Girl Without 'Education'

After 11 years, I was about to visit my uncle's home to stay for some days. I knew he would welcome me eagerly. Hence, he was my mother's brother.

At night, I reached uncle's home. He asked me everything about study, mother, father, clan, sports and even girlfriend at a stretch unless I felt like sleeping. It was late at night when he showed my room.

I couldn't awake on time in the morning. Around 10:30, the door had been knocked. "Come in," I said. She was a 13 or 14 years girl came inside with a cup of tea, her attire was indicating that she was a maid. I opened my one eye then said," keep it on the table, and yap..., close the door when you'll move out." She didn't say anything and tried to keep that cup on the table with shivering hands. She was scared of something. suddenly, the cup was fallen on my bag cause her shivering. My favorite book was there just on my bag which was drenched by tea.

I stood up quickly, tried to lift my book. Abruptly, she tugged the book from my hand. Hence, the first page of book has been torn cause of her boorish stance or panic-stricken. I gave her sarcastic glance and rend on her," get out from here I don't want anyone to touch my goods." She sobbed then cried. She turned, moved ahead; said, "Bhaiya Ji sorry" then turned again and tried to touch my feet with wet eyes. I took back step, repeatedly saying, " don't do this,,,, don't touch my feet" but she didn't stop. I took another back step but bad prevented me by knee length; I fell in bed, my head ploughed into wall. Then I screamed at the top of my voice " get out". Till by she didn't stop and continuously trying to touch my feet. I couldn't control my fuse, stood up and slapped her tightly.

At a loss, she left the room scarily. I came to drawing-room. My first question to my aunty," who the hell that girl was?" what happened she asked. "Nothing", I said.

Having breakfast, a lady came to my aunt and asked for salary. Aunty told her that she was

not satisfied with Tara's work and only ₹1200 she could pay for a month. Deliberately, I

asked, "Who is Tara aunty?"

Aunty said, "The girl about whom you did ask before. She is a new maid in our house."

I suggested aunty that she should not let Tara stay in the house. Aunty nodded when I stood

up to leave the room then left.

Before dinner, I went toward the kitchen but a melodies song was sung in the kitchen so I

stood out of the kitchen and enjoyed that Rajasthani thumri. I had not listened as melodies song

live; in my life before. I peeped inside the kitchen it was Tara who was singing. I stunned to see her talent. She stopped when realised that I was listening to her. Started aging, "sorry Bhaiya ji...."

I said,' shut up" inhaled, asked, "what time do you go to school?"

She shook her head, said," I have left my school. My family's financial condition doesn't allow me to go to school again." I told her the benefits of education that she already knew. I was sad for

her a little but prompt, left the kitchen, peculiar anxiety compelled me to peeped again in the kitchen. She was doughing with an unreadable face but I could see her tears. Actually, I could feel her grief at that time. I was feeling guilty to slap her in the morning.

That night, I thought about her future, inferred that she would have to work as a maid if she

doesn't study. I wanted to help her to start her studies again. I thought, would talk with uncle the

very next day for her.

Tara came into my room with tea in the morning. In a soft voice I told her that "I take tea after

having a bath...so please serve my breakfast afterward. She nodded. said, "Bhaiya Ji, your uncle

calling you. He is going to his office early today. You should meet him first. I nodded, then moved in drawing-room. Uncle seemed to be happy that day because he did a useful deal with a

company one day before therefore he asked me," beta,,,,, you are lucky for me, even as you

come home I had a great deal so if you have any wish so I can fulfill now, tell me what you

want?" with Brightened eyes.

I spoke that I wanted something but not easy to fulfill. He spoke, you do speak my son,,,"

turned his face towards aunty "I'll try at heart for nephew."

I asked to continue Tara's study, he didn't speak anything. Even his happy face converted into

a serious mode. I came slightly close to him and said, "please Uncle, if I can't spend money so

I'll send you money from my pocket money every month remain you'll arrange."

He held my hand then said in a serious voice, 'OK' and smiled. He called Tara, informed her that

she could continue her study and he would fill all her needs. And she could come there for

the household works after school if she wants. Otherwise, she could focus only on her studies.

I stared Tara while he was informing. Her gloomy face converted in a happy face delighted

eyes for a better future. I said with a smile, "I want you to be a doctor in future Tara, don't vindicate me wrong. The last thing is don't call me 'Bhaiya Ji', only Yash Bhaiya is enough." She smiled back. We can do imagine life without education but it's not easy to determine that we would help a girl who needs it.