neues Leben -30

 At 1.55 pm Mapuii and Meghana landed at Lengpui airport which is 32 kilometers from Aizwal. The gear touched the turmac and the passengers stood up. Mapuii and meghana took their bags from the luggage compartment. Now the airplane crossed the runway and traveling on the taxiway. “My parents live in Khawzawl. It is 150 kilometers from Aizwal. Aizwal is on the way to Khawzawl. I have my uncle and aunt in Aizwal. We first go meet my uncle and aunt. My uncle is rich. He is a contractor. He can help us. Said Mapuii. Ok as you wish said Meghana. The airplane stopped. The stepladder is attached. Mapuii and meghana exited the flight.

                              

Standing on the stepladder Meghana looked at the airport. It looked bizarre amid sere green hills. Mapuii said “This airport is the only airport built by the state government in India. Strange! If not for you I would have felt like a stranger or a lamb missed from the herd. They both climbed down the stepladder. “How should we go to azwal?” Meghana asked Mapuii. She assured that there are taxis. They exited the airport  “But taxis are not in sight.” said Meghana. We must wait until a taxi returns from Aizwal. They were sitting in the flower garden waiting for the taxi. 

Meghana remembered that that aerial journey took 2 hours 45 minutes. Look at the fun air ticket to Aizwal costs 3700/- while Taxi journey costs 3,800.  Who will travel by taxi?” Said Meghana. Mapuii said “air ticket is 3700 per person. In a taxi four people can travel and the cost for four is 3800/- said Mapuii. Oh! Yeah! said Meghana. A Maruti 800 taxi came. Mapuii called the taxi and talked to him in Mizo language. They got into the taxi. Which language is this? asked Meghana. It is Mizo language with Latin script. “Oh! There is no script for Mizo like Tulu in the south.”

The car was running along black narrow tar road.  There are high hills on either side of the road. Soon the car crossed an exotic suspension bridge on Tlawng river. It looked like a bridge familiar in films. “Down below is Tlawang river, the second biggest river 185 km long.” said Mapuii. “What is the first biggest river? asked Meghana. Barak river is the longest. The Barak river is 900 kilometres long. It flows through the states of Manipur, Nagaland, Mizoram and Assam in India. It flows into the Bay of Bengal via Bangladesh. Of its length 524 km is in India, 31 km on the Indo–Bangladesh border and the rest is in Bangladesh. It is called Surma river in Bangladesh. Said Mapuii. “Like the river Ganga is called Padma river in Bangladesh.” Said. Meghana.

 For a few kilometres they were silent. Meghana was watching the nature through car window. Tall green trees, mountain ranges, water bodies… Mizoram is enchanting. said Meghana. “Yes Mizoram is a land of rolling hills, valleys, rivers and lakes. There are 21 major hill ranges. The peaks of different heights run through the length and breadth of the state, with plains scattered here and there. There are several lakes and water falls. Mapuii was describing and meghana was watching the landscape with awe and wonder. “There are eleven districts and three big lakes and three beautiful wterfalls.” said Mapuii again. “I don’t know anything about Mizoram. In fact nobody in our south Indian states knows about all these things. I wish a lesson on Mizoram be introduced in the language textbooks. Said Meghana.

 

The car was passing a tunnel. It became dark. When the car came out of the tunnel Mapuii said I am afraid of darkness of tunnels. In my childhood I was crying while crossing tunnels. Meghana said “like the car came out of the dark tunnel you life come out of the dark marriage. I will pay the bride price to the groom’s father and get you the divorce.

 The car reached Lalbuaia Shopping complex in Zarkaw Aizwal. I don’t know where my uncle lives currently. He is not stationary but my aunt Remi is. She is a beautician.  Let us go to her beauty parlour. She will take us home. Said Mapuii. They went into Diva beauty parlour run by Remi. Remi was surprised to see Mapuii. They spoke for some time in Mizo. Then she introduced Meghana to Remi. She had only one lady client. Remi sent her assistant to lock the door from out side to prevent the entry of another client. “she has deadly intelligence whispered Mapuii to Meghana. Meghana laughed. She quickely finished the facial and called her assistant to come and open the lock. She sent the client and the assistant.

Later she took her to Mac Donald area where she lives. Remi was hospitable asked them to stay for that night. She cooked food. While she cooked she sang Mizo oldies. “Go and take bath we can eat together” said Remi. After taking bath Meghana changed to saree. Mapuii changed to the Mizo traditional dress Paun. Remi changed to Maxi.

 She cooked delicious mizo food and served it into porcelean plates and dishes. Remi said “Mizos are non-vegetarians. They eat fish, chicken, pork and shrimp. But today I cooked bamboo shoot fry. Chum chum han (steamed mix vegetable) and misa mach poora (prans fry), meghana do you eat non-veg?  she asked Meghana. “ No, I don’t.” Said Meghana. After eating Meghana said “ The food is really delicious”  Mapuii went into the bedroom and brought the guitar and gave it to her aunt.

 Meghana is the name of a river here. Said Remi and took the guitar. She is very jovial. She is a guitarist too. She pulled the cords.  Mapuii enjoyed those songs. Meghana asked for her husband. Remi showed the photo of a man and said there he is Diriallova.” When does he come home? asked Meghana. He is in his house but another house ‘laughed Remi.

 Diriallova boasts of the numerous young women with whom he had sex.  Mizo young men’s competence was mainly to have sex with as many women as they could. More sex more manliness. I am his fourth wife. She finished. Meghana was shocked to know that she was the fourth wife. Oh why did you agree to marry a man with three wives?  asked Meghana. Remi laughed and laughed. Meghana was dismayed.

 The people living in the Mizo hills are referred to as the Cucis or Kukis a term adopted by the British writers. Mizos migrated from the neighbouring countries in several waves, starting around 1500 CE. Polygamy is the culture of Mizoram since then.  Even today people accept it.

A Mizo woman has never had any rights over property whether moveable, immoveable or even gifts, known as ‘bungrua’ in the local language, that are given to her at the time of marriage. Her husband can divorce her at any time and throw her out of the house without providing any financial support,” she explained.

 Only in 2013 the Mizo Marriage bill the Mizo Inheritance bill, and the Mizo Divorce bill are introduced in the State Assembly after public consultations. Thank God they checked (stopped) the old culture with new legislation said Meghana.

Laws change but minds won’t. Supremecourt retired judge Makhandya Khatzu’s daughter Arundhati is supreme court lawyer. She loved another lady lawyer Menaka. They fought against the law and changed section 377 and finally had lesbian marriage. But people have not accepted same sex marriage.  In the entire history of mankid, in any country, you can see polygamy.

 Polygamy is human culture; It is the culture of the rich and powerful.  Meghana is frozen. They slept for that night. The next morning when they were starting to Mapuii’s place Khawzhawl. Diariallova came at that time. He gave a valuable practical hit. “Money works in Mizoram as elsewhere. So, give him ten times or twenty times the bride price that Mapuii’s father had taken.” Meghana was bewildered at crazy idea of Diariallova.  “Don’t worry the bride price is normally in hundreds or thousands, he had taken ten thousand not more.”  Meghana thanked Remi aunt and bade good bye to her uncle.

 

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The taxi stand is at Dawrpui which is just one kilometer to Mc Donald hills. Mapuii and Meghana went on walk. In every street there is a church.  At barabazar they saw several Maruti 800 cars. Maruti cars are common at sight as taxis in Mizoram.  said Mapuii. “Churches also” added Meghana

Mapuii said “Like many of its neighbouring states, Mizoram became part of India following independence from British rule in 1947. Its rugged hills were once considered wild and untameable because of the warring headhunting hill-tribes who lived there. After forceful military subjugation of the tribes by the British, Welsh missionaries were sent in to convert many of the tribes to Christianity. Today, close to 90% of Mizoram’s inhabitants are Christians, with church steeples an indelible part of the concrete mass of buildings in capital and in all other districts. Mapuii finished and called a taxi.

 She told the driver where they have to go. The driver opened the door. They both got in.  The car was going slowly. When it is going over Remphamly Cinema Mapuii said “Cinema theaters are rare in sharp contrast with Maruti cars. Meghana laughed. In Aizawl there are only three theaters Remphamly is the biggest. It can accommodate 55 people at a time. Said Mapuii. Meghana Wondered. “Here the people are after nature, dance and singing. They have more cultural adherence.  They are not after movies as in other places. If there is dancing or singing people automatically join without any hesitation.” said the car driver Lalthanhawla. So they are not modernized said Mapuii. “No, they are not westernized.” Replied Lalthan-hawla (hawla = hala)

 They reached Khawzhawl (kaajal) at 10.00 am. The November weather was cool. It was 14 degrees when they stepped out of the car in front of a small slant tin roofing house they felt the chilled weather. It was a small coloy amid hills. “Khawzhawl  a small town with a population of 13,000 living in 2000 houses.” Said Mapuii. She asked the taxi to wait. Meghana looke around and found most of the houses have tin slanting roof.

 Mapuii’s Mother and father came out of the house and hugged Mapuii. They took Meghana in. The house has five rooms. There was bamboo furniture in the house. Meghana sat on bamob chairs and tables.  Perfect! Beautiful!  said meghana. All furniture was prepared by my father. Mapuii said.  Wonderful uncle, what is your name? asked Meghana. “He was a farmer. He doesn’t know English” Mapuii was explaining. Her father intervened and said “I  Little .. little English.  Name .. Laldenga.. He went to his wife in the kitchen and brought her out and said “Name…Lali”  Meghana laughed, Mapuii also laughed. Lali went back into the kitchen. Mapuii took Meghana round the house. When they came back Lali gave them raice based stew sawchair with mixed herbal chutney. Lali also called in the driver and gave him the breakfast. They are all eating except Lali.

 The interior décor was beautiful. Said Meghana. Mapuii said the carvings are done by my mother. She is good at bamboo craft. Said Mapuii. Later Meghana asked Mapuii to tell her parents why she came. Mapuii had no nerve Meghana had no tongue (language.) Finally Meghana explained Lali in English that her daughter fell in love with Manjeet and she wanted divorce. Lali parlty understood but it was not clear to her. The car driver who understood meghana, explained the same to Lali in Mizo language.

 He father fired, objected and resisted but finally obliged looking at lali’s tears. Meghana asked him to accompany her Champai to the groom’s house. Champai is 40 kilometers and it takes nearly two hours for the journey. His father refused the divorce proposal and denied an outsider. Meghana fell in soup. Having come all the way she found her self in hotwater.  The father himself is not helpful. All the neighbours got in. It was very hard for Meghana to convince people against their culture and beliefs. The driver said “Landenga was not able to speak against polygamy because he has two wives.” Meghana was at her wits end.  Lali said that she would accompany Meghana. Only the  mother stood by her side and they started to Champai.

 The car was going though small villages. On the way they say people celebrating Thalfavang Kut. All are joyful while Mapuii’s face was sorrowful.Thalfavang Kut festival is considered as one of the most significant festivals in Mizoram.  Thalfavang Kut is celebrated at a time when this weeding of the farm lands in Mizoram is completed by the cultivators. Thalfavang Kut is one such occasion when the local inhabitants of Mizoram are involved in a wide array of festive activities.

 

The tribal groups living in all corners of Mizoram participate in various cultural events that are organized during the Thalfavang Kut festival. With vibrant shades of dance costumes the local people of Mizoram present an awe-inspiring range of performances to celebrate Thalfavang Kut.

They reached Champaii at 2.00 pm. They went to the place where the groom Zoramthanga lives with his wives. There was a great fuss until evening. “She has not lived here for a few days. She ran away. This is untraditional.” The groom’s father  blamed Mapuii’s parents. Meghana was arguing but she was one. Lali involved seriously but she had to keep quiet at times. Mapuii spoke occasionally. She said that she does not like the marriage. Finallythe groom’s father suggested that Mapuii should give his son a child. Pity is that all his 13 wives started convincing Mapuii.   At the sun set they agreed to consensual divorce and signed the documents. Meghana paid 3 lakhs and freed Mapuii from the clutches of the meaningless marriage and flew back to Delhi.  A queer land with queer customs she said.

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 On the cold night 12^th of December at 7.30 PM Dr. Mayank tied the knot to Manu. Mayur tied the knot to Kyra. Manjeet tied knot to Mapuii. Three couples are united at the same Muhurt in Noida’s biggest Wedding hall Saffron Banquet owned by Vishnu Sisodia.   Vishnu and Devaki blessed all the couples. These marriages were not private marriages like Devaki’s but extravagant and ostentatious marriages that have drawn high profile business tycoons, sports stars, politicians last but not least private investigators Mir chandani and Vivek Pandit were also present at the fête. Meghana’s parents and son were also present at the wedding.

 

Lakuma was seen in red silk saree. Devaki sat beside Lakuma on the sofa in the front row. Devaki complimented Lakuma’s red saree. She thanked Lakuma for for being very helpful. Lakuma thought that Devaki was thanking her for getting Meghana released. “It is my duty!” responded Lakuma courteously. Devaki said “If not for Vivek Kyra’s life would have been spoiled.” This is news to Lakuma. She did not fully comprehend how Kyra was helped by Vivek because Vivek did not tell Lakuma Kyra’s story. Vivek had a plan.  Devaki was called by Panditji and she moved on.

Two women in the wedding hall were talking about Vivek. One woman showed vivek to the other woman and said “He is the detective who had saved the Bengali bride. The couple who are speaking to vivek are her (kyra’s) parents. “perhaps they are thanking him for his help.” Said the other woman.

 Lakuma over heard all this and walked out of marriage hall. She was angry with Vivek for not telling a word about kyra’s episode. Nobody noticed her except vivek who ran after her. Lakuma started her car and went away. Vivek took a taxi and followed her.

 

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At the wedding hall Meghana stood beside Mappu and Jittu. Mapuii had nothing but tears for Meghana. Meghana had zero bank balance. Vishu offered a commercial complex to Meghana. Meghan refused to take such a huge gift. Devaki gave it with her hands and said “This is for your son little kannhaya. You are only the custodianof your son until he is grown up.” Meghana had to accept the gift. Devaki had won her heart with love.  Meghana is now a rich lady.

 Vishnu gave Kannhaya a buiding in Mathura for the setting up of hospital. Manu gave kyra her apartment back. Kyra has not accepted. Devaki mediated with Mayur who inturn negotiated and Kyra. Kyra accepted to live in the apartment on rent. The rent was not money but bunch of flowers and a coconut to be given in Mathura in person everymonth. The wedding hall was filled with claps.

 Kannhaya - Manu and Vishnu - Devaki couples decided shift to Mathura.  “I want to relax in Mathura. My brother will look after my businesses. My Bengali daughter Kyra and Mizo daughter Mapuii are married. My Andhra daughter Meghana will marry when ever she finds a suitable groom. I will take her son to Mathura. He is the little kannhaya for us. I have worked and earned enough. Now I want peace and pleasure. I think Mathura will give me peace Devkai will give me pleasure. Meghana’s parents gladly accepted it. Because Mathura is only two hours journey Meghana can go and see her son whenever she wants.

 Devaki held little kannhaya in her arms. “I will take care of little Kannhaya.” She said to Meghana. Meghana kissed her son. “Who will take care of grown up kannhaya?” Asked Dr.Mayank. Manu whispered in his ears I will, I have resigned my job to be in your service. You serve the people I serve you. Mathura is our Brindavan.  Little kannhaya was waving back at Meghana.

 

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Lakuma was very serious in her bedroom. Vivek was back home.  “In the marriage they were telling me that you saved and sheltered Kyra. I am happy for that.  Tell me why did you not tell me? I felt very up set. Tell me? Why did you not tell me? Vivek felt like the same song in loop for the repeat play.  Why did you not tell me? She was still asking. Vivek silently kept the envelope in her lap that consists of Kyra investigation report. She opened and started reading. Vivek went into the bath. Lakuma now understood why vivek did not tell her.