NEIGHBOUR’S DAUGHTER

By AMRUTHAVENI T J

Teacher blinked in surprise.

“I’m asking about dreams. Not about.”

“I know, teacher…”

Viji interrupted.

“I want to become my neighbour’s daughter!”

That was two weeks ago. Why is she complaining about that to my mother now? What’s that for? Viji thought. Her teacher continued.

“Look Viji’s mother…Viji is just an average student. You too must know that. The question was about dreams. But she was spitting out her jealousy. I’m so sorry to say this. If she goes on like this…Ask her to concentrate on her studies. That’s it! Viji…Jealousy is not going to save you anywhere in life. It’s really bad to envy others. Don’t you know that? Work hard and study well. Exams are up. And don’t repeat such nonsense anymore.”

Viji and mother were walking back home. Their home is around the next corner of Chatterjee Street. Viji looked at mother. Mother has a straight face thinking about something deeply. She hasn’t talked about anything, once the P.T.A.meeting was over. As usual the meeting was bad. Teachers have nothing good to say about Viji. And that class teacher made it all worse by talking about some random dream questions. What was wrong with that answer? Viji thought.

On reaching home, Viji searched for the comic book. It is Friday and the book comes on every Friday.

“Maa…Where is my comic? It is Friday today.”

After a minute’s silence, mother replied.

“Viji…no more story books. Just study and score better. Haven’t you heard what the teachers have said? You need to study really well. I have nothing else to say.”

Viji was not surprised at this answer. She knew that her mother was really poor. A calm and silent woman. A sweeper at Lily Flower hospital. She works on daily wages. The only income of that small family! Viji’s father died when she was five. She had no siblings. Viji is the only hope of her mother. She dreamt of Viji having a good job after studies. But…

Viji knew that the comic stopped for not paying money to the newspaper carrier. He has hinted about stopping the weekly because of non-payment. Not so surprised. No more comics. That’s it.

Viji sat on the veranda. Their old house looked so dull. She hasn’t seen it painted. Mother has told that the last painting was done before her birth. That too by her mother and father themselves. Roof tiles are already broken at several places and rain makes it worse. Viji and mother will be awake during the whole of monsoon, changing water pots every now and then. Water sneaks in through every minute roof holes. The cemented floor always gives them a fungal infection due to humidity. The house has seen everything. It’s been years.

Mother has started sweeping the courtyard. She was just forty but grey hairs have already started to cover her long black hair.

One day, I’ll get a fine job and will take care of my mother, get out of this life and…and I’ll live like my neighbour’s daughter! Viji sighed and went inside.

Her next morning was interrupted by the chatter of mother and Rama aunty of next door. She got up and went outside to see the two talking. What’s the fuss all about?

Rama aunty has a large house to take care of. She is a housewife and her husband is abroad. They have two children- Sita and Chandu. Chandu is a nine year old chubby boy, who always roams around their garden with a puppy. Sita is fourteen, same as the age of Viji. Sita has colourful dresses just like the ones those serial actresses in television have. Everything about her was rich. Clothes, chappals, bangles…everything.

Rama aunty often comes here, to know the latest news from town, since my mother is working in the town’s hospital. Once Rama aunty was gone, I asked my mother about the visit.

“See…Sita is going to Delhi for her dance competition. They won’t be here for a week. Her father has come for a one week holiday.”

That’s all about their lives! Tours, fun, competitions and what not. How could I not envy her? Thought Viji.

Next two weeks passed by quickly. Viji’s exams are over and there was a small vacation for one week. Classes will be starting soon. Rama aunty and family has returned. Sita became second runner up for the dance competition. Rama aunty distributed ladoos all around the neighbourhood. Viji’s poor mother was really happy about the achievement. Both mothers were really fond of each other. They sometimes chat for hours about the local news, how Rosy aunty ditched her husband, how Sekhar uncle sent his son for medical entrance coaching spending around half lakh and so on.

The next day…Viji was returning from the market with groceries in hand. She saw Sita cycling nearby with the newly bought bicycle. Her father gave it to her when he came for the visit. Since Chandu was small, he was not allowed to get outside the gate for a ride. He was looking at her big sister with envy. Sita looked at Viji but with no smiles. She was concentrating on riding her bicycle. Suddenly, a truck came speedily and passed Sita’s bicycle. Sita got so panicked that she applied breaks instantly! She fell over Viji who was leaning on the wall for the truck to passby.

AAH!

There was a sound of the bicycle collapsing on the road with bell sounds. The cry of the girls and shriek of Chandu brought the neighbours onto the road. Viji’s mother and Rama aunty came running. They saw Viji getting up with Sita. Viji had a wound in her upper left arm with blood pouring in.

“What happened? What happened? Are you okay girls?” Sekhar uncle and Rosy aunty were the first to enquire. Then everyone turned towards Sita.

“Sita, what happened? Are you hurt? How did you fall down? Has Viji done something?”

Viji was startled at the question! HAS VIJI DONE SOMETHING? For what? Why should I harm Sita? How could they blame me for Sita on the floor? Why are they not talking about my bleeding arm? Viji’s eyes got red with sadness and anger.

“Oh dear! Blood is coming. Your arm got hurt! Come let’s go.”

Viji’s mother hurried.

“No maa…It’s nothing. I’m alright.” Viji suppressed her pain.

Rama aunty saw the wound in Viji’s hand.

“Oh darling, you’re hurt. What happened? Sita…what happened? How did she get hurt?”

Sita was scared of all the sudden hullabaloo and replied.

“Err…mom. A truck was passing by and I lost my balance…I…I fell over Vi…Viji! I think she’s hurt.”

“Oh my goodness! Of course she’s hurt. You fell over her that’s why you’re not hurt! Darling Viji…So sorry for what happened. Sita was trying to learn her new bicycle. Please forgive her.”

“That’s ok aunty. It’s a small wound. Maa must have medicine for it.”

“So that’s it. Come let’s go…careful children. The road is full of vehicles. Be careful!” By saying so, Sekhar uncle, Rosy aunty and everyone left. Viji’s mother started picking the fallen potatoes from the floor. Rama aunty took the bicycle and started walking towards home with Sita.

Viji stood there for some time. She felt like crying. Blood has started smearing over her dress. It was torn here and there by the accident.

My wound was ok for everyone. Nobody was concerned about it except my mother. Why was it so? Thoughts started engulfing her.

On reaching home, mother applied medicines over the wound. She said thoughtfully.

“I thought you did something.”

Viji looked at her mother in shock. Her eyes got wet.

“But why maa? Why should I do that?

“Eh…I thought…Because you always disliked her. You were jealous of her.”

Mom too had suspected me! “But maa…!”

“Aunty…?”

Viji was interrupted by Sita on the way. She has come to apologize to Viji.

“Sita…come, come dear. I’ll get you tea.” Viji’s mother got up.

“No aunty. That’s ok.’

“Come…I’ll get you both tea.” Viji’s mother went inside.

“Mom told me to come and visit you.” Sita said. Viji was still sitting there. Motionless.

“You got medicines right? Does that hurt? I’m sorry. That was my mistake.” Sita apologized.

“That’s ok Sita. It’s a small wound. No worries.” Viji replied.

“I’m sorry for what Rosy aunty said. I wounded you and…they thought of you hurting me. I don’t know why. I’m sorry.”

Viji remained silent. Sita kept on talking.

“I didn’t mean it. I know you are angry at me.”

“No Sita. I’m never angry at you.” Sita smiled.

“I’m jealous of you!”

Sita gave a puzzled look at Viji.

“I…I know. You always stared at me, my house, my garden, my newly bought bicycle. You had that envied look on me. I knew that. I never liked it.” Sita said in one breath.

“I was not envious of your prospects, Sita. I was envied upon you. I was jealous of you for being born there! In that big house with rich parents!”

Sita blinked at Viji in confusion.

“We have got only one difference, Sita. And that’s not because you have a better dress and bicycle. I was not lucky to be born as a daughter to your parents. You are lucky to be born there! And it really matters where one is born! You’ll never understand that.”

Of course, Sita didn’t understand anything. She simply looked at Viji. Mother came in with black tea.

“Here, have it children.”

Viji passed the glass to Sita. Sita smiled and simply looked at the black tea in hand. She still couldn’t comprehend what Viji said. She looked at her.

Viji has already started sipping her black tea, looking far away. Her wound has started to heal.

By AMRUTHAVENI T J