Background:- The first thing which comes to your (Indian) mind, if you think of the times before 1947, is the struggle of the people for Indian Independence. I have some perceptions about those times that everyone, who was born before 1947, was a freedom fighter. Everyone joined either the campaigns of Mahatma Gandhi (Peaceful) or Bhagat Singh (Aggressive) depending on personal choices. Everyone was sent to jail at least once in a lifetime. Young brigade of the country was born with fire to get Freedom from the colonial empire.
I guess "Falling in Love" was an undefined terminology in our country by then.
One fine day, my friend read my mind and offered me to travel in the past with his remarkable time-machine.
"Hey bro, you should travel anytime before 1947 and meet your fantasies." said my friend Siddhartha.
"Are you kidding? " I responded.
"No, seriously. The device is ready to go. The only bug in the device is that you can't escape your stay before 6 months. But don't worry, your present time will not be lost. When you come back, you would join us here onward." He explained me the technicalities.
"Okay then probably I would visit my grandparent's home town Alwar in 1920. Let's see were they having great time?"
We both chuckled.
The time-machine was successfully tested several times before. Therefore, I was not at all afraid. Though I had no clue of how would I tackle the people of different times, generation, and a completely different mindset. Kicking out all uncertain thoughts, I took the blessings of my grandparents by folding hands in front of their picture. I packed my backpack with clothes and few eatables.
I started my journey and landed in Alwar. It was a Sunny morning of 02 October 1920.
The city looked like a village consisting of a vast bare land. I could hardly see any house there. Though some astounding architectures caught my attention. Men were properly dressed with Dhoti, Kurta and Pagdi. Women were wrapped by their Dhoti with covered faces. The carts and bicycles were the most favourable transports, however people were mostly walking. The men and women were walking in different groups. Men were ahead and guided the chattering women's group. It was the same as I imagined. But I was amazed to see people working on "2nd October (Gandhi Jayanti)", soon I recalled that it was 1920 and Gandhiji was still alive.
I was swift to reach the Mohalla, the place where my grandfather and his family spent all their life. Almost all the people, on my way to our ancestor's Haveli, glanced at me with anger. As I entered the Mohalla, all the ladies shouted "They have come, they are here" and dragged their kids inside of their houses. Men too hid themselves. I had no clue. I was puzzled of what did I do wrong to bring that much of hatred among my own people. Did I look that scary?
Then I saw a boy fearlessly walked towards me " Hey, go back where you come from! We want to live a free life here."
I asked that boy " Hey young man! What's going on here? What did I do wrong? Why is everyone scared of me?"
The boy angrily replied "I am not scared of you, a white idiot. You English people can't ruin us. We will throw you out of my country." He then punched me hard into my stomach.
I collected my devastated strength and replied with fatal voice " I am not English. My name is Ravi. My grandfather lives here. His name is Madal-Lal. He is the TehsilDar of Alwar District."
He curiously interrupted me " Oh! You sound like us. But there is no Madan-Lal here except me. How do you know that I want to become TehsilDar?"
I had forgotten for a while that I travelled to the past. It took some time to get me realized it. The person, stood in front of me, was my teenaged grandfather. How young, fearless and dynamic he looked. I was filled with excitement.
I couldn't explain to him my arrival from his future. He would probably not grab that idea.
I diverted his curiosity " I mean, you could become TehsilDar. You are young and dynamic."
"Thanks. But I need to pass class X to become one. I have been failing class X exams for the last 3 years. You know what Narmada is 14 years old already and if I don't pass X exams this year, she would get married to someone else. Her father is a rich Contractor. The difference of financial status can be filled by my job as TehsilDar to take my marriage proposal to her place."
"Hold on your frustration, Daadu. You will become TehsilDar and will get married To Ms. Narmada. I can see Fu....." I just stopped myself to reveal the reality.
"May your mouth be filled of ghee and sugar. But how to deal with X class exams. It's pity that despite I topped the class, I failed all the subjects except Maths and Hindi. I got 0 in foreign language English, which is useless, I believe. That's one of the reasons I don't like English people. No one explains the Science the way it should be. We have to mug it up which I can't. Above all, I have not seen Narmada since the last Jagannath Ji Mela." He revealed his disappointment.
"Hey, don't worry. I will teach you the subjects if you promise me to introduce Ms. Narmada with me." I offered my help to fulfill my desperation to meet my grandmother.
"How could you help me ? Have you already passed class X ? " He was not sure of it.
"Yes, I could help you. I am pursuing PhD and studying Science in English language." I explained.
"What? What is PhD ? Is it after X? If there exists something after X, why to do that if you can become TehsilDar at first place. Its a shear waste of time and money. My parents can't even afford the fees for private tuitions. You seem like educated and probably the only option to solve my problem." He was partially convinced of my higher studies and idea of teaching him but accepted my offer."
After 2 months of rigorous planning of how to dodge his relatives and friends to eat "Gudiya ke Baal and Daasariye (famous eatables of the fair) with Ms. Naramada (my grandmother), we met her. My grandpa introduced me with his girl friend, my grandma. I touched her feet too. She was extremely shy to utter a single word but was quite happy with my grandpa.
Being upset, she asked " Bauji (father) wants to get all his daughters married together on the same day at the earliest. When would you become TehsilDar? I can't marry someone else."
"Don't worry Narmada, you will become the mother of my kids. That's my promise. Some one is calling your name. We have to go now." reverted my enthusiast grandpa.
We got back to the city and studied a lot in next few weeks. I had to return after 6 months of my arrival. I asked him to go. He was disappointed.
"I did very well in the exams. You have been a great help. Can't you wait till my results? I want you to attend my marriage. I will convince your parents. Please stay with me." He insisted.
I could see a hanging drop of tear at the edge of his lower eyelid. He couldn't resist his emotions nor did I.
"Hey bro! I would have stayed here if I could. But I promise that we will meet later in life." I holded my emotions.
"Do you promise that you will meet me ? Can I see you parents as well ? "
"Yes, you will surely meet them. I assure you." I smiled.
Both exchanged the smiles and said goodbye.
It was quite a great time spent with him and his surroundings. Astonished to see my forefathers and their family of 100 members lived together under one roof with limited resources. They ate together. Despite the financial constraints, he never left his family and became TehsilDar (the only boy in the Mohalla). Above all, he fell in love with my grandma and passionately achieved his dream to marry her. What a wonderful journey, it was with him. I would cherish that all my life.
