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Jyoti
After becoming a widow, Booti's nature had become very harsh. When she felt deeply hurt, she would curse her deceased husband, "You left this entanglement for me! Why did you marry me if you had to go so soon? There's no comfort here; we were going to get married!" She could have remarried; it's customary among the Ahir community. She wasn't undesirable, in appearance or conduct. A few men were even interested, but Booti couldn't let go of her devotion to her late husband. All her anger was directed at Mohan, her eldest son, who was now sixteen years old. Sohan was still young, and Meena was a girl. They were not yet mature. If these three weren't here, why would Booti endure so much suffering? Someone who would do a little work would provide food and clothing. Whenever she wanted, she could be whoever she wanted to be. Now, if she went anywhere, people would say, "Look at this woman with three children!"
Mohan tried his best to lighten her burden. He took care of the cows and buffaloes, milking and churning the milk, but Booti's face never softened. She found fault with everything, and Mohan had stopped paying attention to her nagging. She blamed her husband for leaving the burden of the household on her. It seemed as if she had been thrown into a furnace. A constant struggle existed within her between her widowhood and her unfulfilled desires, and her resentment had extinguished all gentleness in her heart. Though her husband had left with nothing else but a few hundred rupees worth of jewelry, each piece disappeared from her possession.
In her community, there were many other women in the same neighborhood who, even though senior to her, seemed to mock her, with their jewelry, makeup, and sindoor in their hair, as if burning her with their ostentation. So, whenever a widow was created in the group, Booti rejoiced, and unleashed her anger on the boys, particularly Mohan. She wanted all women to be like her. She found special satisfaction in blame and ridicule. Her unfulfilled desires found solace only in complaints and reproaches; how could she let her heart be filled with the thought of Mohan and Rupiya? As soon as Mohan returned from selling milk in the evening, Booti said, "I'm watching you, you're getting ready to become a bull now."
Mohan looked at her questioningly, "What kind of bull?"
"Aren't you secretly laughing and talking with Rupiya? You say, "what kind of bull?" Aren't you ashamed? The family is short of money, and yet, there is money to buy betel leaves and dye clothes for you."
Mohan felt rebellious, "If he asked me for betel leaves worth four annas, what would I have done? Should I ask for money and then bring it? Should he be asked to pay for dying his clothes?"
"You're the only important person in the neighborhood! Why didn't he ask anyone else?"
"That's for him to know; what can I tell you?"
"You're now thinking of becoming a playboy. Have you ever brought betel leaves to the house?"
"Why should I bring betel leaves here?"
"Are all the people in your family dead?"
"I didn't know you wanted betel leaves."
"Is only one rupee enough to buy betel leaves?"
"One needs time for one's hobbies."
Booti flared up. For her, to be called old was like pouring water on all her achievements. What was the use of such things in old age? Such harsh words were like a blow to the very principles of sacrifice and self-respect, upon which she had built her life. She had sacrificed her youth for these boys. Her husband had died five years ago, when she was at her peak of youth. Three children had been thrust upon her, and she could have still enjoyed her prime; she could have worn beautiful clothes, and still been adorned in finery, and yet she had given up everything for these children. Now, Mohan called her old! If a rupee was put before her, she would look like a mouse. Even though she was old, she felt young, and Booti felt old.
She said, "And what else? I've now reached the stage of wearing rags. When your father died, I was only two to four years older than Rupiya. At that time, if someone had taken you to their home, none of you would have been found. You were begging in the streets. But I say, if you speak to her again, either you will stay home, or I will."
Mohan, with fear, said, "I have spoken to her, Mother!"
"What did you say?"
"About getting engaged."
"If Rupiya comes to my house, I will sweep her out. All this is Rupiya's mother's trick. She wants to take my son away from me. One does not treat a woman with such disrespect. She wants to make her a stepmother and sit on her lap."
Mohan said with a distressed voice, "Mother, please be quiet for God's sake. Why are you making yourself miserable? I thought Meena would leave in four days, and you would be alone. That's why I was thinking of bringing her here. If you don't like it, let her go."
"From now on, sleep here in the courtyard."
"And what about the cows and buffaloes outside?"
"Let them stay; no one will rob them."
"Do you distrust me so much?"
"Yes!"
"Then I won't sleep here."
"Then leave the house."
"If that is your wish, I will leave."
Meena cooked the meal. Mohan said, "I'm not hungry!" Booti didn't come to persuade him. Mohan's youthful heart couldn't accept this harsh rule of his mother. He has a house, let him take it. He will find another place for himself. Rupiya had brought a touch of sweetness into his barren life. When he was restless with an unspoken desire, and life felt empty, Rupiya had bloomed like spring. Mohan began to experience a sweet taste in life. When there was work to do, his mind remained focused on Rupiya. He wondered, "What should I give her to make her happy?" Now, how could he approach her? Should he tell her that Mother had forbidden him from meeting her? Just yesterday, they had shared intimate conversations under the banyan tree. Mohan had said, "Rupa, you are so beautiful, you will attract a hundred suitors. What do I have for you in my home?" Rupiya's response, like music, echoed in his soul – "Mohan, I love only you. Whether you become a village headman or work as a laborer, you remain Mohan. To that Rupiya, he would now have to say, "I no longer need you."
No, that couldn't happen. He couldn't leave Rupiya. He would leave the house, not just this house. Perhaps another neighborhood. Even now, Rupiya will be waiting for him. How beautifully she ties her hair. If Mother hears that he went to Rupiya's door at night, she might give up her life. Her life! She does not praise her own destiny for finding such a wonderful daughter-in-law. Why is she so annoyed with Rupiya? She eats betel leaf and wears brightly colored clothes. That's all.
The jingle of bangles was heard. Rupiya was coming! Yes, she was.
Rupiya came to his bedside and said, "Have you fallen asleep, Mohan? I have been waiting for you for a while. Why haven't you come?"
Mohan pretended to be asleep.
Rupiya shook his head and said again, "Have you fallen asleep, Mohan?"
What was the meaning of those soft touches of her fingers? Mohan's soul became restless. His spirit seemed to fly out and devote itself to Rupiya's feet. The goddess was before him. The whole world seemed to be dancing. It occurred to him as if his body had vanished, and only that sweet voice remained, dancing in the embrace of the world alongside her.
Rupiya said, "Have you fallen asleep, my dear?"
Mohan said, "Yes, I have fallen asleep for a while, Rupa. What are you doing here at this time? If Mother sees you, she might kill me."
"Why haven't you come today?"
"Mother had a quarrel with me."
"What did she say?"
"She said that if I speak to Rupiya, she will sacrifice her life."
"Why are you so angry with Rupiya?"
"What can I say about her now, Rupa? She cannot bear to see anyone eating or wearing clothes. Now, I will have to stay away from you."
"My heart won't let me."
"If you say that, I'll run away with you."
"Just come and see me once a day. That's all I want."
"What if Mother gets angry?"
"Then I understand. You don't love me."
"If I could, I would keep you in my heart."
At that moment, the door creaked open. Rupiya ran away.
The next day, when Mohan woke up, his heart was filled with joy. He used to scold Sohan constantly. Sohan was lazy and didn't take any interest in the household chores. As soon as he saw Mohan, Sohan started looking for an opportunity to hide the soap and run away.
Mohan smiled and said, "Has your dhoti become very dirty, Sohan? Why don't you give it to the washerman?"
Sohan felt the warmth of affection in these words.
"The washerwoman asks for money."
"Then why don't you ask Mother for money?"
"Mother doesn't give money."
"Then take it from me!"
He threw a twenty-anna piece toward him. Sohan was delighted. Both his brother and his mother scolded him. After a long time, he experienced the sweetness of affection. He picked up the coin and left the dhoti there, untied the cow, and led it away.
Mohan said, "Leave it; I'll take it."
Sohan gave Mohan the pagri and asked, "Should I bring your hookah?"
For the first time in his life, Sohan had shown such affection towards his brother. Mohan couldn't understand the mystery behind it. He said, "If there's fire, bring it."
Meena was sitting in the courtyard, playing with her hair, making a toy house. As soon as she saw Mohan, she broke the toy, hid her hair, and went into the kitchen to get the utensils.
Mohan asked, "What were you playing, Meena?"
Meena, frightened, replied, "Nothing."
"You make such beautiful toy houses. Make one for me."
Meena's face lit up with joy. What magic is in words of love! As soon as they left her mouth, a fragrance spread. Whoever heard it felt their heart blossom. Where there was fear, faith shone. Where there was bitterness, affection flowed. Everywhere, life vibrated. There was no laziness, no sadness. Mohan's heart was filled with love today. It was radiating warmth.
Meena sat down to make a toy house.
Mohan, while straightening her tangled hair, said, "When will your doll get married, Meena? Send out invitations; let me have some sweets."
Meena's mind soared. When her brother asks for water, she would polish the earthenware pot and bring the water.
"Mother doesn't give money. The doll is fine. How do I send the invitation?"
"How much money will she take?"
"I'll buy a sweet for one anna, and color for one anna. The clothes will be dyed, won't they?"
"So, two annas will be enough for you?"
"Yes, give me two annas, Brother, and my doll's wedding will be grand."
Mohan showed Meena the two annas. Meena quickly took the money and ran to invite her friends to the wedding.
At that moment, Booti arrived, carrying a pile of cow dung. Seeing Mohan standing there, she said sharply, "Are you still playing all this time? When will the buffalo give milk?"
Mohan didn't answer her with rebellion today. It was as if a spring of tenderness had opened in his heart. Seeing his mother burdened with cow dung, he took the load from her head.
Booti said, "Leave it, leave it. Go milk the buffalo; I'm going to carry the dung."
"Why do you carry such a heavy load? Why don't you let me help you?"
"The work of carrying dung is mine."
"And who will milk the cows?"
"I will!"
"You are such a b man that you can do all the work!"
"I will do whatever I say!"
"Then what will I do?"
"You take care of the children, which is your duty."
"Does anyone listen to me?"
Today, Mohan returned from the market with milk, and brought betel leaves, catechu, betel nuts, a small betel leaf container, and some sweets. Booti scolded him, "Did you get some extra money from somewhere today? You'll spend it frivolously; how will we survive?"
"I didn't spend a single anna, Mother. I used to think you didn't even like betel leaves."
"Then I'll eat betel leaves now!"
"Yes, what else? A woman with two grown-up sons should also have a hobby, shouldn't she?"
A tiny sprout of green appeared in Booti's dry and harsh heart; how much sweetness was contained within it. She gave a sweet to each of Meena and Sohan, and began to offer one to Mohan.
"The sweets were brought for the children, Mother."
"And you are old now, why?"
"I'm old in front of these children."
"But to me, you are still a boy."
Mohan took the sweet. As soon as Meena got the sweet, she devoured it. She had already disappeared, savoring the taste in her mouth. Mohan looked at her with longing eyes. Mohan broke the sweet in two and gave half to Meena. There was half a sweet left. Booti offered it to Mohan and said, "Look at the small quantity of sweets I brought. Take this."
Mohan took half the sweet, put it in his mouth, and said, "That's your share, Mother."
"Watching you eat brings me more joy than the sweetness of the sweet itself."
She gave half the sweet to Sohan and half to Mohan; then she opened the betel leaf container and started looking at it. For the first time in her life, she had this fortune. How fortunate she was to find the respect she had longed for in her husband's life, now in her children's lives. The betel leaf box had several compartments, and see, there were two small containers as well; a handle was fixed at the top, so you can carry it wherever you want. The betel leaves will be kept in the tray on top.
As soon as Mohan left, she cleaned and polished the betel leaf container, filled it with lime, catechu, cut the betel nuts, soaked the betel leaves, and placed them in the tray. She then made a betel leaf and ate it. The taste of the betel leaf seemed to soothe the bitterness of her widowhood. Inner happiness translates into outward generosity. Now she couldn't stay in the house. Her heart wasn't big enough to hold such great affection. There was an old mirror lying around. She looked at herself. Her lips were colored. She didn't need to use too many betel leaves to achieve that color.
Dhaniya came and said, "Aunty, please give me some string; mine has broken."
Yesterday, Booti might have clearly said, "My string is not for the whole village. If your string is broken, get a new one." Today, she readily gave Dhaniya the string, with a smile, and asked kindly, "Have the boys stopped their diarrhea, Dhaniya?"
Dhaniya said sadly, "No, Aunty, I had diarrhea all day. I think my teeth are coming in."
"Bring some water, and come here; let me see if it's just teeth or something else. Has someone cast an evil eye on you?"
"How would I know, Aunty, who's eyes are evil?"
"Children are afraid of evil eyes."
"Whoever calls you, runs straight into your lap. He laughs so much that I don't know what to say!"
"Sometimes, a mother's evil eye can affect a child."
"How can an aunty cast an evil eye on her child?"
"That's what you don't understand. Evil eyes can be cast without any intention."
Dhaniya brought water, and Booti went with her to see the child.
"You're alone. Household chores must be a lot for you these days."
"No, Aunty, Rupiya comes and helps with the work, otherwise, I would have died. "
Booti was surprised. She had thought of Rupiya as a mere butterfly.
"Rupa!"
"Yes, Aunty. She is very kind. She sweeps, cooks, takes care of the children. In hard times, who asks anyone's opinion, Aunty!"
"She won't get a break from her makeup and jewelry."
"That's their choice, Aunty. She has been more helpful to me than any devotee. She stayed up all night. I didn't offer her anything. Yes, as long as I live, I will praise her."
"You don't understand Rupiya's qualities yet, Dhaniya. Where does the money for betel leaves come from? Where do fine sarees come from?"
"I don't concern myself with these things, Aunty! Who doesn't want to dress well and have hobbies in this age?"
Dhaniya put the child to bed. Booti put her hand on the child's head, and gently felt the child's stomach. She asked for hing to be applied on the navel. Rupiya brought the henbane and started to rub it.
Booti said, "Give me the henbane."
"If I spin it, will I get smaller?"
"You work here all day. You must be tired."
"You are so kind, and people used to say that you never spoke ill of anyone. They were afraid to come near you."
Booti smiled.
"People don't lie."
"Should I believe what I see or what I hear?"
She must have said something. Had she been another girl, she would have turned away from me. She would have insulted me, but this one seemed to know nothing. It's possible that Mohan didn't say anything to her. Yes, that's it."
Today, Rupiya seemed very lovely to Booti. Of course, if she wasn't dressing well, when would she? The reason dressing well is bad is because people are busy with their pleasures. They don't care if someone's house catches fire. All they do is charm others. It's like running a shop of beauty, inviting passersby to look at their wares. Such helpful people should not be judged. No, rather, they are even more beautiful. It shows that their beauty is matched by their kindness; who doesn't want to be praised for their beauty? Who doesn't yearn to be admired? Booti's youth was gone long ago, yet this desire still exists within her. If someone looks at her with affection, her heart is filled with joy. Her feet don't touch the ground. And Rupiya is still young.
From that day on, Rupiya often visited Booti's house. Booti persuaded Mohan to buy Rupiya a beautiful saree. If Rupiya ever came without applying kohl or wearing a plain saree, Booti would say, "Young girls should not wear such simple clothes. Such clothes are for old women like me."
One day, Rupiya said, "Why do you look so old, Mother? If people get a hint, they'll start gathering at your door like bees."
Booti said gently, "Go away. I'll become your stepmother?"
"Mother has grown old."
"Then are your grandfathers still alive and well?"
"Yes, they are, and their soil is very fertile."
Booti looked at her with affection and asked, "Tell me, should I marry you to Mohan?"
Rupiya blushed. A rosy glow appeared on her face.
Today, when Mohan returned from selling milk, Booti said, "Collect some money; I'm going to speak to Rupiya about you."
This was a truly inspiring story from the great writer Munshi Premchand. This story teaches us many new things. The entire subkuz team is committed to providing our visitors with inspiring stories daily. Continue reading such inspiring and knowledge-enhancing stories on subkuz.com.
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