Chp 3
"Baba mujhey to buhut zoron kii bhuk lagi hai.... aaj itni savaarian mileen keh bas khaaney ka waqt hii nahin mila" (Baba I'm extremely hungry.. I got so many rides today I didn't get time to grab a bite) he had smiled mixing the lentil soup with rice making a paste out of it. Placing downy pillows around the elderfly figure he had propped him up against them tucking a napkin in the front of his dress he proceeded to feed his father small portions of the food he had prepared minutes ago. Mishra ji was an honest and hardworking man hailing from a penurious background. Having been deprived of family at a tender age he had struggled to make it right in a harsh and unforgiving world hoping to change the situation for his children. But fate had other thoughts in store he had managed to secure a job as an accountant at a renowned firm and had married an orphan working with him at the office. Shradha had not only been a faithful companion but was also his soulmate. Soon after marraige Mishraji had been blessed with a son a replica of his wife from his coal black eyes to his amber skin. He was the apple of their eye those were joyful days spent in carefree bliss. Their happiness had been increased tenfolds when Sukriti had been born Mishraji had felt as if his house was indeed heaven on earth. But dreams do not last long and neither had Mishraji's of having a perfect family, all was not well once Shradha had contracted tuberculosis. She had avoided getting it treated terming it as seasonal fever and the regular cough but one day the situation had worsened she had coughed blood and then there was no looking back. All that Mishraji had earned and saved had been sucked up in the extensive hospital bills leaving a paltry sum for him to get by with for the next two years. Shradha had died a slow painful death Milind had been eight then and Sukriti two though still very young he had witnessed his mother's helplessness first hand. That had been his first encounter with pain and the loss that had followed. He had though sealed himself against pity and concern extended generously by relatives. A maternal aunt had proposed to take Sukriti along with her and raise her as her own but Milind had rejected the suggestion outrightly. "Yeh meri behen hai or merey saath raheygi" (She's my sister and she'll stay with me) he had picked his infant sister in his arms protectively who had clung on to him like a child to a mother.
That had been a young Milind then fiercely protective of his loved ones and he was the same even today but sadly the wild streak in him had been replaced by a constant rage. The sister he had so lovingly raised as his own had left him soon, he had never anticipated her departure in that manner. Milind and his father had worked out a schedule to take care of young Sukriti. Mishraji had taken up a job in a factory not far from his abode, the sole reason being the late working hours. His shift would start at eight in the night and finish at eight in the morning Milind would look after Sukriti then and when Baba returned he'd leave for school. Over the years they had formed a mutual understanding, Milind had taken over a large part of Sukriti's responsibilty as his own mother would've had she been alive. Her loss had caused Milind to become shelled he was an introvert with a handful of friends basically young men from the chawl he resided in. He had finished school and had secured admission in a college passing with distinction, then he'd studied business at a university. He had vowed to make his father proud knowing how hard it had been to provide for them and educate them in leading institutions at the same time. Life if not perfect was good enough Milind had started working since an early age he'd do part time firstly for pocket money and later on to finance his education. He had decided not to burden his father with his own academic expenditure as it was Baba had a tough time saving up for Sukriti's marraige. After her graduation Sukriti had joined a garment company as receptionist where she had met Robbie the manager there, both had hit it off the instant they had set their eyes on each other.
The affair was short lived Sukriti had confided in Milind about her interest in Robbie who had been level headed about it and had demanded to meet him. Robbie had turned out to be a decent person one Milind could trust his sister with. Milind had then broached the subject infront of his father who saw no qualms in the union. The wedding was attended by all and sundry Baba had aquired a hospitable nature and over the years had developed a pleasant friendship will the residents at the chawl. A year had passed satisfactorily when Sukriti had been confirmed as pregnant, her inlaws had wanted the child to be born in Delhi, where Robbie's family resided. Robbie and Sukriti had opted to stay in Mumbaii as both of them held well paid jobs here but Robbie's mother had been adamant on the child being born there. Maybe it was destined that way, Milind could never understand what had happened that late October evening. Driving on the national highway on their way to Delhi Sukriti and Robbie's car had been crushed by a freight trailer. The trailer's weight was massive and the mangled wreckage was proof of the intensity of the collission. Robbie had died on the spot but Sukriti had survived miraculously she had been taken to the nearest hospital where her premature baby had been born at seven months. Milind and Baba had reached there to see her breathe her last entrusting them with her final wish to keep her daughter safe. What had started off as a momentous journey had ended on a fatal note. Robbie's family had intervened on the child's custody implying that since it was their son's blood they should be granted charge of her. Baba had been crushed with Sukriti's untimely death and Milind had not wanted to aggravate his sorrow but he could not forget his promise to his dying sister either. "Yeh kahin nahin jayegi" (She won't go anywhere) he had held the child close to him but his iron resolve was greatly weakened when he received a court notice to battle the challenge legally and he had accepted it. The case was long the proceedings longer he had named the child Sameera she was a delightful creature who had kept his spirits alive. She was the reason Baba had been able to put a get over Sukriti's demise though not completely it was a wound only time would heal.
There comes a time in life when darkness etches over every nook and corner of it a similar moment was experienced by Milind when he lost the custody battle. He was a pauper now all his savings and Baba's providend fund had been utilized to pay for the lawyer's services and the court proceedings. Milind had lost his job as financial advisor in a prestigious firm due to countless leaves either to attend the case hearing or to take care of Sameera. Baba was an old man and age had started showing it's effects on him. God only knew how he had kept a check on his fury and grief while handing over Sameera to her grand parents. Baba had though not been able to cope up with the string of losses and had taken ill, his heart being fragile he had suffered a stroke. Desperate times call for desperate measures and Milind had succumbed to the need of the hour with the amout left over he had managed to purchase a battered old car in the name of a taxi and had been forced to work as a taxi driver. He did not mind working at this menial job he had never been imperious of his academic excellence nor his former superior job but had always lived life on his terms. The final blow had come when Baba and he had decided to go meet Sameera one summer afternoon the drive was long but Baba had not complained in anticipation of meeting his grand daughter. What awaited them was though not dreamt by either of them, Robbie's parents native house was filled with people conveying their condolences. Sameera had contracted dengue fever and had died three days earlier, Baba had cast one sad look at Sameera's smiling, garlanded portrait and had fallen heavily on the floor. He had suffered from a massive stroke and this time it had left him paralyzed and helpless. Milind had lost everyone he had cared to love all except his father who flickered on like a candle amidst a storm. Each night before Milind lay down to sleep on the mat on the floor he would stare at Baba sleeping peacefully wondering if he'd be breathing the next day when he awoke. Having fed his father his dinner he had proceeded to eat the remaining meagre contents himself washing the dishes he had swept the kitchen before laying down. He could see the moon from his open window he wondered why poets wrote such long encomiums on it when it was scarred and deformed. Maybe they found something in it he didn't or maybe he just was unable to understand beauty in it's true sense.... maybe someday he had thought wearily his eyes drooping close he'd fathom the mystery it held.
Edited by blind horizon - 16 years ago
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