II

“Doesn’t the society feels lifeless to you?” Asked a 20 years younger Sunita to Rakesh. “I know dear, very lifeless….. but this is all I could afford….you know…” said Rakesh, looking timidly at his newly wedded wife. “Its ok” said Sunita reassuringly, she didn’t like the society from the very first glimpse, but they didn’t have much options.

Sunita got to work, and decorated their new house like it was some festival around the corner! She thought she would go to meet her neighbours later that evening. Rakesh came home early that evening and brought her fresh flowers. Sunita was delighted, and they spent a lovely evening together at their new home.

Next day after finishing off her chores, Sunita headed to her neighbours Shastris. She rung the doorbell, after a short delay, the gate was opened by a middle aged Mrs. Shastri. Sunita introduced herself and that she had moved in a day before in the neighbourhood. Mrs. Shastri sounded uninterested, and didn’t even invite her inside her home. Sunita felt strange, but tried her luck at her other neighbours’ house. Mrs. Dey Invited her indoors, and offered her a seat. Sunita was a bit relieved, also Mrs. Dey seemed not too elder to her. She had a small chat with Reena, who seemed a kind lady but Sunita felt a strange air of sadness enveloping her. Sunita went back home, and prepared a sumptuous meal her for her husband, had dinner and went to sleep.

A few months passed, Sunita and Rakesh had setup their love nest, with some furniture from their parents’ house and some from their own money. Sunita had not made any friends in the neighbourhood. No lady ever came to peek into her house, only Sunita had made a few trips to Mrs. Dey’s. She wasn’t a chatterbox, but a patient listener, which kept Sunita company.

Sunita and Rakesh decided to plan their family. Their parents had been suggesting them from long, and finally they decided to heed to their advice. Sunita was unwilling to raise her kids in this lifeless society. She wanted to shift somewhere nice and then raise their family. Rakesh assured her, his work was running smooth and they could soon get loan from bank to buy their dream house. Sunita was thrilled by the thought of their dream house.

I

“Ding dong” went the main gate bell. It was a fine gate with a huge structure and solid iron which gave it a rich feel. Black iron not polished long ago gave it a royal look. “Ding dong” again went the bell which shook the silence of the deserted neighborhood.

A lady with a few greys walked up to the door and opened the solid cast for the impatient visitor. She looked down to find the young visitor wearing a smile prettier than her pink frock. “Yes? May I help you?” “Oh yes Ma’am, I have recently shifted in the house next to yours, and was looking for a friend to play with!” chuckled the little miss.

“You won’t find any company here! Or anywhere near!” said the lady clad in a very regular cotton sari, with more wrinkles than her face. Mrs. Sharma shut the door tight and returned back to her room, only to return to the door on the sound of the second bell.

“Namaste, you must be Mrs. Sharma, I’m Kamini, Katyani’s mother. I’m sorry, she is such an active child, must have bothered you.” “Umm, that’s Ok but I have already told her, there is no one in my house to play with her.” said Sunita in a rather strict tone. “Yeah, we would love you to join us for tea sometime! See you around. Bye!” Kamini said rather abruptly astounded by the unfriendly attitude of Sunita, and rushed back home taking Katyani by her arm, “don’t run off to stranger's homes dear, be careful…..”.

Sunita dragged herself back to her room, her mind unable to let go the 8 year old’s smile. Her voice echoed in her ears and a tiny tear fell off her left eye corner. Seated in her arm chair she gazed out through the dark big window. Her mind jumped back 20 years back….