THE SHINING MILESTONES

                                                    THE SHINING MILESTONES

                                                            PART- 2

Eiti found herself back at home, when she woke up. She expected grandmother around her but only the face that was visible was her mother Prema. Eiti was rubbing eyes constantly and her mother’s screamings were echoing everywhere which failed her to find grandmother. Prema splashed water on her face and gave her bread to eat and ordered to start all the usual household works she does. Eiti was confused and shattered to know the truth, she heard from her mother.

“Nobody loves you. You felt grandmother as your protectionism? even she thrown you away and now if you want to stay here, then live on my conditions.” Prema rudely ordered.

Eiti agreed quietly and performed all orders given by her mother Prema. Next day, Eiti was getting ready for school. Prema snatched her school uniform and bag and shocked her.

“Your studies are over. We can’t afford your school fees.” Prema angrily shouted.

“I am not getting your point. I am good in studies. Even my teachers are happy with my ranks. Did you get any complain from school about me?” Eiti innocently asked.

“No more arguments. Just do as I say. Otherwise…” Prema warned her again. No option available for Eiti, instead of following Prema’s orders.

Eiti was saddened with her circumstances but at the back of the mind, was an extra smart, sharp and intelligent girl. She covertly read newspapers in hindi and English and watch TV whenever she is alone at home. This helped her as a link of general knowledge. Also that doll gifted by grandmother was the companion of her loneliness. She enjoyed and continued with this.

One day, Prema asked Eiti to sell her home-made spices. To recover her school fees money, now Prema and Vishwa planned to use Eiti for their next step.

“From today onwards, you have to sell spices. I will take you to the market and explain everything.”Prema said.

Eiti was blank to understand about spices sales and asked “but how will I do this?” 

“We want to recover money spent on your education till date. End of the conversation now, just do it.”Prema said.

Eiti agreed again. That’s where Prema started executing intrigues against Eiti. Prema finds a small basket in the storeroom. She cleans it well and makes it easy to carry spice packets. Prema was expert in making home-made spices. She filled spices in 20 small plastic packets and puts in the basket and finally, takes Eiti to the market that was 10 minutes far from her home. Many other hawkers in the market, selling inexpensive goods, handicrafts, food items, stationary or mobile were walking around and bargaining with customers. Prema made a small setup place to sell Spices.

“Eiti look here, this is your place to sell spices and I want all the packets to be sold till eveving. I gave you lunch box and don’t waste time in talking or playing with others.” Prema said.

After this, Prema explained Eiti about spices accountancy and went back home. Without sales experience, Eiti was sitting ideal and blank and ate her lunch before time, but she had a clever mind. Firstly, she observed other hawkers’s strategies and often advertised her spices by loud street cries or chants, and conduct banter with customers, to attract attention and enhance sales. No single hawker, even helped or noticed her. She tried chasing after people carrying spice packets. Some people buy or some scolding back Eiti. She faced many obstacles, but still enjoyed, being away from her mother’s slavery.

Eiti sold 12 spices packets out of 20 till evening and came back home. She handed over Prema all earnings in whole day. Prema was annoyed with earnings and shrieked at Eiti. “what’s this? Only 12 packets sold? Per packet worth rupees 250, these are only rupees 3,000. From tomorrow, I will fill the basket with 30 spice packets.” Prema shouted but her bitterness didn’t affect Eiti’s confidence.

One day, Eiti’s school principal meets her father Vishwa, in town side.

“Hello! Mr. Vishwa, howz Eiti doing? Where is she?” Principal asked

“No sir, we can’t afford her school fees, that’s why she won’t continue with school.” Vishwa replied.

“We can provide her scholarship. She is brilliant student of our school. If you say, we provide scholarship to students like Eiti?” Principal again forced Vishwa.

“We are strictly not interested for her further studies. In our family,we don’t teach girls. You may please continue with your way.” Vishwa arrogantly replied and changed his way from principal.

Principal was shocked to hear about Eiti’s educational loss and murmured “Poor Eiti! education is the right of every child. But these people, educate daughters for domestic purpose.”

Some time passed like this, slowly and gradually Eiti learned trade and attracting foreign customers who are found of Indian tastes. Speaking with foreigners, her English became fluent and now she could smartly deal with them. She saved secret deposit from her daily earnings to visit grandmother’s place at the first moment. Foreigner tourists are sometimes attracted towards Eiti due to her sales attitude and fluent English speaking. This surprised other hawkers as their sales were low.

One day, A foreigner lady Sandra, from US was passing from market lane. She saw Eiti sitting on a small place and chants loudly, “Spices! Spices!! Home-made spices.”

Sandra, moved towards Eiti by ignoring other hawkers who were surrounding her with their items. Sandra asked, “Hey kiddo, what are you selling here? Smells really delicious. Can I taste it?

Eiti fluently replied, “Hello there! These are home-made spices mam, I can reduce the prices for you. You can add them in your food and don’t eat directly.”

Listening to her fluency, Sandra asked “Why are you selling them? this is the age for you to study.”

Eiti softly replied, “No mam, we can’t afford money for studies. So, I am selling spices. Tell me which one did you like?”

Sandra felt pity on little girl and purchased all the spices packets. Also Sandra clicked a snap of her and Eiti. Other hawkers were looking surprisingly.

“This little knows a magic to attract customers, otherwise we are selling items since long time and still didn’t succeed.”-hawkers discussing with each other.  

Now, Eiti was fearless of travelling alone, as she remembers that day when she ran for the first time and experienced risky adventures. So, she saved some money from spices earnings and goes to her grandmother’s place, for two to three times, only during Prema’s absence. Grandmother’s place was only 20 minutes far from her home. Eiti once offered some spice packets to her grandmother.

 “Grandma, these are home-made spices from my mother. You have, its delicious.” -Eiti said.

 “Hhmm, I know Prema is expert in making spices and at the age of 9 years you have become smart enough to handle things. I am happy to see this, but also feel pity that at the age of studies, your parents are sending you to earn. I know their intentions behind this.”Grandmother replied.

 “Grandma, when is my birthday? I will try to visit you again on my birthdays to make it special.” Eiti hiding the sorrow, smiled and asked.

 “Your birthday is 21st June 1980, but today why you are asking?” Grandmother replied.

 “Oh, so last year I missed it. this is march month going on. I was so lost in selling spices that I couldn’t ask my parents about it, because I remember that, each day I was out for selling spices. Now I don’t get time for my doll also but yes, that milestones bottle I still take care and as usual I will collect them.” Eiti surprisingly answered.

 “In every birthday you should visit temple which is near to home. God will bless and protect you.” Grandmother suggested.

 Eiti asked the meaning of her name and grandmother replied “EITI means the end. The end of every beginning. I chosed this name for you and now I can see the result that you are becoming like your name day-by-day.”

 Eiti hastily asked “means? how did you judged?” 

Grandmother replied “you came out of your fear and internal grudges. You have selected your own way to happiness.” 

Eiti smiled and agreed and after spending some time with grandmother, Eiti left and before Prema knew, she reaches home back on time.

One day a hotelier Mr. Dobriyal, was passing by market lane. He owned 3 hotels in town and 2 roadside food stalls in Aran village. Eiti ran towards him, holding spice packets in her hands. As Eiti wasn’t aware that Mr. Dobriyal is a hotelier, she started advertising her spices and other hawkers also surrounded him. But only the smell that attracted him was Eiti’s spices.

“Hey girl, can you show that spice packet? It smells delicious.” Mr. Dobriyal gleefully asked. 

“Sure sir, I have many varieties and these are all home-made spices. Made by my mother.” Eiti informatively replied.

“Oh really, then I would like to meet your mother and now I am buying all these packets.” Mr. Dobriyal replied.

Mr. Dobriyal put Eiti in his car and went at her home and met Prema. He appreciated her home-made spices and gave big order to supply spices for his three hotels in town. Prema was excited to receive such an unexpected order.

Mr. Dobriyal said, “Mam, this order is because of your daughter Eiti. She advertised your spices in such a away that I couldn’t stop myself to visit here.”

Prema responded with faint smile, “Yes, I know.”

Within some time, Vishwa also arrives at home and saw Mr. Dobriyal talking to Prema. Vishwa remembered his old business enmity with Mr. Dobriyal.

Vishwa shouted with anger at Mr. Dobriyal, “What the hell are you doing here? Who gave you my address? You reached my home to take out hostility”

Mr. Dobriyal stopped him and said, “Wait Vishwa, if I could have knew that this is your house then, I wouldn’t entered here and as per the matter of our old enmity, I cancel my spice orders given to your wife Prema. I am aware of your work nature and duties. Now, I will also make sure that nobody should buy your spices.” 

By threatening, Mr. Dobriyal left Vishwa’s home. Vishwa got disturbed and remembered Mr. Dobriyal’s dishonesty in business. Eiti was again blamed for the loss.

Vishwa angrily asked, “What was he doing over here? Our last partnership business profit was overtook by him and I got very less share. It was all his ravel in business. Receiving his spice orders, never ever I want you to work with him.”

Prema in worried voice asked, “But now if he spread rumors about my spice, then what will happen?”

Vishwa comfortingly replied, “Don’t bother about his reprimand, because thunder clouds don’t rain. You continue with your sales.”

Eiti was calmly listening to their conversations as she was unable to tackle situation and regain order. Next day, Eiti again went at marketplace to sell spices. This time she failed to attract customers. She was unaware that Mr. Dobriyal had already spread false rumors about spices among people. This continued for 10-15 days.

“Go Eiti, go back home. now no customer will buy your spices.” –one hawker said. 

After sometime, two police men came in marketplace and they found Eiti selling spices. They were sent by Mr. Dobriyal. Both the policemen got up and threw the spice basket away.

“Go away you silly child. Your impure spices, are not needed any more.”-policemen scolded Eiti.

They took Eiti along with them and dropped her at back home. Also they warned Prema, “From tomorrow onwards, don’t sell your impure spices in the market again, otherwise you will be behind the bars.”

Prema got scared, “Yes yes sir, sure. Comeon Eiti, come inside.”

Vishwa and Prema were upset due to loss and market image was also damaged through Mr. Dobriyal. Spices selling idea flopped and as usual they blamed Eiti for loss.

Vishwa said, “We thought that money will be recovered by spice sales and Roumil’s school fees also pending! but…..” 

Prema replied. “Yes this is all because of this Eiti. If she would have not met that Dobriyal, then this couldn’t happened.”

Vishwa scolded back, “Its completely your mistake Prema. This was your plan? Really? You should realise that, how badluck can become our lucky mascot? 

They both started running with words over Eiti. Cursing and raising fingers at her.

Vishwa shouted at Eiti, “Eiti, now onwards, you will only do household works. No other activities. Understood?”

Eiti was shattered and speaking in mind, “Spice selling was the only way to visit grandmother’s place. Now how will I manage to go? The money saved may help me again in my parent’s absence, I think.”

Once again, Eiti compromised with circumstances and moved on. She again started her secret activities like watching TV and reading newspapers, which she discontinued due to spices selling. She didn’t let her parents notice about secret activities. In their absence, she visits grandmother’s place and returns back on time. Now there was good time with doll and shining milestones in the bottle at the night time.

Eiti remembered that grandmother asked her to go to the temple on every birthday. Now, Eiti started visiting Shiv temple, by making excuses of groceries or household appliances. sitting on the stairs of the temple, Eiti started begging with beggars as she didn’t gets any birthday gift or wishings from her parents. In begging, she gets money or sometimes eatables and considers this as god’s blessing. Now she doesn’t wants her parent’s attention and she stays with them as a roof over head. She missed grandmother’s blessings and her preachings about lord Shiva in every birthday.

Eiti murmured, “I wish grandma, you also visit temple with me. I would get your’s and god’s blessings together on my birthday. My parents forced me to write on a piece of paper that-‘I am a curse.’ Today I have less time and that to, I spent in temple. Next time, I will try to visit you grandma.”

Eiti continued this for every birthday. Time passed like this and one day Prema and Vishwa decided about Eiti’s marriage. Now Eiti is 14 years old, beautiful girl. Village citizens talks about her beauty always. Going against child marriage act law, they are fixing Eiti’s marriage with 30 years elder man than Eiti. His name was Mr. Chandel, a rich city man having property worth crores, whose scion was his two sons. 

Vishwa said “Mr. Chandel, we are grateful that you have come as a messiah in our life. We will convince Eiti to marry you. Don’t worry.”

 Mr. Chandel, gave a huge amount of money to Vishwa to confirm the relationship and left from there. Eiti was watching everything from kitchen. Before she questions, Prema started forcing, “Listen Eiti, our decision won’t change regarding your marriage. Mr. Chandel will secure our present and future.”

Eiti requested, “But this is my life maa. I am not ready for marriage. Till date, I obeyed whatever you said.” 

Prema convincing, “Your life is separate from us, Eiti? We are your parents and can decide better for you. Mr.Chandel will take care of you as a princess. ”

Eiti and Prema continuously argued with each other and Vishwa shouted in between, “Stop this baseless arguments. Eiti, our decision is final and you have to get married. End of the conversation. I wish Roumil could come but he is in US for higher studies. Prema, lets start the wedding preparations. Only 4 days remaining for marriage. ”

Eiti wanted to meet her grandmother before marriage as she may guide better and save her. But her parents didn’t listen to her even after requesting a million. They locked Eiti in storeroom till the marriage day and only door opened at the time of food.

Eiti’s home was fully decorated with flowers and lights. Guests started arriving and when Mr. Chandel arrived with procession, Prema and Vishwa happily welcomed everyone. Prema’s eyes were torn, looking at Huge wedding omen gifted by Mr. Chandel. He gifted a car, jewellery and 10 lakhs rupees cheque. Also provided Eiti, a heavy wedding dress and top makeup artists for rich bridal look. In this greed only, they made a deal of Eiti’s life.

Vishwa asked Prema, “Where’s Eiti? Please bring her otherwise the fortunate moment will pass. Priest has given 9 pm of Auspicious Time for seven circumambulations. Is she ready.”

Prema replied. “Yeah sure. You look after Mr. Chandel and his guests.”

When Prema reached Eiti’s room, she saw that Eiti is missing from the room. She checked everywhere in room but no clue of Eiti.

Vishwa entered the room, “Where is Eiti? Mr. Chandel is waiting for her?” 

Prema with tensed expressions, “I don’t know, no clue of her. I think she ran, because her doll is missing and some clothes also from wardrobe.”

Vishwa was drenched with sweat and thinking about how to face Mr. Chandel. With courage, Vishwa went to Mr. Chandel and told, “Actually Mr. Chandel, there is some problem. Can you come in Eiti’s room?”

Mr. Chandel came in Eiti’s room and can’t find her. In anger voice, he asked “Where is Eiti?”

Prema answered in tensed voice, “Actually, she ran away. I can’t understand, even the windows are closed then how did she run?”

Mr. Chandel angrily asked, “You can’t control your daughter? Its my mistake that fixed my relationship with you people. You stupid villagers, only know to con rich people. This is my insult, I didn’t asked for dowry, infact fulfilled your home with everything. I want back all my money and wedding omen I gifted.” 

Mr. Chandel angrily left the place and guests present over there surrounded Prema and Vishwa and started gossiping, “Oh god! Eiti ran away? Severe destructive time is going on. Now you should call police to find Eiti.” 

Vishwa didn’t called police because everyone will come to know about their child marriage crime. Guests present in marriage were unaware about this crime and some guests tried to call police. Vishwa stopped them and requested to leave. This was the terrific moment for Vishwa because he was scared to get arrested by law, whose rule he didn’t followed. 

Prema cried and speaking alone, “It was a good chance, we got rich overnight. But this Eiti…… money got out of hand. Now every hope is with Roumil. After completing studies, he will work and become our old age support.”

Vishwa was sitting on stairs out of house, face down and thinking of the loss, “Never faced this kind of dishonour in front of people. I was right, Eiti is really a curse for us. Now, Eiti is not required in this home. She ran, but also took away our happiness. I used her as a lottery ticket to secure our future. Few years back we lost our spice business because of her and now……” 

Prema went to Vishwa, saw him mourning and said, “Relax vishwa, when our coin is fake then how did we assured Mr. Chandel? I don’t believe this. Our reputation spoiled due to Eiti but now we won’t find her. Don’t carry this 

baggage. Its late night, tomorrow we have to return everything that we got from Mr. Chandel.”

Next day when Prema and Vishwa reached Mr. Chandel’s place, he insulted them terribly. The moment they entered, he slinged newspaper on their faces and shouted, “Look at this, you people did not left us to face society.” The headlines in newspaper were-‘City Rich Man Perkiness and reputation affected’ with Mr. Chandel’s photo. The whole article was based on marriage incident. Vishwa and Prema were so drowned in sorrow that they are least bothered about what’s happening with Eiti.

On the other side, at the wedding night when Eiti ran away. She carried her doll and some of her clothes in a small bag and disappeared with caution. She took a lift from some stranger on a bike for grandmother’s place. 

Stranger on a bike asked, “Where are you going with this doll at night? Why did you covered your head? Is it a mistake to give you lift?”

Eiti finally replied irritatingly, “Shut up! I really don’t need to answer any of your questions. I will pay you after reaching my grandmother’s place. Fine now? Please concentrate on your ride.”

Stranger kept quiet and dropped her to grandmother’s place. She went towards the door and shouted, “Grandma! Grandma!! Open the door. I have come to you forever.” She kept on banging the door, but no response from inside. Finally an old man opened the door and asked, “What you want girl? Who are you?”

 Eiti surprisingly asked back him, “Who are you? Here my grandmother use to stay, where is she?”

The old man reply double shocked Eiti, “No, she died in an accident 2 days before and no clue of her dead body. But I got this hut to stay. Somebody came here one day with her belongings. Wait, I will get her belongings, you can take them along with you.”

There was grandmother’s clothes, some money, a thin small chain and a letter. Eiti holds these belongings and cried a lot after reading that letter. Grandma revealed the biggest truth about Eiti in letter, because of which she regreted that she could have run two days before, then this period would not have come. Very difficult phase for Eiti, can’t go back home and lost grandmother forever.

Grandma wrote in letter, “dear Eiti, I don’t have courage to say you till date, that’s why I am revealing this truth in this letter. Eiti my child, you are not the real daughter of Vishwa and Prema. Because Prema lost her second baby boy at the time of delivery and without informing them, I decided to put you on Prema’s lap and replaced that dead baby. Till today, Vishwa is unaware that I got you outside of the hospital, where one man left you on a footpath. But my son Vishwa, will torture you, I wasn’t aware about this. Eiti, I wanted to tell you everything before your marriage and this thin small gold chain is a wedding gift for you. I came to know about your marriage from your neighbours and wanted to give you farewell.” 

Walking sadly on the street with that letter, Eiti saw his men in jeep and ran away from there also, “Oh no!! these goons are here to find me? Mr. Chandel is a really very reachable thing.” Eiti murmured and increased her speed holding her grandmother’s belongings and letter tightly. She stopped and hided herself behind a big rock to avoid Mr. Chandel’s sight. The car passed and Eiti took a sigh of relief.

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