Mataji- The Mother

There was a big bungalow in a small town in Uttar Pradesh, which had a huge peepal tree in its compound. That is why this bungalow was popularly known as peepal wali Kothi. [Bungalow means Kothi in Hindi] This bungalow belonged to an elderly lady, who lived alone there. She was a loving person so people started addressing her as Mataji. She was the most respected and loved lady in the town. 

A poor woman, Sarla needed work to make both ends meet, and came to Mataji. Sarla was employed by Mataji to clean the house. Sarla used to work quietly but her eyes were always teary. Once Mataji asked the reason for her teary eyes. Sarla started crying and with great difficulty narrated her story.

She had two daughters, Kala 16 years old and Bala 11 years old. Her husband was a habitual alcoholic. He had tried to rape Kala a few times under the influence of alcohol but luckily could not succeed. Mataji was shocked to hear such an unbelievable story and started crying along with Sarla. Mataji decided to keep Kala with her. 

Kala was shifted to Mataji’s bungalow. Initially, kala’s father tried to create a ruckus but he could not do anything as Mataji was very influential. Kala used to go to school and study hard. She also learned cooking and other household chores. Time started flying….Kala passed class 12 at the age of 18. Mataji accidentally met a boy who was serving in the Indian Army. She liked him very much for kala. She spoke to the boy and fixed a meeting with his family members. Marriage got fixed. Kala and her mother were very happy and grateful to Mataji. Marriage was performed from peepal Wali Kothi. Kala was very happy in her family.

 Sarla’s younger daughter Bala now started living with Mataji. Bala passed class 10th with great difficulty. She was not keen to study further. So, Mataji made her learn cooking, stitching and other household chores. When Bala turned 18, Mataji started looking for a good match. Finally, a good match was fixed for Bala. The boy Suresh, was a clerk in the Delhi government. Everyone was happy. The marriage took place from peepal wali Kothi. 

Bala reached her new home, which was a one-bedroom flat. She found only one lady in the house. Suresh introduced this lady as his cousin Neelam to Bala. Later in the evening, Bala was told by Neelam to sleep on the sofa in the sitting room. Bala saw Neelam going into the bedroom and noticed that the door was closed by her. She was shocked. The next morning Bala confronted her husband. He slapped her and ordered her to do all the household chores and live in the sitting room. Bala quietly prepared the breakfast and served it to both. Suresh and Bala left for the day. Bala packed her clothes and left the house. She somehow managed to reach peepal wali Kothi. Mataji was astonished to see Bala. Mataji hugged her and asked the reason for her coming back. She narrated everything. Mataji got annoyed and decided to teach a lesson to Suresh.

Mataji went to Delhi and lodged a complaint in the women's cell of the police. Mataji met senior officers too. Finally, because of Mataji’s determination to teach Suresh a lesson, her untiring efforts and her cooperation from the police, the marriage of Bala and Suresh were declared null and void as the marriage did not consummate. Suresh had to return everything he had received in the marriage along with some money. It was a big win and a relief for Bala and Mataji.

Mataji kept worrying about Bala. One day a relative came to visit Mataji and told her about his friend, Ramesh who was a rich and decent guy, who had lost his wife. Ramesh had two small kids therefore he wanted to remarry. A meeting was fixed between Ramesh and his family with Mataji and Bala. Ramesh and Bala decided to marry each other. The marriage was performed in a simple manner.

Ramesh loved and respected Bala. Bala and the children became very good friends soon. She was very happy and satisfied with her new family. One day Ramesh asked Bala when would she like to become a mother. Bala told him that she is already a mother of two. It was Bala’s greatness and Ramesh always acknowledged it.

Mataji was very proud of Bala. Time flew and took away Mataji along with it….it was the end of an era.

Though technically Bala was a stepmother bondage and love between her and her children were amazingly true and pure. 

Both the kids studied hard. The boy became a doctor and the girl became a software engineer. Both of them got married. The girl was happy in her family. The boy was living with his parents. He and his wife took very good care of Bala and Suresh.

Mataji played a pivotal role in the lives of Kala and Bala, thus she always remained alive in their hearts.