I am taking part in The Write Tribe Problogger October 2017 Blogging 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 the first chapter of her story.
Today’s prompt is PATTERN
DECEPTIVE PATTERN
Asha traced the intricate pattern of red welts on her hands; she should have noticed the signs. The henna paste the beautician had filled in plastic cones to decorate her palms for a hefty fee last night had caused a kind of skin allergy. Nothing had seemed amiss when she applied it on Asha’s hands last night but this morning her skin was an angry, blotchy red. Today was an auspicious day; she was getting married to Vilas.
The groom’s family had reasonable demands – a car (swift Dzire), all electrical appliances for the house, jewellery for the mother in law and 2 sisters in law, gold chains for the men in the family (father in law and 2 brothers in laws), branded clothes for the close family members totaling 75 only.
Asha, at 32, was considered too old to be a catch even though she was the Vice President, Marketing at her firm. This marriage had been arranged after a year-long search on the matrimonial sites. The groom’s family was well-to-do but greedy. Their demands started from day one and looked likely to go on indefinitely but Asha’s parents were willing to give in to all their conditions. Having an unmarried daughter at home was cause for embarrassment for them and society didn’t help either. The well meaning jibes and taunts left her parents speechless and shame-faced.
Three months after the extravagant wedding, Asha is back at home. This time she’s sporting different kinds of welts not only on her hands but also all over her body. There are a few black and blue ones too. Her eyes are closed and she has stopped breathing, mercifully.
Sulekha Rawat
I am taking part in The Write Tribe Problogger October 2017 Blogging Challenge
That’s heartbreaking, Sulekha. Crossing 30 without being married is considered a shame. How cruel is our society! Such a touching issue well told.
Vinitha, this issue will be my theme this October. The chapters of Asha’s life will be on my blog for the entire problogger challenge. Thanks.
So sad 🙁 Asha deserved more!
I hope these things change soon! Just today I read a poem on a girl child!
Zainab, yes, things definitely need to change. Heartbreaking stories about such incidents make me angry and sad at the same time.
Sulekha, you amaze us, one day it’s a peppy article which is making us laugh loud and then there is another which talks about family values, and this one tops it all, a social cause put up with simplicity. Proud to have known you. Keep up the good work
Navdeep, you know me 🙂 My thoughts are reflected on my blog, thanks for visiting. Your words of encouragement mean a lot to me, God bless.
Gosh! That’s heartbreaking. But this is a sad reality. Wish people would see the patterns early on so that Ashas of the world can live their lives to the fullest.
A wonderful take on the prompt, Sulekha!!
Shilpa, there are signs and people need to keep their eyes open before taking hasty decisions or under societal pressure. Things are changing, slowly.
I had goosebumps at the end of this tale! It’s a sad reality of a countless lives in our country, isn’t it? And, despite being very well educated, career women, they have to go through this torture – mental, emotional and physical – at the hands of the husband, the in-laws and the society…it’s heartbreaking!
Yes, Shilpa. It is a sad reality that needs to change. We can do our part by creating awareness and raise our voices when we see such atrocities happening.
Yeah our society is strange with these ridiculous taboos of age and unmarried women; why do we make it such a stigma? What do we put our daughters through to simply live with false pride?
Veyr well written Su – great start to the problogger challenge!! Cheers
Shalz, I wanted to highlight this issue through my blog hence such a hard hitting post. Thanks.
I love the use of the welts in different settings. Nicely done with a poignant story. And I honestly do not understand the whole unmarried over 30 thing! To be honest, it was over 25 when people started questioning my parents about me.
Thanks Sanch. I know what you mean. My daughter is 28 years old and people keep asking me whether I have started looking for a suitable boy for her.
Oh God! Very bad to listen this kind of story though i know it happens everywhere in the name of society, honour etc..
Ramya, I plan to highlight this issue in my posts throughout the problogger challenge.
Oh no! that’s sad but reality as well. Marriage after 30, kids after 30, etc. etc are such things that our society keeps a tab on.
I loved your story-telling Sulekha. The henna and the blue and black. A fantastic start to the challenge.
I know. Parul, I wonder if the same society bothers with you when you face problems after the child’s marriage. It is none of their business when our daughters or sons, for that matter, get married or have kids.
This was just so terrible to read and I can imagine a story of so many women in our country. It upsets me so much when I read such stories of greed and murder in the name of tradition.
Spectacular storytelling. Very impactful.
Rachna, it is an epidemic. Wish the mindset of people changes soon.Thanks for your lovely comment.
That’s the bitter truth of our society. No matter how successful a woman is she will have to face the brickbats of our hypocritical society. I wish Asha had more courage to break free from the pattern.
Thanks, Prasanna. Asha lost her life but something positive will come out of this tragedy. I plan to make sure it does , thanks.
This is so sad. But, it is really more closer to truth. The pressure to get married in our society is terrible. And she should have backed out because of all that dowry. But again, parents emotionally blackmail the girls to give in. This has left me sad, angry.
Lata, I was angry while writing it. Will continue with Asha’s story. Thanks
“The groom’s family had reasonable demands – a car (swift Dzire), all electrical appliances for the house, jewellery for the mother in law and 2 sisters in law, gold chains for the men in the family (father in law and 2 brothers in laws), branded clothes for the close family members totaling 75 only.” I know there is an element of imagination in it, but the reality behind that makes my flesh creep. We call it culture, isn’t it? I like reading your story and the mission behind it. Well done Sulekha.
Prasanna, thanks a ton for your lovely words. Mission clean up in progress 🙂
She died, how very sad! I hate it how the girl’s parents are ready to do anything rather than let their daughter be at home. I cannot understand how they cannot see that their daughter is doomed in such a home. Looking forward to more of your series Sulekha.
Thanks, Tulika. When I started writing the story, I didn’t know where it would end but now I do. Hope to bring justice to Asha and more like her…
I wish this was just a story, Sulekha. So very true and indicative of our warped values.
Likewise, Corinne.My wish is to #writebravely for them. Doing my bit through this challenge. Thanks for the same.
Oh Gosh!!!! I don’t understand why girl’s marriage is so important for parents. She was a successful woman and could have got right match for her when the right time comes. I myself got married at age of 34, and for that support thanks to my parents. It’s an arrange marriage too and They got me the best soulmate
Love your name, Storyteller 🙂 You are right, parents shouldn’t get carried away by what society says. Glad to know about your happy arranged marriage, congratulations.
Oh, this is so sad…on the one hand I am happy she is finally free of this warped world; but on the other, I am really sad because she had so much promise and so much to give…and all the world could see was a 32 year old, too old to be married woman 🙁
Rashmi, it’s time society opened its eyes and saw their folly. Asha was sacrificed in the name of tradition. Let us not let this kind of tragedy happen to anyone.
This was heartbreaking! Why force a girl to get married when she is happy being independent? And the dowry system has been such a bane! I loved your narration.
Exactly…thanks, Reema.
Sigh! The sad truth of what exists. One the stigma and pressure on parents when there is an unmarried daughter beyond the age of 30. Oh well it doesn’t matter if she is the Vice President of the CEO for that matter earning well . All That Matters is that she should be married. And why do they succumb to the greed of the groom? I wonder.
Ramya, makes your blood boil, right? We need to bring a change in society.
Too many such wrong patterns, and that’s very wrong. Sure, there is a lot of wisdom in culture, but things like these are what should be weeded out, and quickly too!
Vinay,you said it!High time we woke up and changed things.Thanks.
OMG did not realize that the story would be short. But what an impact !!! yes these things happen and should be written about. Thanks for sharing.
Nupur, sadly for some these are not mere stories but cruel reality. Thanks for reading.
Here in the United States, domestic violence is also a horrible reality. What a sad story, so vividly described.
Alice, welcome to my blog. Domestic violence damages the society.
I am in love with this series of posts. This one is so touching. And heart rendering
Anchal, thank you so much for your lovely words.
Ouch. This is hard hitting.
It was meant to be, maybe society will take notice. thanks.