Second Mom
Shalaka was feeling so refreshed on that day. Finally she got for what she was trying so hard. She was working so hard to get good marks in her exam. She came here just for getting good marks & good education. She wanted to get degree in science at any cost. She couldn’t manage to get admission in her area so she had no option but to get away from her house. It was costly. Her parents knew it but she was their only daughter & they were ready to spend every thing on her. She always thanked God for having such caring parents. While her friends parents were forcing them to get married her parents permitted her to study. Her elder Uncle was clearly upset by it. She still remembered that day. She passed her examination with good marks. She was not planning to get married. Her Uncle was always nice to her. Actually Uncle kept giving her costly gift one after another. She was so fond of those gifts. She always admired touch of those clothes they had much softness. They were treasure for her. She loved their touch. She liked their colour too. It had bright colours. Her parents often found them cheap. But she loved them. She liked bright make up. She wanted to look great & due to that make up she looked like princess or fairy or at least she thought that. It was so confusing. She didn’t understand what she wanted to achieve in her mind. But her Uncle always showered her with presents. She knew that her parents gave her so much more but still when Uncle gave gift it was given in style like with presentation card & one rose. She was so happy due to it. She always considered him a best man until he didn’t started telling that day to her parents. She was burden on them. She was so shocked. Her Uncle said “ My one customer is ready to marry with your daughter! He is young & educated. He is perfect for her. He had one store which is enough to make him rich. You must see his financial status..” she loved her Uncle but she wanted to decide whom she would marry. She wanted to at least see photo of boy. But her Uncle was deciding all without her permission. It was so upsetting. She thought that they would ask her before deciding. Her Uncle began to convince her parents. It seemed as if she was not girl but just some asset which must given to customer where they could get best benefits. It was so frustrating. She tried to object it. She was not against marriage until then but after seeing the way her Uncle presented things she decided that she wanted to keep on her career. She told “ I want to study further.” Her Uncle gave her angry look then he started to laugh. “ Come on! Your marks are not so good that you can’t get admission for good courses.” She felt so sad. Her marks were great but not so good that she could get easily admission. But suddenly her Mom declared “ We will find college for her. We will soon get admission.” Clearly her Mom didn’t like idea of her marriage too. She was happy about it. She needed support now. She smiled happily. Her Dad nodded too. Her Dad “ Her marks are not so great but they are also not so less. She could get admission in some college. I know it can’t be near by but it could be around. We are working on it.” Her Uncle was clearly disagree about it. Her Uncle wanted to argue about it but then Uncle didn’t. Uncle just said one line “ Girls doesn’t need so much education! You are doing big mistake by giving her so much education!” She felt so sad & confused. She decided to study further but she was still not sure if it was wise decision. Sometimes she felt that she was doing it just to avoid marriage. She didn’t want to remember it after completing her first year. But she knew that all people around her kept telling her that she couldn’t manage it & still she was sure that she would manage. She looked towards her marks. She was so happy. She was living as paying guest in one room. Two girls were sharing it. She knew that her privacy was compromised but she decided to try it since she couldn’t find accommodation in hostel. In fact this system seemed cheap. So she selected one place. But today her landlady told them that she needed to go back to abroad to her son for her treatment so she would stop this renting apartment soon. Of course they had three months to search for alternative accommodation but for getting this chance she needed nice marks in exam. Two girl who were sharing apartment with her for sometimes didn’t seem interested in talking with her. From first day those girls kept to themselves. She tried to talk few times but soon she sensed that they had boyfriends & they didn’t want her nagging while chatting with them. She soon sensed that they might start inviting them in their apartment if she get friendly with them so she kept aloof. They felt that she would surely complaint so they never tried it. She sensed one thing that they were not so interested in education. One girl was already searching for job but since she didn’t find one she was trying to study further. She was so upset about all. She wanted to study hard & settle in her life. Her life was not easy. She was feeling so stressed. She needed to get marks. She finally got them. Now she had three months. She took few moments to steady her heart beats then she called her Mom. She told her about her marks first. Her Mom was so happy. Then slowly she told about her accommodation troubles. Her Mom’s voice started to shake. Her Mom “ After getting such good marks you must not quit your course! You must get it.” She felt so happy that her Mom agreed with her thoughts. “ Don’t worry Mom. I have three months I will find some alternative accommodation but what if it’s little costly?” “ This is not time to think about cost just try to find some place which would be safe!” She felt nervous now. She never thought about safety. She knew her roommates were not perfect but they were not even threatening. She began to get tense. She needed alternative accommodation soon. But she was stuck in strange trouble. She couldn’t able to find it. She decided to search more. She planned to ask someone in college. She was so upset. She decided to do it from next day.
In college Shalaka had lots of friends. She enjoyed studying in college. She sat beside her friends. Immediately her friend Ruchi noticed her tense expression. Ruchi asked “ What happened?” She slowly told her about accommodations problem. Suddenly Ruchi looked in far away corner. Clearly Ruchi didn’t want to discuss this. Shalaka sensed that it was different to get friendly in college but it was totally different to provide accommodations. Ruchi didn’t want to rent anything to her. Shalaka never thought that Ruchi would assume she wanted rental flat from her but clearly many people tried it so Ruchi felt that way. Shalaka immediately changed subject while lying that she left it on her parents. They got good results so now they would start planning something to celebrate. Even professors wanted them to relax for some time. So they were discussing annual events etc. Shalaka was not interested in it. She came here just to complete her education. She needed to get proper accommodations. She decided that she might take help of professor. She liked this idea. Her Professor surely knew some place which would be safe. She waited until end of class. Then she immediately ran out of class room after her professor. She knew that she looked desperate but she didn’t have option. She was truly desperate. She needed to move over her troubles. She wanted to find a place to stay soon she sensed that she was not alone few other students were coming too. They all wanted to ask questions. She kept quiet let them all ask whatever they wanted to ask. She knew that her question was different & personal one. She needed place. She decided that she would wait. Professor talked with all. Then finally Professor started to turn towards Professor’s room when she called Professor. She could see clear anger & irritation on Professor’s face. Professor managed to make it clear all that they must wait until tomorrow for academic questions but her question was different. She came closer & asked nervously “ Madam I need a place to stay since my land lady is selling her house in three months & going abroad! Will you please help me?” Professor looked frustrated. Professor “ I can’t promise you anything. But I try to discuss it in Professor’s room..” after it Professor thought for sometime then gave her angry look & said “ Remember one thing I am doing favour on you. Don’t mention it to anyone.” She nodded & came back to class room. Ruchi was already giving her angry look. It seemed as if she did crime by asking about accommodation. Ruchi went to remaining friends. All friends were looking towards her in strange way. It seemed that suddenly she didn’t remain their friend. She stood up to join them. She went near them but soon she sensed that they didn’t want her around so she just left group while saying bye. She began to sense her head was heavy. She touched her forehead again & again to confirm that she didn’t got fever. She was so tense. She didn’t want to quit education. She went back in her rented room. On that point she received a call. It was from unknown number. She decided to ignore it but then suddenly she sensed that it might be call from Professor. She took it. Her guess turned out half truth. It was one old scared lady who was calling her about paying guest accommodation. Old lady “ So you are simple girl? Do you have boyfriend?” She denied. “ Do you go to pub or club?” Once again she denied. Then that lady asked “ How can I confirm this?” Now she was confused. She just said “ Madam I am telling you the truth you need to believe me! I can’t provide proof! I mean I don’t understand what proof you want.” That lady said with confidence “ I will find it. I have number of your class teacher.” She felt so nervous & confused. She didn’t understand what was her mistake. She tried to do all things in right way. She gave confused look. Of course that lady couldn’t see it one mobile. She slowly said “ You can ask anything to my Professor!” “ Why don’t you come today?” “ Today?!” “ I can’t keep waiting if you are not interested I will call someone else.” She felt so scared. She needed place. “ I will come.” She took address. She just packed her luggage & without second thought declared to Landlady that she was moving out. Land lady tried to argue angrily. But soon her remaining roommates came in her support. They all declared that they would shift whenever they got accommodation they couldn’t wait until last day. Soon Land lady decided to give up but she didn’t pay back extra rent she took of one month. Shalaka decided to ignore it. Shalaka went out with all luggage. She worked hard to find that place but finally she found it. It was nice bungalow. She smiled after seeing it. It was really nice place. But then she started to think about rent she might needed to pay. She began to get nervous. Clearly such place would demand big rent. She rang door bell. An old lady came out. She was nice looking. Then soon she sensed that this old lady was carrying a knife with her. When Shalaka looked towards knife with fear that lady smiled “ Ohh I was cooking!” Shalaka gave nervous laugh. But Shalaka didn’t believe her. Then that old lady introduced herself as Vimal Auntie. She smiled & talked nicely with Vimal Auntie. Vimal Auntie took her ID & all personal documents. Vimal Auntie read them all at least three times. Then Vimal Auntie finally told her amount of rent. It was reasonable. She immediately agreed then Vimal Auntie showed her one room of first floor. She went in it. She wanted to ask about food arrangements. But she decided that she needed to find place to stay first. She immediately paid first month’s rent in advance. She went in room. She noticed her room had double lock then she noticed her every window was locked too. She tried to open them. But it was hard. Finally she asked Vimal Auntie about it. Vimal Auntie said “ Don’t open them. Cat will enter in room.” Shalaka immediately looked towards window with scared expression. She never had pet & she was not planning to keep cat in her house now. She gave nervous laugh. “ Thanks for telling. I don’t want cat. Auntie can I cook in Kitchen? I will buy my things..” “ No..no you must not buy or bring anything from outside in this kitchen. I will give you all. If you want you can tell me.” Shalaka sensed a force in those words. She didn’t understand why did Vimal Auntie wanted to avoid purchase from outside then she thought that it might be due to fear of sickness or virus. She decided that she could eat readymade food in hotel or canteen if needed. She immediately agreed. “ Okay Auntie!” She stayed in room.
Shalaka started unpack in her room when she began to arrange clothes. When Vimal Auntie entered with plates. It was full of snacks. She was so shocked. She was not expecting such tasty snacks before college. She checked time. She already missed first three lectures now she could go after lunch break. She decided that she would eat then go. Vimal Auntie sat with her. Vimal Auntie began to ask about college. She began to tell. Slowly she began to get totally friendly with Vimal Auntie. Then Vimal Auntie suddenly stood up & looked down out of closed window. She knew that it was impossible to see anything but still Vimal Auntie kept looking. Shalaka asked “ What happened?” “ Nothing! I was just checking out that birds didn’t try to damage anything.” She felt so confused. “ Birds?” “ Yes..yes sometimes they break in.” “ Through this glass!” Shalaka was so sure that nothing could come through that glass. That glass was too strong. But she didn’t say anything. She told Auntie “ I need to go out for college.” “ Wait!” Auntie went away. She was so confused. She selected clothes. Soon Auntie came. Auntie gave her some money. She said “ I can’t take it.” “ You must! You are like my daughter.” Then Auntie produced pepper spray. “ Keep this.” She nodded. She was totally confused. She took money. She didn’t want to break heart of Auntie. Then she suddenly remembered. She forgot to call parents. “ Ohh my God I forgot to call Mom.” Vimal Auntie gave her angry look. “ How could you act if such horrible way to parents?” Shalaka immediately felt guilty. “ I am sorry. In this college work I totally forgot.” She slowly told entire story to Vimal Auntie about her college education & suggestion of Uncle. Vimal Auntie gave her full support. She asked for her Mom’s mobile number. Shalaka immediately gave it. Then Shalaka ran to college. In college she sensed that her friends were no longer concerned about her demand when she declared she got rental apartment. She was so happy. But soon she sensed one thing that Vimal Auntie was calling her time to time in college. She felt little bit uneasy. But then she decided to answer Vimal Auntie nicely. She did all studies & came back. Vimal Auntie was waiting for her anxiously. Vimal Auntie kept all ready for her. Shalaka clearly felt pampered. She began to feel happy in that pampering. But soon she sensed that Vimal Auntie was sitting entire night in hall while not sleeping. Vimal Auntie was started looking little tired. It was clearly sign of sleeplessness. Shalaka tried to convince her that she needed to get sleep. But Auntie kept telling that She must guard Shalaka. Shalaka didn’t understand from whom. Shalaka knew that she was not related but she felt like related so she asked one day. “ Auntie you never invite anyone in home? You stay alone!” Vimal Auntie nodded. There was tears in her eyes. But then she smiled & said “ You are like daughter to me. You are my daughter only!” Then Vimal Auntie suddenly stood & screamed “ No..no you are not my daughter. Never try to become my daughter. Understood!” She felt so scared. She just nodded. That night she called her Mom & told her all. Her Mom didn’t say anything at beginning. Then slowly her Mom told her. “ Actually she had a daughter who was just in school when some one entered in their house. They raped & killed her daughter while she was trying to get in touch with Cops. Her house was lonely on that time. She couldn’t able to contact Cops soon. When she called Cops came it was too late. Killers were caught. They were in jail but still I feel she is not normal. I feel all her relatives use to contact at beginning stopped contacting now.” Shalaka didn’t say anything but she could sense that pain. She could sense that frustration inside soul. She knew that she was not related to Vimal Auntie but she felt it. Vimal Auntie was treating her like daughter. “ I try to take her to Psychiatrist.” She was expecting her Mom would reject that idea. But her Mom seemed very happy. Her Mom “ That lady is telling daily everything to me. I feel as if she was my elder sister which I never had.” Vimal Auntie was special to her Mom. Her Mom already managed to find one Doctor. Her Mom told her that she should go to it. Shalaka was so happy. She was scared to approach Vimal Auntie directly so she started to ask her slowly. Soon she sensed that Vimal Auntie was already feeling that something was odd with her. It was easy to convince her that she needed a Doctor for her sleep. She began to feel so tired. Vimal Auntie showed full willingness to go with her. They visited Psychiatrist. Shalaka sat outside. While Vimal Auntie talked with Psychiatrist. Then Psychiatrist called Shalaka. Psychiatrist “ I know you are actually no one related still you showed concern but I want to ask you one thing. Are you ready to keep this permanent? I mean this is long treatment & even after treatment that lady might need you as daughter! If you can’t able to do that I suggest you to shift to another accommodation I arrange one.” Shalaka thought for one moment. But then she said with determination “ I am ready for it.” Psychiatrist smiled. Then Psychiatrist explained her that Vimal Auntie was suffering from mental trauma due to that incidence. It was post traumatic symptoms. Due to which Vimal Auntie was developing Paranoid Disorder. “ She is acting normal to you but before you. She treated everyone who came close to her as culprit. People started avoiding her due to it.” Shalaka felt so tense. She was scared but she decided to take Vimal Auntie’s responsibility. When they went back home, she sensed that Vimal Auntie held her hand firmly & said “ Never leave me.” Shalaka gave nervous smile & asked “ So you don’t want me to marry! Fine! I don’t plan to.” They both started laughing uncontrollably after it. On that day they formed one bound which never broke. Vimal Auntie alway remained like second mother to Shalaka. Her parents always treated Vimal Auntie same way. Vimal Auntie always stayed with them.
The End
No comments:
Post a Comment