curse

            CURSE

The first time they saw each other while “subho  drishti”. That was the very first time Mrinalini saw her husband from between the two “pan” leaves. She was shy. Her brothers raised her stool high up while the bride and the  groom exchanged their garlands. She broke into laughter while the two parties competed amongst themselves as to who will put the garland first, the bride or the groom. Mrinalini’s eyes seemed to glistened with happiness  though in comparison to   her  beauty  and youth her husband seemed too old and ugly faced . Although Mrinalini seemed to   have no complaints against anyone  ,neither her parents ,nor against her husband.

                                 Mrinalini was a girl of twenty years  . She was blessed with all beauty. Her eyes dark and long   drawn with long   eyelashes .  She was   tall and slender . Her long curly hairs reached   till her back.  She looked excellent by the way she carried herself wearing a simple traditional Bengali saree. She was very   simple  in her manners.  She was  born and brought up in a village of West Bengal.  She was very traditional but  she had a keen sense of self-respect and justice .  On  her eighteenth  birthday ,her parents were very happy and  called all the relatives and friends and celebrated her birthday with great joy. On this occasion Mrinalini’s mother reminded everyone to look for an ideal match with whom   Mrinalini would settle . She even gave some of them her pictures as a form of reference  .  Mrinalini seemed to be very excited as everyone praised her beauty and her cousins  cracked jokes about her future husband. She was enjoying all this and the world seemed to be like a fairy tale until one day one of her distant relative, sort of some uncle came to their house with a proposal for her. Her uncle was accomapanied with an another  man. It was a rainy day in the month of august .  Mrinalini was in  home , as most schools in West Bengal  gave holiday for rainy season. Her mother all of a sudden gushed into her room. Mrinalini was scared, she thought that her mother might have noticed her that she was not studying and was lying down in her bed and watching rain through the window. Her mother shut the door as soon as she got inside. Mrinalina couldn’t understand that was happening exactly. Her mother instructed her to get up and get ready quickly ,for the boy’s brother has come to see her.  Her mother gave her a beautiful red saree to wear and also instructed her to keep her hairs open so that it may be easier for them to view the length. She wore the saree beautifully along with some old antique jewelries of her mother .  She opened the door of her room and infront she saw  a huge crowd of ladies of her village who  had  come to see her and were eagerly waiting to hear the result. According to her mother’s instruction, she bowed her head low and therefore could  catch only a glimpse of those women  standing outside and  saw a pair of two legs which was  right inside the middle of the drawing room ,waiting for her to come. Mrinalini went inside the room   accompanied by her mother and sat in chair infront of the arrived guests. Mrinalini’s father introduced the man   to his daughter. Mrinalini touched their feet to seek their blessings. Soon her mother brought her a tray to serve the tea to the guests. The boy’s brother asked Mrinalini her name and also asked her to tell the meaning of it. She told her name and explained that Mrinalini meant lotus stem  .  Mrinalini   felt   awkward   by the way the man kept examining her for almost an hour and by the way the women were staring at her. She almost felt like an animal brought to be sold, like it happens in any animal fare of her village. After an hour, the man declared that he is ready to accept her as the “choto bou “  of his family and the bride for his  brother. Though atlast in order  to keep his esteem high, he mentioned that , he has selected Mrinalini  because of her feets which  he feels ,  are like goddess Lakshmi, and it will goodwill to their family but he also mentioned that she is too thin and seems weak  to become a wife and maintain a family . The comment fell a thunder on Mrinalini, though she tried her best to hide her tears. N o sooner did the guests leave , her mother and father  kissed and blessed her for future .  The womens who had been waiting so eagerly hurled inside to wish and congratulate her  . Mrinalini  had a mixed feeling, on one hand she wanted to explore life which can only happen if she gets married ,on the other hand , she was fearfully anxious to know what life would be after marriage . The wedding date was fixed on seventh of january .  On the wedding day she wore a red banarasi   saree with golden works all over . She wore all the jewelry of her mother ‘s wedding ,plus some new ones also, which her parents  had made for her soon after her birth.  The groom’s family came but before the groom sat for getting married, the brother demanded that he would like to examine all the jewelries of Mrinalini. The father pleaded a lot that he had given  all the essential things as per their demands and the jewelries of Mrinalini were of her mother’s ,so no problem would  be in case of quality. But, they listened to none of his request .   Mrinalini was soon asked to remove all her  jewelries and give to the jeweler whom the groom’s family had brought with them. Drops of tears fell down from Mrinalini’s  eyes . This tears were not of grief of leaving behind her family but this  tears  was of insults and humiliation ,not only to her but also to her family. The groom , never knew what was happening inside the room but he was waiting for the rituals to begin. But seeing  that bride was taking a lot of time to come , he asked one of his friend to go inside and find out if  everything was all right or not. Soon his friend reported to him the incident. He immediately went inside and stopped the jeweler from checking the authenticity of the jewelries. It  was a moment of relief for Mrinalini and his family while the groom’s brother became angry   . For the first time Mrinalini felt confident and sense of oneness with the unknown voice which she heard   from outside.  Her eyes searched   through the curtain to see the person with the unknown voice, but could not see him .

                                    Finally, the wedding  was  completed. It was now time for  Mrinalini to leave her family and go to her husband’s house.  Mrinalini’s   parents broke into  tears  but Mrinalini was happy but she was instructed by her aunt that it is necessary for a girl to cry before leaving her father’s house for otherwise  it will bring bad luck to her family. Mrinalini after sitting inside the car waved her hand from the window to bid good bye to her parents. It was for the first time was going outside her village. She  kept watching the que of trees which stood by the side of the road , she felt as if each tree was biding her farewell. She watched each things minutely till it turned to a mere dot and gradually she felt asleep. When she woke up, she realized that they had reached Kolkata and were about to reach home. Suddenly a sting of shyness ran down her nerves as she found her head resting on the shoulders of her husband. She got up immediately and managed to adjust her veil. No sooner did the car reached home, group of relatives hurled towards their car. Soon her mother "in-law came with a dish full of sweets to welcome the new bride and the groom. Mrinalini went to take a full bite of the sweet but the mother-in-law whispered her to take a small bite .  Mrinalini did not understand what wrong it would have happened if she took a full bite ?  but the only thing she was feeling now was that she was missing her parents badly. The new bride and the groom was thus welcomed in the house. Soon Mrinalini was asked to cook the “payesh “ ,but how would she cook ! for she has never cooked before. Mrinalini   managed her best to cook the sweet dish but when her mother-in-law saw that she was cooking rice separately and milk separately ,she  came running towards  her in anger and took the  pan of milk from the hands of hers.  She began shouting  at Mrinalini and hearing the shout Tarun,the groom ,came running inside. He saw Mrinalini’s eyes flooded with tears . He came towards her and consoled her by saying that, try to understand what “ma” is trying to teach you ,”Mrinal”. Mrinalini wiped her tears and helped her mother "in-law Durga who cook the khir.  Then she served the khir to all the guests present there and each and everyone praised her. Hearing everyone’s appraisal for Mrinalini ,her mother "in- law couldn’t keep herself calm but went on to say that it is she who has taught her.  In the night ,Mrinalini waited eagerly for her husband to come .She heared the noise of the coming footsteps .It  was Tarun . He closed the door and soon went closer to Mrianlini. He hold Mrinalini’s hand and asked her whether she loves him or not. She  simply noded her head in shyness.  Tarun kissed her on forehead and said that he too loves her dearly. They hugged each other tightly . But before going to sleep Mrinalini asked in a flirtatious manner  that how can she fall in love with a person whose name is unknown to her. Tarun came closer by to her and said in her ears “yours Tarun”. Next morning was like taking a new birth on earth for Mrinalini. The warm  sunlight which fell on her face seemed to kiss her . Morning seemed to be lazy and loving. She got up from her bed while Tarun continued to sleep.  Mrinalini after having her shower came with her  long open wet hairs , wearing a yellow saree  and a red bindi.  She drooped over Tarun , covering his face from sunlight ,while a few drops of water fell from her hair on his face. She called him to put the sindur . He smiled and got up from his bed and filled Mrianalini’s   forehead with sindur . Days were rosy and nights seemed to be beautiful for the   newly   wed  couple, especially  Mrinalini until oneday an accident happened.

                  One fine morning when Mrinalini was hanging up clothes on the rope to dry , she suddenly became unconscious . Tarun immediately ran to hospital . Doctor advised that it is an emergency case and few tests needs to be done for diagnosing  the disease .  After the tests ,doctor said to Tarun that Mrinalini has brain cancer and it is at the last stage so treatment needs to be started immediately. Tarun head went rounding, he could see only darkness infront of his eyes. Kemo therapy needs to be started , but for this  he needs a huge sum of money.  He didn’t know how will  he arrange such a huge amount. As he got up from his seat in the hospital, through the glass window , he saw Mrinalini lying unconscious  in the bed . Tears rolled down his eyes.  He, immediately went to home ,took  out the property papers and hurried down to the court . Durga kept shouting but nothing went inside Tarun’s ears.  He soon arranged the money and went to the hospital. After the kemo therapy , doctor advised Tarun to take Mrinalini back home. Seeing Mrianlini’s   bald head, Durga without being able to control her anger threw a glass at her and cursed her of ruining her’s  sons life. Tarun shouted at his mother and pleaded her to keep her mouth shut because Mrinalini’s condition was critical. He took Mrinalini in his arms and went to the bedroom. Slowly he placed her to bed but before he would leave Mrinalini hold his hand and through her deep dark eyes signaled him to sit beside her. Tears ran down her cheeks .  Mrinalini took his hands in hers and  asked  him that  would he continue to love her even if she leaves him forever.  Tarun  asked her to take rest but she went asking that will he be  able to do justice to her love when she will be no more. Tarun held her face close to his and cried hard and requested her not to say such things. But Mrinalini didn’t stop . She said she wants the answer .  Tarun bend his face over hers and said yes. Soon he felt her last warm breath on his face and gradually saw that her eyes became still. Tarun felt that his heart will leap out of his mouth . He immediately went outside and vomited . He saw Mrinalini’s father and mother were watching him from the gate but they could understand nothing. Soon they rushed inside the gate and asked Tarun what had happened but he could speak nothing but only pointed his finger towards the bedroom. Mrinalini’s parents rushed inside . They couldn’t believe their eyes for their daughter was lying cold and dead. They broke into tears. Soon the body was carried to the burning ghat.  The flame of the chita got reflected in  Tarun’s eyes and it seemed to leave him with a feeling of guilt, love and hatred too. Mrinalini ‘s parents had only one consolation to give themselves that atleast their daughter was married before she died. One week passed since Mrinalini  has left  this world forever. But Tarun was turned now  to a different man. He had various queries in his mind regarding Mrinalini’s death. He felt cheated each time he remembered the doctor’s words that she is at the last stage of cancer. He felt inferior whenever he had the idea that it was not only Mrinalin’s parents but she herself who knew about her illness and they had cheated him purpursely . Thus  , oneday , he declared to his mother that he wants to get married and get settled again. His mother became very happy and gave this news among all the relatives. Soon they found a suitable girl , Tarun’s distant relative’s daughter, Aru. News of marriages spread like forest fire and gradually this news went to Mrinalin’s parents also. Mrinalini parents couldn’t believe their ears and sadly this shock proved fatal for Mrianlin’s father. Her father died of heart attack. Which parents in this world can think of that the holy fire of the wedding would burn their whole family. Thus Tarun got married to Aru.  While taking the seven holy rounds around the fire he started remembering moments of his previous wedding. The image of Mrinaini’s eyes between the “pan leaves” seemed to flash through his mind. He wanted to feel alright but some fear was making him feel uneasy.  They felt from inside that he was doing wrong. On their  wedding night , just like any other girl Aru expected love from her husband but Tarun  asked her to sleep and left the room. He went to the terrace. He didn’t know why he was feeling sad. Everything is happening as he wanted then why he is feeling so suffocated. The clock struck one from downstairs while Tarun was  still upstairs. Suddenly, he heard footsteps from the staircases but before  he would look back he saw a figure like “Mrinalini “ dressed up as a bride with tears in her eyes. Tarun   lost all his words . Then the figure  came near him and  spoke “ u forgot me !,how I would live without you!!!”. Tarun lost all his fear all of a sudden and  went drawing  towards her and hugged her tightly and said that” I didn’t want to do all this, I wanted to have a small family with with you but  you left me all alone”. The figure spoke in a sad voice” I have not left you , I was just away from you for some time and today I have come to take you with me, then, would you like to come.” Tarun replied, “yes, definitely, Iam  tired fighting with my immotions and I want to rest now.” The figure then stretched her hand and kept calling him till he went outside the railing of the terrace. Soon a noice was heard. Aru and Durga came running from inside the  room and yelled in fear by seeing the blood covered  dead body of Tarun. The figure which resembled Mrinalini smiled and got lost  into darkness.