Separation is just a Word

Gazing into the mirror, Hiya wept. Tears came out of her blue eyes. She could not control herself. Soon, she recalled those days. It was the same saree that she was dressed in. Someone appreciated her enchanting beauty as she was looking quite stunning in the gorgeous black saree and dark red lipstick. Her eyes were filled with glitters of joy for the nice compliment that she received for her mesmerizing beauty. But now with the lapse of time and age of maturity, the skin has got dull. Her wrinkled face is full of pigments as it creates an impact for all women after forties. Suddenly, few little boys and girls entered the room. They are led by the Principal of the school. Kids offered some chocolates to their Class Teacher of St. Henry Missionary School at Shillong. Hiya is an able English Teacher in the school who never scolds or punishes her children for any reason. After school time she delivers private tuition to the students in hostel, adjacent to the school. Hiya plays with her children, patiently listens to their problems and provides solution. She organizes cultural events for children and their parents on Children’s Day. She gifts her students on their birthdays and delivers lectures even after the bell rings at the end of the periods. After getting the chocolates and roses from those lovely innocent children, she hugged them tightly and kissed on their cheeks, and soon forgot sorrow and pain. 

Though she is a successful teacher, Bumba wanted her to study Journalism as she had keen interest in Mass Media and Communication. Bumba was basically a singer and musician by profession. He had some radio and TV programs and published some of his music albums. Apart from that, he was a benefactor, who fell in love at first sight with Hiya. Hiya saw her for the very first day in a live concert in an auditorium at Kolkata. Bumba was not the original inhabitant from Kolkata and born in Burnpur, brought up in Hazaribag, later in Dhanbad. He completed his schooling from East West Model School. He did Bachelor in Music from Mumbai and Masters from Lucknow. Went abroad to learn western classical music as well. Here the love story begins. In the stage show, the audience got very excited. They were happy with their singer. At the ending, Hiya rushed into the green room and was eager to take his autograph. The new singer was a bit shy and reluctant to give. Hiya ran again, till he got into his car. Hiya threw her offer of being a lyricist and offered her phone number also but Bumba did not reply.

After several days, when he was about to leave Kolkata, he went through the name and her page in Facebook. She was really a good poet, a graduate in Comparative English, content writer and a blogger. She had her own official page and some videos published on You Tube. Bumba gave her a ring in cell phone and they had a cute date in a restaurant named ‘Pepper Chino’. He proposed Hiya in his car when it was stuck in traffic. But she just smiled silently, as sometimes eyes speak more than words. They started visiting places like Red Road, Museum, Church etc. Two hearts fused gradually and they got entangled to each other. They exchanged their letters, gifts and some creative ideas of doing something innovative. Hiya’s task was to write poems and Bumba used to compose music with those. Life was blessed with happiness, love, joy, colors and bright sunshine. Hiya felt proud of loving someone who is incomplete without her. 

Hiya and Bumba started exploring places at Kolkata. They used to visit each and every nook and corner of the city. Hiya’s family was staying in Kolkata for the last four generations. Bumba walked along the dusty roads of the city alone. He found that his country is incredibly beautiful. Kolkata is one of the nicest places in India. The city has a lot of historical importance. Bumba too became nostalgic about the ‘City Of Joy’, the city of amazing beauty. The city witnessed their love and sorrow. Bumba lost his mother when he was at the age of eight. He had to fight for so many years to construct his life. His father had to stay away from him because of his work. He had no such scarcity of money to pursue his career. There was enough food to quench his hunger and a cosy bed was always ready to provide him comfort. But he was lacking his near and dear ones. He basically lacked some close friends, who are trustworthy, genuine, kind and helpful. After waiting for 18 long years, he framed his career according to his own choice.

On the other side, Hiya was from a typical middle-class family. She belonged to a society that is adorned with age-old customs, superstitious beliefs and some religious sentiments of orthodox people. After meeting with Bumba, Hiya unleashed herself. She exposed her creativity and unfolded her thoughts which helped to write more in a much matured way. Bumba was the source of energy and mental backup for her. They not only walked through side of the river Ganga, Howrah Bridge or Marble Palace, rather they walked along all the tops and bottoms of the successes and failures of their lives. More significantly you can say, it was ‘A WALK TO REMEMBER’. They used to dream a lot and their imagination was quite powerful. Hiya used to boost up Bumba with all her heart and soul. She was actually the source of immense strength. They released some of their albums on social media. Some of Hiya’s poems were turned into songs. Bumba even got an offer of a video shoot in Delhi. After his birthday, he got another opportunity of a playback sing in a Hindi Film. He believed, his girlfriend is very lucky for him. He used to share his experience with friends and father. The romance was very common, there was no glamour in it, like an innocent love story as you or I have. Hiya never claimed any expensive gift rather wanted to be rich in culture. Bumba never kept any condition in his love, but loved her unconditionally and expected nothing but only love in return.

Two years went like this, but the scenario got changed when Hiya could know that her parents have decided to get her married with a rich businessman in California. They didn’t even take her consent, prior to which they fixed everything, even the date of the wedding with a person with whom Hiya is not at all acquainted with. Hiya revealed the truth and informed her parents about the relationship with Bumba. The family members denied and she got no allowance to choose husband of her own choice even in 21st century. She was scolded, beaten, harassed and pressurized. Hiya was kept in a room for a month or so, locked.

Her phone was snatched and switched off. No sympathy was shown by anybody. None of them supported, neither friend nor any relative. Everyone did some injustice and they did not repent for what they did. Bumba became restless for getting no response from Hiya. He had no idea of what was going on. It was a bright sunny-day, Bumba came in Hiya’s house and guessed she might be ill for some reason. He brought some sweets for Uncle and Aunt. But in return, he got humiliation in front of public. He felt highly embarrassed and couldn’t even expect the situation. Things went worse before his imagination. He was arrested by police as a case of molestation was framed with his name. Bumba though caught, was not the victim. He got out of jail and started searching Hiya everywhere for days and nights. He had to face press and media as a singer was caught for a case of molestation was thrown on his name. He had to answer successive loops of questions. For celebrities, news is always exaggerated to provide spicy gossip for mango people. Bumba got many allegations and it took several months to recover mentally.

Meanwhile, Hiya got married with a NRI in a big family in California. She used to get disrespect and hatred every day. Her husband was already doubtful, as she used to leave her bed during mid-night and kept on trying to call someone over telephone. On one fine morning, all her secrets got disclosed in front of everyone from her personal diary. She lost her money, ornaments and dignity. One day, when all were out of home, she got raped by her father-in-law. She protested against that brutality and camouflaged them to get out of the house after one complete year of continuous torture. Though she was expecting a baby, but had undergone through abortion and got rid of the worst phase in life. Her servant helped to leave and arranged a flight for her. She returned home in Kolkata but found her parents were no more. She struggled, went through poverty, ups and downs, loneliness, grief, pain and fear.

She appointed one lawyer and appealed her case in court for a divorce. She got almost ruined in bearing the lawyer’s fees. Every time, her husband used to remain absent in the date of hearing. She was even abused, threatened, robbed and inflicted to severe mental distress. But still she did not give up and fought for her justice. She raised her voice against the cruelty and leaped towards the next level to start her life afresh. Ultimately, she got her divorce after a strong battle of tiring days. She appeared for the School Service Commission Exam in West Bengal. Simultaneously, she went into her college and became a part time teacher. One of his friends gave her shelter. They planned to stay in a women’s hostel.

At the first attempt, she could not clear the test. But then also, she did not quit. She appeared for the exam again in the next year and started preparing for it. After one year, finally, she could crack the exam and in the mean time she pursued a Montessori training. It took almost three years to get a stable job in Shillong. She remains busy throughout the day with daily class work and private tuition. She is employed in this school for more than ten years. She has grown old, keeps her engaged with school students. She writes in her own words everyday during bed time, searched Bumba too, but he left his profession forever and probably not staying in India anymore. She writes about their memories in ‘Calcutta bloggers’. She keeps her eye to see the views and comments. But she does not get anybody commented with the name ‘Bumba’. But still, Hiya does not care because she knows Bumba is always with her whatever she does and wherever she goes. 

On a parallel, non-converging scene, several miles away from the land of his love, Bumba now stays in France with his beloved sister whom Bumba admires as his only person of mental support. At the core of his heart, Hiya still resides and comes in his dreams to remind of their profound love and the beautiful moments that they spent for two years. With his sister, he started an NGO for under-privileged people who, for once, had gone through the setback of utter separation from their beloveds. His NGO provides all sorts of physical paraphernalia as well as mental support to ones who come there. Bumba still write songs but not for a professional angle of profit, but for his own satiation. Calling them, ‘The Hymns of Love’, he dedicates these songs to Hiya, who may be listening to them; not through physical ears, but, through ears of mind.

Though their relation continued for only two years, but it was the greatest treasure in life. All the moments have to be kept safe and intact in the deepest corner of heart. No matter how it came and how went away, but mattered a lot as long it lasted. A love may get deleted due to nonacceptance of society, but it gets its biggest achievement as long as it lived. Memories are meant to be special, the best feeling of all, when Hiya loved Bumba without any expectation. They were not perfect but their togetherness created one perfect relationship, which is still dwelling in Bumba’s life, deep down the heart. Bumba said Hiya on their first Valentine’s Day, that if God has done anything good to him, then it’s nothing but their meeting and intimacy. It was the most precious moment to love and be loved forever. Hiya believes it is the only component that makes life complete and worth living. It provides her strength, courage and pacifies her heart. Hiya is thankful to Bumba forever as he was the cause of her happiness. Though they are staying at distant locations and are not meeting now, but they are still not isolated, as separation is just a word.

The realization of Hiya from her past experiences is that, life makes us cry more than death. It is all about making efforts to stay happy and failing to do so. Life has taught her everything. She writes whatever she feels. Like Hiya, we also feel sad and disgusted of life when things do not go right. But whenever you feel like quitting, think the root cause of your commencement. We win, we lose, we try, we move. We are vibrant, keep moving, transforming rather evolving from one stage to the other to attain a better tomorrow. Love, hatred, happiness, unhappiness, depression, despair; these terms are all relative. It depends on you how you see your targets and accomplishments. It is all about setting your priorities and prioritizing them.

Our present society is an instance of this barbaric hypocrite where we walk several steps towards modernization and advancement but stand still when it comes to the independence of a girl. Every day, women become the prey of scarcity under the feet of our society’s alpha gender: the males. The prejudice of not allowing a girl to think independently or to express herself in front of others still prevails. To those who think there is no self respect to love someone: there is no humanity to kill someone’s love and award him or her with the certificate of separation either.

Summary: This story is all about a girl, Hiya who met with a singer, Bumba. They loved each other fully. But somehow there was a gap between what they wanted and what they obtained. Society made them apart and they chose different professions at distant locations. But their hearts were still connected to a string, where Hiya’s heart is still beating for Bumba and Bumba promises himself to fall in love with her again and again. He wishes to die in peace resting his head in Hiya’s lap if anything exists after death.