Never prepared for it

Graduation, then post-graduation, degree after degree. I am happy when I earned these. I never desired to work in offices as in my whole family, I am the most educated person. Also, it was a challenging task in itself. As my elder sisters turned into beautiful and authoritative brides, the hunt of a son-in law for me begins.

I swipe down different mehndi designs and within few hours, my hands decorate with them; whenever I feel thirsty, two of the three maids served me the drinks. By few of the maids, I am called as Madam even when for few months, I taught tuitions. Children around me called as madame.

I never saw my husband but he was a son of father’s friend. The son earn money by doing errands of work but his family was too rich. I believe on my father’s choice. Though my mother doubted it.

My wrist is filled with bangles, partitioning in hair with sindoor and my head is protected by veil.

I know that my conditions may or may not be same in my new house but I prepare myself. I will run my house in the amount earned by my husband.

The dream of happy married life was first priority but sooner this dream diminishes after ten years of marriage. I get pregnant twice and successfully delivers two boys. I feel proud on myself but on the other hand, I am losing my erudite. So, I start teaching in the local schools which give me nothing but a little satisfaction. My boys grow tall but dependent. Years pass and our family’s financial condition deteriorates. I feel never like a princess as in my parents’ house but convinced myself that a day shall come. But the reverse has happened. My all talent got diminish with these years, so no company entertain me.

I work harder and by eating food only one time in whole day, I start taking more tutions and saving money. But luck didn’t support me. I am thrown out by different parents from the lives of their children as I am not suitable according to them. But, this time too, I started working as a cook in different houses with body shivering due to cold. I spent few months with the money and search different jobs for my husband but he rejects every job. His rejection make me understand that he s not interested in going out and work to survive. Instead, he talks to his friend to hire me as her cook in the house. The job is job, until unless the day arrives.

One day, when I am cooking the food in the kitchen, some of the young lads come inside and mock me. I absorb their abuse words but then, they come closer and touch which they shouldn’t. I immediately run from the house but the owner stops me with few notes flinging in his hand. the notes attracted me. One-note out of five could fill the tummy of my children for few weeks and another note could be used to treat my husband. I raise foot towards it but the lads come in between and hold my body. They start dragging me towards their filthy bedroom. I cried. My soul tear me from inside. I pleaded them.

Then, they stuck a few notes into my clothes. This isn’t what I prepare for. I being an educated girl is now going to serve as food to these hunters. But luckily, my husband comes. They loosen their grips.

My husband looks at me and my helpless eyes search him. He lifts me up and indicates me to sit. He takes all of the men inside the room. I know that the next sound, I would hear is must be of black and blue but today, he is fair and square.

“The amount you promise to me is less by five thousand rupees. I want at least ten thousand more.”

My nerves fight sword with each other. The room get unlocked and next, I know is running from that horrific place.

I pack my bags and fled to the same city as my parents but don’t go to their house because they believe their friend’s son more than their daughter. I begin my new journey by begging on the streets and knocking on different doors to work. Then finally, I am hired as a sweeper in the restaurant.

One day, while working in the restaurant, I meet accidentally my parents. They saw me and asked my name. My face masquerades myself with dirt but few minutes of hard staring, they get their daughter. They are astonished and I cried after a long while. They take me and my children to the home. They filed a case against my filthy husband and I re-educated myself but this time, I liked to work outside in offices as a reputable colleague.