What happened to Darsan?
In search of deeper meaning of life
JIRARA
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© JIRARA, February 2020
Published by JIRARA
On matrubharti.com
Disclaimer: This is the work of fiction as far as all the characters, their names and the names of all the events are concerned and all these are imaginary and hence any resemblance to the persons (and their lives) dead or alive, and any places are coincidental. Even if a few events might look real, these are fictionalised and the associated names are changed in order to maintain their privacy and honour. No intention whatsoever is meant to hurt any feelings of whosoever. The ‘I’, ‘my’, ‘me’, and ‘mine’ (if any used) do not necessarily mean the author of this book, and these and other such pronouns; her, his, he, she, him,…; are used for effective personification and dramatization.
Please Note: The readers should take these stories with/in good spirit. Also, the author and the publisher will not be responsible for any negative effects/situations arising as a result of reading these stories and/or following the suggestions if any. No dispute of any kind will be entertained. JIRARA.
Dedication
In loving memory to
her mother
who wanted to save
her own granddaughters
What happened to Darsan?
It was in the last week of April 1986, that I came back from Canada after obtaining my doctoral degree, the Ph.D. The main reason for my return was, that my father had just then expired on 5th April, 1986, and I had received a telegram on 8th April from my elder (half-) brother informing me about our father’s sad demise. Grief-stricken though, we wound up everything in less than three weeks then, and came back to our native town.
During one day in the following month, we had a meeting (in my native town) with some of our cousins regarding some dispute related to our common farming-lands; and since my father was no more, this aspect was required to be resolved soon. Darsan’s mother was incidentally present in the meeting, for she also had some common lands with some of our cousins.
Darsan’s Mother (who was quite old): Why did you go to Canada?
Gatuseniore: I went to do higher studies, that eventually got me a doctorate degree, and I am now called Dr. Gatuseniore.
DM: Oh, then you can cure me, I have fever, and am not able to get rid of it.
GS: Aunty, I am really sorry, unfortunately I am not that type of a doctor, I mean I am not a medical doctor, so I cannot treat you.
DM: What is the use of your doctorate degree then?
Gatuseniore felt very bad, that he could not help his aunty at all. He, then felt he should have done medicines, and got to become a real doctor.
***
Darsan was only the eldest sister among our sub-area’s 10 families of the Rajput brotherhood, of which in fact there were and even now are 5-five (greater) mahollas, the streets/close community dwellings, or so called bigger/major areas (in Gujarati such an area is called madhha). I was, perhaps a teenager then, may be younger teenager, and seen her only once or twice, since during those times we were staying in a different town (Ijapur) where my father was practicing as an advocate. Interestingly she was married, and had even two daughters, and was staying a bit far away from our native town. So, our meetings were a rarity and she being the eldest cousin sister, we had some curiosity to meet her, and talk to her. Her father was very rich, and had a jewellery shop/s in Mumbai. I do not remember to have seen her father who was an eldest cousin brother of my father, and his other cousin brothers.
My aunty (Darsan’s mother) was a widow, even before I went to Canada. And whenever I was in my native town, Namansa (for a few days visiting my own grandmother, and her sister, both were widows), I used to help her buying vegetables from the market, etc.; for which she was always thankful to me. She sometimes offered me some snacks, and even a lunch. She did not have any other children except our cousin sister Darsan, who was a sort of curiosity in our area, and mainly for me as my own sister was much younger to me.
***
It was an evening and was dark in the vacant plot where there was a wooden cot woven with coir strings. On the three sides of this plot there were series of row as well as separate houses, and on the fourth side was a way to go to the town. Lying on the cot was my father (MF) and my other elder cousin brother (CB). I also, slipped on to the cot, and was listening their conversation that was in a too low voice. I could sense that my cousin had some serious personal issue and was taking my father’s advice. At the same time they were talking about the wedding that was held in the opposite house, that is of my father’s cousin’s house where from a bride will be married of and sent to the same town where Darsan was already married. It seemed the tone of their conversation was not only low but seemed very serious.
MF: The bride groom’s party has already arrived for the opposite house, but one important guest seems missing. He should have come with this party, since our town is also his in-law’s place.
CB: It is most likely that he was perhaps not invited by the groom’s family.
MF: It might not be so. As per my internal information from a confidant, I gather that the guy was with them in the journey, but midway de-boarded the train that carried the party, at the next station, and he hurried back.
CB: Then, there must have been something wrong with his own family there back home.
The word was that the mother of Darsan should not be told that her husband has gone back to his home, else she would get worried unnecessarily.
***
As usual the wedding function was full on in the bride’s house, and only a few people had some scanty information of something has gone wrong in the groom’s town, of course not anything wrong in his own house or family back home.
The bride’s mother had some suspicion that, since that one male-guest had returned to his home town, there might be something wrong with his wife (Darsan) who had stayed back and not joined the groom’s party for the wedding here. She got worried about her own daughter’s fate if she gets married to a groom who belongs to the same place of that guest who had returned back in the midst of their journey. Lots of secret speculations amongst the few who were then concerned with this issue of worrying bride’s mother; her husband and sons, though the latter were teenagers, were consoling her, and advised her not to make any big news of the speculated ‘facts’.
Unfortunately, the mother of Darsan was in a great state of worry, since her son-in-law had hurried back home, in the midst of his journey; she had smelt something suspicious; although she was not informed about this, her sixth sense made her feel that way.
There was a kind of unity amongst a few hosts who knew the scanty fact, that this wedding should go on, and the ‘real’ news should be declared (only after more confirmation is obtained as the time elapses) and only after the groom, with his newly-wed bride returns to his home town with the groom’s party, which would be only in the next day evening.
The wedding was completed successfully despite the fact that the bride’s mother was worried and tensed.
***
Darsan was left behind primarily because she was pregnant with her third baby, and the delivery was expected soon. After the groom’s party left with the newly married couple, the talks in the sub-area street started doing waves of various speculations:
Was she really pregnant, or too sick even otherwise?, or she was forcibly denied and was not allowed to come with the marriage party?, was there any purpose to keep her there, and why her two young-teenage daughters were allowed to come in the marriage here?
***
In fact Darsan desired to come to her own native place along with the groom’s party (and with her husband and two daughters), and she had a small tussle with her husband (HH) the day before. But, her husband cited several reasons related to her and her baby’s health, and told her not to travel, and remain back home.
D: Why are you not taking me to my native place?
HH: You know very well, your health is precarious, you have our baby in your womb.
D: There is still time for the delivery, and I want to see my mother, she is often not well.
HH: If something odd happened to you in train and bus due to jerks, etc., what shall I do?, it is not very safe to travel in such condition of yours.
D: I am concerned that you might get married to someone and come back, since we have only two daughters, and when we had the second daughter you had murmured ‘I wish we had a baby boy this time’.
HH: Your fears are unfounded, every husband in our society desires a son. But, that does not mean I would again get married and come back here with a new wife.
However, this lady, Darsan (D) was fearless. She was often dubbed also as an adamant lady, and was bold enough to stay behind alone and manage the house affairs, anyway it was a matter of two nights only. Then, Darsan agreed to avoid the travel, and penned a short letter to her mother, did not sign, and put it in an envelope and gave to one of her daughters, with the instruction that the grandmother should open the envelop only after the marriage in the neighbouring area was successfully completed, and after the marriage party had left. The girl did what her mother had told her to do, and she passed on the envelope to her grandmother just before parting away from her, who kept the envelope in her cupboard safely to read it later.
There was a concurrent function of the same marriage in the street of the Darsan’s home (in fact her husband’s home) in the town of Munawada in another district of the same state. The husband had gone with the party (to Namansa). In her own home she was alone. Her two daughters also had left the home with their father.
***
In the second day morning Darsan’s mother (DM) suddenly remembered that her granddaughter had given her an envelope from her own daughter, and she had safely kept it in a cupboard. She was very curious to see what was written in the letter, that now it is an opportune time to get this letter read, because she was illiterate. She got the envelope and put it near the several idols, and photos of deities that were installed in her Pooja room. She lighted a wick dipped in pure ghee (melted butter), and prayed for some time. She was really worried what her daughter might have written in the letter, because of the certain facts that she came to know, just after the marriage party from the neighbourhood had left the previous evening to Munawada. Her information was that her own son-in-law who had accompanied the party, had left for his home from the middle of the journey, and no further knowledge she had about him.
She opened the envelope, and could easily recognize Darsan’s handwriting, but could not read it. She went to his immediate neighbour who was her brother-in-law, Marsi. He had just finished his morning tea, and welcomed his sister-in-law. She gave the letter to him to read. But, Marsi was a very mature person, and incidentally was an inspector in police department. So, he read the letter first to himself in silence, and then hinted her to go to her home, and said that he will follow her with the letter, and read it there. But, he did not follow her immediately, and got some time to think further and to decide something more profound than outright reading the letter to her.
After a while he went to her room in her own home, and there he told her: as such the things seem normal, and there is nothing to worry about your daughter, Darsan, but it would be nice to pay a visit to her, and personally see her, as you know that she is also pregnant, and that her husband had just returned home from the middle of the journey. If you want we four cousin bothers will accompany you in the journey to her town, and after paying visit and meeting your daughter we will return immediately. So, this way you will be able to personally meet her, to which the old mother agreed.
***
Marsi met his other three cousins: Atansi (who was a lawyer), Adhusi (a high school teacher), and Chandusi (another inspector in police force, Marsi himself was a senior police inspector) who were just living in very close neighbourhood. He did not discuss much from the letter, and then they all agreed and got ready to accompany Darsan’s mother for the journey which they decided to start in the evening, so they can reach Munawada the next morning.
The team of five people left by the evening bus and reached in the next morning to Darsan’s home. There her husband and her daughters welcomed the team, Darsan was not to be seen in the vicinity. In normal situation she would be always the first person to receive her mother, or any guest from her own native place. The hosts were grief-stricken as was very apparent from their faces and silent gestures. Nobody was in any mood to talk. The congregation of five guests and three hosts was just silent, the situation was sensed to be serious, and no questions were asked, and no answers were expected. The two granddaughters were just clung to their naanisa (grandmother) and were sobbing.
Just then, a neighbouring relative, an elderly old lady (EOL) having seen some relatives arriving to the Darsan’s home, rushed to her home, and welcomed them nonchalantly, and sat down opposite them. She breaking the sad news said:
Darsan was very adamant lady and stubborn house wife, we had offered her to stay with us in the nights because she was alone, and that to she was carrying. But, she ignored our suggestions, and stayed alone in her own home. When in the morning, she did not come to attend the function, we enquired, and then we broke open her bedroom door, where we found her in the pool of blood. We called the doctor home, who declared her dead. It was suspected that she was, perhaps killed by the thieves, who knowing that she was alone, might have taken a chance to burglary, and she might have resisted and the angry thieves would have killed her. We do not know anything beyond this. We had to do last rites soon as her husband had returned and we had to do this in absolute secrecy, since in our next door-relative’s home the wedding functions were full on, and hence we have not informed even the police regarding this. The EOL then swiftly left to her home.
The guests just then decided to leave soon before noon, and would reach in the evening to their homes in Namansa. Since, still the after-the-marriage ceremonies were on here (in Munawada), and there was no point in waiting, and all were so grief-stricken that nobody had any inclination to stay more than taking a cup of tea that was just put on the table. Darsan’s mother did not take even tea.
While the guests had just left the compound of Darsan’s house, an elderly old man (EOM) came and told something to Atansi, who was just trailing in walking with his other cousins, and Darsan’s mother. He, then soon went back, and Atansi joined the other members quickly. One of the cousins asked Atansi, as to what that old man told, but Atansi just told them that it can be discussed only after reaching our home town, since there is no point of talking about this on the way, lest the passers-by might create some complications, if they overheard us talking.
***
The team of five people returned to their homes (in Namansa) in the late evening, and the four cousin brothers consoled the mother of Darsan, and went to bed without having dinner, and Darsan’s mother went on fasting for a few days, as a part of tapas (cleansing of mind and body) that she wanted to practice in honour of her daughter.
Next, morning the four cousin brothers met in a closed door meeting to discuss the secret that was just revealed to Atansi (before leaving Munawada), who told the three cousins that the EOM had told him that Darsan was most probably murdered by the confidants of the EOL, who was very angry on her for certain reasons. He told that some hot conversation had taken place between the EOL and Darsan, a few days ago, before the day her husband and three daughters had left with the marriage party to Namansa. The EOM had also warned Atansi not to reveal his name to anybody.
EOL (who was incidentally the elder sister of Darsan’s mother-in-law and was next door neighbour): Darsan, can you come to my home, I want to talk to you about something very important.
Darsan: Yes, basaheb, what is that so important and urgent?
EOL: It is about your own life, and the future of your family. As of now you have only daughters, and now you are carrying a baby, but we do not know whether it will be a he or she.
Darsan: But, basaheb, I have no worries, I love my two daughters, and even if one more comes, I will take the same care of her as I have been taking of these two girls.
EOL: But, I am worried, I do not want to see my sister’s son (your husband) without a boy, you see.
Darsan: But, my mother-in-law or even my husband never told me about this anytime, and they seem to be not concerned about this.
EOL: They would not have shared their worries with you, but I know that they are secretly worried about this, and you know how important it is to have sons in our households and our clans.
Darsan: Basaheb, I think you are overly worried, and as such I am not worried. But, for right now what I can do; we will know only after the new baby is born.
EOL: That is why I am suggesting to you now, and I have already done this to your husband that he should get married again. So, there would be a very high chance, that the new woman will be blessed with a baby boy, and then the entire family will be very happy. The proposed lady is my niece, and she is very nice, simple and homely.
Darsan: I do not agree with you, basaheb, and I love my husband and my two daughters so much, that I would not allow my husband to remarry ever.
(Darsan told this very forcefully and assertively, which insulted EOL and she got very much upset with Darsan).
EOL: Darsan, something has gone in your head, and you are very stubborn. Sooner or later you will repent your decision. Only, time will tell, that might come too soon.
Darsan: Basaheb, I have a lot of respect for you, and your sister, who is my mother-in-law, and even her son, but I am not happy that you are angry on me.
EOL: You are actually disobeying me, and you will face severe consequences. Go back to your home, and I would never want to see you again.
The four cousins went to Darsan’s mother and told that they all suspect, she was murdered by some nearest-of-her-relatives, hearing which the mother almost collapsed on the floor, and started crying uncontrollably. She lamented that Darsan was her only child, and was really happy and hardworking, and innocent house wife.
***
Within a week’s time a team of two police (TP) officers came from Munawada to Namansa to meet the mother, who called the four cousins for their help in conversations with the investigating team.
TP: Darsan’s mother, please tell us something about your daughter, if she was unhappy for some reason, and do you suspect any foul play?
DM: She was as such very happy, and she never complained of anything. I do not suspect anybody, it might be some thieves who, it seems killed her for some gain.
TP: When did you have any latest conversation, or meeting with her?
DM: That was a long ago, but just now I remember that she had sent one letter addressed to me, but I still do not know what was written in it, since I am an illiterate mother.
TP: Where is the letter, can you give it to us?
She brought the letter and gave to the TP for reading.
TP (One of the team members read the letter for himself, but, just gave summary of it): Darsan had described her agony in this letter: tussle with her husband on not allowing her to come here to meet you, and hot argumentations with her mother-in-law’s sister on the issue of remarriage of her own husband.
DM: I did not know about this, and I was not told any details about its contents, may be since we were in hurry to leave to Darsan’s town. And the letter was handed over to me by my granddaughters just before leaving Namansa. My brother-in-law read it to himself, and just then he told that we should visit Darsan soon, and then we visited her home, and came back with the bad news of her death.
TP: We would like you to cooperate with us for further investigation of her case.
DM: I am not interested in doing anything. My lovely daughter is gone. That was and that is my fate. I am widow and growing older day by day, and I really cannot take burden of travelling, waiting, and expenditures.
The four cousins (almost in unison): Sister-in-law, we will support you as much as feasible, and also meet all the expenditures.
DM: I am not in any mood to do anything, I am disgusted, dejected, and depressed, I need to come out of this state of my mind, ever if I can cooperate, then I will decide what to do, please give me some time.
The investigating team went back to Munawada after instructing the cousins, that when Darsan’s mother decides to cooperate they should inform them, and then the case can be taken forward.
***
The cousins got disturbed, and even disappointed. They could not understand why the mother declined to cooperate, even after their assurance. It was at this juncture that they decided to read the letter fully to her.
After two weeks when the rituals on the demise of Darsan’s were completed, and when the mother was, though still grief-stricken, but a little more composed than earlier, told her brothers-in-law, that she did not want to pursue the case of murder of her daughter, since she has lost her happiness, and there won’t be any gain in pursuing the case any further.
It is then the cousins decided to read out the letter fully:
* My dearest mother:
I hope you are fine. I, and your granddaughters are as such fine, and so is your son-in-law. However, I am greatly disturbed now a days. I had a short tussle with my husband regarding him expecting a son from me. Also, on my repeated request, he did not allow me to join the wedding party that was to arrive to your neighbour. If I were allowed to come, I would have been able to see you and meet you, and might even stayed with you for at least some more days. But, he stated the reason of my current pregnancy, and did not permit me to come to see you.
Mother, I am really distressed, I had a real fight (verbal hot conversations) with my mother-in-law’s own sister, whom you know is very odd woman, and she had been disturbing me for last couple of years, especially, after I gave birth to your second granddaughter. She is gripped by a frenzy to get my husband remarried to her own niece. And I clearly stated that I would not allow it to happen in any case as long as I am alive.
Mother, she dubbed me that I am disobedient, stubborn and adamant. She got very furious with me, and told me that she does not want to see my face any more. She also, threatened me with dire consequences. Mother, I am brave, but I am now afraid that this lady might do anything to me. And this is an opportune time for her, since I will be alone here in my house, since my husband and my daughters might have gone with the marriage party.
Mother, please do not worry at all. If anything untoward happens, I will fight valiantly to save mine-to-be-born baby. Take care of your health, and let your granddaughters come back here with their father, since, their presence would give me immense strength.
May your health remain good, and eventually if anything dangerous happens, please do not grieve, lest you might fall sick, and there would not be anybody to take care of you, and also because you can be assured that your daughter would have valiantly fought for her life and her baby’s life in her/my womb.*
The mother then added that it was good that she did not agree to cooperate with the case, because she was really worried of her granddaughters’ lives, since the murderers of my Darsan might take revenge, if they are caught and punished. Since I have lost my daughter, I do not want to lose my lovely and innocent granddaughters.
*****
It was 6 decades ago, this ‘happened’. Eventually Darsan’s husband had got married as per the wish of EOL. The main real characters: Darsan’s mother, the four cousins, the EOL, and EOM, and Darsan’s husband might be in the Darsan’s abode anyway; even her daughters might be there (or might be living as grandmothers). May be only her grandchildren might be settled in their own respective positions, status and towns. Nobody knew who were the real culprits (except EOL/EOM) and the latter never revealed their names, and these all are gone with the wind, and the cruel time spread the dark curtain on the little known truths.
It is not clear that how Darsan’s husband got the news that he had to return back from the middle of his journey, since there was no landline in his home or in immediate neighbourhood. There were no cell phones, of course. Also, if a telegram were sent, then it would not have been delivered to him into the train in midway journey. This remains a mystery, since Darsan’s husband did leave from the middle of the journey and took a bus journey from the next stopping-railway-station, or a taxi from there.
This indicates that the murder was diligently planned, and executed, and the information was very well controlled and disseminated to only the key personnel, either later or in advance even before the execution of the plan, the certainty of which was perhaps nearly perfect.
Did Darsan’s husband new in advance?
Did somebody/keyperson accompany him from the beginning and revealed the matter in the middle of the train?
How the EOM had come to know about the plan?
The mystery still remains alive in ‘my mind’.
*****
This story is dedicated also to Darsan and the likes who loved/love their daughters, and in the process sacrificed their own lives. Darsan could not save herself and her in-womb baby, but saved her two daughters.
