Even tonight seemed like a bright day to Kirti. The newly-wed bride was sitting on a bed of flowers, waiting for the prince of her dreams. But she didn't know when she started getting lost in the old memories of her past. The same life, which she always wanted to forget, didn't know why, started appearing before her eyes again and again.
Even today, her stepmother's harsh voice shook her to the core. After her mother's death in her childhood, people had repeatedly explained to her father, "Why don't you remarry? Even if you don't, your one-year-old daughter, Kirti, needs her mother's love." But every time, her father would just say "no". Maybe he was afraid that the new mother would not be able to give Kirti the kind of love that her real mother would give, and maybe Kirti would not accept her as her mother. Thinking all this, he didn't remarry.
Five years passed in a blink of the eye. Now Kirti had started understanding small things. She was a very cheerful, playful and bubbly girl. Her laughter was like the blooming of flowers. When she talked, it felt like one should just keep listening to her. Kirti's father had also now composed himself. Earlier he used to be lost in the memories of her mother, but now it seemed as if nothing had happened. He lived for his daughter and perhaps wanted to live only for her.
But fate had something else in store. The thing that people kept explaining to Kirti's father for five years, Kirti made him agree to that in just one month. One day suddenly, Kirti cried and said, "Papa, I want a mother...", hearing this, Kirti's father realized that perhaps the people who forced her to get married were right. No matter how much love a father gives, no one can replace the affection and love of a mother.
After Kirti's request, her new mother came home within just one month. Initially, she also acted as if villainous step mothers were only a part of stories. But gradually, her true nature started to come to the fore. Those days of happiness and peace were over. Father had also started to remain sad. The house had become a sea of quarrels and sorrows. Everyday her step- mother’s scolding and reprimanding her father and he not eating for days- all these things made Kirti feel sad. Even today, when she remembers it, her heart fills with sadness that she was the one who insisted for a new mother. She started to blame herself, as if she had taken away all her father’s happiness.
Kirti, who always came first in school, now often used to think, “I wonder when this series of sorrows will end…”. Father working day after day without food had become the reason for his illness. It had been ten years since the new mother had come and Kirti had also become a young girl of fifteen-sixteen years. In these ten years, Kirti had become a mature woman while handling household chores, but her same innocent and naive face still attracted everyone towards her. Big shining eyes, fair complexion, tall height and long hair – these were the main reasons for her beauty and attraction. But in these years, her stepmother had given her so much pain that her laughter and chirpiness of talk had disappeared somewhere. It was as if she had forgotten how to laugh and talk openly. Now there was innocence in her eyes, but the pain hidden deep in those eyes was clearly visible to everyone.
Somehow time kept passing, but father's condition kept deteriorating further. Kirti wanted to study further, but her stepmother rejected her wish. She would rest at home all day, gather women from the neighbourhood and play cards, and Kirti would handle all the household chores like a maid. The new mother did not even have money to treat her father's illness. Rather, she had only one wish in her mind that she wished that day would come soon when he would leave this world. Perhaps God had heard her prayer. Father's illness and his pain - everything had come to an end. But the day Kirti found her father in an unconscious state, she became so frightened that she lost her voice. Her world had become desolate in a moment.
After that day, no one ever heard Kirti's voice. She would remain busy working all day, yet the new mother's scolding, rebuke and beating continued continuously. Like her father, she too would go to bed hungry for days, but now it seemed as if sleep had deserted her. Despite her body being tired and full of pain, her eyes would remain open throughout the night. The silence within and deep loneliness were silently eating away her innocent soul. The same routine in the morning—taking a nap while working, eating something secretly so that she could stay alive—had become a habit for Kirti. Sometimes she would start fearing life. She would think—“What if I too die in agony like father… and there would be no one to put water in my mouth.” She was lost in these thoughts when she did not even realize when the milk kept in the pot boiled over and spilled all over the kitchen. The scolding voice of the new mother jolted her. She was standing over her head like a butcher. It was as if fire was spewing from her eyes, as if she would kill Kirti any moment.
Frightened Kirti sat there on the floor. Then the new mother heated the tongs in fire and badly injured her hands and feet. Then she was locked in a dark room. For two days Kirti kept groaning in that room, hungry and thirsty, but there was no one to hear her voice. For the outside world, she seemed to have ceased to exist. Sometimes she felt that even the dry grass spread in that room was like a soft bed – because that was her support. In that darkness and loneliness, she had accepted pain as her companion. This question kept coming up again and again in her innocent heart – “Will my life ever see light… or will I always remain imprisoned in this darkness?”
The new mother was immersed in laughter and jokes with her maternal family. Food, drinks and gossip were going on, and here Kirti, locked in the room, was tired of shouting for water. But no one heard her cry. Now even the neighbours had become accustomed to these things. They knew that helping Kirti was inviting trouble for them. Everyone knew that if they said anything, they would also have to listen to that woman's incoherent and scary words. That is why no one wanted to face her.
After a day of unconsciousness, the new mother shook Kirti. Fearing that she might be accused of the sin of murder, she gave her some water to drink and opened the door and went out. Kirti somehow composed herself and slowly came out. Dry roti like straw was thrown in front of her as if a piece was being fed to a dog. Kirti ate that roti and again got busy with household chores. Her life had become like a prison. Every moment death seemed better to her. Many times, a thought would come to her mind - "Why don't I get rid of all this... why don't I embrace death...", but God knows which invisible power stopped her every time. Perhaps it was the last spark of hope alive within her.
Each time her attempt to embrace death failed. Perhaps she had to live more…Perhaps her happiness was about to return…Perhaps her days of sorrow were over…Perhaps someone was about to come into her life who wanted to take away all her sorrows and give her happiness. For the first time, a faint ray of hope shone in her dim eyes. It was as if her heart said softly— “The story is not over yet… I have someone who is going to take me out of this darkness.”
Sanjeev was an educated, handsome young man. He had recently completed his studies as a doctor and now he had come to the village to do research as well as treat the poor and sick people. It had been just a month since he had come to the village, but in such a short time all the villagers were impressed by his kind-hearted nature. Everyone had started loving and respecting him. For the villagers, Sanjeev was no less than a God. He would go from house to house, taking care of sick people, serving them day and night, and giving new life to many.
Despite living in the same village, Kirti had never seen Sanjeev. Yes, she had heard about him many times from her new mother. Her new mother would often praise him. Kirti thought to herself, “If mother praises him so much, then he must be scary and intimidating like mother. That is why mother likes him.” Her new mother would try to call Sanjeev on some pretext or the other – sometimes saying that medicine is needed at home, and sometimes that she has a cold. But Sanjeev was not naive either. He had heard from the villagers what kind of a woman she was. That is why he would avoid going to her house by making excuses.
Perhaps Sanjeev had already found out something about Kirti. That is why one day he reached their house as an uninvited guest on the pretext of seeing Kirti. His mother was lying in the veranda of the house and was scolding Kirti who was working inside. As soon as she saw Sanjeev, mother thought that he had come to meet her. Sanjeev also acted as if he had the same intention. After talking about this and that for a while, mother called out loudly inside - "Kirti, arrange some tea and snacks for the doctor."
Kirti started making arrangements for tea and snacks for the doctor. She kept thinking that this doctor would also be arrogant and dominating like her mother. But what could she do - she had to go out of fear. Quickly preparing tea and breakfast, she reached outside filled with anger and nervousness. But as soon as she went outside, she was surprised - all her misunderstandings were dispelled on seeing the person whom she thought was an old and scary person. She was still lost in thoughts with the tray in her hands when Sanjeev himself got up and took the tray from her hands and placed it on the table. Suddenly coming to her senses, Kirti got startled and ran inside in panic.
Kirti was thinking in her mind- “I abused the doctor without any reason… he seems to be a very good person.” Sanjeev was in the same situation outside. He was talking to his mother, but his attention was focused on Kirti. Sanjeev asked casually- “That girl who brought tea just now… is she your daughter?” Mother took a deep breath and replied- “Consider her a girl…” Sanjeev was shocked to hear this. He had guessed that his mother was hiding something. He understood the depth of the matter, but still he wanted to hear the truth from Kirti only. But mother cleverly avoided the topic.
To take the conversation forward, Sanjeev casually said, “You have so much property, a big house, so much work… so you must have kept servants?” Mother replied smilingly, “What is the need for servants? There is Kirti, right? Anyway, she does not like someone else doing the household work. She is not satisfied with anyone else doing the work, so she takes care of everything.” Kirti, standing inside, was listening to everything. She was cursing her mother in her mind, “As if I had said that I have to do everything!” After talking for a while, Sanjeev left from there. But Kirti's mind kept thinking about him even after he left. She felt as if she had found a priceless treasure today… as if she had won the lottery of her life.
On the other hand, Sanjeev too had lost his senses after seeing Kirti. He had never seen such a beautiful girl before. Even in simple and torn clothes, she looked like a fairy. Sanjeev felt as if Kirti was calling him to her. The depth of her eyes, the innocence of her face and the pain hidden inside had captivated Sanjeev. He was always lost in her thoughts. Kirti was also in the same situation. She could not meet Sanjeev openly even if she wanted to. The harsh shadow of her stepmother stood like a wall in her way.
Sanjeev got complete information about Kirti from the villagers. Everyone said the same thing— “Kirti is naive, innocent, very hardworking and has a very good heart.” Hearing all this, Sanjeev's mind became even more firm. He decided that if he would marry, he would marry only Kirti. Now he had not only attraction for Kirti, but also a deep love and a feeling of responsibility. He felt as if God had sent him to this village only so that he could give Kirti a new life by taking her out of her sorrows.
Sanjeev often started visiting Kirti's house on some pretext or the other. But due to the presence of mother, both of them were never able to talk properly. Every time their eyes met, both of them remained silent. But behind that silence, countless things were buried in their hearts. The pain of not being able to say anything was clearly visible in the eyes of both. Sanjeev's eyes seemed to want to say - "I want to take you out of this hell and take you to my world." And the pain hidden in Kirti's eyes was calling out - "I wish you could read my silence..."
Eight months had passed. One day suddenly someone knocked on the door. Kirti's heart started beating. She happily ran to open the door. She thought that maybe Sanjeev would be standing in front of her. But as soon as she opened the door, all her happiness shattered in a moment. There was not Sanjeev standing in front, but the postman. He had a telegram in his hand addressed to mother. Mother took the telegram in a hurry and as soon as she read it, her face turned pale. As soon as she read the telegram, mother came to know that one of her relatives had died. On hearing this, she started crying in the house and gathered the entire village. The villagers somehow started consoling her. After a lot of consoling, she calmed down and started making arrangements to go to the relative's house. Kirti was quietly standing in a corner watching everything while she was preparing. For the first time this thought came to her mind - "Maybe after mother's death, I will get some peaceful time..."
Mother left by the evening train. Kirti felt a strange relief at that time. She was very happy deep inside. Mother's absence was like freedom from a prison for her. She silently prayed to the dying man - "May God give peace to your soul... because it is because of you that I have got some peace from mother." After years, a slight spark of relief was seen in her eyes.
On the other hand, the news reached Sanjeev that mother had gone out of the village. On hearing this, he was even happier than Kirti. Slowly, both of them started meeting daily. Sanjeev would tell his heart's feelings to Kirti, and Kirti would just smile and remain silent. Her silence was her answer. Both of them would talk the whole day. Sometimes in the corner of the courtyard, and sometimes at some deserted place outside the house. They would sit together for hours and would not even realize the time. Their silent gaze and slow smiles would tell the relationship between them - as if two broken souls were now finding their peace in each other. Kirti was really happy because she had stepped out of the house after so many years. The open air outside, the greenery of the fields and Sanjeev's company brought her to a new world. Sanjeev had only one desire in his mind - to erase the shadow of those years’ old sorrows from Kirti's face. He wanted to heal every pain of her life with his love. He had decided that he would never let Kirti feel lonely now. He wanted Kirti to forget the past darkness and learn to live only in the new light.
One day when Sanjeev reached home, he was heartbroken to see Kirti shivering with pain, drenched in sweat and lying unconscious. Without wasting a moment, he took Kirti in his arms and brought her straight to the city hospital. The doctor started treatment immediately. Sanjeev sat by her bedside the whole night - sometimes putting a cold compress on her forehead, sometimes holding her hand and consoling her. When Kirti regained consciousness two days later, the first thing she did was to look at Sanjeev with her blurred vision. Lines of worry were clearly visible on his face and immense affection was clearly visible in his eyes. At that moment, Kirti realized for the first time that there is someone in her life who is living for her. This news had reached the villagers as well. Now everyone knew that Sanjeev and Kirti's hearts have been connected to each other. The villagers were secretly happy because they knew Kirti's sorrows and wanted her to be happy.
Kirti did not want to go back to the village. She wanted to stay with Sanjeev. Now Kirti had become an adult girl of nineteen years. She called her lawyer uncle and transferred all her property in Sanjeev's name. But Sanjeev did not know about it. She wanted to gift it to Sanjeev after marriage?
The wedding preparations were done, Kirti was very happy, but Sanjeev's face did not have the same glow that Kirti had when they first met. Kirti even asked Sanjeev that if you do not want to marry me then tell me, I will quietly go back to the village. But Sanjeev explained to her lovingly that if I did not want to marry you then I would not have met you again and again. Kirti would become happy with this only. Meanwhile in the village, Kirti's mother did not return. She had died in a train accident. Everyone knew about this and probably Kirti too. Now there was no sorrow in her life.
On the wedding day, Sanjeev looked like a prince who wanted to come into Kirti's life and make all her dreams come true. Kirti also looked so beautiful as if a fairy had descended from heaven. Kirti was very happy but Sanjeev probably…! Sanjeev's parents at home probably knew about his problem, but they were happy in Sanjeev's happiness. All the wedding rituals were almost over, all the guests had gone home.
Now only Kirti and Sanjeev were about to start a new life. Kirti was lost in so many memories on the flower bed inside. Suddenly the door opened and Kirti's memories were scattered. Now she wanted to remember only Sanjeev. When Sanjeev came inside wearing a wedding coat, with a red vermilion mark on his fair complexion, it was as if Kirti's wishes had been fulfilled. Sanjeev moved forward and touched Kirti's hands and then kissed her. Kirti's tears were falling down from her veil. Sanjeev realized that Kirti was probably crying out of happiness. And maybe this was the truth. Sanjeev lifted Kirti's veil and first kissed her eyes and then her forehead. Kirti was still silent with happiness. She wanted to say a lot, but could not say anything.
Kirti took a long sigh of happiness and slowly fell asleep in Sanjeev's arms, as if she was sleeping for the first time in her life. Her face was still glowing, her closed lips probably still wanted to say something. But Sanjeev did not even want to shake her, he wanted to give Kirti happiness even in her dreams. Sanjeev switched off the light after a while and spent the whole night holding Kirti in his arms. In the morning, Sanjeev suddenly opened his eyes and Kirti was still sleeping in his arms like an innocent child. There was still silence and maybe Kirti had found that thing where there was only happiness, there was not even a trace of sadness.
Sanjeev smiled and made Kirti lie down straight and went to take a bath. After taking a bath, he woke up Kirti, but…! Sanjeev's problem came true in front of him. He kept looking at her silently and kept shedding tears. After some time, all the people of the street and the neighbourhood started gathering at their house because Kirti had gone silent forever. Sanjeev suddenly found a piece of paper on which Sanjeev was the heir to all Kirti's property. Perhaps while shedding tears, he was saying that why did I let Kirti sleep forever. How did I know that she would leave me at the first step itself.
When people asked, Sanjeev told that after the check-up, the doctor had told that Kirti had leukaemia. Due to not taking care of her since childhood, she had so much lack of blood that she could have taken her last breath any time, but I did not want to kill her by telling her beforehand.
Today it had been thirty years since Kirti died. Sanjeev built a hospital for people suffering from leukaemia in Kirti's name and for the last thirty years, he himself served sick people day and night in Kirti's memory. Perhaps by doing this, he wanted to give her happiness again. Every night he would see Kirti's silent eyes and her closed lips were probably still saying the same thing - "Thank you Sanjeev."
