NEGLECTED PARUL

"I didn't Kill anyone, I swear, I didn't Kill anybody. Please don't, don't burn Me....I am not a Sorcerer, not a witch...promise... I didn't do any Magic....." A 10 years old girl sniffed. She was dressed in Wedding Attire. Her long curly hair let loose and were freely fluttering with the wind. She was wearing a white Banarasi saree, with with red zari border, gold earrings, gold nose ring, with a chain extended to her left ear, gold necklaces and some gold bangles too. Alongside, she wore Shakha, a white bangle made of “conch shell'' and Pola, a red coral bangle. And yes!! Loha, a bangle made of wrought iron too... She had huge round shaped mark of Sindoor (Vermillion: a bright-red herbal dye traditionally worn in the forehead & hair by married women) on her forehead, and a huge stretch of Sindoor (Vermillion) on her forehead hair partition. There was Kajal (Kohl) dabbed in her big eyes and they washed down with her tears... Her palms & feet were dyed maroon red with Aalta (lac dye).. And she looked no less than a Goddess in distress, sitting on the pyre.... Yes!! A pyre... A Pyre was prepared with the dead body of an old man, probably her late husband, who was in his 50s and the little bride girl was tied to the body, and it was prepared to be Cremated. The girl was sniffing in Fear. UPENDRANATH ROY, also known as OPU, along with his brother, DEBENDRANATH ROY, also called DEBU were on their way with bodyguards towards their farm land. Both belonged to high class, rich family of farm land owners, called ZAMINDARS (Land Owner) by the Localities. En way, while passing the religious cremation ground, they heard cries of a girl. Concerned, they ventured inside. PARUL, a girl of mere 10, dressed entirely in bridal attire, was prepared to be sacrificed in the name of SATI DAH, which was a ritual, being forced followed by some powerful and mean people of the society, in the name of religion, whereas it solely was used for the purpose of the individual interest. In this ritual, widowed girls and women were forced burnt alive in the pyre of their dead husband, in the name of protection of the family dignity. Whereas, it was solely done to confiscate the property of the dead man by relatives, by killing his legal wife. And these powerful people who encouraged, forced and made it happen, got shares. And PARUL was it's latest victim. She was screaming in fear, but her screams were tried to be hidden by loud drum beatings and chantings by the people around. The pyre was set, and the fire was lit, and while death was en way to engulf it's victim, huge splash of water stopped everything. The people turned around, surprised and fuming, and found the ROY HOUSEHOLD sons standing, accompanied by guards, who had put off the fire in the pyre. Everyone were shocked. It was none other than the 20 years old First Elder son of ROY household. BARISTER UPENDRANATH ROY. He looked at the people sternly. Revolution against these kind heinous rituals, by wise righteous people, religious scholars were already in it's prime. The said religion had a very high heritage, due to which it could in itself depict flaws of it's system and could rectify them too. It could accept changes in itself as well, and evolve richly. And that's exactly what the revolutionaries and religious scholars were doing by standing against such heinous crime, in name of religion. Different branches of the same religion, started and flourished as separate sects, condemning such heinous rites, and one such was Bramho samajh. And OPU & his family were it's members. OPU came forward along with his Younger brother, 12 years old, second son of Roy household, DEBENDRA NATH ROY... UPENDRANATH also called OPU, glared at everyone. "What's going on here? " "It's a ritual, my Lord. This widow girl here is a bad Omen. A Sorcerer. She caused the death of her husband. The elder minister of the village. So, according to the ritual, she would have to sacrifice her life and descend to aftermath of life, with her husband. " The head of the village clan said. OPU looked shocked. "Are you people MAD? She is barely 10 years old. How can she do Sorcery!?! Besides, don't you all know, Boro Saheb ( Big Boss) has announced this ritual illegal. A crime. Unbound her now, release her and let her go back to her Parents." OPU said, shocked more than furious, witnessing such heinous crime done in the broad day light, in public no less.. "She has no parents. And her uncle who brought her up is no more too and her old auntie gave the consent for the Ritual. She is a Widow, ROY Babu (ROY SIR) . A widow, whose husband died on the wedding night. And according to the ritual of this Clan, she needs to perform this act of sacrificing self, by getting burnt alive for her soul's purification. So, that she isn't cursed with being Widow in her next life. " "What nonsense? Boro Saheb (Big Boss) has already announced these as crime. And banned them. Don't you all know!?! " "What does a firangi (foreigner) like Boro Saheb (Big Boss) know about our religion and rituals!?! " " May be not about religion or ritual, but he knows about crime when he comes across one. And this is pure crime. Evil. Burning a little girl alive, in the name of ritual. Suppose instead of hier husband, something had happened to HER, on the wedding night, you will do the same to her husband? " "Of course not. " "Why not? " "Cause he was a man. It's different from a woman. " "And just because she's a woman , she needs to get burned alive. " "My Lord, if she is not sent to heaven with her husband, then, there's no one to protect her. She will be guadian less. And, any man will take advantage of her. Instead of becoming a s*x Toy for every man, it's better to get rid of this cursed life of her...." "So, if she isn't a widow anymore, and a man takes up her responsibility, marrys her again, then she can live? She will be released? " "That's impossible. Who will marry a Bad Omen Widow, as his wife and risk his life!?!" "I will. I will marry her. This instant. In the Temple of Heavenly Deity right now. " "Borda (Elder brother) what are you saying!!? Roy Babu (Roy Sir) will be furious... " OPU'S bodyguards said. UPENDRANATH ROY, that is OPU, belonged to upper class, Zamindar (land owner) family of the village. His family members were always accompanied by 5 to 6 wrestlers with a solid hard wooden pole stick, for protection. OPU had been sent to Britain at a very tender age, for study purpose, and had recently returned back to his village, with his BARRISTER degree. But the Western air changed his views totally about everything. "So!?! You are saying in fear if Jethu baba's (Elder uncle's) wrath, I should let a 10 years old girl die!?! Never!! " But she isn't pure, she has to be purified first... " One of the villagers said. "Purified!?! Ok. There flows Ma Ganga (River Mother Ganga). People say she could purify even demons with her touch.. Let me purify her and myself in Ma Ganga's (Mother River Ganga's) tide..." OPU untied the sniffing, scared girl bride, and picked her up on his lap. Then he went to the river, near the temple, followed by his younger brother, DEBU Dipped in it holding the girl on his lap. The girl clung to him tightly hugging his neck, hiding her face in the crook of OPU'S neck, as if scared that the village people standing on the shore of the river water might anytime, snatch the older male and separate him from her. And she didn't wanna let go off OPU, at any cost, as he was her last hope for life.... Her entire existence depended on not letting go off OPU....so she clung to him tight. Both got bathed in river water. And while no one noticed, OPU'S younger brother, the silent & reserve DEBENDRA NATH ROY also called DEBU, dipped himself in the river too, following his brother obediently. The river water purified their body of dirt and impurities. And the holy water washed the souls off sins. They, then stepped inside the temple of Ma Kali (Mother Goddess Kali). OPU put the girl down his lap. "Lil girl, what's your name? " "PAROLINA... But people call me PARUL too.." "Ok, PARUL, prostrate down in front of the divine immortal. And vow to be by my side in health, sickness, rich, and poor. " "Ok. " PARUL said and did as told. OPU then prostrated in front of the divine immortals promising to be together with the boy for eternity. The heaven, the earth, the sun, and the moon, the immortal gods and goddesses of heaven and the great ancestors too. The girl, PARUL prostrated down too. And, without anyone noticing, DEBU was imitating his brother and the girl PARUL. He too, after dipping in river with OPU & PARUL, followed them in and prostrated to the divine immortals alongside them and promised to be with them for eternity. OPU stood up. He took the sacred Vermillion of the temple and put it on PARUL'S head. He looked towards the villagers, amongst whom some brahmin (upper cast priests) chanted marriage vows in sanskrit, closing their eyes. And, instantly, with no one noticing, DEBU too, took an ounce of Vermillion in his tiny palm and brushed over where OPU had put the Vermillion on PARUL'S head. "There, now she isn't a widow anymore. But my wife. And, whether she's a sorcerer or not, is my business. My problem. None of your involvement is required." OPU said. The villagers nodded, agreeing. The head of clan came forward. He handed over a holy matrimony Rajanigandha (Tuberose) Flower Garland to OPU & PARUL. And they wore it to each other. Instantly, DEBU picked a sacred Akanda (Milkweeds) Garland from the SHIVA LINGA (Symbol of Lord Shiva) in front of MA KALI'S altar and put it in PARUL'S neck from behind. PARUL turned, smiled at him, took off the Garland OPU wore her and put it in DEBU'S neck. Then one man came forward, took off the Sakha (white conch shell bangle), Pola (red coral bangle) and the Loha(wrought iron bangle) from PARUL'S hand, and handed over a new set of the three, to OPU, who put it in PARUL'S wrists. And as was fate, DEBU instantly took a set from MA KALI'S (GODDESS MOTHER KALI'S) altar, that devotees has paid to MOTHER GODDESS KALI, and wore them in PARUL'S wrist. PARUL looked at both the pairs of bangles in her each wrist and giggled happily at both brothers, DEBU pouted. His face flushed red, not knowing how to respond to the beautiful girl's happy giggles. OPU was equally surprised too. And so were the villagers. "Bhai (Younger brother) what are you doing?" "Borda (Elder brother) I am protecting her too. I too purified myself in river, prostrated in front of divine immortals and promised to be by her and your side in health, sickness, rich, and poor. I too will be by her side forever. " " Did you just follow me to everything? From bathing to prostration to marrying her!!!!!! And, why did you put Sakha Pola Loha (Conch she'll, red coral & wrought iron bangles ) in his wrist? Do you know the significance of it? " "Jethu ( Elder uncle) said whoever is important & significant in my life, only they could wear those. You are the most important person in my life. And, since you wore them to her, she must be very important to you. So she is the most significant person to me too, after you. That's why I put them on her too. " "What? " OPU laughed surprised, at his brother's innocent explanation. PARUL, on the other hand, was very impressed. Nobody ever refered to her as important and swore to protect him. She hugged DEBU. "Vab Vab, ok!! (Friends ok!?! )" DEBU'S ears went red. He hugged back PARUL. "VAB.. (Friends)" And slowly that redness spread to his neck and face from his ears. PARUL blushed too. She felt shy, but happy too. OPU was both surprised and happy, his brother accepted PARUL positively. He kneeled down and kissed the forehead of both children. But the clan members of the Village were shocked. "Oh Ma Goh!! (Oh My Mother) What? This is insane. Unintentionally, both brothers got married to this girl now......it happened by mistake but from now, both of you are her husband." One of the clan elder said. "But is it even possible in reality!?! " Another asked.. "Why not!?! Didn't Draupadi married to five pandobas (Mahabharat :hindu epic where five brothers get married to a single woman, at the same time by fate) " Someone shouted in the crowd. "But Lord Sri Krishna (God Krishna) said firmly it's a sin and won't ever be followed in future. " The head priest said. "But, hey knowledged one, this marriage took place in holy temple premises, with sacred auspicious symbols of Goddess herself. See, the younger brother wire her the Vermillion, Akanda Garland and holy sacred bangles, by taking them from Mother Goddess's sacred altar itself. If Mother Goddess has accepted and blessed this union, who are we refuse or break it...!!" Everybody started whispering and the group of priests were in deep thoughts. OPU shook his head. He did it all just for the satisfaction of the village's superstitious clan members and for protecting PARUL from the heinous rite and their wrath. Otherwise, this marriage meant nothing to him. Besides, both DEBU & PARUL were just kids. And OPU wasn't the type man to marry a child and accept her as his bride, it disgusted him. He took none of these seriously, except for child's play. Besides he was already engaged to the love of his life. "But is it even right? One wife having two brothers!?!" One of the elderly villager asked. "But it had already happened in front of the Lords of heaven. It can't be turned back. So, since today both of them, UPENDRANATH ROY and DEBENDRA NATH ROY are PARUL'S, no sorry, actually PAROLINA ROY'S husbands. " The clan leader said. OPU sighed. These people, fussing over stupid things... "Whatever. She's now a ROY BARI (ROY HOUSEHOLD) member. And, no one is allowed to disrespect her. Or touch her shadow. Or harm her ever. Am I clear? " OPU said, he picked PARUL on his lap and went away, followed by his brother towards his mansion. ROY BARI... PARUL gasped at the sight of the extravagant ROY MANSION... Beautiful mansion covered by garden, with colourful flowers. ..... "That's our and from now your home too, PARUL Bou (Parul wife) ......from now you are a ROY and will live and study here with us.... " OPU said. PARUL smiled wide like sunshine. -----------------❣️----------------- "What have you done, OPU? Have you gone mad!!!! You just got married to an orphan widow girl, with no proper background, clan or name. This is outrageous. " NARENDRA NATH ROY was furious. NARENDRA NATH ROY was the elder uncle of the two brothers. He was absolutely enraged at the current situation. While he reprimanded OPU, DEBU and PARUL kept looking at each other. PARUL kept giggling and DEBU pouting and blushing to beet red........ Both kept elbowing each other. The two innocent kids got acquainted to each other only few hours ago and unknowingly became each other's spouses, and now were slowly developing friendship, a world of their own innocence. "Boro baba (Elder father/Elder uncle), you don't expect me to stand still, when a 10 years old innocent girl was being burned alive on a pyre!!! I needed to rescue her, and I did what I thought right to protect him...." OPU dared not say about the double wedding thing. It would make the already worsen situation, worst. He looked at his otherwise silent brother having a good time, poking his new playmate. And he smiled. DEBU really needed a friend, someone of his own age. And PARUL would fulfill that place. "You could have used some other method. You know you are already betrothed to MAJUMDAR BARI (MAJUMDAR HOUSEHOLD) elder daughter, MADHUMITA MAJUMDAR. What will we answer them?" "Uncle, with due respect, I only married the girl for namesake. She is a 10 years old girl. Younger than our DEBU, who's 12. And I am 20 years old. You don't expect me to be her real husband. Plus, an man can marry twice in our clan. I will, myself talk with Sasurmosai (father in law). And explain him the situation. Till then, let this little one get educated and learned in ROY BARI (ROY HOUSEHOLD). " "EDUCATED??! LEARNED??! She's a girl. ROY household daughter in law. All she needs to learn is cooking, knitting, doing pujas(devotion of God) and managing household.. " "No, jethu (elder uncle). I want her to read and write too. Learn atleast thd minimal amount of knowledge, so that when she grows up, she could find an eligible groom for herself. " "You and your firangi (foreign) thinking. " Narendra nath Roy sighed and thought for some time. Finally he agreed. "Fine. As you wish....... Li'l girl, tell me your father's name!?! And your sect name!?!" PARUL, who was giggling and poking at DEBU few minutes ago, now looked down, scared. She was afraid of the sudden attention and question of this strict old man towards herself. She was already unnerved due to unfamiliar surrounding. And also was traumatized by everything that happened with her some time ago. From marriage to a senior man to being tied and almost burned on his pyre, PARUL looked down, trembling. "My.....co....courtesy name......is......Paro..... Paromita Choudhary. Birth name, that is pet name ....... PARUL(gulps in fear).....My father is late Choudhary Babu (Choudhary Sir) ANIK CHOUDHARY and mother late PRIYA CHOUDHARY. I...... I lived with BORO MAMA (MATERNAL ELDER UNCLE) BISHU SEN, and MAMI (MATERNAL AUNTY) in SEN BARI (SEN HOUSEHOLD). Two days ago, I... I was married......married to a Zamindar (land owner) Choudhary, as his third wife. But, but..." PARUL sniffed.. She wiped her tears with the back of his palm and continued... "....... on the wedding night....night... he died. I don't know how, I swear. I didn't kill him. I was sleeping and when I woke up, everybody said my husband was found dead and I was responsible." He sniffed hard in fear. DEBENDRA NATH ROY (DEBU) pouted and looked at PARUL sadly. Sad and scared PARUL, made him sad and hurt too.... PARUL looked up.. "I swear I didn't do black magic, am not a sorcerer.. Am not witch. I don't even know how to do witchcraft. Please don't hurt me... Please... " DEBU'S heart broke. He desperately wanted to console this beautiful maiden. Wipe her tears. Hug her tight, may be. Like before, so that she would giggle again, become happy again. UPENDRANATH ROY (OPU) too felt a heaviness in his heart. NARENDRA NATH ROY sighed again. He felt a pang in his heart too. Everybody knew these rites, in names of religion, were heinous, but still they let them happen. Because, somewhere along the course of times, from being a descent religious devotees, people turned greedy, mean religious fanatics. From God abiding and God loving people, everyone turned God fearing people because of their own acknowledgment of their sinful hearts, by their conscience. The burning of bride started as a self immolation, done by some girls, along with their dead husband, in fear of being abducted and forced to serve as a s*x slave by foreigners and separate religious people. They called it Sati dah (Self Immolation of Sati) for saving husband's dignity, like Sati Mata (Goddess Mother Sati) did, as was written in one of the religious scriptures. Because no one was there to protect their dignity, so they did it themselves by self Immolation.. Though, it wasn't in any way justified or right, even then. But then slowly, those times faded. The situation changed. And the insecurity of being abducted, fear of abused ended. But few people, then, for their own mean motivation gave these rituals a religious angle, and kept them in practice. And caused deaths and abuses of innocents in the most cruelest way. But there was something about the religion, that it acknowledged it's own flaws. And resolved to end them, change them. And that's just what happened. Highly learned people, some religious scholars, the people belonging to this same community themselves, came forward protesting against this heinous crime. They cited that they had read almost all scriptures, and it's written nowhere about these heinous practice. So, it has nothing to do with real religion, but was rather work of some greedy religious leaders, who for their own personal profit, were manipulating civilians and forcing the practice of these rituals. NARENDRA NATH ROY sighed for the umpteenth time that day, but this last time in satisfaction, that someone out there was fighting for righteousness. And their family supported those righteous people. "Fine. Forget all that. Since today, nobody will hurt you, ever. Since today, you are SRIMOTI (MRS.) PAROMITA ROY, UPENDRANATH ROY'S wife. And ROY BARI'S (ROY HOUSEHOLD'S) BORO BOUTHAN (ELDEST DAUGHTER IN LAW) Understood!?!" PARUL nodded, though she didn't understand a word. "From tomorrow, your education and house managing trainings will begin, as a ROY BARI BOUTHAN (ROY HOUSEHOLD'S DAUGHTER IN LAW). And, you will stay in OPU'S personal chamber. And always remember, you are OPU'S wife. The ROY BARI'S (ROY HOUSEHOLD'S)responsibility will be yours in future, along with the members of ROY FAMILY. You will manage the household, along with being a perfect life partner for OPU, help him take decision, guide him to righteous path. Never disappoint me in dealing with your responsibility. No matter what happens in your personal life. Clear!!! " Parul nodded. "Parul, also remember since today, your husband is your Swamy (Lord). He owns you.....Him, his needs, his every aspect has to be fulfilled by you. And yours will be fulfilled by him. You, your love, your body, your soul, your servings, should be for him, should belong to him. He is your first priority, even before your own life. And, you his. Do you understand, li'l girl? " Parul nodded. "Yes, I understand. My husband is worth more than my life, and his every need is my responsibility, taking care of him is my duty, my first priority because he's worth more than my life. But will he take care of me too, protect me and never let others hurt me....? " "He will. He must. He will love you, take care of you and protect you from every bad thing......that's his responsibility as a husband.... And every husband must be his wife's shield from the harsh world....also, from now his family is your family too, his Gotro ( a clan tracing its paternal lineage from a common ancestor, usually a saint or sage) is your Gotro too and you must take care of his family with your life, understood!!!" Parul nodded, removing the bangs of her messed hair from her forehead with her hand. DEBENDRA NATH ROY (DEBU) stood silent, but listened to each word carefully. Both him and Parul listened to each and every word and obediently engraved them in their heart, mind and soul. "And from today, since you are daughter in law, I will arrange for proper dress for you. Since, you are ROY by marriage, your dresses mostly will be red in colour, as a symbol of married woman. Okay!?!" PARUL smiled and nodded. The words got engraved in DEBU'S and PARUL'S mind like scatch on rock, that could never be erased off. Never be undid. 'Since today, my husband and his family and Gotro are my life, my first priority, my duty, my everything and my husband is HIM, whom everyone calls OPU. My tittle is ROY and BORO BABA (ELDER FATHER/ head of the family)and this other boy is my only family....I must live and die for them. Take care of everything they love and need. ' Parul thought. 'Those elders and priests in the temple said, we are both PARUL'S husband. With brother, I too got married to him. He's my wife too, and am his husband. Doesn't that mean I should take care of her too!! Become her shield too!!! From today, my life, my love, my care everything are for her only. And her, for mine too. Brother, Me and Her are all husbands and wife. And we will be together forever. ' DEBU thought and blushed happily. ⚜️-------?-------⚜️ Initially, the three slept in the same room. OPU'S private chamber. Because DEBU was young and shared room with his BORDA( ELDER BROTHER)from childhood. And, though UNCLE NAREN (NARENDRA NATH ROY, in short NAREN) arranged separate sleeping arrangements for DEBU in another room, when PARUL joined.....but DEBU returned back on the first night itself. He knocked on OPU & PARUL'S room, in the middle of the night.. "BORDA...BORDA....... " OPU opened the door, immediately. And, PARUL got up from her own separate bed, arranged by OPU, rubbing her sleepy eyes.... OPU kneeled down and cupped DEBU'S face... "Debu!!! What happened!?!" "I want to sleep here. I am scared alone.." OPU smiled and gladly let him in. There were only two beds in his room. So, he and DEBU slept on one bed, and Parul on a separate one... But as time passed and DEBU got older, he shifted to a separate, adjacent room permanently, as his personal chamber. -------❤--------- Time passed. Parul grew up and turned 14. And DEBU turned 16. PARUL, now officially known as BORO BOUTHAN (ELDEST DAUGHTER IN LAW) of ROY BARI (ROY HOUSEHOLD), proved a pro in everything. She was a very skilled cook, knitted beautifully, even painted as a hobby. She was apt in poetry too, and even shared a poetry book with DEBU. Alongside, she could weave, do pottery, sing and even fight with big bamboo pole stick. As such she called DEBU, CHHOTO THHAKURPO (Younger Lord/ brother in law) but whenever he threw tantrums, specially while eating cause his eating habits were messy, she would be like.. "DEB!! WILL YOU EAT SILENTLY, OR SHOULD I BRING HOT SPATULA TO TEACH YOU A LESSON.. " And, DEBU would be like.. "Sachhunni!! (Mean witch) " But would comply anyway, and eat silently.. DEBU & PARUL had an unique relationship. They were best of best friends. PARUL could read DEBU, like an open book. Without him saying anything, PARUL always knew what was in his heart, what he needed or how he was feeling....When DEBU was angry, when happy, when sad, when he needed something, when he is worried everything. For Parul, Debu was someone her BARISTER BABU (BARISTER Sir) as she called her husband, OPU, since he studied Law in BRITAIN, loved dearly. And, so DEBU'S needs came under her utmost priorities, after OPU'S and BORO BABA'S. (ELDER HEAD OF THE FAMILY, NARENDRA NATH ROY. But DEBU considered PARUL as his child bride, though he never mentioned it to anyone over the years and kept his relationship with PARUL a secret to everyone. With growing age, he understood the relationship entanglement amidst three, him, his elder brother OPU, and PARUL. And he studied a lot about it. Different scriptures, religious laws, ect about it. And found out, that in case of a marriage entanglement like theirs, if elder brother claimed the wife,younger ones had to let go off his claim. But in case, elder brother rejected the wife or in some case demised, younger brother could claim the wife. So, DEBU waited and observed the development of their relationship. He decided to forget PARUL, if OPU took her as his but he also knew OPU never saw PARUL anything else than just another ROY HOUSEHOLD member. DEBU was certain, that his brother OPU treated PARUL just like he treated him. Like a sibling, inspired of being married. And his brother's real love was his betrothed MADHUMITA MAJUMDAR. Nevertheless, he waited. He waited for his BORDA (ELDER BROTHER) to accept MADHUMITA MAJUMDAR as his wife, and reject PARUL completely. And only then he decided to announce his marriage to PARUL to the world and claim PARUL as his fully. So, he made up his mind to wait till they reach proper age, and he became capable enough...... And at right time, he would propose his child bride PARUL, and consummate their marriage, making him his, forever. But for PARUL, who didn't even remember that she was married to both ROY brothers, only OPU was her Swamy (husband/lord) and she kept ignoring the obvious. The obviousness of OPU'S ignorance towards her, his sleeping separately, his and Majumdaar family's relationship and closeness. His admiration towards MADHUMITA, everything.... PARUL simply waited to grow up, reach the right age, so that OPU could claim her physically too, and consummate their marriage finally. Only that would make her completely his wife. Continued in chapter 2....