The train reached Allahabad station at around 8 o'clock. I had a reservation in the first class compartment and had slept well at night. Therefore, I was feeling very refreshed. I was completely ready after taking a bath. I kept my father's letter and address safely in my pant pocket and after keeping my suitcase in the closet, I came out, because I had to catch the train to Kolkata at 2 o'clock.
I had enough time. So I took a rickshaw to Alopibaag. There was a huge crowd of people coming and going for Sangam bath on the way. So it was half past nine by the time I reached there. After looking at the house number and name plate, I left the rickshaw and pressed the bell button leisurely.
There was almost silence in the house. When I rang the bell again, I lost my senses on seeing the twenty-twenty-two year old girl who opened the door. The girl stood near the door. She looked very smart and beautiful even in her homely attire. She was wearing a light blue long kurta with salwar. One or two strands of hair were hanging on her fair face as if black snakes were attacking to get the nectar of the moon. Though her face was somewhat elongated, it seemed full of the glow of her fair complexion. Her eyes were large and deep like a lake, in which it would be difficult for anyone to recover after drowning.
He did not like seeing me staring at him speechlessly. This became clear from his tone. He asked, tell me, whom do you want to meet?
I came back to my senses with his question and said – Yes, does Ramesh Chandra ji live here?
Who, Papaji, he has just left for office, there was an audit in his office today. That is why he left early. If you have any urgent work, then go to office. Saying this she got ready to close the door.
I stopped him and said, 'Where is your mother?
'No, there is no one else. Mother has gone to bathe in the Ganga and Bablu has gone to school. I also have to go to college at twelve o'clock.
“Then you still have a long way to go to college. Your mother will also return by then.”
'Yes, but what do you mean?
'It means nothing. I wanted to talk to you for a while. But you didn't even ask me to sit down out of politeness.
'Sorry. I am not free right now. Come when father is here.' 'Well, it doesn't matter. You probably suspect that I am a thief or a pickpocket. But can I know your name? I will be satisfied with that.
'Let go of all this trickery. I have seen many like you. I am Vibha, not any ordinary girl. Now get out of here. Or else I will call the police.' The girl fumed in anger and slammed the door shut.
I kept saying 'listen to this…listen to this', but he did not listen. Then I remembered my father's letter. I shouted, please take this letter.
Without opening the door, she said in a sharp voice- Keep these letters with you. They will be useful to someone else.
“This is your father's, not yours. Give it to him.”
“I know all these tricks very well. Try it somewhere else.”
“But you must see. I will not wait a moment after the letter.”
'Okay, give it to me.' Saying this, Vibha extended her hand through the crack in the door, as if she was fully alert for any unexpected accident.
I immediately put my father's letter in her hand and after saying 'ok namaste' I returned quickly from there. I hired a rickshaw from the next crossing and went in search of a good hotel. Because by then my stomach was rumbling with hunger. Due to the heat I had eaten a very light breakfast. Only toast and tea. I did not expect such things from my future in-laws. But my work was done and I was very happy inside. I ate with great interest and kept laughing in my mind at the unexpected turn of events. Then I sent a telegram to my father. 'I like Vibha. You fix the marriage.
There was a train for Kolkata at 12 o'clock. I left by that train. I had to stay there for a week due to work. Actually, Vibha's father Rameshchandra had come to my house many times and urged for marriage. Father was also satisfied with everything. The only issue was that I liked the girl. The program to go to Kolkata was made suddenly, so Rameshchandra could not be informed in advance. Father had given a letter to Rameshchandra instructing him to stay in Allahabad for a day on the way.
When Rameshchandra returned from office in the evening, my father's letter was lying on his table. He opened the envelope and read the letter.
Brother Rameshchandra,
Seeing your request and trouble, I am sending Mr. Prakash to you with this letter. He is going to Kolkata, so on the way he will stop at your place for some time and see Mrs. Vibha. Rest everything is fine here. I hope you and your family are happy.
Well-wisher- Kulbhushan
It was clear from the letter that Prakash had come to his house. He called his wife. Vibha's mother was coming there with a cup of tea. Rameshchandra asked 'Who brought this letter?
Vibha's mother replied- 'I was not at home at that time. Some boy had given this letter to Vibha.
Lines of worry appeared on Rameshchandra's forehead. He had been trying for this relationship for many months. The boy had set up his own factory after completing his B.E. He looked healthy and handsome and also ate well at home.
This used to happen very rarely. And it was very difficult for families like theirs who could not give a high dowry. Everything was fine, only the boy had to choose the girl and this was the only thing that decided whether the marriage would happen or not. If they had been informed beforehand, they would have taken leave in any case. Now I don't know what Prakash thought? He said to his wife angrily- You always seem to be bathing in the Ganges. Kulbhushan was ready with so much hard work and your bathing in the Ganges has ruined everything.
“What happened? Will you tell me something?” Vibha's mother asked.
'What is going to happen now? Prakash had come from Agra to see the girl.
'But he should have waited. We had no prior information, so what is our fault in this?
'It is not a matter of fault here. It is about getting the work done. But it is also true that Prakash should have waited or should have called me. Call Vibha. Only she will tell us what happened?
Vibha had returned from college a while ago. She came as soon as I called her.
Rameshchandra pointed towards the letter and asked, 'Who brought this letter?
Vibha said spontaneously, 'A boy had given it to me.'
“The boy? What was he like?”
'There was a young man wearing a suit.
'Then why didn't you call me?
'If there was any problem, I would have called him. I was enough to deal with such a fool. With just one scolding, the kid left. What is written in the letter?
Hearing Vibha's words, Rameshchandra banged his forehead and handed her the letter and said, “Look what is written in this?” Vibha took a deep breath after reading it and remained silent. Vibha's mother kept looking at her husband. “What will happen now?” This question was going round and round in her mind. Rameshchandra himself said, “What will be the use of worrying unnecessarily now? I will go to Kulbhushan myself and see and understand the situation.”
On seeing Rameshchandra, Kulbhushan welcomed him with a smile and said, “Why not? You are the girl's family, you are not at all relieved.” Rameshchandra asked with a throbbing heart, “What is your thought now? What is to be decided? Find a date for the wedding.”
The son likes the girl. Saying this, he placed the telegram in front of Rameshchandra. Rameshchandra saw that it was written in the telegram – 'I like Vibha. You please fix the marriage.'
Dr. Paramlal Gupta – Vibhuti Features

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