NEVER TOO LATE

                             

Kavitha frowned, looking at the opposite door. The door was closed and unusually the daily news paper and the milk packet were lying there. She looked at her watch. It was 7:30 in the morning. Normally by that time they would not be there. Leelavathi, the lady of the opposite flat is an early riser and by the time Kavitha opens her door, she would have collected the same.

'Shall I enquire?' Kavitha pondered. But she is not very familiar with her or Rajendra, her husband. She hesitated but decided not to and taking her paper and milk, went inside. But she kept thinking about them.

Kavitha shifted to this flat three months back after she got her present job here in Hyderabad and stays alone. She met her opposite neighbours now and then and found them gentle, pleasant and friendly. They too stay alone as their only son is in the States.

When she was leaving for office, she found their door ajar and she pushed it open and peered inside. Rajendra is lying on the sofa and appeared to be unwell. Their maid Jaya entered the house just then with a carry bag, obviously with some food. 
Leelavathi came from the kitchen with two coffee cups and she also appeared to be sick and weak. Kavitha ran to her and taking her load, helped her sit in the sofa. Rajendra also sat up and both of them had their coffee. Jaya took out the idlys from the bag and served them in a plate. 

"What happened, aunty? Are you not well?"
 
Leelavathi nodded weakly. "Yes, since last evening, uncle was ill. And I too caught the fever in the night."

"When I came, the paper and milk were outside and madam could not come and open the door until I rang the bell three, four times. I boiled the milk and brought these things and these tablets sir told." Jaya told and she also added. "In all these five years I am working for them, I never saw them sick like this."
Kavitha rang up her boss and informed him that she would be a couple of hours late. With the help of Jaya she settled the couple in their beds after making them fresh up a bit and cooked some light lunch for them. She made Jaya to bring some fruits, biscuits and bread too. As Jaya had to go now she told her to come again after completing her other works and stay with them till she returns from work.
 After making all arrangements for them she took their leave and left for her office.
On her return from the office she went to them and looked after their needs till bedtime. The next two days being weekend, she devoted her full attention to the ailing couple. By Monday they were better.
Leelavathi was all praise for Kavitha and thanked her profusely.

After that day, Kavitha and the senior couple became very close. It became a habit for Kavitha to spend some time with them regularly. She volunteered to do most of their shopping and helped Leelavathi in her daily chores. Leelavathi shared with her the delicacies she cooked. They both enjoyed their new found intimacy and forgot their own loneliness. Soon they began feeling like one family. Whenever she looked at her, Leelavathi used to feel, 'If only I get a daughter in law like her!'



Rajendra was reading the paper and Leelavathi came and sat by his side. "That girl is very nice." She said. He nodded. "She is staying all alone. Parents are in Vizag. Her husband is abroad. But do you know, I suspect something is wrong between them. She never speaks about him and changes the topic whenever I mention about him." 

"Really? But what could have been the matter? She is such a sweet girl! The boys are very troublesome and arrogant these days." He was all sympathy for her.

"About her parents also, I have some doubts. She does not speak much about them either. I feel they are cut off with her. Maybe she married against their wishes or some such thing. I feel like helping her somehow. Shall I ask her what the problem is and see whether there is anything we can do?"

Rajendra shook his head. "No, Leela. Don't try to do any such thing. She may not like it. You yourself said she does not talk about him. If you probe, she may resent and avoid us also. She herself will share with us once she gains confidence in us. Till then don't spoil our relations with her. After our recent illness, we are growing closer and we are enjoying that. Let it remain so."

Leelavathi nodded in agreement.

"By the way, Kiran mailed. He will be visiting us by this monthend." 
Leelavathi's face brightened. "Really? Did he say anything about marriage?"

He shook his head.

"I know. If only he changes his mind and agrees to marry! It is time we should have a daughter in law around. He is already 35 and still single! You know, when Kavitha is with us in the house, I yearn for a daughter in law like her. But he is rigid and she is already married!" She sighed.

Rajendra folded the paper and put it aside. "It is all our own doing. What is the use in worrying now? Let us hope and wait for good days."



"Kavitha, our son is coming in a week." Leelavathi told excitedly.

"Very good, aunty. Are you going to fix his marriage now?" She knew that he is unmarried still and the parents are desperate to get him married.

Leelavathi sighed. "We want to. But he has to oblige us."

"Why not, aunty? He will surely agree." She tried to cheer her.

Leelavathi was quiet for a while. She never told her the whole story.
"The truth is, we ourselves are responsible for this deadlock. We did not approve his choice as she belongs to different caste. And now he is not in favour of our choices. In fact he is not in favour of marrying at all." She wiped her eyes.

Kavitha looked at her. 'Same story in every house. Parents never accept the childrens' decisions.' She shook her head gravely.

"Now we realise that we committed a big mistake. As a result, his life is being wasted. And we are also having no peace of mind. We are destined to suffer our old age with guilt and remorse. Now we feel we should have agreed. But what is the use?"

"Why do you despair like that, aunty? If you really feel so, it is never too late. Tell your son to bring his love home."
Kavitha blurted but immediately felt that she exceeded her limits. Patting her hand, she said softly, "Sorry, aunty. I should not have taken the liberty of advising you."

Leelavathi smiled reassuringly. "Not at all, Kavitha. What you said is true. We too felt like telling him the same several times. But this thing called ego is there, you see, it does not allow us to admit defeat." And then she added, "We do not even know whether that girl is still unmarried. It is all almost 8-9 years back."

"But do not give up, aunty. After all, he is your son and his well being is most important. Unless you open up, how does he know that you changed your mind? Why hesitate with your own son? I am sure, he will be delighted." She tried to reason.

Leelavathi was lost in thought. Will it be helpful, if they express their willingness now? What Kavitha said is true. They should make a beginning. She decided to talk to Kiran this time and convey him their approval. 'Let his wish be fulfilled. And ours too.' She prayed sincerely.



Kiran stood still staring at Kavitha. She too was taken aback.
"Kavitha, this is Kiran, our son from US. Kiran, she is Kavitha, our new friend and saviour. She is very helpful and caring. She came here some three months back. Her husband is abroad. She stays alone." Rajendra introduced them. 

They greeted each other politely and Kavitha went inside her house. Closing the door, she collapsed sobbing. 
'So, Kiran is their son!' Her Kiran, who left her with a broken heart and shattered dreams long back, saying he cannot marry her against the wishes of his parents. And he remained single all these years with her memories! Oh, God! How many times she cursed him silently, calling him a coward! 



The next day the family were together in the drawing room. Leelavathi broached the topic which is uppermost in her mind. "What have you decided, Kiran, about your marriage? Is there any change of heart?"

Kiran shook his head. "Don't ask the same thing again and again, Mummy. I told you I am not interested."

Leelavathi looked at her husband who nodded. "Then it is okay, we accept your decision. We only wish your happiness and forget our reservations. You win. Bring home the girl you wish to marry. We agree for that."

"No use, Mummy. Now it is too late. The girl is married now. Forget about my marriage forever. It will never happen."

Rajendra and Leelavathi looked at each other. They were shattered by disappointment and frustration.
"Oh, how unlucky! If only we agreed long back! We ruined your life entirely." Leelavathi could not control herself.

The father patted his son's shoulder in sympathy. "How do you know? Are you sure? Let us make enquiries. Give us her details."

Kiran gave a wry smile. "There is no doubt. I am sure. She is now another man's wife. I should not talk or even think about her."

"No, Kiran, don't say that. I am always yours." Kavitha entered in tears and said in a trembling tone. 
"What?" All three of them cried at once.

"Kavitha, are you... Kiran, is she your..? But how?" Rajendra and Leelavathi blurted, surprised to hear that.

Kiran looked puzzled. "But.. but.. are you single still? Not married? They said that.."

"Yes, not only them, I told everybody that lie. My parents, like yours tried to get me married. But I did not relent. They, upset with my firm decision, left me to my fate. To escape from the unending questions and probing queries from people around, I spun this fake story of marriage and husband. But I always remain yours, Kiran, forever!"

Kiran stared at her. "Really?" Slowly his face brightened and he burst into happy laughter. His parents also joined him and drawing Kavitha close, Leelavathi said, "Welcome, my daughter in law. We are very happy with the turn of events. May God bless you both with all the happiness in the world."

"But, aunty, I am not from your caste..."

She stopped her. "No more mention of that again. Now I do not care for such minor facts. My children's happiness is all that I want." 

Rajendra said in a happy tone, "Forgive us, both of you, for depriving you from a blissful life for so long. Now we will not waste any time."

Kavitha blushed as Kiran wiped her tears.

OH, WOMAN!

Sujatha and Arun shifted to this town recently as he is on a transferable job. And she is maid hunting. That day she opened the door on hearing the calling bell and found a middle aged woman standing there. Immediately she guessed it must be a maid and she was not proved wrong. 

The woman was neat and tidy. Something about her looked familiar. Sujatha looked at her closely. Yes, she is Rani who worked for her mother sometime back. She was very sincere and pleasant. Sujatha, then in school, was very close to her. "Are you not Rani? Did you recognise me?"

Rani stared at her and then gushed in an excited tone, as realisation dawned on her. "Oh, my goodness! You are Shobha madam's daughter! Sujatha madam! How can I ever forget you?" 

"But...then...why did you suddenly disappear? What happened?" She remembered the talk about her being arrested for killing her husband, though her parents did not believe the rumour. But they had no idea about what actually happened. After that Rani never met them. It was all about ten years back. 

Rani sat down sobbing. How can she relive those horrible moments of her life? Yet, she can never forget either however hard she tries to. Shobha madam was very kind and compassionate towards her and Sujatha and her sister, Suguna were very friendly with her without any airs or arrogance. Still she had to flee the town in the midst of that terrible night all of sudden and how she wished to go to madam and cry on her shoulder to the heart's content! But circumstances did not allow her.

Then her kids were 6 and 8 years old. Gopal, her husband was a drunkard and frequently abused and hit her. That day they had a scuffle and he stormed out of the house in a rage. He swaggered and fell in a ditch hurting his head and died. Next day police came and arrested her accusing her of murdering him. She was shocked to hear the news of his sudden death as well as at her own misery. 

"My neighbours, Santhi and Suri took care of my kids. They informed my husband's people and they looked to his funeral etc, cursing me bitterly, of course. And there I was, locked up for no fault of mine!" Rani wept inconsolably. 

Sujatha patted her shoulder. "Control yourself, Rani. What happened then? How and when did you get out? How did you come here to this town?"

Rani smiled wryly. "What is there to tell? The inspector knows very well that I did not commit the crime. So.."

"So? Did he release you? Why didn't you come to our home? Mother would  not have driven you away."

"How innocent you are, madam! Do the police let off so easily without demanding anything, even when they know others are innocent? He sent me out only after collecting his due." 

Sujatha looked at her with pity. "So he demanded bribe for releasing the innocent! How cruel! You should have told my father. How much did he want and where did you get the money from?"

Rani kept quiet for a while. "What is the point in knowing all those details? Leave it."

But Sujatha insisted. Again Rani broke down crying and between sobs she said, "He asked for twenty thousand rupees! Can you believe, twenty thousand for my release! That too because I didn't commit the crime. Otherwise it would have been much more! But how can I pay? Ours is a hands to mouth existence. And who is ther to lend me such a big amount? So he suggested it need not be in cash..."
Her throat went dry and she could not continue.

Sujatha's jaw dropped. "You mean...he means.."

"Yes, I obliged him and got out. I know you do not like it. You hate and despise me now, don't you? But what could I do? Did I have any option? The uppermost concern in my mind was my children. Unless and until I come out...what will happen to them? Their lives will be spoiled. So I had to agree. Then I did not want to continue there and immediately left the town and went to my aunt. She found me some houses to work and my life became stable. Then I met this man known to my aunt, who is a widower with two small kids and we came to this town and started living together. We consider all the four kids as our children and are living happily." She wiped her eyes.

"Means, didn't you marry? Does he know all this? Did you tell him?" Sujatha asked curiously. Rani shook her head. "Why should I? That was past. He never told me anything about his past either. We are happy this way."

"What if he knows..?"

She shrugged. "So what? If he has any complaints he is free to go away with his kids."

"But...but...don't you feel guilty?"

Rani gave her a surprised look. "Guilty! Me! But why? Oh, you mean, character, purity, chastity.. things like that? Tell me, madam. Should I feel guilty? But why? There is no fault of mine in whatever happened. In fact I am grateful that I have my body to buy my freedom and my life back. I know, that inspector is crooked and grabbed the opportunity. But at least he kept his side of the bargain. Oh, yes, he could have released me unconditionally. But human nature, madam! The man who married me did not fulfil his responsibility towards his wife and family. Everyday he used to show me hell and never bothered about running the home. I never mourned his death in fact. He did not deserve all that. But this man at least set me free, although after extracting his fee. They and their like should feel guilty and ashamed, not helpless and weak women like me!  And now, this Satyam offered me shelter and support and he is very good to me. It takes all types of people to make this world, isn't it?" She paused.

Sujatha is lost in thought. How true her words are!

"Now I am happy and contented with my life. Only if and when I remember that black night, I feel gloomy. That's why I try not to think about that." She wiped her eyes and smiled.

"By the way, madam, how is Shobha madam? And Suguna madam? I often remember all of you."

Sujatha sighed. ''What can I tell you?"

She remembered Suguna, her darling sister. She was a brilliant student. She was an officer in a reputed bank and continued to work after marriage too. But unfortunately she met a tragic fate. One night when she and Shyam were returning home from a movie, some unruly men accosted them. After beating him black and blue, they carried her to the bushes nearby and brutally raped her. 

Rani was aghast. "How sad! How is she now?"

Sujatha looked at her gravely. "She was mentally shattered. Shyam sent her to my parents and did not want her back. After a month or so, she committed suicide. And my parents too felt depressed and passed away soon, grief stricken."

Rani stared at her. "Really! But how could her husband do this to her? He knew she is innocent and helpless and he was a witness to whatever happened. Still, how can he blame her and ditch her? And what did you people do, just looking on mutely? Could you not offer her solace and support? What is this, madam? How can you be all so cruel to the poor girl?" She was in tears.

Sujatha shifted awkwardly. "We tried our best, Rani. Still she could not come to terms with her sad fate. If only she met you and learn about your story! Then she might have developed some positive attitude!"

Rani was still in a pensive mood. 

'What drastically opposite outlooks!' Sujatha wondered. 'On one side is this uneducated Rani without any means or anybody to support and on the other side is the well educated Suguna with a secure job and loving parents to help! Still how differently they handled their lives! And finally who emerged the winner! How could Rani face the adverse circumstances strongly and mould her life in a satisfactory manner? And why did Suguna fail to rise to the occasion bravely? From where and how does a woman draw necessary strength to solve her problems sensibly?' She doubted for the first time the relevance of women enlightenment and emancipation! 

WHO IS THE THIEF?

      

Prabhavathi returned after a short trip to her parents' house. Prakash, her husband received her at the station. After dropping her at home he left for office. Having a bath and refreshed she entered the puja room. Immediately she noticed that the big gold chain around the neck of the deity is missing! Her heart was beating fast. What happened to that chain? Was there a theft? A theft in her house?

She felt panicky. The maid, driver are old hands and very sincere and honest. They did not give any raise to suspicion. At least till now. She completed the puja and other household chores half heartedly and with a sad heart. What happened? Who is the thief?

The bell rang.

Prabhavathi opened the door. It was Meena, the maid. She did all her work quickly and hesitated before going. Prabhavathi looked at her questioningly. She started haltingly, "Madam, I have to tell you something. Don't get angry with me. After you left, I was sweeping the puja room and saw that big chain on the idol." Prabhavathi looked at her sharply.

"I wanted to tell Sir to keep it inside because when you are not there it is not safe to leave it like that. But he was in the bedroom busy on the mobile. The door was open and I was scared to leave it there in the puja room. So I took it out and kept in my bag. When I thought of giving it to him after my work is over...." She started crying. "It was not there. Believe me, Madam, I did not steal it. Forgive me for taking it out but I really dont know what happened to it. I swear. I was scared even to tell Sir..."

Prabhavathi was shocked. Is she telling truth or is she oversmart to impress her? She just sent her home unable to decide how to react. She left, still sobbing.

A little while later, the driver, Rajesh came. "Sir told me to remain here and help you around." She told him to wait in the parking area down.

He paused at the door. "Madam, I want to tell you about that gold chain.."

She was startled. He too?

"The day after you left, I saw Meena keeping something in her bag in a hurry. When she was busy outside, I searched and found a big golden chain in her

bag. I calmly took it out and wanted to hand it over to Sir. He was having his bath and I was called down by the watchman. So I kept it in the drawer there and when I came back and saw, it was not there. But, Madam, I did not steal it. Meena must have done something." He said in a pleading tone.

Her head was reeling. She silently dismissed him.

After 3-4 hours, her opposite neighbour, Parvathi dropped in. After usual greetings she said. "Look, being older than you, I want to warn you. One day after you left, I saw Rajesh keep something in that drawer and run down. Prakash was not around. I came in and saw. It was a heavy gold chain. I wanted to keep it safely at some other place. You know, our house is like a railway platform with all sorts of people coming and going. I dare not take it there. So I kept it in that book shelf behind that fat red book. I could not meet Prakash all these days to tell him. Keep it inside and be more careful with your valuables in future."

Prabhavathi ran to the shelf but alas, it was not there. Parvathi was surprised and both of them together searched the whole shelf but in vain.

After she left, Prabhavathi sat brooding over the whole thing. It was her mother in law's chain, very old and heavy, weighing around 30-35 grams, must be worth more than a lakh! Prakash is very sentimental about it. She decorated the idol with it in her memory. 'I should have kept it inside at least before leaving.' She repented.

Prakash came home to find her in a sad and melancholy mood. She did not tell him anything. Suddenly he asked, "What happened to mother's chain? I did not find it on the idol. Did you keep it inside?"

She shuddered and nodded her head. He looked at her keenly. "Did you put it back?"

She could not control any more and between sobs, told him the whole story. He got up and shaking his head, went to the bedroom saying nothing. 'Oh, he must be very angry. What can I do?' She closed her eyes.

"Look, what is the use in crying now? At least be careful in future." She opened her eyes and lo, there he was, holding the chain...his mother's..her deity's..!

She got up in excitement. "How..where...what..." She was unable to speak clearly.

"Yes, I found it when I took out a book to read. I was puzzled but kept it in the cupboard. I wondered for what purpose you must have kept it there! Now I understand how it reached there."

Prabhavathi was relieved. 'With so many well wishers and watchful people around, how can a theft take place in the house? That too the jewel of the Goddess? Who are we to guard it for her? She herself takes care of everything.' She bowed her head with reverence.

 (thanks to Veni for providing the beginning)