Munmun Mahanandia

The story of an educated Bride

Around 9 o’clock in the morning Meera’s aunt-in-law arrived from Trisulia to Cuttack, for some medical check up. She was fair short-heighted, dressed in a yellow heavy banarasi saree. The orange border of the saree had intricate design of lotus flowers. The border ran into the embellished pinkish orange Anchal which overheaded her in the form of a odhana. A hindu Odia married woman is supposed to cover her head with the anchal of her saree. Meera welcomed her by washing her feet with the help of the water-filled Kalash, a rounded container. She knelt down and bowed herself in her aunt’s feet as a mark of respect. Asking about her health Meera requested her to enter her home. She got the sight of the soiled green tub carrying some sprouts. ”What is this?” she exclaimed. “These are some fenugreek sprouts I had sprinkled on the soil to get some leaves.” She started her imparting education about gardening. ”The space is so little the sprouts when grows into small herbs they will smash each other and everything will be spoiled.” Meera choosed to be quiet. She entered the home and took a seat on the copper sulphate couch placed in the southern wall of the living room. She rounder her eyes all around the room. The ceiling in one of its right corner was occupied by a house spider laboriously building her web. Raising her nose,as if something was stinking ,Meera’s aunt-in-law says, ”cleanliness is a distant dream in this home.” It was time for her office. The Calling bell rang. The boy has arrived to collect blood samples for test. The blood sample was collected from her Aunt-in-law for diabetes and other tests as prescribed by the doctor. She had an appointment with the doctor at 5 PM. It was time for her office so Meera hurried into the kitchen to get something to eat for her. Meera didn’t notice that auntie has followed her into the kitchen. She asked in a high volume, ”You don’t have office today.” Meera spoke to herself in her head,”Then why do you think I am getting hurried”. She had made some rice, dal and Cabbage curry. Aunite had a look on the curry and asked,” Why is the curry looking whitish?”(As per her it should look red).Also Meera had kept some dough of wheat flour. Meera asked her,” Should I make some chapatis for you auntie?” “ No no you go to office I will help myself.” However, Meera made two chapattis and kept them in the pink casseroles. Then she took some rice, dal, curry and some pickle in my plate, headed towards the dining table. Meera was enjoying my food when suddenly auntie came and sat in front of her. Shedding tears she started,” Your mother-in-law was saying what the hell job is she doing, she is not getting time for anything including to eat peacefully.” I got the underline meaning that I am a loser and have no peaceful life because of my job. “Thank you so much for your understanding”, she conveyed her gratitude. Meera got ready with her black kalamkari gown bordered with Red intricate geometric design recently gifted by her husband on her birthday. Auntie followed her here also. Raising her nose she taunted,” Such a devil colour this dress is! Why do you wear such clothes.” “ This is fashion”,she wanted to say but kept to herself. She had some shadowy office make-up of some kajal and some lipstick and simply left for her office.