Dharam Karam

He was pleading in front of the doctor – Doctor sir, please save my father, he is dying. For two days his body has been burning like a furnace, nothing has gone into his stomach. The doctor said – First go and deposit ten thousand rupees in the hospital, then he will get a place in the hospital. He said – Doctor Saheb, I have nothing except my wife’s two bracelets, keep these and admit my father. The doctor said – come as soon as you can arrange the money. Saying this the doctor turned his face and walked away.

He tearfully went to Bapu lying on the ground and said – Bapu, what should I do? Bapu was not alive to answer it.

After some time, he was pleading again in front of the village Panditji – Panditji, please get Bapu’s last rites done. Panditji said – Kiriya Karam will definitely be done, but preparations will have to be made for it. The cost of bier, wood, ghee etc. is around two and a half thousand, five thousand for cow donation and at least three thousand for the funeral feast. He pleaded again – Panditji, if I had so much money, Bapu would be alive today. I only have two bracelets from my wife. Take it. Panditji said angrily – Shh, how can I take your wife’s bracelet? Go and sell it to the moneylender, tell him Panditji has sent you. Even if we get about ten thousand, we will manage.

He once again went to Bapu’s dead body in tears and said – Bapu, you tell me, what should I do?

Didn’t get any reply from Bapu.

His wife was looking with tears in her eyes. Suddenly she wiped the tears from her eyes. Her stance hardened. She said in a firm voice – Enough!  You fulfilled your duty as a son, took him to the doctor, requested Panditji. Those people did not follow their duty and religion. Now pick up Bapu in your hands and we go to the crematorium. Whatever has to be done, we have to do it ourselves.

He looked into his wife’s eyes and then felt confident and picked up Bapu in his hands.

Mahendra Arya

Mahendra Arya, 67, an engineer by education, is a prolific writer of Hindi and English literature, known for his mythological novels Kaikayi – the Misunderstood Queen and Draupadi Demystified, and award-winning thriller Facebook Friends. His works span fiction, plays, and poetry, including The First Scam and a condensed version of the Gita with 70 shlokas. Explore more at www.mahendraarya.com or contact him at author@mahendraarya.com.