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Getting on


“Why have they done this to us?” Fatima lamented.

Sheila had no answer.  Her man had to join RSS if their son was to get admission in the medical college.  “Don’t talk to the Muslims anymore,” her husband had told her the day he secured his son’s medical college admission. 

They were friends from childhood, Sheila and Fatima.  They studied in the same school and were later married to men in the same neighbouring village.  They were happy to continue the friendship even when they had husbands to love and later children of their own to love.  Love is unlimited, they realised.  You can love anyone if you want.  Love doesn’t get exhausted.  Rather, it increases when given liberally.

“Our son’s future is more important than your friendship,” said Sheila’s husband.  “Muslims are antinational.  Keep away from them.”

Their son got admission to the medical college run by Swami Radhadev on the condition that her husband join the local RSS shakha.  The shakha decided who would be their friends and who the enemies. 

As she walked away from Fatima, having bid good bye to her, Sheila made a prayer in the nascent emptiness of her heart.  “Bhagwan, let not that day come when my husband has to kill my friend for the sake of getting on in life.”




Comments

  1. Pranju chakrapaniJuly 9, 2017 at 7:58 PM

    Why do I feel like this is a continuation of a story that you have written a year ago or so. Memories play hideous tricks!

    The same way as memories of riots incite a hideous violence in the minds of the mass, irrespective of religion and the reason of that riot. A cyclone is nearing its full strength, I feel.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tomichan MatheikalJuly 9, 2017 at 8:11 PM

      The theme is recurrent in my writing. That's why you probably get that feeling.

      BJP wants a cyclone. They think a repetition of Gujarat 2002 is going to create a Hindu rashtra.

      Delete
  2. Purba chakrabortyJuly 10, 2017 at 8:15 PM

    Such a painful end to the beautiful friendship. Very well written, Sir.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tomichan MatheikalJuly 10, 2017 at 8:31 PM

      Thanks, Purba. Relationships are undergoing big changes in our country.

      Delete

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