Mohan Kothekar
Writer and Blogger
I
still recall the exact date and time of my first encounter with the slim and
cute toddler who happened to be our immediate neighbour and has occupied newly
constructed apartment a week before our possession. It was 26th October, 1991 at 14.30
hours, a year old girl in her birth suit emerged from her apartment and entered
in our flat slowly and steadily, and in one go inspected the newcomer and his
sundry luggage scattered in different rooms. After thorough inspection, the silent
spectator returned back with goose stepping without the slightest reaction. From the day one, we never heard a little bit
of noise from the next door as if only adults are the occupant. The next door single tiny tot used to give a
smile to a passer-by; but does not like if someone touch, cajole or up-raise
her. The toddler captured the heart of one
and all as the most comely angel on the earth.
As
age advanced, her look attractive and having a charming face as if she is the
perfect model for advertisement of baby products. She used to play with other timid lads within
the boundary of our society. Her mother
was lucky; there was no need for her to take extra care of a baby. The only unlawful activity she had inadvertently
committed once in her life was when she was brought back from a furlong
distance at an age of four. How she
crossed the road and entered in by lane is still a mystery; otherwise, the toddler
was considered to be the most pleasant and law abiding baby.
Divya’s
pet name ‘Dolly’ speaks a multitude about her identity and personality of a
doll girl. The girl never gets squalled,
shouted nor created any baneful and untoward rumpus. Her glamorous look and ingenious attitude has
culminated into her permanent place in the lap of the beholder. A pleasant, fair, beautiful, smart looking
girl never gabs and conversed more than required; her activities were limited
to herself. Her food intake from the
beginning was that of a ramp model’s diet.
The only point of dispute between her mother and the beloved daughter
was the meal; her denial and negation for food consumption compel it to show
her existence on the earth as a timid girl.
I still recollect the daily scenario where the mother is running after
the girl with a dinner plate.
At
the age of seven year, Dolly became an elder sister of a neonatal girl. The younger sister was equally beautiful, but
chubby and roly-poly. Nursing a small
baby was her hobby. Dolly used to take
all the precautionary measures one has to perform as a big sister. Her activities were never less than a trained
nurse. Her missionary zeal has added a
feather in her cap. She was an asset
rather than liability for the parents. Everybody
wishes to speak good about Dolly’s demeanour and conduct. The thing noticed from the birth that the
little sister was naughty, mischievous and impish.
When Dolly was an eight year old, we observed a sudden
and abrupt alteration in her personality.
The girl once upon a time was a chaste, guileless, shy and simple one
was found in a disturbed tone. The girl
whose voice never been heard years together started yelling, screaming and
skirling. Payal, her little sister, was
just opposite in nature; she has tended to tease, peeve and harass the elder
sister. Dolly used to spend the majority
of time and energy on taming her sister; nevertheless, Payal never inculcated
any of her elder sister’s virtues of courtesy, etiquette and mannerism. She was always in a conflicting and combating
mood. It seems, Payal has not received
the same set of genes as that of Dolly. Well
wisher of Ms Dolly advised her not to involve in brawl; she accepted the elder
suggestions and instead of spending time on fighting, she preferred to retreat.
However, naughty younger sister does not
allow any activity the elder wishes to perform including her homework. The drama continued with the passage of time;
the intensity of confrontation enhanced due strength the little sister gained
because of her robust and sturdy health.
How a tender looking adolescent fight with a tiny sumo wrestler?
It is ridiculous to note that the Payal was chatter and shindy
one and elder were of cool and composed category. Her mother often remarked that had she has been
known in advance about the nature, temperament and disposition of a little girl
she would not have delivered such a demon and genii girl. A lot of energy of Dolly was utilized in securing
and hiding Pen, pencil, eraser, notebook, books and school bag from the
undignified girl. Dolly’s school mates
were afraid, affright and dismay of Payal as she was practically difficult to
control. No one forgets the incidence, when
Payal torn and tattered Dolly’s practical book into several pieces a week
before her tenth standard board annual examination.
When Dolly was in twelfth standard, it was decided to
purchase a moped. The biggest question
was how to save moped and rider from stickler, heady, pugnacious and a truculent
attitude of Ms Payal. At last, the moped
was purchased and from that moment; there were a high degree of hassle and
conflict between both the sisters. Finally,
Dolly accepted the defeat and handed over the keys to her eleven year sister. She preferred to go to junior college on
bicycle till the end of the twelfth standard board examination. The duty of the neighbour was to engage Ms Payal
in one or other activities so as to allow Dolly to complete her homework and to
prepare for board examination.
She
joined the graduate courses; that was the crucial period of her life. Ancestors were migrated from the West
Pakistan. In their caste, education is presumed
as secondary to the business; leave aside girl education. Securing higher qualification was regarded as
a stigma and disgrace for a girl, getting an educated groom is a hazardous task. Major junk of boys get associated with their
ancestral business immediately after matriculation and very few opted for
professional courses. In spite of the
prevailing traditional family ethos, Dolly with conviction, announced that she
will marry only after the graduation. For
the first time, she resisted and struggled with her parents and the nearest relatives
like the goddess Durga. Neighbour and
well wisher convinced the family regarding importance of education in a life of
an individual. Dolly’s cherished dream
was to join air hostess job after graduation; however, her utmost desire to remain
in vain and unfruitful due constant negation. After graduation, the very first proposal was
finalised and her ring-ceremony was performed at the age of twenty one. The businessman family from outstation has
decided to accept her as their daughter in law.
We observed in her a happy go lucky attitude. She never said no to anything, including the choice
of a groom.
Her fiance presented her the latest model of smartphone,
the fourteen year sister-in-law brawled with the boy and compelled him to shell
bucks for another smartphone of the same brand.
Dolly told her fiance that henceforth she should not be given any
present. Dolly never used to get privacy
to share love and adoration with the boy.
During subsequent visits he presented articles in duplicate to avoid any
confrontation. He rightly understands
the psyche of the naughty sister-in-law.
The marriage was solemnized immediately after the
graduation. That was the day of
happiness as well as sorrow for one and all.
There were a lull and calmness in the society. Within a week the Dolly becomes darling of
her in-laws. Both the sisters were found
chit chatting on mobile as if they are the close buddy. Significant change was noticed in attitude of
younger sibling as if she is a responsible and mature lady. After a long gap, Dolly came to the maternal
home with a smiling face. A day had gone
in jubilation, the next day the typical yelling and screaming sound registered
her presence in the society.
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