Fifty years later , on 6th January, 2011, the balcony that had witnessed such events as told above now had an old, wizened man in saffron robes, with ash on his forehead and beads in his hand. His other free hand was running up and down the railing, his forehead knitted in thought.
An old woman, with a wrinkled face and wearing a white saree, stood beside the village saint. “Great saint! Please tell me a solution to my problems. I have four sons and all of them are married. I have nine grandchildren- and all of them are girls!! I have performed so many yagnas but this house has not been blessed with a baby boy! Tell me what to do. Tell me how to bring happiness in this house.”
The old woman in the white saree beseeched the saint to say something. He was lost in thought, however, for a long time. Finally he turned to her and spoke sternly,
“Foolish woman! You still have the craving for boys? Can’t you see how God is punishing you? You may wear an arrogant mask and not tell anyone, you may hide your sorrows, but I know everything about you. Your sons ignore your poor health and rob you of your jewellery. The last time you refused, your youngest son threatened to hit you in a drunken rage. Your daughters-in-law starve you as it pleases them. Your grandchildren don’t even touch you for fear of being cursed – they think you are a witch! And yet you are still so ignorant. You are being punished for your sins, woman.”
Defiance lit up the woman’s eyes. “What sins I have committed? Don’t speak such nonsense to me, I am a very old woman!” She cried shrilly, “I am pious. I pray to the idols in my house every day. I have got my sons educated despite being a widow and they have all got jobs and got married to devoted wives because of me! And despite their selfishness, I still am worried about their family-“
The older man shut up her ranting with a raised hand in the air. “That’s enough. Nature has given you so many indications and yet you do not understand. Come here, and put your ear to the wall.” He waved his hand towards the wall.
The woman thought that the village’s saint had gone cuckoo. “What madness is this?”
“DO NOT DISOBEY ME! DO AS I SAY!” He raised his voice at her.
His grey eyes and booming voice made her comply. At first she heard nothing. And then there was a familiar sound from the wall- what was that? Stifled strangled sobs, which changed into moans and wails, and then screams assailed her ear!!!!
The old widow jumped back and fell on her knees- “What is this? What is the meaning of this? What spell have you cast on my house?” She could not help but tremble.
The saint looked at him with piercing eyes, and told her in a level voice,”I have done nothing, woman. This house simply has a story to share, one it has witnessed. A story of a little girl who was pure at heart, and who met her tragic end at your hands.”
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