It was a late winter evening. It was already getting dark as the fog had started surrounding the lake. Dimple was weeping at the lakeside. She was continuously looking at the stagnant water reflecting on the circumstances surrounding her. It seemed that her life had also gone stagnant like the water in the lake.
Dimple was at the prime of her youth but still a scared little girl at her core. Her parents died when she was young and she grew up under care and protection of her grandparents. They were loving but strict specially her grandfather.
Dimple was not very good at studies. Books never pleased her and there was no special hobby which could fill the gap. She loved hanging out with her few close friends though. Preeti was her closest and she spent a lot of time with her. Unlike Dimple, Preeti had a lot of freedom in her life. Her parents allowed her to take all the decisions of her life. It reflected in her personality as well. Unlike Dimple she was confident and decisive.
Preeti was moving out with her parents to the city. She was taking admission in a college in Allahabad. Dimple wanted to do the same but unlike Preetiās parents, her grandparents didnāt agree. Her grandfather taught in a government school in the village and had no business going in the city. They wonāt agree to send her to a hostel. Dimple was both angry and sad.
It was late so she decided to let go off her pain and return to her house. As she moved the fog grew more dense around her, just like her thoughts. She wished she could join her friend in the college. With that wish her eyes sparkled with hope.
As she reached her house her heart sank in grief again. She didnāt want to go inside that house where no one cared for her desires. As she entered she noticed that her grandfather looked upset. Her grandmother revealed that her grandfather got a transfer to Allahabad. Dimple could not believe her ear. Her wish had finally come true.
A week later Dimple was cheerfully packing her stuffs. Her grandparents were not so happy. They had lived in the village for so long it felt like home. Now they were moving to a new place at this stage of their life.
Some ten years back they had moved to Bhojpur. Dimple was young and timid at that time. Her grandparents build their house and a strong community in that place. The plan was to retire in that village and spend their last days in peace after marrying off their lovely granddaughter. The transfer in rural villages often comes late. People sometimes spend 15-20 years in a remote village. But fate was in Dimpleās favour, as she thought!
One year laterā¦
Dimpleās grandparents were still getting used to the new life in the city. People were new and were not that relatable, but they were getting along fine. However, the new place proved worse for Dimple.
Dimple came with the hope of making a new beginning in the city. She wanted to continue her friendship with Preeti and looked forward to making new friends and enjoying city life, but nothing turned out as she had expected. Preeti, being an extrovert, made many new friends, but they were not open to forming a friendship with the timid Dimple. Gradually, Preeti grew distant.
The only thing that kept her calm was Sahil. Sahil was Dimpleās batch mate. He was also a loner like Dimple. She formed a nice friendship with him. He was the only one who understood her and gave her company.
First year was almost complete and everyone was waiting for the results. Dimple was not the studious one but she needed to pass in order to continue college. Her grandparents had already lost all hopes on her. She didnāt want to annoy them anymore.
The results came and Dimpleās worst fear came true. She failed in five subjects. She felt more embarrassment than disappointment. She was now a laughing stock for her classmates. She was the only one with a year back in her batch. Sahil had passed with decent marks. Even he didnāt know how to console Dimple.
Her grandparents reaction was obvious. A silent treatment for an entire week. In college Preeti wonāt even look at her. Now that she was going to repeat first year, even Sahil wonāt be there to calm her. She wished to run away from the situation. She wished she could stop going to college.
The vacation was almost coming to an end. One day Dimpleās grandmother approached her. She said to Dimple:
Look beta! We love you and care for you. That is why we remain concerned. You are ruining your life. You are not good at studies. You never took interest in any household chores. You donāt even have a hobby or other interest. What will you do when we are not there?
We are old. God knows how many days we have. That is why we have made a decision which may benefit you in long run.
Your grandfather has seen a good match for you. His name is Arun. The man is a teacher in his school. He is a decent young man. If you agree we can fix a date soon!
You donāt need to continue college anymore. Arun wants a housewife.
Dimple who was initially hearing in shock was at once filled with joy at the words āYou donāt need to continue college anymore.ā
She thought her wish had come true. She at once said a āYesā.
10 years laterā¦
Ten years had passed since Dimple got married. Much had changed in her life. She lived in Agra now! She went on from being a devoted wife to being a mother of two children, a girl and a boy. Actually the last time she had really made a wish was when she wanted a kid. God gave her two!
She was really happy being a mother and thought maybe that was the wish that actually worked for her. But in time kids grew, went to school, husband got two more transfers, but despite of everything Dimpleās mental state remained the same.
She would wake up every morning preparing breakfast for kids and husband, sending them off, cleaning, organising, etc. In between whenever she got free time she would sit at the window and look outside. She would often reflect on her life choices. Why was she granted her wishes? Why she still canāt find her inner peace.
She was lonely from inside. Husband was busy with work and children had their own life. But she was still that awkward, shy woman who had no friends or social circle. Her neighbours wonāt talk to her or greet her. Even she couldnāt make an effort to build a bond with them.
Whenever she would sit on the window, their would be noise of moving cars and buses. All the sound from nearby stalls, all the honking and construction work would make her irritated. Even the air was so polluted and dirty that it was difficult to breathe.
One day in middle of everything she made another wish:
Oh God! Why do I feel as if something is missing in my life. What am I chasing?
I wish to feel welcomed. I wish to breathe fresh air. I wish to feel happy from inside.
A few days had passed. On a regular day, Dimpleās husband came back from work and gave Dimple an envelope. Dimple enquired: āWhat is it?ā
Husband: āAnother transfer. You are going back to your village.ā His tone was subtle without any expression.
Dimple checked the envelope. He was transferred to Bhojpur. She was going back after eleven years. She didnāt know how to react. She left that place years ago and now she was going back. But why?? She didnāt like the thought of it.
A month later Dimple and her family entered Bhojpur. As their car moved in the village she peaked through the window and inhaled the fresh air. She had almost forgotten how beautiful that village was. She looked in amazement as people noticed her and smiled. She was not forgotten.
As she entered her new house, her old neighbours came to see her. They asked about her whereabouts and the welfare of her grandparents. She missed them too. After years she realised that Bhojpur was not bad after all. She met her old friends. Some of them were married and were housewives like her. Others found work in a nearby town.
After unpacking and setting up everything. She walked out of her house and headed towards the lake side. She sat there and looked at the stagnant water. She found her younger self in that reflection. She kept staring the horizon as the sun went down. It was a clear sky!
By Khushboo Singh
