Bablee ( Part-3 ) —

( Recap-  In the last episode, I narrated about the singing aspect of the life of Ganak and his eldest brother and what kind of after effects it generated in general. )

As I told earlier, the prolonged white wash project helped generate a friendly relationship  with Ganak and he related too many aspects of his life and home affairs to me. His this trust upon me prompted me to give him an advice and one day in empathy, I said to him, ” Ganak, it seems mother has grown too old and feeble rather growing poor in health day by day. Now, You brothers at least should  think to get marry and bring in home daughter-in- law for mother in the house to assist her.”

Hearing my this suggestion, Ganak resumed his same “dark comedy” type mode but disguising his voice in cover of serious tone said, ” in the mother’s life, there seems no comfort or pleasure on this front of daughter- in – law issue”.And just after this he gave  the same wide laugh. His this response confused me. I argued, ” How can you say thus? First get a bride in the house!” Upon this , he laughed again and said, “Already, two daughters -in- laws been brought to our house big brother and both were destined not to serve the purpose.”

” I didn’t get you Ganak.”  I made him stop. ”

“I just make you understand brother.” Ganak with a gesture of hand pointed at me and began, ” Firstly, you listen about the story of daughter-in- law brought for my eldest brother; whom you call a saint. He indeed is an extreme gentleman, no doubt. When he got wed locked long back in his prime youth, I was a brat of about ten years old and Manik was in his twelve years of age. Mother had chosen a good looking girl as a bride for him. But as you call him a ‘saint,’ he proven himself to be the same either. Brother, a woman brimmed with youth doesn’t need a ‘saint,’ she needs a Satan loaded with the lust drive, who could ably pacify her biological needs. My this saintly brother just after his wedding brought  religious literature for his wife and began to persuade her to live a life of hermit. She was in her full youth and instead of religious books she needed erotic books. The truth was, eldest brother was a fizzled out cracker for her and very shortly got washed out from her mind.”

He took a pause and continued, ” We both younger brothers were like kid or in our teen age, hence couldn’t realize the gravity of the matter. All these facts revealed to us when we attained the age of adolescence. In that childhood, it was merely a surprising story to us when we heard our sister-in- law  eloped with an intimate friend of eldest brother, At that time, all this was amazing to us, what this all is happening in our family.” He stopped and gave his same mocking laugh. I was unable to judge him by his laughing whether he was mocking at the ill-luck of his eldest brother or at the revelation of bitter ground reality of the life, he encountered in his tender age.

Even after, with a curiosity I queried, “Is that ex- wife of his still stays here in our city?”

“Yes, she is here in this city only.” He responded lightly and continued, ” Now her children from her present husband are grown to youthful age. Seldom, she happens to meet mother in the local city market. Still with deep reverence she extends her salutation to mother by touching mother’s feet. Mother too has pardoned her. This is called the acknowledgement of the truth big brother. When your own coin is bad you can’t shift the blame on other.” And  once again he gave his habitual laugh.

This made me silent and mutely I thought, despite Ganak being a manual laborer had a realistic approach towards the worldly affairs. We  people, who take us belonging to “middle class,” never ponder in that way. We have got a orthodox mentality in the name of “family honor,” and this impels us to take harsh and  bloody steps. But here, in their community they accept the truth with a naivety. Now I asked about the second “daughter in law.”

To me, since both Ganak and Manik were of the same age group, hence the story of second daughter-in law might be of Ganak either.  In fact, I didn’t think of Manik. He began, “The second bride came in home was of my elder brother Manik.” He said curtly and again he laughed derisively. His repeated derisive laugh agonized me,for It seemed to me, he was finding pleasure in the miseries of not outsiders but of his real brothers. But I was determined to know, “What kind of story is that one Ganak” I asked.

” That story is also of its own kind brother!  I will narrate that sometime later on. Just now, I have to finish some work of the day. But that story is very interesting and needs a good deal of details. In that story I was made an accused by the police and was kept behind the bar in judicial custody for six months. In fact, I was charged for “murder” in that case. With great difficulty I escaped the criminal charges.” all this he said staidly and then asked me, ” It startled you, isn’t it? This is life Sir and it paces on as such. But after all, this story is interesting. I am also keen to narrate that to you. Someday, when we will be having ample time, I will give you the detailed narration.” ( End of the part-3. Cont’d).   Penned by — Vinay Pharasi —–