Disclaimer. This blog is loosely based on 2006, movie 'Provoked'. Author doesn't claim authenticity or accuracy of content, nor does she attempt to impose allegations on anyone.
Part 1.
Dry lips, dehydrated body and an incoherent mind, kept searching abhorrently for a handful of water. Familiar flames burned her inside, her arid throat kept crying for succour. She couldn't recall, how she got trapped in this unending piece of land, that seemed eternally barren. Blistered feet didn't stop moving, Innocent cries didn't let her quit, for she had to live for her children. At last she found a lake, where she plunged for her life's sake. But, the guardian apostles showed no benevolence, it turned out a mirage, and not a lake.
She was destined to die of thirst, for she had sinned.
'Wake up', said her cellmate. 'You're safe. Its just a nightmare'. But the kind lady wasn't aware, that her cellmate's soul was too wounded, and mind too numbed, for a nightmare to scare. It was guilt that tormented her, and this overwhelming notion.'God will never forgive me, I have sinned' but did she at all, had any other option. She cried and cried, till she was out of breath. And talked for the first time, after her husband's death.
'It started a decade ago', she confided, ' a young, naive girl was arranged into wedlock with a seemingly kind man'. She could faintly remember the wedding chymes. 'The auspicious day has dawned..Come friends, the courtyard is decked up. Please don't be late. Finally the day has come, when I'll be united with my soulmate. With mixed emotions, she left her family, friends and motherland. Anxious, whether her husband would let her continue her studies, or if his disapproval, would she have to withstand.
She was courteously welcomed in a dream home, least did she knew, it was a prison, she was trapped into. Allow me to walk you through her life, without any further ado. Her first night was a memorable one, she had fallen for the way he touched her, his gentle caress. Till date, she said, 'This was the only moment of my happiness' Soon, she was introduced to his real world and the rules, she had to abide. The rules that destroyed all her dreams, and left no room for living with pride. She was denied even simple pleasures of life, as little as drinking her favourite black coffee. Hell would break loose upon her, when she dared to watch TV.
He mostly had her stay indoors, would thrash her, even she said 'Hello' to anyone. And he'd grab and hit her, leave her wondering ' What mistake had I done' He'd apologise immediately, and remind her to not provoke him. Thereafter, he was allegedly provoked to beat her everyday, for ten years, until she was provoked to commit the sin.
Many times, she summoned courage to run away, but he would find her every time, bring her back, punish her harder. But what bound her feet, was a life in her womb. She hoped, 'Perhaps he'd change after being a father'. This delusion didn't last long, soon, she was abused in different ways. I fail to fathom any reason that could justify, depriving a pregnant woman from food , for days. She begged for help from her loving family, but to no avail. For 'Family Honour' took precedence over her miserable tale.
Every night, he'd come home drunk, with most of the nights, culminating in 'Marital Rape'. She never got habituated to this, she desperately needed to escape. But, little understanding of English language, and no awareness of support services, She chose to submit to her fate. No matter, how hard he'd hit her, she wouldn't retaliate.
Every day was just another abusive day, and so was every night. 'This too shall pass', they say and miraculously so did her plight.
There she was again, being a muse to his sadism. He almost strangulated her to death. She would have been dead that night, had she been denied one more breath. He threatened to burn her face with a hot Iron, and scar her face forever. Little did he know, what was upcoming, neither of them could have imagined it ever.
Can't pen her thoughts at this time, nor can I imagine that sight. She waited, until he was sound asleep, threw gasoline on his bed and his feet and ignited it with light. She didn't want him to die, just wanted him to feel the pain. But her motives didn't save her from the blame. She was found, guilty of murder, and was sentenced to life in prison.
(to be continued)
