“Piya, wake up, it’s time to school”, said Roopa as she tried waking her up. “Amma, why so early? The first period is boring, Math… I will go a little late. Please!!!!” Phaat!!! Before the next alarm could go, Piya felt a burning sensation on her skin. No, nothing hot fell on her, but it was her father’s hand. One tight slap on her thigh and Piya woke up sans any cajoling. Roopa trembled as she tried to control her tears.
“Piya, how many times have I told you to keep your room neat and tidy”, thundered Vinay. “Appa, I have kept it neat only. There is no trash lying around”. Even before she could finish her reply, her favourite fish bowl came shattering to the floor and her Goldie writhed to death. “Dare you retort to my questions. If I say it’s not neat, then so it is”.
“Amma, why does Appa do this to me? Doesn’t he love me? I feel so scared when he is around. Whether he is drunk or not, he hates me. Am I not his daughter”?
Wiping her tears yet sobbing, Roopa said, “It is time to tell you the truth. Your Appa wanted a son, thanks to your Paati, who kept telling him that he needs to have a son. He was disappointed when the nurse brought you to him. You were cute and looked like a bundle of pink cotton candy. Your Appa and Paati, didn’t even take a look at your cherubic face. He even tried throwing you to the floor. If the nurses weren’t alert…” Roopa’s voice faded and she wasn’t sure how to proceed. “Trust me, I love you more than anything else and I will do the maximum I can to protect you from his tyranny. Please just focus on your studies and I will ensure that you will live a better life”. Both mother and daughter hugged each other as they wept.
23rd August, Piya’s birthday. She was up early in the morning. After helping her mother in the kitchen, she got ready for college. “Piya, come back home soon. I am making your favourite kesari”. “Love you Amma, I will be back home soon”.
That evening proved to be fateful. Something happened which neither Piya nor her amma had expected. When Piya reached home, she found her Appa at home. “Unusual of him to be home this early”, thought Piya to herself as she danced her way to her amma and hugged ger from behind. Roopa wiped her teary eyes to return the embrace and said, “Listen Piya dear, you need to do as I say. I have packed your clothes and here is a ticket. You are an adult now. Go to your mama’s house and continue your studies from there. Don’t even think of coming back here, no matter what happens”. Teary eyed she boarded the train.
A drizzle kissed her cheeks and Piya woke up startled. It seemed like her whole life had played like a movie in front of her. Again she was in a train, but this time, the tracks led her to her hometown. The same place which her mother had banned her to step into.
Leaning against the window, she enjoyed the breeze as it caressed her. She felt rejuvenated when the slight drizzle kissed her. Piya, with a smile on her face, smartly dressed in the khaki uniform felt a sense of confidence and pride. She stepped down at the station. Things have changed, she thought to herself and walked towards the jeep that was waiting for her. The driver, constable Ravi, gave her a smart salute. “Welcome to our district SP madam”. “Your district huh? I was born here, it is my birthplace Ravi ji and you are welcoming me to my own house? How funny!! Let’s go now.
As they drove through, Piya’s eyes looked out for the familiar streets and houses. “Stop”. The jeep screeched in front of a house looked dilapidated. To the bewilderment of Ravi, Piya walked into the door as if it was her own house. She paused, looking at the garlanded photo of an old lady on the wall. A feeble voice echoed from the inside. “Who is there at the door”? Piya’s eyes glistened. “Amma, it’s me, your Piya”. Saying this Piya ran into the house. They hugged each other and the unsaid feelings of so many years were just said.
*First published on Penmancy for the Taleathlon event
*Image courtesy : Unsplash – Photo by davide ragusa on Unsplash