The Complete Short Stories

a respected man of Ayodhya. Though not quite wealthy, he could not be called too poor either. He owned several houses whose rent served as a steady source of income. He even bought a carriage what with the recent increase in rents. He was a very thoughtful person who had also received quality education. Though quite well-versed with the ways of the world, he was not really practical about it. In his opinion, society was like an intimidating ghost, one that he should always be wary of. Displease it even a little bit, and there is no saving your hide. His wife, Jogeshwari, was a pure carbon copy. Her thoughts and aspirations were no different from those of her husband. There were no disagreements between them. Jogeshwari was a devotee of Lord Shiva while Hridaynath was a Vaishnav. And yet, both of them were equally inclined when it came to observing fasts or distributing alms. They were a devout couple, much more than what educated people often are. Perhaps this was so because their only child was a daughter. She had been married at thirteen and her parents’ only wish was for God to bless her with a child so that they could rest assured after having bequeathed their entire assets to their grandson.

But man proposes while God disposes. Kailash Kumari had not even been sent to her in-laws’, she did not even understand what marriage possibly meant when her husband died. Widowhood dealt the ultimate blow to all her aspirations.

Her parents wept, the entire house was in mourning, but Kailash Kumari just stared dumbfounded at everyone’s faces. She simply could not understand why everybody was crying. Being the only daughter of her parents, she never considered any third person to be of any importance in her life. Her idea of happiness had yet to make room for a husband. In her opinion, women only lament their husbands’ deaths because husbands maintain and support them and their kids. There’s nothing lacking on that score in this house. What do I have to worry about when it comes to what to eat or what to wear? I’m sure my parents will take care of everything that I need. So, why cry at all? Though she wept whenever she saw her mother in mourning, it was not out of any sense of grief over her husband’s death, rather out of her love for her mother. At times, she thought, Perhaps my parents cry because they’re afraid I might ask for something that they won’t be able to afford. But why on earth would I ever ask for something like that? Even now, I make no demands whereas they keep bringing me something or the other every day out of their own sweet will. Do they really think that I’ll become someone else now?

Jogeshwari, on her part, would cry endlessly as soon as she saw her daughter’s face. Her husband’s condition was even more pitiable. He even stopped coming to the inner apartments of the house. He would sit alone in his room, all sad and brooding. But what really hurt Kailash Kumari was that even her friends stopped playing with her. So, when she asked her mother’s permission to visit them, Jogeshwari burst into tears. Seeing her parents like this, Kailash Kumari stopped bothering them, and kept herself busy reading tales and short stories. But her solitude was interpreted quite differently. The very thought that their daughter was wasting away because of her sorrows was enough to break the couple’s hearts.

One day Hridaynath told his wife, ‘I feel like leaving this place forever. I simply can’t bear to see her like this.’

Jogeshwari replied, ‘My only prayer to God is to grant me death. I mean, there is a limit to patiently enduring something, after all.’

Hridaynath: ‘Somehow or the other, we’ll have to keep her diverted so that she doesn’t give in to despair. Seeing us sad and grieving, her sorrows weigh even heavier.’

Jogeshwari: ‘I simply don’t know what to do.’

Hridaynath: ‘Her life is in imminent danger if we keep on hurting like this. Take her out sometimes on a trip or to the theatre. A bit of song and music every now and then would also help. These things will keep her occupied.’

Jogeshwari: ‘The moment I see her, I can’t help crying. But I’ll try to restrain my emotions from now on. Your idea is quite interesting. Her sorrows cannot be mitigated without any diversions.’

Hridaynath: ‘I’ll also try to humour her. I’ll get a peep show tomorrow and make a collection of some really good pictures. The gramophone can be ordered today itself. Just make sure to keep her busy with something or the other. Solitude fans the flames of grief.’

From that day on, Jogeshwari made every effort to make sure that Kailash Kumari was kept happy and entertained. When Kailashi appeared before her mother, she no longer found tears in those eyes, rather a beaming smile on the lips. Jogeshwari would chuckle and say, ‘Beti, come, let’s go to the theatre. They’ll be putting on quite a show today.’

Sometimes they would take a bath in the Ganga. There, the mother and daughter frolicked during their excursions by boat. Gradually, all her friends too started showing up. They sometimes played cards, while on other occasions they sang or played some musical instruments. Hridaynath, on his part, arranged for Kailashi’s means of entertainment. As soon as he saw her, he would delightfully say, ‘Come, beti, I’ll show you pictures of Kashmir today.’ Sometimes, he said, ‘Come, we’ll see the excellent sights of Switzerland and the splendour of waterfalls.’ On other occasions, he would play the gramophone. Kailashi would thoroughly enjoy these diversions and outings. She had never spent her days so happily until now.

Two years went by in this fashion. Kailashi was so used to amusements and excursions that she got restless even if she could not go to the theatre for one single day! Entertainment is a slave to modernity, and gives