MaNan: Path of Togetherness

2

Delhi

"Nandini, kitni baar kaha hai aise vakt mein dhule huye kapron ko hath nahi lagate aur na hi kitchen mein jana." Her mother shouted at her for being careless in her periods. Nandini was frustrated but however knew the limits.

Nandini sighed and went back in the corner of the living room where her bedding was. She felt like she would die with the period pain but she knew her mother was a strict person who followed the rules.

"Akshit ki maa, zara pani dena." Her father entered the house and seeing Nandini in the corner he sighed. Her mother came and gave him water.

"Isko iss room mein kitne dino ke liye rehna padega?" He asked his wife making look down. It kind of felt humiliating to her for being on periods.

"Ji, aur do din. Kyun?"

"Nahi, woh Rama ka call aaya tha. Usne ek ladke ke baare mein bataya hai jo Uttar Pradesh mein rehta hai. Toh socha hai ki unko yaha bula lun." Listening them Nandini's heart starting beating fast.

It's already been 1 & 1/2 year to that conversation. She was somewhere happy that there were no proposals for so long and she had decided to convince her parents to let her study further but now listening them her hopes were dying.

"Lekin, aapne uss ladke ke baare mein jaankari nikali? Woh kaisa hai? Kya kaam karta hai? Kya uski koi buri aadat hai?" Her worried mother asked him making him sigh.

"Main pagal nahi hun ki kisi bhi aire gaire ko apni beti dun. Accha hai ladka, uske dono mata-pita guzar gaye hai, sirf chota bhai hai jo abhi school mein hai aur choti behen jiski shadi ho chuki hai. Since they don't have parents he is the eldest and have all the responsibility. I have spoken to Rama and asked her to send me their number." Her mother nodded and her father left from there to freshen up.

Nandini had tears in her eyes listening. She wondered how old is he? Is too old? Is he bald? Will she be able to fulfill all the duties of a wife and a homemaker since there are no elders other than him?

Uttar Pradesh

Can you imagine, my sister didn't speak to me for almost 6 months just because I didn't agree to get married. Huh! Well now I have agreed and these relatives have been getting me their relatives proposals whom I don't think are capable of handling the family.

Jiske relatives aise ho unke relatives kaise honge? When I told Rinku that I will get married she has showed me more 20 photographs but none of them caught my eyes. I don't know I didn't feel they were compatible to me.

I have met few prospects but they either rejected me for being a factory worker or for being too tall. Seriously? Anyways, I am happy that I didn't match with anyone.

Today was a tiring day. It was almost 7 when I reached home. Rama had visited us few months back with her husband for diwali. When I reached house, I have two main things to do, one, to cook and see Anant's homework. I swear this boy is trouble in ass. His exams are nearing but he is busy playing. While coming inside I shouted at him to come back home but he ignored me.

I'll talk to him later. First I will freshen up and cook us some food.

I came inside the kitchen and thought what to make. There is dal and rice but we need veggie to eat so I decided to make aloo sabji which will not take much time.

Once I was done, I went out and shouted at Anant.

"Anant! Upar aa nahi toh pitayi karunga." As soon as he heard me he came running and went to freshen up.

"Anant, baatein suna kar meri. Varna sacchi mein do lafe lagaunga." He stared at me making me glared at him.

"Aise kyun ghur rahe ho? Maar khani hai kya?" He got tears in his eyes making me regret.

"Aap humesha aise kyun karte ho bhai? Jab dekho tab mujhe dant teri ho. Ek toh ghar par koi nahi rehta, di bhi nahi aati humare paas rehne. Aap subah jate ho aur abhi sham ko aate ho. Aapko pata bhi nahi rehta ki maine kuch khaya ya nahi. Bas aake aap chillate ho mujhpar."

I felt bad seeing him like that. I tried talking to him but he shook his head went inside the room and locked door.

"Anant, beta... I'm sorry beta. Pakka promise I won't shout at you. Come outside and have your food."

"Nahi khana mujhe. Aap khao." He shouted making me shake my head in sigh.

"Anant, I'm sorry na. Khol do darvaza, I promise I won't shout you." I knew he would come out soon. And as expected he came out after 20 minutes. I opened my arms and embraced him.

Later we had food and I checked on his homework and went to sleep. It's already 9:30 and he has to go to school.

After few days

Someone kept knocking on the door making me frustrated. Com'on yaar, today is sunday and I want to sleep. It's just 8 am!

The knocking didn't stop so finally getting up from my sleep I went to open the door. Surprisingly, my bua i.e. Aasha was at the door step.

"Bua aap? Ayein na. Main abhi chai banake lata hun."

"Nahi nahi, rehne do. Main toh bas tumse baat karne aayi hun." I let her in and went to grab atleast water. Once we settled she started talking about random and finally came at the actual point.

"Manik, Rinku ne bataya mujhe ki kis tarah se tumhara kahi bhi jam nahi raha hai. Isliye maine ek rishta laya hai. Mana karne se pehle sun, tum ghar par pura din nahi rehte aur Anant akele rehta hai agar woh kisi bhi galat sangat mein aa gaya toh gaya. Dusri baat, tum almost 28 ke hone wale ho aur to agar tumne aise hi din badate gaye toh tumse koi shadi nahi karega."

"Par bua, meri situation bhi dekha. Jis ghar mein maa-baap ka sayad nahi uss ghar mein kaun apni bete ko bida karega." He said making a point with a sigh.

"Samjhati hun main. Isliye keh rahi hun, iss ladki se milo. She has completed her 12th std and issi bahane she also will help Anant in studies. Woh log Delhi ke rehne wale hai. Chaho toh hum unse mil sakte hai."

Listening her Manik went into deep thinking. After thinking for sometime he decided to go ahead.

"Theek hai. Main iss ghar ka number de dungi. Chahe toh baat karlo."

"Bua, aap hi baat karlo aur mujhe bata dijiye kab milna hai. I'll take leave accordingly." Nodding her head she left the house leaving him in a dilemma.

Tell me your views on:

1. Nandini's situation

2. Manik and Anant's bond