Raju’s day began with the devotional renditions of Lata. Her melodious voice ringed throughout his two-room dwelling in Subhash nagar every morning. Lata is none other than his wife. Lata and Raju were married for over a decade but without children. However this did not affect their mutual relation as man and wife in anyway. They were each other’s child, spouse, best friend, philosopher, lover, and rock solid support. Every morning their routine was the same. By the time Lata completed her prayers; Raju would have completed his ablusion and prepared chai for them. These chai-biskoot moments were very dear to them both. Raju and Lata would then set out on their respective works. Raju had just graduated from a rickshaw puller to an autorickshaw driver and its owner too. He and Lata had toiled very hard and saved most of their earnings to be able to achieve this state. Lata ran the kitchens of many career-oriented women professionals. At 30, Lata was wise, calm and very efficient. Raju was three year older than her and admired her ability to maintain her cool even in the direst situations.
One fine morning, two lads hired Raju’s autorickshaw to reach the railway station. After receiving his fare, he hung around for a customer to return with. Around ten minutes passed and he hadn’t found a potential customer yet. At that instance, Vishwasrao emerged from the railway station carrying a small bag in one hand and an infant in the other. Raju rushed to the man and enquired, “Saheb, do you require a savaari? Where do you wish to go?” One look at the man and Raju sensed that Vishwasrao was very distressed and down. “How much for Suman nagar?”. “Suman nagar is quite large and has two wings east and west. Where do you wish to go?”, asked Raju. “It’s the west wing I think”, said Vishwasrao. The fare was decided and Vishwasrao boarded the vehicle. He pronounced the destination address as a “ Aashray Bhavan”. Raju was at once startled and parked the autorickshaw sideways. “Saheb, sorry to be intruding but are you sure you are leaving this child there? Isn’t she your daughter?”. Vishwasrao’s eyes welled up at this question. He took a deep breath, and replied in a choked voice that the girl was his own blood but he had to leave her at the orphanage. “Why saheb? Just because she is a girl?”. Raju detested parents who considered girls as a bane. “NO! Jyoti is my angel daughter. She is not an onus for me. I love her a lot, hence I’m forced to give her away.”, a saddened Vishwasrao replied and started sobbing. Raju offered some water to his customer and apologized for his misconception. After Vishwasrao calmed a bit, Raju gathered the courage to pursue the topic. “Saheb, if you don’t mind may I ask why you are giving away your daughter to an orphanage?”. Vishwasrao could sense an air of honesty about Raju and strangely established trust upon him. He narrated his account, “ Bhau, I hail from Chikalgaon, a small village about 250 km from here. Our region is facing severe drought and though there was scanty harvest the previous year, there has been none this year. The sparse yield does not find a market and the government aid hardly reaches us. Farmers are dying everyday, and there is a dearth of even the basic amenities. My wife succumbed to death two months back due to lack of medical attention. I have two elder sons- one is aged 12 and the other one is 6. My brother in law decided to shoulder my younger son’s responsibility. The elder one went to Bhandara to study on getting a scholarship. My wife was very keen on giving a good education, besides providing the basics to each of our child. How can I fulfill her wish in the calamity-struck village? Moreover Jyoti, my daughter is just a baby now! I cannot starve her! I had heard that “Aashray Bhavan” is an esteemed institution which provides every child a good education and all that is required for a happy childhood. So I came here.”
Raju had already decided and it hardly took him time to frame his idea into words, “I might sound berserk to you, but I sincerely desire to adopt your daughter. I know that I’m a total stranger but I insist that you come to my place now, meet my wife, and ensure things before making the final decision. Then if you are satisfied, we would be glad to fulfill your and your wife’s ambitions for Jyoti’s future. Otherwise I can always take you to “Aashray Bhavan”. Saheb, a child’s early days will be utterly blissful if it has a real family, don’t you think?”. Vishwasrao pondered over it for a while and gave his nod. So Raju took the vehicle to his home. He was exhilarated and so would be Lata, he thought. They reached home soon. Raju was so overjoyed he did not even remember crossing the flyover at Buldi, transiting through the vicinity of ‘Deekshabhoomi’, VNIT, etc. Lata was yet to return home. Raju pulled a chair for Vishwasrao and brought him a glass of cold water. He placed Jyoti on the lone cot that adored his drawing room. Lata returned just when her husband was warming the food for the guest. She folded her hands and greeted Vishwasrao “Namaste”. Jyoti was fast asleep now. Upon entering the kitchen, Raju broke the news of the recent turn of events and his desire to adopt Jyoti, to Lata as soon as she entered the kitchen. “What is your say in this dear?”. She was so overwhelmed that she hugged her husband. “You go and keep Vishwasrao company, I’ll manage here”, beamed Lata. Her smile was so wholesome and so pure!
Lata scurried around the small space in the kitchen preparing soup for ‘her daughter’. Jyoti stirred on the bed and in no time, her wails ringed throughout the house. Immediately, Lata arrived at her side and took Jyoti in her lap. Lata sang a lullaby which pacified Jyoti greatly. On Lata’s signal Raju brought the bowl of soup. Jyoti was calm now and drank the soup tugging at her new-found mother’s sari frequently. Vishwasrao was observing the events pensively. ‘Meenu, I see your reflection in this lady and so does our daughter, I think. I know you will protect her and be around’. He was brought out of the trance by the loud giggles of his daughter. Jyoti gelled very well with her new parents and was especially ecstatic around Lata. Vishwasrao’s eyes welled up and with great struggle he regained his control. After Jyoti dozed off, Vishwasrao made up his mind to take leave. “Raju, here is Jyoti’s birth certificate and other documents. She is your daughter now. Keep her safe. I am glad my girl has such a beautiful family now”. “You are always welcome to visit Jyoti, saheb. Every month, I will regularly write to you. And trust us; she’ll get all that you have dreamt for her. We won’t leave any stone unturned. Now let’s have lunch. I will drop u later”. Lata spoke, “Also saheb, we are of the opinion that we should not tell Jyoti about the adoption until she turns a teenager. I hope you understand”. Vishwasrao just smiled and said, “Let us have lunch”.
