Story: The wood cutter

The Wood cutter

Long-long ago, there was a woodcutter. Circumstances forced him to opt for this profession otherwise he was a very good artist. He used to bring dried wood from the forests and sell them. In his free time he created art pieces from woods. Those art pieces fetch him handsome money .He was living a peaceful and happy life.

One day while he was wandering in the forest, in search of a dry tree, he saw a neon green flower on the bark of an Amaltas (Cassia Fistula), the Golden shower tree. When he went closer, the petals of the flower moved and he noticed that it was a butterfly stuck in the gum of the tree. It was trying hard to pull itself out of the gum but her efforts were not yielding any result. The woodcutter took out a sharp knife and scrubbed skillfully along the bark .In no time the gum was scrubbed off from the bark leaving the butterfly free.

The butterfly circled around him to express its gratitude. He bowed and grinned, “The pleasure is all mine.”

To his astonishment it replied in a human voice. “I am a magic butterfly. I have immense magical powers but I can’t use them for myself. Thank you for saving my life. You can ask any favor in return.”

But the woodcutter was a simple man. He was satisfied by his way of life so in spite of butterfly’s persuasion he refused to accept any favor from her. So it said, “On   your way back to home you will find a cotton field. In that field you will see seven cotton flowers emitting neon green light. Pluck them and run towards your house without looking back.”

Suddenly, a sparrow came flying towards the butterfly and forced it to hide in the canopy of leaves. The woodcutter spent his whole day working absent-mindedly thinking only about that magical butterfly who is so vulnerable.

On his way back to home it was dusk. He was surprised that he never noticed the cotton field outside the jungle. He was confused weather he should pluck those flowers or not. But when he saw them, they were too fascinating to have any second thought. He plucked the flowers and started running. But he could not resist the temptation to look back. The moment he looked back the whole field turned into a monster running fiercely after him and screaming loudly to get those flowers back. The flowers also started screaming. He got so scared that he ran for his life with flowers clenched in his fists and closed the doors and windows of his house, after entering into it. Baffled by the screaming of flowers, he put them in a bag and stitched its mouth as a pillow.

He could not sleep the whole night out of the fear that the monster might be knocking on the door. At the dawn he relaxed on the pillow of the bag and slept instantly. That morning he saw a very strange dream.

A beautiful maiden, Jwala was sitting on a swing and her friend, Maya was standing beside her. They both were talking about her Swyamvar (a contest for finding right groom).

“Its not tricky, it’s about intelligence.” Maya said.

“I don’t think I can ever get a groom.” Jwala sighed.

“Don’t loose heart your father had arranged this Swyamvar for you, with great expectations.” Maya comforted her.

Just then he woke up. He was sitting on the bed thinking about the strange dream and the unbelievable events of yesterday. His heart was doing somersaults at the thought of the beautiful princess, Jwala. Suddenly, the neon- green butterfly came to him. He was shocked to see it because he had closed all the doors and windows last night.

“Surprise! I  can do miracles for others, but only for others not for myself.”  It reminded him.

“I don’t need any miracle. I love my plain life. The last night’s adventure of plucking flowers was too much for me. It’s a wonder that I am still alive.” He said.

“That was a simple thing but you broke the rule.” It said unabashed.

“Don’t tell me that the strange dream I saw has any thing to do with your miracles.” He said.

“Of course, yes. These maidens will add some colors to your plain life. Jwala is the princess of neighboring state, Jyotinagar. But she is quite worried about her Swyamvar because condition of the Swyamvar is that she will marry the man who will treat her. She is suffering from a rare disease, self-combustion in which she develops strange burns on her body without any fire around her.” It said.

“Her problem is genuine. I really sympathize with her but I am not a doctor. The question, that how can I help her stares squarely in my face.” He said.

“You are an honest man with good heart. You can solve her problem.” She said and disappeared.

That day he neither went to jungle nor created any art- piece. He went to the market. There he met the local doctor. He asked him if he knows anything to cure self- combustion. The old doctor said, “I don’t need to know because I don’t want to marry the pretty princess Jwala. But I can tell you the reason. Her intestinal conversion of food into methane by methanogens, which when released through the pores of her skin, catches fire when triggered by her silk clothes generating static electricity.”

“Don’t you think it’s a bit technical for laymen?” wood cutter asked.

The old doctor took a dig at him, “You seem too desperate to marry the princess. Just tell her to eat a lot of fiber food. Don’t wear silk. Take some nectar from the flowers of Amaltas.”  

Satisfied with the answer, he sold his wood and show-pieces at a good price and came home happily. That night he slept on the same pillow hoping to dream about Jwala. He thought that a little knowledge about self combustion did not entitle a poor wood cutter to marry a princess. Thinking on the same lines he drifted into dreams.

Jwala was roaming in the garden with Maya

“Don’t you think you are too optimistic about the Swyamvar? My father has been trying to fight out this problem since I was a little girl. All the prestigious doctors

failed. You think some miracle will happen this time.” Jwala asked.

“Yes, I talked about you with my friend Sukarma, the fabled neon green butterfly. The legend says that it is our good deeds that destined us to be Sukarma’s friend. It will tell your problem to its other friends and together we will solve your problem and find a groom for you.” Maya explained.

Jwala hugged and thanked her for  being such a nice soul.

That morning the woodcutter woke up to a light knock on his door. That was the village weaver. He wanted the woodcutter’s help. To repair his loom as the only carpenter of the village was out and every one in the town was aware of his artistic skills. It took him just one hit of the hammer on the nail and the loom was fixed. The weaver became very happy and asked, “How can I repay you, Sohum?”

“There is no need of any formality. It was just one hammer on the nail.” The wood cutter asserted humbly.

“But only you know where to hit the hammer.” The weaver persisted.

“Some day I will weave a magnificent piece of cloth for you.” He promised.

When he returned home he found Sukarma waiting for him.

“Only a few days have left for the Swyamvar. What have you thought?” It said.

“What can I think I am a simple wood cutter? I am neither a doctor nor some educated and sophisticated prince. I don’t fit into the shoe of  the groom of a princess. She deserve someone best.” He said.

“May be you don’t have so many worldly possessions but you have a heart of gold that is always desperate to help others. You are the only one who can win this Swyamvar.”  It said.

Those words encouraged him. He had fallen in love with the princess, the instant he saw her in his dreams. The Swyamvar could be considered as the last straw on camels’ back. And he could not afford to miss it.

He again went to the village doctor and asked him questions about self- combustion with a curiosity that only a child had. The doctor gave him a few books that were available on the subject and wished him good luck.

He spent the whole day reading those books and drifted into sleep the moment he put his head on the pillow.

He saw huge bunches of Amaltas flowers. He also saw Sukarma, carrying the nectar of those flowers. A drop of that nectar dropped into princess Jwala’s water. The moment she drank it, she got an instant relief from her burns. She danced with joy and her joy filled the whole kingdom with prosperity.

Next morning he started preparing for the Swyamvar with full force. When Sukarma came to him, he asked about the nectar of Amaltas.

“Yes, we collect the nectar of these flowers. It is our staple diet. Although these flowers are seasonal but we preserve huge barrels of nectar for our food.” It said.

“Can you provide me some nectar?” he asked hesitating.

In answer Sukarma flapped its wings twice and the barrel of nectar was there.

“Anything more you want from me.” It asked to an amazed wood cutter.

“I also wanted to present a dress to the princess but…” he sighed.

“Oh! Don’t loose hope. Take this pillow to your weaver friend. He will make the most beautiful sari out of it.” It suggested.

He went to the weaver and asked him to make a sari for him. They both were surprised to see the rolls of soft off-white and golden yarn in the (bag) pillow. But the weaver was more surprised to know that the simple woodcutter of his village was going for the Swyamvar of the princess.

The news spread like fire in the jungle. Soon every one poured into his house with some advice or some gift because he was friend of every one in the village. His simplicity and goodness was cherished by all.

Then the day of Swyamvar came. He left the village with a barrel of nectar, a very beautiful sari and lots of good wishes. He was taken aback by the grandeur of the Swyamvar. His hesitation grew stronger as he thought that a princess deserves greener pastures not his little cottage. But Sukarma rubbed off his thoughts.

“Princess Jwala deserves a loving husband not some prince who is greedy of power and position.” It said to encourage him.   

It was a morale booster. In the Swyamvar, every candidate made huge claims about his remedy for self combustion but Jwala and Maya knew that they were fake as those remedies had been applied earlier by them. The wood cutter stood out of the rest not because of his simplicity but because of his remedy. He gifted the Princess a sari to wear. The moment he told the princess that there is no need to wash it as it will not catch dust or stains. Maya recognized him that he was the one whom Sukarma had sent. She pointed towards him to tell Jwala that he is the right person. Then he said, “Mix a spoonful of nectar whenever you drink water.”

After the gifts session was over. The king announced that all the candidates would be his guests for 15 days. His aim was to observe the candidates closely. He wanted a groom with humanity and compassion. His daughter was different from other princesses. Her disease had made her introvert and sensitive so a different groom was required for her.

The fifteen days flew quickly amid the celebrations of the   Swyamvar. Now  came the day when Jwala had to choose her groom amongst the candidates. She was looking like a fairy in the off white sari with golden border. Her ornaments were made from the yellow flowers of Amaltas, instead of gold. The result of the remedy she had applied was evident form the glow of her skin. Her beauty made even the most handsome prince skip his heart- beat. She was holding a traditional rose garland in her hands. She came near the candidates and made her choice. Her choice shocked all except, Maya and the King. Yes, it was the poor wood cutter, whom she garlanded.

The King arranged for a high profile wedding and insisted the wood cutter to live with them. But both Jwala and he refused his proposal and went to his village after taking the blessings from the King. Maya also bade her friend a tearful farewell.

 The villagers greeted them with a warm welcome.

Sukarma had decorated his house with Amaltas flowers. Jwala danced with joy as she had never seen such a beautiful house. Sukarma smiled as it was an omen of prosperity for the whole village.

She bade farewell to the newly wed and grinned, ”Do not try to cure any disease by reading books as a single misprint will leave your patient dead.”

Every villager grew an Amaltas tree for Jwala. The village became very prosperous. Jwala and the wood cutter lived happily ever after.

Q-What was the name of the wood cutter?

Keep it simple...silly!

Keep it simple…silly!

Every doctor and staff of the Emergency of the Rukma Devi Meghraj Hospital, Jaipur was sleepy. It was 11.30 pm. In this not so small city  people still believed in no night life. Disturbing their peace a policeman entered with a couple, dressed in formal party wear. The man was dressed in an expensive black evening suit and the woman was clad in a designer midnight blue saree with blue sequins scattered all over it. Her sapphire jewellery was the cherry on the cake. Even in this city that is famous for its jewels and tourist destinations such extravagant dressing sense was rare.

“Where is your Medical Officer? “The policeman asked in a shrill voice. The frustration of performing his duty in these hours of night was evident from his tone.

“What happened?” asked Mohan ji, a senior male nurse at the Emergency ward.

“These rich spoilt…”

The policeman was cut in between by a young P.G. student, Sapna. Cascading hair, watery eyes and an innocent smile, she was just looking like a cute girl next door. It was hard for the policeman to believe that she was a doctor. He stared at her to believe his eyes. Reading the suspicion in his eyes Sapna said, “I am the Medical Officer in charge. I will give the certificate.” Then she addressed Mohan ji giving him a form of Certificate of Drunkenness, “Mohan uncle, get this form filled.”

After giving  the form to him she went to bring Breathe Analyzer machine.

“Name?” asked Mohan ji.

“Pratham Meghraj”. The man said. The authority in his voice made it clear that he belonged to some elite family of the city. His voice had all the qualities of an eloquent speaker. That made him fit for a job that required a lot of public speaking.

“Jawaibabu (son in law)!” Mohan ji shouted in such a loud manner that the Emergency ward transformed into an epitome of  the city that never sleeps. A shocked Sapna turned to look into the most handsome eyes of the world. The eyes of her husband who jilted her, only a day after their wedding. She never thought in the last six years that she would meet him again. She had thought that the cruel chapter of her destiny had been closed. The entire Emergency ward swirled around her. She had to hold a corner of  her table to regain her composure.

The other two doctors  on duty, who were her class mates jumped in excitement. There was an obvious curiosity in all her classmates about her husband. They used to mull over the subject that who would be that stone hearted billionaire that jilted such a beautiful and good natured wife just a day after their marriage, what must be the cause of the conflict, was that a love or an arranged marriage? The questions were many but no one ever got the guts to ask the answers because Sapna had   always guarded her privacy with huge effort.

“Sapna Meghraj! He is your husband Pratham Meghraj.” They declared as if Sapna was having any confusion. With a forced smile she nodded and they both went to shake hands with him. This was the first time she saw him that night. He had become more handsome in the last six years. His boyish charm had been replaced by the manly confidence, although the stress of the night had taken its toll. His expensive black suit was crushed and his tie was loose. The dark circles around his eyes were telling the story of few sleepless nights. But then also, he was Pratham Meghraj, the trustee of the hospital. His usual confidence was there in his body language.  The girl whom he was playing escort was clinging to him just as a creeper to a pillar for support. Sapna required no blood test or analyzer machine to ascertain that  she was drunk. She was extremely beautiful. With her half open eyes and half smile she was lost in her own world. A sharp knife of jealousy stabbed Sapna’s heart.  But as far as Pratham was concerned he was watching Sapna with an intense look as if he was reading her mind.

“Sapna! Come here.” Anirudh asked her to come forward and meet Pratham.  Then he and Ketan (the two doctors) withdrew themselves, excusing for the blood test. His stare was so disturbing that to break it Sapna broke the silence and said a polite “Hello.”

“Hello doctor.”  He smiled a warm smile and walked away for the test. As long as they were there Sapna felt that everyone was observing her, even the policeman, as if it was she who was drinking and driving. The policeman was surprised that the thin doctor, the cute girl next door in Khadi Kurta (shirt) and patiyala salwar (lowers) is Mrs. Meghraj, the daughter in law of the one of the most successful and prestigious business houses of the city.

After a few hours of ordeal, when Sapna finally came out of the hospital to go home, she found Pratham standing with his creeper all around him, shaking hands with the policeman.  A big  black car was also there. That reminded her of Pratham’s red open jeep.  “People change their vehicles too change as the time pass.” She thought.
The case was resolved.

“Could I drop you somewhere.” Pratham asked.

“You had already dropped me. ”She thought but could not utter those harsh words. Although it suited best to her situation but the line was too filmy.

“No, I have an Activa (scooter).” She said pointing towards her two wheeler.

They both went to their separate ways, in their separate vehicles, for their separate destinations thinking about each other, their love, their joy and their shattered dreams.

Sapna made some futile attempt to get some sleep in her room. But her heart was walking down the memory lane six years back.

Her Baba (father) was a male nurse at RDMH. That’s why she got acquainted with Mummy ji, doctor Kamal Sadana’s wife. Mummy ji insisted Baba to drop her at their   house after school. Baba also thought it was a good idea as their house was a huge plot with  a small structure at the center. The boundary was covered with lots of mango and jamun trees. That was much like a small cottage in a farmhouse. But it was out of the reach of the neighbors. The area was fast developing into a posh locality, thanks to the boost in the real estate in the city. Those posh neighbors neither had time not the inclination to maintain any relationship with a middle class nurse. She was a teenage girl then. Always busy with school, tuitions, friends and confusion about career.

When first time Sapna met Mummy ji, she told her don’t call me Aunty, call me Mummy ji. She showered her   unconditional love to that motherless girl and at the same time fulfilled her desire to have a daughter. Their son Mehul da became a good friend of Sapna. Their home became her second home.  She used to spend a lot of time with Mummy ji, helping her in cooking, gardening and other household tasks. Mummy ji was a very simple and loving lady. She was proud of Dr.Sadana’s dedication towards his profession. She wanted Mehul da to become a doctor and continue the legacy but he opted for management. He completed his Masters degree from IIM, Ahmadabad and started a consultancy at Jaipur. Although he had a promising career ahead but Mummy ji’s dream remained unfulfilled. Her inclination towards the profession of doctor made Sapna sincere about her career. She decided to take Pre Medical Tests (PMT) with full dedication and become a doctor like Dr. Sadana. Her decision got full support from Sadana family and her Baba. Mummy ji left no stone unturned to gather the information about best coaching centers for PMT in the city and got her admitted to the best coaching center of Jaipur.

Those were the days when she first met Pratham at Mummy ji’s house. His red jeep was a subject of fancy for Mummy ji and her. He was Mehul da’s classmate at IIM, Ahmadabad and as both of them were from same city they became friends. But Mummy ji always cautioned Sapna to stay away from him as he was rich, famous and handsome. That was her biggest mistake. That caution increased Sapna’s curiosity and drew her towards Pratham. One day, when Sapna was going for her PMT coaching, Pratham offered her a lift. Turning a blind eye towards the warning bells that rang in her ears she accepted the offer. That journey took her to the journey of love. Soon that became a routine for both of them. Her friends used to tease Sapna about her billionaire boy friend and some tried to intimidate her citing her friendship to Pratham as a possible reason for her failure in PMT. But no fear had the strength to stop her. Her friendship with Pratham was her motivation to study too hard and become a perfect match for him.

There, at the Meghraj Mansion, Pratham was also lost in his thoughts.

 Even the circumstances were playing villain in his love story. In the last six years he had desperately waited for the day to meet Sapna. But he met her today in such an odd circumstance. The first thing he wanted to do when he landed to this city was to meet her. But either due to jetlag or some hesitation he could not do so. In the evening, when he got ready to meet her, Mom announced that they were going to Sona’s engagement.

Sona was like a kid sister to him. She was the daughter of his Mom’s best friend. She was getting engaged to her sweetheart after much chaos. But Pratham’s support to her had made the miracle happen, finally she was getting married. Although both the families were ready for the wedding but there was a slight tension due to their different backgrounds and culture. The bride was Rajasthani and the groom was Punjabi . So Sona needed Pratham for a moral support. Party was in full swing. The glamour and the grandeur could not hold his attention and he tried to sneak out of the party many times. But he did not get the chance without getting noticed because after Sona, he was the center of attraction due to his complex marital status. By the end of the party, Sona drank so much to celebrate that her fiancée asked Pratham to drop her home. While driving when he looked at his watch to see if there was time to meet Sapna. He absentmindedly crossed the red light and the policeman caught him. Sona’s drunken state added to his woe and the policeman took him to the hospital for drunkenness test. Their own hospital, where Sapna was pursuing post graduation. Destiny granted his wish to meet her but in its own ruthless way. Sapna didn’t even bother to talk to him. She was behaving like a stranger.

At the hospital, Mohan ji was also lost in his thoughts.

Sapna’s Baba was his best friend. It had been a tough time for him to bring up a five year old girl single handedly. The untimely demise of his wife was a big jolt to him. But little Sapna’s innocence, brought him back to life. They become support for each other. Soon his only aim of life became Sapna’s happiness. He was aware of Sapna’s soft feelings towards Pratham. When one day, Mrs. Meghraj came to him with an offer to buy his house, he did the greatest mistake of his life. He proposed to give that plot in dowry to Sapna, if she and Pratham got married.

“You are also thinking about Mr. Meghraj.” Ketan teased Anirudh.

“What an idiot he is! Leaving Sapna he is dating some other girl.” Anirudh said.

“You should be glad about that. Everyone knows since how long you are hoping that Sapna will walk out of her marriage….. towards you.” Ketan said.

They both laughed and the night passed.

The alarm bell rang and pulled Sapna back to the present. She got dressed and went for the jogging with Papa ji. Dr. Sadana became Papa ji after Baba’s demise.

“You are very quiet today.” Papa ji observed. She just smiled; her introvert nature had never let anyone invade her privacy. So Papa ji also remained silent. When they reached home she stumbled upon the same old red jeep. Pratham was there. He was with Mehul da. Mummy ji gave her two mugs of coffee.

“He is back. Go and meet him.” She said.

“Yes I know he is back. I met him last night at the hospital.” Sapna replied.

That shocked Mummy ji and Papa ji got his answer. She went to Mehul da’s room with coffee mugs. Mehul da picked his coffee and said “I need some more sugar” and left the room with that excuse. They were alone in the room like the early days but the difference was that earlier they had many things to talk about, now they didn’t know from where to start.

“We need to talk” Pratham said.

“Yes, tell me.” She replied.

“Not here, I will pick you up tomorrow evening.” He said.

“But I have emergency duty….”

She was interrupted by Mummy ji, who was probably peeping through the curtains, listening the conversation. She could not let her deny Pratham’s proposal. Deep in her heart she had nourished a feeling that they are made for each other and would unite once they became independent.  Now after a long gap of six years the moment had come.

“Duty Duty Duty.. She is damn serious about her duty. I will ask for your leave if you can’t.” Mummy ji said and offered some biscuits to Pratham.

“She will be ready by 5 tomorrow evening.” Mummy ji declared.

He nodded towards the ladies and left.

Today was Sona’s Sangeet and the onus to handle Sona’s whims lied on him. His presentation on the suitability of Vegetation and Surroundings was   also due. There were a lot of tasks ahead. When he reached home Mom was having her breakfast.

“Come, join me.” She said.

He was not in a mood to talk but his Mom was his world. He had never blamed his Mom instead he blamed his destiny for his broken marriage.

“You went to her. How was her response?” she asked.

“Cold”. He sighed.

“Think once more. It is very hard to forgive. Especially when the loss cannot be compensated.” She said overburdened with guilt. Her intention was not to dishearten him but to make him aware that he had to deal this matter with great care. Six years ago he choose to be on his Mom’s side not because he believed that she was right but because he knew that his Mom’s anger would subside in very short time. But now Sapna had a very strong reason to be angry.

But Pratham was confident that luck would favor him this time. If he could forgive his mother, then Sapna could also do the same. What she did was out of anger and rage but nothing more than that. He could not think on the same lines as he got an urgent call from Sona. So he went to deliver a live presentation on Skype. When he came out of his room Sona was waiting   for him.

“I have been waiting since an hour. What were you doing?” she said.

“I was doing some work.” He smiled.

“What do you do?”She asked.

“I tell people the importance of the right vegetation at the right place. For example we all know that Uttrakhand tragedy happened due to lots of rain, over flowing rivers, unplanned constructions in the name of development but there is one major point we all miss. Earlier the mountains of Uttrakhand were covered with Oak trees. The leaves of the Oak trees make the black soil in due course of time which very well for undergrowth and thus preventing soil erosion. But now these forests have been replaced by Pine forests which are useful for us but cannot stop soil erosion. Understood. This is my job” He said.

“Had you come to India early we could have saved Uttrakhand.I am thinking to cut a few dishes from the menu of main course and donate the money saved to Uttrakhand victims.” Sona smiled.

Nature offers solutions for many problems but solution for Sona’s problem of   a last minute SHOPPING was in Jaipur’s pink colored marked.

“Are you crazy? In this era of e- shopping you want me to accompany you for shopping.” He shouted as shopping was his greatest nightmare.

But Sona’s emotional blackmail dragged him to the Zohri bazaar, the most happening market of the city. Pratham was cursing the day he played cupid for Sona and her sweetheart.

This city offers a market culture where shopkeepers invite the buyers into their shops saying. “Please come, just have a look.” It was full of activity and color. Soon Pratham came out of his bad mood and began to enjoy Sona’s last minute shopping spree. Suddenly, he saw Sapna and Mummy ji moving out of a Saree store. They also saw him holding the shopping bags and enjoying the company of Sona.

As they move towards their car Mummy ji asked, “Who is that girl?”

“I don’t know. But I have seen her She was with him that night when the policeman caught them. They all came to the hospital for    certificate of drunkenness.” she said.

“Had he started dating her?” Mummy ji was getting desperate to know more.

“How would I know? It’s good if he is moving ahead in life. It’s the time    we should take some bolt step.” she said.

Pratham who had come to meet them, was just behind her at that time. He wanted to invite them to Sona’s wedding. But Sapna’s attitude of moving ahead in life gave him some negative response. So he slowed down his pace and let them walk towards their car. After that he could not concentrate on Sona and asked her to make it fast. As the hours passed and he dwelled more on Sapna’s response he got sure that there was minimal chance she loved her. She must have got a new man, that’s why she wanted to move ahead in life.

That day he engaged in a brawl with a motorcyclist for just causing a mere scratch, scolded the poor  watchman for opening the gate after three horns and found a lots of fault in the food at lunch time. Sona was surprised to see such a behavior as this was not the usually composed and sober Pratham. But she was too excited about her Sangeet (dance ceremony before the wedding) to pay much attention to anything else.

Sona’s Sangeet was based on rajasthani theme. She was looking like a fairy dancing in the clouds. The colorful ambience and the vibrant rajasthani costumes added to the mood of the party. Pratham noticed that he was also the center of attraction in his Jodhpuri. Many mothers introduced their charming girl to him.  But none could provoke  the desire to move ahead in him. His desire was to move back to the moment when he and Sapna were lovers. He was lost in his thoughts when Anirudh called him.

“Hi! Mr. Meghraj, enjoying the party?” he said.

“Of course, Dr. Anirudh. You were with Sapna that day.” Pratham replied.

The mention of Sapna’s name brought a pink glow on his face. Pratham was enough sharp to notice it. Then Anirudh made his feeling clear about Sapna’s future course of action during their conversation. His comments gave a hint to Pratham that he could be the man with whom Sapna wanted to move ahead in life. He made   some excuse and left early from the party.

He went to bed cocooned by the memory of his wedding.

Jaipur was a small city and it didn’t take long for everyone to know that he and Sapna were dating. Everyone was surprised. He was rich, arrogant and handsome. She was middle class, down to earth and beautiful. But opposite attracts and the bond between them got stronger and stronger as the time passed.

One day, when Mom told him about Sapna’s father’s proposal, it was like a dream come true. A marriage proposal from Sapna’s father was a pleasant surprise. He knew that his Mom loved him more than anything in this world as he was an only child and the best thing she had ever got from a devastated marriage. He had never seen his father nor he was interested to know about the whereabouts of that person. But her approval and hurry for the marriage seemed strange to him. The date was fixed. Sapna was very happy. Others were shocked. But no one knew the secret agreement between her Baba and his Mom. But that came into light when Sapna was sent back home only a day after the      grand marriage.

“Your father is a cheat, a liar. The plot on which you are living is not yours. Then also he promised to give that plot in    dowry. Go back to him and tell him, we don’t have any place for cheats at our house.” His Mom’s harsh words were loud and clear in his ears.

He just kept watching her helpless. His attitude, confidence, arrogance.. Nothing was there. Only his tearful eyes conveyed her “I will fix it up, just have some patience.” The extent of humiliation was same for both of them. Their parents had humiliated them who loved them the most in the world.

That fateful day when she returned home and told her Baba what had happened, he got a heart attack, the killer one. Sapna was left alone. Everyone came to sympathize. Pratham and his Mom also went there but overburdened with guilt they could not ask her to come back.  They thought only time could heal such wounds so Pratham went to USA for further specialization.

During that time of distress Mummy ji stayed with Sapna like a shadow. She took her to her home and said, “Don’t let one relationship take your everything and leave your soul void.”

She cleared the PMT with flying colors and got admission in Jaipur Medical Collage. Then she cleared the Pre PG and became a student of RDMH. It was Pratham who bore her expenses but neither had she initiated any communication nor he dared to talk to her. Their single parents were the emotional burden to their relationship.                                                                                                                                             

That morning brought a busy day for Mummy ji. She kept herself and Sapna busy in the preparations for the evening. She took her to a Spa - Saloon and did her complete makeover. Finally, many hours later when they emerged out of the Saloon , Mehul da’s expressions with an open mouth told Mummy ji that  she had achieved what she had wanted.

Later when Pratham came to pick her up he was shocked to see her ready for a high profile party instead to her usual sober and casual appearance.

“What happened you don’t find her good?” Mummy ji asked seeing him shocked.

“No she is always good.” He said with a smile.

Pratham was only thinking about the venue of their date. That attire was fully in appropriate for the Kapoor Chand Kulish Smriti Van, an artificial forest created by the department within the city. There was greenery all over due to rainy season. The chirping of birds made it more romantic. But then also he took her there only to find that it had been closed as the timings were only till 5 in the evening.

“Oh Sapna! I am so sorry.” He apologized.

But his apology added fuel to the fire of Sapna’s anger. She came out of the car and said, “ Why should you be sorry now, when you  were not sorry when your Mom kicked me out of her house, you  were not sorry when you jilted me just after our marriage for no fault of mine, you were…”

“Ahh…” a sharp scream cut her in between and she turned and saw Pratham’s pale face filled with pain. Perspiring profusely he could barely utter “snake”. A snake had bite Pratham through his sandals. It was common in the rainy season in such greenery. But it was not the time to blame him for the venue or his previous mistakes. She ran towards him and quickly tied a hanky around her ankle.

Then she asked him, “Calm down, everything will be all right you are with a doctor. Don’t worry. Within 10 minutes we will be at the hospital.”

But Pratham hold her hand and said, “Please don’t leave me otherwise I will die.”

“I will never let my love   die.” she said. 

These words brought immense relief to Pratham and he did exactly what he was told.  She had already ranged at the Emergency for the anti venom injection and everything was under control within an hour. Everyone in the ward knew that her reason for the leave was not the headache but heartache.

When Pratham’s Mom came there Sapna started to move out. But she stopped her.

“How is he?” she asked.

“He is out of danger now.” Sapna said.

She started narrating the whole incident of the snake bite and the medications but his Mom cut her in between.

“Keep it simple silly. You still love him. If you can love him, you can definitely forgive me. Please forgive me. I was mad in anger. But I am ashamed of it.” She said and gave her a tight hug. The tears from their eyes washed the malice in their heart.

Everyone at the ward was smiling on this happy ending and Pratham smiled too as from the very beginning of the outing he knew that his venue and timings for the outing were perfect.

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Story: The Witch Woo Woo

Once there were three brothers. One season, they did not have any rain so their crops failed. They decided to move outside the village in search of a job.

 When they were leaving, their mother said, “Be careful and keep me informed about your well being.”They nodded and went away. They walked for many days, crossed many mountains, rivers and dense forests. Then they reached a beautiful place. There they got the job under a contractor and a little hut to live in. There was a small goat in the hut.

One day, the brothers thought that they should send a message of their well being to their mother. But when the younger brother went out of the house to send the message, the goat gulped him up. It was a witch in a goat’s guise. When he didn’t returned for long time the other brothers became worried. The second brother came out of the hut and the goat gulped him too.

But this time the elder brother saw this. He got so afraid that he ran out of the house and climbed a nearby tree. The witch saw him. She changed into an extremely beautiful maiden and started circling around the tree. At the same time the King happened to pass through that place.

He said, “You fool, just come down. Can’t you see such a beautiful maiden is urging you to get down of this tree?”

The elder brother said, “Your majesty, I don’t want this beautiful maiden. If you want her you can take her along.”

The King liked the idea and took the witch along. The King had a very kind Queen and a son in the palace. The witch started living with them. After some days she started carving for flesh and blood. But there were guards all over the palace. It was very difficult for her to eat someone without being caught. But there were only one or two guards around the King’s cattle. To quench the thirst of flesh and blood, she started eating cattle and to avoid any suspicion, she but some blood and bones in the bed of the Queen.

After a few days, when the guards told the King about decreasing number of cattle and the servants told him about the bones and blood in the Queen’s bed. The King put two and two together and came to the wrong conclusion.  He sent the Queen to the forest as a punishment. When she reached the forest the witch made her blind by her magic. It made her more vulnerable to the dangers of forest. She started living in a dry well to survive.  The King was too charmed by the witch’s beauty to see the Queen’s plight.

There in the palace, King’s  son was the only hurdle in the witch’s way to become a Queen. One day she told the King, “I am missing my mother. Please send your son to her. She will be very happy. It will be a change for him also. The King called his son and asked him to go to the witch’s mother. When he was about to leave the witch gave him a sealed envelope and said, “Give it to my mother. She will give you whatever you want.”

This made him happy and he set off for the magic village, where witch’s mother lived. He rode the whole day. At night he came across an inn. The inn’s caretaker was a kind man. He made the boy comfortable and asked him the purpose of his journey to the magic village.

The boy said, “I am going to meet my step grand-maa. My step mother wants me to deliver a letter to her”. His innocence made the caretaker more suspicious. When the boy was asleep he opened the envelope and read-

“This is your step grandson.

Kill him.”

He took a pen and an eraser and did a few corrections. In the morning, the boy continued his journey. Magic village was a pleasant surprise for him. There was a huge gate at the entrance of the village. A witch was sitting at the gate. She asked, “Oh! Tasty boy, whom do you want to meet” and licked her lips. The boy told her his step grandmother’s name and address. She gave him a carpet and asked him to fly on it. As the boy got on the carpet, it flew away inside the village. The village was as colorful and happening as a carnival. The carpet landed near a shop full of magical items. It was  his step grandmothers shop. When she came out, the boy gave her the envelope. She opened and read-

“ He is your grandson.

Give him whatever he wants.”

The old witch became very happy and gave him some delicious food to eat. Then she said, “Take whatever you like from my shop.”

The boy asked for a carpet, just like one he came on the village. Then he saw a little box of kazal .

He asked ´ “Grandmaa, what is this?”

“It’s a magical eye liner, it enables even blind to see.” she replied.

“Can I take this.” The boy asked.

“Sure, my love.”The old witch replied gladly.

Then the boy saw a big, fat rod. When he asked about it, the old witch said, “It is used to hit your enemy. Just you have to say, “Hit rod hit”.

The boy took the rod too. The boy waved good bye to the old witch and came back on the carpet.

On his way back he went to the forest where his mother was spending her days of exile in a dry well. He applied the  kazal  (eye-liner) in her eyes and she started seeing again. Then he went to the palace. The witch was shocked to see him alive. The King was very happy. He asked , “ What your grandma  sent for your new mother.

 The boy took out the rod and said, “This”.“Hit rod hit” were his next words.

Suddenly, the rod started hitting the witch. She shouted for help but no one came forward to help her. The boy said, “First confess all your sins, then only it will stop.” She confessed to the king that she is a witch and ate his animals. The queen is innocent.” The King became furious. He sent the witch to jail.

He then sent his men to bring back the queen but she refused to came back as she was annoyed with the King. Then the King  came with a huge procession to the dry well. He knelt down on his knees and said sorry to the Queen  and brought her back. Then they lived happily ever after.