Queen: A Powerful Short Story of Womanhood by Nadella Anuradha – English Translation of క్వీన్ – Part I

–

What can I say about Pune that hasn’t been said yet? The city is just breathtakingly beautiful. Nudged deeply into the surrounding hills, its air has the scent of rain-soaked earth and the gentle hum of a city that still remembers how to slow down. Banyan trees crowd over heads and rooftops, while the lakes hold up mirrors to the sky.

What poet can truly describe the gentle embrace of the fog or the wild tumble of the waterfalls? And who can ever really put into words what it means to be a Punekar?

Pune reminds us of what we often ignore in our hurried lives – the unbusy nature of beauty. Timeless and enduring. Its soul spreads out on the boulevards each day assuring every tired commuter that home is just around the corner.

Just as nature and civilization seem to blend in seamlessly, so does the cultural contrast of this city. The IT revolution has brought in a wave of Western influence where students and IT professionals are not just imagining the future, they’re actively building it. But, make no mistake, the pride of the Peshwa and the Maratha legacy is for all of us to see – out on the streets and in the stories shared behind closed doors.

–

Shyam was always delighted to visit Pune as a guest. This time, he had left his wife Madhuri at home, assuming work would keep him busy all day and he’d barely get a chance to see his daughter, Shweta. But as the evening approached, his work still wasn’t done. He would be staying back in Pune for atleast one more day after all.

As he was leaving the office, his colleague Rangan invited him to stay over at his place that night. Politely declining the invitation, he told Rangan that it was his unexpected opportunity to see his daughter Shweta. He then asked to be dropped off at Bhandarkar Road.

He wandered through the neighborhood and the familiar streets near the home where he once lived in the early days of his career, pausing for a while to reminisce along Ferguson College Road. The bond he shared with that area was something truly special. Lost in old memories, he took a turn onto Jungli Maharaj Road and found himself in the 8^th century Pataleshwar Temple of Lord Shiva.

–

Even if he went to visit Shweta this early, she wouldn’t have returned from the office. So, Shyam continued walking along the majestic tree lined roads, walking slowly as he retraced the paths he and Madhuri had once walked together. As he felt nostalgic, he decided to call his wife.

“Are you done with your work? Are you headed back now?” she asked right away.
“Not yet, I’m getting a chance to see Shweta this time,” his voice was filled with excitement. A pang of disappointment tugged at Madhuri, she wished she could be there too.

“Don’t call Shweta and tell her I’m coming. I want to surprise her,” he told his wife.

–

As Shyam got out of the Taxi in front of the Gulmohar Park apartments, he tried recalling the flat number one more time. And as he was about to walk inside the gates, the security guard stopped him. After giving his details and signing the visitor’s book, he rang the doorbell of Shweta’s flat on the third floor. His heart was filled with anticipation. Just imagining how happy his daughter would be to see him instantly brought a smile to his lips.

The person who opened the door was a stranger to Shyam. He seemed to be from North India. He might be around thirty years old. It appeared as though he had just walked out of the shower, “Yes?” he said to Shyam as he tousled his wet hair with a towel.

Who’s he, did I come to the wrong house by mistake? Shyam wondered. But, as he was about to say sorry and turn around, he saw Shweta walk into the living room asking, “Who’s here Rahul?”

As she saw her dad, Swetha’s beautiful eyes grew bigger in her face and her footsteps quickened towards him.

“Hi Dad, what a nice surprise!” she said, walking past him and peering behind, as if expecting her mother to appear too. “Did Mom come with you?”

“No, dear,” Shyam replied. “I came in early this morning for some office work. But things didn’t go as planned, so I have to stay back for the night.”

Swetha introduced him to the young man beside her, saying, “Dad, meet Rahul, my colleague.”

Shyam smiled politely and entered the apartment. He set the Monginis cakes he bought for his daughter on the table and headed for the shower.

–

After freshening up, he stepped into the living room and saw that Shweta and Rahul had brought out plates and bowls from the kitchen. They were quietly setting the table and serving food on three plates. Shyam ate in silence, his mind unable to settle on a single thought.

“Dad, we got home early from the office today and thought we’d finally watch that movie we’ve been meaning to see for ages,” Shweta said, her voice warm and endearing. “Why don’t you join us? It’ll be a nice way to relax and take your mind off work.”

The conversation flowed around Shyam, but he didn’t join in much. Wasn’t he the one who had planned to surprise his daughter? And yet, here he was – caught off guard by a far bigger surprise. It dawned on him, slowly but unmistakably. Rahul was living in the same apartment as his daughter.

–

Shyam sat slouched in the back seat of the car as they drove to the movies. Although his gaze was on Rahul and Shweta who were chatting away in the front seats, his mind drifted away into thoughts.

It has been over six months since their daughter had come home to visit them. All this while, Madhuri has been constantly complaining, “It’s been so long, I want to see our daughter.” For nearly two months, Shweta had been out of the country on a project assignment. After returning, she kept saying, “I’m coming home soon,” but the relentless demands at work have kept getting in her way.

The last time she had visited them; Shyam was busy with an inspection at his office. He couldn’t spend time with her all throughout that weekend when she was at home.

After Shweta had come and left, he noticed that his wife seemed preoccupied. When he repeatedly pressed her on what was on her mind, Madhuri finally opened up to him. Shweta was not inclined towards marriage any time soon and she was not sure what was going on in their daughter’s mind.

Not able to contain her worry, Madhuri had even met with Malathi, her childhood friend and a psychologist. He, on the other hand, had not even thought about it at all.

But all those conversations from a few months ago came back to his mind now.

–

That weekend, when Shweta had come home, Madhuri was like a little child – gleefully happy and full of excitement. She took her by her hand and showed off the newly bloomed night queen in the front veranda. She didn’t mind getting drenched in the sudden drizzle as she had her daughter smiling by her side.

As if she couldn’t be away from her daughter even for a moment, she spent the whole Saturday chatting and shopping with her. She even teased and was a bit angry at Shyam, saying he was missing out on their daughter because of his office work.

On Sunday morning, after having breakfast and sending off Shyam to work, Madhuri began leisurely making jantikalu for her daughter.

“Why are you working so hard amma? We can buy all these at the store anyway. Whenever I feel like eating something, I will just go and buy it. We could have just gone to the noon show and ate lunch somewhere outside.” As Swetha talked, Madhuri looked at her daughter affectionately, “Yes dear, we can buy them, but when I make them at home for you, it gives me so much satisfaction.”

For a while, their chat meandered through Shweta’s office work, her friends, and movies, and then gently veered toward the topic of her marriage.

“Chinni, after your studies, you said you’d work for a few years. That wish has been fulfilled. Now, it’s time you listen to our wishes.” Madhuri said with determination. This time, she was intent on getting her daughter to agree to marriage.

–

Madhuri’s friend Padma was upset because her daughter had fallen in love and gotten married without involving them in the decision. Padma and her husband felt hurt and sidelined, as their daughter hadn’t sought their opinion or blessing before taking such a big step.

“Madhuri, you should talk to your daughter about marriage. Try to find out if there’s someone she’s already interested in. These kids today – they have the exposure, the maturity, and the financial independence to make their own choices. Honestly, they’re not waiting for us to approve of their preferences.

For them, education isn’t just about securing a future – it’s a means to their identity. And marriage? It’s not about lowering your gaze and saying yes anymore.

The world we all live in is different from the one we grew up in.” Padma would opine.

Even though her daughter’s married life was going well, as a mother, Padma still carried some unspoken disappointments. And that’s why, Madhuri always sensed a subtle harshness in Padma’s tone whenever she spoke about her daughter.

Each time Padma spoke, Madhuri would slip into quiet contemplation. She held a deep conviction that Shweta truly understood them – not just their words, but the meaning behind them and the values they carried as parents. What a remarkable job she had done raising her! Shweta wasn’t like other children. All through her years at home, until she completed her studies and stepped into the world, she lived with the reverence of someone following a sacred scripture – her parents’ guidance etched into her way of life.

Madhuri’s thoughts were suddenly interrupted.

–

“Don’t even bring up marriage, Amma. I have no intention of getting married,” said Shweta.

Madhuri looked at her, momentarily unable to comprehend what she was hearing. She wondered if her daughter was just joking with her. But when she couldn’t detect even a hint of mischief, “What kind of crazy talk is this?” she snapped.

“What’s crazy about it? Marriage is my choice. And I don’t want to commit to it. That’s what I’m saying,” Shweta said firmly, speaking her truth.

Those unexpected, thundering words of Shweta’s brought tears to Madhuri’s eyes. She hadn’t anticipated such a response. She composed herself, determined not to appear vulnerable in front of her daughter.

“What? Why wouldn’t you get married? You’re dismissing it like I’m suggesting an outrageous idea. Has anyone in our family ever not chosen to get married?”

“Amma, you’ve been married for over three decades. You have seen people, habits, and traditions from that time. You’re assuming all those things still apply today. Look at the world outside. So many changes have already happened – and are still happening. Aren’t you the one who’s always saying to me that the world I see is much bigger than the one you did, and that I should be telling you about the world as I see it?”

Shweta paused. Her mother’s face had suddenly fallen. Madhuri, who had been finishing up in the kitchen and washing her hands at the sink, froze. The water continued to run, but her hands remained still beneath it, unmoving, as her mind felt the weight of Shweta’s words.

“Sorry, Amma, but I don’t share the same faith in marriage that you do. When I think about it, it just feels like marriage doesn’t quite fit the current vibe or our generation’s lifestyle. It’s not that people aren’t getting married. They are and I see that. But how many of those marriages are truly stable and happy, like the ones from your time? Tell me, Amma.”

–

Continued in Part II

–

Glossary of Telugu words: 

Jantikalu – A traditional South Indian savory snack made from rice flour and spices, deep-fried into crunchy spirals or coils. Similar to murukku or chakli in other Indian cuisines.

Akka – Elder sister. A respectful and affectionate way to refer to one’s older sister.

Amma – Mother. Also used as a term of endearment for any older woman or as a loving way to address women in general.

Nanna – Father.

Chinni – A term of endearment meaning “little one” or “dear one.” Often used for young children or loved ones, similar to “sweetie” or “baby” in English.

–

Read The Original Story: క్వీన్ ~ అనూరాధ నాదెళ్ళ (జనవరి, 2016, సారంగ వెబ్ మ్యాగజైన్)

Translated By: Rachana Somayajula

–

Praise For Queen Story And Translation On Muse India

On Life, Love And Desires In Fiction