1st book in the series "Ray Barir Bouma"
"She is over twelve years of age Young Master! Her body reeks of sin and only by marrying Brahmin will she be forgiven!" The Pandit(priest) spat.
"Fine then! A Brahmin is needed right?" Madhav steps in front...
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"Madhav!!!"
Slap
I stand frozen on spot as a man slaps Kotta across his face. The man's eyes almost popping out as Kotta stood with his head turned the other side.
"Ektu beshi boro hoye gacho dekhchi. Mukhe mukhe ekhn kotha bola shikhecho!" (Seems like you have grown up a little too much. Now you are talking back at me!")
"Oi meye ke bari te rakhle amader barir shudhu na tomar koto boro shobonash hobe jano?" (Keeping that girl in our home would not only damage our family's name but also ruin ur name in society.)
"Babamoshai apnar mukh theke shomaj er kotha manaye na. Apni kober the eishob niye bhabna chinta korte laglen?" (Father I never thought you of all people would be worried about society. From when did you start thinking of them?)
" Madhav you are my son, and anything that will harm or damage your name will-" he pauses for a few moments , taking in a deep breath he closes his eyes...calming himself before continuing "-will be a headache for me. Do you understand? "
"No Babamoshai, i really don't understand!" Kotta's voice now slightly loud and stern.
" She's a child and a human above all. The man was obviously taking advantage of her situation as he pushed for the marriage against her will. Is this really okay? I can never let this injustice slide especially if it's happening under my nose!"
He turns to look at me once and I notice his eyes slightly soften with pity...? Is he having pity on me? I really don't understand him...
He once again looks into his father's eyes and says..." And how can I call myself a part of Brahmo Shomaj after this? If I remain quiet and don't interrupt this , how will I look at Raja Ram Mohan Ray in the eye next time I meet him?-"
"Again with that Ram Mohan- do you have any idea how he's eating away the living rationality away from the brains of youngsters like you?" Kotta's Father spat at him as he huffed with anger.
"Another mention of Ram Mohan and I will-" he was cut of by another voice-
"Ke go, Kothay shobai? Bari ki keu ache naki shobai pap er nodi te dub diye gache?" ( Where is everyone? Is no one home or did everyone go to drown themselves in the river of sin?)
My head snaps to the source of the voice as I recognise the voice.
Gramer Prodhan Thakur Moshai.
The one who was trying to marry me off to someone my family didn't approve of.
Late at night after my interaction with Choto Kotta I had visited my father. There he told me that they would've never approved of that marriage proposal no matter what as they didn't consider the groom suitable enough for me.
He proposed we leave immediately at that moment without a word to anyone but I pleaded them to stay as it would be disrespectful towards Choto Kotta. Regardless of how he behaved with me at first, he did help us and leaving him without notice would be betraying his trust.
My brother then proceeded to tell me that we were going to change villages after we leave here, so that we go far from "these people and their polluted minds"
But now that seems impossible, these people have even barged into the house of Kotta, without even a speck of fear in their bones. Who do they think they are?
"Dekho Madhav, tumi ki korecho! Ebar jodi shomaj theke amader bohishkar kora hoye tokhn tumi ki korbe?" The man in front of Kotta spat again as he looked out towards the people who have intruded. (Look what you have done Madhav! Now if we are banished from this society what do you think will become of us?)
Striding towards me he gives me a look, before passing me to go downstairs.
"Eschen tahole apni, nijer cheler kitti kando shunte. Tahole ebar ki nijer chele r bhul thik koreben naki or ha er shathe ha melaben?" Thakur moshai spoke sarcastically his lips lifted in a smug smile. (So you have finally arrived to see the great works of your son. Then what do you plan to do now? Punish him or support him?(
"Erom bolbenna Moshai, Madhav chele manush. O oto bojheni, na bujhe e kaj koreche. Apnar kache ami hath jore khoma chaichi." The man joined his hands in from of thakur moshai and pleaded,"I will make sure to teach him a the ways of society after this , please take the girl and forgive my son." ( Please don't say such a thing thakur moshai. He didn't know any better. I am begging you, as his dad please forgive him.)
Thakur Moshai's smile grew deeper as he looked straight into my eyes. A sly grin started forming, with the pride of victory evident in him eyes.
It's this it? Will I really be forced to marry now? Why is no one helping me? Am I that insignificant? Choto Kotta promised to help me but then why is he silent now?
I should have listened to my father when he said we would leave yesterday at night because now neither Choto Kotta or my family could help me in any way.
The are going to take me and marry me to that man.
My eyes starts forming a pool, God knows how much or for how long I have cried for the last few days. I hate this. I hate crying ! But I can't help it... I can't...do this anymore.
"Na!!" (No)
Just as a sniff was about to escape my mother suddenly a hand clasped my arms and a roaring voice vibrated throughout the entire house.
I look up as a drop of water escapes my eyes... but even through that blurry vision I could see the soft yet stern face of the man holding my arm bringing in some sort of comfort.
Probably I am happy because someone, atleast someone, even if there is a clear imbalance in power and the end result is clear , someone is choosing to be on my side...
But everything is over now. If a man can slap him once to get him to submit, he can slap him again forcing him into submission...
At the end, it's all a game of dominance between the higher ups of this society over every object that intrigues their interest and today unfortunately, I am the object they have choosen through which they are going to show their power in society, to the world...
Their DAMSEL IN DISTRESS....
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Hi lovelies...ik ik I have no right to "hi lovelies" you right now after disappearing for sooo long, but just hear me out!
I have just started college and it's been overwhelming for me, so I have been taking a break or rather i had to because I didn't have time to write.
But it's Durga Puja and I choose to not do anything right now until I write this chapter. So, I'm sorry for being late and I ask for your understanding 🙏🏻🙏🏻😭😭.
Shubho Saptami To everyone and I hope you are are happy and healthy for the rest for this festive season as to enjoy it to the fullest!!!
