Skip to main content

Boo!


Tai, your tea is getting cold,” says Latabai, putting away her own cup of tea back on the tray.
Krishna smiles and puts her almost full tea-cup to her lip. It is stone cold now. And tasteless. Although, the coldness of it has less to do with the tastelessness of it, than what Latabai sits talking about.

The housekeeper came to see her late in the evening when Krishna was sitting on her porch wondering about the sudden change in the weather. The wind had picked up, leading her to think it may rain again, or at the very least, there would be a storm coming soon... making it difficult for Ananta and her to go for their walk tomorrow morning. 
Now, she has made fresh tea, so the two women could sit and chat.   

They have done this a few times when the housekeeper has had a few hours off from work. And while they aren’t exactly friends, Krishna likes the frankness and honesty of the housekeeper; and admires the fact that the woman doesn’t use her circumstances to beg, borrow or steal, but believes in dignity of labour and does her job proudly and diligently. Krishna also appreciates that Latabai isn’t one of those people who cry about their situation and live hopelessly, but hopes for a better future for her children and works hard towards it. Krishna can relate to that – not losing out to your circumstances, but having aspirations, instead.

What the woman is here for though, so late, and in such clearly worsening weather; is something that has Krishna bothered.      




“I haven’t known you for a very long time,” the housekeeper says; “But Tai, I have heard a lot about you from the townspeople. Many of them knew your family, especially your parents. I had not known that your father was a teacher in the local school! My son studies there Tai, and I cannot tell you how happy it makes me feel, to know that people like you and Dada have studied in the same school. Gives me hope that my son too, would amount to something someday.”
Krishna smiles, telling her that it doesn’t matter what school one goes to, so long as they do the right things and learn the right way. And then they move on to other subjects and talk about common acquaintances.

All the while though, Krishna notices that Latabai is not here to merely shoot the breeze, she has something on her mind. But Krishna also knows that the housekeeper will come to the point only when she feels it is the right time. And so she waits patiently.

Tai, many of your old school friends must have now gone away na? Married, moved away…”
Krishna nods.

“Ummm…Tai, stop me right away if you feel it is inappropriate for me to say this to you. But… I cannot just hear what I hear and know what I know... and not tell you. You see, Tai, I respect you a lot. And I can understand you are lonely here, in a new place. I am also aware of why you have left your husband and come here. And I know Dada is now your only friend in this place…
But Tai, why don’t you please go out and make other friends? I know you are friendly with the people in the neighbourhood, but I mean…try and make some other friends… call people home… spend time with others….”

And Krishna understands.

Her fear of being judged by the people, is now turning into a reality. But where she had thought that people would judge her for having left her husband and for having stood up to him; here she is, being judged for none of that, but something else entirely.
Krishna notes, sadly, that while the society has progressed to acknowledge and even support a woman separated from her husband; it is still not progressive enough to allow the woman to acknowledge her love, much less to a man who is older in age, even less, when the woman is elderly herself.

The anxiety that has gnawed at her since the day Ananta took her to the play, is taking the shape of local gossip. She understands that if the housekeeper finds it important to speak personally with Krishna, then the town must already be abuzz with chatter.

Of course, this doesn’t surprise Krishna, she has always known this would happen someday. You cannot behave the way she and Ananta behave and not have people talking about it. You cannot hope, even in your own hearts, what Ananta and she were hoping for, and not have people blather.

“What is it Latabai?” she asks. “What has you so worried?”

“Please Tai, don’t get me wrong,” the woman pleads, “but Tai, people talk. They ask me questions too, since I am the closest to you and Dada. I know you both are friends and need the company of each other. I have a drunk for a husband Tai, and I understand the need for pure companionship. I do. But not all people do.      

And while I feel for you, really; it is only you I can talk about this to. Because, it is only you who can be expected to do something about it Tai. Since time immortal, people have expected sacrifices only of women. From the time when Sita was sent for agnipariksha, to the time when Draupadi was gambled away by her husbands, to today, women like you and I suffer at the hands of abusive men – it is still the woman that is expected to sacrifice Tai. And I beg of you, if anyone can stop people’s wagging tongues, it is you. Please Tai, please, make other friends, be seen with other people. Spend time with other people…”

Krishna nods, understanding the housekeeper’s distress. She doesn’t feel angry or upset with Latabai, she isn’t the type to shoot the messenger anyway; and plus, it is difficult to shoot someone who is so true and honest.




Long after the housekeeper has left, Krishna lies on her bed at night. She has barely had dinner – there’s no taste to food anymore. Her window lies open, letting in the cool night wind, and she can see clouds gathering in the sky as thunder and lightning take their turns warning her of the impending storm. She cannot miss feeling the closeness to Ananta next door, sleeping in the bedroom closest to hers. Alone, in his home, while she lies alone in hers.

What is it with society, she thinks; that one cannot ever live the way one wants? Why does the society have to ruin everything? Society, a monster that always asks for sacrifice and breaks hearts and ruins lives!

Krishna thinks of her own sister, who married the man that impregnated her – not because she loved him, but just so that their parents could save face in the society. Krishna thinks how she herself was married to a man she barely knew, and when he turned out to be abusive, she never left him – not because she was not strong enough, but because she didn’t want her daughter to grow up with the stigma of being raised by a divorcee mother. It didn’t help, of course, that he was manipulative enough to show that he was still a good father to their daughter – and so it was only right, in the eyes of the society for Krishna to stick on.  

And then she thinks about Ananta, a sigh escaping her….Her Ananta…. who had asked for her heart all those years back, but couldn’t come and ask for her hand, because according to the norms of the society, he wasn’t “ready” enough, wasn’t “settled” enough to get married to her.

Her Ananta… who got married as per the norms of the society, to a woman who must have gotten into the marriage herself with so many aspirations, without realising that she was getting into a loveless marriage! Because Ananta’s heart was so broken, he could never love his wife.

So many lives ruined. So many lives scattered. All because of the same bogeyman – the society!

And now…. After all these years… when she and Ananta are looking at a fresh lease of life... the society – the monster – has reared its ugly head again. It once again asks for sacrifice. It once again wants to be appeased.  



This is Part 7 of the story I am writing as part of WriteTribe’s October 2017 ProBlogger Challenge.
The story is presented as an ongoing series. 
You can check out the story so far in Part 1Part 2Part 3Part 4Part 5 and Part 6. And here's what happens in Part 8.      

Comments

  1. Agreed society is a monster but we are free to not feed it. Good take on the prompt.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much for reading and commenting Nupur. Yes, it is indeed up to us whether to give in to societal pressure or not.

      Delete
  2. Rashmi, last when I read your story I had hopes of a happy ending fro Krishna and Ananta but now I am not so sure. Society is a monster, a huge, ugly one. I hope these tow have the courage to face it and emerge victorious. Lovely narration, love your story.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much Sulekkha for always commenting so positively on my story. Yes, it looks like the ugly monster is ready to gobble of any positivity these two have dreamed up for themselves. And it does look like, for once, these two should defy the norms and go their own way. But then again, it is not so easy to find courage in the face of adversity. Let's see where the story takes us from here :)

      Delete
  3. I hate this monster, society. The many fights I had with my mom because I didn’t want to please the monster that is society! I hope that Krishna and Ananta’s
    love prove to be stronger than the whispers of society.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for reading and commenting and sending in so much positivity my way every time Vinitha. Yes, society is never satisfied, no matter how much we try to appease it. And I so want to have at least someone standing up to it! Let's see what these two can do, though, and how much courage they find within themselves.

      Delete
  4. I totally Agree with Sulekha... we make the society and we are the only one who can change it

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. True Nidhi, we do. But then again, in such a situation when there is one against many, what does one do?

      Delete
  5. Whatever may be the circumstances, i wish Ananta and krishna don't giveup once again for the society.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Ramya, for your confidence in Ananta and Krishna, I only hope they find it among themselves to stand up to the society and give it, it's due.

      Delete
  6. Why can't the society let people live in peace? What business does it have meddling in their lives and ruining their peace of mind? I so hope Krishna and Ananta find the courage to face society and learn to live their lives their way.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much Shilpa, for the positivity you have brought my way through your encouraging comments. Yes, it is indeed sad to see society, meddling in people's lives, ruining it for them. But that is the way the world works, what can we do?

      Delete
  7. I totally agree with that. Thanks for sharing that with us.
    Women Empowerment App, Bhast

    ReplyDelete
  8. Yes, the norms of the society have shattered so many lives. But I hope Krishna and Ananta don't have to give up their happiness because of the society.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Monstorous in every form, society get get tough and suffocating at most times. Krishna and Ananta, another victims of the harsh side of the world! Hope they overcome this and emerge victorious

    ReplyDelete
  10. And such a society is ours. That can’t stay happy in happiness because it’s. It their way. Very well penned Rashmi making this story so real. But I’m also hopeful that you will break a few stupid societal rules. Maybe! ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much Parul for your positive feedback. Means a lot :) Yes, such is the society, unfortunately. And so we wish that someone stands up to it, even if it is in a story....but Parul, is it easy to find the courage within oneself to actually go against the tide? How many young, well-to-do people who have everything going for them are unable to do it - so how will these two unusual lovebirds fare then?

      Delete
  11. Oh no no no.. I don't like the path Krishna's thoughts are taking. She so needs to do this - not just for hers and Ananta's sake but for that monster itself . Following her heart is the only way to reform the monster called society, so more and more people see her and get inspired.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

आईचा ब्रेक

मिस्टर सानेंनी हळू डोळे उघडले. खिडकीतून उन्हं येत होती. खाडकन जागे झाले. दुपार झाली कि काय! घड्याळ बघितल, हुश्श, आठच वाजतायेत! पण पुढच्याच क्षणी लक्षात आलं, आठ वाजले तरी किचन मधून काही आवाज येत नाहीयेत. आज तर गुरुवार, वर्किंग डे, एव्हाना किचन मधून आवाजच नव्हे तर तर-तर्हेचे वासही यायला हवेत. डबा तयार झाला असला पाहिजे, चहा तयार झाला आला पाहिजे. पण आज कसलीच हालचाल दिसत नाही! शेजारी पहिल तर मिसेस सानेही शेजारी नाहीत. काय भानगड आहे बुआ आज?   चष्मा चढवून मिस्टर साने बेडरूम मधून बाहेर आले. मिसेस सानेंचा घरात कुठेच पत्ता नव्हता! गेली कुठे  ही? मिस्टर सानेंनी सुनबाईंना विचारायच ठरवलं. पण श्वेता त्यांना कुठे दिसेना. इतक्यात, "गुडमॉर्निंग  बाबा!" म्हणत श्वेता जांभई देत बाहेर आली आणि त्यांच्या उत्तराची वाट न पाहता, तडक  "गुडमॉर्निंग आई" म्हणत किचन मध्ये गेली. मिस्टर साने तिला काही सांगणार इतक्यात,  "अहो बाबा, आई कुठेयत?" म्हणत पुन्हा बाहेर आली. एव्हाना तिची झोप पूर्णपणे उडाली होती. "माहित नाही बुआ, मला वाटलं तुला काही बोलली असेल..."   त्यांना वा

Love them or hate them....

"Behind every great kid is a mom who is pretty sure she is getting it all wrong", they say. True, parenting is a game of 'wait and watch.' There is no right or wrong here; or nothing that is a sure fire success mantra. Everyone has a different take on on how they wish to raise their young ones. And it is the choices that parents make that impact their children majorly. 

Of life lessons and listening to one’s heart - Mrs. B speaks

Small pleasures matter in life. Really small, everyday pleasures. Like, being able to smell the garden in full bloom on a hot summer day, or being able to have a hot water bath in cold weather. Or even being able to drink a hot cup of coffee first thing in the morning. Or, for that matter, being able to eat junk food to one’s heart’s content! Ah, bliss! Oh, I almost forgot, for those of you who haven’t met me before , myself, Mrs. Bhagirathi. The kids in my building call me Mrs. B. I am a housewife. Or better still – a homemaker. I work from home and generally spend time reading and surfing the internet when the kids and my husband are away for the day. I also cook and clean, and wash and iron clothes – but I guess all that is included in the title of “homemaker.” So no special mention needed. So, like I was saying, life is a sum total of small pleasures. And what I said about junk food, is absolutely true. Especially when you think of the cheeseburger. Or the veggie bur