Marriage

MARRIAGE,

Most of the people were living in a state of constant fear. Particularly concerned were the parents of the grownup girls. Anant was no exception .He had a grown up daughter Revathi, among three of the girl children. She was around 15 years old with light skin and sharp features. She was of healthy built and looked very attractive. According to the tradition (then)-Revathi had attained the marriageable age. But, Anant could not find a match for her due to unfavorable circumstances. It was becoming unsafe to continue to put up with every day deteriorating law and order situation. A respectable escape from the strife seemed impossible. It was a time of extremes. Betrayal, deceit and plunder, none stopped at nothing. God had been forgotten or the love & meaning of its existence had been lost completely?

Anant faced the adversities with valor to save his daughters and wife from the rioters and vandals. Despite handicaps he managed to evacuate the family and reach Jalandhar on the Hindustan side of the divided country. Notwithstanding the inconvenience of having been pushed out of their home land – they could feel safe and be on their own. That was all that mattered at the time. It was a disaster, (the partition).The life had to start all over again. He faced the hardships steadfastly. Having landed in a safe haven he was now confronted with the problem of finding some means to feed the starving family members. Anant was unable to resolve the dilemma. He resigned to the situation-contemplating his next step when a God sent help arrived. Some volunteers emerged on the scene with food and water. The children were not used to this kind of life style but hunger was severe that could not be controlled. Every member of the family feasted themselves to their satisfaction.  However, these incentives were valuable addition to take care of his worry but not enough to comfort him mentally. He was all along concerned about settling down Revathi, in the face of volatile, fickle and hostile situation.

Always seized about the safety of his daughter Anant virtually bolted to the town to get in touch with his community people those who had already crossed over and settled themselves in Jalandhar.

Though it was a hunt in the dark; nonetheless, he found   Pundit Dayaram (a priest in a temple) and in him he confided his concern about Revathi. Pundit Dayaram assured him to do his best. He asked Anant to return the following day around same time. After meeting Pundit Dayaram, Anant felt relieved and comfortable. He returned to his place under a banyan tree out side the railway station. The family could find only vacant space under the tree to use it as temporary shelter. However, Anant was eager to share the developments of the day with his wife. He narrated it all to her and retired for the night.