Murmur of the Lonely Brook Read Online Free

do that after his parents had spent so much time, energy, and money—what little they had in rearing him. After all, they had not saved anything for old age. Nisha looked at her mother-in-law and said, “Aama, can I make the vegetables today?”
    “Yes, you may, but what will you make? We just have a cabbage and a few radishes left. We must pick some spinach and mustard leaves today.”
    “I will make cabbage; Aau loves it.”
    Nisha knew that it was her main duty and responsibility to keep everyone in the family happy—the seniors, her in-laws, and also the young ones. She has seen how dedicated her mother was from morning till night, and when she came here, she saw the same in her mother-in-law. Her mother had often told her that a husband was like a god to the wife and should be treated as such. In earlier times her aaya told her how the women used to wash the feet of their husbands when they came back home. She never questioned this and thought it was quite natural. Women were always considered the lesser of God’s creations. She tried to fulfill her role and was even prepared for more just to earn her place in the family. She thought she had found what she wanted: a home beyond her native hills, a loving husband, and her in-laws’ family. And though they were not well off, and though she missed her parents, brother, and Sheru (her dog), she felt happy as the mere thought of Pravin made all other shortcomings look small.
    Nisha went on to cut the cabbage with a knife while Parvati placed a kadai and poured some oil into it. She added a few cloves of garlic, dried red pepper, and salt and the dish was ready. Shevak came in and took his seat next to the fire.
    “Father, we have made cabbage today.”
    “That sounds great,” said Shevak, a rare smile escaping through his unkempt and sad moustache.
    These days he smiled less often as he was uncertain about both his sons. Diwa had failed the army exam while Chotu simply roamed about doing nothing. The family was growing while his income was fixed. He rushed with the food while both the women watched. Shevak was on duty though he never had an office. He would eat and then just wait in the local shop. He was an emergency linesman and there were few emergencies during summer. It was only in winter when he was called to fix snapped cables, uprooted poles, and overloaded or broken circuits.
    Ria was up and was washing her face. She rubbed her face with the Fair and Lovely cream she borrowed from Nisha. She was not dark but not fair either and this cream was her only way to fairness. She had seen on TV how girls turned into fairies in a short while after using the cream. Being young, the cream was beyond her reach, but Nisha was an angel sent to her by the gods. It was then she heard the kid bleating in a high pitch. She ran outside thinking that the dogs must be chasing them but to her surprise, she found Diwa walking up to the house.
    “Diwa has come,” she shouted as she ran inside.
    Both the women came outside to greet him. The kid and the lamb also started jumping in excitement. Though exhausted from the long walk, Diwakar brightened at the sight of Nisha. He smiled at Nisha and followed them inside. But his sprits went down the moment he saw Shevak. Shevak had finished his brunch and was lighting a bidi (tobacco rolled in a piece of dry leaf and tied with a string) when Diwakar entered. He looked at him, and though he did not utter a word, his eyes reflected pain, frustration, and anger. Putting on his worn-out boots, he left the house, leaving behind an uneasy silence.
    A few moments later, Parvati broke the silence. “Nowadays, one needs a lot of money to get in the army. Everything is decided beforehand.”
    “Don’t talk rubbish,” said Diwakar. “Not all seats are decided like that.”
    “I’m sure you will get a chance next year,” said Nisha.
    “I’m sure you will,” added Ria.
    Diwakar removed his bag and kept it close while he sat down. He did