*PARIKSHA*
The environment of the room was fully tensed but neither Anirudh nor Trilochan speak anything. Trilochan just looks at Anirudh taking in his word, thinking whether he heard correct or wrong. "Kya?...kya kaha tumne?."
Anirudh knew very well that it's going to be difficult for him to accept. "Kaka Neeya ka kal pravesh pariksha hai...daakhile ke lie...Presidency University mai."
Trilochan looks on, like waiting to hear that this is all joke.
"Dimaag to shi h tumhara!?...Bahu bahar jaegi? Padhne?" His tone gets louder and angrier.
"Ha Kaka..to usme galat kya h-" "-galat hi h sab! Arey ghar ki bahu betiya agar bahar jake padhne lage to kya ijjat reh jaegi samaaj mai humari?-" "-Kaka...aurto ke bahar jake kaam karne, paise kamane se kaise ijjat kam hoti h? Kya aurto ki ijjat ghar par hi rehne se hai? Hum bhi to jate h na bahar...to aurte q nhi? Q wo nhi padh skti, kama skti? Itna bhedbhav q Kaka?" "Qki padhna, bahar jake kamana ye admiyo ka kaam h, unka kartavya h! Aurto ka nhi. Aurto ka kaam ghar sambhalana h. Hume koi baat nhi sun ni, humne keh dia bahu kal pariksha dene nhi jaegi to bas!."
"Aap aise nhi mana kar skte kaka. Humara sapna h ye aur ussey jyada ye uske baba ki akhiri tamanna thi. Agar ab wo use poori nhi kregi to accha lagega kya?" "Hum nhi jante ki kya sapna h."
Trilochan moves closer to Anirudh and hisses out angrily the sentence from his mouth eyeing him. "Hum bas ye jante h Anirudh ki Neeya is ghar ki bahu h aur wo pariksha nhi degi to bas!"
Before Anirudh could say anything, Trilochan moves out of the room only to find Neeya standing there with her teary eyes. Trilochan looks at her for awhile and then goes from there.
Every word that comes out of Trilochan is like father's word for Neeya and she thought that he will understand, but not having him with her, it was making her heart ace.
Anirudh also comes out only to find Neeya standing there, lost in thought. He knew how much she gets effected but he has to motivate her somehow. He holds her hand and move to their room.
Neeya didn't sleep well whole night as she was fully concentrated on her studies but also tensed regarding her Kaka ji which was easily sensed by Anirudh. So he stayed up whole night helping her with her preparation, asking her questions, making her ready for.mext day.
Next day, as she opens her eyes, she finds herself sitting in her study table with her books opened and a blanket around her. As she moves, she feels a weight on her thighs. She looks at it to see Anirudh's hand on her lap and Anirudh sitting beside her with his head on table, sleeping peacefully. She smiles looking at him. She just feels so loved, so supportive only to see him beside her, always, no matter what. It's him who gives her strength and confident to do what she wants to. She can totally feel her Baba's aura in him and she is always thankful to her durga ma for him and every moment, everything.
She sighs and then looks at her husband thoroughly.
That innocent face, with childish aura, cute smile, and messed hair. He was looking so innocent and childish that made Neeya flatter. She carefully takes his hand and rest it on the table and caresses his head kissing it lightly and then goes to get fresh and ready.
After getting ready, she moves to the mandir does arti, takes blessing and then cooks breakfast. She make adarak elaichi wali chai and goes to Trilochan's room.
"Kaka ji?" She calls to him from the door but there was no answer. She knew he was still angry with her and she can't go without taking his blessings and permission. She walks in to find him sitting at his chair with his eyes closed and the anger and sadness was still visible on his face.
She keeps the tray on a side table and then kneels down beside him holding his leg. "Kaka ji. Mai janti hu aap mujhse gussa hai, naraz hai. Lekin kaka...aaj mai peeche nhi hat skti...apne baba ko, apne pati ko dia hua vada mai poora karna chahti hu.
.aur mujhe yakeen h aap jarur samjhenge.... Apse badhkar mere lie kuch nhi h....apke.ashirad ke bina mere lie ye mushkil hai...... kaka ji.....mere baba ki humesha se yhi sapna tha ki mai padhu...kuch banu....logo ko ye sabit kar pau ki aurat aur admi ek hi h. Ki ladkiya bhi ghar sambhalne ke alawa aur kaam kar skti h...udh skti h....kaka..hum ladkiyo ki bhi khwahishe hoti h, pankh hote h, par unhe kholne se pehle hi kaat die jate h...ummeed hai aap.samjhenge..." Neeya wipes her tears away and goes from there.
"Neeya.." Anirudh stops her as he saw her coming out of kaka's room. Neeya looks at him with sadness and guilt in her eyes. "Anirudh ji...kaka ji-" "-shh..koi nhi. Wo maan jaenge. Beti ki trh pyar karte h. Bhala kab tak naraz rhenge." Neeya nods at him. "Accha suno. Mujhe thode der ke lie bahar jana hoga. To tum mujhe ek ghante baad paas wale mandir ke paas milna. Theek h?" Neeya nods and with that Anirudh leaves.
Neeya gets busy in her preparation and others while there Trilochan was in his room still thinking about Neeya and her dreams and her words.
"Durge Durge! Jay Kali!" A pandit walks in of Roy Chowdhury house chanting. Trilochan runs to him joining his hand,"aaie pandit ji. Pranam." "Ayushman bhava!"
They both walks in and sits in the hall.
"Aaj kaise aana hua pandit ji?" Trilochan ask. "Tumhe savdhan karne aae hai. Tumhare ghar mai mangal dosh ka shaya h. Kundali mai ghar ke grah nakshatra Shi nhi hai." At this Trilochan gets tense. "kya matlab pandit ji?" "Is ghar mai bahut jald ashanti aane wali h. Tumhare bete Anirudh aur Bahu ke bhagya mai mangal dosh dikh rha hai. Grah nakshatra shi nhi dikh rhe hume. Hume ashanka hai ki bahut jaldi is ghar mai koi duwidha aaegi jo is ghar ko tod degi." Trilochan looks on worried. He again joins his hand,"pandit ji. Iska koi upay to hoga na? Kuch Karie pandit ji, is prakop se aap hi bacha sakte hai..." He begs.
"Ek upay h... ansh!" "Ansh!?"
Pandit ji nods,"aaj se nau mahine baad krishna janmashtami hai, jo bache ke janma ke lie bahut shubh hai. Agar is mahine koi khush khabri aajae aur bacche ka janm janmastami ke shubh muhurat mai ho, to saare dosh mit jayenge."
"Ansh.." Trilochan thinks and smiles thanking pandit Ji. "Ab aap humare bhoj ka prabandh karae." Trilochan nods and that's when Neeya comes to the hall fully prepared for her exam. She had a bag on her left shoulder in which she carried her kalam and other papers for exam. She turns to pandit ji and Trilochan and touches their feet.
"Kaka ji..mai jau?." She ask innocently..
"Kaha ja rhi ho tum?" Pandit ji ask looking at her bag and all essentials.
Neeya looks at Trilochan who was looking at her worried.
"Uttar do bahu!"
"College mai pravesh pariksha dene." She says in one breathe.
Pandit ji looks on in anger and stoods up.
"Trilochan! Ye kya sun rha hu mai? Tumhari bahu pariksha dene ja rhi h?" Before Trilochan can say anything, Neeya jumps in,"ha Pandit ji. College mai dakhile ke lie pariksha dene ja rhi hu. Kuch galat hai-" "-PAAP HAI!" Neeya looks on shocked.
"Aurto ka kaam ghar grahishti sambhalna hai....In hatho mai kalam nhi, bartan aur belan hone chahie.!"
"Har kisi ko apne jeevan ka faisla lene ka adhikar hai! Ye aaplog hi hai jisne samaaj mai aurto ko sirf ghar ki naukrani banake rakha h jo poora din ghar bacche sambhale-" "-Bahu!" Trilochan tries to stops her.
But Neeya don't stop,"padhna mere, mere baba aur mere pati ka sapna hai aur unke sapne sakar karna bhi mera kartavya hai aur aap mujhe nhi rok skte!"
"Lagta hai tumhare baba ne tumhe koi sanskar nhi die h...Nahi sikhaya hai unhone ki aurto ko kaise rehna chahie ghar mai. Unki aukat kya hai."
He turns to Trilochan. "Ghar ki aurte yadi agar jubaan ladhane aur sapne dekhne lag gai to kisi ghar mai kabhi choolha nhi jalega.-"
"Sapne dekhna har insaan ka hak hai aur usey poora karna bhi. Aur yhi baat mere baba ki, to unhone mujhe jo sanskar die h unka apmaan karne ka apko koi hak nhi h!" Pandit ji looks on angrily. Neeya doesn't know what she was saying, but it was her anger coming out as words.
"Unke die hue sanskar mere lie ashirwad hai. Mere baba ne kabhi ladka ladki mai bhedbhaav nhi kia. Unhone humesha mujhe yhi sikhaya ki chahe ladka ho ya ladhki, jindagi jeene ka hak har kisi ko hai, khulle."
"Tumhari bahu itni badtameez hai! Tumne ek pandit ka apmaan kia h. Stree jaat ka apmaan kia h." Trilochan looks on worry.
"Ye waqt h aurto ko atmavisleshan(introspection) karne ka." Pandit ji says in cruel voice.
"Aurto ko nahi pandit ji,...poore samaaj ko atmavishleshan karne ki jarurat hai. Aurat agar padhna chahe, kuch ban na chahe to humesha usi ke kabiliyat pe kyu sawal uthaye jate hai?" Neeya ask calmly.
"Kyunki sawaal sirf kabiliyat ka nahi hai, balki sawal prakriti ka h. Jab prakriti ne aurat aur mard mai bhed kia h, to tum kaun hoti ho behas karne wali? Aur jab adhunikta ke naam pe hum ye fark bhool jate hai,...tab Ramayana to hogi hi."
Trilochan was just standing there looking at his daughter in law and Pandit ji, hearing their debate, but also scared deep inside.
"Prakriti Ma pe sawaal karne wale un logo mai se hi h jo ramayan ke lie Ravan ko nhi, balki sita ko doshi thehrate hai-" "-AEE LADHKI! Apni barabari sita maiya se karne ka dush sahas kaise kia tumne!? Moorkh! " "Har aurat mai sita basi h Pandit ji, qki har aurat har roz sita maiya jaise najane kitni agnipariksha deti hai. Samaaj ke taane sun na, ajeebogareeb rasme karna, sabse dabkar rehna, apne sapno ki bali chadhana, kisi agnipariksha se kam hai?" Neeya ask.
Pandit thinks for awhile before answering,"Isme koi shak nhi h ki aurto ko bahut sehna padhta h aur sehna bhi chahie aur isi mai unki bhalai hai. Lekin ghor sangharsh ke baad dheere dheere barabari ka samay aahi rha hai. Dheere hi shi, par barabari ka hak to mil hi rha hai. Lekin har kaam aurat ke bas ka ho, ye jaruri nhi."
"Ye aisa waqt hai ki yhi keh ke aaj ke samaaj aurto ko padhai ke layak nhi samajhte. Aur waise aap kis barabari ki baat kr rhe h? Apko kya lagta h ki hum aurto ko kuch chand adhikar mil gae to aurte aur mard ki jindagi ek barabar ho gai? Barabari mil gai? Kaha h barabari? Mujhe to nhi dikhta!"
Trilochan and pandit looks on at Neeya's now angry and burning face.
Yes, it was very much difficult to accept such ill minded people's ideology and word and now it's time to tell them what woman is. Her father has always taught her how a woman is great human and how she should be motivated to do anything. She always tried to become her father's son but her baba always motivated her to be daughter she is. It's all his lessons that she is so confident and she can always feel her baba beside her, his hand on her head, his love in her heart and that's enough for her to deal with such stereotypes.
"Aap jaante hi kya hai hum aurto ki jindagi ke baare mai? Har mod pe humse aise sawal kie jate hai, aise vyawahar kie jate h ki...ki...koi soch bhi nhi sakta. Pallu jyada neeche ho gaya, to log charitra pe sawal uthaenge; agar jyada hans lia, to log glt matlab nikal lenge,ghar se bahar jyada der tak rehli, jarur koi chakkar hai, apne hak ke lie bole, to jabaan ladhati h...ye kaisa adhikar hai?......aur baat, admi din raat kaam kare to log bolte hai 'hae, kitna kaam karta h bechara.' aur jo aurte roz ghar ke lie din raat kaam krti hai, apni chinta kia bagair sara ghar sambhalti hai to bola jata h 'karti hi kya h sara din'. Iske alawa roz hume aise cheezo ke baare mai sochna padhta hai jo sirf aur sirf ek aurat hi samajh skti hai, kuch dikh to nhi rha, kamar to dhaki h na, wo jo tabse ghoor rha hai kuch ulta seedha to nhi karega na....
Bheedh mai jab chahe koi bhi mard jab chahe kahi bhi choo skta h qki jab aurat kisi sarvajanik(public) sthaan par hoti hai na, to to sarvajanik (public) sampatti ban jati hai. Aur agar isse bhi appko fark nhi samajh aaya to bata du ki jab kisi ko chot lagti hai na, to mooh se ma hi nikalta h jo ek aurat hai, ek aurat hi hai jo apno ke lie yamraaj tak se ladh jae, jiski pooja karte hai wo ek aurat hai. Arey jab har mahine apke badan se paani ki tarah khoon bahega, apka sar phatega, aur paer phool jaenge; jab 9 mahine ka dard sehke ek janm denge, tab,...tab aap baat kariega aurat aur mard ke barabari ke baare mai." Before pandit can say anything, Neeya joins her hand,"to kripa karke aurto ko kya karna chahie kya nhi karna chahie, uspe apna aur humara waqt barbad na kre balki ye soche ki aurte kya chahti hai aur usey wo karne ka mauka mile." Both pandit and Trilochan were speechless. Neeya, who was now feeling relaxed, confident turns around to walk but again joins her hand and faces pandit ji,"aur ha, barabari to door ki baat hai, filhal hissedari mil jae na, to whi bahut hai. Aur agar apko meri baat ka bura laga ho ya Maine anjaane mai aomaan kia ho to, kshama kariega.." And with that, our confident Neeya turns around and walks fee steps ahead when she spots Anirudh standing at the door with his hands folded, smiling.
He always feels proud of his wife and he always thank god in his heart for giving someone like her as his wife. He knew the path that they have decided to walk on isn't easy at all and maybe no women would have courage to walk on such path. But isn't it beautiful when you get someone who will do anything to fulfill your dream, who will always be beside you, holding your hand no matter how difficult the path is. And Anirudh can't thanks enough but always cherish every moment with her, cherish every fight, every words of her heart.
"Anirudh ji?" Anirudh walks to her. "Kuch kehne ki jarurat nhi hai. Tumne aaj unlog ko bahut karara jawaab dia h jo aaj bhi aurto ko mardo se kam samajhte hai." Saying this he looks at pandit ji who was looking at them angrily.
Pandit turns to Trilochan,"aaj humara jo apmaan hua yaha, uske baad is ghar mai kabhi bhi humare kadam nhi padhenge. Aur humari baat yaad rakhna." Saying this Pandit ji leaves the house.
"Neeya, hume deri ho rhi hai. Hume chalna chahie." Neeya nods but she turns and walks to Trilochan and joins her hand,"Kaka ji....agar apko meri baat ka jara sa bhi boora laga ho, to mujhe maaf kar dijiega.-" but Trilochan keeps his hand on her head,"nhi bahu...aaj tumne jo kaha, ussey meri ankh khul gai. Shayad hum hi kabhi samajh nhi pae aurto ko. Jao bahu. Apna imtehaan deke aao. Mera ashirwad tumhare sath hai." He then shouts,"Bihari! Jaldi se dahi shakkar leke aao. Bahu aaj pariksha dene ja rhi hai."
Bihari comes there with bowl of curd and sugar and Trilochan makes her eat. She takes his blessings. "All the best baudi." She hugs Som and Batuk and then leaves.
"Kya hua Anirudh ji?" She looks at tensed Anirudh. "Motor to baba le gae hai...hume deri bhi ho rhi h.." Anirudh says worriedly keeping his hand on his head looking here and there.
"Rehn dijie Anirudh ji..koi baat nhi. Nhi dena parik-" "chup! Pariksha nhi deni. Aise kaise nhi deni? Tumne itni mehnat kari h. Dogi tum. Aur apni chapar chapar band kro. Mujhe sochne do kuch." He looks around when he finds a bicycle. A smile comes on his face and she looks where he was looking. "Nhi.." Anirudh looks at her,"Ha! Chalo ab!" He holds her hand and takes her to where the bicycle was standing. He sits and makes Neeya sit at front somehow and starts paddling.
"Anirudh ji..Mujhe bahut Ajeeb lag rha hai...hum apidal chal lenge na...aap-" "-Chup! Kisi parae mard ke sath baithi ho?" She moves her head in no. "To shanti se baitho."
He starts paddling faster and Neeya sits there with her eyes partly open.
Anirudh tries to cheer her up, make her eyes open, but she just sat there holding the handle as tight as possible. "Aise baithogi to phir to gaya darr tumhara."
Anirudh teases her.
All the way he just paddled the cycle with his full energy, but also laughing at Neeya being scared.
After ride, they reach the college and both rushes in. They looks at the list for her room no and then runs towards the room
But as they reach, a man stops them from entering. "Kaun h aap?" "Ji sir, ye meri patni hai, pariksha dene aai h." Anirudh answers him giving him her card.
"Ye exam hall hai, koi mandir nhi jab jee chaha mooh uthakar chale aae. Hum apko allow nhi kar skte. Aap late ho gai hai."
"Pls sir, late hone ki kuch wajah thi." "Hume ussey koi matlab nhi hai. Mujhe sirf apni duty se matlab hai.-" "-Kya h apki duty sir?....nhi bataiye apki duty kya hai sir?" Anirudh cuts him off as he was bit irritated and tensed. "Ye dekhna ki pariksha mai koi nakal na kare, baimaani na kare taaki jo hakdaar vidhyarthi hai sirf wahi aage badhe." "To aap kehna chahte hai ki ye aage badhne ke hakdar nahi h?" He angrily ask pointing at Neeya. "Ye kehna chahte hai aap?" "Mai ye nahi keh rha. Mai bas itna janta hu ki is hall ka rasta baaki vidhyarthi ke lie utna hi tha, jitna is ladki ke lie tha." "Rasta sabke lie ek nhi hota sir. Yaha pe jo ladhke baithe h unme se kai logo ka safar bahut chota tha, lekin ek ladki ke lie ye safar bahut lamba hota hai. Itna lamba ki aap soch bhi ni skte." The teacher smirks,"jaise ki bahut badi nadi paar karke aai hai." Anirudh defends her while Neeya just stands there looking and hearing both of them.
"Nadi paar karna to bahut asaan hai, lekin Neeya aur baaki ladhkiyo ko samaaj ke soch ke raste ko paar karke aana padhta h, wo soch jo ladki ko choolhe aur chauke se aage nhi badhne deti, jo unke paeron mai bedhiya daal deti hai. Us soch ko paar karke aai hai ye. Bahut kuch saha h isne apni padhai ke lie islie aap isey nhi rok skte nhi to mai apko nhi rokne dunga....pls aap apne in khonkle ussolo ke wjh se ye rasta na rokie sir.....pls sir.....dekhie waqt bahut kam bacha hai. Aur apne hi kaha tha na ki apki duty h ki unhi vidhyarthiyo ko aage badhne dia jae jo hakdar hai, to Neeya se jyada hakdar koi nhi h.....mai keh rha hu aapse....pls sir..." Anirudh begs him while Neeya feels guilty.
The teacher thinks for.awhile looking at Anirudh and Neeya before turning to Neeya,"Ab yaha khadi khadi kya kar rhi ho? Waise hi bhut waqt nikal gaya hai. Jao jakar pariksha karo. Lekin mai tumhe koi jyada samay nhi dene wala, to yaad rakhna. Ab sirf dedh ghanta bacha hai, to jo bhi karo isi dedh ghante mai poora karna. Jao." Neeya and Anirudh, both smiles.
Anirudh turns to her and cups her little hands in his,"mujhe pata hai tum bahut accha karogi...bharosha h tum pe. Jao.." saying this he squeezes her hands. She nods at him and then walks in the room filled with the boys giving exams. She sits on her bench and starts writing, while Anirudh sits outside, smiling.
Sitting there, alone, he can feel the pure happiness in his heart, the happiness of taking a step ahead toward his dream coming true, lucky to have a life partner who is holding his hand and is walking beside him in the tough path of bringing change.
Here Neeya was writing new chapter of fulfilling the dreams of her baba, of her husband, of herself....
A new chapter to bring the hope for every women around that they can do what they want....
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