Who is the main character?

The story began when I was in my school I don't remember exactly when, but what I remember is my mom shouting and frustration that continued for weeks. 

One lady recently joined her office and she is given the responsibility to train her. Her name is Anita, aged 23, widow and a mother of a girl child.

She got the job in place of her husband a railway employee who died of paralysis, a policy of Railways to support the family. She had completed her 10th and got married at a tender age. Her family and in laws were of rural background, where still the study of a girl is not important. But her husband wanted her to complete 12 at least. He insisted and she appeared for the exam after her first baby. 

In her house till today, the bride/girl never goes out alone, always covers her face with the sari. Never reply to elders and are meant to stay inside kitchen for almost whole of the day. 

My mom joined her first job when she was just 19 and today she is one of the most effective employee in her department. She was the only lady staff for last 6-8 years in this city. My mom  works in Railways Reservation Department. Her job profile involves public dealing & cash handling in addition to the core job,quite stress full when you have to deal with Village persons.In my moms words she was practically "Unfit for a public dealing job".

What I over hear from the conversations of my mom and dad, I tried to picture this lady. On the first day of job, she was accompanied by her father in law to office. She was wearing a white sari with her whole face covered. My mom and her boss were frustrated by the sight of it. Before meeting her, they have decided the training plan, but after seeing her, My moms boss immediately threw the training plan in dustbin and asked my mom to change her first. 

When my mom asked her to remove the sari from her head, as it is unprofessional in office. She didnt utter a word and started crying that she could not do it, she had never done it. My mom was frustrated, she tried to convince her the whole day while her father in law was waiting outside. At the end of the day my mom gave up and informed her boss. She was about to leave her office that the Father in law came to her and said 

"Is there any other way,  thats how it works in our home"

"Its not your home, "I mother snapped at him, she was already frustrated." Either ask her to come alone to office from tomorrow without this veil or otherwise keep her at home" 

I remember My mom was not happy with the way she spoke to an elderly man who had just lost his son and is accompanying his daughter in law for job against the wishes of the family/society elders, just because he promised his dying son that his daughter will be given the best education ever.And the only way to it was when Anita would be self sufficient to sustain it.

Months passed and a silent, innocent, girl who cant even spell a name properly turned into a smart and efficient employee. My mom did a lot of work, but what she really credit is the family support that Anita got. Her father in law stood like a rock against the society. And Anita aunty made sure she never took off a step without covering her face if outside office. It looked like a mutual understanding between the generations.

It was more than  a year, when I found my mom returning from office completely surprised. Anita Auntys parents asked her inlaws to sent her back to them after she became a widow, but her father in law instead forced Anita Aunty to take up the job and stand on her own legs. He made sure the money that his dying son has accumulated is named  in the  favor of his only child. But that was not what surprised my mom.

Some one in the society commented on his extraordinary favor towards his young widow daughter in law. He was seeing his lost son in her. He didnt liked the continuous comments made to him and his family when one day he asked Anita aunty to get remarried. He also convinced Anita Auntys family too,He will bear all the expense. This raised a hell lot of complications in their society. Many families abandoned them. 

In this huge turmoil, her family was buzy with the most basic question "Where to find the groom". One person can not change the thinking of the society. They stood against the society but they love her and just wont give her hand to anyone. Anita Aunts mother in law came up with a brilliant idea. She asked Anita to marry her own brother in law, i.e her own son.  This was the most rare thing in any advanced society and here they are staying in the middle of their parental village and the idea came in no one alse but her in laws. This is what surprised my mom and everyone. 

The marriage took place like any other one in the village. On Anita aunts and her parents request her father and mother in law did her Kanyadaan, and then let her enter her own house second time. 

I was there attending the marriage as a kid. I didnt realised the complications of standing against the society ,going for the second marriage, to the younger son, inlaws doing Kanyadaan...at that time. 

But now I realized what was done by her in laws was nothing that can be called simple. They are real life heroes. There is no heroism in following the customs and traditions but being practical and standing as one. 

Today She is staying on rent in my parents house in Lucknow with her 3 kids studying in best colleges in Lucknow after she got transferred.  Her husband is back in the village, taking care of the huge combined family while his job is in the near by town. They are a happy  and most respected family now.

I heard her innocent laugh on the phone as I was chatting with my mom sitting miles away .

"Is it Anita aunt" I asked my mom curiously.

"Yeah, She is here,,errr... with the sweets" after a while she said..

"Ruhi, cracked IIT entrance exams, I will chat u later" She cut the phone leaving me alone with my thoughts. the best education for the first kid.

This is not a story from a big advanced society, but  a normal household in an ancient backward mentality society, where people work really hard to meet every day meal. One person saw his dead son in his daughter in law and that altered the very foundation of the society. Girls are going out now for higher education,Brides are taking charge of the family, the bars dividing the gender has vanished. and this is not done by any movement or trying to bring change but just the love of a family. 

I have read many times, if you want to change something in the society, begin it from your home. I am fortunate enough to witness one such change. 

As I wind up this story , I really am confused , who is the main character in this story. The loving husband whose love brought a change in his fathers attitude, the wife who stood firm for her husband wish, the father who stood against the society, the mother who asked her second son to marry his own sister in law,  or the guy who hold hands of his late brothers wife and became a father before marriage. 

"Who is the main character?" 

Roshina...

"Roshina", I heard this name almost a year ago." Is she back?" I thought to myself. Roshina was one of the Summer holiday guest in my neighbors home just in front of my house.My neighbors are childless couple so Roshinas parents make sure they spend their holidays with their Aunt and Uncle.She was same as my age, studying in Class 8th when we first met. She was studying in Lamartiniere at Lucknow and was a brilliant student. Her father worked in a small chicken shop in Chowk. His salary was just sufficient to support his family of 5, himself, his wife, Azan, Roshina and Nida. Both of them wanted their children to study and get settled nicely as all the parents think. They were studying in Govt school when Roshina was noticed by a professor.He extended his financial support to Roshinas father for her better education. She excelled his expectation. She never stood second in anything ,, say it acedemics, sports, art, everything. Her family was too proud of her. Last year in May when we met, she told me she will become a doctor "Dr Roshina Hassan"

"But its only January, How can she be here so early? " I wondered myself. I tried to peek outside my window but could not find her. "Get back to studies, you can meet her after the exams" My mother shouted from kitchen. I went back to studies thinking of meeting her soon, wondering for how many days she will be here.

Its been a week since she arrived and I didnt even saw her. Today is my last exam and I am going to meet her as soon as I reach home. I was too excited. While returning, I bought her favorite chocolate from the little pocket money I had. I remembered her ever smiling oval shape, big brown eyes, knee length beautiful black hairs, red cheeks and happiness. She always used to crack jokes and make everyone around her laugh. Finally I am home, I quickly changed into my daily cloths and was about to run into her house when heard the door bell rang. " Its too early for mom to return, Who can be this" I mumered to myself as I went to the door to check. Roshina was standing there, but it seemed she wasnt there.Her beautiful face was pale, there were circles around her eyes, looked like she had been crying for long hours, her hairs were untidy and she looked lost. I stood there staring at her dumbly. " What is the world has happened to this girl?"

"Hi, I am going to village tonight with aunt, My marriage is fixed there. I know you wont be able to come but please do wish me good life" she said with a fake smile on her face. " Tonight,,,, Marraige... " I could only speak two words,,, My mind was racing, marriage in village at such a tender age,, what about her studies, her dreams,Nida, Azan, her parents.I was shocked,,I could not say another word to her. "Roshina, we are getting late, Come on" her aunt shouted from the back. She immediately turned back to the waiting rikshaw .I think I saw some tears in her eyes. She wanted to tell me something but She was too short of time. She left me forever with my chocolates on my door steps.

I wanted to know what has happened. When my mom returned from her office I was curious to know whether she knew something. She was also shocked to know when I told about my brief meeting with Roshina. Her uncle and aunt has left with her. So we waited patiently for their return..

After 10 days Roshina returned with them but she was no more alive. There was no life left in her.She didnt seem to see what is in front of her. I could not digest all this.. I went to her aunt and asked what has happened. She was a bit reluctant to share it but I was too adamant.

It started on 25 Nov when her father was a bit drowsy, His family took him to the hospital, they diagnosed Cancer last stage. Her mother couldnt take it easily and got a heart attack. She didnt lasted for next 5 days. The responsibility fell on the shoulder of Azan, Roshinas elder brother. Roshina was with her father while Azan took Nida with him for arranging their mothers funeral. But they didnt came back, Roshina had to look after her father and arrange for three funerals. The news of Azan , Nida's death came as a last bow to her father. Within 10 days  Roshina lost everything she ever had.Her relatives stormed in her home to help in the funeral and left nothing but the walls.Her uncle and aunt reached there late so took her with them and returned in January. Their financial condition was also too weak.They informed Roshina that they are unable to look after her studies.She had two options, one to finance her own studies or to get married. She silently succumbed to the other relatives pressure and agreed to marry. But fate has something else stored for her. Her married life was cut short by food poisoning of her newly wedded husband, who died in lack of medicine within 2 days of marriage. She returned with her aunt lifeless and soulless.

It took time for her to regain her conscience. She is now the daughter of her uncle and aunt. She had seen enough in her life of 2 months that can break anyone . She joined government school to complete her studies,Started taking Urdu and English tutions to support her studies. I gifted her favorite chocolates when she topped district in her 12th exams. I left the city soon for higher studies.

Its 10 years later when I returned to visit my old place, I saw along with the name of her uncle on the name plate there was another name " Dr Roshina Hassan".

She could not make it to medical but now she is the professor in college, living happily with her uncle and aunt. She is the same Roshina I met for the first time years age, with no sign of any regret or complaint

Life is very unpredictable, but there is always sunshine on the other side if you have patience. It always in your hands how you want to handle it. What ever the circumstances, Its upto us to find some sunshine...

Prashant

When I first saw him, he reminded me of Amir Khan from Dil Chahta Hai. 6'1" black hair, well built, wheatish complexion,beautiful eyes and specs. He looked good, but what stole my attention towards him was his silly jokes with his new friends as if they were childhood friends. Today was the first day in college, we were surrounded by hungry seniors and he was the only person I noticed smiling while getting ragged. Something in him was different. I didnt know what,, but I was also busy giving my introductions.

All the notorious stuff can grow only in his mind. It was within a few days our classes have begun.I don't even knew his name by that time, when I heard him calling for the mass bunk against our Computer Science professor who happened to be our Class teacher too. And because of a foolish reason. Prof used to treat us like pre school kids, asking questions and letting us stand for the whole period. Prashant has a charming personality, a confident voice and very convincing. He made all of us follow his instincts. We did actually went for mass bunking.By the end of the day I got his name and another personality trait. He was a born leader.


Our fresher party was due within one month of joining. Prashant was one of the active participants. He took part in dance which ended in huge applause from the audience. He told me not to miss the dance, but I did. I was called back stage for some work by final years. He also took part in some stupid play. He seems to enjoy his life and also make other involve with him. His personality was a magnet for many girls, which eventually turned into a list of crushes until he left the college.


When the first semester results were about to come, I found him gifted with a unique gift. I got a call from him at my home early in the morning, telling me that the results are out and I got some percentage. I checked internet and found that the information was wrong. I was getting late so hurried up for the bus. When I reached college everyone was discussing about whose the topper and what are the percentages. It seemed the whole college knew the results were out but none had seen them through their own eyes. Prashant! the person behind rumors is still the same.He is someone who can convince anyone with his rare gift. he remained the source of all rumors ever spread in our college time.


When the first semester results came, No one expected the most notorious, ever smiling, flirty guy to top the college. But Prashany did, He made the profs to think again about his capabilities as a student and the most disturbing element. He was seen as a good guy but after results, he was also seen as a brilliant student, he got some rank in the university also.


I never realized when we became friends, when I heard his love story (ies), or when he teased me for my pronunciation, or when we were accidently paired for the quiz competition and came last, or when he tried to hook me up with his best friend who had a liking for me, or when we shared some silly jokes or when we spent some time in practical rooms and library or when I tried to befriend his latest crush. I dont really got it, but yes I was there enjoying myself in his company always accidently.


On one Diwali I planned with a few friends of mine to visit his home. I have known his as a grown up guy, responsible and funny, but at his home he was a responsible, grownup KID. The love and respect that he has for his parents, his family, his brother was great. I found in his eyes the joy of a one year kid with the care and protection of a grownup kid when he sees his mother, so much love and concern that made me realize the true power in his personality comes from his family.He never showed this personality of his in public.. For others he always had a mask of a careless and funky guy but within he carries the name of his family with him when he steps out and feels proud in it. 

On the last day of my college, Everyone was bidding goodbye.I dont like goodbyes and by the time I boarded my bus back,, I heard the same silly jokes I had heard when I came to college for the first time. I turned back to see, It was Prashant,, cracking silly jokes with his friends. My bus moved on, our eyes met for a fraction of second and we smiled at each other as our last good bye. I cant stop laughing on my memories of four years as my bus rolled along with my life to its next stop,, my first job...


It took me as a surprise when I came to know the both of us received the call letter from the same company as our first job but different location. We joined and we became more close friends. Sharing the same kind of experience solidified our friendship to some other extent. We started sharing our secrets to each other with ease. I always knew he was a magnet to girls but when he told about his true love I cant wait to meet her. It was more like a fairy tale.. I was seeing a truely devoted lover in him....


Its 12 years since we first met, Our friendship has grown stronger with time. We share our secrets and kept each others safely. It was something in him that I saw on the first day and didnt realized what is was....I guess I know what it was... 
He was one of the persons, GOD forgot to include in my family so gave a frequency components that matched perfectly. No Thanks, No Sorry, No commitments, No Complaints just Smiles.... A perfect explanation for "FRIEND".