A Promise to Fulfil

Rhituparna Chakraborty

Adorned in gold and diamond jewellery and clad in a rich, heavily embroidered, silk, red saree, Sadhana looked like a princess. And why not? After all it’s her D-day. She just got married to her sweetheart Sidran. The wedding was solemnized with all the rituals followed by a lavish party in a palatial hotel in a posh locality. After all, it was the wedding of the only child of Dr. Amrit Verma and Dr. Aruna Verma.

When it was time to leave for her husband’s home, Sadhana hugged her mom and dad tight, cried like a baby. While Amrit shed silent tears, Aruna could not stop her tears from gushing out. Parting from a daughter who means the world to them was not easy. With great difficulty Aruna made Sadhana sit beside Sidran in his luxurious car, which was adorned with vibrant flowers and bid her bye bye. Well, they will get to see Sadhana and Sidran soon, but then, their daughter and son-in-law are busy bees. Both of them are so engrossed in their successful careers, that they barely get time to be home. Tomorrow, Sadhana and Sidran will be travelling to London for a business meeting. After that, both of them will go on a month long Europe trip.

Champa, the housekeeper of the Verma family, who was also a baby sitter for Sadhana, was not there at the wedding. Champa has been staying with this family for the past 26 years. Champa is still employed as the housekeeper of the ‘Sadhana Villa’. She managed every little thing in the house so well, that Amrit and Aruna considered Champa a family member. Despite their request and pleading to stay back for the wedding, Champa did not stay. She had said, “Maine mannat Maangithi. Mujhe woh mannat puri karni hogi.” (I had promised something to my God. I have to fulfil that). Champa will come back for sure, but only after travelling for miles, bare feet to fulfil her vow.

Finally she reached the temple. She sat in front of the idol of her Supreme Almighty, joined her hands, bowed down and sobbed till the floor beneath got drenched. She said, “Thank you so much for blessing Sadhana with all the joys of life. You have blessed her since childhood till date. Please bless her with immense happiness and success after her marriage as well. Please be with her. Please never leave her alone. I had promised you that if she is blessed with all the happiness, I will visit you, walking all the way. I fulfilled my promise. I will come again God, I will come again.’ Champa is Sadhana’s biological mom. Champa was a gang rape victim, abandoned by family and society.