FREEDOM (SHORT STORY)

“My mother’s advice is no more valid” – I thought to myself on hearing the conversation below.

“What is Freedom?”

“Freedom means we can do whatever we want, as long as it does not affect others”.

The question about freedom was asked by Gayathri, a five year old girl, daughter of my brother in law (my husband’s brother). In fact even I wanted to ask that same question, as the people all over the railway station were shouting - “Bharat Mata Ki Jay”,” We got the freedom” were some of their shouting’s - and dancing in Joy. If they were so happy in getting freedom – then the freedom must be tastier than the ‘Adhirasams’ (a sweet) my mother makes – I thought to myself, before being enlightened by the answer given to Gayathri by my father in law.

I, born on a day before Pongal, thirteen years ago, am now in a distant land called Jhansi, sitting in the third class compartment in the train going to Delhi. Sitting near me is my husband, who speaks one or two words to me, only when his mother is not watching. Until two years before, I had been going to school – Convent school run by Christian missionaries- in the next street to our house. I, having completed sixth standard was the most educated girl in our caste. It, along with my beauty (headmistress at my school was so much stunned by my beauty when I danced in a frock for a song praising Jesus Christ during Christmas celebrations) were the reasons that I was selected as a bride by a highly respected family from Delhi.

I was treated like a princess – my father kept repeating that I was so lucky – and I was provided with the finest of sarees and golden bangles; but that was not I wanted. All I wanted was to play with my friends as I used to before. I wanted to go out with my friends and eat ground nuts in a shop near school, but I was gently scolded by my mother when I told my desire- “Don’t ever tell it when your father is near – he is so happy now. Don’t make him angry”.

It was two months before my marriage that I was given the advices that I told to you in the first line of the story. Some of the prominent points of those advices were – to obey everything said by my mother in law, sister in law, or far that matter any of my in laws, not to play with dolls as I used to at home, not to talk to any male relatives other than my husband and thousand other things – and I literally memorized all of them as they were told day after day. Besides these theoretical lectures and advices, I was also given practical fast track courses in cooking, washing clothes etc.

In the train, as Gayathri was playing with toys, jumping in a pink frock – similar to the one I used to wear when I was young – it brought back my childhood memories and I felt jealous of her. I also wanted to play – but my mother’s advice and lectures kept me under control.

It was then Jhansi came and I was enlightened about what Freedom is by my Father-in-law. Now, my entire mother’s advice was not valid. They were valid only when we did not have freedom. Now we have freedom and we can do whatever, we want, as long as it does not affect others. Definitely- I jumping and playing with Gayathri will not affect anyone. I can do it as we have freedom. My mother’s advice is not valid now as we have freedom. I jumped with joy and rushed towards Gayathri to play.

I don’t want to say what happened after that (I don’t believe in sharing negative things), but one thing -- my father-in-law is not as intelligent as other’s think. His definition of freedom was proved wrong and my mother’s advice is still valid.