Mahashweta (7 page)

Anupama was too sensitive to brush aside what had happened. She was unable to eat that night, and nobody called her for dinner anyway.

Narayana kept telling Radhakka, ‘This is a bad disease. She cannot perform any puja now. It must be the result of a sin from her previous life.’

Anupama spent the night agonizing over her future. The next morning, Anupama went to the garden as usual and gathered flowers in the silver basket. Soon after the wedding, at Narayana’s suggestion, Radhakka had decided to offer one lakh flowers to the goddess Lakshmi. And Anupama had been assigned the job of collecting the parijata flowers every day.

When she went to the puja room with the flowers Narayana said, ‘Don’t come in here and pollute everything.’ He took the flowers she had collected, threw them outside, and poured some water on the basket to purify it.

Anupama was dumbstruck. She had anticipated some problems because of her affliction, but she had not expected to be ostracized in this manner. Till that day, Narayana had always been humble and subservient, and had spoken to her respectfully because he knew she would inherit Radhakka’s mantle one day.

Nobody bothered even to talk to her anymore. Earlier she had taken her meals with her mother-in-law and Girija. But now, food was sent to her room, implying that she was not welcome downstairs.

In the afternoon, Sundarakka arrived and Anupama could hear her talking to Radhakka. Normally, she would have gone down to meet her, but she knew that she would not be welcome now.

‘Radha, I heard the bad news through your cook. It is simply appalling! I felt so miserable I had to come and see you even though it is late afternoon. I feel terrible knowing that you have been deceived.’ Sundarakka spoke as though she had come to offer condolences to someone who had been bereaved.

‘I do not know what to do. How will I tell Anand? Poor boy! He was deceived by her beauty.’

‘Radha, be careful. Do you know whether it is leukoderma or leprosy? It might be contagious,’ added Sundarakka.

Anupama was stunned. Dr Rao had explained to her that although the clinical symptoms of leukoderma and leprosy might be similar, they were very different in nature. He had mentioned that, with the medicines currently available, even leprosy was curable. But who could argue with the likes of Sundarakka?

A feeling of misery engulfed Anupama. She realized that her position had become lower than that of a servant in just one day. The servant could go home and sleep after finishing the day’s work. But where could she go? To her father’s house? That was impossible. She had never felt comfortable in Lakshmi Nivas, but it had been her home until the day before. Not any longer! A home, after all, is not made up of just the four walls—there must be affection and love, as well.

So where was the place she could call home? Where would she find kindness and trust? With Anand? But how would she reach England? She did not know the answers to any of the questions that plagued her.

Anupama was no longer allowed to do any work in the house and she began to feel humiliated and suffocated. The whole town was probably talking about her now. Sundarakka would have spread the news faster than the speed of light, and Anupama was sure people were saying all kinds of things.

‘Did you know that Anupama has a white patch? Poor girl!’ ‘She thought she was a beauty queen. Serves her right!’

Anupama was worried about Anand as well. He was thousands of miles away from her. She was afraid Radhakka would convince him that she had had the white patch before their marriage. Would he believe her or his mother? He was the only one who knew that she had not had the patch at the time of their marriage.

Anand
is
not
like
these
people.
He
is
a
doctor.
Surely,
he
will
persuade
his
mother
to
see
reason,
Anupama told herself repeatedly.

Each day felt like a year—there seemed to be no end to her torment. How could she carry on like this?

The end came very swiftly. The following morning, from her first floor room, Anupama saw Shamanna entering Lakshmi Nivas. She had not expected them to send for her father so soon.

Since Radhakka was already in the room, Anupama stood behind the door and watched as Shamanna took a seat on the edge of the sofa opposite her mother-in-law.

‘I received your telegram last night. But as there is no night bus service from our village to the city, I had to take the first bus this morning. I apologize for the delay. Is everything all right with Anupama?’

‘What can happen to her? She is hale and hearty.’

‘Is there any news from Anand?’

‘He is fine.’

‘Is something wrong?’ Shamanna was anxious to know why a telegram had been sent summoning him urgently.

‘Nothing is wrong, apart than the fact that you deceived us and took advantage of our goodness. You are a poor schoolteacher, and your daughter looked so innocent. Dr Desai vouched for all of you and we believed him. In spite of being the groom’s family, we conducted the wedding at our cost because our Anand said he liked Anupama. In return, you have given us a wonderful lesson in gratitude,’ Radhakka commented sarcastically.

‘Please tell me what happened. I can’t understand what you’re trying to tell me. If I have made any mistake, please forgive me. Anupama is very young. She is a motherless child. In case she has erred, kindly forgive her. Treat her like your own daughter. I will see to it that she behaves obediently, and you will have no reason to complain again. No doubt we are poor, but we have not tried to cheat you. God is our witness.’

‘If so, call your witness to explain all that has happened. Your daughter had a white patch which you concealed so that Anand would marry her.’

Shamanna was shocked. ‘What! Anu has a white patch? It is not true! Nobody in our family has ever had that disease. You must be mistaken.’

‘Are you saying that I am lying? Then let me show you. Anupama!’ Radhakka yelled.

Shamanna, too, called out for her. With a heavy heart and leaden steps, Anupama emerged from behind the door. Her father looked careworn, shocked and worried; her mother-in-law’s face was calm and ruthless.

Speaking softly, Shamanna said, ‘Anu, your mother-in-law says that you have a white patch. Is it true?’

Anupama did not reply. Her father repeated the question but still she remained silent.

Frustrated, he raised his voice, ‘Anu, your mother-in-law is saying that we are liars. Tell me the truth!’

Anupama looked at her father and mother-in-law. She lifted her sari to show the patch as she spoke, ‘Appa, there was nothing like this at the time of the marriage. This patch appeared only a month back. ‘

Radhakka looked triumphant, ‘Take your daughter back with you; she need not come back until she’s completely cured and my son returns and sends for her. We have been deceived, and I will inform Anand about this.’ She turned towards Anupama and said, ‘I hope you have understood what I’ve just said. Make sure you leave all the expensive gifts we have given you in your room, and take only what is yours when you go.’

Shamanna pleaded with Radhakka, ‘Please have mercy on her. Don’t punish her like this. You are her mother now.’ With tears in his eyes he got up to touch her feet.

Knowing that Radhakka would humiliate him further, Anupama went up to her father and stopped him from falling at Radhakka’s feet. ‘Appa, don’t demean yourself so much. I did not have this affliction before my marriage, and that’s the truth. Wait here. . .I’ll be back in a moment.’

Anupama went to her room, collected the few things that belonged to her, picked up one of Anand’s photographs and returned where Shamanna waited for her. She took his hand in hers, and silently clutching her bag, walked out of the house. She knew in her heart that this was the last time she would be seeing the house or its people. . .but she did not look back even once.

S
abakka had been pacing in and out of the house all morning. Radhakka’s cryptic message had upset her greatly. In her heart of hearts, she knew that Anupama was not a troublemaker. But then why had her in-laws sent that telegram? She couldn’t help but feel that something was seriously wrong.

It was noon when Sabakka saw her husband and Anupama coming towards the house in the scorching heat. Heaving a deep sigh, Shamanna quietly went and sat on the verandah outside the house. He looked drained and listless. Anupama walked inside without a word. Sabakka had no idea what was going on; she wanted to know why Anu had been sent home so unceremoniously. She waited for Shamanna to say something but he just leant back wearily against the wall.

‘Why do you look so dejected? Has she quarrelled with her in-laws?’

There was no response.

‘What is the matter with you?’

‘I’m hungry,’ Shamanna said at last. ‘Go and get some food ready for us. I haven’t had even a drop of water since the morning.’

‘What kind of people are they? You went to visit them for the first time since the wedding and they didn’t even offer you a glass of water? Look at Nanda’s future in-laws! They are so kind and considerate. I told you right from the start to look for alliances within our social level. ‘

‘Don’t start now! I will speak to you later,’ Shamanna’s heart was heavy. He was worried about Anupama and he wanted to share his sorrows with a sympathetic companion who would say a few encouraging words. He was in no mood to deal with Sabakka’s nagging.

Sabakka looked at Anupama carefully—her face was pale and her eyes swollen. So, she concluded, something had gone wrong between the girl and her in-laws. After lunch, Shamanna recounted the entire story to her.

Sabakka had never felt any affection for Anupama. The girl was a living reminder of her husband’s first wife, the woman who had shared Shamanna’s love before Sabakka entered his life. But in her heart she knew that Anupama would never cheat anyone. Sabakka was not bereft of compassion and all motherless children roused her sympathy, except Anupama. Unfortunately, Anu was beautiful and intelligent while her own daughters were not. And just when Sabakka had thought she was well rid of her, she had returned home in disgrace. Her Nanda’s marriage talks could be affected by the scandal. How long was Anu going to stay with them? Would she remain there forever? The thought of seeing her face every day upset Sabakka even further.

‘Why did you bring her here? You should have left her with her in-laws. They are rich and can afford her treatment. How long will she stay with us? You could have settled everything before coming here.’

‘Why are you talking like that? How could I leave her there when they virtually threw her out of the house? It was my duty to bring her home. By the grace of God, if she is cured quickly, she can go back. We will inform Anand. He is a doctor after all, he will arrange for her treatment.’

‘This is a village. Everybody will ask us why Anupama has come back home, and the truth will soon come out. Once people find out that she has leukoderma, both my daughters’ future will be at stake. And who knows whwwen Anand will return?’

Shamanna did not know what to say. There was some truth in what Sabakka was saying, but as a father, how could he have left his daughter behind when her in-laws were being so cruel to her?

He said in a defeated voice, ‘I will tell Anupama to write to Anand and ask him what should be done. Let her stay here in the meantime.’

Anupama could not help overhearing their conversation. She realized that Anand alone held the key to her future. She was also painfully aware that she had no money.

There was no way she could call Anand from the village, so she decided to write to him instead and wait for his reply.

Dear
Anand,
she wrote

By
now
you
must
have
heard
the
‘news’
about
me.
But
I
want
to
tell
you
the
truth.

The
past
two
months
have
been
the
most
terrifying
of
my
life.
It
started
with
a
live
coal
falling
on
my
foot
on
Lakshmi
puja.
A
few
days
after
the
wound
healed,
I
noticed
a
small
white
patch
there
and
since
I
did
not
know
what
to
do
about
it,
I
consulted
Dr
Rao
at
the
skin
clinic
in
the
city.
He
confirmed
that
it
was
leukoderma.

I
am
taking
the
treatment
prescribed
by
Dr
Rao.
Please
do
not
think
that
I
hid
this
matter
from
your
mother.
I
didn’t
tell
anyone
about
my
condition
because
I
was
scared
and
apprehensive.
But
your
mother
thinks
that
I
have
had
the
patch
since
before
our
marriage.
She
is
convinced
that I
hid
it
from
you
and
tricked
you
into
marrying
me.
But
you
know
that
is
not
true.
I
never
even
dreamt
that
you
would
want
someone
like
me;
I
was
always
aware
of
the
differences
between
us
before
you
erased
them.

Anand,
you
know
I
did
not
have
the
patch
when
we
got
married.
Please
tell
your
mother
that
I
have
not
deceived
you.
I
am
staying
with
my
father
in
the
village.
But
how
long
can
I
stay
here
as
an
additional
burden
on
my
father?

Please
make
arrangements
for
me
to
join
you
as
soon
as
possible.
My
thoughts
are
always
with
you.

I
shall
be
waiting
eagerly
for
your
response.

Always
yours,

Anu

Life in the village was very hard for Anupama. Sabakka was an uneducated and old-fashioned woman who believed that white patches brought bad luck and were contagious. So, she treated Anupama with disdain and although Anupama tried her best to explain the nature of her ailment to Sabakka, she failed to convince her.

Days passed and there was no reply from Anand. At night, Anupama would sit by her window and gaze at the stars, wondering about Anand’s reaction to her letter. He must have been upset; she realized that it would take some time for him to come to terms with what had happened. But Anupama was confident that he would reply to her soon.

Papanna told Anupama, ‘You don’t need to ask me every day. I know you are waiting for your husband’s letter. The day I get it, I will bring it to you.’

By now, everyone in the village knew that Anupama had a white patch because of which her in-laws had sent her back, and that her husband had not written to her. There were many rumours about it. Malicious stories, which had not even a semblance of truth, spread through the village, and Anupama could not help hearing the whispered gossip. The villagers asked Sabakka all sorts of questions about her.

‘How come Anupama is here? It is not the festive season. . .’ Or, ‘Is Anupama in the family way that she has come home?’ Or, ‘We have not seen anyone from her inlaws’ family come to your place.’

Sabakka would struggle with her lies. ‘Oh, she has just come here for a change. She’s going to England to join her husband in a few months.’

Through all this, hidden from everyone, the white patch on Anupama’s foot kept spreading. The more it spread, the lower Anupama’s spirits sank. The medicines that she was taking regularly did not have any effect on the patch. Months passed, and still there was no news from Anand. At first Anupama had thought that the letter had got lost and Anand had not received it. So she wrote a few more letters, but still there was no reply.

At last, Papanna came by the house to deliver a letter for Anupama. She ran to the door, ecstatic, Anand had not forgotten her! He was going to honour the vows he had made at the time of their wedding.

But when she saw the ordinary inland letter, Anupama’s hopes plummeted. It was from Sumithra. Bravely swallowing her tears, she went inside and opened the letter.

It carried good news. Sumithra was getting married and the boy’s name was Hari Prasad. He was a sales engineer in Bombay, and Sumithra insisted that Anupama attend the wedding.

For a moment she forgot her own troubles in her happiness for Sumithra. And then she realized that she could not go for the wedding. It would only give people an opportunity to talk about her.

She remembered a day, long ago, when she had dropped in unexpectedly at Sumithra’s house. They were hoping to finalize an alliance for Sumithra, and her mother had been extremely upset to see Anupama. She felt that with Anupama there, Sumi was sure to be rejected. Then, her beauty had threatened her best friend’s happiness. Now, her skin problem would cast a shadow over the ceremony, for she was sure some of the orthodox people there would say, ‘Why did you invite this girl for such an auspicious occasion?’

Anupama did not have the strength to cope with such stinging remarks. Though Sumi was like a sister to her, she decided not to attend the wedding. But later that night, she prayed for Sumi’s happiness:
Let
your
husband
be
a
man
who
will
only
shower
happiness
and
love
on
you.
It
is
better
to
have
an
understanding
husband
than
one
who
is
merely
handsome
and
wealthy.
Marriage
is
a
gamble.
The
result
cannot
be
predicted
beforehand.
Finding
the
right
match
is
a
matter
of
chance.
I
was
unlucky
in
this.
May
you
be
more
fortunate.