Free Bird - Part 7

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'So you had a gala time.' Sneha's father asked on her return.

'Yes, the play was hilarious.' Sneha replied as she placed the keys of the bike into the holder.

'And the jokes were naughty, weren't they?' He asked.

Sneha swirled around and asked with amazement, 'How do you? Were you there?'

'Yes, I was there in the last row, seated next to the elderly gentleman and his wife.'

'How didn't I see you?'

'When you looked at the last row, I ducked behind the chair. I didn't wish to embarrass you. After all it was an adult play, full of adult jokes'

'Come on Papa, tell me that you are just kidding.' Sneha said standing akimbo.

'No, I am not. I was really present.'

'You are telling a lie. It cannot happen.'

'No, I am not. And why can't I come to the theatre? Don't I have a right to get entertained, watch a play? Am I not a human being?'

'Ok. Ok. I concede.' Sneha said. At this point, her father couldn't control his laughter any longer and he guffawed.

'Alright, let me tell you the truth. I was not there at the theatre.'

'See, I always knew that. I know you inside out.'

'Dr. Sharma my morning walk partner told me that he was going to watch that play with his wife. He boasted as to how the last row was exclusively reserved for the VIPs of Khandwa. Equipped with that piece of information I decided to pull your leg.'

'Very funny Papa.' Sneha said and went inside.

***

It was the month of the June. The parched earth smiled when the showers of rain kissed its forehead. People of Khandwa received relief from the scorching heat. Sneha was at her work. The drains were clogged and the rains had transformed roads into temporary rivers and mini swimming pools. As a result except for the employees there was no one in the electricity board office.

Rupa and Sneha were sitting next to the window which opened into a big ground. An old banyan tree stood stoically right in the middle while the branches of neem and jamun swayed with the gushing wind.

'Sneha what is the use of mere animal existence, one has to be successful in life.' Rupa said staring out of the window. Sneha was too immersed in watching the nature at its play. Suddenly the rain changed its direction and sprinkled a few droplets of the heavenly nectar on the two friends. Sneha was thrilled. Small, priceless things bring so much of joy. She deeply inhaled the pristine smell of the earth that the cool breeze carried.

'Sneha, where are you lost? I said something. Did you even hear that?'

'Yes, you were saying something about success.'

'We have to be successful in our lives, otherwise what is the point in slogging in this electricity department office for peanuts.' Rupa rolled her eyes.

'So success for you means money?' Sneha asked.

'Why doesn't it make any difference to you? What's your idea of success?'

'Well to be honest money matters. One should have at least reasonable amount of money. It makes life comfortable if not easy. At the same time, one should love his work as well. What is the point if you have crores of rupees stashed into your almirah but you are not happy with your work.'

'Sometimes I feel you should become a teacher. You start lecturing all the time. I asked you a simple question and you became all philosophical. Okay let me tell you what success means to me. For me it is social respect coupled with economic independence and good food.'

'Food?' Sneha laughed. Rupa had a strange philosophy of life.

'Yes food. Everyone works to get two square meals. Food cannot be ignored. So that definitely features in my list.'

'You have all of that. So you should call yourself successful.'

'Yes, I do Sneha, but I want a little more money and...'

'And what, Rupa.'

'In our society a woman doesn't get respect unless she is married, and I have surpassed my marriageable age long ago. Now the chances of me getting married are slim.'

Sneha wanted to speak. But she controlled herself. The co-relation of marriage with social respect was too hard for her to digest. If she had voiced her opinion, Rupa would have accused her of imparting gyan again. But she resolved that she would broach this topic at appropriate time. That is when Rupa said something and Sneha was taken aback. She was in a quandary. 'You spoke of loving your work. Do you really love sitting in this dingy office and hearing complaints about frequent power cuts and high bills from irate consumers. Tell me Sneha, where are you lost?' Rupa asked.
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