20 11:11

Sumati counted mentally as the car drove her to the nearest town where she had been summoned by The Ranisahiba.

One more week till the money flows in. She knew Radharamanmati would never fail to send her the usual money.

But she was too worried about the amount they asked for fixing Shova's marriage.

They needed money, lots of it.

And the deadline was almost over.

She was deeply fond of both her daughters, Radha and Shova. But every time she started believing that she had two daughters, someone from the Royal family showed up and reminded her that she was but a servant who was paid for caretaking the princess.

But could Sumati really be lebelled as a  caretaker?

Doubtful.

She was a loyal, strong and honest woman.

Life had broken her over and again, yet, she refused to give up.

Once the chief hand maid of the Princess and the love interest of many high class men, she was forced to marry a Mason, leave her beloved fatherland and parent another princess, all without even asking whether she was even ready to do this shit.

Perhaps she wouldn't mind if she was given the respect she deserved.

Instead, all she got was the allowance and the reminder...

DON'T FORGET, YOU ARE LUCKY TO BE THE ROYAL CARETAKER.

Her mother in law, now bed ridden for a decade, was getting sicker day by day. Her husband Raghu could barely earn post accident at the construction Site and her son Brij never received a scholarship despite being so hard working.

Yet, she never touched a penny from the allowances provided to the family for keeping Radha.

To the Royals she was but a caretaker.

But she herself knew that she was a mother who kept all the allowances aside for Radha's marriage and not for meeting the income gap in the family.

As a mother she knew how to raise a child and provide for her.

She couldn't accept the SALARY given to the family for being parents.But Radharamanmati never knew.

It was an unwritten understanding between Sumati and Raghu,  "Our kids, our upbringing, our control.LET THE ROYALS ROT."

Past few years had been comparively peaceful since Sudhasmaranmati Devi and Rawal Singh didn't bother to drop in. Perhaps they were monitoring Radharamanmati but the big people never cared for Sumati or Raghu or the other kids.

Not that she complained. But, when she struggled to provide for her real daughter Shova and her son Brij never  bagged a scholarship like Radha despite being an excellent student, she felt violated.

Terribly violated.

The sudden summon made her worry , WHAT NOW?? WHY NOW??

The screeching of the tires made Sumati look outside. She had reached the hotel and the driver was holding the door ajar.

Reluctantly she climbed out and dragged her tired body forward.

She despised the Royals and today she was in no mood to play the servant.

She had been too silent for too long.

She needed to make them realize who was in real charge.

************************************

Sudhasmaranmati Devi waited impatiently for Sumati. The woman was always honest and trustworthy.

She had been her shadow until they decided to hand over Radharamanmati to her and pack her off to Eastern India.

When Sudhasmaranmati had Radha, the situation was very messy. Her father was furious and her mother was scandalized.

Call it fate, call it luck but the rumors didn't spread and it was necessary to pack the child off immediately to save her face.

But where?

With whom?

Finally they found the perfect candidate.

Sumati.

Like herself, Sumati was also a teenager and unmarried. In a haste they arranged a quick marriage between Raghu, the Palace head Mason and Sumati, her exclusive handmaid. And off  they went.... far away from the people who knew Sumati couldn't possibly be a mother to Radha.

Sudhasmaranmati Devi was a generous woman. She allotted allowances and visited regularly to check on her daughter until Radha moved in to the city. Since then she had not cared much about Sumati and her family.

But today's summon was different. Very different.

It was Bablu who unsettled her this time. After their private meeting in Kolkata, Sudhasmaranmati Devi had flown back to Jaipur, floating in the seventh heaven. She was too busy planning for an engagement when Bablu called her and reminded that for Radha, her foster family was her everything. So Ranisahiba should be careful about handling with the people Radha "thinks" as her own.

Ranisahiba never knew about the ill luck that had befallen the family in the past few years. What disturbed her was the revelation that Sumati was living in poverty despite the handsome allowance given by the Royal family.

What happened to the money?

Why didn't she tell me about the problems haunting her since Raghu's accident?

I had been busy, but why didn't Sumati contact me?

Her mind won't let her rest.

And the truth, she couldn't gauge.

Ranisahiba was disturbed beyond everything. As she started observing, she realized Radha was always working but never spending. She was saving every bit and sending the money back home. The princess was labouring in The Cafe to support  the caretaker and her family!!!

Blasphemous.

In her ecstacy of Radha's future marriage she had completely forgotten about the reality.

Bablu's call made her realize no marriage would happen without Sumati's consent. And right now, Sumati seemed like an unknown person keeping her daughter hostage.

She needed to take back her control.

The honking of the car broke Sudhasmaranmati's trance.

As she put down the fine bone China cup down, she saw the car pulling in.

A sense of anxiety and fear overpowered her as the aging figure of Sumati emerged out, dragging forward a poverty and distress ridden body. She looked broken yet she radiated strength and will power.

Sudhasmaranmati Devi shifted uncomfortably in her comfortable chair,

WILL SHE ACCEPT THE MARRIAGE?

************************************

Sumati's POV:

Sudhasmaranmati Devi was perched on her usual chair. A mixed feeling rushed through my mind .

It is five years since the last time I saw her, but she still looks fresh and beautiful, like always.

True, I never like Rawal Singh for his audacious nature, but this woman is my childhood friend.

Can I ever hate her?

Over the years I lost my friend Sudha as Rani Sahiba became more and more prominent. But don't I still care?

"Sumati...."

"Ranisahiba... Pranaam...."

"Do I start by being angry or by hugging you?"

Did she say that or I imagined? I still couldn't believe she is being friendly and not authoritative.

"Sumati..."

"Haan ji Ranisahiba....I don't know how I made you upset.But I apologise for anything I have done for making you upset.Nonetheless, if there is something that's provoking your anger, let's start from there."

"Do you know how many hours Radha is working to make ends meet?  Do you even know how she is earning that money?"

Suddenly I felt my panic rising.In the past five years she had steadily increased sending money back home.She started with five thousand per month that slowly increased to over twenty thousand these days. Before Diwali or during Christmas she always sent extra money which she said was "bonus". 

Deva.... What has she done now !!!!

I was way too afraid to look up and meet Ranisahiba's gaze. But my motherly heart knew my Radha won't do a thing to upset me.

I gathered courage and spoke,

"Pardon me Ranisahiba, but I deeply believe my daughter won't do a thing worth criticizing.

Her family is in dire need of funds and I believe as the eldest daughter she is doing exactly what she is supposed to do. To earn through honest work and support her family in need."

"Sumati. Mind your tongue.

Don't forget you get allowance for keeping her. What right do you have to make my daughter toil like a donkey?"

And there she goes.I could feel the bitterness returning.So now it was about making her daughter toil like a donkey!!! Her daughter!!!

"Your daughter Sudhasmaranmati Devi? Where were you when she cried for your milk? Where were you when she would fall down as she tried to take her first steps? Where were you when she was unable to sleep fearing monsters under her bed? Where were you when she was writing her boards and she needed someone to stay awake and make her Horlicks?

Yes, you gave allowances....

But I didn't even touch them.

I kept them for my Radha's marriage. If you want I will give you the jewellery I have made for her. Take them back.

I don't need money for being a mother.

23 years Ranisahiba..... 23 years she has been my daughter.

And now suddenly you feel I am making your daughter toil like a donkey?

She is Sumati Ben's daughter, this is what she knows.

To work....

To be honest ....

To be sensitive.....

To be just...

She is no Royal.

She is human.

LIKE ME...."

I knew my words would have consequences. But I needed to do this. I needed to let out the frustration piling up in my chest over the years.

What right these people have to burge in and remind me that she is their daughter and not mine?

Suddenly Sudha was no more there in her chair. She was standing right in front of me with a straight face and unreadable expression.

What would she do.... Hit me?

Assault?

I have no idea.

But I was ready.... I was really ready.

To my surprise she dragged her chair and positioned herself beside me,

"Sumati.... Why didn't you use the allowance?  It was for you all, not for Radha alone.

Why didnt you make yourself comfortable, especially after Raghu's accident? "

I had no answer.

I stared blankly.

May be that allowance was for us all, but can the parents really take away what's rightfully their kid's?

But a sense of guilt started settling in.

Radha was after all the princess and perhaps I should have been a bit more considerate.

"I guess I was thinking from my heart and not my mind."Finally I managed to answer.

And Ranisahiba smiled.

That smile that I have missed for decades.

A pure spirit lifting smile, totally full of light and happiness.

"I heard you are fixing some rishta for your daughter, Shova.

May I know a bit about the groom?"

Suddenly I started feeling self conscious.

They never asked about us.

But right now Ranisahiba was.

Why!!!

It was a moment of recognition, yet I felt suspicious.

I calculated before I spoke,

"Yes. We got a choiceable groom. He is having a Sarkari naukri. He is BA pass and is working as a Peon in the Railways."

Mmmmhhh... And how much dowry are they asking for?

I weighed the question mentally.

Is it curiosity or something else?

But I still wanted to answer.

After so many years Sudha was asking me about my family. How could I not answer?

"Five."

"Lakhs?"

"Yeah. Not too much you know. Just the normal jewellery and the cash and a motorcycle. They have not asked for anything else. No furniture, no extravaganza in marriage, no DJ... Nothing.

I guess it's a jackpot."

"Oh yeah!!! And then? Then what? You buy a damaad with that?"

"Ranisahiba!!!! That's how we normal people do it. What's bad in it?"

"Sumati.....That girl just finished school. What are you doing?  Put her in college. Isn't she fascinated with painting? Can't she be put in an Art college? "

I was not sure.

But whatever Ranisahiba said sounded too sweet to my ears.

Can Shova defy our small society and spread her wings too, like Radha?

She lacked her elder sister's brains or pedigree. But she too was hardworking and honest. Didn't she deserve a chance too?

"Sell them."

"What Ranisahiba?"

"The jewelry Sumati.

I know you are too proud to accept any help. But I request you to give wings to your younger daughter too. That allowance was for the family, for all three kids.

Use it.

Live.

We are with you."

I felt conflicted.

What was she saying?

And what was I hearing?

Why is she so sweet?

What she wants?

Was it some Royal politics?

Suddenly I felt helpless. I could handle hardship.

I could handle poverty. I could handle ignorance.

But I couldn't handle this care and concern.

This woman is shrewed and diplomatic and in the last 23 years she met me for only single point agenda.

Her daughter.

Her studies.

Her scholarships.

Her patronage.

Then why was she talking about Shova? Why?

And then I realized.

SHE WANTS HER DAUGHTER BACK.

OH MY GODS.

I sprang up and folded my hands.

"Ranisahiba, I am grateful for your concern. But I will prefer to deal with my daughter in my way. As promised to you, I won't seek a groom for your daughter.

But neither I am not going to be dictated around about how to deal with Shova.

Radha is a grown up woman and I trust you will arrange a suitable match for her. But you have no reason to interfere in the relationship my family shares with her.

And another thing, Radha has known me as her mother and I will like to keep it that way. It would be ugly if she suddenly knows now that she is your daughter and not mine."

"Sumati.... Listen."

"I am done listening Ranisahiba.

You are free to meet your daughter, set her life and her future. But you are not allowed to tear apart the world where I am her mother and she is my daughter..."

I was shocked by my own robustness.

I knew someday they will want their daughter back. But I would never let my daughter become a pawn of Royal politics.

"I will definitely think over the suggestions about Shova but I guess I am done listening to the fake concern and the extra sweet nothings."

"Sumati... Please.... Listen..."

"Fine tell me then.

Why are you here and what you want?

Why are you so sweet?

Why are you talking to me like good old days?

Why?"

"I.... I got a groom for Radha.

And I am here to seek your permission."

I froze.

Whaaaat!!!

She didn't want Radha back.

She found a groom for her daughter but she summoned me to consult.....

She considers Radha my daughter!!!

She.....

I felt a drop of tear tickling down my cheeks.

I had been so mean minded and stupid... What was I thinking?

And  then I felt her warm embrace.

Just like my friend used to hug me, for everything.... For nothing.....

"Let's talk then Sumati."

I nodded and smiled.

After years I could feel the sunshine and hear the birds chirp.

Everything felt different, fresh.... Beautiful.

I involuntarily looked at the clock---

11:11 am.

Sudhasmaranmati Devi followed my gaze and smiled affectionately.

"They say an angle is near when we see that holy number and the heavens signal positive change.

So let's bring in then... The change."

I smiled and nodded as I felt a soft hand in my coarse ones and I was dragged towards the Varandah like the good old days.

Surely something was changing.

And I liked it.