Small world

I was cooking, while others were amusing themselves with various games and talks. Lockdown had helped our family to strengthen the bonds. Staying at home all time was quite difficult, but I made sure that these difficult times pass without boring my family members. We played, danced, recited poems and tried living our lives to the fullest.

But all this while, one thought came in my mind. We were struggling so hard to stay at homes during the pandemic, but what about Manu ? How did she manage it all alone back then? 

I was merely thirteen when we shifted to Mumbai. A city full of dreams, they called! And indeed, it was. My father's transfer changed our lives. From a small town, we all were sent to a widespread city. Our residence was quite unusual. My family used to live in a chawl, a two- floored quadrangular residence, leaving some free space in between. Mumbai gave us many precious moments, and most of these belonged to the chawl, and its people. The relationship each family shared was special. But , one room... that room was always shut. 

 Children played and ate together, irrespective of anything. In our chawl, we were welcomed in each one's space, still one room was strictly prohibited. Me and my peers, our curiosity was on its peak after a certain point of this restriction. We wanted to peek in the room once to see which giant or evil spirit stayed there! Unfortunately, our attempt failed each time and we were caught. 

Once, Shruti, my sister's friend , told us that the room was occupied by some girl named Manu. She was the only survivor after her family met a heart- wretching accident. This tragedy in her life made a cheerful, young girl become a dumb, traumatized one. The chawl people tried helping her, but later when she attacked people in her trauma, they shut her in her parents' room. 

Whatever Shruti said was true. But Manu wasn't ignored. The caring people in chawl made several attempts to keep an eye on her. Old Mrs. Singh fed her with her own hands, early in day without anyone noticing it. That was all... the remaining time, Manu was all by herself, alone in that closed room! 

We kids left the topic at once. I was deeply moved by Manu' s situation.

 Years passed, and our chawl was occupied with new members. Manu had recovered a lot. She could now step out of the house. I still remember her first glimpse when she came out of that closed room after many years. Slender, dark and nervous girl wearing clothes which didn't fit her exactly. The new people were afraid of this surprise, and we , who knew her, were eager to embrace the poor girl.

Later, we left our beloved chawl, and had come to stay in a complex. We were in touch with our neighbours though. I always asked for Manu, and the replies were satisfactory.

Still, the question lingered in my mind. What happened with Manu in that locked world of hers? She could never answer this question, but I could sense through her behaviour, that the locked room for her was the only small world she knew, and she had asked her heart to accept!