The Truth Of The Porch - Part II

Seth Ratan Singh had gone out for a few days. One day the mother-in-law told her son, making Urmila listen” Raghubir, for quite some time, Urmila has not gone anywhere outside..She must be interested to see places. .You may take her for a sacred bath in the Ganges ."

Listening to the mother and agreeing to her proposal showed their deep love which was most surprising to Urmila. She had a little doubt. She wanted to ask Raghubir Singh what goodness they had found in her to shower such love to her. But seeing some happiness coming to her in life, she refrained.

They left the house early morning, but by the time they reached Sangam - the confluence of Ganga and Jamuna, it was almost noon.Ganges was dazzling in the rays of the sun. By watching closely, the rising waves could be seen. Similar waves of happiness were rising in Urmila’s heart too. Seeing the change in her husband she felt greatly obliged to mother Ganges and prayed for the love to remain eternally. Raghubir Singh was also praying but his prayer was for bonding their relationship or otherwise was better known to him only.

Urmila was literate but still, she was from a village. She had come out with her husband, with a little dream, a little faith, and a lot of innocence. She felt blessed by the Darshan of Ganges. Raghubir wanted to win her confidence by taking her out and moving farther. It was getting dark but they were not in a hurry. It mattered little for Urmila whether it was evening or night so long as her husband was with her. After the darshan, Raghubir Singh brought Urmila to a dam by the time the evening had turned to night. There were some small temples near the dam where a group of men comprising mostly by Pandas and a few boatsmen (PurushMandali) was found sitting. Some boys were playing cards near the holy men (sadhus). There were two or three shops selling materials required for puja. They were getting closed. Raghubir Singh told Urmila, “ We shall stay here for the night and go to Allahabad tomorrow for sightseeing before leaving for home”.

“Where will we stay” asked Urmila in a suspecting tone.

"You don’t worry about anything. I shall arrange everything”.

Looking around all sides Raghubir said,” Just behind this temple, a little below, perhaps there is a Dharmshala. Please wait here, I shall come after finding it out.”

After moving a few steps, Raghubir Singh returned suddenly. He whispered something into her ears. Urmila removed the necklace, earrings, and other ornaments she had on her body and handed them to her husband...

Raghubir Singh stepped down from the dam and went in search of Dharmshala. Urmila stood there waiting for her husband to come. People nearby started staring at Urmila. She got a little scared. By now the lights were glowing everywhere. Urmila could make out that there was a colony on the right side of the dam. There was a huge playground, in a lonely place, just one and a half kilometers away. The town started on the other side of the play playground. She looked beyond the dam and found utter darkness for a long distance. In the midst of the darkness somewhere mother the Ganges was flowing. But it was difficult to find it in the darkness. There were no lights on the dam. Chimney, lamp or lantern was needed to find the way.    

          

Urmila was struck with fear and anxiety when several disturbing thoughts came to her mind making her unsecured. She was compelled to believe that Raghubir Singh was facing some problems.She felt the possibility of getting cheated but her feminine instinct prompted her to wait patiently for his safe return. Even after a long wait, Raghubir Singh did not turn up. The journey which started with a lot of optimism would end up in a tragedy that was unimaginable.

There was a small temple just opposite the place where Urmila was standing. One aged pujari was sitting there. Somehow Urmila found a ray of hope. She mustered the courage, went to the temple and sat by the side of Baba- wishing him pranam. Baba blessed Urmila raising his hand when she started crying explaining her predicament.

Raghubir Singh was unconcerned about Urmila who was left alone seventy kilometers away from home. There was no possibility of her returning home. She might die or sit with some panda grinding sandal paste. Raghubir was happy with his achievement since he had taken possession of all her ornaments, including money. The news was spread all over the village that there was a huge crowd at Sangam, and while she was getting down to take a dip in Sangam she got drowned or else taking the advantage of the crowd she had escaped to an unknown destination. Who will trust a bad character? I was busy in bath and meditation but by the time my attention went to her, she was not to be found anywhere. I made an intensive search to locate her but losing all hope, in the end, had to return heartbroken. 

But Raghubir Singh got the shock of his life when Urmila appeared near the door as a stranger the next day. He was surprised but mother-in-law stood adamantly. "Having spent the night outside, a lady of bad character has no permission for entry in this house?" said mother-in-law

Urmila’s consciousness revolted, nerves got tensed in defense. She thought of shouting and telling her mother-in-law that if at all she wanted to punish, she should punish her son who left me helpless and ran away. She wanted to ask her where were your self-respect? Thanks to pujari Baba because of whom I am standing on my doorstep safely. But she remained silent. She knew that everyone was trying hard to evict her from the house. Even after showing a little anger, a little authority and pleading in all possible manner the door was not opened for Urmila.

Like any other woman from a village Urmila, being filled with fear, shame, shyness, etc due to the internal pain and trauma, proved that she was slightly different from others. By casting aside her fear, shame, shyness, etc she had the courage to fight injustice. She spent the whole night amidst barking dogs but did not go to the neighbors for any help or shelter.

Raghubir Singh's aunt came next day morning and after scolding her sister-in-law wished to take Urmila to her house. Urmila refused to go saying,” If you want to get me entry, get me in this house where I have come after marriage. I shall not go to any other place”. But when the uncle pleaded with her she could not refuse because of respect and finally agreed to go to their house.

END OF PART III



चबूतरे का सच by Asha Pandey

https://storymirror.com/read/story/hindi/e2eesk4l/cbuutre-kaa-sc/detail