SHE AWAITS THE CHANGE
SHE AWAITS THE CHANGE...
Two delicately balanced stone slab stairs lead towards the dimly lit ten doored square room proudly called as ‘Kothi’, probably considered the most important room of the castle-like village house. The ten doors, supposed to keep the Kothi cool are more than scary at night, cool breeze humming from all sides with no escape for the residents. What a perfect room for a newlywed bride!
On the red carpet near the bed, the faceless shy looking bride awaits the next visitor, or rather the investigator. Faceless! The ghoonghat hanging down almost to knee length makes one guess so. There comes another. Unknown people passing comments and taking liberty in finding faults! Some are generous enough to add a compliment or two before pointing out the bride’s long sharp nose, ‘as a parrot’s’ as they clarify. The next visitors shall continue after a short break, a relieving announcement! But not for long. The spinal cord exercise session is about to commence. Husband’s aunt’s mother-in-law’s sister’s daughter’s unexpected visit…and there begins an unending foot-touching sequence. Does it ever end? Well, it hasn’t even after decades…and she waits.
Does this make them any happier! She doubts till date. No sooner than later, the reward’s announced with unanimous voting…’She doesn’t even know how to touch the feet. Did nobody teach her?’
‘Procedure? Really?’ are there actually various methodologies? Why didn’t she enroll for the course? ‘All my father’s fault….a professional degree is a must, he insisted. Huh! What’s the use? Where’s the degree that would have come handy today?’
A helping hand, she saw from behind the curtain-long purdah and she readily grabbed the opportunity. ‘You must be tired,’ her mother-in-law’s soft voice settled down all the questions and doubts occupying her dubious mind. ‘You must be tired after all the procession and formalities. Sitting on the floor is tiring. But, parampara, you see, has to be followed. Can’t be changed.’
‘Why not? I shall change.’
The love filled words….the pearls on her cheeks….perhaps a new beginning….a new change….
Decades hence…..in the dimly lit ten doored square Kothi, on a red carpet near the bed, the faceless shy looking bride awaits the change...
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