What is more important

Sameen and Ranvijy

As the old lady was about to continue, Ranveer realized that the story was not going to be completed in a few minutes and the things may be complicated. Further, he thought to himself that if everyone listens to what she is saying, their stories will change. Therefore, he asked the old lady, “Amma jee is it possible for you to join me to police station and share the details?” The woman breathed out a long sigh as if she had held it from a long time: a time worth mentioning. The sigh was not of a relief but of someone who has lost everything and does not fear anyone. She raised her face to look at the officer and said, “I served the Gujrials for years and after Sameen got married, I served her until my body gave up. It is the only way in which I can help my Sameen Bibi find justice and I will cooperate with you under all circumstances.” Ranveer asked Rajveer, “Man, I trust you more than anyone and I feel that this case is not going to be easy. I want you to collect everyone’s testimonies and to make sure that these people do not leave the town under any circumstances. As Amma jee mentioned Sameen and Alia were from home of the landlord, I believe everyone to know them, and I am sure everyone has something to add to this story. We have to hear all of them.” Rajveer nodded. Ranveer turned to the old lady and asked her to sit in his police vehicle. A constable joined the lady to the car. Soon the area was covered with white chalk marks and the dead bodies were shifted to the ambulance so that they can be carried to the forensic department.

Food for thought

As soon as the bodies were shifted to stretcher, one thing was clear that they had lost their identity. Some time ago they were Sameen Bibi and Alia Bibi, then they were being referred as dead bodies. We spend hours in developing an image and in nanoseconds it is all gone. Then why do we care more about money and material things as compared to people? Are not good people the biggest investment we need? Money is a necessity and very important but why do we forget the significance of people and the happiness we get by being around our people? The question is if we are going to lose everything (money, pride, bodies, luxuries) once this string of life breaks, then what are we going to take with us? The question is what?

Police Station

Soon the police station was flooded with several individuals each with his/her own set of stories and justification. Those people were different in every aspect: gender, age, colour and cloths; however, one thing was common, and that thing was their glittery eyes. No one from the group had blood relationship with the two ladies but everyone was sad, and their agony took the shape of tears which were rolling down from their eyes. Seeing that scene, Rajveer said to Ranveer, “Look at everyone, there must be something special about these two ladies and I am sure about this.” Then Rajveer put a hand on Ranveer’s shoulder and said, “We have a lot to do mate. Let’s get back to work. Night and this case are going to be long” and both headed towards chairs in Ranveer’s room. Ranveer called a constable in his room and asked him to send in the old lady whom he was investigating in the field. The woman entered the room with her stick in hand and on Rajveer’s indication took the seat on the other side of the table.

The old lady sarcastically laughed and said under breath, “You have gathered so many people and you are going to listen to everyone’s side of the story, then how are you going to pay attention to my long story?” Ranveer said, “Amma Jee you are the first one and I am all ears. If you ever feel I am not giving attention to what you are saying, you are free to walk away. But I would like you to just keep one thing in mind, we may be your last hope.” The old lady smiled and said, “let’s begin then.” Ranjveer positioned himself on the chair as he is ready to conquer the world and write at the same speed at which Bolt runs. He said, “I am ready.” Ranveer replied, “So am I.”

The old lady turns towards Rajveer and says, “Son, where was I?” He said, “To the point that Sameen’s mother-in-law and sister-in-law used to pressurize Vijy.” Amma nodded again and again and said, “Old age and so many secrets are burdensome. Sameen had a very progressive view of life and was very ambitious and had many goals. Vijy Baba always supported her. He stood by her side in all situations. You can not find that kind of love today. But not every love story has a happy ending and theirs ended in the most tragic way. Vijy Baba had two other siblings. His eldest brother was Rakesh Sahib, whose house is darker than night and an elder sister, Jaya, she is the true definition of spoilt brat as she was the only daughter of Mr. Gujrial and was the apple of everyone’s eyes. Mr. Gujrial’s wife, Bari Bibi, had very orthodox beliefs. She believed that daughters-in-law are supposed to be restraint to the kitchen and should not walk around laughing and singing and should say yes to everything. That lady had a rod in her neck. Sameen was totally opposite and had to bear the consequences of being the odd man out. Her life was never easy.”

Ranveer, “I have two questions here. Where is Jaya now? and if Sameen was so different from Gujrials, how did she end up here?”

Amma jee, “Jaya got married to a very rich guy who is also the owner of several villages. His name is Yadav. Her village is not very far away but currently she is in England because of her children’s education. However, I think your second question requires a detailed answer and for that I will have to get into details I have never told anyone. I am warning you again. It will be long.”

Rajveer, “Amma jee take all the time. We are here.”

Amma Jee, “Sameen was older Gujrial’s best friend’s, Mr. Luthra, only daughter. Mr. Luthra and Mr. Gujrial went to college and university together in London. They were more like brothers from other mothers. Both of them were together, away from home, for years. At Mr. Gujrial’s death many of his friends came from London and told that Mr. Gujrial and Mr. Luthra were like two bodies and one sole. They were beside each other, no matter what. As per Mr. Gujrial, “Friendship should be done selflessly, and you have to support your friends under all conditions. If they are doing something good, then support them by standing beside them and if bad by standing against them.” And they turned those words into reality. Mr. Gijrial also helped Mr. Luthra get married to the love of his life by convincing his parents and Mr. Luthra left everything and came back with Mr. Gujrial when his father died, and he had to look after a lot of stuff. Sameen was that Luthra’s daughter and Gujrial loved her very much. I think Vijy got the love for Sameen from his dad.”

Flashback

Sameen and Ranvijy’s story

Sameen’s Birth

Sameen was four years younger to Ranvijy. She was Mr. and Mrs. Luthra’s precious child. She was born approximately after ten years of their wedding which was highly unconventional for a culture where couples were forced to have a child within a year of their wedding. It was not that they wanted a baby, but it was that nature had some other plans for them. When Sameen came in the world, Mr. Gujrial took entire family with several expensive and precious presents to Mr. Luthra’s home. They stayed there for a few days to take part in the celebrations which colored the streets of Mr. Luthra’s village and the areas around it. He gifted Sameen a beautiful diamond necklace to which Mrs. Luthra said, “It’s too precious. Sameen does not need it and should not keep it.” Mr. Gujrial while holding little Sameen’s finger replied, “Not as precious as this princess and this relationship. Thank you for giving us this blessing” and then he looked towards both Mr. and Mrs. Luthra.

Meanwhile Vijy ran into the room smiling and chirping and jumped into Mr. Luthra’s arms.

Vijy: “I missed you so much.”

Mr. Luthra: “I missed you too little buddy. Come and see Sameen.”

Mr. Luthra carried Sameen in his arms and showed her to Vijy who had the biggest and the brightest smile on his face.

Vijy: “She is so pretty.”

Mr. Gujrial: “Surely she is, and you know what she is your friend, and she will be your best friend.”

Vijy: “She will play with me, right?”

Mrs. Luthra: “She will definitely play with you, but you will have to teach her how to play basketball and cricket.”

Vijy: “Ok, I will.”

Then he barged out of the room at the same speed at which he entered. At that moment the three elders giggled.

Sameen’s brought up:

Sameen’s birth brought happiness in the Luthra Villa. She was the center of everyone’s world. Her uncles, their wives, her aunts and their husbands worshipped her like some heavenly body. She had the cutest little heart face and her family made sure that she had a heart of gold. Everyone played a role in her brought up and played their roles in shaping her personality. Someone taught her to never fall and the other told her how to stand again if you fall. Someone taught her to be timid and others taught her to fight for her rights. Someone taught her how to love and others taught her how to be loved. She always had a full family at her back but was also taught how to stand for herself. Therefore, Sameen was loving and caring but not servile, petite but not weak, timid but not coward. She was a beautiful combination of everything from a very young age. Everyone taught her how to evolve and grow with time but never lose herself. During all that time Vijy remained a part of Sameen’s life. He taught her how to play cricket. However, he did not interact frequently with Sameen. Until Sameen was six, she had met Vijy only eight to nine times. However, whenever they met, it was always a blast. On the other hand, Mr. Gujrial visited her very frequently and she developed a very strong bond with him. He used to call her his princess.

Vijy’s brought up

As Sameen was growing so was Vijy. Vijy’s eldest brother, his sister and parents were an integral part of his life. He did not have die-hard relationships like Sameen, but his relatives were not bad. It was only that they were not very close to each other. Whenever they would meet, all of them had big smiles on their faces and they never put daggers into one another’s back. They were really busy in their lives. However, there was a huge age gap between Vijy and his siblings. Both Jaya and Rakesh grew very close to each other and Vijy used to feel left out. This made him develop bonds with other people especially the helpers of his home. He shared the strongest bond with Amma jee. As Mrs. Gujrial had a very orthodox personality, she never wanted her son to develop a strong relationship with the helpers as she used to maintain a clear distinction between different economic classes. She wanted Vijy to be a manly man. Someone who is rough, tough and strong. She wanted him to be a little aggressive and arrogant. On the other hand, Mr. Gujrial wanted him to understand the significance of relationships and people and the fact that trust and friendship are very important in one’s life and one can not live without them. The domestic staff of Gujrial Mansion taught Vijy humbleness and how one can stay happy in any situation if one wants to be. Therefore, Vijy grew to be tough but not bully, he was a little arrogant but not disrespectful, he was humble and caring with a pinch of anger. Despite the fact that he did not meet Sameen frequently, he never forgot that she was his friend. In the few meetings they had, Sameen taught him how to fly a kite, which she learnt from her helpers. Vijy shared a beautiful bond with Mr. and Mrs. Luthra, who treated him like their friend and childhood buddy.

Food for thought

The world is a beautiful place but there are some evil individuals in this good place and some good people fighting with the evil inside them. But can we actually group people as black and white? Aren’t most of them grey? And if we have to group people are black or white or grey, should we keep in mind what they went through when they were young, how they grew up and who was involved in their lives, or should we only consider their actions? What is more important: the situation, the person or the action?