Ganga (The Impure) Part 8

It was a remote village in Andhra, Kids were returning from govt school and few girls aged about 14 to 16 years, were walking in a group. A bike zoomed past and one hand of a guy pulled the dupatta of a girl. The girl fell to the ground and looked around. 

Guys in bike stopped at a nearby tea stall and cracked a vulgar joke. meanwhile, thud someone gave a blow on their heads. A young girl aged 15 years, She had an oval face, sharp eyes, Wheatish skin, and slim body structure. She was panting in anger. She had rolled a few rocks in her dupatta and gave one more blow to the men. " Loafers, How dare you to touch my sister's dupatta. I will kill you". Saying so she gave one more blow on their head. Guys fell on the ground and started begging for mercy. "Sorry, Sorry Ganga Forgive us. please..please". Ganga pulled her sister dupatta from the man's hand and spit on his face. "If I see you both troubling girls again, I will chop your hands. Get the hell out of here!". Saying so she ran towards her sister and handed over her dupatta. Someone in the group said"Hey !! Ganga, You are into deep trouble now, those guys are panchayath chairman relatives". 

Ganga gave a sharp look "You better mind your business, don't wag your tongue too much".

Ganga's Sister Harini was concerned, she held Ganga's hand and walked fast to reach home. 

Ganga's father Veerababu was busy examining the seeds to sow. He saw both his daughters walking in hurry and felt that something is wrong. Harini explained the incident to her father. Verrababu was sure that the chairman is not an easy-going person and he could harm Ganga. They heard someone shouting Veerababu, Chairman is looking for you, All villagers had assembled near his house. come soon, bring Ganga too along with you. Veerababu and Harini exchanged looks. Ganga stood there like a pillar. She did not show any signs of fear. Her anger was visible on her face. Ganga looked at her father "Appa, they were wrong, they pulled Akka's dupatta and insulted her in public. I punished them for their deeds. let's go to the panchayath. I will beat them black and blue one more time in front of the entire village".

Veerababu gave one slap to Ganga "Shut up Ganga, how many times I told you not to behave like a boy. Be within your limits, You have invited trouble to us. Chairman Rangaraju is a cunning fellow. I will somehow ask for an apology and see that he forgives you. God knows what is going to happen, Your mother left you to me and she went away to be with gods. Sometimes I wish, She could have taken you with her". He said this out of frustration and went to meet the chairman.

Ganga felt very bad and she could not bear the last words of her father. She walked to the nearest pond and sat there with tears in her eyes. Harini sensed that Ganga was deeply hurt. She tried to console her. "Sorry Ganga, I was worried that those guys might harm you, So I told Appa about the incident. I never thought Appa will talk in this manner". 

She tried putting her arms on Ganga's Shoulders, but Ganga shrugged off and looked away.

There was an announcement in the village about the punishment to Veerababu's family. They are prohibited in the village for a month. 

Veerababu was building a hut on the outskirts of the village, He experienced a huge pain in his chest and collapsed on the ground. He had a heart attack and died on the spot. No one came to bury him or to perform last rites. Ganga and Harini themselves performed the last rites to Veerababu. They consoled each other, they decided to move out of the village. They picked up their belongings and left the village forever.

Ganga and Harini moved to Mumbai, They looked for Veerababu's friend Ramanna and sought his help. he arranged for shelter and an assistant job in a bakery for Harini and Ganga. Ganga was awestruck looking at the biggest slum of Mumbai Dharavi. Harini and Ganga adjusted to Mumbai's environment. They made new friends, enjoyed their life without any hassles. Ganga felt that she can breathe freely now. She loved Mumbai and the people around her.

 It's been a year now in Mumbai for the sisters. Harini was in love with her colleague Rajesh. She was sure that Ganga will like him for his mannerism and good nature. Rajesh too promised Harini that he will look after Ganga like his own sister.  

Both Harini and Ganga commuted on a local train. It was a 30 min journey to their workplace. While they both were busy chatting Ganga noticed few guys misbehaving with the girls on a local train. Ganga shouted at those guys "Hey, Why are you troubling them??" (In Hindi mixed with Telugu dialect, Though it was a year in Mumbai she was still not perfect in using Hindi or Marathi language).

One Guy turned his attention towards her "Arrey tumhe kya problem hai, Tumhe cheda nahi isliye bura laga kya!!! Kaali hai toh chalna saath mein, hotel le jaunga aur masti karenge ". Saying so he burst into laughter. They were around 4 members.

Ganga fumed in anger, She picked up her lunch bag gave one blow on his head. His friends watched in horror. They tried to hold Ganga, She kicked one guy on his stomach, held the other one threw him down. She picked up an iron rod that someone was carrying and beat them black and blue. One guy managed to push Ganga and tried to attack her. Meanwhile, a manly figure held his hand and kicked him on his back. Pushed him to the opposite side. He and Ganga fought with them while others stood there like statues. 

All 4 guys ran to save their lives. Ganga looked at the other guy who saved her. He was wearing spectacles, dressed in formal, with a small beard and curly hair. He had a still camera hanging in his neck. He smiled at her and extended his hand "Hi I am Ishwara Prasad, I am a journalist, I am impressed by your bravery, well done!!! ". Ganga folded her hands to Namaste and said " I Ganga. Thanks...You help me, I no forget your help. That boy tease girl, I no take lightly so I kick him. (She tried her best to talk in English). Ishwara Prasad smiled, "I got what you are trying to say. Where are you from??" He asked her.

Ganga replied, "I am from Andhra, Nellore. I talk telugu and a little bit Hindi". 

"Oh you are a Telugu girl. I know to speak telugu". Ganga's eyes widened. She started conversing in Telugu with him. Ishwara Prasad told her that he commutes daily on this train to his office. They can meet often. Ganga and Harini waved bye to Ishwara Prasad and got down at their stop.

After 2 days Ishwara Prasad waved to Ganga, came running towards her, and handed her a newspaper. She looked at it, It was an English newspaper, Her picture was printed on it, she did not understand what's written in it. She gave a questioning look to Ishwara. 

Ishwara smiled and explained to her, "Arrey, I wrote an article about you, How you fought bravely with eve-teasers. My editor was very happy to see this". Ganga held the newspaper and her eyes were sparkling with pride.

Ishwara and Ganga met every day on a local train often. Ganga was very comfortable with Ishwara. They both started hanging out, Ishwara developed an interest in Ganga. Ganga too liked Ishwara, But she never expressed it. 

Harini and Rajesh tied the knot on an auspicious day. Rajesh was very loving and affectionate towards them. Initially, everything was fine, as the days passed. Harini and Rajesh fought often for silly issues. Rajesh would lose his temper and raise his hand on Harini. Ganga was a mute spectator, Sometimes frustrating Rajesh would abuse Ganga. Ganga felt suffocated in the house, she met Ishwara every day and spent some time with him. Rajesh even misbehaved with Ganga several times. He tried to make advances with Ganga. Harini thought once she conceives Rajesh might change his behavior, to her dismay even after she conceived, Fights between them increased. This pushed Harini into depression. She lost interest in life; Fed up with the frequent fights, Harini took an extreme step. One day when Ganga was at work, Harini hangs herself. She wrote a suicide note in telugu. "I never knew my destiny would be so harsh, unable to bear the torture of my husband, I am taking this step. I am sorry Ganga, I am leaving you alone in this world. if possible try to forgive me. your lovely sister, Harini".

Rajesh was arrested, Ganga stood there looking at the corpse of her sister. She cried uncontrollably. She was an orphan now. The only person who stood their pacifying Ganga was Ishwara Parsad.

After the burial, Ganga felt that it was hell to live in the same house where her sister ended her life. Harini's memories haunted her.  

Ishwara Prasad was now spending more time with Ganga, Which irked the neighbors who started gossiping about them. One fine day the neighbor stopped Ganga and Ishwara at the gate and made a drama in front of others. The House owner asked Ganga to vacate the place immediately after the drama took place. Ishwara Parsad asked Ganga to move all the stuff to his 1bhk house. Ganga hesitated. Ishwara held her hand in his and asked Ganga, "Ganga, will you marry me?? I like to be with you, I want to share my life with you". 

Ganga was delighted but somewhere a thought struck her, She pulled her hands back and said "No Ishwara ji, I am not educated and I am not a good match for you. your family may not agree to this. So lets us not take any decision in a hurry". 

Ishwara was in no mood to listen to this "Ganga, It's me who takes the decision of my life. As far as my family members, they will not say no to my choices, that's how I am brought up. We are tying the knot and that's final. Tomorrow morning at the nearest Durgamatha temple we will tie the knot and get into a sacred relationship". 

Saying so he hugged her and kissed her forehead.

Ganga's eyes were moist and she tucked her head in his shoulders.

The next day Ishwara Prasad and Ganga tied the knot at the Durga temple, Goddess Durga was the sole witness of their marriage.

Ganga's married life was next to heaven, Ishwara showered love on her, she was the happiest woman on earth. Ishwara had written about Ganga's marriage to his family members. But, no there was no reply from them. Ishwara did not bother, He was completely immersed in Ganga's love. They both loved each other to the core. Everyday Ishwara would leave home by 9 am and return by 7 pm. Ganga would eagerly wait for him. She looked after him and his needs. One day Ganga felt uneasy and dizzy, It happened very frequently these days and she informed next door Latha aunty about it. She examined Ganga and Said "Pagli, Itna bhi samaj mein nahi ayya, Badhai ho...Thu Maa banne vali hai. (You are pregnant)".

Ganga could not control her happiness, She blushed and ran home to give the news to Ishwara. Ishwara was busy editing an article, Ganga peeped inside, Ishwara called out "Ganga, come inside, What do you want?? "

Ganga came closer to him, stood there blushing and cheeks were red as a tomato. Ishwara looked at her and lovingly asked her "What is it Ganga?? Do you want to say something? 

Ganga held his hand and nodded his head. She hugged him and kissed his shoulder and said " Ishwara aap ka promotion honewala hai".

Ishwara amused "Oh, kaun dega humme promtion??".

Ganga blushed again and said "Hum dene wale hain!! Aap ko Papa ka protmion dena chate hain". 

Ishwara put down the papers and held Ganga in his arms, " What did you just say? Is it true??". He was overwhelmed with joy. 

Ganga winked her eyes and said, "Yes it is true. We need to get ready to be parents".

Ishwara hugged her tight and kissed her, He could not hold his emotions. They both were on cloud nine. 

As the days passed Ganga's baby bump grew and she 6months pregnant. Ishwara kept her happy from day one. All her wishes were fulfilled. Ishwara wrote to his parents about Ganga's pregnancy but no reply from them.

One day Ishwara called up a neighbor who had a telephone at home and informed her that he is going to meet his family in Shivmogga, (A place in Karnataka )his dad is serious and he will be back in a week's time. Ganga was worried but she could not stop him. 

Ishwara did not return even after a week. Ganga was upset and she tried calling his home, But the line was disconnected. Ganga cried for Ishwara. Latha aunty took utmost care of Ganga. She filled hope in her.

Destiny had other plans for Ganga, One day when Ganga was preparing dinner, she heard a loud noise. People were running around, Ganga saw flames surrounding her home. Flames were intense and Ganga held her tummy and tried to put off flames, but they were very intense and burnt everything that came across them.

She looked around the house, pulled out a woolen bed sheet covered herself, and escaped from the flames. Latha aunty was not lucky enough she was burnt to death. The entire area was gutted by flames. 

To be continued....!!!!