Disclaimer :This story is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to any person, living or dead, is purely coincidental. ---- Charuavi 

                          The Gold Chain

Ritu has reached the Finals of the “Little Angels” the music competition of one of the TV channels for youngsters from all over India. That, in itself, is enough to make me proud of my daughter, but what made it special was the standing ovation she received from all the three judges and the unending applause from the audience in yesterday’s semi-finals.

She had out-performed all other competitors.

My Ritu is a musical prodigy, even if I say so myself.

Yesterday Umadevi, the renowned singer and one of the three judges, was so overwhelmed by Ritu’s performance that she came to the stage and removing the gold chain from her own neck, hung it around Ritu’s neck.

It was a noble tribute from one musical genius to another.

Ritu was so happy that all she could stammer was a ‘Thank you so much’ to Umadevi. Her face shining with jubilation, she looked down at the gold chain and fingered it lovingly.

Tears of joy sprang in my eyes. I wished her Dad was here with us in Mumbai to share in her glory.

Yesterday he was still in Guwahati, slogging away at his clerical job. However, now he is in Guwahati-Mumbai train for Ritu’s performance in the Finals.

The Finals are on the day after tomorrow.

Today Ritu had left the hotel to rehearse with her mentor for the Final performance. She wanted to wear the gold chain but I did not allow her. After all, we are new in Mumbai and Ritu is just a 10-year old girl. If someone snatched her chain, she won’t be able to do anything about it.

Back in Guwahati, we always had heard bad things about Mumbai.

I had taken my bath and was sitting down to worship the Gods when there was a knock on the door.

When I opened the door, Umadevi came in.

I was surprised, but made haste to welcome her.

Yesterday, when she had put the gold chain around Ritu’s neck, she had looked radiant. The glow of true appreciation of a musical talent had suffused her face. Only a great singer like her recognizes the genius of another.

Today she looked off-color. Her eyes looked swollen and there was a defeated expression on her face.

She closed the door. We were now alone in my room.

I looked at her quizzically.

She took a deep breath and without any preamble; as though to get the words out of her mouth as fast as possible, she said,

“I have come to ask you to give me back my gold chain”.

She said it so fast that it looked as though she had rehearsed these words.

Having said this, she broke down and hid her face in her palms. A sob escaped her.

I was speechless. My mind was in turmoil. How could she ask for the gold chain back that she herself had put around Ritu’s neck? Had she done it only to impress the public?

Anger was the predominant emotion in the medley of emotions that I felt.

“Why are you asking it back?” I asked harshly.

Umadevi raised a tear-stained face from her hands.

“Because I am helpless.” she said simply.

“Helpless? How you mean helpless?” I was still angry.

It was well known that Umadevi’s husband was MD of a big, multinational company and they were very well off.

How did I know? Oh, she is a Celebrity and I do read gossip columns.

Umadevi was extremely apologetic. I could see that her distress was real as she said,

“You don’t understand. Yesterday, after I went home, my husband raised Hell. He told me that I had no right to give away the gold chain, which rightly belongs to our own daughter. It is her inheritance.

He has forced me to come here and get the gold chain back.”

There was pain in her voice as she continued,

“I am asking you, as one woman to another, please, please give back that accursed chain to me. Otherwise, my husband will make my life miserable.”

My horror at these words must have shown on my face.

“No, no, he will not beat me or anything, but he will keep on taunting me for being such a fool. He will never let me forget that I gave away TWO tolas of gold on an impulse.” she hastened to add.

Fresh sobs racked her frail frame.

My anger subsided. I knew deep within my heart that she was not acting. She was genuinely unhappy and ashamed to ask for the gold chain back.

I had a sudden insight in the dark side of her life. I could imagine the mental torture inflicted on her if she deviated even an inch from the path laid down by her husband.

I have seen enough marriages like that around me in the society.

Poor, poor Umadevi!!! Despite being a successful, rich and glamorous singer, she had no freedom, no authority in her own home.

I felt a deep pity for her.

I decided to give the gold chain back to her.

But, what will be Ritu’s reaction? She will cry her heart out, and it will affect her performance in the Finals.

I thought over the problem and said to Umadevi,

“I don’t mind giving back your chain, but just take me to the goldsmith that you bought the chain from and I will buy an identical gold chain for Ritu. She should never know that I gave back your chain, which she regards as her own possession now.”

At these words, Umadevi hugged me gratefully.

“You are a wonderful woman.” she said.

I smiled.

I knew perfect well that I could afford to be a wonderful woman because I have a wonderful husband.

Poor chap!! He is just a clerk, but he is not petty enough to make my life miserable over two tolas of gold.

He will not notice the missing gold ‘mangalsutra’ from my neck, and even if he notices, he will not ask me what I did with it. Of course, I will tell him what I did. We have no secrets from each other.

He will not mind that I exchanged the ‘mangalsutra’ for a gold chain, especially when I explain the circumstances to him.

I have full confidence in my husband that he will support my action.

My heart swelled with love for my husband.

I rejoiced in the freedom that I have always enjoyed in our home, but which I realized and appreciated only after Umadevi’s revelations.

I patted her on the back and wiped her tears.

Together we left the hotel room to go to the goldsmith’s shop. After all, I have to be back before Ritu comes back from her rehearsal.