Our Mindset Episode 54
I asked the man with genuine concern, “Will the bull’s tail grow back long again?”
He replied, “No, I’ve only applied medicine to keep it from getting any shorter.”
I felt disappointed. But really, it wasn’t the bull’s fault—he was tricked by the visitors.
Even Mangu and Mami were upset after seeing the bull. They didn’t say anything to me directly, but they did talk to my husband, “You’re already sick, why take on more work like this?”
Mangu brought boots and socks for my husband. What else could he do? If he didn’t help, his own work would come to a halt. Still, he didn’t forget to jot down the expenses in his ledger right away.
The boots were tall, reaching up to the knees, so there was no risk of getting dirt or water on his feet. That was probably the only good advice the guests gave—wearing boots and socks. Otherwise, I would’ve been stuck watering the fields every day.
So, the matter of my husband and the bull was settled. But now thoughts of my father-in-law’s illness started swirling in my head. I couldn’t just visit him empty-handed. I’d either have to take groceries, some money, or maybe even bring him back with me.
Diwali was approaching. We were barely making it with rationed food, kerosene, and sugar. But Diwali meant extra expenses. With no money on hand, buying groceries or giving cash wasn’t feasible. So, I decided I’d go back to work until Diwali, and visit my father-in-law then, bringing some festive snacks.
I went to work at Mangal Kaku’s place. I asked her, “Can you lend me some money for Diwali? I’ll pay it back by working for you.” She agreed right away but added, “You’ll have to come daily. I’m planting vegetables depending on you—if you don’t come, I’ll be stuck.” I needed the work, and she didn’t have anyone else to help her either.
Until recently, my husband didn’t know how to ride a bicycle. But once he got those boots, he started learning. Before long, he was off to the village every evening, staying there till 11 p.m. When he came home, I’d argue with him, and like always, he’d ignore me and sleep in the garden.
One day while working, Mangal Kaku’s stepson was in the fields with us.
Now, when two women are working together, you know they’re going to talk. I was telling her, “My father-in-law is sick, my husband’s wound isn’t healing, the bull has a maggot-infested tail, my husband goes to the village every evening to sit with some woman, and when he returns, he just sleeps in the garden. We fight every single day.”
She said, “How do you put up with all this? Your husband shouldn’t behave like that—especially with a wife like you. Don’t you feel scared, sleeping alone with the kids?”
And her son overheard our entire conversation.
Three or four days later, as usual, my husband went to sleep in the garden around 11 or 11:30 p.m. I locked the door and went to sleep with the kids.
Then someone knocked on the side door—the one by the road. I thought maybe my husband had come back, but then I remembered… that door was always kept shut. He’d never come in through that one before.
So I asked, “Who is it?”
A voice from outside said, “Open the door!”
But it wasn’t my husband’s voice.