1944 - A True Story

‘When have you arrived?’-Sham asked while joining Iqbal. The latter was reading a month-old newspaper with Girija at a tea stall in the Rampur market of district Jaunpur.

Is it last month’s newspaper?’- Girija confirmed while observing the date on the left top corner on one of the pages of the newspaper.

‘Yeah… but why are you focusing on this old newspaper. Don’t you guys have some fun to discuss?’- Disappointed-Sham reacted for not being greeted on arrival. Iqbal was least interested as his focus was an old highlighted article.

‘Do we have today’s newspaper, Sham?? No, we can’t have one unless we are Britishers. We live in a decade where a piece of old news is focused, and newspapers take weeks to reach our village from cities.’- Said Iqbal. Sham and Girija were shocked by this intense reaction. Iqbal continued-‘We all are going through a phase, and there is always something new to challenge us. Often it's my jobless life that frustrates me at times.’

The other two expressed the face-of-disguise what-happened-to-Iqbal? Sham gestured to Girija, sitting near the chai-walla, to order three cups of tea so that the tense environment and Iqbal’s mood could be changed a bit. Instead of responding to his friends' behavior, Iqbal finished the article. He said- ‘You know what, guys… a month ago, I wrote to my uncle to arrange a job for me in Dilli. He is working under The Congress and has got nice contacts.’

‘That’s a great initiative. After all, we grow India grows.’ Girija expressed while Sham was observing the chai-walla he ordered the tea from.

‘Right Girija! Let's toast for Bharat.’ Sham said while actively listening to his friends' conversation. Iqbal and Girija looked at Sham at his comment, which was entirely out of context.

'I received uncle's response yesterday, which is why I called you guys here. I shall be visiting Delhi next month.'- Girija looked surprisingly at Iqbal while Sham got his jaw dropped.

'Well… that's a fantastic idea. So, what will you be doing there?'-Girija inquired about checking if there was an extra vacancy for himself.

'Yes, everyone wants to build a free nation so that they can provide a better life to their kids and family. Living here in our village, we can't protest enough against the British. This time is for Revolution and getting united. So I plan to be powerful shortly so I can stand for my people. I believe it is time we unite and stand to fight for what is our's!'- Patriotic-Iqbal raised his voice in love for his country.

Sham was intrigued by the rising Patiotism within. Sham observed the news headline saying, 'Okay! That's why you read that article on Quit India Movement.' and finished while grabbing his tea.

'Yes… actually, I'll be joining the leadership of 21 days fast by Bapu.'- Iqbal nodded.

'I think that is a fine start because many other leaders are joining, like chacha Ji, Azad Ji, and Shastri Ji. Even I want my hands to be one of those who fight for independence. Suppose you are not a part of independence today. In that case, it's a purposeless life to live on.'- Girija presented his point of view.

'Bhaiya…!' Sham made fun and continued with a sip of tea- 'Now that we have two revolutionaries here. Why don't you also join Iqbal? With you both being together, I am definitely giving up on farming.' Finally the friends met at point in their debate which ended well with a tasty tea at Bajrangi’s Dhaba.

•••

Childhood Flashback

Mohammad Iqbal lives with his five brothers, three sisters, father, and mother in the village of Bashirpur, a kilometer from Sham's and Girijia's village Sirauli. Iqbal's father owns ample farming land and runs a farming business. Iqbal is the second son among the elder brothers and is known for his diplomatic nature. Iqbal met Girija in their childhood when they were out naked bathing in a river that orbited their entire village with a dense Jungle. Since then, they have been friends and go bathing together. They both visited each other often to play Gilli-danda concurrently. It was one of the days of summer when Iqbal saw Gauripur, where Girija stayed. They planned for another match of Gilli-Danda at the dargah field just before the river. But the ground was already occupied by many other teams who were playing. And nobody was ready to leave. One of the boys came near, asking if he could play with Girija. He was almost naked that Girija and Iqbal smiled at first appearance. But that boy turned out well.

'what is your name?'- asked Iqbal.

'Sham, I live near Girija's hut in the same village but in Ahirana.'-Sham said and took a fine-cut Gilli out of his shorts from which his penis was almost visible. Girija agreed, and Sham moved ahead to find an opponent. The winning team will be paid and given mangoes from the loser's tree, else the winners get to keep the loser's Gilli. The team which performs poorly is said to be farting in this game. Iqbal and Girija farted much in this match as they were not good players. Sham used to play among the other team earlier, so he was good at playing. It was because of Sham that Girija's team won three mangoes. Still, Iqbal and Girija did fart good compared to the other group. On their way home, the three became friends and often gathered up for a match in childhood.

•••

Back at Tea Stall

'I want to go, but you know, guys, it is impossible. I can't leave Sarla at this stage alone. Let us get back home… everybody must be waiting.'- Girija finished his tea with doubt on his last sentence. He knew that, except for Sarla, nobody at home would be waiting for him. Girija married Sarla the previous year so that some piece of agricultural land could be taken as dowry. Sarla was now three and a half months pregnant.

'Don't worry dear, everything will be fine soon.'- Iqbal empathized with Girija trying to comfort him.

This is 1944. It took weeks for the latest newspaper to reach the village. People hardly have bicycles in their homes. Sham and Girija share the same town, Sirauli, Jaunpur. Sirauli was divided into two portions, Ahirana for ahirs, and Gauripur for Brahmans. Sham resided in Ahirana, and Girija's home is Gauripur.

•••

Çhacha Ji… biscuits?'-Girija's nephew checked his pockets at the home entrance when Girija arrived. All his nephew found was a toothpick 'what could a loser bring?'- Girija says.

There were big walls on all the sides of Girija's home. Walking through the machinery area where the grass cutter, tube well, and small section for a buffalo were placed, Girija entered the women's space behind the men's section. Sarla removed her pallu and stared at Girija when she noticed it was Girija who had entered, not the brother-in-law Hari.

'What! Don't I deserve to be asked for a glass of water?' argued Girija on Sarla's attitude, but unfortunately, it was heard by his sister-in-law Bhatin.

'Lord has come. Kindly serve him water with some sweets.' commented Bhatin.

'I expected that comment from you.' Girija poked Bhatin frequently. This wasn't the first time at all. 'Iqbal is going to Delhi signup for political activities. They think I should join him. It would bring some money, but I don't want to leave you alone, Sarla.'

On not getting any reply, Girija finished- 'So I am not going anywhere and will find some work here itself.' Girija grabbed the glass of water from Sarla and started clearing his neck. Sarla said- 'Idea seems to be a good one; Hari bhaiya would be relieved from the burden of running this house with a little help from you.'

'I know, and even I want the same thing, but I don't want to go…!! Look at you…'-Girija was interrupted by Hari, who suddenly walked him- 'what did you say? I am working hard to provide one-time food for us, yet here you are, not even initiating to share my hand. I have not eaten chapattis for a month, all I get is milk rice, but still, I am working hard. Look at you… have you done anything noticeable…?'

'You should go to Dilli and do something. It would be at least better than doing nothing.'-Bhatin added some more salt to his wound that made him angry –' Yes, off-course … you obviously want me to leave!'

'Lower your tone, Girija. Bhatin is right. You should go to Delhi and check if there is anything that Iqbal can do for you.'-Hari calmed himself and suggested. Being an elder brother, Hari loved Girija a lot, and all he ever wanted for Girija was to stand on his own feet. But relation becomes sour when only one of the two brothers shares his earnings.

'Bhaiya, if you want me to go to Delhi, then I will go, and it is only because you want. I'll be leaving tomorrow with Iqbal.'-Girija agreed with eyes and neck full of emotions for his family and elder brother Hari Shankar. At that moment, if anything was noticeable, it was the tears in Sarla's eyes. It was time for Girija to prove himself, so Sarla just packed a couple of dhotis Girija had. A three-month pregnant woman had only two words in her mouth for her husband –' Take care!'

Girija Lal Tiwari and Mohammad Iqbal planned and left for Delhi from Mariyahu, Jaunpur, this month itself the next day. Sham Charan Yadav decided to stay and gain his hands on farming and serving milk door to door in the village.