PARCEL (A REAL INCIDENT)

It is a story from my life and I like to share it with you all. Once I visited my aunt’s place and she was residing near the cantonment area. The adjacent bunglow was of some Col. Whose elder son had joined the army and was capt. He came to spend one month leave with his parents.

One early morning I visited them, they all were having their breakfast. I also joined them and highly appreciated ‘Halwa’ which was quite delicious. Next morning we had a call and a cook brought a plate full of sweet dish that was Halwa and offered to me as Capt. saab. had sent for me. I took it with great enthusiasm and enjoyed. Next day again the Halwa came and enjoyed with giggles. Daily that procedure repeated and I had become a piece of mockery.

After 10 days I saw a car parked in our loan and all looked with excitement. 3 bags of 5 k.g i.e Sugar, floor and Ghee came out and brought before me and addressed to me,’ Madam, capt. Sb sent dry Halwa for you as he was going to join his duty.’ Every one was laughing I was failed to think any thing. My uncle at-once said,’ Send the matrimonial offer.’

Later marriage was solmonized. I was too happy in my in-laws house. The atmosphere was fully disciplined. Every one gave me maximum respect. I heard Hey Bhabi and Bye- bhabi from youngsters and no restriction for going out. My-self and my husband both roamed any where we liked but for dinner time either one should inform or reached there in time.

How the time had passed it was wonderful ? Suddenly he got the orders of his cancellation of leave and as desired by me he brought me at my parent’s house. There all liked him due to his nice and jovial nature. He left the place and instructed me to write letters.

On those days, there were no mobiles or telephones system at home and one had to depend upon letters which daily post-man brought. The importance of Post –man was too much as there was no other way to get information. After a weak we heard the call on the door. “Post-man.’’ We all ran to see what he had brought. He handed over an envelop to me and all shouted, ‘A letter from Capt.Sb’. Some were successful to catch hold of it. “ we will read it first.’’ I was running after them, oh what a man? As it was his first letter I was too much confused as if others had opened it then where would I go. Soon that letter was in my hand. It was in bad condition. I opened it while all had gone to the market and as I read it the first sentence I was perplexed. It was started like ------‘Gorye- Gorye—Gal—Per---Kala—Kala—Til. Jahan mmeri –Bibi—vahan—Mera—dil.’  My dearest sweet heart--- What a man? What a man?Thank God all had gone out side or I would have fainted to read the next sentences. Next day We all heard the same call ‘Post-man.’ All were running to the gate and I heard a cry’ A letter from Capt. Sahib.’ I got-up but then did not move. All the younger generation was dancing on one tune, Give us Rs 10 otherwise we would open and read it. I hurriedly opened my purse and handed over the money to them but I was feeling as I had become the piece of mockery. At night I read it when all slept and only said, Oh, what a man?

 Next day there was no call from post-man till 12 o’ clock I was relaxed but near about 2 O’ clock we heard the same call,’Post-man ‘and I heard the giggles as on the main cover page it was written “ To my sweet wife’’. All were laughing and shouting ‘oh, who is sweet wife. Didi your name has changed, Sweet- wife.’’ I was feeling half dead after hearing such type of jokes and after 10 days, I decided and penned down few lines to him.

Dear Captain,

‘I think you have forgotten the norms and customs as writing to me daily while I am staying in my parents house and have become a mockery piece before every –one. Post- man who is very precious person but soon he brings your letter in which you have scribble my name in different inks and broad letters perplex me a lot. So it is a piece of good advise to you captain, kindly restrict your feelings and stop writing to me daily. Even my parents pass a smile to post man and those battalion of mischievous brother and sisters make my life hell. Every person has wife but showing your type of emotion is too much.’

 In the evening I slipped over a coat and kept the letter in the inner pocket, I drop it in letter box other wise the monkey battalian will never allow me to post.’’ After few days I found there was no letter from his side which gave me immense relief.

!5 days had passed and there was no letter from his side, even my parents contacted his parents and relieved that he was hale and hearty. Still there was a lot of confusion and father asked me what was the matter? Mother was too much worried and I also loose the balance of my mind, as army people are enough broad minded . He might have met his old girl friend and could easily forget me. What should I do now? What should I do now? That was the main question before me.

After 25 days, we again heard the same call,’ Post-Man.’ I was pushed back by younger sisters and brothers . I saw it was a parcel which my father was taking after signing on the paper. He adjusted his spectacles and as read my name handed over it me but in-between caught hold by others.

It was a great way to open it. I sat in the middle and all of them surrounded me were shouting that half of the things should be handed over to them as they were very dear to captain. The first layer was opened. The second layer was also opened. Nothing was there only lots of news papers. After third layer there was many plastic sheets. All laughed. ‘ Was he wants us to open the shop of old papers?’

 But suddenly we saw, under the 5^th layer, very neatly a thin plastic bag and what was in it? All were amazed as my younger brother shouted,’ A BUNDLE Of LETTERS.’

I felt as I was fainting but still I read on the first page it was written like this.

’ Dear my wife, you have instructed me not to write letters but I can not control my-self and daily I pen down a letter to you and now after 25 days, I am sending this parcel to you. Kindly read all the letters systematically and express your feelings by writing at least one letter daily to me like my-self.’’  I heard the giggles and suddenly I saw a letter-pad and a pen was in my hand, ‘ Didi write at-once . otherwise another parcel will reach for you very soon.’ I heard lots of giggles and I felt as I had lost the stamina.