Hello and welcome to my blog.
I am participating in the #writebravely #writetribeproblogger October 2017 challenge. The story I am attempting to write is not about just one ‘Asha’, but many like her in our society. The trauma and heartbreak her parents go through has been experienced by many more such helpless parents. This story highlights the issue of dowry demands and domestic violence in our society. Today’s post is part seven of the story.
Today’s prompt is MONSTER
Links to the first six parts of the story are given below. Do read these before reading today’s story as it is a continuation. Don’t miss out on crucial twists and turns of the story.
‘Mummy, today I want to listen to the story of the Monster.’
‘Why do you want to hear about monsters?Don’t you know that Monsters are scary looking and dangerous people, who do bad things.‘
‘No,Mumma. I know they are good, Shama says so. See, I got this book from Madhu aunty’s house, it is Shama’s book. She told me how much she loved the little monster in it and wanted me to read it too.’
‘Okay, I will read it with you tonight but If you get scared after listening to his story and have nightmares in the night, don’t come running to my room.’
‘Promise, I won’t.’
Asha knew her mother was joking, she was the gentlest of souls and couldn’t bear to see Asha cry.
Uma sat on the easy chair next to the bed and started reading from the book. It was titled, Monster. It was a story of a gentle giant who loved children. Every night he cooked lots of food and left in outside the orphanage in the town. One day the warden sees him from the window and starts screaming in fear; the monster looked dangerous and menacing…
Asha had slept off midway through the story and Uma yawned too looking at the sleeping little girl. She switched on the night-light and went out leaving the door slightly ajar.
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‘Asha, I will be home by midnight; make sure the money is in my room when I get there. If you haven’t yet called up your father then do so, you have the entire day. Also pray that I get a good hand today. I am tired of losing.’
‘Vilas, I had called him up last night and he told me his money is tied up in mutual funds and fixed deposits at the moment. He can only send us 1.5 lakhs by next month.’
‘Tell him to break the fixed deposits. What is more important, a measly interest on his money or his daughter’s happy married life?’
Vilas banged his phone on the table and gritted his teeth. She needs another lesson; why is she so stubborn?
Asha felt trapped. She wanted to run away. She stood up abruptly and rushed to take her handbag from the cupboard. Their wedding picture on the wall next to the cupboard caught her attention. The sunlight pouring in through the window was making Vilas’s eyes glow red. Vilas was tall and good-looking ; almost like a model. His face unmarked by scars and he had a good physique. So why did she think of the monster from her childhood. Asha remembered her mother reading her the bedtime story. Vilas wasn’t at all scary looking so the world didn’t know how sick he was on the inside. The monster from her book was dangerous looking but an extremely gentle soul. Her mother was wrong! She’d said Monsters are scary looking and dangerous people, who do bad things.
I am taking part in The Write Tribe Problogger October 2017 Blogging Challenge
by Sulekha Rawat
Monsters are ordinary people who take advantage of the poor souls with no care. How true! Love the way you narrate, Sulekha. Beautiful and poignant.
Vinitha, thank you so much for always writing such positive and warm comments on my attempts at story writing for a cause.
I like how you relate childhood memories to present. Well written Sukekha.
Thanks, Ramya. It makes the story appear less painful than it is.
Monsters are wolves in sheep’s clothing. That switch in the narrative between the past and the present is done seamlessly, Sulekha.
Shailaja, thank you so much. There are so many clean faced monsters roaming around without being caught. It’s time to change that.
Nice correlation of past and present monster. True said monsters have nice soul but today’s monsters are deceptive.
Pragunify, welcome to my blog and thank you for your lovely comment.
Enjoying the way this story travels. Yes monsters can look good and be unkind and cruel. Hopw Asha gets the courage to leave the hell called home
Nupur, alas she didn’t. But maybe many others can. Thanks.
I hope good sense prevails and Asha leaves her husband’s house ASAP. I am so looking forward to what happens next!
Shilpa, I am too. I have been doing a lot of research for my finale, hope it helps someone.
Reminds me of the film monsters inc. they were cute. Yes sometimes monsters are not monstrous.
True that, Nupur.
Monsters! This is so apt. waiting for the next part
Thanks, Lata.Two more chapters to go.
In today’s world monsters are ordinary looking, normal and sane. Its only their souls that are blackened and disfigured.
Prasanna, you are right. It is so difficult to spot them.
He is not a monster, he is worst than a monster
Storyteller, I agree with you.
I wish we could crush these monsters under our feet!
So glad I’m all caught up on your narrative, Sulekha. I see the makings of a book that can be a powerful voice for women like Asha.
Corinne, you read my mind 🙂 I am planning to make it into an e book and share on relevant platforms. Hope my humble effort helps someone, somewhere. Thank you for the blogging challenge and the awesome hashtag #writebravely, it made me think and write something thought provoking and meaningful.
Interesting, Sulekha. Like how you related the childhood memories to the stories and that final line; monsters do bad things. How true.
Sid, I was trying something different this time. Glad you liked my effort. Thanks.
Yes, monsters aren’t the ones that look scary but the ones that do bad things! I liked how you liked the childhood memory with her current situation. Loved your narration.
Reema, loved your lovely comment 🙂 Thanks
Oh Sulekkha, really, monsters are ordinary looking people who are just sick on the inside…so beautifully pointed out. Love the way Asha’s childhood memories make the narrative less heartwrenching…all I can say is, I am happy Asha at least had a good childhood, good parents and beautiful childhood memories.
Rashmi, thanks a ton for appreciating my storytelling. Asha was blessed before marriage but was cursed after.
I wish people could identify the monsters that are inside. Such a sad life for Asha and I want her to break free. Very well penned Sulekha.
Parul, she was liberated but not in the way we wanted. Thanks for the lovely comment.
Real life monsters come in all shapes and sizes and almost always in disguise. I’m almost scared to read the next instalment.
Tulika, I had nightmares writing them.