STORY-HITLER

The Postman used to give the letters to the peon in my office. He will hand them over to all the staff, numbering about twenty in number. As no letter came to me for years, I was not curious, like others. So it was a total surprise when he stood before me. I looked up and he gave me a marriage invitation. When I opened it, was for my own marriage!

The event was still one month away, and I duly applied for leave for twenty days, attaching the  card. My boss called me. He laughed heartily,

“What is the matter Kumar? You are invited to your own marriage?” I smiled:”My father is like that. He does not expect any dissent. He might have thought: Why waste a letter?”  He sanctioned  the leave but insisted that I should return on the due date, no extensions.

The marriage as on 26 of may and I reported for duty on 24. All were happy because, I went home only once in two years. My sister, only one year junior to me , was the happiest. She showed me her photo:”A very quiet girl, neither white nor black.  She has passed tenth and knows typing.  We are friends from childhood. Even to college,  we went on the same cycle, took meals together, avoiding others.  Many student, who did not know us, thought we are lovers! She used to write to me often, before her marriage, which was a total failure. She wrote :”In one way , It was good that he divorced me.” Now she looks after our home, mother being frail  and jittery. Father is a Hitler and few people can be happy with him.

“Don’t you want to see the girl?”  “Not necessary. I shall see her on  the wedding day”.  I took my old cycle and saw some of my friends. They congratulated me.” “Better late than never; many parents, begin pressing their sons to get married,  as soon as they get a job. How old are you? Thirty or forty? Thank God; at least now he has seen reason.”

As expected, marriage was  a small affair.  The girl looked a bit shy and nervous. She is much smaller than I; her eyes are small.

In the night, she was neither cool nor enthusiastic. I did enjoy sex ; it was my first experience. AS usual, went to see relatives and, in the end, her home, which is old and falling down into pieces.  The father was very cringing and humble. I felt only pity.

“Do not take her with you; I need her here,” Hitler said. I allowed my one berth to another one, who was going to the same place, Bhopal. So the money was not wasted.

I had to distribute sweets to all in the office. Life was not as bad as before; at least, a girl waits for me.  My sister wrote to me regularly. I talked to my wife, once every week. I used to send money to her father, once a month, as their condition was pitiable. Hitler had extracted Rs.10,000 as dowry .

One year passed. Then I went home, without telling Hitler. He was not happy. I took my wife to her home  I had brought two lakhs with me as DD. I contacted a contractor and told him to prepare an estimate for a small house, with just one bed room. Myself and wife used to go there  every day. One month I spent there. This time, I told Hitler that I am taking my wife with me. I told my sister that she too can marry,” I shall try for it at Bhopal”.  She agreed.