Radhika's Ujaala

Sitting in the veranda on this lazy morning, she was drooling over the events of the past six months. She was finding it impossible to keep her tears in check trying to comprehend the direction in which destiny had steered her. Till not quite long back, she used to consider herself as the luckiest girl in the entire world. She had aced her MBA examinations and had got placed in a reputed MNC four years back. She had worked hard and earned herself a decent reputation in her company. She had also built up substantial savings for purchasing her dream home in Mumbai. Finally, two years back she had married her childhood love and they had pooled their savings to purchase their dream home and had relocated there. She could not have asked for much more in her life till….

“Radhika….Radhika…..”…Neeraj’s voice sounded concerned. He found her seated in the veranda lost in deep thoughts.

“Radhika…..Radhika….what’s wrong?”…He shook her out of her reverie.

Looking at Neeraj, she no longer could control her tears and they streamed down her cheeks, leaving behind marks of sorrow on her pale skin. Neeraj took her in his arms and tried to console her.

“Oh Radhika….don’t lose hope….who knows destiny has much better plans in store for us….there are thousands of kids in need of love, care and a safe and secure home….giving birth to a child is not the only way you can become a mother….I promise you that we will soon have a cute little daughter in this home calling you Mumma…Mumma…”

Hearing these reassuring words, Radhika became still more inconsolable, and in between her sobs, looked at Neeraj with eyes full of love and gratitude….”Oh Neeraj! I love you…..”

Almost a month had passed by and with continuous loving support from Neeraj, Radhika had somehow managed to get her life back on track. She was returning home after a hectic day when she saw big, bright, smiling, green eyes staring at her with innocent affection. A lady with a beautiful child in her arms was talking to one of Radhika’s neighbours. After the usual round of courtesies, Radhika learned that she had new neighbours in the flat across hers. They were a family of four, Shama and Nafees, both software engineers in the same firm, Nafees’s mother and the adorable little Ujaala.

That first eye-contact with Ujaala was enough for Radhika to fall head over heels in love with her. Visiting Shama’s flat to see and play with Ujaala had become a permanent daily evening ritual of her life. Ujaala also soon became extremely attached to Radhika and would look forward to her daily visit.

Radhika was feeling like dancing with childish joy and excitement today. It was Ujaala’s first birthday! Radhika had purchased a truckload of gifts for Ujaala and was just stepping out of her house to go to Shama’s house when she saw a police official walking towards their building. He saw Radhika standing in the doorway and approached her….”Could you please tell me where Mr. Nafees’s house is?”….he asked, in a dominating voice. Radhika pointed towards Nafees and Shama’s house reluctantly, with horror filled eyes…..”Inspector, what is the issue?”…She asked with a tinge of fear in her voice. “I have a complaint against them for trying to convert their neighbours to their religion”…he remarked nonchalantly. His matter-of-fact remark was enough to send shivers down Radhika’s entire body. She got rooted to the spot and couldn’t move for a while. Mustering all her courage, she probed for details. She was shocked beyond belief to hear what the inspector had to say.

Their common neighbours had complained against Nafees and Shama that they had developed overly friendly relations with Radhika and Neeraj with an intent to convert them to their religion. They had cited numerous examples, such as their offering prayers at Radhika’s house occasionally, spotting a copy of Quran at Radhika’s place, their regular mutual visits, Radhika’s extreme attachment and love for Ujaala and so on and so forth.

Radhika was dumbfounded to hear all this. After a few seconds, she managed to regain her composure. She tried to reason to the best of her ability with the police official standing in front of her. “Sir, I think you have been entirely mistaken. Nafees and Shama are like family to us. We are extremely close to each other and enjoy each other’s’ company. Ujaala is more than a daughter to me. But religion has never been even a topic of discussion between us. They have never ever tried, intentionally or unintentionally, to impose their religious beliefs on us in any manner. Please ignore the complaint. We are sorry that your precious time was wasted…” She finished her urgent entreaties with an expectant look at the Inspector.

After listening to her patiently, the Inspector smiled a mischievous smile….”Thank you for the information, Madam. Now, if you could please excuse me and let me do my work?”….Radhika was again left rooted to the spot in disbelief. The scene that followed, got etched in her memory forever. Despite all her pleadings and entreaties, the police officials forcibly took away Nafees and Shama along with them, leaving behind a confused and crying Ujaala in her grandmother’s arms.

Radhika immediately called up Neeraj and they rushed to the police station. After much deliberations, the police officials released Nafees and Shama on bail with strict warnings to not indulge in proselytising activities in future. It was past midnight when all four of them returned home, distraught and exhausted, after an unbelievable and long day.

In the next few days, Radhika saw her whole world collapse in front of her eyes. Despite Radhika and Neeraj’s repeated requests and assurances, Nafees and Shama refused to continue to stay in the city. They were too shaken up and scared after the incident and had firmly resolved to leave the city.

That day was the last time Radhika saw her Ujaala with her big, bright, smiling, green eyes staring at her with innocent affection. She was refusing to leave Radhika’s arms. In turn, Radhika was facing great difficulty in keeping her tears in check. She didn’t want to bid adieu to Ujaala forever, with tears in her eyes.

Ujaala had wailed inconsolably when Shama finally forcibly took her from Radhika’s arms. Radhika could only see a blurred image of Ujaala through her tear-filled eyes. She rushed back inside her house and collapsed on the bed crying out with uncontrollable grief. That was the last time Radhika saw her Ujaala……the light of her life had left her forever, leaving behind a permanent void in her heart that refuses to be filled to this day…….