The burning glaze of the fire in front made her feel shivers running down her spine. The distance only got lesser as the view became more clear. She was smeared in sindoor, her saree falling down from her body exposing much of her skin and her knees wobbling due to the forced intoxication as a few people held her hands in their tightest grip pressing on her body. All she wanted was to escape. Escape from the cruel destiny that was awaiting.
She was going to be a Sati. The practice she dreaded and despised the most. Although the practice had been legally prohibited by the government, the people never listened. It was their fear and inferiority complex that made them disobey the laws.
Twenty year old Shilpi never wanted her life to end like this. She had so many dreams to complete, so many expectations to fulfill and create the most perfect life for herself. But things took the wildest turn when Gurunath Sinha, the fifty year old landlord wanted to marry her as a repayment to all the debts her father had taken to contribute to the family as the salary he got as a farmer in that land wasn't enough to bring up a family of four. Although her father strongly opposed the idea and was ready to be even killed by the landlord, Shilpi herself stood up and prevented her father from doing the same by agreeing to submit herself to that perverted old man as his wife. All she wanted was to help her family but that probably stood out to be one of her worst decisions.
The distance between her and the fire kept reducing, as she could already feel her saree slowly catching the fire. Her body had already frozen on that spot as emotions drained from her face, as the fire slowly creeped up to her limbs. Tears had already dried as she stood there waiting for her body to finally collapse while her soul will seek liberty from this cruel mortal world.
Her body was finally giving up, she had surrendered, there was no hope. Darkness had engulfed her completely as she fell unconscious. But destiny seemed to have other plans for her. A strong pair of arms suddenly pulled her away from the glazing fire. Her limbs had already got the major burns while her face had some minor ones, she laid unconscious unaware of the turn of events that took place.
Unable to figure out the mess, his impulsive mind forced him to jump into the nearest water body, carrying her securely in his arms. While rescuing her, he himself got injured in the process as both his arms got some major burns. The tranquil cold water had managed to calm both his nerves and burns while she still laid unconscious in his arms.
Coming out of the water, he gently placed her on the ground as he slowly caressed her face trying to make her gain consciousness. It wasn't long after her hands started trembling as she slowly opened her eyes only to be met by the most beautiful hazel orbs which were way too familiar.
He was drenched in water and so was she. It was almost evening and no one was around except them. The fire still burning at a place distant from them. She tried getting up but her body didn't give in yet.
"Are you fine?" He asked softly.
She nodded looking away. She was yet to believe whether all this was real or not. She wasn't supposed to be alive but she was. The man who had disappeared from her life years ago was sitting right in front of her. All this was too much to process as she closed her eyes once again, unshed tears flowing down her eyes, when she suddenly felt a soft touch near her eyes which was trying to wipe off the tears.
She slowly shifted her gaze back to the same person, his face glowing under the moonlight as his hazel orbs shined while a small smile of relief danced on his lips.
"Dhrubo?" She asked meekly, finally finding her voice, uncertain whether it was him or not.
Hearing his name from her lips after all these years lit up a whole new spark in his body. All those emotions and memories came rushing back to his mind. His smile grew brighter as he nodded reassuring her.
Shilpi, found her body relaxing on the acknowledgment as she struggled to get up once again. But this time, she was successful. Slowly with a little help from Dhrubo she managed to stand. Her knees were still trembling, as her body ached from the burns. She was shivering due to the water drenched saree as the cold night breeze hit them directly. Both needed a place of shelter for the night but no settlement seemed to be anywhere near.
The surroundings got darker, while an eerie silence of the huge barren land engulfed them, the hootings of the owl from some distant tree didn't seem much of a help either. Both of them were vulnerable and needed a shelter as soon as possible.
Although they knew it wasn't possible to find any nearby shelter, they decided to walk. Shilpi was still holding onto Dhrubojyoti for support.
"What are you doing here?" A deep unfamiliar voice spoke from behind making them startled. Turning back they were met with a old man with a hurricane in his hand. His face clearly displayed astonishment and concern.
"We've lost our way Kaka, will you help us find a place to stay for the night?" Dhrubo replied.
"Are you a Hindu my dear?" The old man asked in an uncertain voice, which Dhrubo readily acknowledged by nodding his head.
"But I'm a Muslim man, I can't be of any help to you. You seemed to belong to some well known Hindu household and I cannot just let you stay at a poor Muslim household like mine." The man said in a helpless and disappointed tone.
"Kaka, do you hate our country?" Dhrubojyoti enquired.
"No my child, this country is my motherland. I've grown on the soil of this nation and respect each and every particle embedded inside this very soil. I can sacrifice my life but will never think of hating this land. But why do you ask that?" The old man could only knit his brows together in confusion.
"Exactly Kaka, just because I'm from a different religion doesn't make me someone beyond the reality of the world. I'm just another citizen of this nation. Religion doesn't define or distinguish us from others. Humanity and the equal love we have for our country binds all of us in a thin yet strong string of bond. So kaka, please let us take refuge in your abode just for the night!" Dhrubo pleaded as he explained the elder men whose eyes slowly started glistening under the meek glow of the lantern he was holding.
"Young man, you are one hell of a person. Please never let this spirit of yours die just because of this cruel society. May Allah always bless you with more courage and strength. Come child, follow me, I'm glad that I would be able to provide you with shelter for the night. It seems that your partner is indeed very exhausted." The old man said taking one glance at the fatigued figure of Shilpi who was barely able to stand on her own.
They followed the old man into a narrow lane through the barren lands as it led to a small yet cozy looking hut.
"Welcome children, I know it's too small for you but please make yourselves comfortable." The old man said politely as they made their way into the house.
"Thank you Kaka. You are truly our knight in shining armour." Dhrubo bowed in respect as the older man raised his hands as a gesture of blessing.
"Young man, you're wife seems severely injured. What happened to her? Should I bring some medicinal paste?" The old man asked in concern as this was the first time he caught a proper glimpse of young Shilpi who was still clinging onto her friend in support.
Dhrubo felt a unusually giddy feeling inside him as the older man addressed Shilpi as his wife, unaware of the fact that they are barely even companions any more. He quickly composed himself as he made the half conscious Shilpi slowly sit down on the muddy porch of the hut.
"Actually we love taking late night walks but today, unknowingly we covered a little more distance than usual and ended up here. A few drunkards had lit up a big fire here to heat themselves and my wife unaware of their intentions went near it to warm herself as it was a little chilly and one of the drunkards pushed her into the fire." Dhrubo explained as tears threatened to spill his eyes for lying to this innocent old man.
"Don't worry. I'm bringing the medicinal paste right away. It works like magic on burn wounds." The old man reassured him as he went inside the hut to bring it.
"Shilpi, I'm so sorry you had to go through all this." Dhrubo gently caressed her drowsy face which was covered with burns. Tears pooled his eyes as he thought how much his poor friend had to go through while he was way.
"I promise. I'll take care of all those bastards who did this to you, my love."
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Hufff! A long first chapter. Let's hear your views on this. Don't forget to like and comment.
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Butterflies
Romance"Go away. There was nothing between us." Tears brimming her eyes as her lips quivered in anguish and fear. Fear of losing someone whom she had been trying to hold onto. Tragedy was slowly creeping in her life yet again. He stood there silently, a...
