Monday, March 2, 2009
Translated from Telugu by Dr. Haribandi Lakshmi, EFL University
It was a pleasant feeling that those letters were growing bigger and bigger in size and were encircling her and leaving her alternatively. If a shape were given to a wish it would perhaps have the power to pierce the heart. Parvathi restlessly turned in the bed from one side to another. Bhaskar was sleeping at a distance that her hand could reach. She looked at him seriously for a while. She had a guilty feeling somewhere in her heart. ‘Does he have any secret in his life?’ ‘It cannot have an answer’ pat came the reply.
Where is the chance? From the time he gets up in the morning he teaches three batches of students for three hours, one hour each batch. Then he goes to college. In the evening he comes home, takes a cup of tea and starts teaching again. As far as EAMCET coaching is concerned there is no one who is better than him. In his life there is just no room for any feelings or emotions. Then what about her restlessness? Her very thinking in those lines is wrong. She closed her eyes and tried hard to sleep. Though she says ‘no!’ ‘no!’ that scene appears in front of her eyes again and again.
- - - - - - -
The phone in the computer section seemed to be dead. She had got irritated by trying for it several times and finally went there personally. When she went there, he alone was there trying some new design on the computer. Out of curiosity, she stepped forward without disturbing him. On the computer screen, the letters ‘PARVATHI’ were surging like the ends of a saree. Back and forth wrapping the black letters ‘SHASHI’ and were moving….. Parvathi’s legs were shaken a little. His eyes that turned red and the way his gaze was fixed on the screen… In a second he sensed that somebody was around and quickly deleted the letters from the screen. When he turned back – he was aghast to see her. Parvathi recovered from the shock herself and rushed to her chamber. Initially she was furious. How dare he! Before she could think of anything he barged in. He started speaking hurriedly before she could say anything… she should not feel hurt…. She might ask him if he did not know what was proper and what was improper. But, he said, that special feeling one would get on meeting a person – the feeling of deep love and admission was experienced only once in a lifetime. It was not her fault, he said. He said he thought a lot about it but he was helpless. He said there was nothing wrong in loving a person who was passionate and who could inspire others. He said he was worried a lot that he would not be able to express his feelings to her. He thought he would not get a chance to do it at all. But, he said, his wish was fulfilled that day unexpectedly. He assured her that he would not disturb her in any way…..
When she witnessed the door, he closed behind him recklessly, banging a while and then slowly coming to a halt, she felt that her condition too was similar to that. In the three bed room apartment, practically she uses only two rooms – the bed room and the kitchen. She gets up at six in the morning and enters the kitchen. Once she steps into the kitchen she has to be there itself and cook food without making any noise. The clattering of the pots and pans is banned. The other two rooms are occupied by the students who come for coaching. It was Bhskar’s order that the students should not be disturbed. Walking softly, lest her feet should make a noise, she cooks food with utmost devotion. That is her duty. There is just no room for any other thought. At ten O’ clock she goes to office. Again by five O’ clock she is back in the world where there are no sounds, nor any room for listening to music or watching television. She has to remain as an embodiment of silence, like a statue. Bhaskar does not know any other world except his college and the tuition that he gives at home. There is no thought of anything else. When the whole life is spent being caught in the meaningless and tiring rate race where there is room not even for any conversation, suddenly there appeared a shower of words. There is a stream of thought, which never happened earlier. She took out from the drawer of her desk the newspaper cuttings that Shashikanth gave her many times in the past saying, ‘Have you read my latest poem, madam?’ She could see in every poem some word or other that was synonymous with her name ‘Parvathi’, incorporated somewhere or other very aptly turned page after page, she could see newer and newer angles. It was as if the old and worn out letters ‘LOVE’ were appearing new and going on changing their colour on the computer screen. Whenever he enters her room with a file, what she does usually is wishing him casually, signaling him to sit, signing the file seriously and getting back to her work. That day too as usual Shashikanth wished her as he entered the room. Parvathi felt a little nervous and lowered her head. Her hands were trembling a little. She tightened her fists. He left the file on the table and walked away. After half an hour when she was signing his leave letter she could not ask him, ‘Are you not well, Shashi?’ while leaving he left a cover on her table. She looked at that cover addressed to ‘Mrs. Parvathi’ for quite a long time. Was he apologizing? Did he say that he committed a mistake? What did he say? Parvathi opened the cover with trembling hands. There were lines written in a beautiful hand…
‘After several sleepless nights and days that were wet with tears….. about the sad experience he was compromised to, when reality struck him ….. about the secret love that had turned him into a poet but which he would never be able to experience ….
Another beautiful poetic excitement is what that letter was.
After reading the letter Parvathi folded the letter and put it in her bag. She felt like laughing, it was not known why. Not only for Shashi but also for her too would there be an opportunity to touch even the ends of that excitement? Parvathi opened her eyes and started staring at the ceiling. She imagined him to be standing on the other side of a huge, locked door. Perhaps she was thinking too much. She consoled herself…… After all we are human beings, aren’t we? We react….. We think …. And we act wisely……. She kept on looking at the fan that was running at a high speed and fell asleep after a long time.
* * *
When she was tidying up the kitchen without making any noise, Bhaskar screamed ‘Parvathi!’ As never before Bhaskar called her by name. Even before she could say ‘Yes’ he entered the kitchen. He has in his hands the letter written by Shashi. ‘You have no shame… you are educated but you don’t seem to have any culture ….’ Bhaskar’s face showed terrible hatred. Parvathi was scared. Before she could utter anything, Bhaskar caught her by her hair. He went on slapping her…. ‘chii….chii…’ what a shameful thing!’ He pushed her back hardly. Her head hit the kitchen platform and she fell down profusely bleeding. It’s a blessing that our mind works only up to the extent that it can tolerate the pain and sorrow. Parvathi remembered only her struggle to get some support when she was about to faint. When she opened her eyes after a long time, it was not known after how long it was, she found the house quite. She regained her consciousness when flies started hovering on the blood that flowed from her forehead. When she got up and entered the drawing room after washing her face, the phone started ringing. It was Mr. Sambhamurti, the manager at the other end. He said, ‘Shashi was arrested, madam?’
‘Why? What happened?’
Parvathi was perplexed.
‘It seems an SI from Seven Town police station raided Shashi’s apartment and found some banned literature in his possession. I am applying leave today, madam. I have to make arrangements to get Shashi released on bail.
‘Okay’ said Parvathi while hanging up.
Bhaskar must have approached his brother. One single letter…. What is this?… How did it all happen? …. Nothing did he ask her. He was not at all pained to suspect his wife. Did the person who had been living with him for many years not have as much value as that paper? The mere thought that somebody set his eyes on a thing that belonged to him, a thing on which he alone had every right, should drive him to take this extreme step? Infact who is she? She is not an individual by name Parvathi. She is just a doll bought by Bhaskar. She is a doll, which cooks food and gives him sexual pleasure when he turns the key on. She had never felt so miserable earlier even though her life was like a desert without any pleasures or friendly talk! She accommodated herself in it as naturally as one breathes. Her life, where she never left any room for the questions like ‘Why? What?’, itself became a question mark now.
Parvathi’s head was reeling. Why did Bhaskar go to that extent? He must have gone to his brother and poured out his woes. Immediately his brother must have got up, put on his uniform and taken Shashi into custody in the name of a raid. There is no wonder even if they had by now beaten Shashi black and blue in the name of interrogation. A police officer and an academic … in the opinion of both of them Parvathi is a woman who can easily make mistakes.
It was nothing but the headstrongness of these people who think that they can keep the power of decision-making in their own hands. How cruel!
Parvathi shivered from head to toe. She is an officer who can command fifty other officers with a mere signal from her eyes. She fell on her back helplessly with one slap. Tears welled in her eyes for the humiliation she suffered. Suddenly with a bang, the door was opened. There stood Bhaskar like an embodiment of fury.
‘What? … Are you feeling sorry for your paramour? Even your father cannot free him from jail. Within minutes my brother took action on him. If I don’t see his end…’ Bhaskar challenged.
‘You are mistaken… Actually…’
Before Parvathi could complete the sentence he pounced on her.
‘What…. So what if I am mistaken? Will you people kill me? Do you elope with him? …’ Listening to Bhaskar’s curses and abuses she leaned on to the wall. One does not expect to hear such strong language from Bhaskar whose command over the language is excellent as if he is a dear son of Goddess Saraswathi; and who spends all his time in the company of books. Bhaskar went on threatening her. He said that he had worked hard every minute and converted his blood into money to give every comfort to Parvathi. He made it very clear that he would teach Parvathi, who was highly arrogant, a lesson and declared that Shashi’s life would end in the prison itself. Until the doorbell rang Parvathi had to put up with all his outbursts of anger.
Mr. Sambamurthi, the manager, had come.
As he entered – for a second he was horrified to see the house with things strewn all over it and to find Parvathi sitting there as an embodiment of sorrow. But immediately he remembered his duty. He came to see Bhaskar.
As Bhaskar’s elder brother was dealing with the case he came to seek Bhaskar’s help in influencing him to free Shashi. It seemed that he did not know the truth.
“Mr. Bhaskar, Shashi is a gentleman…. He keeps to himself and doesn’t meddle with anybody’s affairs. He does his work in the office very sincerely…. He has the passion to write poetry but he does not have the courage to hide any banned literature..... He is a very simple man..."
Sambhamurthi went on and on. Bhaskar was sitting in the sofa with his face as hard as a rock.
“If Mr. Bhaskar puts a word they will grant him bail Mrs. Parvathi” – he said to her too.
As any gentleman would, Sambamurthi was feeling sorry that he had come at an odd time when the husband and wife seemed to have been fighting over something.
Inspite of all that agony, Parvathi could understand that though Mr. Sambhamurti was requesting Bhaskar to help him, as the head of the department she alone had the possibility of helping Shashi… Look at these men! For them a woman is a woman even if she is an officer. They think that a woman is of no use in such serious matters, as if these are the sort of things only men are capable of handling…… Parvathi came to a decision.
“Mr. Sambhamurti, you proceed to the office. I’ll try to get bail for Shashi. We will inform the head office and see what we can do.”
Sambhamurti realised the powers that Parvathi had, rather late. He offered an explanation timidly…
“You know…. I thought why should we involve the office in this matter…. anyway it was only Mr. Bhaskar’s elder brother ….. One word from him…”
“You make a move first. Take two of our UDCs for signing the register over there. I have told the cashier. Take ten thousand rupees. I am coming. You go first.” The officer in Parvathi awakened.
After Sambhamurti’s departure, there started the war behind the closed doors.
“You read the letter fully and then speak. Tell me if I am responsible for it….” Bhaskar’s reply to this was another four blows to Parvathi.
Bhaskar boasted that it was the last scene of the drama she enacted making him a fool and he had given it an end with a great twist and he was not going to allow her to live in peace and he would make her live the rest of her life wailing.
Parvathi did not get tears. Her mind was becoming insensitive, what with the rain of blows and all the abuses, which she never heard before. How to overcome the problem? What would happen to Shashi’s life once he entered the police records, booked in such cases? She was hurt that even after long years of married life there was room neither for friendship nor any trust. After many hours of deliberation she got up and took her bath. She made a trunk call to her brother Ravi in the very presence of Bhaskar. She asked him to come immediately as things were not all right at this place. When she was leaving Bhaskar yelled at her:
“Go!…. Shameless creature!….. You have no shame to have an affair…”
Ignoring him Parvathi walked out. For four days after that, she was too busy even to breathe. Ravi arrived the same day by evening. He and Bhaskar discussed the matter for hours together. Bhaskar swore that he would see the end of Parvathi for betraying him.
“What is this Parvathi? What have you done to yourself! I never thought that I would be discussing these things with you one day. How insulting Bhaskar’s remarks were! You heard him, didn’t you?….. But still he can’t be blamed…” said Ravi.
Parvathi did’t say anything. She remained silent as she could clearly see how the position of woman remained frozen at the same place where it had begun. Bhaskar gave wide publicity to the matter intentionally. Now she is a shameless woman in everybody’s eyes. She is a nasty woman who has an affair with somebody. Without thinking of anything, keeping her lips tight, Parvathi hurriedly finished all the work. Shashi was released on bail somehow, though the matter all most went up to CBCID. He was beaten black and blue in the jail. Ravi looked embarrassed when he went to the lawyer and to the police station. Only one thing he went on saying repeatedly. Parvathi used to be very modest when she was young. In his opinion, the younger Parvathi was good and well behaved. What is she now? She felt like roaring. What did she lose now afresh? It was only the cage that she thought until now she had. What she really lost was the bonds of slavery.
“Okay then. I’ll leave. You are a person who knows everything. The matter has crossed the threshold and reached the hostel. Anyway, keep calling…” said Ravi while packing his suitcase.
That was all. It meant that he wanted her not to visit his place. Parvathi was silent. She was used to live alone without speaking to anybody or making any noise. Ravi had left. She bought a few things that she required in the market and returned to the hostel.
The warden told her that she had a guest.
Shashi was sitting in the visitor’s room. He was taken aback when he found Parvathi pale and run down.
He said, ‘I will apply for transfer as early as possible.’
Parvathi looked at him with surprise. Shashi smiled.
He added hastily, “There is no problem. If I don’t get transferred I will resign.’
Parvathi asked him softly ‘Why?’
‘What is this Parvathi? It’s my responsibility’ – he said emotionally.
Parvathi became furious. ‘Don’t call me with singular Mr. Shashi. I’m not a responsibility to anyone.’ Shashi’s face turned pale.
‘Sorry madam. I’m responsible for the catastrophe in your life. If I don’t take any responsibility who else will’ said Shashi.
Parvathi laughed.
‘What are you thinking Mr. Shashi? It was an accident. That’s all. I met with an accident. Just like how one loses an eye or a limb, I have lost the opportunity to live in the world that belonged to me. That’s all. Mr. Shashi, I can understand you. Your affection, your emotions – all that is something purely your personal. It is the make-believe world you have created yourself. How can I enter that world? I have a share in neither your thoughts nor your dreams. In fact I have never thought that way about you. This matter can be considered only if I feel that I can’t live without that person. So, in a way I’m grateful to you. You have given me an opportunity to enter a divine world of which I did not know anything earlier. Believe me, I am entering that world on my own free-will. Bhaskar, who hurt both my body and soul, did me a favour too. I have now realilsed that I am an individual, “ said Parvathi.
‘What is that divine world you talked about madam?’ asked Shashi.
Parvathi smiled.
‘Oh, that one – ‘freedom’….’
Looking at Parvathi who was smiling, Shashi folded his hands. Through the window in the east a naughty breeze entered the room and caressed Parvathi’s tresses.
- - - - - - -
It was a pleasant feeling that those letters were growing bigger and bigger in size and were encircling her and leaving her alternatively. If a shape were given to a wish it would perhaps have the power to pierce the heart. Parvathi restlessly turned in the bed from one side to another. Bhaskar was sleeping at a distance that her hand could reach. She looked at him seriously for a while. She had a guilty feeling somewhere in her heart. ‘Does he have any secret in his life?’ ‘It cannot have an answer’ pat came the reply.
Where is the chance? From the time he gets up in the morning he teaches three batches of students for three hours, one hour each batch. Then he goes to college. In the evening he comes home, takes a cup of tea and starts teaching again. As far as EAMCET coaching is concerned there is no one who is better than him. In his life there is just no room for any feelings or emotions. Then what about her restlessness? Her very thinking in those lines is wrong. She closed her eyes and tried hard to sleep. Though she says ‘no!’ ‘no!’ that scene appears in front of her eyes again and again.
- - - - - - -
The phone in the computer section seemed to be dead. She had got irritated by trying for it several times and finally went there personally. When she went there, he alone was there trying some new design on the computer. Out of curiosity, she stepped forward without disturbing him. On the computer screen, the letters ‘PARVATHI’ were surging like the ends of a saree. Back and forth wrapping the black letters ‘SHASHI’ and were moving….. Parvathi’s legs were shaken a little. His eyes that turned red and the way his gaze was fixed on the screen… In a second he sensed that somebody was around and quickly deleted the letters from the screen. When he turned back – he was aghast to see her. Parvathi recovered from the shock herself and rushed to her chamber. Initially she was furious. How dare he! Before she could think of anything he barged in. He started speaking hurriedly before she could say anything… she should not feel hurt…. She might ask him if he did not know what was proper and what was improper. But, he said, that special feeling one would get on meeting a person – the feeling of deep love and admission was experienced only once in a lifetime. It was not her fault, he said. He said he thought a lot about it but he was helpless. He said there was nothing wrong in loving a person who was passionate and who could inspire others. He said he was worried a lot that he would not be able to express his feelings to her. He thought he would not get a chance to do it at all. But, he said, his wish was fulfilled that day unexpectedly. He assured her that he would not disturb her in any way…..
When she witnessed the door, he closed behind him recklessly, banging a while and then slowly coming to a halt, she felt that her condition too was similar to that. In the three bed room apartment, practically she uses only two rooms – the bed room and the kitchen. She gets up at six in the morning and enters the kitchen. Once she steps into the kitchen she has to be there itself and cook food without making any noise. The clattering of the pots and pans is banned. The other two rooms are occupied by the students who come for coaching. It was Bhskar’s order that the students should not be disturbed. Walking softly, lest her feet should make a noise, she cooks food with utmost devotion. That is her duty. There is just no room for any other thought. At ten O’ clock she goes to office. Again by five O’ clock she is back in the world where there are no sounds, nor any room for listening to music or watching television. She has to remain as an embodiment of silence, like a statue. Bhaskar does not know any other world except his college and the tuition that he gives at home. There is no thought of anything else. When the whole life is spent being caught in the meaningless and tiring rate race where there is room not even for any conversation, suddenly there appeared a shower of words. There is a stream of thought, which never happened earlier. She took out from the drawer of her desk the newspaper cuttings that Shashikanth gave her many times in the past saying, ‘Have you read my latest poem, madam?’ She could see in every poem some word or other that was synonymous with her name ‘Parvathi’, incorporated somewhere or other very aptly turned page after page, she could see newer and newer angles. It was as if the old and worn out letters ‘LOVE’ were appearing new and going on changing their colour on the computer screen. Whenever he enters her room with a file, what she does usually is wishing him casually, signaling him to sit, signing the file seriously and getting back to her work. That day too as usual Shashikanth wished her as he entered the room. Parvathi felt a little nervous and lowered her head. Her hands were trembling a little. She tightened her fists. He left the file on the table and walked away. After half an hour when she was signing his leave letter she could not ask him, ‘Are you not well, Shashi?’ while leaving he left a cover on her table. She looked at that cover addressed to ‘Mrs. Parvathi’ for quite a long time. Was he apologizing? Did he say that he committed a mistake? What did he say? Parvathi opened the cover with trembling hands. There were lines written in a beautiful hand…
‘After several sleepless nights and days that were wet with tears….. about the sad experience he was compromised to, when reality struck him ….. about the secret love that had turned him into a poet but which he would never be able to experience ….
Another beautiful poetic excitement is what that letter was.
After reading the letter Parvathi folded the letter and put it in her bag. She felt like laughing, it was not known why. Not only for Shashi but also for her too would there be an opportunity to touch even the ends of that excitement? Parvathi opened her eyes and started staring at the ceiling. She imagined him to be standing on the other side of a huge, locked door. Perhaps she was thinking too much. She consoled herself…… After all we are human beings, aren’t we? We react….. We think …. And we act wisely……. She kept on looking at the fan that was running at a high speed and fell asleep after a long time.
* * *
When she was tidying up the kitchen without making any noise, Bhaskar screamed ‘Parvathi!’ As never before Bhaskar called her by name. Even before she could say ‘Yes’ he entered the kitchen. He has in his hands the letter written by Shashi. ‘You have no shame… you are educated but you don’t seem to have any culture ….’ Bhaskar’s face showed terrible hatred. Parvathi was scared. Before she could utter anything, Bhaskar caught her by her hair. He went on slapping her…. ‘chii….chii…’ what a shameful thing!’ He pushed her back hardly. Her head hit the kitchen platform and she fell down profusely bleeding. It’s a blessing that our mind works only up to the extent that it can tolerate the pain and sorrow. Parvathi remembered only her struggle to get some support when she was about to faint. When she opened her eyes after a long time, it was not known after how long it was, she found the house quite. She regained her consciousness when flies started hovering on the blood that flowed from her forehead. When she got up and entered the drawing room after washing her face, the phone started ringing. It was Mr. Sambhamurti, the manager at the other end. He said, ‘Shashi was arrested, madam?’
‘Why? What happened?’
Parvathi was perplexed.
‘It seems an SI from Seven Town police station raided Shashi’s apartment and found some banned literature in his possession. I am applying leave today, madam. I have to make arrangements to get Shashi released on bail.
‘Okay’ said Parvathi while hanging up.
Bhaskar must have approached his brother. One single letter…. What is this?… How did it all happen? …. Nothing did he ask her. He was not at all pained to suspect his wife. Did the person who had been living with him for many years not have as much value as that paper? The mere thought that somebody set his eyes on a thing that belonged to him, a thing on which he alone had every right, should drive him to take this extreme step? Infact who is she? She is not an individual by name Parvathi. She is just a doll bought by Bhaskar. She is a doll, which cooks food and gives him sexual pleasure when he turns the key on. She had never felt so miserable earlier even though her life was like a desert without any pleasures or friendly talk! She accommodated herself in it as naturally as one breathes. Her life, where she never left any room for the questions like ‘Why? What?’, itself became a question mark now.
Parvathi’s head was reeling. Why did Bhaskar go to that extent? He must have gone to his brother and poured out his woes. Immediately his brother must have got up, put on his uniform and taken Shashi into custody in the name of a raid. There is no wonder even if they had by now beaten Shashi black and blue in the name of interrogation. A police officer and an academic … in the opinion of both of them Parvathi is a woman who can easily make mistakes.
It was nothing but the headstrongness of these people who think that they can keep the power of decision-making in their own hands. How cruel!
Parvathi shivered from head to toe. She is an officer who can command fifty other officers with a mere signal from her eyes. She fell on her back helplessly with one slap. Tears welled in her eyes for the humiliation she suffered. Suddenly with a bang, the door was opened. There stood Bhaskar like an embodiment of fury.
‘What? … Are you feeling sorry for your paramour? Even your father cannot free him from jail. Within minutes my brother took action on him. If I don’t see his end…’ Bhaskar challenged.
‘You are mistaken… Actually…’
Before Parvathi could complete the sentence he pounced on her.
‘What…. So what if I am mistaken? Will you people kill me? Do you elope with him? …’ Listening to Bhaskar’s curses and abuses she leaned on to the wall. One does not expect to hear such strong language from Bhaskar whose command over the language is excellent as if he is a dear son of Goddess Saraswathi; and who spends all his time in the company of books. Bhaskar went on threatening her. He said that he had worked hard every minute and converted his blood into money to give every comfort to Parvathi. He made it very clear that he would teach Parvathi, who was highly arrogant, a lesson and declared that Shashi’s life would end in the prison itself. Until the doorbell rang Parvathi had to put up with all his outbursts of anger.
Mr. Sambamurthi, the manager, had come.
As he entered – for a second he was horrified to see the house with things strewn all over it and to find Parvathi sitting there as an embodiment of sorrow. But immediately he remembered his duty. He came to see Bhaskar.
As Bhaskar’s elder brother was dealing with the case he came to seek Bhaskar’s help in influencing him to free Shashi. It seemed that he did not know the truth.
“Mr. Bhaskar, Shashi is a gentleman…. He keeps to himself and doesn’t meddle with anybody’s affairs. He does his work in the office very sincerely…. He has the passion to write poetry but he does not have the courage to hide any banned literature..... He is a very simple man..."
Sambhamurthi went on and on. Bhaskar was sitting in the sofa with his face as hard as a rock.
“If Mr. Bhaskar puts a word they will grant him bail Mrs. Parvathi” – he said to her too.
As any gentleman would, Sambamurthi was feeling sorry that he had come at an odd time when the husband and wife seemed to have been fighting over something.
Inspite of all that agony, Parvathi could understand that though Mr. Sambhamurti was requesting Bhaskar to help him, as the head of the department she alone had the possibility of helping Shashi… Look at these men! For them a woman is a woman even if she is an officer. They think that a woman is of no use in such serious matters, as if these are the sort of things only men are capable of handling…… Parvathi came to a decision.
“Mr. Sambhamurti, you proceed to the office. I’ll try to get bail for Shashi. We will inform the head office and see what we can do.”
Sambhamurti realised the powers that Parvathi had, rather late. He offered an explanation timidly…
“You know…. I thought why should we involve the office in this matter…. anyway it was only Mr. Bhaskar’s elder brother ….. One word from him…”
“You make a move first. Take two of our UDCs for signing the register over there. I have told the cashier. Take ten thousand rupees. I am coming. You go first.” The officer in Parvathi awakened.
After Sambhamurti’s departure, there started the war behind the closed doors.
“You read the letter fully and then speak. Tell me if I am responsible for it….” Bhaskar’s reply to this was another four blows to Parvathi.
Bhaskar boasted that it was the last scene of the drama she enacted making him a fool and he had given it an end with a great twist and he was not going to allow her to live in peace and he would make her live the rest of her life wailing.
Parvathi did not get tears. Her mind was becoming insensitive, what with the rain of blows and all the abuses, which she never heard before. How to overcome the problem? What would happen to Shashi’s life once he entered the police records, booked in such cases? She was hurt that even after long years of married life there was room neither for friendship nor any trust. After many hours of deliberation she got up and took her bath. She made a trunk call to her brother Ravi in the very presence of Bhaskar. She asked him to come immediately as things were not all right at this place. When she was leaving Bhaskar yelled at her:
“Go!…. Shameless creature!….. You have no shame to have an affair…”
Ignoring him Parvathi walked out. For four days after that, she was too busy even to breathe. Ravi arrived the same day by evening. He and Bhaskar discussed the matter for hours together. Bhaskar swore that he would see the end of Parvathi for betraying him.
“What is this Parvathi? What have you done to yourself! I never thought that I would be discussing these things with you one day. How insulting Bhaskar’s remarks were! You heard him, didn’t you?….. But still he can’t be blamed…” said Ravi.
Parvathi did’t say anything. She remained silent as she could clearly see how the position of woman remained frozen at the same place where it had begun. Bhaskar gave wide publicity to the matter intentionally. Now she is a shameless woman in everybody’s eyes. She is a nasty woman who has an affair with somebody. Without thinking of anything, keeping her lips tight, Parvathi hurriedly finished all the work. Shashi was released on bail somehow, though the matter all most went up to CBCID. He was beaten black and blue in the jail. Ravi looked embarrassed when he went to the lawyer and to the police station. Only one thing he went on saying repeatedly. Parvathi used to be very modest when she was young. In his opinion, the younger Parvathi was good and well behaved. What is she now? She felt like roaring. What did she lose now afresh? It was only the cage that she thought until now she had. What she really lost was the bonds of slavery.
“Okay then. I’ll leave. You are a person who knows everything. The matter has crossed the threshold and reached the hostel. Anyway, keep calling…” said Ravi while packing his suitcase.
That was all. It meant that he wanted her not to visit his place. Parvathi was silent. She was used to live alone without speaking to anybody or making any noise. Ravi had left. She bought a few things that she required in the market and returned to the hostel.
The warden told her that she had a guest.
Shashi was sitting in the visitor’s room. He was taken aback when he found Parvathi pale and run down.
He said, ‘I will apply for transfer as early as possible.’
Parvathi looked at him with surprise. Shashi smiled.
He added hastily, “There is no problem. If I don’t get transferred I will resign.’
Parvathi asked him softly ‘Why?’
‘What is this Parvathi? It’s my responsibility’ – he said emotionally.
Parvathi became furious. ‘Don’t call me with singular Mr. Shashi. I’m not a responsibility to anyone.’ Shashi’s face turned pale.
‘Sorry madam. I’m responsible for the catastrophe in your life. If I don’t take any responsibility who else will’ said Shashi.
Parvathi laughed.
‘What are you thinking Mr. Shashi? It was an accident. That’s all. I met with an accident. Just like how one loses an eye or a limb, I have lost the opportunity to live in the world that belonged to me. That’s all. Mr. Shashi, I can understand you. Your affection, your emotions – all that is something purely your personal. It is the make-believe world you have created yourself. How can I enter that world? I have a share in neither your thoughts nor your dreams. In fact I have never thought that way about you. This matter can be considered only if I feel that I can’t live without that person. So, in a way I’m grateful to you. You have given me an opportunity to enter a divine world of which I did not know anything earlier. Believe me, I am entering that world on my own free-will. Bhaskar, who hurt both my body and soul, did me a favour too. I have now realilsed that I am an individual, “ said Parvathi.
‘What is that divine world you talked about madam?’ asked Shashi.
Parvathi smiled.
‘Oh, that one – ‘freedom’….’
Looking at Parvathi who was smiling, Shashi folded his hands. Through the window in the east a naughty breeze entered the room and caressed Parvathi’s tresses.
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