A video on the beginning of chapter four which depicts the grim phase of Rani’s life. Life rotates into a new phase. Rani’s brothers and sisters are too small. The youngest brother is six month baby. Karnesh, a cousin joins them during daytime. The new house has two iron cots, trunks filled with clothes and beds rolled and kept in a corner. There is nothing as kitchen shelf or table. A stove is used for cooking.
After six months, the scene changes. Devaki and others in Mogra chawl inform Rani’s dad that the State Housing Board officials enquired them why the house is locked. Dad goes to Janaki’s husband and tells him that he wants to return to his house in Mogra chawl. Janaki’s husband assures him that he need not bother about the house in Mogra Chawl. He can continue to live in the new house. No one knows what happened between the two men but dad chooses to remain in 21 Siddesh society. Months pass. Neighbours give a report that the rent collector has sealed the house and has handed over the house to one of his relatives who becomes the owner of the house. But aunt Janaki insists Rani’s dad and mom to shift back to Mogra chawl.
Relationship between Janaki and Natesh runs into rough weather. Husband locks the door of the house and makes her wait outside the house during nights. The house in Ratan Mansion is owned by Natesh. Janaki goes to her elder sister who stays in Chitragaon. Janaki, in a fit of anger rails at Rani’s dad, ‘ You wicked man. You turned my husband against me. Tell me what happened between you and him.’ Dad goes beserk. He goes to Natesh, who tells him he has nothing to do with it. Rani’s mom supports her sister. Dad is shocked to see the real face of humanity. Aunt Janaki could not get married because she had an affair with a boy in her office who ditched her. In order to facilitate her marriage Rani’s dad posed himself as the man who spurned her. Natesh is informed that the boy who ditched Janaki is Rani’s dad.
Rani’s dad is struck by ingratitude. He runs into depression. Instead of going to office, he reports himself as sick and goes to Asthanagar in Shimpli without informing anybody. Without the breadwinner, the family totters. Mom contracts typhoid. Grandmother comes from Sompur to take care of Rani’s mother. She suggests mom to pack off her children to her husband. He will return with his children. If he doesn’t return, she will take her to Sompur. Rani’s mother gives her consent. Kartik uncle of Chitragaon takes Rani, her brothers and sisters to Silase station. Children are asked to wait in the railway waiting room. Kartik uncle gets the information that Rani’s dad is in Shimpli. Kartik boards the Shimpli bound train with Rani, her brothers and sisters.
It is December. Shimpli is shivering. Rani is in frock. Her teeth clutters and her body seems to turn cold. She does not know where life is taking her. Kartik uncle takes the kids to his friend’s house. Kumar is Kartik uncle’s friend. Kumar offers Kartik uncle and the kids nice refreshing coffee. Kumar knows the location of Asthanagar. Kartik uncle deposits children in the house at Asthanagar. Dad takes the children inside the house with the luggage of clothes. The house is crowded because a marriage is in the offing.
( video can be viewed on You tube by typing ‘Ripples Roping Memories’)
