The Invincible Moonsheen
Part – 39
(Telugu Original “Venutiragani Vennela” by Dr K.Geeta)
English Translation: V.Vijaya Kumar
(The previous story briefed)
Sameera comes to meet her mother’s friend, Udayini, who runs a women’s aid organization “Sahaya” in America. Sameera gets a good impression of Udayini. Four months pregnant, Sameera tells her that she wants to get a divorce and the circumstances are conducive to it. Udayini asks her to listen to the story of “Tanmayi” and pursue her to make her own decision after listening to the story. Tanmayi and Shekhar, who met at a wedding ceremony, go to marry with the permission of their elders. After the marriage they started their new life in Visakhapatnam. A boy was born to the couple in a year of their marriage. Tanmay engages in her studies deeply and enjoys the friendship with her colleagues forgetting all about her household disturbances. Her parents came to stay with her for a month while Shekhar is away on his long-term camp.
***
Tanmayi returned to Visakhapatnam by the morning train. As Narasamma’s younger sister, who had been looking after her son Bhanumurthy, was bedridden, Jyoti got down at Rajahmundry station and went home.
As soon as the train stopped at the station, everybody was surrounded by the greetings of people who had come for their loved ones. Tanmayi’s heart filled with sorrow even though she knew no one would come for her, and no one was there. Although this city had made her dreams come true, it had shattered her life.
Tanmayi sat down in the auto, hugging her son closer. The cool breeze blowing gently was very pleasant. She felt like going around the beach and asked the auto driver to go to Ramakrishna Beach.
She told him – as he looked at her in surprise – “We have to come back here via Chinna Waltair.”
The morning was overcast, and waves crashed ashore. Boats that had gone fishing at night returned exhausted, squatting on the sandy shore, soaking up water.
Fishermen untied and shook their nets before shouldering them. The auto rickshaw sped past people walking on the shorefront path.
“Drive safely and slowly, no hurry please,” Tanmayi said, tucking her sleeping son close.
Now her life was in her hands. She could do whatever she wanted like a free bird. As soon as this thought came, joy flooded her mind. Once there were entanglements and controls everywhere. In the name of protection, her parents raised her as if being born a girl was a sin. Her husband suppressed her in every way. Trapped in marriage’s snares, she had suffocated. She turned her head when her gaze met a rusted merry-go-round amidst broken fragments of Appughar debris scattered along the road – resembling her own devastated life.
Now she was a free spirit. Her mind felt light as a dove released from its cage; it rose like a butterfly in the breeze and swam like a duckling in the curling foam upon the waves.
***
When she stepped into her hostel room, Mary brought coffee asking lovingly, “Hope you had a good trip?”
“Of course dear. Everything went well on this trip, except for an unavoidable visit to someone’s house,” Tanmayi said curtly.
“It’s true, Tanmayi. When life goes happily, we face no problems with people. But when turmoil comes, this society shows no sympathy. The humiliations we single women face have no bounds. That’s why I decided never to visit anyone’s house – relatives or friends. Since then, I’ve been fine. Get ready quickly! As you performed well in the interview, let’s go for breakfast today,” she urged.
Nodding, Tanmayi said, “No one knows when government lecturer results come. First, Mary, I must urgently vacate the hostel for a rented room.”
“Well, I know you won’t rest until it’s done – this issue of yours! We’ll go to Divakar’s house and say you’ll join tomorrow,” Mary smiled.
At Divakar’s house, his mother welcomed them heartily and blessed Tanmayi: “Getting a lecturer interview so soon after your Ph.D.? You’ll definitely get a government job!”
“If that happens, it’s your blessings. No one is as fortunate as my friend,” said Mary.
Babu started playing as soon as he arrived.
Divakar’s mother called to her husband: “Hey, your grandchild came!”
Tanmayi took leave, promising to bring luggage that evening.
Returning in the auto, Mary said happily: “Your goodness saves you, Tanmayi. Not only do they understand your situation, they love you like their own daughter. You’re lucky to have such people in this indecent world where crowds peck like vultures.”
Tanmayi took Mary’s hand. “Just as I found you!”
***
The paper soon reported irregularities in government job selections – some had approached courts, halting results until cases were resolved.
Tanmayi decided to forget it and enrolled her son in a nearby school. The time between dropping him off and picking him up was perfect for research. Sundays were dedicated to playing with him. Life’s ups and downs sorted themselves, becoming easier.
One day returning from school, they found Shekhar’s mother waiting in a chair. Tanmayi was shocked. They’d found her address so easily – someone was always watching. Panic swept through her.
Divakar’s mother had already given her coffee.
Shekhar’s mother looked at them, saying “Come, come!” with a sly smile.
Tanmayi stared emotionlessly, pulling her son close.
As Tanmayi unlocked the door, Shekhar’s mother entered. “Staying alone?”
When Tanmayi glared, she faltered. “I thought your parents might be with you.”
Didn’t she know they were in the village?
“What a pity! This is our eldest grandson – we poured our lives into him. And this happened,” she sighed.
Tanmayi remained silent. The court only granted the father visitation rights. Yet they came, ignoring her feelings. Helpless, she retreated to the back room and shut the door.
For an hour, the woman talked to the child in the front room before yelling, “I’m leaving!”
Tanmayi heard everything:
“Your father is sick to see you, Babu”
“If your mother were stable, we wouldn’t have troubles.”
“Does anybody come here?”
Tanmayi’s blood boiled. How could she speak to a child?
Her younger brother honked his scooter outside. Tanmayi was livid.
Shekhar’s mother told Divakar’s mother with feigned affection: “Please look after them, amma!” before leaving.
Their intrusion resurrected all Shekhar’s injustices. How could she escape this torture? Overwhelmed, she collapsed crying on her bed. Her son, sensing her agony, ran his fingers through her hair.
***
The Service Commission case, thought indefinitely delayed, was resolved within two months.
That evening, Jyoti called.
Divakar ran to announce the news.
Tanmayi is usually called from STD booths. When her mother suddenly called, she fled in fear. “You got the appointment letter!” Jyoti exclaimed through joyful tears.
Tanmayi froze. “Is it true? Is it true?” Tears streamed down her cheeks. All she could say was, “I’ll be home tomorrow, Sunday.”
Why hadn’t her mother rejoiced over her JRF? Just a detached “Oh.” Back then, there was no answer to “What after research?” But now – pure elation. Society’s value for government jobs.
Tanmayi rushed to her master’s house and bowed before them with tears and said, “ Thank you so much for your great support and encouragement all these days sir”
“We are proud of you Tanmayi. You have achieved with your talent, and your son is blessed. Good luck!” They blessed her wholeheartedly.
The woman fed her with a fistful of sugar.
Bursting with joy, Tanmayi anxiously asked about her research and further course of .
“You needn’t stop. But as a government employee, you’ll lose the JRF scholarship. Convert to a part-time Ph.D. and join the job. They won’t give much time. Plan leisurely after joining,” he advised.
As she prepared to leave the master’s wife offered a saree and a blouse piece blessing Tanmayi. “Visit anytime.”
Then Karuna appeared at the gate but looked away. When the master said, “Karuna! Tanmayi got a lecturer job. Did you know?” he walked past impolitely – neither stopping customarily nor saying goodbye. Jealousy over her success was plain on his face.
She congratulated herself for not inviting him into her life. Another terrible mistake avoided.
“Life is about slipping through thorns,” she told herself.
***
The weekend seemed painfully long. At home at last, Tanmayi read her typed appointment letter ten times. Strangely, she was posted near Hyderabad’s outskirts – just as she’d hoped – under a National Integration Appointment quota, since no same-zone vacancies existed for meritorious candidates.
Tanmayi felt profound happiness at getting her desired location.
Leaving her son with her mother, Tanmayi traveled alone to Hyderabad to join her post.
*****
(Continued next month)
A post graduate in English literature and language and in Economics. A few of my translations were published. I translated the poems of Dr. Andesri , Denchanala, Ayila Saida Chary and Urmila from Telugu to English. I write articles and reviews to magazines and news papers. To the field of poetry I am rather a new face.