The untold story of a Courtesan

Nineteen

We walked around for a while until Zafar told me to stand still and waited for him while he disappear into the crowd.with the cage in my hand,no matter where I went people will always look at me and whisper about me,one thing I started hating ever since I began working at laal Mahal and many people know I'm the most well-known courtesan of Jhansi.

Then after a while he came from behind me and tap on my shoulder,which almost gave me a fright but control myself since I'm pregnant and he showed me a white shalwar Kameez with beautiful flower printing which blew my mind away and I instantly replied"I love it!".

He smiled and said"thought you would never like it,but I'm happy that I found the outfit and now my work is done!".he replied

"Yes please.........these people are giving me the creeps!".I said while taking his hand in mine and he carrying the outfit in the one and I'm carrying the bird cage in the other.

We got a lift with a young guy passing with a oxcart late in the afternoon since the city is so widespread and it will take a while to get back to laal Mahal but Zafar decided to take me to his home and as we were sitting next to each other with our hands entwined,I blew out a deep breath and he look and asked"what happened back there early?".

"Sometimes I just can't take it no more.....people constantly staring at me and whispering about me,I just want to run away and leave this city forever but I can't!"I said to him.

He was shocked with my answer but comfort me instantly and said"don't bother about what people say.....I know you didn't ask for the lifestyle and it's sad how people know girls become prostitutes but turn a blind eye!".he uttered while caressing my arm.

"I tried to but how I ended up at Laal Mahal still haunts me, knowing how evil people can be at times!".I replied with great sadness coming out my words.

"What do you mean?".he asked curiously.

I then look up at the blue sky that was fading away with the darkness and a secret that I kept to myself for so many years not even Pooja knew about it and took one deep breath and spoke"you see.....I'm actually from jhansi here in the city but when I was 15,my mother passed away and for years we stay at my uncle,her brother and me and him never got along.after she died,my uncle and his family were supposed to take care of me but they saw me as a huge burden and he decided to seal my fate.without realizing it at the time,he took me to laal Mahal and told me they were going to help find a groom for me.when I arrived there,girls were busy practicing dancing and some were talking to men which I found strange but while waiting that when I saw Jhanvi begum for the first time and she gave me the creeps.then she look at me and look at my uncle who ask her "what do you think!" and she replied"she will do,perfect the deal is sealed" then a man came out of nowhere and gave him two bags of money and afterwards he looked at me for the last time when he turned around and walked out of laal Mahal and I ran to him but the man grabbed my arm and held me when Jhanvi begum said"you are now own by Laal Mahal and bound to it, tawaif!".I instantly broke out into tears for what my uncle did and felt disgusted how my own family can desert me like that!".I uttered with tears escaping my eyes painfully and Zafar eyes grew bigger hearing my story.

I eventually lied my head against his arm and caressing my belly and Zafar said"I'm soo sorry for what happened to you and now think of it,I did deserve that smack you gave me seven months ago!".he replied with a giggle and I laughed at his response.

We then stopped at a house and he said"we finally here!".