- 40 -
Even though it was not freezing cold, yet one preferred taking morning tea sitting in bed. While sipping tea Rani said to Alok, “Now that the application for registration of marriage has been submitted, we should inform our children and ask them to come on the day of the registration. Should Vinay also be informed? Once the official formalities are over, we may celebrate by organising a limited gathering in the evening.”
“Do you expect that Anjani and Sanjana would come? There’s very little chance of my son Saurabh and daughter Purnima coming from Australia, still I’ll inform them. You inform Vinay, too. It’s up to him whether to come or not. As for the limited gathering, we’ll definitely do that. I’ve some close friends whom I may invite. If any of your friends can come, call them, too.”
“Anjani and Sanjana may not come; the chances of their coming are almost nil. Still I’ll call them. I’ll inform Vinay also. So far as my friends are concerned, Alok Ji, you know that maintaining of friendship by women depends largely on the likes and dislikes of their husbands. I can’t think of any friend whose husband may bring her to meet me or even permit her to come. Hence, treat this chapter as closed…. But another thought is coming to my mind …..”
“And what’s that …?”
“You’ve such a beautiful collection of books; we should make use of this invaluable treasure by converting our guest-room into a public library. Many magazines and Hindi-English newspapers are already coming. We may additionally subscribe to a Punjabi newspaper. At least the elderly people of the locality are likely to make use of this facility.”
“Great idea! The reading habit is gradually disappearing. But if the facility is available in the immediate neighbourhood, even the children may get attracted to look into the colourful books and comics. It’ll suit us, too. In mornings and evenings, the reading public would add vibrancy to the environment, and thus, take care of our loneliness to a great extent.”
“This may be announced on the day of the gathering.”
“In that case, it would be better if the office bearers of the Residents Welfare Association are also invited. … Rani, we can do one more good deed if you agree.”
“Why is my consent needed for a good deed, Alok Ji? But which good deed do you’ve in mind?”
“On this occasion, we may also take an oath to donate our eyes.”
“Excellent idea! I’m all for it, Alok Ji. I’ve seen several ads about the eye donation, but I’m not aware of its procedure. If you’ve the idea, please explain it to me.”
“Sure. It’s like this; any willing person can voluntarily pledge to donate his or her eyes. Even after the soul leaves the body, the eyes remain usable for 6-7 hours. Within this period if any friend or relative of the donor informs the Eye Bank even on phone, then a doctor or a trained technician of the Eye Bank comes and removes the cornea from the deceased’s eyes and takes it away. To save the face of the eye donor from looking distorted, artificial lenses are put in the space left empty after the removal of the cornea. It takes about ten minutes for the entire process. The eyes (cornea) of a deceased can be transplanted in two blind persons. Such cornea can be transplanted in the eyes of only such a person whose cornea has lost transparency but the rest of his eye is otherwise intact.”
“Can the eyes of a person suffering from a disease also be used?”
“The eyes of a person can be used even if he suffered from the diseases like blood pressure, diabetes, asthma, heart-attack, paralysis etc. or due to an accident, but can’t be used if the person died due to poisoning, burning, syphilis, TB, AIDS etc.”
“Thank you, Alok Ji, for all the details; I’m impressed. I fully agree with your proposal. We’ll definitely declare our pledge about this noble act that day. Even after our departure from this world, we shall help restore the eye sight of four persons enabling them to see the colourful world.”
……
Jaswanti had seen Rani only once earlier. She was curious on seeing her stay more rightfully than merely as a guest. She kept her curiosity suppressed for 2-3 days. Finally one day, when Alok was alone, she asked, “Sahib Ji, if you don’t mind, may I ask something?”
Jaswanti had been working with Alok since the days of Rashmi, so, he treated her like a member of the family. He sensed that she was hesitant to ask about Rani. He said, “Yes. Go ahead; don’t hesitate.”
“Sahib Ji, what’s madam in relation to you?”
Alok took her question in his stride and said, “Jaswanti, now she’s the mistress of the house.”
“Sahib Ji, you’ve taken a very good decision. After the death of Bibi Ji (Master’s wife), the house used to look deserted and desolate. Now the vibrancy has returned. Madam’s nature seems exactly like Bibi Ji’s.”
“Jaswanti, call her Bibi Ji, and not madam.”
“Sure, Sahib Ji.”
……
Rani was cooking in the kitchen when she heard the call of the vendor, “The Subziwala has come, buy fresh green Subzis….”
Rani put the gas burner on low flame and came out in the street. Two-three women of the neighbourhood were buying vegetables. One of them asked her, “Sister, how are you related to Professor Sahib? I’ve never seen you here earlier?”
“Professor Sahib is my husband. It has been only two-three days since I’ve come. Which house do you live in?”
The woman pointed towards her house but her curiosity was not satisfied, rather it increased further. Other women were also curious to know more. The first woman asked the next question, “Where did you live before this?”
“In Mohali. I’ve married Professor Sahib after divorce by my first husband.”
Rani gave all the information in one go to avoid further questioning and started buying the vegetables.
*****
