A funny story: Othar.

- Compilation: Pratibha Thakkar

- pratibhathakker@yahoo.com

'I hate you...

I hate you Sneha....'

Vishal was fuming with anger.

His eyes were getting red.

'Don't leave me...

Vast...'

Sneha Kargari. He held her hand and begged her. But Vishal removed his hand with a flick. It fell at Vishal's feet.

'Vishal, don't go...

please.....

Listen to me once Vishal...

I can't live without you...'

'I don't want to hear anything. Go to Hell...'

Vishal kicks Sneha hard to release her leg. Sneha is trapped. Vishal shouted loudly as he walked away.

'vs... sha...l......'

Sneha suddenly woke up from her dream. Drenched in sweat, she was panting badly. Beside, Vishal also woke up from her boom. He asked lovingly holding both her paws.

'Sneha...what happened?'

Sneha fell in love with Vishal.

'Sneha, what happened to you?' Vishal asked again. But Sneha remained silent.

Vishal separated from Sneha and gave her water. Sneha was still not recovered. Ekitshe stared at the opposite wall as the events of the dream were still playing out before her eyes.

Vishal put the glass of water aside and hugged Sneha again.

'Relax Sneha, let's go to bed now. It's midnight.'

Sneha could barely sleep after rubbing her head for fifteen to twenty minutes. Vishal very slowly released his hand from her hand. Throwing a blanket over her and kissing her forehead gently, she came to the balcony.

Today was not the first time that Sneha got scared in her dreams like this. Sneha had become a victim of nightmares for some time now. She would be lost in thoughts and would blink if Vishal called out.

For a few days, Sneha was starting to feel that even Vishal's touch was unbearable. Even in private moments, Sneha would become like a statue. His eyes were constantly flowing. Seeing this, all Vishal's frenzy would melt away and he would separate and go back. While Sneha remained very still and stared at the ceiling. Due to all such incidents there used to be minor fights between the two.

Vishal settled on the rocking chair in the balcony. The speed of his thoughts was also increasing with the movement of the rocking chair. Holding his head with both hands as if trying to stop his thoughts, he fixed the rocking chair with his feet on the floor. He came to the bedroom wanting to smoke a cigarette. When she took out the cigarette and match from the drawer, she heard Sneha's voice again. She was mumbling in her sleep. Staying sleepy. He felt like waking up Sneha and shaking her both hands. And says that he is not going anywhere leaving her. He did that many times. But the result was zero as always.

Vishal came back to the balcony. Taking a puff of cigarette, he tried to connect his thoughts again.

***

Vishal and Sneha were married for about a year and a half. Both loved each other very much. Sneha is a bit introverted while Vishal is full of enthusiasm. Despite the difference in nature of both of them, there was never any deficiency in their affection. Vishal worked in a private company and Sneha looked after the house like a skilled housewife. Vishal's job was in the city. His parents lived in the village. Due to less holidays, within a month of marriage, both of them had built their small house in the city.

Vishal's mother died six-one months ago. Sneha, fatherless since childhood, insisted and brought her father-in-law to the city. Vishal is also very happy with dad's arrival. Vishal was happy to see Sneha serving her father. And considered himself lucky to have such a wife.

Everything was going smoothly. Until that evening a month ago, when he left home for night duty. Exactly at twelve in the night, his mobile phone rang.

Kal belonged to Sneha. Even before Vishal said hello, Sneha's voice sounded like she was screaming.

'V... Sha....l....'

Vishal got up from the chair.

'What happened Sneha? Is everything ok?'

'Vishal, Vishal, papa...' Sneha could barely speak. She looked seriously scared.

'What happened to dad?'

'.....'

'Sneha...'

'Dad from the balcony...'

The phone cut off with the sound of B..P. Leaving everything on the office table, he left for home on his bike. Holding the handle of the bike with one hand, he repeatedly called Sneha's mobile, but Sneha's phone was switched off. His concern was increasing. He increased the speed of the bike.

A lot of people had gathered in the apartment compound. Sneha was sitting on the stairs surrounded by many people. Yo was questioning her but Sneha was blank minded. Seeing Vishal, the people in the crowd cleared the way. As the crowd dispersed, Vishal screamed at the scene.

Vishal's father's dead body was lying on the rough pavement of the compound. Blood was still flowing from the head. Vishal absolutely loved it. And began to weep loudly. Two or three people came to him and started consoling him.

The crowd was talking among themselves,

'Why would a man have fallen like this?'

Hey brother, it rained in the evening. The foot must have slipped in the wet.'

'No brother no, uncle had a habit of sitting on the porch. I have seen them often. The balance must have gone, Khallas...'

'I am going to put a railing on my balcony tomorrow. We are children.'

'The work of this apartment is bogus. Small small fences, you have to be careful while walking.

'See that flat in front of you? All balconies are equipped with grills. Full safety..'

People went to where they were talking. The secretary of the building took over the management like a veteran elder and with the help of other persons saved the nerve-wracking event. Neighbors also came to Sneha.

'Oh, what a shock the poor thing is.'

'You have served a lot, not even a daughter.'

'Radi le beta, if I do this, why will it work? You have to listen to Vishalbhai too.'

***

Even after a month passed since this tragic incident, Sneha did not recover. His body was also getting emaciated. Sneha, who was quite calm, used to get irritated in conversation. There is no 'do' in housework either. Sneha did not mix with anyone, even with Vishal she used to talk only about work. Vishal was noticing everything. He thinks that Sneha is very sad because of his father's departure, so he does this. In time everything will be fine. But ever since seeing her scared and mumbling in her sleep, Vishal started getting worried about Sneha. Sneha was not ready to talk openly.

Vishal had smoked four or five cigarettes. He was ready to do anything to win Sneha's heart. He often asked Sneha with love. But Sneha avoided the matter. Vishal suddenly thought of a trick. It was a matter of turning any key when the lock would not open. Maybe get caught and the lock will open! Vishal came to the bedroom and slept. Tomorrow was Sunday so there was no tension to get up early.

***

'I am going to Bangalore.'

Vishal said in a flat voice while eating breakfast at the dining table.

The spoon in Sneha's hand stopped going up to her mouth. Then recovering he asked,

'When?'

'Tomorrow morning.'

'For how many days?'

'Forever.'Vishal spoke just as calmly.

'What???'Sneha got up from the dining chair.

'I applied for transfer. It has failed.' Vishal said wiping his mouth with a napkin.

'So why are you talking about going alone?'

'Because I'm going alone.'

'So...so..where do I go?' Sneha's voice was shaking.

'If you want to stay here, stay here, but let your mother go there.'

'Vishal, I don't understand what you are saying. You there and I here? but why?'

'Listen Sneha, let me clear. I Can't Live With You Your behavior is unbearable for me. I can't live under such stress. So I am going. Away from all these troubles... you will get divorce papers. Very soon.'

Emphasizing the last words, Vishal quickly walked towards the bedroom. Sneha also rushed after him. Vishal was taking down a big bag from the top of the wardrobe.

'Vishal, why is he doing this? He took such a big decision? What have I done?'

There was complaint in Sneha's voice.

'I have said what was said.'

'Someone would be separated for such a thing? Tell me the truth, what's the point? Do you love someone else?'

Vishal's arrow was right on target. He was ready for this question.

'Nothing like that, Sneha.' He looked down and said.

'Vishal please, tell me everything.'

'Exactly, this is what I have been trying to explain to you for the past few days. You tell me everything else I will go...'

Vishal threatened in a manner.

Sneha sat on the bed and started crying. Vishal softened a bit. Sitting on the ground, he took Sneha's hands in his.

'Sneha, I can't see you like this. Why do you hesitate to tell me? Does work suffer like this? I'm your best friend right? Tell me, what is it that bothers you like this?'

'I can't say Vishal...' Sneha rested her head on Vishal's hand.

'But why??'Vishal stood up, letting go of his hand.

'You keep leaving me.'

'And even if you say no, I will leave you.' Vishal stiffened again.

Sneha had no choice now. He wiped his tears with his palm. And no determination. She said she was doing it.

'Well listen...'

Vishal moved the chair and arranged himself in front of it.

Sneha started talking,

'After my mother left, I stubbornly brought my father here. But I did not realize then that this decision would be so wrong.'

Vishal was listening quietly. Sneha drove ahead,

'I was very happy after dad came, I made new dishes for him, took care of everything from his clothes to medicines, I felt satisfied myself. But I never dreamed that I would get such a reward for my work.'

Saying this, Sneha got out of breath. Vishal gave him water.

'Day by day Dad's behavior was getting weird. When I was working there would suddenly come up. Someone used to touch me on some pretext. He would come without sniffing when I was in the bedroom. At first I thought it would be my fault but later I came to know their intentions.'

Vishal got angry hearing all this.

'Why didn't he tell me all these things?'

'Tried many times but could not say.'

'What happened then?'

'Dad's torture was increasing, that evening when you went for night duty, I was currently watching TV. And dad suddenly appeared in front of me. I was lying on the sofa and sat looking at dad. 'Do you want anything?' I asked but dad moved closer to me without answering. And threw me away.'

Sneha was panting. His eyes were red.

'I tried many times to release his strong hold but I could not do anything. His mouth was on my face and his hands were manipulating my body. I was helpless. She was trying to resist. I gathered all the strength of my body and pushed them away. and ran to the bedroom. But I was two seconds late. They entered the room before I closed the door. He was about to come on top of me, knocking me hard on the bed and I moved away. Not knowing where to go in confusion ran towards the balcony. That Naradham followed me there too and started treating my body like a man. His touch was unbearable for me. I gathered all my strength again and pushed him away….

But...

Before I could think, he jumped down from the balcony.'

'Vishal, I am a murderer. I have killed your father. And I don't regret it. I am afraid that you will leave me after knowing all this. will leave me...'

Sneha started shedding tears. She put both hands on her face and started crying.

Vishal, who was listening to all these incidents, was troubled. A few moments passed like that. Vishal was shocked. The events of the past were running very fast in his mind. But he was very understanding. In a short time, he got the whole incident. He was very angry with the father who had a bad eye on his own daughter-in-law. But now knowing that remembering all those things will not bring anything, he decided to save Sneha.

Sneha was still crying. Vishal came close and removed both her hands and embraced her. There were tears in his eyes too.

'I love you Sneha, it's not your fault what happened, dad got the punishment for what he did.

And yes, I'm not going anywhere without you...'

He could not say anything further.

Author : Falak Sikand