Life of a village girl who moves to city-1
My father is a farmer and my mother is a housewife. My uncle and aunt live in the city. Their son Sanjay (my cousin) went to US 6 years back and he got well settled there. He even got married last year and he is living happily with his wife there and financially well settled as it has been 6 years.
My father helped his brother (my uncle) to get well settled in the city. So, my uncle has always been grateful to my father. My uncle and aunt are giving complete financial support for my college education and told me to live with them.
My father felt very happy and decided to send to college in the city. Hailing from a village background, they had lot of apprehensions about sending me to a city for studies. Only because of my uncle and aunt’ assurance, my father decided to send me.
I have 1 year gap/delay in my education. So, I am joining the college at 18.
I have to take a bus in the afternoon and my uncle will pick me up at the city in the evening.
I completed my lunch few minutes back and I am ready to leave the village.
“Haarika, get ready, we have to go fast otherwise you will miss the bus”
“Sita, bus will take another 1 hour to arrive. Why are you rushing your daughter? Let her take blessings from everyone. She should make all of us proud one day”
Meanwhile I took blessings of many people as it is tradition to take blessings before starting something. Everyone blessed me and wished me luck. I got into my house and got everything ready. I had two full bags of clothes, sweets, varieties of food items made traditionally, few utensils, soap, shampoo etc.
In an hour’s time, we reached the bus stop and waited for the bus.
My mother started crying as I am moving away to the city. My father consoled her and assured her that everything will be fine. My father is a courageous man. Even though he felt discomfort, he remained mentally strong.
I also consoled my mother and told her that I will come to village during holidays and told her I am not going anywhere. I am just 120k away from village and will be living with uncle and aunt.
Meanwhile the bus has arrived, my father gave my bags to the person in the bus and I got into the bus. My uncle has booked an AC bus for me. It is new experience for me to travel in luxury. I got into the bus and showed the SMS from my phone. They let me in.
I didn’t know where to sit and asked him where. He looked at me strangely and told me to sit on seat number 10. I went inside and sat in seat number 10.
There is a water bottle kept in a holder attached to the back of seat which is in front of my seat. But I brought my own water in small copper container and glass. Woman sitting beside me saw me very strangely. Perhaps this is the reason why that person looked at me strangely when I asked for seat.
I actually put on pattu paavada which is traditional dress. It has green top and pink bottom. I also have small ear rings, a small chain and silver anklets.
My height is 5”7, fairly medium to large size boobs and have medium size figure, fair skin, and long hair.
I realized that I have to change my habits before everyone starts laughing at me. I took the water bottle and drank some water from it.
My father got inside the bus and gave me a small piece of paper saying that I have to give this paper after getting down the bus so that they give me my luggage. I took the papers and kept them inside my dress after my father left after saying good bye.
I started feeling the pain as soon as my father has left the bus. I looked at my father and mother through the window and kept looking at him. I won’t be seeing them anytime sooner. My mother is already crying. My eyes started watering. I felt fine before but now after getting into the buss with strangers and thinking about it, I couldn’t hold back my tears. I also started crying. Bus started moving. We waved each other good bye and slowly bus left the place.
Woman beside me consoled me and said everything will be fine. I couldn’t stop crying. Tears were leaving my eyes uncontrollably thinking about this whole thing. I cried for a while and went to sleep.
Woman sitting beside me tapped me and told me that we are in the city. I got down the bus and searched for my uncle. The man in the bus asked me for paper. I gave him and he kept my bags out. I took both bags and sat aside in the bus station. I searched for my uncle and he is nowhere to be seen.
I took my phone and called him but only ringing and he is not picking up my call. I started to panic. I sat on a bench nearby waiting for my uncle. I looked around to see if he is there somewhere but he is nowhere to be seen. I called him again but phone was ringing but he didn’t lift the call. May be he is driving.
After few minutes, I heard my uncle voice from behind and looked back. My uncle was here. I felt happy and greeted him. He also greeted me. I asked about his health and he said he is fine. He took my bags and started carrying them. I took the bags and said it is fine. Finally he took one bag and I took one. I followed him to his car.
The station had so much of rush. Probably because of summer season. Weather is very hot and humid. We reached his car. It is Maruthi Alto car.
He said bags are heavy and opened the backdoor of the vehicle and put my bag on backseat. I also put my other bag on other side of backseat.
He sat on driver seat and I sat on front on passenger seat.
“So how is your mother and father feeling?”
“They are feeling bad that I left the village uncle”
“yes I understand….we felt the same pain when our son left for studies in engineering to other city…..later he stayed with us for one year doing a job and then he left for US. It has been 6 years since he left us. Your aunt cried for a week after he left…”
“I can understand uncle. Now, that I am going to stay in your house. She has someone to take care of now……”
“Yes, she is very much looking forward to your arrival. She always talked about having only son but not a daughter……may be this would be a good opportunity for her to bond with you and you are always like a daughter to us and our family”
“hmmmm”
“So, college doesn’t start until next week…….haarika”
“hmmm….why uncle?”
“Seems like counselling session extended two more weeks…..so they want to start classes one week late”
“Uncle, you should have told me that earlier. I would have started 3-4 days later from village”
“Haarika, you will take bit of a time to get adjusted to the house, surroundings and city life. You should also purchase required things, pay the fee for college etc. so many things to take care of.”
“hmmm….”
We slowly reached the house. We got down from the car and aunt is waiting for me near the entrance gate.
“Haarika, my angel, looking so beautiful in this. Just looking like your mother. Very nice dress……..” and she pinched my cheeks. We hugged.
I said “You too are looking great Aunty……if you dress well….you will look like a movie heroine”
She smiled and replied “oh stop it!”
She gave haarathi/aarthi and blessed me.
Inside the entrance gate, there is small space to park one car. There are some chairs placed there. A small grill for placing footwear, water pipe, a small tap, few pots/plants on sides and a ceiling. There one more floor upstairs. Entrance to the upstairs in on the side near the entrance gate itself.
Uncle and aunt took me inside and showed me the house. It is two bed room house little bit cramped inside because of so many things/belongings. One bedroom is for my uncle and aunty. Second one is for Sanjay but now that it is empty, they have given me that bedroom to stay.
Uncle showed me switch to fan, light, regulator, a small closet to put my clothes inside and showed me the bathroom, heater switch, light switch etc. Uncle left the room and aunt has arrived.
We both sat on the bed. Aunt asked me many questions.
“So Haarika, how are your parents?”
“How did they feel about you coming here?”
“Are you eating well? How is your health?”
“How are your studies?”
“What shall I prepare for today’s dinner?
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After the conversation, she asked me if I am feeling uncomfortable.
I told “Aunty, I don’t know anything here. I am feeling little nervous to go to college. I never left my parents before. I don’t feel like joining college”
Aunt: Oh! Never say such things! These days woman should go to college and get well educated otherwise it is difficult to lead good life in cities like this…..it will take some time for you to get adjusted to this new life…..once you make friends in college, everything will become normal”
Haarika, don’t worry. I also felt the same when I first joined college at your age. In those days, I lived in hostel and I didn’t know anyone in the city or college. Very girls studied along with me. Those days, women going to college was something rare. It took me few months to get adjusted to it. You will also adjust fine……ok?”
Me: hmmmmmm
Aunt: ok Haarika get refreshed or take some rest. I have prepared some sweets and your favourite items……you can have them after getting refreshed”
Me: No aunty! Not now. I had heavy lunch.
Aunt: You don’t love me. Do you?
Me: Aunty please……don’t say things like that
Aunt: Then?
Me: Fine aunty, I will eat those but after sometime. Maa has really forced me to eat big lunch because I am travelling and wouldn’t have food midway.
Aunt: hmmmm
My uncle name is murthy and aunty name is geetha.
I switched on the heater to get refreshed. Geetha aunty told me that heater is not working properly and I need to switch it on for at least 20 minutes to get water heated up.
I spoke to geetha aunty for few minutes and she left the room. I unpacked my clothes slowly one by one and emptied one bag. Second bag is full of things, food, etc.
I switched off the heater after a while. I took my towel, locked the bedroom door. I took my pattu pavada off my body and then my bra and my panties. I went inside to take a nice bath.
After the bath, I tied my towel round my body and got outside. I went near my clothes and wondered what I should be wearing. I finally picked a half saree to wear. It is blue and white combination saree. I dried myself off and put on the half saree.
I unbolted the door and went outside to eat a snack for the evening. I could sense Geetha aunty is busy in kitchen preparing something. I went near the kitchen door to talk to her. I saw my uncle doing silly things with aunty in the kitchen. I decided not to disturb them and went inside my room feeling little embarrassed.
I don’t how to pass the time here. In village, I had friends, know people etc. but here I don’t know anyone except aunty and uncle. I sat on bed and kept thinking what to do.
After a while, I heard knock on the door. I went and opened the door. It is murthy uncle inviting me to join for snacks at the dining table. We all sat on table. Aunty has prepared fresh michi bajjis for all of us. I love those.
I started eating from my plate.
Uncle: Haarika, you don’t know anything about the city, shall we all go for a nice outing? We will show things around the city”
Aunty: Yes we should take her out and show her city.
I thanked them for their kind gesture.
I heard knock on the door. Aunty slowly tried to get up from chair. I stopped her and said “Aunty! Don’t stress yourself. I will answer the door. You have worked all along in the kitchen to prepare these! Look you are already sweating so much because of the heat”
Aunty smiled at me and felt happy about what I said.
I got up and went to answer the door. There is an old man standing at the door. I moved to the side so that uncle can see who he is.
Murthy Uncle: Oh! Varma garu! Namaste
Varma uncle: Namaste sir! I am here to make rent payment
Murthy uncle: oh of course!
Murthy uncle got up to collect the rent from Varma uncle. Meanwhile Geetha aunty said “Varma garu, we made some Mirchi Bajjis, please have some” and she invited him to join.
Murthy uncle: Oh I am sorry Varma garu!
Varma uncle: yeah its ok murthy sir. Thanks geetha madam. I have to leave for a function. I can’t eat anything there if I eat these here.
All of them laughed.
Varma uncle: Who is this? I never seen her before
Murthy uncle: I forgot to introduce her to you. This is Haarika, my brother’s only daughter. We are joining her in xyz college for her engineering studies.
Varma uncle: oh that’s nice! Which stream?
Murthy uncle: Computer Science
Varma uncle: Great! All the best Haarika!
Me: Thanks uncle
Varma uncle left and I slowly closed the door and we returned to eat our snack.
Me: Uncle, who is he?
Murthy uncle: He is a tenant who is staying in 1st floor for rent.
Me: Hmmm….
We finished our snack. After the snack, we all went to nearby market where they sell fruits and vegetables. I was really surprised at the prices they are selling.
The market had so much of rush and by the time we returned home, it was 8PM. Now, Aunty has to prepare dinner for all of us.
Uncle carried the vegetables bag and brought them into the kitchen. I asked aunty if I can help her to which she felt little uneasy as she still looks at me as a small k**.
Finally, she let me cut vegetables. She took care of the recipe while I helped her in peeling the skins, cutting the vegetables and helping her with utensils in the kitchen. It always feels great to eat home-made food
Geetha Aunty: Haarika, your mother wants you to learn everything here. She wants you to learn how to cook food, how to live in city so that she can marry you to someone in living in a city like this and get your life settled.
Geetha aunty is a great cook. My mother wants me to learn cooking from Geetha Aunty as I would be staying here. My mother already started talking about my marriage with uncle and aunty few days back.
Me: Aunty please! Don’t talk such things. I still did not even join college. Why everyone talking about marriage now? I want to complete my studies first.
Geetha Aunty: I just told you what your parents want.
Me: Maa is always like that. She just wants me to get married and have k**s. If you were not here living in this city, she would have started looking for matches already.
Geetha Aunty: You are their only daughter and what aspirations do your parents have other than marriage and k**s?
Me: She could be talking about achieving something in life like me becoming a great engineer or getting a great job etc.
Geetha Aunty: Her idea is that you should not be working woman. She feels that earning is husband’s job and taking care of the home and family is wife’s job.
Me: Aunty, you are from city. You also watch movies. You still think that holds true to-date?
Geetha Aunty: Well, to be honest, living in a city is a huge burden on shoulders especially when you have to care of k**s and their education too. These days, men wants their wives to be working too because single income families can no longer survive comfortably in cities. Gone are those days. Men living in cities and who are having big aspirations are looking for well educated women for marriage. Me: Hmmm…..
She started cooking process and I helped her with small things.
As she was cooking, we kept talking from time to time about general topics. As the dinner got ready, we arranged everything on dining table like plates, glasses, utensils etc.
After everything got ready, uncle joined us and all three of us had nice dinner. It felt kind of new to me. The house, taste of the food, spending time with aunty/uncle etc.
Murthy uncle: Haarika, College is 12km away from here. I saw the nearest bus stop is 2 km away. I will drop you every day near college.
Geetha Aunty: Haarika will go in college bus. City buses don’t have safety.
Murthy Uncle: What Aunty said is correct. College buses are safe. Plus you can also make lot of friends and talk to them every day. I don’t know details about the college bus. We should go to the college tomorrow to enquire about it ok?
Me: I should also submit my grade certificates uncle.
Murthy uncle: Haarika, I have work tomorrow morning. I will take afternoon leave and we will go to college ok?
Me: Fine uncle.
After the dinner, Aunty turned on TV and started watching TV serial. I really hate those TV serials because they keep showing same scenes over and over again and again. Uncle is also watching TV with Aunty. I went to my room and decided to sleep.
I went inside and I started organizing things in my room as I didn’t arrange them properly before. While arranging things, I opened the college application form, fee form and all documents etc.
Tomorrow, we have to meet someone at college to know the procedure for paying the college fee. I have to submit my high school/intermediate grades certificates. As uncle said, we should also enquire about college bus timings and the fee applicable for availing the service etc.
After spending some time organizing things, I called my friend who is joining another college in same city.
EDIT: Missed these lines earlier
I couldn’t reach her phone. I rang the phone thrice but no response. I felt very sleepy and drifted to sleep. The following day, I got up at 6AM. I got ready and changed myself to another half saree. I saw missed call from lakshmi. It is normal for us to wake up very early in the morning.
I called lakshmi but didn’t get any response. I passed the time by organizing things in the room and spent next 1 hour folding my clothes properly and reorganizing everything in my room. After that, I helped aunty in the kitchen with cooking. We all had breakfast at 8:30 AM. At 9:10AM, I got call from lakshmi
Me: Hello
Lakshmi: Haarika, how r u?
Me: I am fine
Lakshmi: College started?
Me: No, from next week
Lakshmi: oh! Classes started for us
Me: Where are you?
Lakshmi: In class
Me: oh am I disturbing you?
Lakshmi: it is fine. It is interval now.
Me: How is college?
Lakshmi: It is fine so far.
Me: Where are you staying?
Lakshmi: Hostel. I don’t have family like you here.
Me: Oh stop it! How is hostel?
Lakshmi: It is ok. For the fee we paid, it should have been better
Me: yes! Everything is so expensive here. College, cost of living, etc.
Lakshmi: Well, this is not our place. I felt obviously things will be expensive but things are war more expensive here.
Me: Yes!
Lakshmi: hmmmmm….
Me: What else? Tell me about college life
Lakshmi: On first day, seniors will rag us.
Me: What?
Lakshmi: Ragging
Me: oh my god, will they rag me too?
Lakshmi: How can seniors from my college rag you?
Me: Lakshmi, I will kill you if you talk like that
She was laughing
Lakshmi: yes they might
Me: Will they?
Lakshmi: pffff…….it depends on your luck.
Me: If I take my uncle along with me, they won’t do anything right?
Lakshmi: Will he be with you next day as well?
Me: you mean second day?
Lakshmi: yes
Me: you are making me nervous…..
Lakshmi: relax, they will ask you to do something and you follow their instructions. They will leave you.
Me: What instructions? What did they ask you to do?
Lakshmi: One senior asked me to get a boy’s phone number who was passing by
Me: then what happened?
Lakshmi: I asked him number and he gave it to me.
Me: then what happened?
Lakshmi: I gave the number to the seniors.
Me: That’s it?
Lakshmi: No…
Me: What next?
Lakshmi: That boy left
Me: hmmmm……
Lakshmi: ok Haarika, my break time is over now. Faculty has come and class has started now. I will call you later ok?
Me: Wait wait! Tell me what happened….
Call got cut. Omg, I don’t know how first day at college is going to be. What did Lakshmi do after that? I kept wondering.
To be continued…..