The Upbringing

Kiran called to tell Naina to be ready to leave for Chennai as soon as he returned from office. Though perplexed, Naina did not act immediately. Karuna, her daughter would be back from school in another ten minutes. She could guess the reason for Kiran’s abrupt message, but preferred to wait for him.

She had been married for nearly fifty years and the golden anniversary was just round the corner. She had lived with Shishir for about twenty years after which she had to leave home, as she felt she could not live with Shishir anymore. Naina was in the final year of schooling, when Shishir approached her parents for her hand and they were only too happy and relieved to give her away to Shishir who worked in a bank and was a lone bachelor, as his parents had died even when he was a child. He was brought up by his uncle and aunt, who too had passed away a few years back.

Shishir had rented the house opposite to Naina from where he would watch her make beautiful alpanas unfailingly early in the morning, every day. The design was flawless and looked as if she must have used some instrument to make them to perfection.  Naina had four younger sisters and so it was a great relief, when Shishir offered to marry her without any expectations. The wedding was solemnised in the local temple with only Naina’s family and a few of Shishir’s friends.

At first it was all happiness - Naina was an excellent home maker and Shishir cared for her a great deal. Both of them seemed to be an ideal couple made for each other. They had their first child, a bonny baby and both of them doted on her. Naina’s parents did not so much as come to see the baby. After Naina’s wedding they had shifted to their ancestral home in a village and chose not to come to the city so that they need not shell out any money for gifts and the like. Naina did not mind it as she felt secure in the warmth of her husband’s love. She was a loving mother and brought up her child very well. In a couple of years, Kiran was born and their family was complete.

It was soon time for Karuna to attend school and since Naina had to look after Kiran who had fallen sick, Shishir went along with Karuna to attend the interview for admission. They were standing in the queue waiting to meet the school Principal, when as if from nowhere, a beautiful lady called out to Shishir. He could not believe his eyes – it was Kadambari, an old schoolmate! She was teaching the junior classes in that school and was happy to catch up with him after nearly a decade. The feeling was mutual and Shishir too was delighted to meet Kadambari, who caused many a heart to flutter some years back! Looking at her brought back pleasant old memories and while waiting in the queue, they exchanged notes.

Kadambari’s husband was a marine engineer and was away from home for half the year. Kadambari had joined this school quite recently but had built up quite a reputation for herself. She adopted new teaching techniques and her approach to the children was unique making her very popular. Shishir took down her address and promised to meet her soon with his wife and children.

As the line progressed, Shishir met the school Principal and secured admission for Karuna and went home. As Kiran’s fever had not subsided, they had to take him to the doctor and on the way, they bumped into Kadambari whose house was just adjacent to the clinic. She suggested that she would take care of Karuna till they met the doctor to avoid exposure to various kinds of infected persons. As it made sense, they left Karuna with her and went to the clinic. It was a wise thing that they did as there were many patients and it was nearly two hours before they could leave.

Karuna met them with a very happy face and was all in praise of “Ma’am”. On her part, Kadambari had told her a couple of stories, treated her to some sweets and snacks and more than all, played with her. Naina and Kadambari took a liking for each other, and a bond of friendship was created.

When the school opened, it was Naina’s duty to reach Karuna to school, while Kadambari offered to bring her home. As they had become good friends, Naina would insist that she stay back for lunch and it became their daily routine. All went well for a year or so. Kadambari’s husband who would normally be home for six months had got his contract extended which necessitated him to be away for two years. 

Though Kadambari was initially dejected that she would be able to meet her husband only after two years, in course of time, she had got over it. Shishir would extend all possible support to her whenever needed and Naina did not mind it as they were quite good friends. However, in course of time, she noticed a change in Shishir’s attitude towards her. He would expect her to go out of the way to satisfy Kadambari. On weekends and holidays, he was not to stay at home, but would find some pretext to be at Kadambari’s place.

Kiran too had been admitted to school but Kadambari had stopped the practice of bringing Karuna home after school and she started having her lunch outside. One afternoon, when Naina was returning home in an auto-rickshaw with the children having picked them up from school, she spotted Shishir's bike with Kadambari on the pillion. She hoped that the children had not seen them. 

Once home, she pretended as if nothing had happened. She thought Shishir would provide some kind of an explanation without her asking, but it was not to be. Days and months went by and it was the same routine. Shishir had stopped taking his lunch box with him and it was obvious that the duo had lunch together in her home.

One day the Principal sent word for Naina and told her that they would be terminating Kadambari’s services after giving her a month’s notice. “Do you know why we will be doing so?” she asked Naina, who had no reply. The Principal continued, “I am sorry to say that she seems to be having an affair with your husband and that is not viewed by us very well. True, it is her personal matter, but her flirting with a married man and that too a parent of one of our own school children, is not acceptable to us, even if you may turn a blind eye.” Naina’s face went red with shame. As there was nothing else to be said, she went home.

She tried to open the topic of Kadambari with Shishir, but she never found him alone. The children were always around when he was at home, but those occasions were few and far between. She sat and thought of it weighing the pros and cons of questioning Shishir on the issue. Firstly, Shishir had changed – he was no more the caring husband that he was some years back. Next, her parents were not to be expected to lend her any kind of support. Further, she had to depend on Shishir for running the home as she had no independent source of income whatever. If she raised her voice, it was quite probable that he would leave her and go to Kadambari leaving her high and dry. She decided to pretend as if nothing was wrong and continued to live with him.

Gradually, things started getting worse. The children were growing up and their needs too were increasing. Shishir was irregular in coming home and on occasions, even stayed away for two or three days at a stretch. The days of absence turned into months. Naina was fortunately able to manage the household as she was a joint account holder and knew the net banking password.

Time waits for no one. Karuna was in her final year of college and her college term fees were due. She tried to access the bank account but found to her consternation that the password had been changed. She tried to call Shishir on his mobile, but it was switched off. To make matters worse, the landlord had called to say that the rent on the house was due for more than six months. He said that he was trying to contact Shishir, but in vain. He demanded that the amount be settled in a week’s time, lest she may be forced to vacate the house.

Naina was now cornered. Though she detested it, she walked towards Kadambari’s house to see if Shishir was hanging around. Sure enough, both Kadambari and Shishir were together and were startled to see her open the gate. Shishir sheepishly grinned as he did not know what to answer if Naina asked him why he was not attending office. Naina hardly looked at Kadambari, but with a straight face she told Shishir that she needed to pay the school and college fees as well as run the household for which she needed money. She also said that the landlord had demanded that six months’ rent which was in arrears should be paid within a week if they did not wish to be thrown out.

Shishir merely laughed it away. “I am coming home tonight with a solution. Be patient till then,” he said and walked into the house. Naina returned home without a word. Shishir then started spreading wild rumours about her character and tried to undermine her. He also had the audacity to write a note to one of his creditors that Naina and Karuna would settle his dues and sent him to their house with the note. This infuriated her no end and made her decide to leave him once and for all. That night, around ten p.m., Shishir rang the bell. Naina was taken by surprise to see the landlord standing behind him.

“Come out, you bloody woman! Go and satisfy him so that he will not come around again asking for the house rent!” he boomed. Naina was shocked and knew not what to say or how to react. On an impulse, she simply pushed him away and bolted the door from inside and did not open it though he kept screaming and yelling at her. 

From behind the windows, Naina saw that a crowd had gathered outside the house. The landlord, probably did not wish to get entangled and quietly slipped away. Naina had smelt liquor on Shishir when she was opening the door and was sure that the neighbours would not seek any clarifications from him until he was sober. Just as she thought, they hung around for a while and left. Shishir too, kept blabbering somethings for a while and then left. 

Both Karuna and Kiran were puzzled. As they were now grown up, Naina told them about Shishir having a relationship with Kadambari due to which he was neither coming home, nor was he providing for their needs. Karuna was undoubtedly worried about her semester fees, but she assured Naina that she would seek extension of time and try to raise funds for the same. Kiran who was in his final year of school also was ready to comfort her. 

Early next morning, Naina was walking towards the Local Councillor’s house, when she was met half-way by none other than the Councillor herself. She happened to be her senior at school and had heard rumours of Shishir. She had been intending to meet Naina earlier, but something or the other had cropped up. News of the previous night’s incident had reached her and so she decided to come over immediately to reassure Naina that she would be looked after very well and that she need not fear anybody or anything. During the course of the day she asked Naina to meet her in the office by which time she would try to make some arrangements.

Much relieved, Naina came home and told Karuna and Kiran that they could depend on the Councillor, Suparna Madam for assistance. All of them sat huddled together till it was time for Naina to go to Suparna’s office. Before going, she alerted both of them, for after Shishir’s abominable behaviour, she was scared to leave her daughter alone. Suparna's son who was Kiran’s friend came over and said that he and Kiran would protect Karuna when she was away.

Naina did not know who to thank – God or Suparna or Suparna who was a messenger of God. Suparna had formed a Self-Help Group of about fifty women to learn stitching, embroidery, knitting and other handicrafts. She appointed Naina as their Supervisor with a monthly salary of Rs.15000/-. She also arranged to make her an advance of four months’ salary from the funds available in a Trust which was headed by her. The money was to be repaid in monthly instalments, for which she got the documents drawn up and had them executed.

This was a great breather for Naina. She went home happy that she could now pay the fees for the children. She was wild at the landlord who had accompanied Shishir with the intention of using her. She had the backing of Suparna, which fact would have spread like wild fire all over the town. She, therefore, did not expect the landlord to turn up again, for some days at least.

By this time, Kadambari had lost interest in Shishir, as he had no more money to spend on her. She knew that of late, he had been borrowing heavily to satisfy her desires. She had seen for herself how all those who had lent him money would present themselves in the Bank on salary day, and collect their dues. Her husband whose contract had been renewed again and again was to return home after a very long period and she was ready to put up an act of being a sati-Savitri before him. When Shishir rang the bell, she did not open the door but merely shooed him away telling him that she was neither interested in him, nor did she wish the sight of him.

Humbled, he came back to Naina, who too refused to open the door for him. In a fit of rage, he broke open the door and dared her to send him away. When Naina resisted, he picked up the small grinding stone and banged her head with it. She fell unconscious, bleeding. Hearing the commotion, Karuna and Kiran came running from inside the house and seeing their mother slumped on the floor, immediately called the ambulance to take her to the hospital. Shishir quickly turned towards Karuna and dragged her away with him, even as she was protesting and resisting, muttering to himself that he will now use her to settle all his debts. Though Kiran heard what Shishir said, he could not leave Naina in that condition and go to save Karuna. He sent his friend behind Shishir, who easily outpowered him as other friends too had arrived by then. 

Suparna saw to it that he was put behind bars for some days at least. She also arranged for Naina’s treatment in the hospital. Fortunately, there was no head injury and Naina recovered soon. Suparna then got the three of them to shift their belongings to her out-house. The Councillor’s accommodation was quite large and since only she and her son were staying there, she had more than three rooms to spare. She converted one room into a creche and the other two into sewing classes. This gave Naina flexibility of looking after the Sewing class as well as provide Day Care for a few children. Suparna also arranged for a couple of women to assist Naina.

Shishir was suspended from service as he had been jailed and also due to his misdeeds. Naina did not bother to find about what happened to him, but continued working hard with Suparna’s support. Karuna and Kiran succeeded in getting good jobs and they started to live in peace.

It was then that Kiran’s message had come. Karuna was back from school and as she put down the pile of work books for correction on the table, Kiran came in.

“Papa has been admitted in a hospital in Chennai. He has sent for us to meet him to ask our forgiveness and also to part with some property. I have booked a cab and if we leave now, we will reach the hospital in about three hours”, he panted excitedly. Both Naina and Karuna looked at him with disgust. “Kiran, do you think that after all that he has done to Ma and me that we would like to see him? Forgive him? For what? For almost leading us into prostitution? Never! Don’t ever take that man’s name again in our presence!”, Karuna retorted. As she had voiced Naina’s opinions as well, she did not have to say anything.

When there was no further response from them, Kiran said nothing, but went away. Naina was upset that her son, who she thought had been brought up well by her, was attracted by the property that wretched man wished to part with. Karuna too could not understand Kiran’s behaviour, when all along he had shared their views on this man who did not deserve to be called their father.

Kiran did not return that night. Mother and sister lay awake for him for a very long time, till a message beeped on Karuna’s mobile. “Papa passed away. Will be back after performing the rites”, Kiran had beeped. Neither Naina nor Karuna spoke. This was too much for them to bear. They never expected that Kiran would go against their wishes, but he had and they could do nothing.

Days went by. On the thirteenth day, Kiran returned, with his head shaved. Naina and Karuna paid no attention to him, but pretended to be busy with whatever they were doing. Kiran cleared his throat to say something, but Naina left the room. Karuna too followed her. Realising that both of them did not want to listen to him, he sat down, wrote a note, kept it prominently under the water jug on the dining table and went away.

Soon mother and daughter came inside. Not finding Kiran anywhere, they looked around and caught sight of his note. Karuna picked it up and read aloud: “I know both of you are angry with me and cannot even think of forgiving me. I am my mother’s son and the sanskar she has instilled within me speaks for itself. However wicked a father can be, a son cannot, or rather should not turn away when he pleads for something. I can understand the pain both of you must have suffered when he tried to practically sell you away. However, this does not come in the way of his having fathered Didi and me. I heeded his request only for the reason that he was my father, and though there were unpleasant memories, we loved him and carry sweet memories of him too when we were small kids. You may think that I was tempted by the property he was referring to. On the contrary, I never intended to take any of it even if it was thrusted on me. I went only to meet him to hear him out on his last days, if I could comfort him that way. I am sure my mother too would not have turned a deaf ear to any human being seeking pardon.

Be that as it may, I have returned today after performing all the rituals so that his soul may reach its ordained goal without much ordeal. I have released him from our hold so that in his next janma, if there is one, he would be a better person. Yes, he had inherited his uncle’s property very lately. He himself was unaware of it all this time. After going through a lot of suffering, he visited uncle’s village, where the Gram Pradhan told him that his uncle had a farm which had been under litigation. It had finally been resolved and the property was to be handed over to his uncle, but as he was deceased, they did not know what to do with it. When he met Papa, both of them decided to set up a hostel for working women or for those women who had no family. He wished to atone for his sins thus. If you feel that what I have done was right, you may meet me at the park which is just round the corner. I can then come home. Otherwise, I shall have to think of some other plan. – Lovingly, Kiran.”

Naina and Karuna had only tears in their eyes as they started walking to the park, justifiably proud of their very own Kiran.