Solitary Speaker

Her wedding day changed her life. The life she was accustomed to was lost forever as happens with all the brides across the world. But the change in her case was drastic. Exactly 24 hours after her wedding her mother-in-law had a heart attack and ended up paralyzed for life. Consequently the entire family and its matters now landed on her shoulders since her husband and her father-in-law entered a dazed zone for quite some time and the younger siblings of her husband were too young to handle the family. And she became the voice of the family. Life changes so…

A typical day of hers would be something like this.

“Good morning”

“Mm… good morning.”

“Wake up. You are going to be late for office.”

“Mmm”

“Wake up. It is already 7 o’clock. I have taken bath and prepared your food. Breakfast includes toast and omelets and lunch box contains phulkas and gobhi. Your hot water for bath is ready. Your mom is fine. I have already checked on her. Your dad has taken his medicines. Your sister is already off to school and your brother is still snoring in his sleep. I’ll wake him up after you. So be quick or he’ll be late.”

“Mmm… I am already sitting.”

“Good. Ritesh…. Ritesh…. Wake up… your bhaiya is already awake and your sister is in school. Your mom has taken her breakfast and dad his medicines. Now it is your turn. Wake up. You have to complete your assignment. Wake up.”

“Bhabhi, I am trying to find my books. But with your chatter and my sleep I have forgotten the name of the book.”

“Ok, ok… find your book but before that get fresh and have your milk. You must be in a fresh mind to study. Only then something will get into your brain and you’ll be able to answer in exam…………”

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“Here’s your breakfast. Today you have to go to the bank for the insurance claim. And you have to go shopping with your sister for her books. Do remember both of them.”

“Hmm…”

“I think Ma needs another check up and Baba too. He seems very frail. He doesn’t eat very well. Maybe he doesn’t like what I cook. But I am helpless. I don’t know any other cooking apart from these though I have started on cooking lessons. Hope Baba doesn’t get sick. I think we must consult the doctor.”

“I leave the matter to you. Do as you think is required.”

“Ok… and Baba was telling he too has to go the bank to withdraw money from his pensions account. Don’t you think we must get a net banking account activated for him?”

“I’m getting late. Bbye”

“Bye. Have a good day in office and don’t forget….”

“I’ll not. Bye.”

“Ritesh… your breakfast is ready….”

“Bhabhi… I am studying… I’ll take it later.”

“Baba, how are you feeling?”

“Ok… Can you read your Ma the article written by her favourite writer in that magazine?”

“Ma… this article is written by your favourite writer in this week’s magazine. Listen….”

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“Ritesh… you’ll get late. Its 10 minutes to 10 and your bus will be arriving. Have your breakfast. I was busy reading to Ma and forgot time. Come quick.”

 “Bhabhi, I’ll grab food in college. Bye.”

“Ritesh….”

“Bahu, give me some book to read and you finish your household work. Don’t think about that brat.”

“I’ll be more careful from tomorrow baba.”

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“Ma, have some lunch. Here I am holding the spoon and today you have bhindi for lunch. You know our neighbor is supposed to come to meet you today. She said last time… Ma, take your time with the morsel. Don’t eat quickly for my sake. Yes, she said last time that you were looking better. The doctor also said that you have gained colour. Did you know the doctor fancies the girl who was beside your bed most of the time in the hospital last time we went for check up? He told me himself. I think both will be good for each other and make a handsome couple…..”

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“You came back. That’s so good. How was the day?”

“Ok.”

“Did you go to the bank?”

“Hmm…”

“And I see you have bought Sniti’s books. Did you have a good day at school, Sniti?”

“Boring as usual”

“Your crush was still on leave today then?”

“Bhabhi!”

“Ok.. I am not saying anything. Come, get fresh and have some tea.”

“Sure, bhabhi.”

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“Mrs. Dutta called on us today. She was trying to sell me the membership to her club. I refused and she told I am being treated as a caged bird. Imagine her effrontery! She told so in front of Baba. I asked her not to think of me as such a weak creature and snubbed her. Baba might be thinking otherwise. Will you clear the thing with him when he says anything to you?”

“Are you sure that is not how you feel?”

“I am sure. I don’t feel like a caged bird. No, of course, not.”

“How do you feel like then?”

“I… I don’t know. I haven’t thought. I don’t have time to think such things. I am so busy from day till night. Now I am feeling sleepy. Can we sleep?”

“Good night.”

“Mmm.. Good night.”