Sitaram Uncle was one of the nearest relative of our family. It was month of October and the year was 2008 A.D. The only son of Sitaram Uncle, Rabisaran had left the home along with a girl from lower caste and entered Kathmandu city. I still clearly remember that day when he was at our house looking for shelter. Pa had refused to keep him and the girl in home but hadn't turned his back towards humanity. He had arranged the room for them in one of the Newar's house, paid 2 months rent and given twenty thousand bucks as a loan.
Pa too is kind hearted. But, he was compelled to neglect my wish. After Rabisaran brother got employed, he came to return the debt. He left after having a cup of tea. I often used to visit them. After a year, they gave birth to a sweet little girl. Sister in law told me to put her name.
These days that little girl has turned to sweet teen. I don't forget to visit them each time I go to Nuwakot. Everyone call her Suravi.
But, whenever I see the faded face of sister in law I always feel sad. I try to convince her and say,"Sister, This nature is so cruel. This is all about destiny. You have to be strong. What was supposed to happen it happened. Past is past. Those who has left the world has never returned. You have to fight yourself for brother's love and sacrifice. Also you have to struggle for your existence. You have to live for Suravi. Remember me in pain." She starts to weep listening to me. I don't say not to weep as weeping provides great relief.
Actually, it was the story. Rabisaran brother had been doing his job. He used to do marketing in a multi national company. He had easily managed to fulfill the needs of his family. Suravi had just started to walk. She had just started to call me Uncle. But, the time was against them.
It was a rainy day. During the evening, Rabisaran brother was returning from the office, his motorbike stroke with the Truck and the brother died on the spot. The news about accident was circulated to his parents too. As soon as they got the news, they arrived to the hospital. I too reached there. Suravi was crying there and sister in law was fainted. After all the relatives arrived, that lifeless body of brother was taken to Pasupatinath for the funeral.
I had requested Mamma to take care of Aunt, sister in law and Suravi. Hence they four were in the room. When the body of Rabisaran brother was taken to Brahmanal for the final rituals then the uncle started sobbing. He cried a lot and said,"My son, My dear, where have you been leaving me alone? I was already dead when you left me. I can't live now. I am ready to obey whatever you say but please get up. Please, call me Papa for once." He started to weep more.
Everyone including Papa convinced uncle after a while. After the silence uncle gave the final fire to the brother. After giving fire, Pa helped uncle to reach to the Satal nearby. Uncle started to weep again. With the tears in my eyes, I was observing all these standing few meters away. After the pyre turned to ashes uncle took few of it in a pot and poured the ashes in Bagmati river.
Uncle and the relatives decided to return to Nuwakot and perform all the after death duties at home. I had already talked to Pa about sister in law. Hence, Pa said to all of the relatives,"Look brothers, We should not do injustice to that poor girl. I don't say that you have to accept her as your daughter in law but it is the fact that her husband has died. What did our ancestor did, lets not talk about that, let her be involved in the religious duties of her husband. Let's take her along with us. I will also go to Nuwakot along with you people for few days.
"Nobody dared to go against the decision of Pa. Sitaram uncle might also thought that to prohibit sister in law performing the duties of her husband would be a sin. Hence, he agreed with the decision of Pa. Thus, it was decided to take sister in law along with them but she would perform all the religious duties separately. I informed about it to Mamma. After few moments, all those left for Nuwakot along with aunt, Suravi and sister in law.
Pa returned home after a couple of days. I asked him instantly,"Pa, is sister in law alright? And what about Suravi?" Pa replied,"I have returned making all the necessary arrangement. I have sent the little girl to her maternal uncle's house. She was continuously crying saying Papa. I could not figure out which rascal said that her father had died infront of her. She was asking when would his father return and where had he been. I told her that God had called him and he had been to God's home. Also, I convinced her saying that he would return very soon."
"And what about sister in law?" I asked to Pa as soon as he finished his words. Pa said," I made an arrangement of separate room for her too. Sitaram also agreed to keep her in his home. But the real problem started after then. She could stay till the religious duties of her husband only." Pa said. "Is it? And what will happen to her after then? Who will provide support to that poor girl then? How could they do such a injustice to a helpless girl?" I said.
"What could we do son? It was her fate. I also felt bad thinking of her. Where would she go taking such a little daughter along with her. How long would her relatives too support her. Nobody could stand against the social beliefs still in hills. But I will go there at the last day of religious duties and say to Sitaram to provide her rights to the property. I don't care even if I have to be the odd one among my brothers. I cannot remain silent and watch as a coward while a helpless widow being treated with injustice." Pa said.
"Good to hear it from you, Pa. You're really a great man. I am proud to be your son. And I will also go along with you that day." I said. "Okay, but don't you speak anything there infront of your seniors. Whatever is needed to say I will." Pa said. "Okay Pa." I said.
All the incident took place in similar manner as we had thought. The thirteenth day of religious duties was over. Sister in law was allowed to worship but was isolated. After the ceremony was over all the senior people in the community sat aside and started to discuss.
After a long discussion and plentifull of debate, Sitaram uncle put forward his view. He said,"Look brothers, It is a fact that I have lost my son. Whatever lands and property I own was his right yesterday and is still his today. Although I cannot accept this girl as my daughter in law and keep her in my home, I won't prevent her from her rights. I hereby today declare in front of all that whatever I own I will transfer all those in the name of this poor girl except three acre of housing area. I will perform the legal procedure within few days visiting Village Development Commitee. Somebody please make some arrangement to send this girl to her relatives."
Hearing what Sitaram uncle said I felt satisfied a bit. Sister in law stayed in her brother's house for about a month. After then she started living in Battar along with Suravi as she could not face humilation in the community.
These days she works in one of the co operatives near her residence. Suravi is running in her early sixteen. She calls me once in a week in facebook messenger. She has become old enough to realize that his father won't be back now. She calls me uncle. I don't return home without visiting her everytime I travel to Nuwakot. Sister in law has also accepted her destiny.