there in Rukamani’s absence?” Instead, she moves away to fetch some papers, stapled into a bunch and hands over the sheaf to her mother, who in turn, forwards it to the male guest. As he looks amazinglyinto the direction, she says politely, “Please, doctor saheb. The answer is available in `medical lexicon`, for your kind perusal.”Sanwari looks askance into the face of her husband, who is in the process of placing reading glasses on his nosebridge. Having perused all the papers, with scrutinizing eyes habitual of his coping up with his `extraordinarily fast mental chip`. The man takes the reading glasses off his face and then brood over the matter, perhaps searching the most befitting remarks, with a view to save the integrity of the warring factions. After a lull for a

140 couple of minutes, he breaks the silence, “Well, Shobhana Ji, I hold you in great esteem to have shown so much fortitude in suchlike painful situation. I believe it to be the direct print out from the computerised data stored with the diagnostic lab. Before commenting the relevance of these papers to the existing feud between our children, I would beg to take some time for tallying the unique passbook number allotted to every soldier at the point of his entry into the service. This number remains intact and effective till his retirement or early exit from the service, for one or the other reason. I assure you, I won’t let even a moment lost willfully at my end, before I am here once again to `salvage the peace and emotional tribulations` of our `Bitiya Rani`. Thank you, very much for the respect and affection bestowed upon us, even in the wake of such serious lapses on the part of my kin.”

Meanwhile, `the injured one fetches out another sheaf of similarly looking papers; places them beside the one already placed at the centre table;and looks into her mother’s face for further action. It makes the lady to speak, “Well, Bhai Saheb! Please take with you, one of the two bunches, an exact replica of eachother.” The sharp minded person took the one that he had already perused and leftbehind untouched the `exact replica`, just brought there.

As they rise to move out, Shobhana and her daughter follow them to the entrance point of their house. Here, Anupama bows down enough to physically touch the feet of the `affectionately hers`, whereupon both join simultaneously in extending one arm from each side to take `the sweet child` into their warm nestle. Shobhana is seen as wiping off the trickling tears with the corner of her sari pallo(loose end of this upper garment called `sari`). Both the hostesses stayed there motionless, till Amir Chand had settled himself in the driver’s seat and his Sanwari had settled herself on the pillion behind her hubby on whose her right palm rests and he gives the kick to his Vespa two-wheeler.

141 TWENTY

At 3.30 pm, Vibha and Madhukar reach Kitab-ul-Nissan’s chamber, as per their appointment with the advocate, sought telephonically, this morning. They find that a few clients are already seated, perhaps waiting for the Advocate’s arrival. Vibha has already informed by the clerk that her papers have been readied urgently, as per their instructions. Then, he had asserted too that he personally took special care to serve the highly enlightened client like Dr Ratra. The intrigued lady looks into her husband’s face, whose response is reflected in the mischievous smile on his lips. Of course, his reaction is experience-based with `munshis` Advocate’s clerks) while tackling this type of persons during the exercise for seeking an anticipatory bail for the then friend Dr Vibha Ratra.

The Advocate arrives at 4-05pm. She smiles at Vibha to acknowledge her presence, before pronouncing in Madhukar’s direction, “Sorry, Dr Rawat, I have kept you waiting.” But, she began disposing off the other clients hurriedly. Meanwhile, there appears before them, Ms Ruia. Both rise up on their legs to manifest their respect towards the person introduced to them by Lalima as her mentor during her tenure under `this great lady, after the proceedings for her father’s `Uthala` were officially over; and the closely known persons were being thanked for their participation in the hour of bereavement for the family. The advocate by now has freed herself to look at the lady, whose presence during personal acknowledgements at Lalima’s father’s Uthala` had somehow got registered in her mind also. She feels like giving this elderly lady precedence over Vibha Ratra. Hence, she asks the lady, M’a’me, I believe, you are Mrs. Ruia, retired school headmistress.” The person addressed feels elated to yell, “Of, course. I am Rukamani Ruia.” The advocate asks, “What do you expect me to do for you, right now?

“M’a’me, my daughter-in-law has created a problem in my family. So, I want to avail your professional services.”

“I am sorry, Mrs Ruia. My professional ethics bar me from talking to you on this matter, as I have already been hired by Anupama, your daughter-in-law.” Ruia M’a’me’s face betrayed utter helplessness. Anyways, the lady succeeded in maintaining her composure, as she was rising up to move from there, after slinging her vanity bag onto her shoulder.

Immediately after her dismissal, the lady Advocate once again regretted to caused Vibha and her companion undue delay. Then, she takes out a sheaf of papers from her brief-case, to place before them for their perusal. They give a cursory `go through`, before giving their nod. Then, Vibha signs and forwardsthem to the advocate. They are provided with a carbon copy of the document they desired her to prepare for them. They pay her fee and rise to move out; but Madhukar notices the `munshis expectant face` and hurriedly draws from his pocket a 100-rupee note to be extended towards the clerk.

It had so transpired that having received from the advocate’s hand, a copy of the `will` left behind by Mr Arora, in the presence of general public on the day of `Uthala ` of the deceased, back home Vibha had expressed her desire to relinquish her own share in Lalima’s favour. Her lifemate had taken no time to commend `the precious soul encased in this beautiful girl`, as he took her into his strong hug to stamp his approval on her cheeks, betraying blush she would have emitted if her Madhukar Ji would have met her twenty years ago.

The Golden Trio, Sitar Bhai, Amir Bhai and Vinder Bhai have joined this afternoon at Amir’s house. `Sanwari Bhabhi of the Amir friends looks enthralled to share with her `Amir` the company of his buddies. Harvindersays, “Bhabhi Ji, our group has all the three varieties usually found in `Bharatvarsh`amongst the male elderly gems.”

His friends look into Sanwari’s face for reaction, but the lady takes some time to open her mouth, of course it means nothing unusual to her husband, who expects some memorable

142 comment to ejaculate from `his sagacious sanwari`.“Well, Bhai Saheb, I for myself feels proud of having found the world’s most precious gem. I always pray to Him to keep my knowledge limitedonly to this very gem, inthisvast world of gems and jewels.” Thus, the ice had been broken around the table that seemed over loaded with the vast variety of homemade snacksto support the cup of tea, for which this small gathering is meant.

After the lady had left these gems `to fend for themselves, while she needed a short spell of seclusion after an hour-long company of her hubby’s friends , around the tea-table, Amir Chand asks, “Vinder Bhai, how is Comrade Rano? It’s long since I heard of her. This question saddens the man being addressed. She has lost her grand-daughter Sheetala forever. The unfortunate soul could not bear the load of cancer-moth eaten Skelton of her body.All the wealth owned by that `over-ambitious`girl had flown into drains, by the time she breathed her last in my very presence. At her funeral, only a few classmates of hers had gathered round the pyre. I don’t know who communicated to them, well in time about the death of their college mate during her studies at Naini Tal.”

Amir Chand asks, “I wonder how a staunch follower of Karl Marx, as your Rano’s claim of being one, could take her granddaughter to a `fakir` for the so-called holistic touch`.”

“You are right that it is not expected of my Rano to believe such things. So far as I know that she was under high-level social pressure `to try once` to help the `perishing kin` breathe peacefully as long as she could. So it was purely on humanitarian consideration that propelled this Agnostic lady to visit a secluded tiny village, shrouded with only this activity. Of course, it throws some light on the economic activity, in a monopolistic atmosphere, to save themselves from the competition the `outsiders` might bring to them.”

Here, Amir Chand seeks interjection by saying, “Just one minute, Vinder Bhai. The term `monopolistic` impels me to be ready to face this type of charge, if our respected Sitar Bhai Saheb chooses to level suchlike charge against us, who have been indulging in encroaching upon his due share of the moments of this get-together aimed at the benefit of all the three of us, here.”

Sitar Chand says, “Please go on, my dear Vinder Bhai. I am equally interested in discussing suchlike matters.”

“Okay, now I shall give you all the details as Rano had once narrated before me, when her kin Sheetala was no more. I had learnt from her that having left me at my hotel, they walked out for some undisclosed destination. Of course, these ladies had with them the complete address of the village `Nikhutia`, approachable only by kuchcha road stretch for three kilometers from Devpur that lies on Jaipur-Bikaner route. Thus, after a 3-hour long journey by taxi cab that left them at the outskirts of this town, at the point, where an unmetalled stretch of kuchcha path, winding in a zigzag manner, takes the persons intending to reach `Nikhatia` village. You have the option to walk on foot, or avail a camel ride or travel on a mule’s back. If your patient is not in a position to avail comfortably any of these three options, `Charpai walah’s` service for him/her. Thus, the cot borne on the shoulders was engaged by our ladies on the condition included in the return journey package. Here, they were required to shell out 5 hundred rupees. The moment they finalized the deal with the pal-bearers, a chit was issued to them, with particulars of the patient and his attendant. The index number allotted by this chit is also transmitted to the organizers of the `fakir’ kutir` (hermit’s hut), by a cellphone SMS. So, the waiting period is reduced to a bare minimum. Before entering the `fakir’s kutir`, the patient’s attendant is to ensure that the patient has no ornament or even a talisman of any sort on his/her body.”These `valuables/interfering objects` had been taken into her custody by the granny who was not supposed to have a `Darshan` (face to face glance) of the 84-year-old hermit. One thing more is worth noticing that if you have brought your patient on foot or on your own shoulders upto the threshold of the `kutir`, there is no problem. But your patient cannot be permitted to cross the threshold, unless carried by the four pal-bearers to the point where the hermit wants it to be placed. However, the fee for this service is Rupees 121/-. No donations are either expected or

143 accepted. Of course, no voices were heard from outside the hall that had no shutters. It seemed that everything was being done in a very orderly and smooth manner. Of course, I daresay that my comrade Rano’s critical powers were at work even during those hours of tribulations, as she had marked that all the four legs of the every cot had been painted with a singular index. Later on, she compared the hand-written number on the chit given to her at the time of hiring the cot for her patient tallied with the index painted on the cot her `Sheetlu` lay from the beginning to end, and there was no change of bearers in between the whole transaction.”

Amir Chand declares, “Let’s hope that one day this small-scale venture of Nikhutia village would thrive to take the shape of a `holy shrine`; and then being fought for getting controlled by various ambitious groups or individuals. Maybe a century or a half later, it is seen as taken into the virtual control of Central or State Government through a piece of enactment of legislature, for the enlightenment and benefit of our descendants.“

How could Harvinderknow who communicated the news of Sheetala’s classmates, unless Sheetala or her grannyhave talked to this comrade of the old lady, who reserves her right to privacy for self and her family?In fact, around the end of Febbruary this year, Sheetala had one day looking helplessly, requested her granny to assist her in arranging a very confidential and urgent meeting with the lady, whom she got her introduced as `my adored teacher of school days, when the teacher happened to accost her in the parking lot of some bazaar of Jaipur. Thus, Poonam Ratra had reached the ailing pupil on knowing from the patient’s mouth that the time at her disposal is running out. Here, her granny had left both the young ladies alone, to facilitate the private talk of her kin with the invited guest. They remained behind the closed door, for over one and a half hour, when the teacher could finish her task of talkingto her sister, Dr Vibha Ratra, who in turn spoke to her husband Dr Madhukar Rawat . As the three persons had convinced one another on the telephones that the situation is very grave; and that they take it as incumbent upon themselves to reach to Sheetala in a very secretive manner, where the dying woman desires to make some confession before all of them huddled around. Then, Poonam opened the door to call Àuntie Ji` in. Sheetala spoke in a very feeble voice, “Nani, please bring the only ornament that I could save as my special purchase in lieu of the old tops I was wearing and a broken ring; and then placed with you as `trust for someone, very dear to my heart`.” The lady brought a small polythene bag to hand over to Sheetala, who indicated it to be placed beside her pillow. Again, she spoke, “Nani, please make quick arrangement for receiving four more persons, all of whom have been my friends.” It took another period of 45 minutes for them to reach there. In the very presence of her Nani, the waning soul was striving hard to speak out in a convincing tone that she begged to be pardoned for her sin of keeping the truth of her conceiving from some unknown person “instead of the one named Madhusudan whom I named as father of my daughter, during the days of our studies at Nainital. Of course, I have been penalized for years for the sin of deliberately abandoning the poor and helpless child in the hands of Madhukar and his sister Subhadra Rawat, now Subhadra Pradhan. Still I am grateful to Him to provide me an opportunity to have a complete look of that daughter of mine, while she was in the company of her foster parents Madhukar Sir and Vibha Ji. Now, I hand over my only saving in life, to be presented to that child of mine at the time of her marriage from her ùnfortunate mother`.” Vibha takes the pack into her hands and asks, “Can we open it now?” Sheetala responded with her fascinating smile of her youthful daysPoonam could not help recall the smiling face of Akshita, while she had desired her Poonam Mausi to buy the exactly the prototype of this pair of ear tops at a famous jewellery shop of Jaipur. Dr Rawat has by now has checked from the accompanying documents of the purchase that shows both the itemshad been bought from the same store on the same date. Showing the entries on the receipt, to his wife he draws her attention towards this revelation. She is pleased so much that she announces, “The one our dear Akshita is wearing these days are exactly the copy of this pair that by chance has been purchased from the same store and on the same day.” “At the same time, I am sure!” “ Madhukar cannot help ejaculating. It makes the frail woman giggle a little, “Sir, it means that you had marked me, crossing your way, in the parking lot.” Subhadra thanks Him for providing the mother an opportunity to see with her own eyes the presence of her daughter in the ìntelligent parents, who haven’t made any haste to disclose this chance meeting of theirs with the real

144 mother of the child. Sheetala, there is no cause of worry or any concern if your child is kept in dark about your existence.” Ujjawal says, “The Merciful will give you life enough to have the opportunity for presenting this gift of yours to your baby.” Everyone here, has marked the tears trickling from the eyes of the old lady.

Mrs Rukamani Ruia is sitting in the living area of her house, waiting for her `former Subordinate`, Lalima Batra who had last evening sought some time to get solve her some personal tangle. The doorbell rings and she opens the door to receive the lady with a false smile on her face, hiding underneath her own vows. After the usual cordialities, the visitor comes to the point, “M’a’me, I am on the horns of dilemma as to the justification on my part, if I accept more than the portion what my late father’s will` prescribes to be taken out of his assets, divided equally into three parts, I shall be guilty of not obeying my loving father who had been supporting me at every step even after my marriage.”

“Who forces you to do so?” The elder asks with authority.

“It’s Vibha Ratra, who has already got registered her relinquishment deed in respect to her share in my favour and is adamantly forcing me to accept it as a gift from the `elder sister Vibha`.”

“Well, I don’t see any harm coming to you, if you accept it as the document is being given to you through a legally recognized channel, in full public view.”

“My real sister, Pratima has already started a vicious campaign against this `pious soul` named Vibha. This generous gift of hers though coming voluntarily would lend undesirable momentum to the vicious things already being thrust into circulation amongst the `hypocrite society, by my own sister . Because she is nursing a grouse, despite our joint declaration to the contrary , in full public view, that we were shedding our differences with immediate effect. She would desire me to partake off the gift from Vibha, who had been wife of our notorious brother, presently in prison, serving the various sentences awarded to run one after the other, so that he would be never out of jail. I am under the reeling effect of my own conscience; a few lakhs here or there make no difference to my pleasures that are being bestowed by Him on me regularly.

Ruia M’a’me has no remedy at hand to offer to this `seeker` before her. Therefore, she tries to divert her attention by way of praising Vibha whose strong side she had visualized from the comments heard from another former colleagues. In turn, she happens to express a desire to see her whom she adores as goddess in flesh and blood during this `Kalyug` (an unholy era). Lalima tells her that her Vibha Didi hold “You in high esteem.” Soon, she is reminded of the respects received by her from Vibha and her husband, a few days ago, when the `that hi-fi lady advocate had bluntly refused to entertain her `mercy petition against Anupama`. Her arrogance and selfishness drives her to request Lalima to arrange an urgent meeting with that `learned Bhabhi turned Didi`. In a matter of few minutes, Vibha is on the line at Lalima’s cellphone. The humble lady shows no arrogance in accepting her invitation, as she promises to be there, in an hour or so.

On being face to face with the elderly lady, Vibha’s first task is to touch Ruia M’a’me’s feet. The elderly feels elated . Lalima has already assumed the charge of lady’s kitchen to serve welcome drink to the visitor. By and by, they enter into exploring each other’s mind with regard to many aspects of life. Lalima says that her Didi does not keep herself attached to any specific cult. It prompts the hostess to ask, “Have you ever experience the existence of God?” Promptly, comes the response, “Of course, even at this moment, I feel His presence around.”

“Can you provide some proof to substantiate your claim?”

“Yes, of course, it’s very simple, M’a’me. For me, every human being is the direct representative Of Him.” For a while, the questioner feels demolished, but soon her arrogance takes over her `pathetically drugged` head, as she issues just another volley, “Who has been your `Guru` (religious teacher)?”

145 At the moment, you are performing the holy job for my benefit,” Vibha answers humbly.

The `single-tracked pupil of Babaji` finds herself in bewilderment. Of course, the teachings received so far by her from `her Baba Ji`, do not permit her to deviate from the path circumscribed by that cult for its disciples.

At this juncture, two Army personnel arrive there, with acopy of the summons, issued by the court of additional District Judge at the officially known residential address of Major Nishchal Ruia, posted at Kasauli, these days. The bearer of the letter, while requesting for the signed acknowledgement the from saheb’s mother whom he knows, having seen her face many a time in the past. She accepts His verdict and takes the letter to be placed before the garlanded picture- frame hanging from one of the walls of that sitting area. This action of hers draws a childish smile onto Vibha’s face, whereas Lalima is confounded over all this and feels like talking to the M’a’me, who is shedding tears, while praying to her `Babaji`, who seems very much younger than all the three of them, present here.

The hostess abruptly declares the meeting over, for the time being and without wishing either of the guests of hers just a formal Good-bye, she enters into her bedroom.

Of course, she was scared of everyone now, so much so that she has just prayed to her `Babaji` who has not taken care of her son, despite the fact that he had been regularly remitting 1/3 of his salary during the past 4 years, but the `evil forces` have been successful in driving the valiant son of the soil` from one corner to another. The mark of the Army Post with the Passbook Identity of the soldier on the envelope just received here,is suggestive of the fact that they haven’t yet been successful in tracing him.Nevertheless, the departmental probe into his abruptly leaving his office, after handing over the necessary items like key of the strongroom, formal application filled in his own hand with signatures supported by the seal of the office to his next in the command, he was seen leaving in a privately engaged taxi for an undisclosed destination. The high ranking officers who had visited Ruia’s mother almost ten days ago, had sympathetically told his mother that the missing man had not taken his service revolver with him, before moving out of the official premises. This single factor has been a cause of concern for the establishment. “After all, it’s our first and foremost duty to remain on the vigil against every activity and element injurious to the health and security of individuals as well as the organization. I am sure:M’a’mewould extend her full support while we are asking for some information which is very vital for our probe.”

This thought leads her to recall the words used by the inquiry officer during his very concise interrogation. The Brigadier had asked, “How long your son’s wife stayed with her husband at Kasauli?” Having heard from her mouth, “Sir, I think it was around one and a half month,” he had looked into his companion’s direction. Then, came the second question from this junior-ranking officer who asked, “May I know the lady’s name who stayed there, as per our records As Mrs Nishchal Ruia. Will you please tell us her first name?” The mother had answered , “Her name is Nirupama.” At this the Brigadier had asked, “Can we see her now?” The lady had replied, “These days, she is living with her parental family.” Then, the Lt.Colonel made another request, “M’a’me, may we have her contact number?” Her answer was, “No, I haven’t one. Actually we are not on speaking terms.”

At this juncture, both the officers were seen placing their pens back into their pockets. She had heaved a sigh of relief; but the Brigadier Saheb came out with an advice, “M’a’me, we know that your son is maintaining a regular contact with you on telephone. Please advise him to report for duty at the earliest. Till date, his department has nothing against him on record. We shall not interfere into your family matters, unless it threatens our security. We wish for you people a quick reconciliation. We too have daughters and sons at our homes. So it goes on.” With these words, both the officers took of their caps for a while to bend their necks towards the elderly person. Then placing the caps on their heads, they went out to the jeep and ordered the driver to start. She had passed that night waiting for her son’s call. It was around 6 am, next morning when the boy rang up and she immediately conveyed the advice left for him by his superiors. He seemed to

146 have ignored it completely, as he was in a hurry to tell, “Don’t worry on my account. I’ll return to you, only when I deem it proper.”

Rukamani waited for news from her brother , whom she had last night requested to re-visit Anupama. It is 8-45 pm, when his brother accompanied with Sanwari arrives at her residence. As they sit, Rukamani eagerly looks into her brother’s face. He says, “Nothing concrete has emerged. I think a few more visits would be required. Having heard this, she rises and brings the envelope that she had received through Army Service. Having a cursory look at the envelope, Amir Chand says, “No, it’s from the Delhi court.” At this she says, “Of course, it has been routed through Army service. Just look at the Passbook Number they have mentioned to re-route to the addressee’s home address. The letter had first gone to Nishchal’s Kasauli’s address. From there, the office would have preferred it to be sent by hand through their own Army Post Service. The men in Army uniform who handed over this letter after having ascertained my relationship with Major Nishchal Ruia, very politely asked for my signatures on the acknowledgement slip.” Both these visitors look into each other’s face , as if to acknowledge their faith in God who has made their task of asking for Nishchal’s Passbook Number done automatically.

After her brother’s departure, Rukamani feels relieved, as the `shellbomb` `had now been passed on to her intelligent, efficient and resourceful brother, for defusing and the followup action as he deems fit. Though she has retired as head of the secondary school, her timid nature together with dogmatic approach towards knowledge and beliefs did not allow her learn newer things, phenomenon and developmental knowledge. Therefore, he was virtually trembling while touching the envelope that she had received from the person, attired in army uniform. His shoulders have clear indications that he is in no way superior to the peon in office, who was there to be at her beck and call. Simply because her son had advised, almost a week ago that she should make no effort to contact him, with the assurance that the youngman would himself come to her, either physically or on the telephone line. Since then, she had been spending most of the time, praying before the picture of `Babaji` for helping her son come out of the tangle that `evil forces` havewovenaround her son’s neck. Alas, she had ever tried to come out of the `fanciful realm` of her Babaji, the `material world` would have been easier to be handled. During her thirty odd past years of managing domestic as well as official business, she has learnt on the art of driving the juniors and flattering the seniors`. The completely clean conscience persons like Lalima Arora Batra have always adored her like a servile pet.

Of course, Vibha was hurt at the scanty treatment received at the hands of the lady whom her darling Lalima used to praise, every now and then. Back home, she felt like detaining her companion Lalima at her residence for some time, to give vent to the disturbing thoughts, propelled by the àbsolutely irresponsibleand strong-headed` elderly lady, though in no way superior to her. Lalima feels sorry for the ìnjury` caused to her àdored Vibha Didi who had promptly accededto her request to meet her former boss. It makes Vibha cheer up and talk to her in her usual even-tempered style. However, she determines to forget for the present to initiate the objection to Vibha’s relinquishment Deed in her favour. “It’ll be seen, when I am drawn to the situation wherein Pratima Didi uses some serious type of onslaught on me,” Lalima tells self.

Anupama Ruia , having left her mother-in-la alone , a day after her return from `unfruitful stay at Kasauli, in Major Nishchal’s company, she expected at least someone from her matrimonial family would telephone or personally visit to see her at her parental home. But, it was not to happen. After a prolonged wait of around four months, she decided to consult eminent Advocate for finding out for self the least injurious path. Nevertheless, she had narrated her woes in a trickling manner, to her mother who had been leading a life of divorcee, with two daughters. Her mother’s patience, perseverance, hard labour to mould the two innocent children in the age group of 5-8 years into fine ladies of stature in the society. During the years these girls were receiving quality education in a reputed school, the `shameless incorrigibles` would keep themselves engaged in throwing baseless slurs on these self-respecting girls. Anupama is younger to her sister Sapana by three years. This sister of hers is a post-graduate medico, with specialization in Pathology. She is married to a post-graduate medico in Health and Nutrition,

147 now on deputation to UNO’s assignment for two years, visiting countries around the globe, whereas Dr Sapana is on the rolls of Civilian staff for Army Hospital, during the last four years.

When Anupama was closeted with Advocate Kitab-ul- Nisan, the advocate had heard that her marriage with Major Nishchal Ruia had not been consummated, despite a period of one year has gone by, now. The aggrieved lady answered truthfully and faithfully all the queries coming from her counselor's end. Having spent around 2-hours in that privately located cabinet at the Advocate’s residence, the `enlightened` client came out after thanking her counsellor for patient listening and helping her to deliberate thread-barely all the aspects of the problem and the various legal remedies available to her.

While driving back home, it occurs to her that the Advocate is quite expensive, as is evident from the tariff of her consultancy. It commences at Rs 2200/- for the first two hours and an additional charge of Rs.550/-for every subsequent hour of part thereof accruesautomatically. She pats herself for having squeezed, well before the expiry of the initial hours all that is essentially needed by her at this stage. As her car turns into her colony, she happens to mark a car with `Red-cross` symbol, on its front windshield. She happens to think of her Sapana Didi, who was expected to arrive at their residence, these days. Of course, in response to her push at the doorbell button, `her Didi emerges from inside, to receive her into her fold.

As they enter the apartment, their mother seems wiping off her welling tears from the corners of her eyes. Both the sisters deliberately choose to ignore this fact. They continue chirping as if there is no gloom around, for the time being. After an hour or so, Shobana Rani asks her younger daughter, “What does the Advocate Saheba say?””Mummy, I think I have knocked at the right door. The learned lady heard all my complaints and the events beginning the process we entered into considering Nishchal till I left her home and started waiting for at least someone from that family to arrive at our door. Then, she placed a few options before me to choose one from that `platter of few non-delectable dishes`. I straightaway refused to adopt that course for achieving my goal of getting rid of that unfortunately chosen useless partner for my life.”

This first exercise helped her to gauge my ideals of life. It made me yell out, M’a’me, I am not a girl of the type of girls who move with the blowing winds. They had not at any stage asked for any dowry or refused to let me in, if I had brought with me below their expectations or status. Why should I indulge in sinful act of raising false alarm to drag that unwilling partner to my bed?”

Both the listeners had expressed satisfaction over her boldness and honesty. Then, she suggested that fairly speaking, the righteous path is to straightaway file a case under the appropriate provisions of the Hindu Marriage Act 1955, without troubling the opposite party so that he comes to negotiation table for a mutual divorce, that requires just two appearances for both the party for the dissolution of marriage that has assumed the status of an `irretrievable breakdown` of marriage. I have told her that this path suits my temperament and moral values dear to me. Now, both of you consider this step and advise me accordingly. She would need just three days to prepare the petition and then file it in the appropriate court.

At this juncture, her sister asks, “What is your own view? In case, you file these papers, tomorrow you feel like reviewing your decision, it won’t be possible, without bending down to his terms, if any raised at that time.” Anupama replies, “I am a strong-willed creature. There will be no retraction or repentance on my part.” They decide to take the final decision before “our breakfast hour”.

On Sunday morning, around 1030am, Dr Sapana and her younger sister accompanied by Mom are on the steering wheels of their cars in front of ShobHana’s house, to move in opposite directions, one bound to return to her in-laws’s family in West Delhi to see her 4-year child Idea, being taken care of by his `tai`, taiga`, grandma and grandpa almost since his birth. This mother, Sapana has tagged herself to her husband Dr RitishSabharwal, flying, riding or even sometimes sailing to reach far flung areas in various countries to fulfill WHO’s `Sapana` (Dream) of

148 eradicating malnutrition from the surface of Earth. Whereas her younger sister supported by mother is at the same moment heading towards her legal counsel’s house in East Delhi area, to put her signatures on the papers to cast away the family bondage that aims to smash her dreams of adding the prefix `Dr` to her name Anupama.

Here, at Kitab-ul-Nisan’s `Sunday morning office`, they are on time. Advocate’s `munshi (clerk) receives them with a smile, prior to placing the typewritten papers before Anupama M’a’me. She goes through the document from the underlined words: IN THE COURT OF ADDITIONAL DISTRICT JUDGE ….. TO THE LAS WORD AT THE Page Number 6: Deponent. As she has signed here, the clerk tells her to sign various stereo-typed `affidavits` appended to this petition. She hastily signs wherever she marks the printed word `Deponent` before a blank space. Having got it done, he pulls out the familiar note-book and removing the cap-cover of his pen, looks smilingly towards the clientess. She takes out a brand-new wad of currency notes of hundred-rupee denomination. Munshi checks the first and the last notes’ number. Having placed safely into his trouser’s pocket, he uses his pen to write 10,000 /- on the page captioned: Anupama versus Nishchal. For awhile, this caption produces a tearing sensation in the young heart of the litigant.The moment the notebook is placed in the table’s drawer, Anupama marks a faint ringtone of some gadget and in a while, the `Vakeel Saheba` is before the client with a pleasant smile. It follows the introduction with “My Mom, Shobana Juneja!”

As the Advocate has settled in her specified seat, the clientess and her companion also sit back in the chairs, opposite the Counsel’s chair where they were already sitting, , it takes no time for the Advocate to initiate make her next plans known to her client. “Tomorrow, I’ll file this petition in the District Judge’s Office, my staff shall do their best to ensure that it stands allocated to the concerned ADJ’s court, where I shall personally get it posted for the same day’s post-lunch session for admission; the result will be before us when you get to know through your personal sources that the summons to the defendant have been served. Of course, my contacts in courts Of Himachal Pradesh would assist my staff to ensure that the acknowledgement slip has been duly got signed by the addressee or someone legally authorised to do so.

The information given in the previous few paragraphs throws light on the background of the happenings that abruptly appeared as a `shellbomb` before Mrs. Rukmani Ruia, mother of Nishchal Ruia.

It had so transpire that the Advocate Kitab-ul-Nisan had also sought the court to issue a `dasti` (by-hand) copy and taken over the personal responsibility to get the summons served to the addressee, under the provisions of the Civil Code Procedure. She sent this sealed document through ahe reliable courier service to one of her professional colleague practizing in Shimla, who in turn carried it to the Rui’as Army Unit office, stationed at Kasauli. She went there, through official judicial channel, to get the summons served personally through the Nazir’s office, under the jurisdiction of the concerned District Court. As the residential address of the addressee on this sealed summons was in the complex of the Unit he belonged here; and he was reported on leave to have gone to his home town for a fortnight, the accompanying local advocate requested that the summons be sent to his hometown address through their Army Postal Service.

By this time, he had already received the first copy, sent to his office address through their usual procedure of `registered post, Indian Postal Service; received here through their Mail Desk at the unit, then passed on to the Officer, without opening it, if it is in his personal name. Of course, a record is maintained with respect to the receipt issued by the unit to the Post Office, pertaining to that specific item vis a vis date of receipt, sender’s name etc before being handed over to the officer, under his signature.

Having opened the registered letter from the District Judge, Delhi, Major Nishchal was stunned to note that the court was summoning him to appear before it to defend, if he desires to object to the complainant’s plea of not admitting her to his society for over a year; it attracts action for the Dissolution of the marriage, under the cruelty clause of the Hindu Marriages Act. He remained under the impact of severe mental disturbance, so much so that many officers and

149 some of the subranking staff also. As he had suddenly left the office, handing over the most essential files under his charge and the keys of the strongroom, to his immediate junior at the unit Captain Baldev Singh, informing through a written request in the prescribed proforma , desiring to avail three-day emergency leave, no problem could be anticipated at this end. Of course, he was seen as moving out of the premises of the unit in a private taxi-cab.

As Major Ruia did not report for duty, the acting commandant contacted the area commander’s office on wireless, to seek instructions for further steps, he is supposed to take. In half an hour, an inquiry officer was sent there to begin on the spot probe. His residential apartment was opened by breaking the lock in the very presence of the acting Commandant. They thoroughly scanned every nook and corners of the two bedrooms, kitchen, study and sitting area, dressing area and the toilets attached to the bed rooms and also the stand alone washroom in the sitting area. They took into their possession his service revolver, placed in one of the bed rooms after taking a photographic image of the bed and the adjoining table where exactly the revolver was placed. Then, they opened the unlocked drawer of his study table. There, they marked the presence of his personal diary. Having debated the, decency etiquette and immediately collectable evidence in the case of this `highly personal document` of a citizen of our country, decided to go through the recent notings, if any. It could be collected as a piece of evidence to substantiate the findings of the inquiry report. Two days prior to his leaving this unit, the Major hadwritten: Motherland, mother and an omnipotent Dharma Guru`(Master who teaches Belief to his followers) should get precedence during this type of internal struggle for being honest to someone who expects that has already been forbidden by faith to indulge. Besides the diary, a small piece of a page torn from the note-pad, being used by the Major, is seen strewn amongst various types of pens, stapler, punching machine etc. The inquiry officer picks up that piece of paper to have a look at its back side. There, `unfruitful stay for 48`, as if the scribbler was stealthily jotting down something, but was stopped by some unexpected situation to complete theremarks. The visiting inquiry officer suggests that they should sit outside the bed room, to reach firstly at the concurrence that “this unfinished note might mean one thing to me and quite a different thing to you, Sir.” The commandant broods over these remarks for a short whilebefore agreeing to an outsider’s suggestion, as happens to strike at the figure `48, a definite quantity but without suggesting the noun it is meant to qualify`. The first two words might attract one or the other period of time, `hours` or days` but definitely it cannot be extended to mean `years`, because the Major has not yet lived a life to this extent.”One thing that seems probable that it refers to some guest who might have stayed to such a length of time here with Major Saheb.”

Thus, the record of major’s wife stay here be called to check the period of her stay that provided her regular and continued facility for all meals. If it is in the vicinity of 48 days, then the handwriting of the lady somewhere in the `comments book` provided for the club’s guests of honour from time to time, during the past couple of years, be tallied with this script. Only then, we can safely impute this theory to M’a’me Ruia’s stay here.

It is how, this exercise of checking from records of the Officer’s Mess, statements of a few persons who personally attended on this `First Lady of the Officer’s Club`, Major’s Orderly those days when this lady was here, and also the persons who drove the lady to Chandigarh Airport, while she was to fly back home. The inquiry report was then submitted to the Area commander who was already seized of the matter. The result of this firm and unbiased inquiry manifested itself in the form of abrupt appearance of Brigadier Khurzid Rizavi supported by Lieutenant Colonel Shobha Ram Paswan, at the Delhi residence of Major Ruia, whom they considered a gem of a soldier in their battalion, who had very recently won laurelsfor pushing back the intruder,the Chinese nuisances. From the Indian soil. The purpose of this visit was dual in nature, as the official duty entails them to verify the facts dug out by the junior ranking officer’s probe report, whereas inwardly they had desired to put the `virtuous Jawaan` (virtuous soldier), on the right path without interfering into his domestic life. Of course, the advice left by these officers with his mother that Nishchal be counselled by her to report for duty without any undue delay on his part, has shown its effect. A day after the officers’ visit, a faxed request sent by Major Nishchal

150 Ruia for the grant of one-month long leave to attend to some domestic problemreaches Regimental Centre.

Having taken the envelope covering the summons from a Delhi Court, Dr Amir Chand reached his home with Sanwari on his pillion seat, he opens the envelope that his younger sister Rukamani had considered as a `dreaded –shellbomb.`. The `just defused ammunition` is also read out to his wife, now busy in cooking for the night. Then, the fellow asks his sage companion, “Sanwari, the fact of our already having tallied Nishchal’s Passbook Number, and now the contents of the summons from the court before us, please consider what should be our reaction to Juneja family who might be expecting our reaction to their show of confidence in us?”

“I am sure that my dear Gorey Lal is well-informed about the delicacy of `relationship between the sisters-in-law, as a matter of course. In case, the suggestion offered by me seems to bein favour of the `injured Bahu`, my sister-in-law would not allow me stand anywhere in the society. Therefore, please allow me to recluse self, from thismurky situation`.”

It sends listener’s mind into churning around the phrase ìnjured Bahu`. Then, it occurs to him that she is focusing on the contents of the notice, just read out by me for her. Of course, the allegation might be true. But this lady has forgotten the remarks: HIV positive`, at the end of the medical test-report of Nishchal, a copy of which was given to us by the Junejas, a couple of days ago. Had she remembered it, she would have turned her attention to that report also. At that time, she had asked me to explain this phrase `HIV Positive`. I had unambiguously explained to her that HIV stands for `Human Immuno Virus. The disease that this phrase indicates towards the other, rather more popularly known phrase is ÀIDS` ` that means Àcquired Immuno deficiency Syndrome. I remember her yelling out, “Oh, my God!” Then he tells self, “Let me focus on both these pieces of information, coming one after the other, but certainly affecting the purpose of marriage in between the same persons.”

Before, he could ponder over further, she comes out of the kitchen to join him at the dining table; and says, “Are we in a position to decide as to who lent his problem to the other player in the gamethat is generally indulged in while the complete privacy has been assured?”“Oh, I see! Of course, something spoken by this Nirupama M’a’me, during the time when I used to stay at home, now comes to my aid, lurking to be taken into consideration.” Sanwari asks, “What’s that? Maybe, it helps us to arrive at the solution to this tangle” Sanwari asks and looks towards him, as if to know something that she had not told her before, on her return from pilgrimage in Rukamani’s company, immediately after the latter’s retirement from service. Amir Chand says that he had told her everything. Now, that concerns us to reach at the truth of the factum of who was the carrier of this `baneful` contagious disease that resulted in transmitting to the other partner. It has just now struck my mind that the sheaf of papers were the complete record of the `infliction`, being taken care of by the Army Hospital. “With these words, he rises and fetches that sheaf received from Junejas hands, around 10 days ago. He throws quick glances at the previous pages, turn by turn. Having reached at the last page, he draws a long breath, as if he has found that his nephew is rightly being incriminated.

“The man has been carrying this dreadful virus, for at least four years, as the earliest test report in this bunch dates back to 15.2. 2008. It means he was in the know of this glaring fact about his health. He might have been ignorant about the pace of this `fatal disease`, but the information about it being contagious must have been given to this young fellow, maybe he was unmarried at that time. Of course, we needn’t go into the fact of him deriving it from this or that person or thing, as only the person afflicted with it can guess and can know about its source. Sanwari, But he is undoubtedly a culprit in the eyes of morality, society as well as law.”

Sanwari feels relieved off running the risk that was frightening her. She surprises her husband with her logic, “It means the girl was ignorant of the fact of her man having this dreadful disease, otherwise she wouldn’t have requested you `to ask Nishchal for refraining` him from pressing her to give the family a child. Even, Rukamani seemed to know of this problem of her son, during those very days of our pilgrimage, she would repeatedly complain that her daughter-

151 in-law was not in a mood to make her grandmother, because the girl gave preference to her career.she would keep on declaring every now and then that `Babaji` would definitely grant her this sublime pleasure and happiness, because “I have been regularly paying my visits at his `Durbar` (royal court)since the day of my Nishchal’s engagement with Nirupama,” your sister might have kept count of these declarations.”

Amir Chand says, “Now, it seems next to impossible to disbelieve that mother and son were in league. I am inclined to accept and support the view that the sinning husband might have coerced the wife to feign that her husband and his mother were pressurizing her to get conceived to produce the next `heir` for their dynasty. The things stand crystal clear before us. When we visited Anupama’s parental home to convince her to return to her matrimonial family, they had treated us very nicely, even to the extent that we could not suspect that they were buying time to get the summons from the court reach at Rukamani’s door. And the contents of the petition making no mention of the husband being inflicted with HIV, should be construed as her legal counsel’s deliberate step to leave some space to attract the husband to offer `proposal for `mutual divorce`, helping thereby both the parties to save their faces

In the society they belong. It is why they withheld the Army Hospital papers to threaten the culprit through their relatives and acquaintances whosoever happens to be easily approachable for maligning the erring party.”

Sanwari suggests, “Anyways, we shouldn’t on our own reach Junejas with our apologies for the sin committed by our kin. As it might provoke Rukamani to spill venom against us. I don’t wish the escalation in the pace of the trouble advancing in their direction. If she asks us once again to go there vested with powers to get the dispute settled once for all, we may utilize that opportunity for tendering apology from our side for could not dare to see `our Anupama bitiya`, because of the sinful misfeasance of our kin against her. And thereafter, initiate bargaining a settlement, justifiable for both the parties in the given circumstances. “

Luckily for all, the arrogant former gazettedOfficer of the Government, Rukamani Ruia, this time, chooses her lone daughter to proceed towards her estranged `Bhabhi` (brother’s wife) for talks on the issue of her petition for divorce. Before, giving a kick to start her two-wheeler, she had whole-heartedly prayed to Him for helping her sticking to the righteous option sanctioned by her conscience to stand with the innocent. Thus, having exchanged the usual courtesies with Anupama, who is alone at her home, at the moment, she stands before the lady with her hands folded for begging to be pardoned for the sin his mother and brother had committed. She was on the verge of bowing so low to touch her Bhabhi’s feet, when the bold and lady stopped her with the words, “My dear sister-in-law! Please don’t try to play oversmart.” It makes the visitor cry for a very long duration, before speaking, “Bhabhi, please let me explain my position. I assure you that I will not resist your physical assaults, in the event of your disbelieving my statement and choosing to shout at me in the manner you deem fit. Please give me a chance to confess my timidity. Perhaps, you might be knowing that I stand married in the family that is staunch follower of that very Babaji, who is adored by my kin too. A few days ahead of your marriage, I had by chance overheard my mother discussing with a top ranking `sewak` (active disciple of some religious institute)the chances of Nishchal getting cured of his AIDS, very soon. I tried to muster courage to rebel against my parental family, but was thwarted by the thought of my kids’ future, in the event of my in-laws punishing me for opposing the `Supreme Will, being manifested through Babaji, as per their belief. Now that you have suffered so much without any sin, vice or crime on your part, I am ready to be hanged if you so wish, because I remained silent and chose my own safety. I am sure the `Ultimate Judge` on this Earth has urged me to sacrifice everything to stand by the righteousness.” It softens Anupama, as she says I have by now spurned the relationship that I got through my marriage with your `ugly-headed` brother. But in view of the words spoken by you frankly and truthfully, I can assure you my cordiality towards you and your innocent kids, most probably to turn like their elders on both sides, as this type of fanatismhardly dies down in the generations to come.”

152 Of course, both these sensible ladies spend some time in talking about their close relatives’ bent of mind towards such `branded streams` of various religions. Nirupama happens to recall the two visits of Amir Chand and his wife at her house. She casually passes on this information to her present guest to watch her reaction. Of course, it makes her learn that both times they were sent by her mother. It emboldens Nirupama to ask, “I had given some papers to `Mama Ji`, for his perusal and comments, but till date no reaction of any kind they have shown towards my predicament. I believe Mamaji would be in the best of his health. Anyways, please convey my regards and good wishes for the spirited cordiality expressed by him supported by our `Sanwari Mami Ji.”The words used `our sanwari Mami` fascinatedthe listener’s attentionso much so that she yells out, “Anupama Didi, who told you that our Gauri Mamiji has this nick name too?”

“I learnt it from one of them and the other one ratified this fact, in the very presence of the other spouse.” This information makes the listener believe the existence of cordial relationship between her and her ex-husband’s maternal uncle. It impels her to see her Mamaji and Mamiji at their house, very soon.

The very next day, while she was in her office, she rang up at the residential line of her Mamaji. Having exchanged the usual cordialities, she comes to the point of expressing an urgent need to see him and his wife simultaneously in their house, at their earliest, in the interest of her maternal family. So, she fixed the time and reached there, on her solemn mission to confess the `sin committed` by her. There also, she speaks the very same words, as she did yesterday while visiting Anupama. Her Gauri Mami takes her into her arm’s nestle, before praising her with shower of acclamations to signify her moral support of her decision to choose the righteous path. Then, she tells about her one-to-one meeting with Anupama, yesterday. Havingconveyed them Anupama’s appraisal with regard to this couple’s worth for her. She also tells them that she and her mother were anxiouslyawaiting their reaction to the documents they had handed over to this duo, when they visited their residence for the second time.

At this point of time, Mr Amir Chand asks, “Did she tell you anything about the sheaf of papers her mother had handed over to me for perusal and then brought another set of papers? Having placed this sheaf beside the first one, already placed by me at the centre table before us, she requested me to take with me one set, as the other set of the prints-out taken from the same computer will suffice for their reference, if needed at any later date.”

After the departure of his niece, Amir Chand feels like taking the final decision on the advisability of going to Junejas to announce their moral support to Anupama’s demand for divorce from his nephew Nishchal. But Sanwari is of the view that they should first sound Rukamani, in person before proceeding towards her adversary, otherwise even the imminent loser would be blaming his Mama and Mami forever. Thus, they proceed to Ruia’s apartment in Sahibabad area of Ghaziabad. There, they happen to find Nishchal. On seeing him, Amir Chand could not control self, while trying his best to refrain from showing anger. He asked the youngman in a straightforward way, “Nishchal, so what’s the progress on your side? I mean, how is your treatment for AIIDS proceeding?” Instead of answering boldly or timidly, better suited to his temperament in suchlike situations, the man hurried towards his bedroom and brought out a sheaf of papers, looking similar to that Amir Chand already had gone through and at the moment lying in his small pouch he usually carries in his hands. Amir Chand asks, “What’s there in these prints out? The youngman replies, “Someone is spreading canard. I am myself bewildered about these reports.”“Have you ever tried to find out as to who is the man, regularly visiting the Army hospital for the last four years in your name?” Amir Chand asks him, a bit hesitating tone. He replies, “Maybe, he is entirely a different person!”

The elderly pulls out the summons enveloped in a cover, redirected to his Delhi address by the Army Post Office, with the underlined his Passbook Number on it. Now, see for yourself, how this singularly created number is being used on the reports against the column provided in the proforma, to identify the patient, available at the Army Hospital, until the patient produces his Identity Card at the desk meant for this specific purpose.

153 This statement coming from the elderly’s mouth stuns the youngman; and he looks with ire into his mother’s direction, as if to demand her explanation for this letter reaching into his `Mamaji’s hands. As both the mother and son remain silent for quite a long spell of time, Amir Chand looks into his Sanwari’s direction, perhaps to indicate his indignation over the murkier situation. She is getting ready to move, while her hubby is casually leaving the enveloped Summons with the person addressed herein.

From there, they directly want to go to Anupama’s house; therefore, Dr Amir Chand rings at the residential line of Mrs Juneja, who in turn expresses her happiness to listen his voice. She says, “You are always welcome at your `Anupama bitiya’s` home.” Thus, they are at their destination too confirm that his arrogant nephew is suffering from this dreadful disease. Therefore, he expects their latest move to seek from the court dissolution of the unfortunate marriage to succeed. Then, they engage themselves to manifest their desire to remain in touch, so that little problem comes the `innocent girl’s` way.

On the following Sunday, the `aggrieved person` accompanied by her mother and sister Dr Juneja reach at advocate Kitab-ul-Nisan’s Sunday morning office for paying the rest of the fee for conducting the trial in the divorce case. Her sister is introduced to the advocate, the balance amount of Rs 40,000/- is paid in cash. Then, Mrs Juneja places before the Advocate, the bunch of papers they had once shown to Dr Amir Chand. Having perused the document, the advocate looks into his client’s face with an expression of happiness. A little while thereafter, she says, this can be used as our last `winning stroke`, if we find no concrete response coming from his side is made available to us; and also the court feels helpless to award its judgement and we are left to face `perennial hunger`.”

While on their way back home, Dr Sapana Juneja feels like asking her companions here, “How it is that Advocate asked us nothing about the source of these medical reports, in the primary print-outs issued by the Army Officer, in person after tallying his identity with the one already at the time of his recruitment for any of the ranks?” Then, she happens to assume that she might not have given full weightage to this document, at this point of time, when she wants it to be kept in abeyance for the present. Of course, her mother knows that when her elder daughter reached her home, in the absence of Nirupama, she was availing the time for talking at random, once a reference was made by her to Anupama’s wedding party. Immediately she had thought of having a look of Nishchal’s photograph. Maybe, the elder sister, being placed under the impact of Anupama’s woeful status at her in-laws, shewould have connected her wandering thoughts to the lurking image of some young male patient, visiting regularly to get his HIV rating tested and monitored, in the unit, under the charge of Dr Sapana Juneja, Pathologist, of the Army hospital.

“Of course, as they say, `it’s all for the best`, proves valid in this case also. Had the newly married couple, in their first night, not created a tiff in between themselves, over the honeymoon package, purchased by this very person, darling wife of Dr Ritish Sabharwal , Nutritionist , trotting around the globe, to complete on time the World Health Organisation’s Project on malnutrition, those days, this unfortunate marriage would have been consummated,” the mother tells self.

Devastated Major Nishchal Ruia, on his mission damage control, staying all alone during the past couple of night, has by now realised that the type of Babas, her mother worships blindly, do not bother about their follower’s fate, in case the worshipper suffers, because of the ambiguous advice deliberately tendered by the Baba to the blind follower of him. Now, he feels like meeting his Area Commander for his `kindly visit` to his residence in Delhi. There is still a fortnight’s period left with him to try find some solution to the urgent need for dissolution of marriage, in the wake of litigation started by Anupama. So, his selfishness floating on the plank of arrogance impels him to visit his `Mama Ji` for begging him to be pardoned for being inattentive to what he intended to tell him. As he reaches his residence, he is affectionately received by his `Sanwari Mamiji`; and told that his Mamaji would be reaching home after completing his `noble task of treating the patient, free of any charge. The youngman understands the immediate need for

154 flattering the lady and her hubby, in one go. The kind and generous woman, in turn praises his mother. Thus, all his apprehensions and fears for being admonished by Amir Chand disappear, in view of the normal chat by Mamiji. He could imagine for a while that the Smart lady was playing safe, being wary of his mother’s fury, who is real sister of her hubby.

On marking the presence of his nephew, Dr Amir Chand indifferently asked if everyone at his home well.

“I am sitting before you, you may diagnose if I have some ailment; and the only other member in our family who is your dear sister, also looks healthy as usual,” Nishchalspeaks the way that indicative of rebutting an adversary. It causes Amir Chand sharpen his weapons, as he reminds the man of his `unbecoming posture` to frighten his mother as well as her brother in one go, the other day when he had gone there to help his sister to come out of the predicament she was in at that point of time.

”Anyways, Amir Chand asks him directly, “Well Major Saheb, what for you are waiting to happen, before you would take steps to cordon off your mother’s safety and respectability of the family?”

The young Army officer says casually, “Respectability has already gone to the drains, because `Mummy had blindly believed her Babaji.”

Though happy with the crux of this statement, yet Amir Chand choosing not to betray his real feeling says, “Is there anything around that emboldens you to face such a dreadful situation for you, your sister and my sister also?”

The reference to his sibling intrigues the man, who is wondering as to how his happily married sister could be affected. He expects more to come out of his maternal uncle’s mouth, soon. But the oldie, as if unmindful of his presence, picks up the evening edition of the newspaper to go through the headlines. In fact, he is feeling that the man has yet not accepted the onus of blunder committed by him in complicity with his `ruthless, callous and utmost selfish` mother. The visitor takes to the only recourse left to him for indulging at this moment. He yells, “Mamiji, what are you cooking for the dinner?”

She replies, “I am in the process of preparing a dish that your Mamaji had wanted me to cook for this evening, but now your presence here won’t even name the dish, so suggest what you want to have tonight? I’ll quickly do the cooking, putting the earlier on the shelf. I hope, my Gorey Lal Ji won’t mind.” Amir Chand prefers to ignore all this `pampering stuff`; and therefore, keeps himself busy in his routine tasks , without paying any heed to his nephew’s chat with Sanwari. It hurts boy’s self-esteem and he rises immediately to move. At this juncture, the angry uncle says, “Send my sister to me, if she has by now regained her `unblemished mind` that she used to have prior to her daughter’s marriage.”

These words send the listener’s mind churning; and he sits back into his seat, with his eyes downcast. After a few seconds, tears are seen dripping from his eyes. Neither of the elderly duo interferes with the process of remorse and auto-correction that seems to have begun. They are just passive onlookers for a few minutes, till he begins crying out like a child; and abruptly rises to fall at his uncle’s feet. A quick movement on the part of both passive onlookers brings the repentant to his `uncle’s strong hug, whereas his aunt quickly fetches a glass of water tohis lips , to make him drink a few sips , before he is handed over the glass. The man who had forgotten all this type of love, concern and care he used to have at his uncle’s house till the recent past, feels refreshed to retrieve his `Mama and Mami`, who have been doing it out of their natural affinity with him.

Now stands adversely effected. “At this, Sanwari remarks, “But my dear sister-in-law, Rukamani Ruia has no reason to unleash this ` tyranny` to devastate anyone to this extent. After all, what our religious teachings ordain, hasn’t she learnt this much so far?”

155 However, the time has come, through the good offices of Doctor Saheb that three persons from each side are having a closed door meeting at the neutral venue suggested and provided by Dr Amir Chand himself. These persons are the breaking partners, their sisters and their mothers. They have already consented to urge Amir Chand to arbitrate, in case no solution is in sight. He has agreed to be available to them, as soon as requested for. Of course, the dialogue was started by blasting note from Mrs Juneja, thanks to the timely intervention from Sakshi and properly appreciated by Dr Sapana Juneja, elder sister of the breaking female partner; the situation could be saved from getting aggravated by the breaking male.

Now, Dr Sapana suggests, “I am of the opinion that the feuding partners be asked to declare here unambiguously as to what is his/her final decision to end the quarrel getting murkier or break the fraudulently tied nuptial bond, without any furor. So, let’s know who wants to open his/her mind first, before us. Anupama hastens to declare, “I am ready to snap all ties right now.” Nishchal says, “Okay, I have no problems to accept her decision.” Here comes the query from the opponent who says, “Mr Nishchal, do you have any idea about the allegations that have been levelled by my counsel?” Major Ruia speaks out, “M’a’me, I am not well-read like you.” Agreed, you have never been through legal obligations. You know only one skill. You can kill a person with your gun or simply by duping your target with your so-called holy ordain. But in my case, you are required to pay compensation in cash; maybe your entire property is sold out, keeping in view the severity of the crime committed by you in league with your mother. If you don’t understand this simple language, please go to your legal counsel to get my claim verified. But keep in your mind that till then the court may grant me permission to launch criminal proceedings against you and your mother, besides the sample I have placed before you people. I am not coercing you to agree to demand for compensating me. But I would be softer if you choose to make a quick decision.”

He takes a little time to answer her, “Okay, let’s settle it right now. How much compensation you demand?”

She smiles before pronouncing, “It shouldn’t be less than ten crore Indian rupees.” The man looks askance into his mother’s direction, perhaps expecting assistance from her side. But she chooses to remain silent. It makes him angry to shout at her publically, “Now, ask your Babaji to pacify this lioness,who is blood thirsty.”

At this stage, he asks for permission to call his `Mamaji`. It takes him just three minutes to reach there. As Amir Chand looks towards his kin to know about the latest, his sister rises to touch her daughter-in-law’s feet for seeking her pardon. The girl’s mother stops the old lady to bend down before the youngsters sitting beside her. At this juncture, Nishchal discloses the amount Anupama has demanded as compensation for the injuries she suffered at our hands. Remaining silent for a few minutes, before opening his mouth, Amir Chand asks, “Okay, how much you can earnestly offer as optimum from your end, to come out of this tangle which may cost you your job and my sister her peace forever.” He says, “I can’t even think of my capacity to reach just one crore.”

Anupama says, “Sorry, Mamaji, this man who had many a time claimed that his Babaji can grant him thousands of lakh rupees any time he asks for. Now, I wish him to show that miracle.” Having spoken this, she smiles into the oldie’s face with a mischievous smile. He knows that she is just bullying this idiot of the man, who had already wasted away1/3 of his salary for four long years in good faith that Babaji would one day get him free from the deadly disease he has contracted, unfortunately. He suggests a very short interval for tea/coffee break. Finding no objection from either side, he uses his mobile phone to place the order for snacks and coffee and tea, after getting everybody’s choice.

156 TWENTY-ONE

On reaching his clinic, Dr Amir Chand learns from the neighbouring shop-keeper that Police is here, raiding the office of his son-in-law.

Having parked his Vespa scooter, at the designated point, he rushes upstairs, where he marks the presence of a team of four police officials, headed by the officer of the rank of Inspector. The entire office seems ransacked. Only a single item, a laptop computer is being sealed. Having found his father-in-law around there, Kailash Dargan looks sheepishly towards the old person. The man marks this emotional surge in his kin’s body language and tries to console him, “Beta, your family on both sides is at your back. We are sure that you cannot do any illegal thing.

Our legal counsel will reach you at the proper time. Don’t worry, keep up your sorts.” In another ten minutes, the police party is off to their vehicle, with laptop and Kailash Dargan. Immediately, he rings Mr Ganesh Lal, Kailas’s father to apprise him of the situation, here. Then he goes upstairs, where his daughter is sitting alone, sobbing. On seeing her father close by, she rises to reach his arms’ nestle.

In halfan hour, Supriya reaches there, with her Nanaji and Naniji in the car driven by her. Before reaching here, she had informed her husband on this unexpected development. The youngman had assuringly responded that nothing untoward would happen to her `Mamaji`. Within next 50 minutes, a group of six persons has huddled together in the reception area of this small Police Station, to express their solidarity with Kailash Dargan, being interrogated by the police inside a special room, fitted with CCTV cameras, recorders. Almost half-an-hour later, Kailash is seen as coming out to meet his kinfolk. He is looking into everyone’s face with low-profiled body language. His wife Sneh Lata is the first to reach him physically, taking him into the nestle of her arm, she murmurs, “The Merciful is there, don’t worry.”

This affectionate assurance fetches smile to Kailash’s face, whomoves towards the group to say, “The Merciful has already sent an Angel, well on time tosave my reputation. Better, we sit at some other place, where I’ll explain to you how it all happened. For the moment, I am a free man, in the limits of NCR of Delhi. His father-in-law suggests that they can sit in his clinic. Their cars are driven back to the clinic. As they reach there, three persons are already there, waiting for the doctor. He attends to one of them, who is lying on a bench, trying to fight the surging pain in his abdomen. The other one, who has seen Harvinder Singh, in a female’s company, is being attended by doctor’s wife. Supriya marks that Harvinder’s female companion of the like age, is throwing glances in her direction, sporadically.Having attended the patient, administered him a dose of medicine and instructed his companion to keep an eye on the patient, so that he doesn’t fall down. I’ll give him the regular medicine after half-an-hour. Now, the doctor’s curiosity to urgently know from his son-in-law as to what the man could not disclose to them there, in Police Station. With this end in view, he looks into his face and says, “Okay, Kailash Beta, now you come with your story. This old man, already taken care of by Sneh’s mother is my college days’ friend. So, don’t worry, come out with your disclosure.

Kailash says, “Papa, during the interrogation, I was suddenly attracted towards the noting being made by the other police officer, present in the room, sitting at a small table, a little distance from us. He was quietly repeating the words, while noting down. He spoke out my name, profession, and after a pause he again spoke, I am jotting down clearly Vichitar Budhiraja, Okay sir, Mr Kanuj Ratra, recording of all the happenings related to IPl 6, in April this year. I am issuing immediate orders to free this innocent man and another team would be constituted to nab

157 VichitarBudhiraja. Thank you, sir. Having heard the instruction from the person on the other end, he instructed my interrogator to stop his work and let Mr Kailash Dang go, with an undertaking on paper that he would not be moving outside the limits of NCr of Delhi, without informing our Police Station. So, I am here.”

Having heard the details, this freeman’s father-in-law asks, “You were talking about some angel, while you were speaking to Sneh Bitiya, may I know who is that goodSamaritan?” Prompts comes the reply, “None else, but our Kanuj Bhaiya.” At this Supriya claims, “But my dear sister-in- law would have driven that scoundrel of the dirty fellow named Vichitar Budhiraja, who has spoiled many lives around. His niece says, “Kanuj’s sister is an all-time angel. This dirty fellow runs away from the locality, if happens to see this `bold, generous, wise and honest lady, my dear sister-in-law Dr Vibha Rawat, head of the department of English in a college of Delhi.”This statement encourages Harvinder’s companion to confirm Supriya’s statement, “I personally know from my experience of dealing with that gem of the person. I had seen you once walking in her company, while you people had gone to Jaipur, last year. She knows me well.” At this, Supriya asks, “Auntie Ji, may I know your name?” My name is Rani Mohinder Kaur. She fondly addresses me as `Rano, Nani. I don’t know who told her my nickname Rano.” It brings smiles to doctor’s as well as Harvinder’s face. Maybe, your grand-daughter had met the person, who invented this otherwise generally used nickname, specially for you,” Dr Amir Chand quips. Supriyaasks casually, “Were your grand-daughter and my sister-in-law friends, colleagues or was there a relationship of pupil and teacher between them?”

“Sorry, I can’t tell anything about the exact relationship, between the two of them. I am bound by the oath of secrecy, “theoldiespoke abit arrogantly. Supriya doubted the lady’s intention; and therefore she wanted to bring on her lips some befitting reply to `the clever rogue`, opponent, who might have sympathetic corners in her mind towards Abhilash, `the good-for-nothing husband`. Nevertheless, “she could scale down her rage to the extent, “I cannot just digest this `theory of `secrecy clause`, as brought by you, like the politiciansgenerally do, when leaving some obnoxious stuff into the innocent people’s court, and then refusing to answer, further questions standing behind the wall of secrecy clause.” At this juncture, Harvinder Singh winked towards his chummy’s direction, before rising up to hold his companion’s wrist to save her from further onslaught. But the lioness Supriya shouted at her back, “If can wait for some time, I may call to reach us here, at the earliest; then you’ll have to face her, whom you were trying to malign indirectly, in her husband. Madame, Show guts and be seated till my dear sister-in-law is here.”

But the visitors had by then crossed the threshold. Now, Supriya rises to stand up with folded hands before Kailash and says, “Sorry, Mamaji, I could not control myself when I felt that the lady was trying to hide unnecessarily the relations between her granddaughter and my `neat and clean Sister-in-`law. Again, she stands before her Sneh Mamiji’s mother to “beg your pardon”, for spoiling the otherwise pleasant and happy occasion. At this point of time, Sneh’s mother gets up to take the young lady into her nestle and say, “You haven’t done anything wrong to her.” She then moves towards Amir Chand to say, “Uncle, I misbehaved with your patients. I am sorry, but it is the truth that my dear Vibha Didi is honest, bold, generous, kind, selfless, and is capable of standing like a rock to face all weathers.” In reply, “You are like my Sneh Bitiya. We the parents of Sneh feel very lucky to have Dargans as our closest relatives, though we had never known them, prior to this relationship that accrued between ouryoung children thanks to the good offices of Sitar Chand, Your grandfather on paternal side. The factual love and attachment that exists in the members of your families, belonging to Sairaki belt, part of Pakistan, is rarely seen, particularly these days, amongst Punjabis on this side of Punjabis.” He takes intermission, to move towards Harvinder and his comrade Rano, being consoled by the former. Though, he was talking or addressing to everyone around, yet he was aware of the presence of the duo, through his furtive glances towards the door. So he respectfully brings them back into this hall. Here, he introduces them properly to his audience, as they listen, “Mr Harvinder Singh is my classmate where me, Sitar Bhai Saheb and this courageous most of the three of us, where we studied more than half a century ago. The lady companion may in way be taken as his wife. She had been the student of Harvinder’s elder brother, Professor Devinder Singh, head of Punjabi

158 Department. Later on, they joined the leftist’s movement in the country; continued working for the upliftment of the down-trodden.“

Before, he could utter a word more, Rano speaks out, “Actually, we had moved on to the road, but found crowd thronging towards the stairs adjacent to the clinic,but the mob was thwarted by The presence of four policemen, one of whom is a Havaldar, as the red v-shaped strips on his shoulder suggest.”In order to divert the attention of this comrade duo, the smart doctor saheb brings forward a proposal to refresh their mind by taking tea, coffee or cold drinks. Thus, the division suggests that only two, Kailash and his mother Usha Dargan need cold drinks; whereas the rest require tea. He places the order to the vendor via his mobile phone. Meanwhile, Harvinder reveals that he has heard people discussing the office upstairs being raided by the police since morning, is used by the `notorious bookie` Vichitar Budhiraja of Delhi, who has been commanding the illicit betting for all IPL 6, to be played in Delhi.”

Supriya feels like seeking the elderly lady apology, so she rises up from her seat to stand before her with folded hands to say, “Auntie Ji, please pardon me. I had no idea about your place here in my Mamaji’s `Sasural’s(parental side of one’s spouse)clinic. At this point of time, Harvinder rises up to tell his chummy that we have heard these words in circulation about the premises in yourneighbourhood. Dr rises up to bid the departing friends a `decent goodbye`. As his visitors cross the threshold and turns his face towards his kin with a usual smile, he feels a stout man is following him into the waiting patients’ area. Kailash Dargan, having marked the Asi Balwan Singh, without his official uniform dress, entering the clinic, rises on his feet to greet him, nevertheless ,he is already acquainted with him in his capacity as beat officer. They shake hands and sit side by side, when the visitor informs him that he had gone upstairs “to see you on official errand. Your deputy, Mr Shekhar Batra came forward to let me know that he is the incharge, in the event of your not being there. At this, I whispered into HIS ears,” I will assume my official role, placing my Id card dangling over my chest as I put it around my neck, to make it official, WHICH is otherwise a friendly gesture towards the innocent man already acquainted with me. So, I ordered the office to be closed, leaving the things as they are, at the moment. All the staff members shall leave the office alone, without speaking or talking to anyone on their way. Thus, they have trickled down away, as I have ensured on my wireless gadget. Having got the office door locked and finally received thebunch of keys into my custody, I instructed the policemen posted at the entry to upstairs, I have stealthily reached you incognito. Sir, please have this bunch of the keys of your office. It’s for your own safety to remain in this very premises till the newsmen with their cameras and vans have not been exhausted their patience to move away voluntarily from the vicinity, being watched by our hi-f I system, constantly from a considerably long distance. We hope, you would cooperate with us in nabbing that Vichitar Budhiraja, for his masterminding this IPL scam. I also request you to keep off the politicians so far as this case does not reach at the court. When everything is OK for your safety, I’ll personally speak to you on phone. Goodbye!”

Now, no outsider is present in the immediate vicinity.Everyone of them had heard clearly the words being spoken by the man leaving this hall. Of course, the identity of that outsideris known, since he is the person who was sitting at the reception desk of the police station where Kailash was being interrogated and then being letting off after giving an undertaking in his own hand that he would restrict his movements strictly upto the limits of the National Capital Territory, without the express permission of this police station; and shall also help in nabbing the real culprits for this scam, already in the news for the past two weeks.

At around 8.30pm, Kanuj Ratra, driven by his sister Vibha Ratra reaches here. She receives the due attention from everyone present here, for having already been eulogized by her younger brother’s wife Supriya. In fact, Supriya wants to prove before his Mami’s presence that Vibha had really frightened Vichitar Budhiraja to stop interfering into married persons mutual affairs. Kanuj also knew that `devil’s` deeds in that story. Therefore, it took Supriya needed no extra pain toconvince her husband that when he comes to see her Mamaji who is already longing to take the `angel`into his hug. She had simply conveyed him, a few minutes ago, that the car will remain

159 with her, because her grand-parents also want to spend the night here in the company of their family members; and therefore she was suggesting him to avail Didi’s car for reaching here. On hearing from her younger brother Kanuj about the situation caused by `that rogue`, Vibha had on her own desired to give company to him.

Undoubtedly, it has been proved by the statement of these siblings, immediately on their arrival, here. After a lull of few minutes, Kanuj tell his audience of eight persons, “I had my suspicions getting hold of me, when at the small group just two families at `Dam Pukht`, following the regularly sized party thrown by our Mamaji and Mamiji to celebrate their Silver- Jubilee Anniversary, as I had marked Vichitar Budhiraja approaching our Kailash Mamaji`. Of course, it took a risky step for self, by way of spying on Mr Dargan. I got a video prepared of the `rascal’s voice pertaining to the placement of representative of him at our MamaMami ji’s office, with a view to produce before the police, if needed to prove our Mamaji’s innocence. Now, having handed over the original cartridge of that episode, though having already got a true copy of the original one with me. I have the signatures of the receiver of the original from me, in the presence of his superiors in the office of the District Police Headquarters. A little thereafter, at around 9.00pm, Kailash Dargan receives a call from the ASI, telling him to move out, as all the protesters have been driven and the newspersons have `also wound up their equipment and have been seen as heading towards another assignment for them. At this, Dr Amir Chand proposes ` a dinner out` for this party of nine. Supriya says, it should be hosted by Kanuj whose `risky plan` have yielded the desired dividends. Vibha marks signs of bewilderment on Sneh Lata’s face; and it sends her into pensive motion. To cheer up her Vibha Didi, at the same time teasing her Mamiji, Supriya yells, “I am sure, had my dear sister-in-law been invited to that party by Kanuj at `Dam Pukht, that devil of the man` Vichitar would have taken a u-turn then and there, having marked the presence of our dearDr Vibha Ratra.”

It is now, almost after the period of six months’ strenuous efforts of members of the group of six persons, comprising of five females and the lone male who had played a villain’s role, had gathered here for the first time in this very hall to find the solution to the ticklish problem before an estranged couple, married for over two years, without having their marriage consummated. In that meeting, doctor Amir Chand had chosen to keep himself out of the deliberations, exploring the fundamentals for bargaining a deal, if in sight and the fixing of the finalities, once for all. Of course, the earnest efforts, supported by his dauntlesscapacity to face the trial and tribulations, for the sake of others also, has brought fruits, when to his pleasure he is peacefully overseeing the proceedings tending towards the successful culmination of the process set off then by him to reach at some amicable solution for both the feuding parties. A bank draft for the amount of Rs. 3 crore only has been handed over to him, by his younger sister Rukamani, the estranged wife of his nephew Nishchal Ruia has begun signing the documents, already got prepared earlier and now signed in the presence of all the member of that group, now extended with the inclusion of doctor saheb and Professor Vibha Ratra, sitting next to Anupama, exactly opposite to Amir Chand, on the other side of the table.

Earlier, it had so transpired that a week after the very first meeting of this group of six, Rukamani directed by her son Nishchal, reached her Amir (rich) Bhai, to consider her intuition for contacting and involving a lady teacher of the university level, already known to her, for mediating to get the penalty of ten Crores to an attainable level, in the face of our affordability. He issues a query, “Can you right now tell me her name?” “Of course, her name is Professor Vibha Ratra,” says his sister. “Oh, I see. I too know her, but a little. She is connected to me, through my son-in-law Kailash, whose niece Supriya is the sister-in-law of that lady.”

How do you think about this idea?” Rukamani looks curiously into his face after having posed this question to her elder brother. Thus, the timely inclusionof this lady, commended by her brother’s wife Supriya as “My dear sister-in-law is really an angel”, in this very hall, in Amir Chand’s presence, hardly two months ago.”

At this point of time, Vibha having secured the signed documents by Anupama, extends her hand towards the respectable old person, for the exchange of the documents in their respective

160 hands. Having seen the draft reached into her younger sister’s hand and securely slipped into the younger’s bag, Dr Sapana Ruia says, “I request Dr Vibha Ratra to enlighten the opponent party about my Anupama’s plans of donating this `squeezed money` from the villain who did her the irreparable damage, deliberately and ruthlessly ;and still showing no signs of remorse.”

Dr Vibha speaks out, “I am proud of this young lady lecturer, who has shown in her a formidable courage to fight the evil wheresoever's it may be found. She has already conveyed to me that the entire sum of this `alimony` being paid by her breaking-up marriage partner as compensation, while she has agreed to enter into a mutual divorce petition they will be filing in the court, the very next working day. As per her plans for donating the entire money, I am also authorized by her to tell the worthy payer and his kin thatAnupama is to set up a modernized small unit of test laboratory specifically for the AIDS patients. There will also be a provision for providing free services for the poor and the needy, besides these patients will also be provided free medicines, in case they cannot afford to purchase such costly drugs. To augment this initial fund in hand, to start with, they, I mean, both the sisters, Vow to donate 1/3 of their monthly salary regularly, come what may.”

It seems clearly enough that this pronouncement makes the delinquent feel ashamed, as he says, “Oh, my dear sister-in-law, let me avail the privilege of addressing you, at least till the day the court declares my marriage with your sister dissolved, I have a lot of appreciations coming from the core of my heart for the commendable job you performed in bringing my ailment into public domain, even at the risk of losing your job. I wish both of you, a great future.”

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