“Please drive fast Yar, I will be late for the train” I told Megha. I met Megha and Urvika after long time in Surat. In that few hours we remembered the all four years of engineering, all bunks, breakups, nigh outs and many more things followed by dinner at Mysore cafe. I didn’t know that this visit is going to be lifelong learning for me.
Finally on triples riding with heavy traffic and hiding from traffic police, they dropped me station at 2130 hrs. I had not done reservation, so I was waiting for any train to Mumbai from Surat. While waiting on the bench at station, an unknown person started conversation with me on the hot topic ‘Hindu Rashtra’. He was Gujarati cum Marathi guy. He told me all history of ‘Hindutva’ and all blah-blah-blah, as much he was knowing or he had heard somewhere. I also put some defensive points on humanity. My parents have taught me that at the end we all are humans, not Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Isai and nothing is greater than humanity. I told the same points to that unknown and told him, this country belongs to all but he had decided not to be agree with me. I thought that everyone has their own perspective, this conversation has no end. At 2200 hrs train 19020 Dehradun express arrived. I entered into general compartment and luckily I got the seat. In India if you get seat in general compartment than you have definitely done good ‘Karmas’ in past.
Horn was blown and train was about to leave the platform. “May I sit here?” A lady with a beautiful baby in her hand asked me. “Yes, of course” I said. After she settled up, she got a phone call. She was arguing with someone and crying too. By her tone I knew that she is from Surat only. Train picked up its pace. Some people had started sleeping, one family was taking out thepla,khakhara & other typical gujarati food. That lady beside me was still crying. I got some idea from her conversation that she has some problems at home. After 15 minutes when she was still crying, finally I asked her that “Didi, what happened? Why are you crying?” She said “Nothing” by wiping tears. I thought that she might not trust me as unknown and that’s why I did not ask again but after taking some time she told that “I just left my home with this small baby Rehan. My husband and my mother-in-law were torturing me. Physically as well as mentally from long time” she again broke into tears. “Please don’t cry didi. Share with me if you are comfortable” I told.
“My name is Rubina. I married a civil engineer here in Surat before two years. My husband was taking care of me at initial stage. I am his second wife. He is divorced. My husband’s previous wife’s daughter is with us and that’s why I agreed to marry that at least motherless daughter will get love of mother.” She said. “Than what is the issue? Why did you leave your home?” I curiously asked.
“The problem started when Rehan came into our lives before 6 months. My mother-in-law don’t like me and my son. She thinks that now property will be divided and all” she replied like she was feeling everything happened to her. “My husband is alcoholic. He daily drinks and hits me. Also not giving proper food to eat. Where should I go? I cannot tolerate more. So finally for future of my son I left home” she told and kissed Rehan.
Rehan was very cute. His eyes were blue and curly brownish hairs. He was playing in his mother’s lap while she was telling me the incident. Rehan was unaware about what is happening with him and his mother. He was just smiling and enjoying the fan hanged on train roof. Meanwhile I was thinking that how can anybody raise hands towards a woman? It is totally horrible. How one can even think about it? In engineering we are taught that there are multiple ways to solve single problem. So in life also, I believe there will be many ways to solve problems. Is this the way to show your so called ‘Mardangi (Masculinity)’? After marriage a lady leaves her home and tries to be fit in others family. She tries to keep everyone happy. She wake ups early morning before everyone. She handles each job from morning breakfast to dinner with smile on her face. It may be ill day or in periods, she never complains and Instead of supporting her how can you hit her and abuse her?! We men cannot even feel 1% of the pain she goes through in whole life. A woman takes harsh step in life when things are out of her tolerance level. She don’t need government support for women empowerment but she needs support from her family.
“What are you thinking?” she asked me.
I came out of all thinking and said “Nothing”.
“Where will you go now?” I asked genuinely.
“I don’t know brother” she replied.
“Where does your father, Mother stay? Won’t you go there?” surprisingly I asked. “No. My father don’t support me. They stay at Kalyan, Mumbai. As I have step mother. She don’t like me and my sister. Many times I have tried to talk to them but they always tell me to adjust” she replied. At that time I realized that my problems in life are nothing compare to her. She also told that she has taken only Rehan’s clothes,2000 rs and left home. In between Rehan started crying. I asked “Why is he crying much?” Then she told me about bad health of Rehan. He was having green toilet which is I think not good for babies. I felt so sorry for the situation she was passing from.
Long two hours of conversation and knowing everything about her I finally told that “Didi, you can come with me at my house. I work in MNC and lives in township near to Panvel city. We have better medical facility there. After Rehan’s treatment, you may leave”. I asked her as I was worried about that small baby. After thinking sometime she agreed to come with me. I know that it was the biggest step I am going to take in my life with full of risks. There were many risks on me like she can claim rape case, blackmailing and kidnapping etc. I had thought everything but I remembered the conversation with that unknown on platform, ‘humanity is above everything’. I prepared myself mentally to face all future uncertainties.
At 0430 hrs train stopped at Dadar station. I had already booked my company guest house for me to take rest at early morning. Now didi was also with me. I booked Ola cab and we reached at guest house. Our company shift bus arrives at 0600 hrs at guest house. After being fresh we left for my home. Fortunately I had two mattresses at home. I told didi to stay in my bed room and I shifted to drawing room. My township is full of greenery and ambient weather. I took Rehan to the hospital on same day. Doctor gave him some medicines and told not to worry. I brought fruits, diapers and all other stuff child needs. Simultaneously she talked to her father about all these.
One night Rehan was crying too much. I was sleeping after my duty hours. What happened next was heart touching. Rubina di woke up, went towards my pooja room and took ‘Bhagwad Gita’ from there and started reading near Rehan’s ear. It was heart melting and soul touching. She was from Muslim community however she didn’t hesitate to read ‘Bhagwad Gita’. I got one more lesson in my life that religions are what we have created on earth. They are not bounded by any law or dharmgurus. All religions are same, what matter is how you take it. I slept again.
Finally after 5th day she told me that her father was agreed to keep her with him unless her problem gets resolved. In between daily one thought was hammering me that “Have I done something wrong? Will it be problematic for me in future?” But my heart was always saying me that “No, you have not done anything wrong, keep faith on yourself”. Now Rehan was fit and healthy. On 6th day morning she asked me to book tickets for her home. Finally Rehan with her mother peacefully reached at his Grandpa’s home.
Only one thing I want to convey is, we always talk about humanity but afraid to practice it. So never hesitate, always help others. It will give you inner peace.
