The Tormenting Bond

Women aren't just amusing toys for men. Are they?

She goes through the same tormenting ache every split second of the day. When asked by others, she pretends to be positively alright. Ironically, all her positivity fades before the person she loves the most. She dies every night a little being physically and mentally tortured.

"Hello amma..."
"Haa Sarita beta.. Are you doing well? Hello...hello? Sarita? Hello?"

And Sarita hung up the phone crying her heart out. But this time, the ache in her voice was a little more than usual. And why wouldn’t it be? It was the 29th of April.

Exactly a year before, she was bonded to an unbreakable bond with him. "19 years is a decent age to marry. Rajesh is a good guy, he'll keep you happy. Moreover, you must feel blessed to be able to marry a guy like him. Dekhna, a year later you'll be discussing your happy married life with me."

Sarita knew Rajesh as the only guy in her village to get a job in a city, unlike others whose life was confined to labor work. He was 32. Sarita was nervous. She didn't know if she was ready to be married to a 13 year older guy and shift away from her parents. Sarita was a girl who had never even gone to the nearby grocery store alone. Of course, shifting to a city meant something big to her.

She couldn't find an option to escape the marriage. She knew the deteriorating financial condition of her family because of her father's ill health and she couldn't say no to her Amma. And after all, there cannot be a better criterion for a groom than a guy having a job in the city.

But somewhere in her heart, there was pride to marry a city guy. She expected a life of love and luxuries. She expected to explore every nook and corner of the city hand-in-hand with her husband. She wanted to turn into a city girl.

29th April 2004. Sarita was married to Rajesh and shifted to the city. But there was a strange awkwardness in her relationship. The couple didn't speak to each other. Of course, Sarita tried to initiate but got numb reactions in return.

"You cook good food." This was the first sentence she heard from Rajesh after a week of her marriage. She was on cloud nine. This was enough for her to realize that Rajesh loves her. She couldn't help herself from smiling and blushing all day.

But after that night Rajesh started coming home late. "Oho, such a hectic life he leads. He works all day to earn money for me." This is how she used to console herself while waiting the whole night for him. But gradually, she got used to the habit and started sleeping early.

But after a while, this lifestyle started suffocating her. Nothing was happening up to her expectation. Never did her husband talk to her. He used to come home late every night. She had never ever stepped out of her house to peep into the city life.

"Yes Amma, Rajesh loves me. Haan haan, you know na, city life and his job is not that easy.", Sarita consoled her mother. But somewhere she felt uncomfortable. She decided to face Rajesh.

It was 1 AM at night when Rajesh stepped into the house, drunk.
"Suniye"
Rajesh ignored her.
"Rajesh Ji listen na!"
"Hmm?", asked Rajesh.
"Wo I just wanted to ask if we can go out together someday?"
Rajesh ignored. This irritated her.
"Rajesh Ji? What is wrong? Why don't you ever talk to me? Why have you trapped me in your house? Why don't you take me out? Why don't you love me like other husbands? Am I not beautiful? What work do you do? Can't you ever fetch time for me?"

These words were enough to trigger Rajesh and make things worse. Sarita was beaten and abused badly that night. After that, she was locked inside her room, unconscious.

The next day when she woke up in pain, she didn't find Rajesh anywhere. "Ah, I was so stupid to ask those questions to him. Now he's angry. I shall cook his favorite food to make him happy"

But even that night Rajesh came home late. Very late. He was badly drunk. "Rajesh Ji, khana.." and she was slapped hard. He slapped and kicked her as if she was a toy. And this became a regular practice every night. Sarita couldn't realize what exactly was happening to her. She used to beg pardon from her husband. She used to cry all day but pretend everything was fine in front of her parents until..

29 April 2005. Sarita and Rajesh had completed a year together. Though she knew nothing special would happen yet she couldn't help herself smiling. She also expected Rajesh to bring a special anniversary gift for her. Sarita decorated the house well. She cooked the best possible food for Rajesh.

Unexpectedly, Rajesh did have a smile on his face when he entered the house. He brought her a beautiful gift as well.

A beautiful lady stood in front of her. "Sarita, meet Meera. We have both loved each other for three years now. Today, we got married in the temple. You shall adjust with her in the house but do not dare to tell anyone about her. He kissed Meera, locked Sarita in her room, and took Meera inside his own room. Sarita stood numb with a saddening smile on her face.

That night he didn't even touch or hurt Sarita but the ache of betrayal killed her from inside. She rang her mother but couldn't speak a word. Sarita hung up the phone crying her heart out. But this time, the ache in her voice was a little more than usual...