Trisha's Journey- A Short Story

Mrs Pandit was in her late thirties, when her husband -a Brigadier in the Army- passed away in the 1971 war. She had a boy – Abhijit- of around 14 and a girl –Trisha - around ten. Meridian consultants – a firm doing a lot of business with Defense- out of deep regard for the Brigadier, offered her a job of an Officer in the Administrative department. Mrs Pandit was respected, by people who knew, but there were others – her peers and juniors- who weren’t so well disposed, as she wasn’t considered very knowledgeable in her area of work. She was an extremely fine mannered lady, slightly plump, was fairly beautiful, and had an excellent network of friends both within and outside of army establishment.  

It was during the mid –eighties, when Abhijit after graduating in Engineering got a decent job in an office not far from where his mother was working. Around the same time a young boy –Kishore- of about Abhijit’s age, joined Meridian, in the Administrative department under Mrs Pandit. Kishore had graduated in HR and had that typical airs about him, generally associated with those youngsters from ordinary background who suddenly finding themselves in a plum job just assume that success is a few years away. It was therefore not difficult to guess that he did not think much of this lady who was just the first impediment in his career whom he had to supersede, to go up the official ladder. 

For Mrs Pandit however, this boy was like her own Abhijit, whom she adored. One day, it so happened, that Meridian faced a ticklish problem with the Defense which if not solved amicably, could easily balloon into a big crisis for the firm. It was something to do with some underhand dealing with a low level official connected with a big tender. K was to talk to the officials and get the matter settled at that level and prevent an escalation. The top management however preferred Mrs P also to be there, just in case, as she had a good rapport with the Ministry, because of her late husband. K was not too happy; sure as he was that he could do the job without this lady’s interference, and get a kind of kudos from the management. 

K soon discovered that the problem was much more serious and he was getting nowhere. The officer concerned was also not too friendly. He had no choice but to take Mrs P with him one day to this chap, and was rudely shocked to find that this officer was a totally changed man. To add to his embarrassment, he wanted a few minutes alone with her and without him, as he was not only junior to her, but was found to be immature and rude.

To cut the story short, the matter was resolved quickly, as the officer was a great admirer of the Brigadier in his younger days, and the least he could do for his idol was to help his widow. There was a mild reprimand to the company, and matter was closed.  Mrs Pandit - being a gem of a lady- let him hog all the credit, and did not even hint to anyone about what transpired in the Ministry. The management however knew and Mrs Pandit,s value to the organization was further bolstered.  

Abhijit used to come to Meridian every evening to pick up his mamma on the way back home. He was more than attracted by the receptionist, Sharmila, who was a strikingly beautiful girl from a none-too-well- to-do family. It was an one sided affair though, as our hero Kishore exploiting her not-so-rich status and simple naiveté was wooing her too well for the latter not to be quite bowled over by his charm. 

During this time Trisha graduated with a good rank, and Meridian knowing that Mrs Pandit would have to retire soon was quite happy to offer her a job in Administrative department. Within a year or so, K realizing the immense benefits of getting Trisha as his wife, had started wooing her. Trisha had no inkling of K’s affair with Sharmila and she had found K’s charm quite irresistible. Mrs Pandit knowing that something was on between K and Sharmila found this strong enough reason to warn her daughter about the relationship. Moreover Mrs P had of late developed some misgivings about K especially after the ministry affair, where she found his subsequent hogging away all credit to be very unbecoming.  

Trisha was hopelessly in love, and Mrs Pandit resigned to the fate, and fondly hoped all will be well. K & she decided meanwhile decided to get married. Soon the date for the wedding was also fixed. It was about a week or so before the marriage, that there was this most unexpected development; Sharmila realized that she was carrying K’s child and her cup of woe was totally full. 

It was at these times incidentally, that Abhijit was wooing her passionately, knowing that K was no longer there to give him a competition. He was so much in awe of Sharmila that he did not for a moment reflect on the fact that his sister Trisha was probably making a mistake in chasing K, who till a few months back was wooing Sharmila. And as to Sharmila, having realized that K was just cheating on her was in two minds; on one hand Abhijit seemed a nice boy, but getting into another relationship so soon was fraught with danger signals, and on top of all that she was carrying K’s baby.  

This however - her carrying K’s baby – proved to be a trigger for some kind of a miracle.  She was so absolutely desperate that she blurted out to Abhijit . She said that it would be totally unthinkable and unfair for her to respond positively to Abhi’s overtures, even while admitting that carrying K’s child was a terrible blow, considering that this had come at a very wrong moment. 

Abhi was quick to understand the implications. If Trisha knew, it would be a disaster; not only will the marriage be off, there would be a scandal. After a long battle -his conscience versus his love for the girl- and a probable lid over the entire episode, the latter won. Sharmila’s only fault was that she had trusted K. By marrying her and giving the child his name, he will effectively put a lid over the sordid tale, and with both Trisha and K being unaware of all this, everything would turn out nicely in the end was his thought.   

Everything thereafter went on a hectic pace; both the marriages were solemnized the same day. Trisha was blissfully happy. Mrs P who was taken into confidence was extremely charitable; she took a great pity on Sharmila, -who she felt had just succumbed to K’s charms- and whom she had always thought of as a nice daughter in law for her. She was also proud of her boy who put the family honor above all, notwithstanding the fact that he adored Sharmila, and which probably influenced his ultimate decision greatly.  

Her assessment of K alas, took a huge beating; this was a great shock as it indicated to the fact that her would- be- son-in-law was a scoundrel. The thought of calling off the marriage did cross her mind, but knowing that Trisha was desperately in love, the wedding preparations were in full swing, there was a possibility that Abhi’s wedding to Sharmila would also be jeopardy, and most importantly a scandal could be a result, she had finally been able to make up her mind.  She only prayed that K would change after marriage and would keep Trisha happy.  

Mrs P, & Abhi felt more than justified about their decision after seeing how blissfully happy Trisha was after the marriage. K was content; he had married into the Pandit’s family and was quite clear that his career graph would see an upward swing soon. Losing Sharmila was not such a huge disappointment, as her being his wife’s bhabhi, and being in the same organization, where he would have to constantly see her. The fact that some close friends knew of their relationship, was also a ticklish issue.   

He need not have worried too much. After the marriage, Abhi decided to take up a job in another city and Mrs P chose to retire and go with her son and daughter-in-law. The only thing that spoilt the ideal scene was Trisha’s decision to leave the organization and start her own HR consultancy firm. 

Sharmila meanwhile was hugely guilt-ridden. She sincerely felt that she could never adequately repay her gratitude to both Abhi and his mother. She was therefore more than determined that she will shower them both with her love. Soon a boy – Aditya- was born, in the midst of some odd people wondering about the baby being slightly premature. The boy was a precociously gifted child and was a darling of the entire apartment block where the Abhis lived. Abhi loved him as his own. 
The couple, had two more lovely children one boy and a girl, and life in Abhis household was close to heaven. Mrs P was a very contented lady but for Trisha’s love for a wrong boy, and the marriage itself –she guessed- was not such a hot affair. She passed away, sometime after the girl child was born.

K and Trisha’s marriage was not progressing so well. Trisha’s picture of her husband before the marriage was just a dream of any girl in love. K for some reason was not as warm as he used to be before. He was quite unhappy when she decided after marriage to start her own HR consultancy firm, but worse when this turned out to be a huge success. For K who banked on his marriage to help his career in Meridian, this was not an easy blow. But to be fair, he quickly composed himself, worked diligently and rose in the organization though not as meteorically as he would have expected. 

This hectic office schedule, Trishas occupation most of the time with her own business, and the occasional regret about losing Sharmila quite stupidly and unnecessarily, all these were causes for a souring of relationship. They did not have children, to add to their woes. The fact -that everyone including his own wife was devoted to Abhi, his wife, and children- did not also go down too well with K. Trisha  on her part was intrigued to find her husband’s reluctance to be able to warm up to Sharmila, and her family.   

Though the marriage soured it was not to the extent that it could break. Trisha found enough time to be with Abhi, Sharmila and kids. The kids adored their Bhuvaa, and she in turn doted on them. K’s irritation in those times only grew.  

It then happened suddenly. Trisha was in her mid -forties, when Kishore had a massive heart attack and died. It was a bit of a relief, for both Abhi and Sharmila to find that Trisha took this in her stride without being heartbroken. She was however sad that they did not have a child who could do the last rites. It was then that Abhi and Sharmila decided to tell her the secret – now that K had gone- that Aditya was K’s son from Sharmila. After the initial shock, she was just grateful; the girl had been betrayed by her husband, and yet chose not to reveal, lest Trisha’s life was disturbed. Aditya did the last rites.   

The ceremonies over, and after completing all the legal formalities, she had her parents-in-law to take care. K was their only son, and Trisha never let her soured relationship with her husband to come in the way of being overwhelmingly nice to them. They were simple folks, worshipped Trisha, and life was worth living for her due to their love for her. When Abhi suggested that Trisha wind-up her show and move in with him, it was a difficult decision for her because of this special relationship. 

K’s parents were equally clear that Trisha should go to her brother’s place.  Trisha decided that she will buy them everything that money could buy; a small flat fully equipped including an attendant who will cook, take care etc., and in the same city where Abhi lived and where she would move. 

Abhi had about a decade back started on his own and his business was re-furbishing old engineering machines, fixing CNC’s to these, besides building new CNC machines for the Industry. He had also ventured into IT related software and was expanding. Aditya was now an IT graduate and he was to take over company’s expanding operations in the US. 

Aditya suggested that Trisha join her as her experience would prove valuable to their US venture. No one could possibly find any objection to this wonderfully fine suggestion, and preparations started to get all legal formalities done with. All of this took about six months, and finally it was time for her to go. 

It was a day before her departure date to the US. The family had gathered and reminiscing about a whole lot of things. For a brief few moments, Trisha found herself totally alone with Sharmila, and reflecting back on her Bhabhi’s life – to her marriage to Abhi, her unconditional love for him, his mother, Trisha herself, her never letting a hint about her unfortunate affair with K, her kids, and her letting Aditya to do the final rites of K and the virtual handing over of Aditya now, - just overwhelmed her. She just hugged her Bhabhi, and wept uncontrollably as after a long time she had experienced something close to that parental love which needed no preambles or explanations. 

Sharmila understood and let her exhaust herself. Abhi witnessed this from far, and realized that his decision to marry this girl was perhaps a divine dispensation, and felt grateful. Sharmila was simply a nice girl, without guile, and without being conscious that such qualities that she had are a rarity. She was just happy to be able to bring happiness to her family and especially to this girl Trisha now. Innate goodness brings a unique glow to one’s face, and Abhi noticed that his wife looked radiantly beautiful…………………..

Sutradhar’s Comments: 
Both Sharmila and Trisha loved the same man once. Both were good girls. While one was lucky to find a savior and make her life meaningful and very contented, the other was not so lucky, and contentment visits her quite late in life. What then is the reason for these different outcomes? There is a term for this in Samskrit namely  “prarabda” -- a result of one’s actions in various birth/death  chain in a kind of cause & effect paradigm-  which is not easy to rubbish. 

The relatively smooth experiences of these two ladies – it could have been worse- on the other hand makes one wonder whether indeed modern day prescription of “being positive” had a role in shaping up their lives in spite of handicaps. This is today’s view which is equally difficult to ignore. 

The debate will continue, & could be inconclusive as well, as in all probability this is a very subjective matter; generalization or prescriptions etc., can at best serve as a guide. 

Ekalavya alias Vichu
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