The Wall
One day Meera Devi called her daughter and said “ Ragini Beta , Suresh is pressuring me to partition our house . There are quarrels and arguments almost daily at home on this issue .I don’t know what to do .”
“ No mummy . Though I don’t need anything from the house , you shouldn’t succumb to his demand .Papa had asked not to partition in your lifetime . “ Replied Ragini
But Ragini was getting such calls frequently . Almost a year had passed like this. She said to Rajan , her husband “ I am getting lots of calls from mummy . She wants me to visit soon . “
“ Then you should go ? “ asked Rajan
“ Our kids’ exams. are going on .”
“ No issue , you can go next week after our kids' pre board l exams are over . “
Rajan and Ragini had been married for the last twenty years .They had two children nicknamed Bobby and Bunty . The elder one Bobby was in twelfth grade and the younger Bunty in tenth grade . Rajan was an officer in the state government while Ragini was a teacher in a private school . Ragini lost her father in her college days . Her mother , Meera Devi was a retired teacher . Ragini had two elder brothers Suresh and Mahesh . Both the brothers were well settled and living with their mother in the house built by Ragini’s father at Ranchi . Meera’s job was non pensionable while she received pension from husband’s job. She upgraded the house with some of the savings and other funds of her husband .
Ragini was scheduled to leave Delhi for Ranchi in the evening . She explained all the domestic chores to her domestic help . She asked her children also to be watchful and careful in her absence . In the end she told Rajan “ You have to look after everything until I come back. “
Rajan drove her to New Delhi railway station and remained there till the Rajdhani Express left the platform . He said waving his hand “ Take care and try to return soon . “
“ Okay . You too take care . I will be back in a week . “
Ragini was coming to Ranchi after two years . She didn’t inform her brothers about her visit as asked by her mother .After getting down at Ranchi platform , Ragini got a cab and called her mother “ Mummy I will be there in ten minutes .”
When Ragini’s cab approached her mother’s house , she was surprised to see two gates instead of one gate that used to be there , one gate was big and the other small. . When she got down from the cab she found her mother waiting at the small gate . As she entered the gate she noticed a wall between the two gates . Her brother Mahesh was brushing his teeth in the lawn , he said “ What a surprise to see Chhutaki without any prior information ? Hope all is well in Delhi ? “
Ragini being the youngest kid in the family was nicknamed Chhutaki by her parents and brothers .After saying Namaste Ragini said “ Yes , all is well there . How are you all here ? “
Mother said “ Let us get in . Get fresh , then we will talk further .”
“ Aunt has come . ” came running and said Ragini’s both teen aged nephews .
“ I have gifts for you . You will get them shortly
In the meantime her sister in law , Meena , came . After exchanging good wishes she said “ Get fresh , I am getting breakfast for you .”
“ Thanks Bhabhi , I already had it on the train but I would like to have a cup of tea . “
Ragini was having tea with her mummy , brother and sister in law . She asked “ Why this big wall ? When did it happen ? “
“ Two months back . Sorry I didn’t tell you . You might have been upset to know . Also I didn't want to disturb you in the middle of kid’s exams.”
“ Where are Suresh bhai and his family .”
“ Suresh has gone to attend some function at his in-laws ‘ house . They will be back in a couple of days .” replied mother
“ But why this wall ? I told you not to divide and just make a will to divide it equally between the two brothers . “
“ As said earlier both my son’s families used to quarrel about the distribution of the property left by your dad . This house was the main property left by your dad . I was also fed up with frequent quarrels and finally dealt with it . I have to live with each of my sons for six months but I prefer to live here most of the time .I tried to distribute equally but it was slightly in favor of Mahesh . . “
“ It wasn’t any favor, Ragini . Actually mummy decided to keep a small room with an attached bath in our unit . And also this room is meant for any guests .Suresh Bhaiya has got a bigger front area as he needed more space for a garage .” Meena interrupted
“ Nice Bhai has got a car . But who forced partition of this house in mummy’s lifetime. Papa had said it can’t be partitioned till either of the parents were alive .“
“ I don’t have anything against Suresh Bhai . But his wife used to misbehave with my entire family and always demeaned us . So I was forced to react and counter her attitude . We are poor compared to him , it doesn’t give him the right to demean and command us . Even sometimes she was too rude to mummy also.” said Meena
“ But why ? asked Ragini
“ Simply because your brother has amassed huge money due to his posting in the District transport office . He wanted to build another floor above his portion . I strongly opposed it and ensured that this condition was put in the partition agreement . “
“ Okay , I would talk to Suresh Bhaiya when he is back tomorrow . “ said Raginin
“ No use , now the partition isn’t going to be reversed .”
Okay , let us stop this topic here . Where are my nephews Sonu and Monu ? “
Both came to Ragini and said “ Yes Bua , we are here .”
Ragini gave them some gifts and said “ We would go shopping in the evening . You can ask to get any specific things of your choice . After all, Bua has come after a long time .”
Then she gave gifts to her Mummy , Bhabhi and Bhai also .
After a bath Ragini became busy with her Bhabhi and Mummy in daily chores and gossiping in between . She remembered her past days spent in this house and enjoyed her nostalgia . But when she went up on the terrace she became sad after seeing the partition wall from the roof .
On the third day Suresh and family returned . Seeing Ragini he said “ Chhutaki , when did you come ? Whatever you will have lunch with us today .”
“ Okay Bhaiya , I will be there in an hour . “
Ragini went to Suresh’s house with her mother . Suresh had twins Luv and Kush , both were in colleges in BHU and lived in a hostel. After exchange of good wishes she handed over gifts for all to her elder Bhabhi. Suresh was the eldest member in both the families after mother . He was short tempered from the very beginning . During lunch she dared to ask him “ Bhaiya , was this partition necessary ?At least in mummy’s lifetime this could have been avoided .”
“ Chhutaki , I know what was best for us .I did the right thing . No more discussion on it . “
Ragini felt hurt but she remained silent for a minute .
Mother said “ I want to see all the people dining together . I hope this isn’t a big issue . “
“ Okay , no problem. “ said Suresh
“ We will have dinner tomorrow at Mahesh’s house .”
Next day the entire family was dining together . After dinner they sat together .
Ragini Said “ Mummy you divided this house in two parts . Mummy is also divided , six months with each of my brothers . Where is my share ? I too have right here .”
Suresh said angrily “ We spent a lot on your marriage , gave ornaments to you , cash and a scooter to Rajan .You don’t owe anything further .”
“ So what ? In fact I don’t need a single penny from here . But I strongly oppose this partition without my consent . Above all you people have made a mockery of mummy . Six months here and six months there . “
“ The partition and mummy’s status both are final . We don’t want interference from any outsider or third party . “ said Suresh’s wife .
“ Just see mummy , what kind of people you are living with . I am an outsider and third party .Now I understand the cause of this partition. “
“ At last you understood , that’s good. Now keep off our affairs .” said Suresh’s wife again .
Mother was silent and could speak only a few words “ That’s enough . Stop it .”
That night Ragini couldn’t sleep . She asked Rajan to send an air ticket for tomorrow . She got the ticket within half an hour . Next morning she left with a bitter taste and without having breakfast .
At Delhi airport Rajan received her and said “ I don’t see the normal happiness women have after spending days with parents . And you didn’t live there even for a week .Why Ragini ? “
“ The wall “
“ What ? “
“ Let us go home . We will talk further there . Suresh forced mummy to partition the house and erected a wall in between . In fact now there isn’t any need to talk further . The chapter is over . ”
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Note- This is a fiction .
