THE SHINING MILESTONES

  Part-5

Once they reached aunty’s house and entered inside, and aunty welcomes Abhay whole heartedly. He introduced Eiti and aunty agrees to keep her. Abhay left for the camp and Eiti was lost in observing interiors. It was well furnished bunglow with antique showpieces, Italian flooring, modular wardrobes, furniture and interior represents filmi set. Eiti was lost in observing the interiors, as she haven’t seen this kind of home ever before.

Aunty asked, “Eiti, come I will show you your room.”

Aunty was kind hearted and gave her a good spacious room to stay. Whereas, Eiti expected as small kitchen size place.

Eiti was impressed, “This is my room? I mean, where is servant room?”

Aunty smiled, “Dear, Abhay told me everything about you. He informed me two days before and based on that, I decided to allot you this room.”

Eiti emotionally asked, “Just for a maid, you have given a wonderful room. You are so kind, Or else someone in your place would have behaved snobbish. But, your home is like we see in Rajesh Khanna’s movies. Your neighbour’s house is also very rich in lookwise. Since how long you are staying here.”

Aunty explained her from the beginning and also about her medical treatments, light food and drinks and some allergies. Eiti noted every point and performed her duties like cooking, dusting, cleaning, grocery shopping, giving medicines on time and oil massage on foots. Eiti’s care and affection was a panacea over her loneliness. Also she started her old activities of reading newspapers, watching news and movies with aunty. Aunty also enjoys Eiti’s company for watching movies and didn’t let her feel that she is a maid.

Some weeks passed like this, and one day, Eiti saw aunty was unconsciously lying down on the floor and rushed towards clinic nearby. Doctor after check-up prescribed for some test and medicines.

Next day, Eiti and aunty went to the hospital. Aunty’s family doctor diagnosed all the tests. Later Aunty’s report was clearly indicating Cancer. Aunty was shocked to know about her Cancer and tried to call her children back home. Eiti tried to pull out aunty from trauma but when relatives and near ones refused to visit her, she was completely broken from inside. At this time, Eiti was sympathetic to aunty and took care like a mother. Aunty was so impressed that she even her son didn’t respond to her cancer problem, but this poor little girl did heel thrust for outbid.

Aunty in sad voice, “Eiti, sometimes we are so helpless towards our situations that even the shadows give up. But you have been proven as daughter. I think, this is why I didn’t give birth to a girl, because god had a plan to send you in my life.” 

Eiti consoled her, “No aunty, you are such a kind hearted, that I got attached with you. Actually, we both are a support bond of each other in loneliness.” 

After few days, Eiti’s birthday was coming. She was looking at the calendar every day and planned to go Shiv temple. Finally, The day 21st June her birthday comes and with the excuse of grocery shopping , she went to Shiv temple situated in the market. This time she prayed for aunty’s good health. Also she lighted a small cup shaped oil lamp in front for Lord Shiva and thanked for help and support. She returned with huge smile on face and running towards Aunty. She was lying on bed and reading a book. Eiti offered the temple’s blessed food (prasad) and flowers.

Aunty was impressed, “Eiti, you are religious also I wasn’t aware about it? Any special day today?”  

Eiti happily answered, “Yes, it’s my birthday today. My grandma told me to visit Shiv Temple on every birthday.”

Aunty ate blessed food and asked, “How old are you now?”

Eiti happily replied, “I have turned 15 today, because of my grandma I started worshipping and all, but unfortunately I lost her.”

Eiti shows her grandmother’s gold chain and doll gifted. While describing, tears flowing continuously from her eyes and trembling lips showed emotions for her late grandmother. Aunty consoled her and appreciated for maintaining home well. Eiti’s caring nature and polite behaviour made her happy. In this way, both of them share their joys and sorrows. Time passes like this, and one day aunty got critical. Eiti rushed towards hospital and after two days observation, doctor gave a very bad news.

Doctor said, “The cancer has spread throughout her body. Due to old age, it’s difficult for her to get cured easily. In clear words, she can survive either one month, a week or a year. As she at the last stage of cancer.”  

Eiti sadly asked, “How can you say that. People visit you for treatment, right?”

Eiti continued arguing with doctor and here aunty came out from the ward sitting in a wheelchair, Face was dull and wrinkled. Eiti with teary eyes and reports, ran towards her and said, “Come we will go back home. How come no cure for this? I will take care of you.”

Now, Eiti took much better care of aunty than before. Every morning and evening, Eiti and aunty walks on green grass at the back side garden. Aunty’s garden was at the back side of house and full of greenery. Aunty got week body, so Eiti did some domestic treatment with herbs which resulted in aunty’s activeness.

Aunty asked, “From where did you get such good knowledge about herbs? I feel so fresh and energetic. I appreciate your efforts.”

Eiti replied, “It’s Ayurvedic herbs I am applying since childhood. Some more information from my grandmother.”

Aunty caressing her head, “Why herbs? No doctor treatment?”

Eiti smiled, “No because my parents didn’t get to know whenever I am sick. So, I took care of myself.”

Aunty showing kindness, consoled her. In this way, aunty was getting better day-by-day and Eiti’s was getting confident about her recovery. Few months passed away, finally the day arrived when aunty got severe cancer attack. Eiti rushed towards hospital and this time, she was also nervous that after much efforts, the outcome is nil.

Doctor said, “I told you already that no cure for cancer. You tried with herbs, can only help a little. Rest we know the case reality. Please inform her relatives because we can’t say anything about her survival. Till the time, she will be under observation.”

Eiti was shocked to see aunty back in same situation like before. She went back home and from phone diary she called aunty’s son. Her son didn’t respond to her calls and messages. Now, Eiti was her family because even relatives refused to help and visit her. For so long in aunty’s house, Eiti got to know each corner of the house that where aunty keeps her money and emergency things. Aunty’s survival was on her late husband’s pension. No financial help was given by her son.

After one week, aunty opened her eyes and asked nurse to call Eiti. Aunty had something in mind which she wanted to execute. Eiti came and aunty asked her to call their lawyer. After sometime, only lawyer, doctor, Eiti and aunty were inside the ward. Aunty asked lawyer to make a will, where Eiti will be the scion of her ornaments and half companion of the house.

Aunty in ailing condition, “My late husband stated in will that I am the property heir after him. Today, as the owner of my property, I want to declare Eiti as the scion of my ornaments and half companion of the house, remaining will be assigned to my son. That’s all I wanted to say. Eiti, please come here my child.”

Aunty holds Eiti’s hand, “Eiti, you were the only support in my bad times. In my life’s last halt, you were the only mate. At this point of time, my son ignored me but only you did all possible efforts to maintain my health. In right terms, you are my daughter. Remember Eiti, you can stay at my house for as long you want and my ornaments you have to wear in your wedding. Promise me Eiti.”

Eiti cried badly, “No aunty!! You get well soon and handle everything. I am novice. After my grandmother, only you were the support of my life. Come on! get up and we will go back home.”

Eiti was saying all this and when she saw that aunty stopped talking, she shake her body vigorously but no movement. Eiti continuously called her in loud voice, “aunty, aunty, aunty.”

Doctor declared her death, “Eiti she is dead.”

Eiti was disamayed completely, “No!!!! This can’t happen? She can’t go like this. Please do something to bring her back.”

Doctor without replying left from there. Lawyer suggests Eiti, “Dear, please have patience.” By saying this lawyer also left.

Eiti was sitting next to aunty’s dead body, she called Abhay and within half an hour he reached. Eiti and abhay did funeral and last rites of aunty. After this they both returned back to aunty’s house and Abhay sadly said, “Eiti, you can stay here as long as you want. Aunty use to appreciate your efforts and caring nature on phone. As you can see, her son didn’t took any initiative neither he is aware about her demise, You are her real heir in my sense.”

Eiti replied, “You are right sir, it’s her favour on a minor, otherwise in this mean world, who does for a stranger?”

Abhay said, “I know, this are my contact details. For emergency, I am just one call away. I have informed neighbours, so they will visit you. Don’t feel alone and Take care.”     

Abhay lefts for training camp and Eiti missed aunty everywhere. She decided to keep her gold ornaments and rest of the costly belongings in bank lockers. She calls lawyer and requested the same.

Lawyer after hearing, “Eiti, you are the nominee of her gold. You have the right to use it. But as you wish, I will place them and other costly belongings in the locker.”

Eiti replied, “This is because her gold is in her wardrobe. I am afraid of theft.”

Lawyer agreed and Eiti feels secured. She lives alone at home and feels orphan, that aunty was the only support but destiny didn’t let this happen for long. Some days passed like this, one day Eiti met her childhood friend Asha in the market. Asha and Eiti cherished their childhood memories.

While talking Asha asked, “Eiti, do you know about your mother? Did you ever meet her during your jobs?”

Eiti sadly replied, “No, you know my Asha. There must be good stability in my absence. Since long time, my parents didn’t bother of my existence.”  

Asha asked again, “Really?”

Eiti replied, “I think you got your answer.”

Eiti answered and tried to leave market area, but Asha shouts a loud, “Wait Eiti!!!” she moved towards Eiti and said again, “Dear, your mother is all alone now. Even Roumil ignored her and your father passed away four months back in a landslide. I thought you must be aware about it, but you are sounding as blank.”

Eiti was shocked to hear this and Asha continued, “I know Eiti, in our society girls are not given much importance and they are been taught household works more than studies. At the age of 14, forced to get married to unknown stranger, whom she haven’t seen before. But you are an example for us. You changed your destiny and now free to decide your own way.”

Eiti was listening to her but thinking in mind, that whether to feel proud or regret currently. She stopped Asha while talking, “Enough Asha.”

Asha still continued, “No I won’t. You need to know that your mother is missing you. She now realised you importance. One day, I saw her on temple stairs with teary eyes. She was praying for your well-being and when she saw me, she ran and came to me, asking about you. I think you should go home and meet her.”

Eiti still expressed arrogant attitude but Asha consoled her, “Look dear, my parents forgot me after my marriage, but you can still become a support for your mother. Remember that Shravan Kumar’s story we learned in school?”

Eiti argued rudely, “In today’s world even Sharvan kumar type people are not been appreciated due to partiality. Please stop your ancient stories.”

Eiti left the market area and Asha remained stunned at her behaviour. Asha’s words resonated in her mind. Then aunty’s life history forced to think about her alone mother. Eiti then decides to visit once at her village.

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