"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...
"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...
Poor girl....but great spirit.....again good work Saumya...
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