A Real-Life Story

Raina was twenty when she stepped into her husband Ankur’s life. She had received a loving welcome from her mother-in-law, Parvati, in the traditional Bangali custom. Raina is a suburban girl where she earned her college degree.

When Ankur was a young man, his mother Parvati used to worry about his future. He had no interest in college after completing high school. His only passion was soccer. In fact, from the position of a lineman, he progressed to become a referee and then became the captain of his local soccer team. With his captainship, his team won many competitions and earned many trophies.

The extra-curricular accomplishments did not bring financial wellness to Parvati’s family. Thus, her worry persisted, “How are you going to earn a living without adequate education and any job skill? Your father is dead. Who will support the family?” Parvati asked Ankur. He brushed aside his mother’s worry.

Parvati’s worry was getting worse day by day. Her persistent worry and sad face ruffled Ankur’s mind. He realised his bleak future; half-heartedly took a job as a clerk at the local post office sorting mail eight hours a day. With passage of time Parvati noticed that Ankur was getting used to his work and started to take his work seriously. But not having much schooling, he remained a low-paying clerk for a long time.

With time the situation changed for better. He turned out to be a hard-working employee. He did not mind leaving for work at 7 am and returning at 7 pm, the long commute, and the hard work.

Several years passed fairly smooth. Ankur’s work at the post office was also going well and steady. His life was changing for better albeit rather slowly. He also found his bride Raina during a village adventure.

In due course, Ankur and Raina became parents. They named him Alik.

Good fortune and misfortune come in cycles. When Alik was about two and a half years old, his father Ankur fell ill. He was getting weaker and weaker to continue his work and was having breathing trouble. Doctors diagnosed what they suspected, Ankur contracted cancer.

Raina faced a very difficult time. Although she had the right credentials for getting a job, she never bothered to get one as Ankur’s postal job paid him well. However, while young, Ankur never considered setting aside a part of his income into savings.

Misfortune gave Raina a big blow. Without any source of income and at the same time taking care of her sick husband and their son was very difficult. With help from relatives and friends she managed to pay for her husband’s hospital expenses and their livelihood for a short time.

As ill-luck would have it, within six months Ankur succumbed to death leaving behind his wife Raina and son Alik, essentially penniless.

Raina plunged into deep darkness. She had no idea how she was going to survive with a small son. It was not easy to find a job, especially for a woman without any work experience.

There came a small ray of hope. Relatives and friends came forward to help her. They advised her to approach Ankur’s supervisor at the post office where Ankur worked.

As Ankur was a longtime loyal employee, the postmaster reviewed his wife’s credentials and said, “If you are interested I can offer you the same position as your husband’s.”

Raina could not afford to waste time. Savings were running out. She immediately took her husband’s job.

The job required hard work and many sacrifices. She had to commute a long distance which took four hours a day. It was not a high-paying job.

She stayed on the job for fifteen years after which physically she was not able to continue further. Once again, she appealed to the postmaster and explained her situation.

As the wife of a longtime employee, she was extended her husband’s pension. Because of her health condition, and in addition, in order to take care of her grandchildren, she decided to rely only on the pension.

Then came the next misfortune. The outbreak of COVID was spreading all around the country with a vengeance. At the age of twenty, Alik contracted the disease. In a very short time, he left his mortal body leaving his two small children in the hands of Raina.

Raina plunged into darkness. She first lost her husband Ankur and then her son Alik within a short time. Her relatives, friends, and neighbors came to console her and give her company at this terrible time.

Despite severe mental agony and tragedy in her life, Raina did not give up hope. She gradually recovered from the dark days of her life and started to see the bright side.

Raina held her two grandchildren tight to her bossom while wiping off tears from her cheeks.