CHILD’S CONSTRAINT: A SHORT STORY

CHILD’S CONSTRAINT: A SHORT STORY

One cloudy afternoon in a ramshackle house at some shabby locality in the outskirts of Noida city,

“Hey mom, see what I’m using”, Tarun came running to her mom and said. “What is this?” asked Shanti without looking at him. “Look at it what I’m playing”, said Tarun while watching a video on a Tablet. “What are you watching”, Shanti asked in interest. “Look, my friend Sameer has given this to me”, Tarun answered. “Oh! This is the same kind of device which Raj Sahab”s son use, I observed this while I was working in Raj Sahab’s house”, Shanti replied. “How Sameer got this one?” Shanti asked out of curiosity.

         “Sameer’s brother has returned from Bangaluru and got this for him”, answered Tarun. Till then Tarun’s younger sister Rani came after playing with her friends and requested Tarun “Please show me what you have got”. Tarun while making faces replied, “Show you! No, get aside”. Shanti in a tone of scolding said to Tarun, “Why don’t you show it your sister”. Tarun told in umbrage, “This tablet can get troubled or break. After all I have to safely return it back tomorrow”. “It will not break, Raj Sahab use it every day while working”, said Shanti, “Let her see at least! and Rani you please be careful, do not scramble”, Shanti turned to Rani.

          Rani replied, “No Maa! I don’t want it now. You give me some money, I will Bring my own Tablet device, then I will use it in my way. Even our classes are now happening online using smart phones and computers”. Shanti Exclaimed, “Are you got mad!! Even in one thousand rupees you will only get its battery. I have heard from Raj Sahab while discussing with his son.” Don’t you know how costly these things come?” questioned Shanti. “Thousand rupees for only a battery”, Children cried out of shock. “Yes, my dear kids; are these things inexpensive? No! not at all. You need at least fifteen to twenty thousand to get one”. Shanti explained and added, “We have no rights to use such things as we can’t afford”.

          “Mom, but I haven’t even used such device till now, not even once. First time I got this in my hand”, said little Rani with a face down. “Oh dear! How you would have seen such things; If we get them then only you will be able to use”, Shanti told Rani. “Mom are we this poor from the very beginning that we don’t even own a good house”, asked Tarun. “No, my son! This is all a game of luck, God and destiny”, explained Shanti. Then she started telling her story which she used to tell her children every time she got emotional.

          “Oh, my dear kids, many years ago we were living in our own beautiful house in southern Bihar, which afterwards become Jharkhand. Your maternal Grandpa owned a small lush green land there. That time was much better than yours. No high expectations, no dependence on gadgets, we use to wonder around different places and enjoy whole day. There was no competition for survival. But once your Grandpa got very ill and without proper knowledge and medical facility, we were not able to save him. After he died, the hurricane of trouble and complexities fall on us. My mother was not literate and advance and by making use of that some influential people of the village took control of our land in the name of getting medicines and treatment for my ailing father. Afterwards we were only left with the house, but that too wasn’t remained that long. Our area was pounced with flash floods, all our living was disrupted. Many in the village lost their lives. For saving us, my mom with the help of her brother came here to the city for earning a living and our survival. Then she started working in nearby households so that me and my brothers can get food and shelter.”

         “Okay! Okay! Mom we know the rest of the story that how you started contributing to your mother’s work, become a helping hand and then eventually how you got married. Please don’t repeat the same. We don’t want you in the dejected mood”, children said in sorrowful voice. “I’m sorry mother, I will not demand such expensive things again”, Rani said regretfully. “It is not your fault my baby”, replied Shanti who was still downcast.

          “But mom, How Sameer’s family got these gadgets. His brother was saying that next time he will bring laptop for him” asked Tarun. “Mom, you know, now onwards all our classes will be taken on computers, all the syllabus and information will be provided online”, Tarun added in explanation. “Son, his family is in much better condition then us. His brother has got a good job in some factory there in Bangaluru”, answered Shanti. “Mom, why we are not rich?” questioned Rani out of innocence. “Our luck has not risen yet, when you will earn money after growing up, then we will also become rich”, Shanti replied but still jumbled.

       “Yes, mom I will also work in some big city. Then I will bring all the gadgets”, said Tarun and his eyes got brightened. “I will bring a lot of money, then me and Rani will also enjoy like Sameer and his brother”, added Tarun. “Yes, even all my friends are now buying tablets and laptops to cope up with the present scenario and to study while this Covid-19 pandemic situation is going on”, Rani told this to Tarun.

        Shanti felt unhappy after hearing this but hiding her tensions and emotions she told them, “okay! Enough of discussion now you go and bring you books. Study and then you will be able to pass your exams and will be able to earn money”. Children didn’t get the point of Shanti regarding studies because they have seen their fellow students who are not as good in studies like them and still have all the privileges. Those still dream of going to different cities and getting new gadgets.

         In the evening when their father returned from work, he was surprised to see children sitting and studying silently, the very first time in the holidays. Then Rani asked her father, “Papa, have you ever seen computer or used it”. Her father replied, “Yes of course!  I have seen computer in the store where I work”. Then Shanti came and told her husband that their children need a tablet for their work and studies. But father in a tone of refusal said, “Shanti, how can we afford new expanses? We already have to give our rents and this month I also have to send some money to my parents in the village for my father’s treatment”.

       Shanti out of a suggestion answered, “Don’t worry dear husband, I have saved around some twelve thousand rupees from past months. You don’t have to spend that much, you just have to add the remaining amount, we will cut our expanse from next month onwards. We will buy a budget tablet for our children so that they can learn new things. Otherwise they will lack behind. Dear kids, this month I will get you a new tablet but then onwards please don’t insist for buying such expensive items. Okay! Now you do your study and let me cook something for your father”. Father was happy but had tears in his eyes.

-ISAR