Mahashweta (13 page)

‘Come on, Vasant, I only said what others usually feel. Normally, such people are shunned in the marriage market. Even if one of the parents has leukoderma, the groom or bride will think twice before considering such an alliance. You are an idealist. Would you marry such a girl?’

By then, Vidya had arrived at the other end of the ward, and Satya hurried towards her.

Vasant mulled over Satya’s comment and then dismissed it.
My
marriage!
Let
me
cross
that
bridge
when
I
come
to
it
!

Anupama was able to walk now, and she was going to be discharged the next day. She had been a good patient, and had followed the doctor’s advice sincerely, so her progress had been fast. Every day, she would slowly walk from her room to Vasant’s chambers and then go back, as she had been told to practise walking a little.

When she was leaving the hospital, Vasant told her, ‘You are fine now. Make sure you eat well and you will recover fast.’

She paid her bill and thanked Vasant, ‘Thank you, doctor, for all that you have done for me. I cannot adequately express my gratitude for all that you have done. Being able to speak Kannada again made me feel so much at home.’

Vasant felt a little embarrassed as he was not used to being thanked so profusely. He said, ‘If you really want to thank me, invite me to see the play that you are directing.’

Anupama was surprised, ‘How do you know about that?’

‘Satya told me. It seems one of the plays that you directed received an award. It was announced in the Kannada Sangha at Matunga. We go there often.’

‘By all means. Actually I am directing a play for the Dusshera festival. Please do come. I will send the invitation.’

‘Two of us will come, but please don’t send passes. I want to buy tickets. No performing art should be seen free of cost.’

‘Entry is free, so don’t worry about tickets. Do bring your wife.’

Vasant laughed heartily. ‘I’m still unmarried. I don’t have anyone either, like you. I will come with Satya. He’s my roommate.’

Anupama felt a little awkward and said, ‘I am sorry, doctor.’

‘Why are you apologizing? You never asked me anything. I chose to tell you about myself.’

Anupama had also become well acquainted with Satya by this time. She said goodbye, gave him her visiting card and left, saying, ‘Keep in touch.’

A few months later, Satya and Vasant went to attend their colleague’s wedding in Bandra. They were both surprised when they saw Anupama there. She had recovered completely and looked happy.

‘Hello doctor, it’s so nice to meet you again,’ Anupama smiled.

Satya happily started a conversation with her. ‘It is not always nice to meet doctors! They remind one of sickness and surgery.’

Anupama disagreed, ‘No, doctors always remind me of service and hope!’

Vasant interrupted, ‘How come you are here?’

‘The bride is my student.’

‘The groom is our colleague,’ Satya told her.

There was a two-hour break between the wedding ceremony and lunch.

‘My house is close by. I must go and check on something. Please come and have a cup of tea before lunch,’ insisted Anupama.

Vasant was keen on getting to know her better and immediately agreed.

‘Not now. We will come some other time,’ said Satya who was in no mood to exert himself.

‘Why don’t you go ahead? We’ll come in half an hour.’ It was Vasant who took the lead although it was unusual for him.

‘How will you find my house? I could go later if you want.’

‘Don’t worry, Satya Prakash is here. We will find our way.’ Satya was surprised by Vasant’s eagerness, although he knew what was going on. Once Anupama left, he asked with a mischievous smile, ‘Vasant, why are we going to a former patient’s house?’

‘Instead of sitting here and wasting time, we might as well go. Besides, she is a good person. My mother always told me that one should make an effort to meet people when one doesn’t need something from them. Only then will relationships develop.’

Satya made a show of reluctance before following Vasant out of the marriage hall.

‘When I make a lot of money I would like to buy a house in Pali Hill. That is one of my missions in life. Look at all the rich and famous people who live here; they’re either film stars or business magnates. Unlike most parts of Bombay, it still has some bungalows and trees left. What about you, Vasant? You never talk about your future.’

‘What about my future? You know appa died of rabies after being bitten by a dog in the village where we lived. That incident upsets me even now. If only there had been a good clinic and a doctor in the village, appa would have lived.

I want to get some experience here, then go back and start my own clinic in the village. Money has never held any attraction for me. I will get more satisfaction by saving people like appa, rather than by staying in Bombay and making a lot of money.’

‘Vasant, don’t you require a lot of capital to realize this dream?’

‘Not really. I have my own house, which I will convert into a clinic. I have saved some money and I also own some land. I’ll manage. It will be a simple life with not much money.’

‘What about medicines and nursing?’

‘I will charge the rich, and with that money I’ll buy medicines for the poor.’

‘What about marriage? Does that feature in your plans? What if your wife says no to such a life after you get married?’

‘I am aware of the risk, Satya. That is why I am still unmarried. I will marry only when I find the woman who will agree to support my plans.’

By then they had reached Anupama’s house.

It was an old, whitewashed bungalow, with a beautiful, neat garden. There were coconut trees, guava and mango trees, and flower-beds in front of the house, with a cross in the corner. The name of the house was written on the gatepost: Mary Villa.

Anupama was waiting for them.

The interior of the house, which reflected the taste of the occupant, was as simple as the outside. Fresh cut flowers in a vase adorned the centre table.

‘This is one of the most beautiful houses I have ever seen,’ Satya remarked.

‘This is my friend’s house. She moved to Australia after her marriage and asked me to stay on, telling me to take care of the house and not to bother with the rent. The house is divided into two portions. I stay in one portion and the other is locked. Dolly’s mother comes here once in a while and stays there.’

‘How long can you stay here?’

‘As long as we have mutual love, affection and trust. I cannot measure that.’

‘What happens if you refuse to vacate the place?’

‘Why should I keep something that is not mine? If we keep things that don’t belong to us, we are worse than beggars. Breach of trust and failure to honour one’s commitments are the worst sins that I can think of.’

Anupama realized that, subconsciously, she had been thinking of Anand and his betrayal, and that her words sounded unnaturally harsh.

Vasant was busy examining her library while Satya and she talked. ‘Anupama, you have a rare collection of books. I have heard about Ashwagosha who wrote the famous
Buddha
Charitha
Manasa.
People say that it was the first drama in Indian literature.’

‘Yes, doctor. There might have been many other dramatists, but we do not have any of their works. What fascinates me about Ashwagosha is that he is a person who identifies with his mother, unlike others who identify with their fathers.’

‘Satya, are you getting bored?’ Vasant asked.

‘Even though it is Greek and Latin to me, I am enjoying it.’

‘Doctor,’ Anupama said to Vasant, ‘Sanskrit is my subject, so I know it fairly well. How are you so well versed in it? It is so unusual to meet someone outside the classroom who is fond of the language.’

‘There is a reason for that. My father was a Sanskrit teacher in our village. When I was a child I learnt it by listening to my father’s recitation from the classics. I have never had any formal instruction in the language. My love for Sanskrit is linked with memories of my parents. Today, they are both gone, but I still continue to read the Sanskrit classics.’

All too soon it was time for them to return to the wedding celebrations. As they were stepping out, Anupama said, ‘If you need to borrow any books, any time, please let me know. That is the one thing I can offer.’

Monday was Out-Patients’ Day, and everyone in the hospital was busy. As in all government hospitals, it was proving to be very difficult to control the OPD crowd.

Vasant was intent on going to his department when suddenly he heard someone call out to him, ‘Hi, Vasant!’

He turned to see Seema waving to him. He was surprised; Seema was supposed to be in America.

‘Hello, Seema,’ he waved back.

‘How are you, Vasant?’

‘I am fine, how are you?’

‘How do I look?’ Seema asked, smiling.

Vasant looked at her. She had become fairer and had put on some weight. Glamorous Seema was looking even more fashionable now! Her stylishly trimmed hair, perfectly manicured nails, and transparent chiffon sari enhanced her sophistication.

‘I am surprised to see you here,’ Vasant commented.

‘My sister is getting married and papa insisted that I must be here at least for a month. So here I am.’ She opened her bag and pulled out a wedding invitation.

‘What about your family?’ Vasant asked as he took the invitation from her.

‘Oh! My baby is not well—he’s six months old, and in spite of all our efforts, he’s been bitten by mosquitoes. My husband is looking after him. Vasant, don’t miss the wedding. You must come.’

‘If I am not on duty that day, I’ll definitely come. Where is the wedding?’

‘At the Taj. My sister’s in-laws are very rich and they insisted that the wedding had to be very grand. Even if you are on duty, please get out of it and come.’

‘I’ll try.’

‘Vasant, you haven’t changed a bit. You’re meeting a friend after three years. Won’t you even invite me home for tea?’

‘Sorry, Seema, I don’t have a home. If you want, I can take you to Lakshmi Bhavan, our favourite college-time haunt.’

Seema was horrified. ‘Come on Vasant, how can I eat there now? It is so dirty, and there are all sorts of infections floating around in Bombay!’

‘But you used to love eating there.’

‘It was different then.’

‘All right. I’ll take you to a good restaurant then.’

‘I am very busy with shopping and wedding preparations now. I’ll tell you when I’m free and you can take me then.’

‘Do you like living and working in the US?’

‘Oh Vasant, I make so much money there. Together, my husband and I are minting money. If a bright person like you were there, you could have earned so much. You are wasting your time in India.’

‘I don’t think so, Seema. You have not seen the real world here; it needs people like us. As in so many other matters, let’s agree to disagree.’

Seema laughed as they made their way to Vasant’s department. ‘By the way, when are you getting married?’

‘I have not found the right girl yet.’