Five years passed. Now Raghu was father to two boys. Wall had been erected in hallways, fences were used in fields, buffaloes & calves had been shared. Kedaar’s age was 19 now. He left school and started working in the fields. Khunnu herded cows. Only Lakshman still used to go to madrasa. Panna and Muliya both were jealous of each other face. Muliya’s both son were always with Panna. She was the one who used to massage them, put on kajal, carry them with her, but not even single word of thanks ever escaped Muliya’s mouth. Panna was not even looking for it. She used to do this without expecting any appreciation. Her two boys were now of earning age. Girl was able to cook. She herself could do other small household tasks. On other hand, Raghu was just by himself in his house, weak, powerless and old in youth. He was not older than 30 years, but hairs had become rough. Back was slanting down. Cough was unbearable. He was pitiful to eyes. And farming is a sweat thing. The work that is needed in the farming, he was not able to do that. Then hoping for good yields were baseless?? Some debts were compiling on him too. This stress were slowly killing him. What he needed was rest. After so much continuous hardwork some work might have loaded off, but because of Muliya’s selfishness and shortsightedness destroyed all of the waving fields. If they had been together, he might have had pension till now, would have been sitting on the doorsteps sipping coconut water peacefully. Brothers would have worked, and he would have given them advice; would have strolled being a Mehto, would have settled someone else’s fights,would have served some saints. He had lost that chance. Now with each day stress just complies.
With time he started having small fever. This was the result of heartache, stress, hardwork and heartlessness. First he didn’t pay any heed to this. Thought it would get good by itself, but with time weakness started increasing, so started taking medicines. Took whatever people suggested, going to doctors was above him!! And even if he was able then also spending money on it was a waste?? because small fever’s solution was to rest and have nutritious food. Neither he could have spring fruits nor could eat power increasing food with ease. Weakness kept on increasing.
Whenever Panna used to get time, she would come and comfort him; but her boys had stopped talking to Raghu all together. Instead of caring for him, they used to make fun of him. Brother used to think he would accumulate some gold bricks after getting separated from us. Bhabhi also used to think would get full of gold by separating. Now see who asks of them?? He would just die slowly slowly like that. To much greed is not good. One should just do that much that he can do. Shouldn’t do as much as to die for it.
Panna used to say-” Raghu is not in the wrong here??”
Kedaar used to reply-” Yea, yea, I understand everything. If I would have in his place, then would have talked with stick. Then she couldn’t have dominated. It was all bhaiya’s game. He wanted all this. ”
At the end, Raghu’s life like a flickering flame one day stopped. Death ended all of his problems.
In his last time he had called for Kedaar, but he had to give water in sugarcane fields. Was afraid that he might send him for some medicines. So he made the excuse.
At last Raghu is dead……but he was dead the moment they got separated as per Muliya wish.
But each death changes the woman of this house……lets see how Muliya changes..
Regards
Harshit
Please suggest improvement in writing/translating skills if possible in the comments.