Xossip Ultimate Story Contest 2013

[Expert]

The Woman

Casinar

I dedicate this short story to all the women who have been victims of Domestic violence. There are many women on earth who are weak physically but have interior strength to bear. We, men do not have that power; the power of bearing. It needs a very special force to undergo certain circumstances in life where we do not need physical strength, but the interior force and I have known women only who possess that special force. My story relates one of such a woman who faced such atrocities in life yet she bore all till she could and; just follow…..


Back in her parents' house Ruksana was patting the head of her old mother to make her sleep rocking her lap. The old mother had just cried a while ago discussing her unfortunate daughter’s life and future; she was on the bed with her head on the Ruksana’s lap. Ruksana was plunged in thoughts. Her eyes were looking in the vain. She was elsewhere. She was in fact living in her past at that moment.

This was the fourth time that Ruksana had left her husband’s house to take refuge at her father’s place. Under her eyes there was a black spot and her lower lip was torn and bloody which showed the violence she had gone through. Her arms had scratches, wounds and swellings and her back and belly had pains.

Ruksana got married 9 years ago when she was 20 years old to Tariq a rich business guy. It was an arranged marriage which was made through an aunt of Tariq who knew Ruksana’s parents. Despite Ruksana’s unwillingness her parents pleaded with her to accept that wedding offer since she had already refused several others before as she wanted to do further studies, go beyond her B.A. Her parents told her she would lead a very happy and easy life in a rich person’s house. Her life would be great and she would become a rich woman. Parents always want their children, specially a girl, to go in a house where she will be happy, so Ruksana’s parents found in that proposal the opportunity that would give her the best life ever.

Her parents were a modest family having earned respect in society despite their poverty and had their heads lifted high as far as family honour in society was concerned. The father paid great attention to his honour and was the president of the village for the last 10 years.

When Ruksana had left her husband’s house for the first time after one year of marriage because of physical violence on her from the husband’s part, her mother had told her the words like; “Beta hum auraton ki zindagi mein eisa hota hai humko samjhauta karni padti hai, apni abbu ki izat ka to khayaal kar wapas laut kar apne shauhar ke ghar hamari izat rakhle beti!” Ruksana had cried a lot as her only support was her parents but they were returning her only to keep their honour safe. Tariq the tough husband had come to take her back the next day and like a quiet sheep Ruksana had to go back.

Because Tariq was the richest guy in his surroundings Ruksana was refused the permission to join a job despite her qualifications. She loved him and did her best to adjust to her new life in her husband’s house with her father in law, mother in law, two sisters of Tariq and two brothers. No one in that house seemed to be taking care of each other; everyone looked into his personal matter. There was nothing like family bond or unity there, only money and materialistic stuff were taken into great consideration. Yet Ruksana did her best to adjust and managed to stay only for the love she had built up for all of them.

Finally she discovered that she was treated like a servant in the house as she voluntarily did all household chores and all others got used to her activities and used her. Despite the employed servants of the house Ruksana loved to do many things with her own hands letting the servants free. For the love of Tariq she did everything in the house and looked for the betterment of each and everyone with the hope that one day she will get recognition. Ruksana even treated the servants of the house as family members and they were the only people in the house who bestowed their love on her.

At times when Ruksana got little troubles with Tariq’s sisters and if and when she complained with Tariq in the night he used to tell her not to bother about his sisters as they will not live in that house for long since they will get married and go to their homes. And when Ruksana reported to Tariq about any misbehavior or bad way of answering about her brothers then Tariq told Ruksana not to worry as they will get their own house once they will get married.
Tariq showed that he loved Ruksana. He proved that he cared for her by bringing her gifts, buying things for her and once in a while taking her out for dinner or to the parks, public gatherings etc. Only to preserve her marriage Ruksana was doing all she could to the best of her ability. From her part nothing was missed and as a wife, her duty towards her husband and her family was impeccable.

But the third year after marriage Tariq was consuming alcoholic drinks too often and when he was coming back home he was turning to be very violent and always repeated words which his sisters or mother had filled in his ears and started beating her mercilessly. He hit her with his fists, pulled her hair, dragged and smashed her head to the wall kicked her belly and breasts as well. Ruksana cried like a kid all night and bore the pains alone. In the morning Tariq cajoled her and asked forgiveness and said he was drunk and his sisters and mother said too much to him that made him hit her but personally he had nothing against her since he loved her very much. Tariq held her in his arms kissing away her tears and begged for apology to her. And being so kind hearted Ruksana always forgave him and adjusted again. Such things happened many times.

Some nights Ruksana was afraid and waited for him with fear lest he would be told something by others and she would be beaten. She prayed and prayed that Tariq would return well and nothing bad would happen. She was living in fear at times wondering what would happen when her husband would come back. The nights when he came normal Ruksana’s nights were blooming ones. She was always relieved and spent happy nights. But the nights he came drunk she spent very bad nights.

The second time she left his house to take refuge at her father’s place was after the 5th year of marriage. Again it was due to domestic violence. This time her father talked to her telling her to adjust and bear the pains as that wouldn’t last for long. Her ‘abbu’ used to tell her that Tariq is young and has ‘garam khoon’ that’s why he is violent and he will cool down later. Ruksana cried a lot in her father’s arms explaining him that she feels suffocated at times in that house as there is no family bond there, there is no love they are all materialistic people. But her father was not ready to listen to all that and told her to be back to her husband’s house. The ‘abbu’ said; “tumko apne abbu ki izat ka khayaal nahin hai kia beta? Fikar mat karo sab thik ho jaega main tumko wahan wapas lechalta hoon” And the second time it was her father who took her back to Tariq and apologized for her daughter’s behavior.

After the second domestic violence Tariq felt being the winner as he did not go to take her back but her father returned her, so he kept a distance with Ruksana. She had to approach him like it was she who was the guilty and he was innocent. Ruksana adjusted again bearing his distance and rough behavior plus even the other members behaved odd with her as they sided with Tariq. Only the servants encouraged Ruksana to be bold and patient. They also wished that one day everything would be fine.

The third time that Ruksana had gone to her father’s place was because of abuses and insults from the part of her mother and father in law in the absence of Tariq. And Tariq had come to take her back on the same night as she had sought refuge at her parents place in the middle of the day. That was the 7th year of married life. Tariq explained to Ruksana’s father that his father and mother are old and quite possessive about him and Ruksana does not understand that. Ruksana was not able to speak. She was silenced by her father as soon as she uttered a word. All blames came to her and the son in law was always given reasons.

This was the fourth time that Ruksana was back at her mother’s place. She came wounded with a broken tooth, torn lip, and several wounds and blows which she had received from Tariq in the night. She was even having pain to breathe properly. She related everything to her mother in tears, sobbing like a child. Her father was not at home the moment she told everything to her old mother.

And it was after telling all to her mother that she was making her mother sleep tapping her head on her lap since the old mother cried a lot listening to the atrocities her only daughter had had to bear during the last 9 long years in her in law’s house. But this time Ruksana had boldly taken a firm decision not to be back to Tariq whatever happened. And her mother was this time by her side because now she was aware of what she did not know all these years. For the love Ruksana had for her husband she was safeguarding his honour but not anymore she decided.

Later when Ruksana’s father came he wanted to take Ruksana back to her husband but Ruksana categorically refused to go. The father then did not force her hoping and expecting Tariq would sooner or later come to fetch his wife.

A whole week elapsed but Tariq did not come. Ruksana was gradually recovering from her wounds and bruises. She got to pay visits to the doctor as she suffered from stomach pains since she was hit and kicked in the belly and breasts as well. She started feeling good to live again. She no longer had to dread any nights. She did not have to wait with fear for the return of Tariq as she did not know either he would come sober or drunk and be violent to her.

But the tenth day he came in the afternoon to take Ruksana back home. He was received by Ruksana’s father in the lounge. The father called Ruksana and told her, her husband was there to take her back. Ruksana was in the room with her mother. She heard all and told her mother she had decided that she would not go back, not again! Her mother told her she had all the right to take her decision. The father was proudly talking to his son in law giving him all the needed attention. Much importance is usually given to a son in law by a father in law since he is the one who looks after and takes care of the daughter of the house. Tariq was sort of pampered by Ruksana’s father. And on not seeing Ruksana coming he raised his voice, calling his daughter.

Ruksana came to the doorstep of the room which gave in the lounge and stood there only. There was a distance of about two meters from where she was and the place her father and Tariq were sitting. On seeing her, Tariq stood up with a large smile and said, “Hello my darling wife, I am back to take you! Hope you enjoyed the ten days in company of your parents. I missed you so much darling.” So said he moved his foot to walk towards Ruksana who lifted her hand pointing towards him and said in a high tone; “Stay where you are! Don’t you dare to approach me! I am not coming with you! Not anymore! It’s finished between you and me. It’s the end of our relationship!”

Hearing this Ruksana’s father turned to look in his daughter’s face and shouted at her; “Shut up, you fool! What the hell are you talking about? Keep quiet and go with him!” Before Ruksana would answer, from behind her mother answered to her husband; “No, Ruksana is not going back.” The old man holding his walking stick threatened to hit his old wife and hurried his steps towards her but as soon as he reached Ruksana held his stick saying; “It’s enough Abbu! You men only know to hit women? We have no rights to talk? You say and do whatever you guys wish and we get to keep quiet and bear all the time? Do you know what I have been going through all these years in that house? Did you ever care to know the truth? It’s enough I am not going with that man, tell him to get out of here!”

Tariq talked then, “Listen Ruksana, it’s our personal matter why to get them involved? Come on, don’t drag the matter, we will discuss this at home baby. Come on, let’s go!”
Ruksana boldly answered; “Oh yeah, we will discuss it at home? Do we ever discuss? It’s always I who talk, you kick, you hit! You do not even know the art of talking! You don’t know how to discuss. I am not coming and it is final. Get out of here now!”

Ruksana’s father talked, “Look beta, kyun eisa keh rahi ho, miyan biwi mein nok jhonk hotey rehte hein, beeti baton ko bhool jao, wapas jao beta meri izat mat uchalo tum!”

Ruksana said; “This is your only issue Abbu, only your honour means a lot to you. My honour is nothing. Because of your honour and his, I have gone through so many atrocities from this man. Not anymore!”

The father boiling with rage then shouted; “Then there is no place for you in this house. A daughter’s funeral leaves her husband’s house, either you go there or end relationship with this house as well!”

The mother of Ruksana then spoke to her husband; “When you are not aware of the truth then why are you siding with him? At least know the roots of the problems!” But the old man shouted he did not want to know anything, he only wanted Ruksana to go back with Tariq. And he ordered Tariq to take Ruksana by force, to drag her to his car and take her back.

As soon as Tariq held Ruksana’s hand she slapped him and warned him if he touched him anymore. Her father was shocked and stood looking both in Tariq’s and Ruksana’s face.

Ruksana shouted with tears rolling along her cheeks,
“Nine years! Nine long years of sufferings and endurance in your house! No love, no caring only fake smiles and all money minded guys of your house. I stayed by your side because I really loved you but you did not. I did all my possible best to save our wedding despite your faults yet instead of loving me you ill treated me. Do you want me to shout and let the world know the true problem? Do I say?”

Just then Tariq gave her a large slap. Ruksana jerked her head pulling her hair back from her face, wiping her tears and continued; “Your slap will not stop me to talk now! I will ask for a divorce now and I will give the true reasons!! 9 years of married life I have no children? You are impotent Mister Tariq! Tum naamard ho! Now let the whole world know this! The judge will grant me divorce easily knowing this reason. Don’t forget I have your medical report which proves that, and it is in my possession. You get drunk and come to vent your frustration by hitting me when you cannot make love to me!! Am I to be blamed for that? Is it my fault if you cannot make love to me? Your family thinks that I am the problem. Do you know how they all pester me because I have not given them a grandson? I hide your fault and impotence, I cover you and take all the blames upon me, despite that you hit me, you kick me, you want to destroy my womb by giving hard blows on my belly so that you can prove to others that the fault is with me, you say all this when you are drunk…shame on you man!!.......”
Tariq could not hear anymore and ran out of the house and his car’s tyres creaked outside.

Ruksana’s father understood all and hugged his daughter tightly in his arms asking her to forgive him. The old mother then told her old husband; “Instead of caring and loving a wife who is hiding his fault, his imperfection, his flaws he gets frustrated and hit her. When he is drunk he says he will destroy her womb so that she can never bear a child then he will not have to bear the blame. Ruksana told me all.”

The old father patted his daughter’s head and his eyes got moistened thinking all that his daughter had gone through all those years yet she was bearing all quietly. He kissed her forehead and said; “Tum bahot hi achchi beti ho, upar wala tumhara bhala karega himmat se kaam le beti”

Ruksana cried and cried on her fate that night. She was worried if her womb had been affected by the several blows she had endured all those years that’s why she had paid several visits to the doctor. She cried thinking of how while hitting her, kicking her belly wearing his shoes he always repeated; “I will destroy your womb, then you will not be able to bear any child and doctors will prove that you can never get a child so I will not be pointed fingers” Her mother hugged her tight knowing her pain. And this time it was the old mother who patted her daughter’s head rocking her lap to make her sleep.

Once back home the husband got drunk emptying a large bottle of liquor. He knew if his wife would go to the court and produce the medical certificate proving his impotence he would have to bear humiliations and shame. So to avoid that he thought and thought in a drunken state and hanged himself with his wife’s veil and left a note addressed to his wife which read;
“I will not let the world know about the problem that I have, you will not need to say all that to the judge as you will not have to get a divorce. ALVIDA”

Once again a woman was blamed. Once again society, people and all others blamed a woman as a husband was dead because of the wife. Yet she was innocent.

People will learn the truth, but that will take time, till then the wife has to bear the blame…. again, like always the woman has to BEAR!!

The End.
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Stories: The Innocent Wife - 
Hindi Version Love with a Rapist - 
Ek Darinde se Pyaar 
The Innocent Wife;
The Incestuous encounters of a 'BAHU'; 
(Sarjoo ki incest story - a family incest saga); 
Yeh bhi muhabat hi hai A LOVE STORY. ; 
Aur ek Prem kahani ;
Faraar;
Annabelle; 
Vijaya.
Poems written by me,