Chapter 16

Crest Fallen

Time is a great healer. Public memory is short, Wounds of unwelcome separation on both sides went into oblivion. The time passed by. Nothing more happened.

In the meanwhile Reeta's parents died, She missed her filial love too. She felt nostalgic. She craved for her own husband, children and the hustle and bustle of her public life. She pined for all her pets, orchards and what not. She often dreamt of the pleasant all-busy life, she had lived at her own home.

But...How dare she go back? Nobody had approached her for the purpose any longer, for years. She was forlorn and helpless. She kept on yearning and always remained in a pensive mood. Suddenly one day, Reeta Rani caught sight of some quadrupeds at a distance. She gazed and gazed intently as they strayed, by chance, towards her. Slowly and steadily, Reeta Rani recognised her pets, the milky cow and the goat, she had tamed so fondly. She could not resist rushing out and fondling them affectionately as before, as soon as they strayed into the compound.

For the animals too, it did not take long to recognize their old mistress. They lowed and bleated, jumped and danced around her. Their hilarious lowing and bleating were notes of joyous signs from their very hearts in her company. Reeta became quite emotional and almost hysterical in ecstasy in their midst. She felt their mute expressions of mirthfulness as appeals, entreaties and beckoning to her to return back home.

May be her reckonings and interpretations were correct for her surprise-return was as sudden and spontaneous as her tumultuous reception and welcome-ovation back home later.

And, as evening approached nearer and the strayed animals started moving homewards, Reeta un-wittingly caught hold of their tails and plodded on behind and, along with them humming musically in tune with their home-returning calls: and saying:

"May dear, dear pets, words fail me to express how I had been yearning and pining for you all, My kith and kin, my friends and good neighbors: I simply can’t, decline your so affectionate offer. I am too glad to accompany you back home to Gerupora".

Engrossed, as she is in her own thoughts, while accompanying her pets, she is startled and taken a back on hearing loud cry of joy. "There…. There… my friends our cows and goats are coming. Suddenly raising his hands, a villager in search of the strayed animals, cries aloud, "Who is there catching hold of the tails of our cows and goats"? .

"Ah ha ! It is Reeta ji, our grand lady", retorts another peasant.

"Really? Is she Reetaji" asked and elderly lady.

A tumult of joyous reception arose when men, women and children, boisterous ovation.  Cries of mirthfulness rented the air.

"Welcome, grand-lady, welcome. Hearty greetings on your happy return. Greetings from our very hearts and souls."

They shouted in unison as they encircled and danced around her and took home in a mirthful procession. Reeta Rani loses no time in setting her own house in order placing it on wheels again, and in enjoying her life amidst her family members and others.

And, sooner than later, she finds herself as busy as ever before in solving people's problem, setting their disputes and being amidst the hustle and bustle, she had missed and aspired for long years in isolation.

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