Neues Leben -20

 The three got into Volkswagon. Mapuii was behind the steering. Devaki sat beside her. Meghana sat in the back. “Chalo driver!” shouted Meghana. Devaki gleefully looked at May. Mapuii laughed cheerfully and started the car. It was 3.00 pm the sun was bright but not hot. The car was crawling like a snake. “Today the weather is pleasant. My mind is calm. Don’t know why my heart is jumping with joy.” Said May. “We had a sumptuous dinner at our sister’s house. That is the reason for the happiness.”said Mapuii.

I am also very happy said Devaki and laughed at her own English and continued “I am happy not for the food but for the whole hearted talk. Your talk encouraged me.” She was unable to express further.

 Mapuii said to May “She feels shy for speaking English she laughs at her own English”

 May said “She feels shy to express simple desires.  She feels shy to say that she wants a man for her life.  In her view what is natural for humanbeings is taboo for a woman. She started believing that a woman in fifty need not be a dead wood. She can remarry. That gave new light to her eyes.”

 Hopes are lurking in her dark eyes. What are you speaking? She asked them. They both laughed and said we are talking about your marriage. She was shaken by shyness. You have offered us delicious food now we will offer you delicious icecream said May and Mapuii.  “Icecream Bhee Mein khilaadoongee kyonkee aaj mera janma din hein. Mapuii suddenly stopped the car. Had you told me earlier we would have celebrated? Said mapuii. 

“Hai hai Can I celebrate my birthday?” said Devaki. “No you can not. You are not a humanbeing na?.” said May. Devaki understood the irony and took a small face. We will certainly celebrate your birthday. May and Mapuii said. “ iska matalab app dost ko bulavogey, aisa mat akarna beta mujhey sharam aatee hein!”  we won’t listen to you. we are doing the same , meghana will call all our frineds. Devaki kept quiet. Meghana tried both her frineds and Mapuii friends. Unfortunately that is a working day. All thier frineds are in work. Meghana told the same thing to Mapuii. Mapuii was disappointed.

 “I have one frined in the apartment, she is Rohini” Her number is not in my phone but I remember her number note it 87502 872 25 and send her a message she will be in the college but she will certainly come” said Mapuii.

 Meghana typed the message “Lavanya Apt Devaki Birthday Party is at Theos Café you must come” She sent it. Later they took her to great India shopping mall and bought many a watch sunglasses perfume and other gifts. Then they went into many stalls in the mall and played many games. “Life looks different and strange. Life is so wonderful.” She said. May and Mapuii had tears in their eyes. I was born in Mathura. In my childhood there were no shopping malls. Marriage pushed me into dark ages. May was asking about her past but Mapuii stopped her and said “Now is it necessary to discuss all those things? It is her birthday” May realized her mistake and said “Didi let us go to Theos café and eat icecream. It is a big and beautiful place. I have sent a message to Rohini. She must have reached the Venu”.

There is no response from her it is better to call her now she must have come back from college. now it is 5 O’ clock. saying so Mapuii took her phone and called the number 87502 875 25  and said “ Can’t at least respond and confirm when we invited you to a birthday party. Itanabhee akal nahee hai! She spoke emotionally. From the other end there was only silence. When the call was cut She received a message “Sorry wrong number” Mapuii realized her mistake and shrank into diminutive. The last two digits of the phone number 25 made all the difference. In place of 25 there should be 52.   They got into the car. Mapuii was driving slowly her brain was dull and dizzy. Shall I call and tell him sorry asked Mapuii. Not necessary. He would understand. He looked like a nice person. Said Meghana. 

They reached Theos café. It was decorated with color balloons and bulbs. Somebody must be a VIP is coming over here today. Said Meghana. They entered the café and saw that the café is serving ice cream free of cost to all customers. The three sisters sat at a table. A waiter placed Varieties of icecream on their table without any order. “Everything is free today. Eat as much as you like don’t feel shy” he said. They was pleasantly surprised. After eating the icecream a cake was placed on the table before Devaki. “ Happy birthday to Devaki – wrong number” was written on the cake. Devaki was pleasantly surprised. Mapuii and May were bewildered. The customers were astonished. Devakiji please cut the cake said a handsome gentleman of 50 in white suit. Devaki was delighted but reluctant to cut the cake. Instead she started walking out. 

A 70 year old woman stopped her at the door and said “He is the owner of the shopping complex a staunch devotee of Krishna. His name is Vishnu sishodia.  He saw you in Krishna mandir several times. His wife died a year after her marriage. I am his mother. We invite you to our family. You are the VIP of this program today.   He invited his important friends look there. The other   group of people standing there are our staff. Please cut the cake even if you don’t accept his love. Her voice was so soft and gentle. Devaki looked into the mother’s eyes. They are assuring and peaceful. She walked back and cut the cake. All people gave Devaki standing ovation and sang Birthday song. Devaki ogled at Vishnu from the corners of her eyes. Vishnu smiled gentle. Devaki sniggered (smiled and withdrawn in the middle) She was overcome with shyness. Mapuii and May hugged each other. “aaj jyaada peenaa hogaa yaar” they told each other. The mother wants to take Devaki to her house. That is the next lane. May and Mapuii permitted her. Vishnu’s mother and other family members surrounded devaki. Tears smeared in the eyes of Mapuii and May. Their vision blurred.