Vishnu was sleeping on the berth seat in the general bogie of the train.
When the train stopped and started returning, suddenly his eyes fell on his divorced wife Varsha. Don’t know when she came and sat on the seat in front of him. He was seeing her after 6 years. She had become very weak. She was wearing an old cheap saree.
There was neither a bindi on the forehead nor a mangalsutra around the neck. So, hasn’t he married again yet? Is she still alone like me? Vishnu
While he was thinking this, Varsha’s eyes fell on him. When their eyes met, Vishnu started looking in the other direction. Then I don’t know what came to Vishnu’s mind that he came down from the seat and asked the boy sitting near Varsha to go upstairs.
Go to the right seat. The boy agreed then Vishnu sat near Varsha. As soon as he sat down, Vishnu said, “Varsha.”
How are you?”
Without making eye contact, Varsha looked towards the window and said, “I am fine and you?”
Vishnu said, I am also fine and am going to Kanpur. Due to festival, reservation seat was not available. For this reason I had to come in the general bogie. where are you going?
She said, I am also going to Kanpur. Nowadays mother is with elder brother only. I am unwell so I am going to meet you.
Both remained silent for a long time.
Then Vishnu said, “Can I ask you something?”
Varsha asked with her eyes only?
Vishnu hesitated and asked, “Why are you not married yet?”
of?
She didn’t say anything.
But when Vishnu did not ask again, Varsha asked “
“You got married.”
Vishnu also shook his head no without speaking.
As if they were testing each other.
The kulfi seller had come in the compartment.
Vishnu said will you eat? Varsha shook her head no.
Vishnu requested again and asked, “Eat friend, I will also eat with you.”
I know your biggest weakness is Kulfi. When she smiled a little, Vishnu felt
She was trying to control the tears flowing from her eyes. lived with him for 5 years
when she tried to control her tears
So she used to smile like this. When Vishnu started looking in the other direction, Varsha started wiping her tears secretly.
“I will eat on one condition.”
Vishnu said what is the condition?
So Varsha said, “I will give you the money.”
Vishnu did not say anything then Varsha bought two kulfis.
And while giving a Kulfi to Vishnu, she said, “Now I have also started earning, I teach in a private school, I get Rs. 10 thousand per month.” While eating Kulfi, Vishnu said, “At the time of divorce.”
I was giving you Rs 30 lakh on the orders of the court.
If she had taken it, she would have opened her own school. While you are very self-respecting, in this age nothing happens without money.
She laughed and said, if she had taken it, what answer would she have given to her conscience? So this conscience says every day that you are living with the support of the one whom you have left behind.
Vishnu said, you are very nice, innocent. I realized this after getting divorced from you. You won’t believe it? I have changed a lot. I have completely stopped drinking and don’t get angry at all. Now I don’t even try to humiliate anyone, which you used to feel very bad.
One would have been one year old and the other would have been six years old. Saying this she started crying.
When Vishnu came to know about the children, tears welled up in his eyes but he was a man so he drank the tears before they could reach his very bad person. I never valued relationships. Today I am facing the same punishment, now even my mother is no more.
Varsha felt very sad at the death of her mother and said that she had left her well and well, what had happened to her. This time Vishnu could not control his tears due to emotion.
And said that she used to miss you every day, used to say bring your daughter-in-law back home. How could I explain to them that daughters-in-law do not return home after divorce? Then there was silence between the two. Had come to Kanpur.
Was about to arrive at the station. Vishnu said when will you go back?
Varsha said, I will stay here tonight, I will return by tomorrow morning train. Then she stood up, Vishnu also stood up and asked, “What time will you go back by train?”
Varsha said, we are poor people, we do not know how to make reservation, we travel in general compartment. Therefore, whatever train is available, we board it with a ticket. Saying this she got down.
Vishnu, carrying his suitcase, ran after her and said, “If I take two reservation tickets, I know that you will not come with me, but I want to travel with you.” I will go in general only, tell me what time
Will you meet here?
Sitting in the auto, Varsha said, “I will meet you here at 9 o’clock.” Then as soon as she saw it, the auto disappeared from sight.
Vishnu had come to Kanpur for two days but he changed his schedule to be with Varsha. He quickly completed his business work and reached the station at 8.30 am the next day. Varsha reached the station at 10 instead of 9. And she said, you are still here, I was thinking that you would have gone.
Varsha was very happy. Said mother, everything is fine now.
Vishnu said, I have brought your ticket also. Now don’t say anything about a ticket of Rs 30. Varsha laughingly said, there is still half an hour for the train to arrive, let’s eat kulfi till then. I will give the money, the account will be settled. Saying this she smiled again.
Whenever she smiled, Vishnu’s eyes used to stop on her face. Then both of them ate Kulfi and by then the train arrived and again a new journey.
It has started but there was something special in this journey. Vishnu was hesitant to say something but was also afraid that she would refuse. Vishnu was noticing that Varsha was like elder brother.
She had come from home wearing a new saree. She was looking very beautiful. A strand of hair hanging on Varsha’s forehead sways due to the cool breeze coming from the window. Seeing her like this, a feeling arises in Vishnu’s heart that this woman was once his life but I could not keep her under control.
Varsha, unaware of Vishnu’s mental state, said, “What happened, why are you silent?” , At least talk to us as friends. Vishnu said I don’t want friendship.
Varsha was shocked and said, “Then why were you so eager to travel with me?” Vishnu said, “I want you.” forever For many births.
He said all these things in such a hurry that Varsha just kept looking at his face. He further said, “I was wrong, I could not appreciate you.”
But after you left, I have realized my mistakes. Saying “Forgive me”, he started crying. Varsha became silent, just looking at his face.
Vishnu held both her hands and said, “Forgive me, friend. I promise that I will never be the reason for your tears again. I will do whatever you say, please come back.” Varsha moved her saree back a little on her forehead and said. Just look here.
Vishnu saw that Varsha had made a demand. She said, I knew you would do all this. I had thought yesterday itself that the days of walking alone are over. My companion has returned. Now the journey ahead will be with him only. I am tired of walking alone.
She started smiling in a strange posture. Vishnu said, I know that when your heart feels like crying, you smile like this. Don’t stop these tears, let them flow. The heart will become light. Varsha’s restraint after hearing this
Gave the answer. She started crying loudly, the people of the entire compartment started looking at her. But Varsha did not care about the people.
She kept crying with her head on Vishnu’s shoulder. After some time, we reached Varsha’s village. The car stopped for a few moments and then started moving.
Now Varsha did not have to go down there. Now his destination was not his parents’ house but Piya’s house. Who was waiting for his return for years. She still kept her head on Vishnu’s shoulder
was She was smiling softly with her eyes closed, like an innocent child.