Story: The End.

- I felt like my eyes were hallucinating. Is this the same Mrs. Shukla who used to spread imported scents. They used to discuss different types of sarees for hours. Which sarees are in stock in which shop? In which shop does carving inlay jewellery? Where to find good furniture?

As always I was 'late' to the club today. By the time we reached there, most of the women had already arrived. Some were playing 'housey', some were sitting down and playing taltappa. Seeing me, Mrs. Sahay said, "You only get to come to the club once a week and you're always late."

"What should I do, it's 2 o'clock when the housework is over. It takes me 10 minutes to get ready and 20 minutes to reach here. It's half past two anyway." I explained. It was also necessary, as Mrs. Sahay was the president of the club. Apart from being the Chairperson, she is also the wife of the Collector. I am a ruler's wife. Whatever is in mind, but the formality of courtesy is indispensable. Finally, the private report of all the district officials is written by the collector.

Mrs. Batra, wife of PWD's executive engineer, said, "You are carrying useless worries."

I looked at him questioningly and he smiled and said, "Yes, yes, I am telling the truth." Many servants are found in your forest department. If you call 1-2 servants at home after telling Sinha Sahib. What does it change?''

"Brother, our master has raised a whole army of servants," said Mrs. Sharma with great pride.

Just then a strong scent wafted through the air, as if someone had spilled vials of lavender perfume. Looking back, Mrs. Shukla was entering the hall resplendent in a red saree, matching sandals, purse, fresh and dark makeup, a diamond stud in her nose and a studded necklace. I looked at him in surprise and said, "Why are you so 'late' today?" You are the first to come.

Taking a seat, he said, "We people went to Khajuraho. He came back today at 12 o'clock. Bathed and freshened up, had lunch and got ready and came straight here.

Mrs. Verma, who had been silent till now, probably looking at my makeupless face with disgust, said, "I don't understand how you can get ready in just 10 minutes Mrs. Sinha?"

Before I could say anything Mrs. Shukla smiled showing her teeth shining from the 'close up' and said, "Bhai, it takes me full 2 ​​hours to get ready. Go out with some pretense, otherwise stay at home. Second, we have a lot of time, if we make good use of it, what could be better than that.

The chairperson Mrs. Sahai blurted out her decisive dialogue as if to conclude, “Yes, Bhai, how was it supposed to take less than 2 hours for makeup.” Then looking at me sarcastically, she said, “It takes me the same amount of time. OK, stop the discussion. Let's get it done today."

He called out to the club boy and asked him to bring the cards.

After seeing and hearing all this, I sat asleep. During the game, the topic of discussion turned to sarees. Everyone was giving their opinion about the variety of sarees, but I felt that Mrs. Sahay had the final say. After few minutes I came home.

At night, after doing the children's homework, I came to my room and Ashish was lying on the bed flipping through the pages of a magazine. "I am resigning my membership of the club," I said without assuming any role.

"Why?" Ashish asked without taking his eyes off the magazine.

"I don't feel like the atmosphere there."

"Your mind is like a big monster, Varsha. A few days ago she was saying, "I don't feel like it. In this unknown city, I gave you a club membership, so as to increase the circle of acquaintances, and then all the women of official rank come there."

"So I don't want to go."

"Hey, don't be so cryptic, be clear, what's the matter?" You are also an officer's wife.

"I am an officer's wife, but an honest officer. I don't have their stuff like ostentatious sarees, expensive scents, mind-blowing cosmetics. I do not have an army of free servants that I can be proud of.”

Ashish used to laugh at me. Said, "That's it, Deviji, are you so sad because of this? Lo, I'll make up for all your losses right now.''

I thought, who knows what will do. At that he sat near me on the sofa and said, “The first fault you have is that you have a severe lack of cosmetics. So madam, as far as I understand, beauty needs no adornment and nature has showered you with this precious treasure.”

As I opened my mouth to say something, he put his hand over my mouth and said, “Now coming to the second point of your problem. As far as servants are concerned, you are so good at housework, so hard-working, that I am not at a loss for a servant. All household chores are done comfortably with just one task of scrubbing the dishes. When you have a small family. One has only one husband and two children. You alone are sufficient for the service of these three animals.''

I got very angry at Patidev's teasing. With a look of extreme anger on my face, I said, “Your false praise will do nothing. So far you have made me a lot. Now I will not come into your talks at all.

Suddenly a serious frown appeared on his face. He sat in silence for a while, then tried to smile and said, "Rain, I couldn't give you any happiness, her pain always haunts me." Then patting my back, he said, "I give you the whole salary." . Do what you think is right. Buy expensive things for yourself if you want, hire servants if you want, save money for future if you want. I have never stopped you and never will. You understand very well my compulsion to do nothing more than this. The principles given by the elders always keep me alert. You are aware of the harsh resolve made by me. I got several servants from my department due to my position, whom I ordered to work in my office. I don't want to abuse the position and exploit people." Then he said with a sad face, "Do whatever you want, but be happy. I don't want to waste precious moments of life in useless sadness.”

The unexpressed pain in their eyes could not be hidden from me. Seeing his innocent love for me filled my eyes. I realized my mistake.

Hey, this is what I was going to do. Was I myself leading my husband to downfall and that too for such useless hollow selfishness. Good thing Ashish did not give up his high principles for my momentary happiness. While thinking all this, I was shocked by Ashish's voice, "Varsha, are you very angry or what?" Well, be ready tomorrow evening. I will come home from office to take money. Then buy whatever you want.''

"No, Ashish no. I don't need anything. I am very happy with this little house of mine. Who knows what kind of talk she sat down with.'' That's why he talked about leaving the club. I did not think that it would reach this far.

Ashish recovered a bit after listening to me. The color that had gone from the face came back again. Then he chuckled in his familiar conjecture, “So this is it. Deviji was testing me.

I started to explain, but he didn't give me a chance. Explaining to me, he said, “When did you start feeling inferior. Earlier I used to give long speeches against bribery, now where did this shortness come from? If the morale is strong, no storm can distract us.”

I also took his words to heart and started going to the club with confidence. Now I used to listen to the talk there with great interest and was thoroughly entertained for two hours, but I didn't like it for long and one day I left the club.

After a few days with his advice we bought a sewing machine and started sewing. In this way the time started to be utilized and additional income was also started.

One day Mrs. Shukla and Mrs. Verma came home and said, “Tomorrow is the New Year dinner at the club. You must come.''

"I'm not even a member of the club anymore," I laughed.

He said, "No problem, you are an old member, but why did you stop going to the club?" Did you start sewing? Alas, this job belongs to women whose husbands do not earn as much as their wives spend. Why are you defaming Sinha Sahib by doing all this?

I was very angry listening to these people. However, he kept his anger in check and avoided it. Even after his departure, I kept thinking for a long time. Instead of wasting leisure time, if I am using the time properly, I am tarnishing my husband's image and this one, who feels the need to go to the club to display her jewelery and sarees, is probably putting a curse on my husband.

One day heard, Mr Shukla has been transferred to Narsinghpur. Thought to meet Mrs. Shukla on the way. When I went there, all the members of the club were already there. Maybe Mrs. wanted to give Shukla a farewell party and came to him to take time for it. He was a member of the club. After sitting for a while, when I left, Mrs. Shukla said, "Whenever you come to Narsinghpur, I must come there."

He knew that my uncle lived there. I assured to come and bid him farewell.

After about two years we had to go to Narsinghpur for Mamaji's daughter's wedding. One day after the marriage broke up, I asked Ashish to go to Mrs. Shukla's place. He kept avoiding this for 2-3 days. When the day of return approached, I insisted that I would come today only to meet Mrs. Shukla. In the evening, when we went to meet him, he parked the rickshaw in such a neighborhood that I was stunned to see the houses there.

"Haven't we come to the wrong place, have we? Did you have an address or not?''

Ashish said irritably, "We have come to the right place. I have come together two days ago.

I was very angry. One even found himself alone and when I asked to come he was so flattered.

Seeing my anger, Ashish laughed and said, 'Don't take your eyes off, just follow me.''

Passing several narrow streets we stopped in front of a thatched house and he slowly rattled the chain.

I said, "Are you kidding me?" Where did this bring me? Did Nisha Shukla leave the government bungalow and start living here?''

He put his finger on his mouth and signaled me to be quiet. Then the door opened. Nishaji was standing in front. After seeing us quite frightened, he regained his composure and said, "Come, come inside." Why are you guys standing outside?''

Seeing them, I began to tremble. It took me a while to recover. When Ashish came in and sat down, he said, "You guys sit down, I'm coming now" and got up and left.

Mrs. Shukla walked in after a formal conversation. I felt like my eyes were hallucinating. Is this the same Mrs. Shukla who used to spread imported scents. They used to discuss different types of sarees for hours. Which sarees are in stock in which shop? In which shop does carving inlay jewellery? Where to find good furniture? Which cinema in the city has a new film? All that information was kept by Mrs. Shukla. This was his favorite topic of discussion. Nishaji was also adept at sarcasm, especially on my simple attire.

Today this same Nisha was wearing a cotton saree, which is torn all over. In the name of makeup, there was only a red scar on the face. In the name of jewellery, only 2-4 glass bangles were in hand.

I was thinking about everything when he came and sat near me with tea. The stench mixed with cooking spices and sweat was emanating from his body. I felt as if I had entered a mysterious magical world. The mind was anxious to lift the veil from the mystery. However, I did not have the courage to ask Nishaji anything. Suddenly it came out of the mouth, "What has happened to you?" I don't understand anything?''

It was as if she suddenly went berserk. Katarai looked at me and said, "Varshaji, a mountain of calamities fell on us. About 1 month after coming here, someone complained about Mr. Shukla. Everyone eats a little too much. I don't see any such avatar of Harishchandra, but our happiness is not seen from anyone.

Then he slowly looked down and said, “One day Mr. Shukla was caught by the police taking a bribe. He has been in jail ever since. Stake all the property, but could not save them. The relatives who were always lying in my house, now by mistake not even a letter from them comes.” Saying all this, his eyes filled up.

I kept listening speechless. No idea how to console them. After a few minutes he said, "In our good times, you were the only acquaintances who came to meet me here."

We were talking when Ashish came. While sitting, he said, "Bhabhiji, do you know how to sew?"

He said, "Yes, can you?"

“Then you get a sewing machine. It will give you a lot of convenience. સમય પણ પસાર થશે અને આર્થિક લાભ પણ થશે.''

આમની વાત સાંભળીને તેઓ શરમમાં મુકાયા. કદાચ વિચારતા હતા કે આ જ સિલાઈ મશીનની કેવી મજાક ઉડાવી હતી તેમણે. તેમને ચુપ જોઈને આશિષે કહ્યું, ''આને તમે ખોટું ના સમજતા. પરિશ્રમ અને આત્મનિર્ભર હોવું ખૂબ સારી વાત છે. તેનાથી વ્યક્તિ નીચે નથી પડતી, પણ ઉપર જ ઊઠે છે.''

નિશાજી અપરાધભાવથી એવા દબાઈ ગયા હતા કે નજર ઊંચી જ કરી શકતા ન હતા. થોડીવાર પછી સ્વસ્થ થતાં બોલ્યા, ''ભાઈ સાહેબ, હું કાલે જ બજારમાં જઈને તપાસ કરીશ. જો સરળ હપ્તે મશીન મળી જશે તો અંધકારમાં ડૂબેલું મારા બાળકોનું ભવિષ્ય કદાચ થોડોક પ્રકાશ મેળવી શકશે.''

જ્યારે અમે જવા માટે ઊભા થયા ત્યારે આશિષે એક કવર નિશાજીના હાથમાં પકડાવતાં કહ્યું, ''જુઓ ખોટું ના લગાડતા. તમારા પતિ મારા ઘણા સારા મિત્ર રહ્યા છે. મારી ફરજના ભાગરૂપે જ હું એક નજીવી રકમ તમને આપી રહ્યો છું. તમે હપ્તામાં નહીં પણ એકસાથે આ રૂપિયાથી સિલાઈ મશીન ખરીદો લેજો. બીજી પણ કોઈ વાતની ચિંતા હોય તો વિના સંકોચ મને જાણ કરજો. ચાલો, વર્ષા.''

અમે ઝડપી પગલે તે સાંકડી ગલીઓમાંથી પસાર થવા લાગ્યા. રસ્તામાં મેં તેમને કહ્યું, ''આ લોકો બહુ દુ:ખી છે. મેં તો ક્યારેય વિચાર્યું જ નહોતું કે આવું બની જશે.''

આશિષ બોલ્યા, ''આ તો થવાનું જ હતું. શુકલા વધારે ખાવા લાગ્યો હતો. દરેકને પોતાનાથી તુચ્છ સમજવા લાગ્યો હતો. પૈસાના પ્રકાશમાં તેની આંખો અંજાઈ ગઈ હતી. હવે દુ:ખનાં વાદળો એટલાં ડરામણાં લાગે છે. આ દુનિયા ઘણી મોટી છે, વર્ષા. જાતજાતના લોકો છે અહીં. વધારે લાગણીશીલ થઈશ નહીં. માનવતાનાં સંબંધે જેટલું બન્યું એટલું આપણે કર્યું.''

હું વિચારી રહી હતી કે જો નિશાજી શરૂઆતથી જ પોતાની જરૂરિયાતોને મર્યાદિત રાખત, પુષ્કળ આવી રહેલા પૈસાના પ્રવાહમાં ના તણાત તો કદાચ આજે આ દિવસ ના જોવો પડત, પણ વિપુલ વૈભવનું ઈન્દ્રધનુષ, જે તેમણે ગૂંથવાનો પ્રયત્ન કર્યો હતો, ખૂબ લોભામણું તો હતું પરંતુ વાસ્તવિક્તાની દ્રષ્ટિએ જોજનો દૂર હતું. મને લાગ્યું, તે ઈન્દ્રધનુષ હવે વધસ્તંભ પર ચડી ગયું છે.