Radha Bai’s Journey: Love, Loss, and Redemption

As Radha Bai’s saree-pallu slowly moved towards her eyes, Sumi beat her son even more. Shankar just stood there, watching.

The little boy cried out, “Grandma! Papa! Grandma! Papa!” but there was nothing anyone could do except watch helplessly—especially Radha Bai.

In that small two-room house, Radha Bai, her husband Kashinath (who had been bedridden for several years), their son Shankar, his wife Sumi, and their grandson Raju somehow managed to get by.

Kashinath retired as a servant from the district council and has been confined to his bed ever since. Shankar worked at the sugar factory, and their household survived barely, depending on whether the factory was operational.

Kashinath’s meagre pension provided some support to the family and ensured that Radha Bai and Kashinath had a place to live in that house-cum-shack.

Before Shankar’s marriage, their situation wasn’t so bad. Even after marriage, things were fine for a while.

There was a plan to move into a slightly bigger house using Kashinath’s retirement funds, but all the money was spent on his illness, and everything fell apart.

The thought of “four people living in a two-room house” frustrated Sumi immensely.

It was not like that at her maternal home, there was a grand mansion, but since she had only one brother and a small household, her parents had never let her face any difficulties. Her father worked as a peon at a school, and with his ongoing job, they had a comfortable life.

Shankar was an only son and his father worked for the district council, Sumi’s parents had arranged their marriage.

But Kashinath’s illness had shattered everything.

A few days after the wedding, their baby was born, and to Sumi, the house started feeling even smaller.

Kashinath understood everything but had no choice. However, the one who suffered the most was Radha Bai.

Watching her precious grandson being beaten by his mother broke her heart. She knew this was all happening so that she and Kashinath would leave the house somehow.

If her husband had been healthy, they would have never tolerated this humiliation, but now they were helpless.

Blaming God and fate, they silently shed tears.

Shankar, too, was in a difficult position. He understood both his wife’s frustration and his mother’s suffering, but he had no solution.

Days passed, and Shankar decided to move to the city. Instead of relying on the unpredictable sugar factory wages, he thought he could find better opportunities in the city.

Some villagers had already settled there, so he planned to take their help.

On the day of his departure, the entire house was filled with tears. Little Raju was told that “Papa is going away for just a day or two,” but both Radha Bai and Sumi couldn’t stop their tears.

Kashinath’s eyes were moist too, but more than that, it pained him that he could do nothing to help. Perhaps he was thinking, If only I were healthy, I could have contributed something.

Once Shankar left, all the members got sad. There was food on the plate, but no one had the heart to eat. They ate just to survive, nothing more.

Without Shankar, Sumi’s irritability worsened. Fights became a daily occurrence. Now, she no longer hesitated to speak back to her mother-in-law.

Days passed, but there was no news from Shankar.

One day, while fetching water, Sumi slipped and fell, breaking a bone in her leg.

With the help of neighbours, she was rushed to the hospital. The doctor applied a cast and instructed her to rest for a month.

Now she was faced with a major dilemma. Going to her maternal home wasn’t an option, as she knew her brother’s wife wouldn’t welcome her. And her elderly parents couldn’t do much for her either.

Realizing this, tears welled up in her eyes. With no news of Shankar and now this accident, she felt utterly helpless.

Radha Bai understood her distress. Stroking her head gently, she said with motherly affection, “Don’t worry, my dear. I am with you.”

Tying her saree firmly at the waist, Radha Bai got to work.

She took care of her bedridden husband, took care of her injured daughter-in-law, got her grandson ready for school, fetched water, cooked, and managed the household—all with newfound energy.

Sumi watched all this and felt ashamed of her selfishness.

A few days later, she began walking with Radha Bai’s support. Soon, she could stand and sit without help.

Although they still struggled with poverty, this new crisis had momentarily eased their usual burdens.

Then, one day, a letter from Shankar arrived. He had found a job as a watchman at a construction site and would soon come to take Sumi and their son with him.

Everyone felt a moment of happiness, but it was short-lived. The thought of Shankar and Raju leaving the house broke Radha Bai’s heart. But she didn’t let it show. Instead, she said, “Now Raju can go to a good school.”

Sumi had fully recovered.

A few days later, Shankar returned. He had brought gifts for everyone. After a long time, joy filled their home.

Finally, the day of departure arrived. Sumi packed their things, and Shankar touched his parents’ feet.

But to his surprise, there was only one bag.

He looked at Sumi in confusion.

Sumi simply said, “I now understand my mistake.”

Tears welled up in Shankar’s eyes.

Radha Bai hugged her grandson.

Kashinath’s eyes, too, filled with tears—but this time, they carried a hint of happiness.

In the sunset of their lives, they could finally see a small lamp of joy flickering.