In those days, I was pursuing my
Engineering from I.I.T., Delhi. I only had few more exams left for third year. 30th April was the last day for exams. It was convenient as well
as difficult to study in a hostel.
My parents lived in Bhopal. Our bungalow was on the
Bairagarh Road. My father was the contractor for the construction of bridges
and roads for past two decades and was mostly busy in contracts given by Madhya
Pradesh Government.
He got a big tender in Baitul valley last year. Around four
hundred labourers were working together on a daily basis and our company was
growing persistently.
I was 22 years old and my parents were
constantly discussing about my marriage. When they wanted to know my decision
for the same, I gave my consent. First they proposed Varsha’s name (our
ex-neighbour Vermaji’s daughter) before me. She was pursuing M.A. in English
Literature from Bhopal itself. We had good relations with Vermaji’s family for
the past ten years.
I and Varsha often used to play, hang
around and eat together. For the past two years, she started avoiding confronting
me. Whenever I asked the reason, she would smile and walk away.
Nearly six months ago, I met Varsha in
a social programme in Bhopal. While talking to me, she asked my hostel’s
address. After that, she even wrote some letters to me, but I did not reply for
even a single time.
Once the exams got over, I started preparing
to return to my home in Bhopal and wrote a letter to my mother and informed
her. On the day of journey, I boarded an Express Train from New Delhi Railway
Station at 7 in the morning and reached Bhopal Railway Station at 4 pm on the
same day. Our car driver had come to receive me. At 5 pm, I was at home.
It was summer and was very hot. As
soon as I reached patio our maid 'Jaanki' opened the door and greeted me.
Drawing room cooler soothed my mind. I felt silence at home. Till now, Mom
would have welcomed me with words - “Oh! Son, u came”.
Housemaid Jaanki came and said - “Have
bath. Tea is ready”. I ordered her to bring tea and said - “I’ll have tea
before shower”.
I thought Mom would be sleeping in her
room. I went to have bath and got dressed. Then Jaanki asked if she can serve
the breakfast but I asked her to awake Mom first.
She told me that Mom has gone to
Baitul Valley. It was being ten days since she was not at home. Jaanki said -
“Ma’am has wrote a letter for you.”
I asked - “Where is that letter? Show
me.”
She went to Mom’s room and I followed
her. She picked up the letter lying on the table and handed it to me. I started
reading the letter:
“Dear
Babu (My Name),
I
got to know that you are coming home from Delhi. I am leaving for Baitul Valley
due to some reason and have to stay there for some days. After reaching home,
you too come here.
Rest
is fine.
Your
Mom”
