Harnisha Desai
Pune
She was on the verge to end her life. Unlike the traumatic life she had lived, Reshma wanted silent death. She thought of ending everything by jumping into the well. “ My body should not flow here and there. I should die in peace” she told herself. She remembered her departed husband and urged him in prayers that he must call her to his world. But then, two innocent faces flashed into her mind and Reshma returned back to continue the battle of life. Reshma’s story is the story of her challenge to challenges.
Reshma ( name changed to protect identity) was too young when her father passed away. All her life she could never forget the trauma of living without the shadow of her father. At the age of 16 when she was married to a city man, she was completely unaware of this new world. Her husband was in cattle farming and his financial condition was not that good.
She was illiterate as she never went to school. Her family became her life. She gave birth to two sons and then her life revolved around them. With her two kids and husband, Reshma was completely immersed in daily chores. All her youth she worked along with her husband shouldering the responsibility of a cattle farm.
Both her sons completed the tenth standard and because of financial conditions they left schooling and started working. They worked to earn for the family. A few years later one of the sons was married to a girl who was a sportswoman and a state level player. She wanted to pursue her career but her parents resisted and after her marriage husband convinced her against entering the sports arena. The couple had two children – a son and a daughter. After ten years of marriage, the couple decided to separate because of differences between them.
The grand challenge
Reshma and her husband decided to look after their grandchildren as they were unsure of their son and daughter-in-law’s intent and capacity to look after the kids.
But then, Reshma’s tryst with challenges had not ended. Her husband was detected with blood cancer and Reshma was devastated. All her life she was dependent on him and he was the pivot of her life. This was one of the toughest phases of her life.
She was looking after her ailing husband and also after grandchildren who were going to school.
One day Reshma’s husband breathed last and she was left all alone in the battle of her life with her grandchildren. Her son meanwhile was remarried and he took kids to his place, even as Reshma opposed it. As a part of a religious ritual after losing her husband, Reshma went to her brother’s place. Brother said that she must not go back as her son would not look after her.
But Reshma was unhappy and wanted to return to her household. Her brother said that once she cross the threshold, she must not return home. She was abused, threatened and pressurized to stay in the village and under her brother’s care. But Reshma was worried about her grandchildren. She escaped from her brother’s house and came back to the city.
There was a phase in her life when she was all alone. Though deaths lingered in her mind. She was shocked to know that her beloved granddaughter was severely injured and had to be hospitalized after her stepmother thrashed her. Reshma decided against ending her life. She got back to her grandchildren to build their future.
The Life Struggle
She had some savings and also sold her jewellery. She paid for the education of her grandchildren and ensured that they don’t leave their education incomplete. Life was not easy for her. At a time her grandchildren would fight with her for not allowing them to meet their father.
She suffered mentally, physically and emotionally as a widow in an orthodox community. She was fighting a lonely battle only to secure the future of her grandchildren. That was the only mission in her life. Her son sometimes chipped in with help, but Reshma never allowed him to take away the kids.
Today Reshma’s grandchildren are studying for their graduation and her granddaughter wants to pursue higher education abroad.
“ Don’t worry I am with you. And also I will accompany you when you go abroad” she tells her granddaughter oozing with confidence. Her grandchildren are mesmerized by her confidence and determination.
“ I’d salute her guts. She has made many sacrifices so that we could survive and reach this level in our lives. We are because of her. She is the reason, the core backbone for our survival, success and well-being” says the granddaughter.
For Reshma, life has come full circle. She lived for her grandchildren and hopes to see they excel in life. Ending life was the easy way available for her, but she chose a difficult path of living. She fought the life battle and fought it with courage. At the age of 70 Reshma is still the source of inspiration for her grandchildren.
( Harnisha Desai is a student of TYBAJMC at Vishwakarma University)
Pic curtesy: Press Information Bureau. Representative picture.
Pic taken from – https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1725976
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