A Virtual Anecdote-Wicked Fairy

A beautiful teenage girl named Neha stayed in the village of Rampur. She stayed with her parents and grandmother. Neha's father was a farmer and her mother worked all day on the farm.

Neha went to school and she used to spend much of her free time with her grandmother, whom she called Amma. Amma and Neha's bond was intense, one soul, two bodies. Amma used to share stories of fairies and Princesses with her. Neha was happy in her virtual, imaginary world created by her Amma.

Neha was a brilliant student too. One day out of curiosity, Neha asked Amma, "Are God fairies real?","Yes", said Amma."When will I meet them?" "After marriage", said Amma." Why after marriage?" "Every girl meets their God fairy and prince after marriage only like your mother," exclaimed Amma.

This statement made Neha more inquisitive. Being a teenager, her virtual stories of prince and God fairy spiraled in her mind. A few years later, her soul, her Amma passed away leaving behind her stories in Neha's marbles. Neha was sad and depressed. Seeing her sad, her parents thought of marrying her off as soon as possible to fill her hollowness.

They found the best match for Neha. He was a young handsome boy, 12th pass and worked in a call center (villagers find city boys responsible and smart, without giving it a second thought). Neha was still full of her Amma's stories and this helped her agree to her parent's decision. She desperately wanted to meet her fairy Godmother and Prince Charming. She got married within six months.

Initially, life was good at her in-law's place. She left no stone un-turned to impress her prince and fairy godmother. Similar to her mother, little did she know what life had in store for her. Six months passed by and there was a financial crisis at her in-law's place. Her in- laws started nagging and pressurizing Neha to bring money from her father. (This is an easy way to earn, a harsh reality). Initially, her father supported her, but being a farmer himself, how much more could he do? Neha protested and clearly told her husband that from now onwards her father could not afford to support him.

One fine day, when constant pressurizing and threatening failed, her fairy Godmother and her Prince Charming came up with a strategy. One day when she was cooking in the kitchen, they poured kerosene from behind and set her ablaze. After that they removed the gas connection and made a scene of the blast. She cried for help, but standing in front of her, they didn't help. Neha's fairy Godmother and her Prince Charming bid her farewell with a smile. Neha's father was informed, and he accepted her fate with tears and memories. Being a simple farmer, how could he even think of revolt? Deep within him however, he was sure that the truth had been hidden from the police. The case was closed as it was a clear case of mishap due to a gas explosion.

Neha's fairytale came to an end, taking her soul finally. This is the reality of life. We expect roses and we get thorns. Same as Neha in this story, many girls are burned alive everywhere in India. This is the wicked side of a Fairytale, a harsh reality.

My sincere request to every Fairy Godmother of this world who feels proud begetting a prince, please make every tale of small princesses enjoyable. Maybe not a hundred percent but at least in some part. All princesses have been hearing stories of God fairies and Prince Charming since childhood. Be an epitome by turning their small dreams into reality.