In 2000, while visiting my grandmother a friend of hers told her, “Do you know Pammi died in Delhi?” My grandmother said she did not. And her name bought back memories of the time she left Kariyala (now in Pakistan). She narrated me her story reliving the life, which she now remembered with a note of sadness. Although many times she narrated her own story across the border this was one story, which moved me. She said, “Pammi was living a few furlongs away from our house. I was already married to Bauji. Since I was only 15 years I was still living with my mother. Pammi had a sister too. I don’t know if she is alive.” When we came to Jabalpur, I had heard that Pammi was married to Bhagwan Das. During the partition we were scattered. The truck that carried all of us to the railway station was ambushed. We managed to run along with a few belongings to the station. The train was already over crowded and it was the second last train going to Delhi. In the melee no one realized Pammi was lost. No one saw her reach the station either. I heard that it was during that time she was lost. I remember on All India Radio it was announced several times. But there was no response. Her family and her in laws waited for her to return for a year. Life had to go on. So Bhagwan Das was married to Pammi’s younger sister Teji. The following year Teji delivered a boy. All was well in the family. Everyone had forgotten Pammi. But one day to every body’s shock Pammi came to Delhi and located her family. Her coming disturbed the now well-settled life that her sister was leading with her husband.

Pammi’s disappearance and mysterious appearance shocked everyone. They were living in Old Delhi. As he news spread people were curious to see her. Pammi was also shocked to know that her family had given up on her. She narrated her nightmare. She said, “ I was running away once I got off the truck. But on the station I did not get into the train. I hid in the station manager’s room. A few of our neighbouring Muslim youths saw me and said they would help me on the next train. They told me not to be afraid and also helped me to get some tea later. The next day also I was not allowed to get into any train. I was put up in someone’s house. Days together then went by and I realized that I had been tricked. But I was determined get to Delhi. I at least knew that all had gone to Delhi. Whenever I heard local announcements on radio, I thought mamaji or chachaji would come to take me. But I lost hope. It was with the help of the school teacher that I managed to reach the station. I went through a very bad time. I am glad I am amongst my own now.

And I asked my grandmother how did she react to the news that her own sister had married her husband making true the saying, ‘Saali adhi gharwali hoti hain’ (a sister in law is half as good as the wife)! Grandma says, “She cried that day. She had gone through so much. But an understanding had to be reached. She was a part of the family and could not be rejected. She had already undergone trauma of the worst kind.” And thinking deeply grandma said, “Who can fight destiny? If you have to go through any experience you should as God had ordained it.” Coming back to her narration she said, “Knowing what all her elder sister had gone through, Teji was more than willing to co-operate. After all her destiny too was entwined in this mix up. Bhagwan Das to had to accept the two sisters as his wives.” And was there any problem? Grandmother asks, In which family there are no problems? But I think they managed well. I don’t know if Teji is still alive. I have not met her in years now. She as also has grown old like me.”

Having said that grandma went into a reverie. I knew not what to ask her. She was mentally rewinding the images of a forgotten past, which I had stoked. After a long interval she said, “Pammi must have died in peace. She never complained ever. She must be reaping benefits of some life somewhere.” It was time to have dinner. As the news broke on television about Pakistan I wondered what was it that still remained to touch emotional chords again. Despite upheaval ordinary lives continued in both countries. Families had no issues but only the politicians did.