Instant Cure
Nimi Kurian
9 March 2009, 14:52Bhanu raced home with her report card. She had come first in class again. The teachers had hopes that next year when she sat for her Std. X board exams she would get a state rank, and they had already begun coaching her.
“Appa, Amma,” she shouted excitedly as waved her report card at her parents. “I got the first rank again! And the teachers say that I have a good chance of getting a state rank next year!”
It was then that she saw the look on her parents face. It was then that she registered that her father was already at home and it was barely 4 o’clock. Worry overtook her earlier joy.
“What is it? Are you ill Appa? Amma, whats happening?” she cried out frantically.
Her mother smiled, tentatively. Her father looked grave. Bhanu’s heart beat faster. She knew that whatever she was going to hear was not going to be good.
“Sit down Bhanu,” said her father. “I have something to tell you.”
Bhanu sat down, her heart fluttering with fear.
“Today, Rajendra uncle, the marriage broker visited us. He says there is a groom for you in the next village. The boy is 28 years old. He is a truck driver. They do not want any dowry. They only want a good girl…”
“But Appa, what about my school? I want to study. I don’t want to get married!”
“Listen child. You think I didn’t tell him that? I told him ‘My Bhanu is very clever and so she has to finish her school and then go on to college. She wants to become a doctor.’ And would you believe it? Rajendra uncle says that they are willing to send you to school and later on to college also. The boy is earning well.”
“But Appa, I don’t want to get married now!”
“Don’t be silly. This is a good proposal. You know I don’t have any money to pay dowry. I think we should at least see the boy. I am sure you will like him.”
With no support from either her father or her mother, there was no way Bhanu could wriggle out of this. Soon the marriage broker brought the ‘boy’ and his family to see Bhanu and her family.
Even before Bhanu had had a glimpse of the ‘boy’, the date, place and time for the marriage was fixed.
Bhanu’s mind was numb. Her heart was heavy. All around her she could see the shattered pieces of her dreams. She tried to cling to the one promise that had been made – that she could continue to study, but even that remained elusive.
The wedding was grand. Bhanu was dressed in all her finery. She wore a bright red Kanjeevaram silk saree, her hair was braided and jasmine flowers were threaded into them, she wore heavy jewellery that weighed her down. She looked around the pandal and saw all the happy faces of her loved ones, her relatives and her friends. Some of her friends were even looking envious. How Bhanu wished she could trade places with them.
It was almost early morning when the festivities died down and Bhanu and the groom and his people, got into the bullock cart. Bhanu’s things were piled into another cart. And slowly the group trundled out of the village. Her parents cried to see her go. They were sad to part with her. But they were happy that they had found a good match for her. Someone who would take care of her. Bhanu looked at them. Her mind registered nothing. All she knew was that she had lost her dream.
It was almost evening when they got to the groom’s house. The bride and groom had to wait awhile outside so that they could get the aarthi ready. Soon they were welcomed in. Bhanu tried to smile, but her face remained stiff. Her new mother-in-law showed her to her room. It was a nice big one, bigger than the one she had at home. There was a nice cot too and a table with a mirror and a chair. This was more than she ever had at home but somehow she felt no cheer.
“You have a wash and change and rest for awhile, ma. I will call you when it is time for dinner,” said her mother-in-law. Bhanu decided to rest for awhile.
She could hear voices in the next room – soft mumbles. There seemed to be someone else in the room with her mother-in-law. She could not decipher the words.
“Now you can relax,” said the woman.
“Yes, I am glad you took us to that doctor,” said the mother-in-law. “And thank you for finding that marriage broker.”
“No need of thanks. What are friends for? The minute that doctor said that if your son had sex with a young, virgin he will be cured of this new disease called AIDS, I knew what should be done. Anyway, now your son will be cured and everything will be fine.”
this is a super one! Wham! it hit me.
— sridhar · Mar 10, 18:38 · #
Very touchy. Hope its not true.
— Jude Thaddaeus · Mar 23, 08:59 · #