control

16.10.2009

Every thing was silent in the park, the summer morning was moving toward a scorching noon. The threesome were sitting side by side, watching the lake water glittering like a shawl stiched with diamonds in the sunshine.

A car stopped at the park gate, a driver came out of the car to fill a bucket with water from the lake. The passenger sat in the back seat. He turned away his face after seeing them sitting on the bench.

The threesome looked at him grimly, Mrs. Gupta softly said, “I sincerely hope that monster is finally happy that his control over his children and their life is proved.”

“Even the very thought of him fills me up with hatred, inching his own son toward suicide.” She added.

Her other two friends preferred silence. There was nothing to be said about this affair.

The car drove away after the driver poured the water in the radiator.

Mr. Singh was a rich industrialist, known all over the community for his arrogancy and greed for money. His wife was exactly the opposite, timid and God fearing. She passed away when their children were young, he did not married again. He did not lived the life of a saint but he thought it better to not marry and concentrated on his business and two children.

His paternal affection made him a control freak, he dictated every step his children will take.

His daughter revati was completely under his control, he married her off to a suitable boy when she was eighteen. He waited till then to avoid legal problems.

Lucky for Revati that her husband Supratik was a nice guy. Understanding and caring.

Problem cropped up with Lekh. He made it quite clear from his teenage.. his life is only his. No one else dictates it for him.

He ran away from home after being spanked once, police rescued him from a remote village, working in a tea shop. Since then Mr. Singh treated him with apprehensive acceptance.

They both avoided confrontation because Mr. Singh had some weakness for his boy child and Lekh did not enjoyed working in the tea shop at the least, so they both pranced at each other like two tigers in adjoining cages.

18.10.2009

Revati was sitting in her drawing room. Supratik was out of town. Her tiny son was playing in the garden.

“Ma, Ma mama has come with an aunty. She gave me this chocolate, can I eat it?” Ron clutched her hand. “Please ma.. can I?

“Please allow the tiny one to have the chocolate your excellency!! Sorry Sunita should have given it after taking your permission, but she is not much expert in handling children.” A sonorous voice sounded from door way.

She stood up happily, “Dada, when did you returned to kolkata?”

She looked at her brother. An extremely handsome man and noted a pretty looking girl was standing beside him. Fair and cute like a doll.

“Meet sunita, your would be sister in law.” He said with a soft smile, he doted after his little sister. “Sunita this is the light of my life and eyes, my little baby sister Revati.”

Sunita came forward and hugged her. Revati felt the warmth of her heart instantly.

She asked her brother in a subdued way, “Does dad knows it?”

“I have not informed him yet. I don’t know if I will inform him or simply marry.” He said after sitting down. “Now will you please give your bhabhi something to eat? Or you want her to gossip about your clumsiness for the rest of my life?”

19.10.2009

They gathered around the tea and snacks on the table. Chatting heartily.

“Dada, you should have told dad.” Revati said, “I know he is not the perfect father but he is our father.”

“We will talk about it later, right now you should be buttering your bhabhi, our future relationships depend on her. You know that don’t you?” Lekh smiled, Revati understood the unspoken words and became silent.

She did not let them go without having the dinner. Sunita called up her parents to tell them that she wont be home for dinner.

“Dada, can you drop by tomorrow morning?” Revati asked when she found him alone for a while. Lekh nodded.

Revati passed the night dreaming nightmares about a furore between her brother and father. She loved both of them.

She was too soft natured, hence she never resisted her father or her husband and in laws, so no bitterness cropped up inside her for anyone.

Lekh being independent minded clashed with his father again and again. As a result they rarely talked with each other now. Lekh spends his limited time in kolkata at his father’s home more out of sympathy for the old man than love.

20.10.2009

She woke up before dawn and went out to the garden with a cup of tea. Ron was still sleeping peacefully. She stood for a while looking at his peaceful, innocent face.

How lucky he is!!!! She thought. Supratik dotes after him, pampers him to no end. If he did what dada is going to do we will accept his wife happily.

She sat down in the garden chair watching the city slowly waking up.

It started with the paper boy and milk man. They both smiled at her. “good morning didi.” Every one liked her because of her soft nature.

Peace was far away from her heart. She knew very well what will happen when Lekh will tell dad or she will have to tell him.

She was looking at the trees, bushes and flowers around her, trying to divert her thoughts but nothing worked. She gulped down the tea and went inside.

Ron was still sleeping. She went to the kitchen and occupied herself with work.

A couple of hours she called Lekh and asked him to spend the day with them.

The bell rang at eleven. Ron was in school. “hi Revu, what is the menu for breakfast? I am starving.” Lekh beamed at her.

She observed with great happiness how much he has changed since Sunita came into his life. A thin shadow of sadness which always wrapped him was gone.. a warm happiness has taken its place.

“I am sick of Ramukaka’s horrible cooking.” He winked at her. “First give me a hot cup of coffee.” He said.

She felt guilty to discuss some thing unpleasant with him right at that moment.

They were sitting with the coffee cups in their hands when the bell rang again.

Revati was surprised. She got up and opened the door. Supratik was standing there. He was about to give her a hug but restrained himself when she giggled shyly.

“Its alright, its alright, I am looking the other way. If you want I can even close my eyes or pretend that I don’t exist here.” He heard the voice of his brother in law.

“You rogue!!!! How dare you enter my home without my permission?” he hugged him tightly.

They have become best of friends since Revati married Supratik.


21.10.2009

“Hmm!!!! That’s a great news. The best news I have heard since eternity.” Supratik winked at his brother in law.

“Don’t worry, I will try to pacify the dragon.” He laughed. He had a wonderful relationship with his father in law. “After all I am his only son in law.”

It took quite a long time. But Mr. Singh finally gave in and agreed to meet Sunita’s family.

Lekh was flying in the seventh sky. They went to see Sunita to her home to finalise the formalities.

It was a very ordinary home but beautifully decorated. Entire home was decorated with hand made things.. paintings, stich works..

There was not much to say, Mr. Singh kept mostly silent, then he was silent by nature. Sunita’s family was overwhelmed.

Lekh’s vacation was over, it was fixed that when he comes back in March, two months later they will get married. In the mean time the elders will fix a date and let him know.

A few weeks passed like dream. Revati was sitting in her drawing room. Supratik was in office, Ron in school. She has already finalized her dresses for her brother’s marriage, was finalising Ron and Supratik’s dresses since last few days.

The phone rang, she rushed to pick up. It was Supratik, “Revu, do you know Sunita’s family has called off the marriage?” he sounded distressed “I will be back home early, lets go and talk with them.”

Revati mumbled some thing.

“Please forgive us.” Sunita’s father folded his hands, “We thought it thoroughly, but we are no match for you.”

“A beggar shall not dream of a palace.” He added sincerely. “I have decided it after judging it from every angle. I wont change my mind.”

“We have already fixed Sunita’s marriage somewhere else. Next month.” He added. “Please come to bless the newlyweds, I will certainly send you a card.” His solemn expression said there was nothing to say.

“Can I see Sunita?” Revati asked pleadingly.

“Sorry child, she will be married next month. In our familly its strictly prohibited that a girl whose marriage date is fixed mixes with non relations.” He folded his hands. “Please forgive me, us, tradition is tradition.”

They came back shattered. None knowing how to break the news to Lekh.

Next morning the phone rang again early in the dawn, Supratik picked it up and placed it down within two minutes. His face has lost every colour, “Sunita has committed suicide last night.”

22.10.2009

“Pack necessary things we are leaving for Delhi by the next available flight.” Supratik said.

Revati heard him talking to his secretary and airways office. By evening they were with Lekh.

They were scared by his absolute silence. There was no expression of grief on his face. He was never talkative, now he has become absolutely silent.

Supratik came back leaving Revati and Ron with him. “I will meet dad and talk with him.” He said at the airport.

Revati could see that Lekh has taken the thing very badly but he refused to open up.

“Why don’t you do one thing?” Soha one of his colleagues asked. “There is a good temple nearby, where every evening a genuine class on spiritualism is held, these mahatmas help people in grief. I have seen them working wonder.”

Revati went there with Ron and was overwhelmed by the environment. It was absolutely peaceful. An orphanage run by the mission was attached to the ashram and temple. The swamijis, sadhvis and the orphanage dwellers took care of every thing.

She took Lekh there in the evening, when the arati was about to start. She could feel by his relaxed face that he too have been blessed by the peace of that place.

Since that day she took him and Ron there every morning and evening. She had to return to Kolkata a month later because of Ron’s school.

“Dada, if you ever feel lonely do come to kolkata or call me, either me or Supratik will catch the next flight.” She hugged her brother tightly.

“Don’t worry Revu. I will be alright.” He said calmly.

It was this calmness which scared Revati beyond words.

She hugged him tighter and boarded the plane with tears in her eyes. Which kept on rolling from her eyes till she met Supratik at airport and he firmly held her hand.

“Don’t worry Revu, I have talked with my secretary, from now on I will be handling North India and he will be handling South India.” He said gently hugging her, “That means I will be able to meet Lekh atleast once a month.”

“I will call him every day, you too do that. Make him talk, with you, with Ron.” He added.

“Dad has teken the thing quite calmly. I asked him if he wanted to meet Lekh and he said that he has talked with him. Lekh did not wanted to see anyone.” He said. “They are really not at all close to one another.”

“It must be his fault, he must have said something to Sunita’s dad.” Revati said. This was the first time in their married life Supratik heard her saying any thing against her father.

He softly ruffled her hair as she hid her face in his lap venting out her frustration by a torrent of tears.

23.10.2009

The next time Supratik came back from Delhi he was visibly disturbed.

“Revu, I don’t know if I am over-reacting but all his neighbours asked me to get him married asap. He is spending all his free time in that ashrama.” He said seriously.

“they are afraid that he will join them.” he added. “May be he needs some time to get over the immense pain. But very frankly, I too have the same suspicion.”

“You know dada. He will never agree to marry. No one can make him do any thing against his will.” Revati said softly. She knew her brother very well.

“I will try to pull him out of this state of mind. You can try to persuade him to get transferred to kolkata.” He said. The discussion stopped there but it left the undercurrent of worries in both hearts.

Six months have passed since the discussion between Revati and Supratik. Revati was sitting in the garden when a taxi stopped. She stood up and saw Lekh coming out of the taxi. She ran to him with a smile.

He hugged her and kissed her forehead. “How are you Revu?” he sounded calm and peaceful.

She smiled in return.

24.10.2009

They were sitting side by side in the drawing room sofa. Just enjoying the company of each other after such a long time when the door bell rang.

Revati opened the door, “Hi!! Amina. Come inside.”

Lekh looked up, a gorgeous girl was walking towards them. Hardly nine or ten years old.

“She is Ron’s classmate. They recently transferred here from Delhi.” Revati smiled. “Sit down beta. Ron will be back soon.”

Amina left with Ron after he returned from school and changed.

“They take tution together. Amina’s father passed away in an accident, her mother returned to her father’s home with Amina.” Revati said. “She is a very bright child and very well behaved.”

The bell rang again, Revati went to open the door, “Hi Neelofar, we were talking about you and Amina just now. Please come in.”

Lekh looked up and his eyes stayed there for a little while. He has rarely seen such a combination of beauty, sophistication and grace.

Neelofar folded her hands to him. “So you are Revati’s elder brother, both Ron and Revati dote after you.” She said with a sweet smile.

“They are the ones to be adored, not me. Where did you lived in Delhi? I live there.” Lekh smiled softly.

It was a mere coincidence that they lived in the same locality. That opened a stream of discussion, memories and experiences.

Neelofar left with Amina but not before inviting all of them for lunch next day.

They became wonderful friends within the next fortnight that Lekh spent in Kolkata.

Revati was happy to note the change of mood in Lekh. He was slowly getting back to his normal self.

26.10.2009

“Revu, I am coming back to kolkata next month.” It was Lekh on the other side of phone. “I have taken transfer to Kolkata office.”

Revati was happy and relieved beyond words. Lekh returned to kolkata after a month and started to live with his father.

Months started to glide by like dream. One year has passed by since his return to kolkata when Lekh showed up at Revati’s door.

Revati was sitting in the lawn, watching the winter flowers that has started to bloom one by one under the careful affection of her and Ron’s. Ron was now eleven years old. He was the one who deserved the main credit behind these beautiful flower beds.

“Revu!!!” she almost jumped up from her seat, “Did I scared my little sister?” Lekh laughed.

“Dada, I have told you a thousand times to not startle me like this.” She scowled at him.

“I love to see you jumping like that, you know that.” Lekh was still laughing, “Its my pet hobby.”

“Will you have a cup of tea? Or coffee?” Revati smiled.

“A little later, let Supratik come I will have something with him and tea or coffee and dinner…” Lekh smiled.

Revati’s eyes became moist when she saw the deep peace and happiness on her brother’s face. She was scared that he has lost that forever.

“Revu, I am in love with someone, and I want to marry her, and if I tell dad he will get a heart attack.” Lekh said softly.

“I know I am being a monster to you, but I could not help it. it was love at first sight, I tried to wipe it out but the more I tried to wipe it out, the stronger it became.” He continued a little sadly.

“Who is she? Do I know her?” Revati asked.

“Neelofar.” He replied looking keenly at her face.

27.10.2009

“You will get us all killed.” Supratik said grimly. “Dad will kill all of us and then kill himself if you tell him that you want to marry a muslim girl, that too a widow with one daughter.”

“I think you are right.” Lekh replied.

“I like Neelofar very much. Does she shares your views? Her family?” Revati’s comment came as a surprise to both of them.

“I have talked with Neelofar and her family. Amina’s father was Sikh.” Lekh replied.

“I will talk with dad.” Both Lekh and Supratik stared at her.

She talked with her father the very next day. Tried her best to soften his heart. Finally he gave in and asked for a few days.

She was sitting in her drawing room when her maid stopped by her before leaving.

“Didi, I was thinking about telling you some thing for long.” She was clearly hesitating.

“Sit down Ruposi.” Revati said.

Ruposi huddled close to her, as much possible. “I have full faith on you that you wont tell it to anyone, not even jamaibabu (brother in law- in this case supratik).” She looked at her with begging eyes. “But I just cant silent my conscience, its been bugging me since I heard that you are trying to get your brother married to Neelofardidi.”

“Why? Whats wrong in that?” Revati frowned. She was not much of a gossiper, but some thing in Ruposi’s body language told her she should better listen.

28.10.2009

“When you fixed your brother’s marriage earlier.. The girl who killed herself?” Ruposi started to say in a halting manners. “She killed herself because she did not wanted to marry anyone else.”

“But your father had her father threatened that he will not take any responsibility of her safety if she enters his household as a daughter in law.”

“My husband was one of them who went to scare her father.” She added. “I did not knew that girl, but I have seen Neelofardidi and amina, they both are very good.”

“I told you all these things because I know you wont tell anyone.” She looked at Revati with pleading eyes.

“I wont tell anyone, you can go home now.” Revati said.

They both jumped up when they heard a commotion at the door, which Ruposi has left open because she was about to leave.

Revati saw her brother disappearing outside the gate. She screamed out his name but he entered his car and sped away.

She ran for the phone, called his cell but it got disconnected. The next time she called the recorded voice informed her that its switched off.

She called up Supratik and Neelofar one by one and told them every thing and collapsed on the sofa.


29.10.2009

The whole night passed away like a nightmare, early next morning the police called. Lekh’s almost lifeless body has been found. The whole family huddled outside ICU.

Every time a doctor or nurse came out they will run to him or her to hear “we cant say any thing right now.”

It was well past next day’s afternoon when the doctors finally gave them the first signal of hope. “If he makes it through the night, we can be half sure that he will pull through it alive. But we will have to wait for his recovery to realize how much damage he has done to himself.”

The night passed away, the family took the first breath of relief.

Mr. Singh observed the grief on Neelofar’s face, her beautiful nature and behaviour. She never left them all through the trial.

Lekh slowly started to come to his senses. Fortunately none of the damages were irreparable.

He walked out of the hospital two months later with four boons.. a new life, a father, a wife and a daughter.

A month later the threesome were sitting in the same park, talking with each other.

“Sometimes people learn lessons from past. I am really happy that Mr. Singh learned his lessons and welcomed life.” Mrs. Gupta said.

“As a parent we should never forget that we don’t own our children. They are live beings, so they have every right to decide their fate.” Mrs. Ghosh said.

“Well, when one’s own nest is hit, even monsters start to act like human beings.” Mrs. Sinha said.

“Lets pray for the happiness of the family, especially Lekh.” Mrs. Gupta added with a smile.

happy ending :).....