The Story of an Indian Wife

31

When everyone nodded at him to continue, Meera went and stand behind the pillar. "I have taken a very important decision for my family....." Abhiraj paused for a second and glanced at Meera.

" I have decided to move to Bikaner with My wife and children". As soon as he completed his words,cup of tea fell from his mother's hand.

Even Meera was stunned along with the rest of the family. She didn't know what forced him take this decision? Why is  he even doing this?

" May be I didn't hear properly, what did you say beta?" His mother asked again, not believing his words.

" You heard it right Maasa. I am shifting to the city." Abhiraj replied unbothered by her reaction. His mother started crying in anguish.she never imagined being away from her son and Grandchildren, even in her worst nightmare.

While his father asked with seriousness, " is there any reason behind this Abhiraj? Why have you taken this decision of moving out all of the sudden?"

"Babasa, I have taken this decision for my family. I believe this is needed for my family's future." Abhiraj spoke up.
"I have decided to focus on the business we have in the city and expand it. We cannot rely on the workers all the time." His father nodded understanding the matter.

" Arey!! He is lying, this is not true" his mother screamed in anger, " can't you see he has changed. He is not the Abhraj we know. This women has manipulated him against us." She cried as she said to her husband, pointing towards Meera.

" she is the one for whom he is leaving us and going to the city." She stormed towards Meera, " what magic you did on him, ha?" She shaked Meera holding her shoulder.

"I....d-didn't....do..anything..Maasa.." Meera spoke, terrified by her motherin law's reaction, " Don't try to show yourself so innocent when you are not". His mother yelled, " you snatch my son for me".

Abhiraj wanted her to take a stand for herself. He wanted her to speak up that she is not wrong.

" Tr-trust...maasa....I-i...didn't know...
ab-aboutt....t-this..." Meera was stammering as the lady in front of her was dominating her, only by looking in her eyes.

" Trust on you" his mother laughed," NEVER!! The girls like you belonging to the poor family's are golddiggers. And when you get married in a rich household, you want to rule over their money." The old lady spoke with venom filled voice, " But I won't let that happen in my house till I am alive".

" Bass..Maasa" Abhiraj come in between his wife and mother, freeing Meera from the old lady's clutches. He was really hoping that Meera will not tolerate his mother's baseless accusation. But, here his mother was clearly dominating Meera.

" Meera had not done anything,Maasa. She had no idea about shifting from here to the city. She was as unaware as you all were." Abhiraj was trying to suppress his anger. He took a deep breath but his face reflected aggression.

" I am the one who have decided everything. And I have a right to think about my family." Abhiraj rubbed his beards, "Do you think that I have taken such a big decision without considering anything? There are some...actually many reason behind it." He didn't seem to calm anytime soon.

"My Adi, He will have to go through a big medication procedure at this small age. But even after that there is no guarantee that he will be all right. You know who is responsible for his condition?" Abhiraj asked her, accusations underlying in his tone" I , you, we all are responsible for his condition. If only we treated Meera as a human, if we considered about her health when she was Carrying my Adi in her womb. If we were there for her during her delivery and support her  then the situation would have been different. My Adi would have been like a normal child." The old lady's face saddened hearing about Aditya.

Meera sobbed silently remembering the past. Rest of the family were stunned to see Abhiraj's aggression.

" I have taken this decision for my Adi's medication in the city." Abhiraj holded Meera's hand , " But it is not the only reason. This behavior of yours with my wife is the main reason.. she has been so selfless to all of us everytime then why do you always insult her and treat her like a trash?he shouted, " she is my wife, Maasa."

"I don't want my children to see Meera being treated like that" Abhiraj declared.

" ohh...so this is your reason Abhiraj. She must have filled your ears" The old lady uttered bitterly.

" you are doing the same thing again, Maasa. Can't you see she is not someone to manipulate me or anyone? Can't you see her pure soul? She didn't deserve the way you treated her, The way I treated her." Abhiraj said a bit calmed now, " If you can't understand then I can't do anything. I am tired of everything...I have tried to make you understand but you are so adamant."

" But Meera deserve a better life and I will give her that no matter what! If it means to leave this house, I will." Abhraj declared bringing silence.

But his mother spoke again," are you happy now? Breaking my family?" She asked to Meera.

Meera come forward, those harsh words were too overwhelming for her, her words were stabbing Meera," Maasa, I came in this house when I was barely eighteen. I didn't have much knowledge of about handling a family or being in marriage. I always followed whatever you said." Meera spoke from her heart that what reflecting in her voice.

She had enough of everything. She had to clear her side,she can't bear this accusations anymore" whatever you said I did without questioning. I never argued with you nor denied to anything you said , I did whatever was in my hand." She said, tears streaming down her cheeks as her heart pained remembering the memories.

" You asked me to take care of the family I did. I may have failed but I always tried Maasa. You asked me to consider my husband as my God. I did. Now he is the one who own my life because I gave him the right without even understanding what I was doing." She shivered with the storm of emotions within her but Abhiraj hold her hands.

" I tried to become the Daughter in law you will like. I fulfilled all my duty, gave birth to your grandchildren
Then why didn't you accept me even after seven years." Meera cried, " what wass my fault maasa?" Meera asked but her mother in law remained silent looking in other direction.

" you know it hurts some much to still feel like a stranger in the house were you are living from the seven years. When your efforts are not valued just because you are not from a rich and your parents were not able to fulfill the dowry." Meera let a shaky breathe. Abhiraj's eyes widened, was that the reason behind his mother treating Meera this way?

How can his mother become so blind in greed?

" What I could have done? My father died arranging for my dowry. Is it my fault Maasa? Was it my hand??" Meera asked her mother in law. She really wanted to Know the answer.

" yes, its your fault. You did wrong by not bring the dowry." The old lady replied, like some manic " I don't know anything else but you are not capable of becoming my son's wife and you will never be."

"Ok then Maasa there is no need for us to stay in the house were my wife isn't respected. We will leave from here Tomorrow. " Abhiraj holded her hand and took Meera away from the hall to their room. He was content that atleast Meera spoke whatever was there in her heart from years.

They got in the room but Meera jerked his hand away from hers....