Bracelets

Vijay Sinha belonging to a respected family got married to the elite, gentle, well-groomed Supriya. She was very fair, with black dense long hairs, beautiful eyes, long nose, lips as soft as rose petals, but in no case Vijay was less handsome with a well-built body, tall stature, golden color, dense black hairs, big eyes, black mustache adorning the pink lips and he was holding the post of an officer. Whomsoever saw this couple told that both were made for each other. God must have made them leisurely.

The saying that marriages are made in heaven was quite befitting in this case.

One day Sinha’s family and colleagues attended the 25th marriage anniversary of Mr Patil. Interacting with the guests they were enjoying delicacies amidst fun and laughter. The hot topic was the costly and weighty bracelet of Mrs. Patil's with elegant design which was presented to her on the occasion as gift by Mr Patil. It was natural for Mrs Sinha to have the curiosity to see the bracelets of Mrs. Patil.

After reaching home from the party, Mrs. Sinha desired that on the occasion of their 25th anniversary, falling due next month, they should also arrange a splendid party. She proposed to have identical bracelets as that of Mrs. Patil’s as a gift to her from her husband. Mr. Sinha had been fulfilling all wishes of his darling wife and so the question of saying no did not arise. He agreed to her proposal but could not hide his expressions on his face. Mrs. Sinha could well understand that it was not only difficult but impossible for her husband to get her a costly bracelet in view of the commitment involved in bringing up three children, their education and later their marriages. So with wisdom and good understanding, she reasonably told Mr. Sinha ”Look, I do not have the habit to copy others. You know better that I wear the clothes and jewellery of my choice. Seeing the identical bracelets of Mrs. Patil in my hands people might comment that I had copied, which I would not like. Understanding the sudden and changed behaviour of his wife, Mr. Sinha had a mild smile and asked, "Are you telling the truth? What is this I am hearing?" Has a woman ever left the temptation for jewellery? The matter ended amicably.

Over time, the sons got good jobs. He completed the responsibility of getting their two sons and one daughter married. After a year, Mr. Sinha was also relieved from his job responsibilities. At his retirement, he got a very good amount towards provident fund and gratuity. He was determined to fulfill the cherished wish of his beloved wife. He bought a beautiful bracelet of elegant design and deposited the balance amount in the bank.

After his retirement was their 50th marriage anniversary. On this beautiful occasion, he organized a splendid party. Daughters and son-in-law were called by a special invitation. In front of all the children, he gave the gift to his wife. Living for half a century together, husband and wife knew the minds of each other. Wife knew that Mr. Sinha would present her bracelet as a gift. Seeing the beautiful bracelet Mrs. Sinha’s eyes and face brightened up with happiness which gave immense satisfaction to Mr. Sinha. He had kept this desire hidden in his bosom for years. With the bracelets in hands, the wife asked, "What was the need to buy such a costly bracelet? People will make fun of me seeing me wearing bracelets at my middle age. To them, it may look like “An old mare with a red bridle!” The daughter and daughters- in -law may wear such jewellery. I would not be happy wearing these bracelets before youngsters."

"Oh my dear, why do you feel that you are old? Don’t care for what people think. Listen, Ornaments are considered “Stridhan” or the assets for women. Please keep them safely. Whether I am there or not they may come to your rescue at your old age.”

The wife reacted to his words, "Why, do you utter such words. We have two earning sons, There is no need to worry about us."

Respectable Mr. Sinha did not want his sons to be burdened with his medical treatment at his old age. Advising his wife he said, "Please don’t burden the children with my medical treatment. These are the days of hardship. They have responsibilities of their children. Whatever amount I have in my bank account, use them for my treatment". When his wife told her sons they agreed happily after a lot of reluctance and unhappiness.

Day-to-day Mr. Sinha’s condition was declining. The drugs and good wishes had stopped working. Fighting the death he lost his life one day. After the death of her husband, the wife was caught up by diseases. There is no disease in the world worse than loneliness. Like her husband, she started spending the remaining amount on her treatment. But how long the amount will last? When the amount got depleted she remembered her ornaments which adorned the almirahs. She opened the almirah and took out the jewel box. As soon as she opened her eyes fell on that bracelet. She wrote something in a piece of paper and placed it along with the bracelet. After some days when her daughter came, she opened the jewel box and made her read the paper. The daughter wept and gave a nod of approval later.

How long will the bodies survive after illness at old age? Doctors gave the verdict one day that she might not survive for long. When Mrs. Sinha expressed the desire to meet her daughter, her sons immediately informed their sister, "Mother is very sick, doctors have told that she is serious. Mother wants to meet you. Please come soon.”

Daughter and her husband reached immediately. Her life lingered as the God of Death, Yama gave time for her daughter to reach. Breathing was slow. As soon as the daughter came she saw the mother with tearful eyes. With love, she took mother’s hands into hers. Mother saw her daughter with glittering eyes. She spoke something but the words were not clear. The eyes went flat and the grip of hands became loose.

The weeping daughter could hear her brothers lamentation. They were looking at each other in predicament as to how to complete the funeral rites of mother Seeing them tense the daughter took out the jewel box from the almirah and handed over to the brothers. With a lot of expectations, they opened the box thinking that the mother had written a will. Their faces became pale after reading the letter. It was written, ”Please perform my last rites selling the bracelet”.

The burden of completing the last rites of the mother was taken off from their heads. They performed her last rites only from this “Stridhan” after selling her bracelets.