A KASHMIRI SHORT STORY "SELFLESS SARLA JI"

   

STONE CUTTERS OF ATHWAAJAN KASHMIR
PHOTO AUTAR MOTA .

TO THIS PHOTOGRAPH I ADD MY SHORT STORY " SELFLESS SARLA JI "

                                                   Selfless Sarla ji 

Having come back from Banglore ( in early 2010 ) after about three years stay , Maharaj Krishen Sapru decided to take a two room set on rent at Talab Tillo Jammu. . He also shifted back the furniture , refrigerator , Boxes , beddings and utensils he had kept at his sister’s house before leaving for Banglore .. He loved Talab Tillo area of Jammu City. Here at Talab Tillo ,he could easily visit his sister who lived in her own house in Bharat Nagar locality . That apart, his in laws had also constructed a new house in nearby Anand Nagar colony . His wife Sarla Ji also liked this area for they had happily lived here for a period of about 17 years after their migration from Anantnag Kashmir. She liked the Milk, Curd , Knol Khol ( Kadam or Monjee ) ,Haak Saag , Kashmiri Brinjals , Nadroo ( Lotus stems ) , kangris ,Charcoal and Attahurr sold everywhere in this area . She also liked kashmiri Bakery shops of the area selling her favourite Girdhaa Bread .Prasad koul’s kashmiri spices shop and Jain Masala store were also located in this area only . She would often buy Waari -Muuth , Rajmash , kashmiri Mirch powder ,Baidyaana, Shonth, Rice Powder , Singhade Kaa Atta and Dried vegetables from these shops . She would herself go to Vijay Rice Mills to buy Ratna variety of rice .Dr Safaya from Anantnag had his clinic in this area only . And then Shabir Ahmed too had his “ Kashmiri Halal Meat ” shop in Talab Tillo. Sarla ji had a distaste for Jhatkaa meat(Mutton sold by Non muslim Butchers ). Incidentally Shabir was also from village Chavalghaam Kulgam . Chavalghaam was Sarla Ji’s parental home.She would often visit Shabir’s shop and tell him

“ Tse Chhukh Me Maalein Boay. Choan Maam Ramzaan Ganai Auss Assi larri Seet Roazaan. ”
“ Yo are a brother from my parental side . Your Mother ‘s brother Ramzaan Ganai Lived in close proximity to our house ”

Maharaj krishen had a fairly good knowledge of filling up various forms , connected formalities and Government rules . He was BA and worked as Senior Assistant in Rural Development Department before migrating to Jammu .Though Maharaj Krishen was not drawing any cash relief or ration from Government yet he would spend two to three hours every day at the local Relief counter. . Here he would volunteer help to old helpless persons . He would gossip with Bushan lal and Roop Krishen who looked after this counter officially. With them he would discuss every news item relating to Kashmir gathered from a common source “ The Daily Excelsior News Paper”. This Newspaper kept him connected socially too as he came to know about Deaths of his relations or acquaintances and dates of their 10th day Ceremonies. Maharaj krishen read this Newspaper line to line and word to word every morning after purchasing Bread , vegetables , curd and milk. Sometimes he would go to his in laws or his sister’s house . That was his world. That was his happiness.

He did not like any person discussing the reasons of their return from Banglore. . Some relatives knew it well that they could not live happily with Vivek and Pooja their son and daughter in Law . . Though Vivek had married Pooja Bhajekar (a Maharashtrian girl), they had nothing against the marriage or their daughter in law. Infact Pooja had also happily put on the Dejhurr and Tarangaa for the marriage function .She had also been quite obedient and respectful to her inlaws . Some relatives would say that they felt cut off from their roots at Banglore. Some said that they had no social life over there . But yes truly they had no social life at Banglore . .Maharaj Krishen also missed his daily Excelsior and the gossip crowd of Jammu Relief Counter .It was a fact that Sarla Ji had to get up early in the morning at 5 AM every day and prepare Breakfast for her son and daughter in Law and thereafter look after Charu her little grand daughter. She had also to prepare Dinner for the family .She was assisted by Suneetha a domestic help who would come every day for dusting and cleaning the house and washing the used utensils .With this maid Sarla ji would converse through body language only . Suneetha spoke typical rural Kannad .Sarla ji could not pick up a word of Kannad although they stayed at Banglore for about 3 Years . This was in contrast to Jammu where Sarla ji had gained a working knowledge of Dogri language so much so that she could easily converse with Chanchala their domestic help while she did cleaning and Dusting of the house .

Maharaj krishen had his own reasons as well . He was not happy with Vivek who he felt treated his mother as a maid servant . He also would satirically tell Sarla Ji 
“ Az kar Chhu Maharaani Iyoon .”
“When is the queen coming from her office today ” 
To this sarla ji Would say 
“ Dikh Naa Behunna. Tse Chhuy Nyaay Tulun Kaanh . Assi Chhu Buss Akh shurr . Assi Kout Gatsuvv Yemiss Traavith .”
“Why can’t you sit peacefully . Why you create trouble for us . We have one child . where shall we go should we leave him.”
Sarla ji never imposed any authority or demonstrated any highhandedness of her Mother in law Status in the house . 
The money that Maharaj krishen had received as sale proceeds of his land and house at Anantnag kashmir had been spent partly on Vivek’s Engineering Degree from Pune and partly on his marriage therafter. That was the reason that Maharaj Krishen could not construct his own house at jammu Then again he did not own any plot of land in jammu.. Accordingly Maharaj krishen now wanted to construct a small house in Camp Gole Gujral which locality was proximal to Talab Tillo . He knew that a 5 marla plot was still affordable in this area and he intended to purchase the same from his terminal dues now.. .Although he had retired in Dec 2009 his pension case could not be settled as his service Book was untraceable . A large number of GPF schedules were also missing in his records . This meant that he had to visit Kashmir and update the same from the offices of his last postings. For him this was a cause of worry . How shall he go to Kashmir ? Where shall he stay ? How shall he visit Shopian where he was last posted ?

But then he also heard a good news . Shiben  ji his friend from Ananatnag had met Maharaj Krishen’s childhood friend Gh Nabi Dar in Jammu Secretariat. Dar Sahib was presently posted as Deputy Secretary in Civil Secretariat and had sincerely desired to know Maharaj Krishen’s welfare. Dar sahib was also known to Sarla ji and her brother . Infact Dar sahib had played a crucial role in the marriage of Maharaj krishen in view of his closeness to both the families. When Sarla ji and Maharaj Krishen went to see Dar sahib in his Gandhi Nagar C Type Government accomodation , sarla ji had told him of the service Book and the missing GPF schedules. Dar Sahib had said 

“ Why did not you tell me this uptil now? Just give me details and wait for 10 days . I am going to srinagar tomorrow and shall return after EID festival. Do not worry .”
To the utter surprise of Sarla ji and Maharaj krishen ,Dar sahib returned back after 10 days with a duly completed service Book and the details of all missing GPF schedules of Maharaj Krishen .This sent a wave of happiness in the family. Sarla ji had immediately gone to Saint Gopi Nath ji’s Asharam with Tehar and Tsaamunn ( Yellow rice and cheese cooked with in Red chilly gravy ) as a Prasada to be served to the devotees present . Maharaj krishen had started his smoking again with this excitement . . Once Dar sahib had given the good news to them , the behaviour of both husband and wife had undergone a radical change. Maharaj Krishen now immediately wanted to buy the 5 marlas of land in Camp Gole Gujral area and construct just two rooms to live happily. He assured Sarla ji that she could now buy two Gold Bangles and Auth( Chain ) for her Dejhuur. Asha ji would simply keep sighing at the sight of golden Auth of almost all women in her relation . That would always make Maharaj Krishen feel guilty. Supporting her husband in discharging his responsibilities ,She had happily given most of her parental Jewellery for the marriage of Maharaj krishen’s younger sister. He would often say
“ Maa Bhurr Gham. Baa Anay Tse Zaa Kachhakurr Taa Auth . Buss Me Gatsieun Pension Case settle. Mey Kyaah Chhu Karoon Paansuss . Buss kamarah Joraa Banavuss. ”
“ Don’t you worry . I shall buy you two Gold Bangles and the Auth ( golden Chain for the Dejhurr ). Just let my Termial dues case get settled. What have I to do with all that money after constructing Two rooms.”
She also desired to Buy a chain for her Grand daughter Charu from the Terminal Dues of her husband.. Many times Asha ji would sigh and say :

“ O this vivek ji! Poor chap has a daughter now. How long can he afford to pay Rs15000/ per month as rent for his accommodation? How long shall this boy live in Vaangij Vorr ( rented accommodation ) . God help the Boy to own some space in Banglore .”
While bowing her head before Saint Gopinath Ji’s Statue , she would also seek help on this issue .

After some clearance work at AG office Jammu , Maharaj krishen managed to get his terminal dues settled and pension fixed . Out of the total amount of 12 lakkhs received as terminal dues, he invested the sum of Rs9 Lakhs in fixed deposit for 1 year and the remaining 3 lakhs were deposited in his savings Bank account .Possibly he wanted to settle the 5 Marla land for 3 lakhs only. His pension had been fixed at Rs9580/= This was enough for them.

Today he had invited his sister and brother in law for a dinner on account of his birth day. .They were happy at this get together . Sarla ji was quite caring for her sister in law and she had nothing to compete with her . Relations between them were quite cordial. 
While sipping Kehwaa Tea, Maharaj Krishen noticed a beep in his mobile Phone . He asked Sarla ji to give him his spectacles to know as to who had sent him a birthday wish . Holding the Mobile set in his right hand close to his face ,he started reading the message that made him turn serious suddenly . The message read 

“PAPA HAPPY BIRTH DAY. 3 BED ROOM FLAT SETTLED IN ELECTRONIC CITY . PRICE 26.50 LAKHS . LOAN RAISED 12 LAKHS . POOLED Rs 3.50 LAKHS FROM OWN SOURCES .NEEDING BALANCE AMOUNT TO MOVE IN . PAYMENT TO BE MADE WITHIN 10 DAYS ONLY . URGENT .”

Maharaj Krishen tactfully changed his serious look and smiled saying 
“ It is Dar Sahib’s happy birth Day message . ”
Sarla Ji heaved a sigh of relief at this clarification . She now started to serve the dinner. Once the guest had left , Maharaj Krishen searched for his cigarettes and smoked three in quick succession. He then opened the suit case wherein he had kept his Bank pass book and fixed deposit receipts . Before going to sleep he told Asha ji that they needed to go to the bank next day as she had also to sign the request for premature cancellation of term deposits in view of “Either or Survivor ” nomenclature of these deposits

.Next day Sarla ji and Maharaj Krishen went to Jain Bazar Branch of Punjab National Bank and remitted a sum of Rs11 lakhs to the savings bank account of Vivek by RTGS mode. Now Sarla ji had come to know full facts about the SMS that Vivek had sent to his father. When they came out of the bank , Sarla ji forced her husband to purchase a heavy south Indian silk saree for their daughter in law from SAPNA SAREE STORE . She also bought a New Dress for Charu her grand daughter .. They had no proper suit case for travel and she asked her husband to buy a VIP Travel suitcase from JAIN ATTACHE HOUSE .For Vivek she bought a silken Kurta and Pujaama . Now she turned to Maharaj krishen and begged him to buy a suit length From Raymond’s show room saying

“ Navis Garrus Chhuy Achunn . Panuss Anukh naa suit . Tse Kuss Anni ”
“ You have to enter a new house . Shall you not buy a new suit for yourself ? who shall otherwise buy for you ?”
That made Maharaj krishen pensive .He could not understand how sarla ji cared about every one in the family but never asked anything in return for herself. He requested her to buy just the Golden Chain ( Auth ) only for her Dejhurr from Khajuria jewellers , a shop frequented by his sister. To this she said:
“Vanee Chhuy Vaariyaah Kharcha . Baa anna Patta . ”
“We have to spend too much yet . I shall buy later ”

They moved past rows of Jewellery shops in Jain Bazar . Sarla ji saw groups of happy women entering and leaving these shops. Maharaj krishen dug out a cigarette from his shirt pocket and started smoking . With all the purchase bags in their hands , they moved towards Kachi Chawni chowk to board Talab Tillo Matador( Public Transport vehicle ) .

CHINAR SHADE by Autarmota is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.5 India License.
Based on a work at http:\\autarmota.blogspot.com\.