By the time I returned home, it was late. I had five
back to back classes as it was a Sunday. Children got more time in weekends to
learn music and there were some special weekend classes too. It was good and
enjoyed some classes but it wasn’t any less tiring. My hands hurt and eyes
blurred and all I wished is a very good night sleep. As I parked my car in the
basement, the watchman of our apartment came running towards me. There was a
big box in his hand.
“Madamji.” He called me as usual.
“Yes, Sambhu.”
“Courierwala left a parcel for you.” He said flashing his tobacco
stained teeth.
"For me?" I asked as he handed it to me. He nodded.
Parcel? I was surprised to
see a parcel with my name to it. After my parents death I had no one who could have possibly send
me a parcel. Forget about parcel, even a diwali wish from my relative was rare.
All I had in my life were my students.
I took it from him and walked towards lift. I was tired
to even say thank you to him.
Inside lift, I checked the parcel. It was a plain
yellowish box with no fanciness on it. The address slip said it was from someone
Swati, in Delhi.
Swati? Delhi? I
entered into my apartment trying to remember any but nothing rang a bell.
I left it on sofa and went for a shower. After shower,
I took a glass of juice and made lied comfortably on the couch tearing off the
thick from the parcel.
A letter fell into my lap as the front was tore and
another wrapped box was in there. I held out the letter to read properly.
Dear Niyati,
How are you? I hope you are fine there. Can
you recognize me? I can’t blame if you can’t as it is been long eighteen years
since the last time we met. Eighteen years agone, we were in same class and sat
on same bench. We shared our lunch and whispered secrets to each other. We were
good friends then. Then my father transferred, we shifted to another town and
eventually we lost contact. Now I guess you can remember me.
It’s strange
to write someone all of sudden after so many years. May be I wouldn’t have
written you now too. But there is something I had to tell you and I couldn’t
bear the burden anymore. So listen and if possible please let your heart take
the decision.
Eight years
before my father got very ill and wanted me to marry before he leaves the
world. I had no choice but marry the guy he chose for me. I didn’t know then but
now I realize how lucky I am to have Abhay as my life partner. He took care of me
when my father died six months later. He loved, cared and fulfilled every wish
of mine like no one ever could have. Now I have a six year old son now. His
name is Akhil. I must have done some good deed to have a family like this. I
feel really blessed. Everything seemed perfect till two days back.
Two days back
something happened that made me realize that I have done some wrong too and if
I don’t atone for it then it will loom over my perfect happiness. That day after
Akhil returned from school and went for afternoon nap, I went to his room to
take out the snacks box from his bag. It’s one of his bad habits. He always
forgets tiffin box here and there. As I opened the bag, I found a golden prize-cup
kept in his bag. I knew about the Junior Spelling-Bee competition that was held
a week back in his school. Akhil was very excited about it. He prepared really
well and participated in it but unfortunately came third. One of his friends
came first and another guy from his senior class came second. The whole day he
was very upset and refused to eat anything.
I thought he
was a kid and would forget after a day or two. He got back to normal as I had
thought. But that day when I found the prize from his bag that wasn’t surely his,
I confronted him. After when I and Abhay threatened him to beat he confessed of
stealing it from his friend who had scored the highest in that competition. He
said his friend brought the prize to class everyday and showed it to everyone.
In anger I slapped him hard. It was the first time I ever laid hand on him that
harshly. The whole night I kept crying silently. Abhay tried to console me but tears
didn’t oblige. I couldn’t speak the truth I had confided inside me and
forgotten for these long years. But as they say truth can never be ignored and
it came in circle through my son to me.
The same
incident had happened twenty years ago. You remember about the solo song
competition in school we both had participated in there. You came first and won
everyone’s heart with your honeyed voice. You were the myna of our school and I
was just a simple girl who was being ignored in shadow your talents. We were
very good friends. But after you won the competition I started to feel jealousy
for you and your popularity. I hated you being so happy over your success and
the way your flaunted your prize to everyone. It was a small long statue like
figure with a tiny bird on its head. You were happy and I was hurt seeing you
happy. And one day, finally I stole it. Yes, it was me.
I remember
how devastated you were over losing your beloved prize. You didn’t eat for two
days. You didn’t speak to anyone. Till then I didn’t know you loved the prize
so much. After seeing you hurt like that I wanted to return it to you. But my
tiny heart wasn’t that brave. I was scared thinking what would you if you came
to know I stole your prized possession. I didn’t tell anyone. A few days later
we moved to another town and I brought it with me.
I kept it under
my bed hidden in a box from everyone. Till my marriage it was there only and
after that I forgot completely about it. But after this happened with Akhil, I realized
that my sin is being fruit to my child which I can’t bear. So I had to confess
it to you and ask your forgiveness.
I know,
sorry is very little word for the amount of hurt you were due to me. Because of
me, a little girl had cried day and night. And I can’t forgive myself unless
you do. I am really very sorry, my friend. I was a child and impulsively did it
but bigger blunder is that after realizing also I didn’t return it to you. So
even bigger heartily sorry for it. It may seem little to you know but for me,
it is a big burden and for this I am returning what was yours to you.
Love you
despite everything or whatever your decision will be. I am sure you must have done
very well with you life. You were a star. I hope and pray that you more success
in your life and happiness may ushered into your life everyday.
Take care.
With Love,
Swati.
Excitedly I opened the
second box, tearing it wildly with superhuman speed. Inside it, an old statue was
securely packed with soft cottony cushion. I touched its fading surface careful
as if it were some new born baby, lingering my finger at every bend on it.
Happiness tided into eyes and streamed down cheeks. My childhood memory, the
beautiful days all came to greet me. It felt like I was holding some nobel
prize in my hand. The joy was unexplainably high. I held it chest and whispered,
“I forgive you, my friend.”
