Dancing To Mommy's Tunes

Sukirti didn’t sleep a wink all night. History was repeating itself right in front of her eyes. All the events unfolding in her younger sister Shruti’s life were more or less similar that had happened with her, if not exactly. Indeed, the mastermind controlling their lives was the same. She had been blind and a fool to not listen to her well-wishers’ warnings. Unfortunately, Shruti too was falling prey to the situation just like she had, in the past.

Sukirti’s ex-husband had warned her many times during their short lived married life. But she had been too adamant to listen. According to him, there was always a third person between them. Her very own mother. It didn’t take her long to realize that he had always been right. His words were bitter; yet true. “ Your mother is making you dance to her tunes. She doesn’t want you to live a happy life with your husband. If you do as she says throughout your life, you will suffer.” But her mother wasn’t the only person to blame for her unsuccessful marriage. She considered herself partially responsible.

 Sukirti made sure her mother was well informed about every event that occurred at her in-laws’ place. From what was being cooked to who visited their home to the arguments with her husband, her mother was aware of every minute detail. Most of the fights and arguments she picked up with her husband were because of her mother; mostly being for petty reasons. Hers and Sahil’s was an arranged marriage. Sahil belonged to an affluent family, whom she had married only for the sake of his money. He respected her and adored her. Things were okay for the first few months until Sukirti started making unreasonable demands frequently.

From clothes, shoes, expensive jewelry; she made sure Sahil gave in to her demands. When he didn’t listen, she mentally tortured him. She misbehaved with his family members on a daily basis. She falsely accused him of crimes he had never committed. She made life for all of them a living hell in their own home. During that particular phase, Sukirti had become nothing less than a psychotic, backstabbing and manipulative bitch who would go to any extent to get what she wanted. Just like her mother.

As she recalled her past memories, she realized that her greed had turned her into a totally different person. Sahil completely lost his cool the day she demanded that he name all his property under her name immediately. And that was the beginning of the end of their relationship followed by innumerable court proceedings. A few years down the line and many years prior, the story had remained pretty much the same. Only the main character had changed.

Sukirti’s father had gone through the same ordeal. Sahil had suffered a similar fate and now, Shruti’s husband would also have to go through the same if she didn’t intervene now. Three men’s lives and their families had taken a 360-degree turn because of one crafty woman. Moreover, she wanted Shruti to be happy with her husband. She didn’t want her sister to suffer just like she had. The past was in the past. It couldn’t be changed. But the present could be controlled to avoid something similar happening in the future. The right time was now before it was too late.

Sukirti would discuss the issue with her sister and try to put some sense into her brain. If the situation arose, she was ready to fight against her own mother. Whether she would be successful or not, she didn’t know. She hoped God would forgive her and help her this time. This time, she didn’t want her mother to win.

Relationships are just like threads. You can break them in a few seconds due to misunderstandings, wrong judgments, and selfish intentions. You need to nurture them with care and shower them with your love and affection on a daily basis. You need to put others’ needs first before your own at times to keep your relationship intact.

We usually hear many cases about women being harassed by their husbands and their in-laws for dowry. Women are the ones who are always supported. But what about those unheard cases where men are projected as villains despite being victims themselves? What about those women who take undue advantage of the laws implemented for their well-being and safety? Shouldn’t such women be punished in courts too? It’s time to give it a thought and not let these women run away scot-free.