NEGLECTED PARUL

2 SECOND MARRIAGE

PARUL was given private tution and lessons on religion, and her GURUMA (RELIGIOUS TEACHER MOTHER) taught her, that's relationship amidst a husband and wife is not only mental but physical too. But unlike others, physical relationship amidst husband and wife was sacred. Auspicious. Because, their union was consent of Gods and Goddesses of heaven. It had their blessing. And, unless a husband and wife, consummate their marriage physically, their union wasn't a complete one. So, Parul waited, for the day her marriage to BARISTER BABU (BARISTER SIR) would become a complete and unbreakable bond.

At the age of 17, DEBENDRA NATH ROY (DEBU)was sent to study in Britain, just like his brother BARISTER UPENDRANATH ROY. DEBU bade goodbye to everyone. And, separately to his child bride PARUL, in their own privacy....

"Deb! Now you will became like BARISTER BABU, no wait you will be BELATI BABU (FOREIGNER SIR) , like BILATI BEGUN (FOREIGNER BRINJOL as was Tomato called by her clan) "

"Don't call me that, SACHHUNNI (mean witch) .................Wait for me, okay. I shall come back soon. "

"Of course, I shall wait Chhoto thhakurpo (younger brother in law) . You go and become the most eligible ROY bari son (ROY HOUSEHOLD'S son) . Uncle, Baristar babu (Baristar sir) and the whole ROY BARI has so much expectations on you. Be sure to fulfill them. "

"And you? Don't you have any expectations from me..... "

PARUL smiled lovingly, like an older, mature guardian....

"Nahh.... For me you will always be the same. My best friend. I will wish for your success and pray for your high achievement, but you will always be special for me, irrelevant of anything. You will always be my Bilati babu (foreigner sir) ..... "

"Ehh wait!! Let me catch you sachhunni (mean witch) ."

DEBU said, as PARUL ran away a little distance away. Laughing loudly. DEBU smiled. How he loved listening to her happy gigglings. He marched forward and hugged her tight. PARUL felt a little weird, and goosebumps alongside tingling in her body. They were grown up now, DEBU hugging her really made her feel tingling in body and heart.

"Parul bou(daughter in law/wife), I shall return soon for you. Goodbye. "

"Be safe and return soon. Goodbye"

"Mmmnn"

PARUL kept standing and looking till DEBENDRA NATH ROY'S (DEBU'S) silhouette disappeared.

"CHHOTO THHAKURPO ( younger brother in law) I know, you shall return back all experienced and famous, all over the world. Like your brother. A fine Roy bari son (Roy household's son). And, then we shall find the best wife for you. One who would love you as much I love Baristar babu (Baristar sir) .... "

She smiled and returned back inside ROY MANSION.

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After some time, Parul turned 18, and got her first periods. She was very happy, though it was painful and felt very uncomfortable. But she was happy, finally she was an adult. Now, OPU could consummate their marriage, and she could bore him lots of children. Her personal maid, brought herbal medicine for her.

"BORO BOUTHAN (Elder Daughter in law), have this. It will reduce your abdominal pain.. "

" Chhi, Chhi....Keep that away from me.. "

[Chhi chhi: Shoo shoo]

Parul said wide eyed, pushing the medicine away.

"Are you mad, lakhirani. Don't you know, these herbals effect body negatively. And then suppose, I become barren, not able to give children to my Baristar Babu (Baristar sir).. Ma goh(oh my mother)!! Keep that away from me.. "

LAKHIRANI was PARUL'S personal maid. She was appointed for her, when Parul became responsible for ROY BARI (ROY HOUSEHOLD) singlehandedly. Lakhirani was almost the same age as Parul, and both were like twin sisters. Sharing feelings, working together, having fun, gossiping naughty female stuffs ect....

Parul pushed Lakhirani out of her Rest chamber. Women, when got their periods, stayed in a private chamber, called Rest chamber. They weren't allowed to touch anything, go in front of any males ect. They passed it in solitude, with the aid of some other women, who provided her daily food and necessities and after four days, bathed head to toe in river, to purify themselves....

After 4 days, PARUL bathed in river Ganga that flowed at the backside of the huge ROY mansion. Purified herself and after finishing her daily chores, kept waiting, prepared.

Waiting for her husband. Waiting for BARISTER BABU (BARISTER SIR) OPU. She was imagining all kind of romantic talks, intimate touches and shying in herself. Sometimes smiling, sometimes frowning at her own stupid shameless imaginations, sometimes blushing.........

Wearing a new red Tant saree, with combed hair tied up in a bun. Gold jewellery, Alta (lac dye) in feet and palms, a large round mark of Vermillion on her forehead, and Vermillion stretched dabbed on forehead hair partition in the midst of her head. She waited...

Her wrists were adorned with Sakha (conch shell bangles), Pola (red coral bangles) and Loha (wrought iron bangle), which now had works of gold metal on them. She wore silver anklets in her both feet, since wearing gold in feet were f*******n in her clan. Alongside, she wore silver toe rings too. A large gold chain on her neck, extending till her last ribs, below chest, a gold nose ring, connected to left ear via a extended gold chain, and two beautifully extracted golden earrings.

She looked heavenly. Of course her husband would untie her bun, get rid of her adornments, while...... again PARUL smiled shyly..... She had so long awaited this day, imagined for her husband to do this or touch that way. Nuptial nights actually were completed on the third day of wedding, since second day was considered KAAL RATRI (DEATH NIGHT), as per her clan's marriage ritual rules. But since, she was only a child at that time, she had to wait till she attained full adulthood.

Parul felt immense happiness of getting her periods, which made her a fully adult woman from girl child. Because, finally she was going to become a full fledged wife to her husband. Her Jasminum sambac(night blooming jasmine) Garland attached to her hair bun, filled the chamber with it's fragrance....

She waited........

Waited.......

And waited.......

But OPU never came. Due to the tiredness of hard work all day, PARUL finally dozed off.. Lakhirani came in after few hours. Tears streamed down her eyes for her mistress. She already knew OPU babu (sir) won't come. He was busy discussing his upcoming wedding with his In Laws. Parul had no idea, that her husband was going to marry again.

When Lakhirani went to inform OPU, about Parul, waiting for him, she heard their discussion of his second marriage. When OPU saw her, he casually said..

"Ask, BORO BOUTHAN not to wait for me. I have important discussion to do. I will have dinner later, and sleep in DEBU'S room.. "

[BORO BOUTHAN(ELDER DAUGHTER IN LAW/ Wife of household, as wives are sometimes addressed by their husbands traditionally) Boro meaning Elder, BOUTHAN :wife/daughter in law]

Lakhirani sighed annoyingly. Was BOUTHAN (daughter in law of the household) only for cooking and serving. Did she not deserve love, care and happiness... Lakhirani sneered. She went with some hot mustard oil, to massage PARUL'S tired aching feet. PARUL woke up as soon Lakhirani touched her. . She got up abruptly and looked at the door first, then turned around.

She saw Lakhirani sitting at a corner of the bed, with PARUL'S feet on her lap. Tears streamed down PARUL'S face.

"Why? "

Lakhirani advanced hastily and wiped her tears. She took her in her embrace..

"BOUTHAN, Boro babu (Elder Sir) came, but was urgently summoned by uncle. So he had to leave immediately. He....therefore asked me to care of you. He will definitely attend you next time.... "

"Ohhhh, must be something very important, right!!!! Why else would he not attend me? Me.....his wife in waiting, that too for our nuptial night. Must be very important......Must be very important......Must be very important. I know he won't abandon me just like that. Must be very important. Ok. Ok. I will deal with loneliness this time. I will wait for him tomorrow. He will come, won't he.... "

"Yes... Yes he will...I will bring some tea for you....."

"Ok. Yes, bring some tea. Must be really very important. Right? Very important..... "

Parul kept repeating, as if trying to convince Lakhirani or may be herself.....nodding and shaking her head again and again....

Excusing herself, Lakhirani stormed out of the room. Once far enough, she fell on her knees, sobbing.

"He will never attend you, BOUTHAN.. He loves someone else. You are just for show. The sooner you understand, the better. For you. For him. For all of us. But how to tell you? I don't have enough courage to break your naive innocent heart full of expectations, BOUTHAN. I don't have. "

She cried hard. After calming herself, she went back to PARUL, with a cup of tea. Parul was humming, doing some embroidery. She smiled at Lakhirani. Unaware of anything....

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Next day, PARUL took a dip in the cold Ganga river. Maids and servants readied her for the day. She was the Boro Bouthan of ROY BARI (ROY HOUSEHOLD), eldest son UPENDRANATH ROY'S wife and held high position in the ROY HOUSEHOLD.

She had daily duty to manage the ROY HOUSEHOLD wholly. From deciding the menu of three meals, breakfast, lunch and dinner, along with the tea time snacks, for everyone, to make sure every member's traditional dress attire was ready, so they didn't have to worry after coming from bathing in the river.

Cleaning the Thakur ghar (Gods private room built in mansion), washing it's floor, disposing the previous day flowers, used for paying homage to Gods and Goddesses, that had now shriveled and faded, washing the God's chamber's brass, copper and few silver utensils with tamarind and sand, putting essential oils, used as fuel, in lamps, gathering fresh flower, Ganga river water, sewing garland, for paying homage the current day, making sandalwood paste ect.... Parul did everything on her own...

Because no one else could be allowed to touch them, firstly cause they were sacred, and it would be inauspicious to let maids touch them. And secondly, because untouchability was still in practice. Lower cast weren't allowed in God's private room.

Then she would assign chores to maids and servers, cooks and helps, distribute grocery from storage, the keys of whose door always were tied to one end of her saree. And swung as she moved around in haste. But amidst everything, she made sure here head and half face was always covered by her saree.

Saree was a long rectangular piece of clothe in meters, made of either cotton, silk, blended silk or tant, with different embroidery or artistic works done on them. That women wrapped around in a very classy and artistic style to look beautiful as well covered from head to toe.

And PARUL wore it so perfect, that it hid every inch of her body, yet made her look beautiful. Then she cooked the meals with her own hand, cause she trusted no one to prepare healthy yet tasty food for the three males of her family.

After being the daughter in law of the family, PARUL was told that Boro Baba (elder father/head of the family) that is NARENDRA NATH ROY'S wife was very beautiful and died in childbirth, alongside the baby. Parul had seen one of her pictures put up in the wall of Elder Uncle Naren's room and swore she was beautiful. Knee length hair, fair skin, dark eyes... After her demise, NAREN never remarried.

And UPENDRANATH & DEBENDRA NATH'S parents died in boat accident, when the boat they were riding, got caught in storm and sank in River Ganga. Since then Narendra nath Roy became Opu's & DEBU'S only guardian and a father figure. So they called him, Boro baba meaning Elder Father.

So, Parul took extra care to fulfill all their needs. Cooked and fed them like mother, worked 24*7 to fulfill their needs and loved and cared for them like a devoted nurse, respected them like the youngest member of the family, gave necessary advices to them like a wise minister and last but not the least endured their tantrums with the patience of Earth...

She managed the storage of food and other necessities of the household, made lists of commodities needed for the sect, served each family members separately their food in time, and even served food to the helps, maids, guards, body guards, those working in the ROY BARI Kachari (Private office/court of Roy household, where employees worked on taxes, land measurements, records ect) everyone, making sure they all had food or none of them went hungry, and she ate after everyone, at last.. Except for Lakhirani, who was stubborn enough to wait till PARUL was done and only eat meals with her. They called her Annapurna of Roy Bari (Household).

[Annapurna is derived from Sanskrit meaning the giver of food and nourishment. Anna (अन्न) means "food" or "grains" and pūrṇa (पूर्ण) means "full, complete and perfect."]

Parul also attend the discussion session of elders, meeting their every demands and whimps, attending the small children and other women of the neighborhood and weaving, knitting with them, teaching them to read and write ect.... All in all, her whole day used to packed with chores..

And PARUL was more than happy to comply to everything. She gave her all efforts wholeheartedly, so that no one could point a finger at his family or husband, and say she wasn't capable. She managed everything accurately. People praised her for her dutifulness, obedience, understanding and responsible nature. Soft spoken, polite as such but stern when needed, amazing fighter, skillful in weaving, knitting, painting, poetry writing and cooking too, working all day long, but always with an understanding and beautiful smile on her lips.

PARUL was a perfect wife to OPU. And people gave her example to set standards for daughters, wives, daughter in laws ect. Reason why many, specially other neighborhood wives, daughter in laws all envied her. Were jealous of her and had bitterness and hatefulness towards her. And gossiped behind her back. And wished for her and her family's downfall. But none of that ever affected PARUL. Ever.

PAROLINA ROY, also known as Parul never got effected or disheartened by other's attitude towards her, because according to her different people might have different view of yours. You could not help it. Or control it. You could not please everyone. What mattered to her was the view and attitude of three people, she considered family. She considered her own.

NARENDRANATH ROY,

UPENDRANATH ROY &

DEBENDRA NATH ROY

They were PARUL's everything, her life, her World.

That day, like daily she went to serve food to UPENDRANATH ROY that is OPU, her husband her Baristar Babu (BARISTER SIR). And there she found him studying. Her face immediately lit up. She rushed to him. She checked him physically, touching his shoulders, chest, face with both hands, as if checking if he was truly present or not. OPU frowned.

"Ahhh!! What are doing BOUTHAN!?! "

"Did you enough sleep, Baristar Babu. Last few days, you are always working in Kachari (private mansion office).."

PARUL asked with a surprised happy expression. OPU looked at her, confused.

"Kachari?" (Home office!?!)

"Yes. It must have been very important for you. Otherwise, you would never abandon me during my first night together as husband and wife, our nuptial night. ......... I understand. I shall wait, till you become free and then we will be one..... And..... "

"BOUTHAN.... !"

"....... I have already kept the best saree, atar (musk fragrance extract), garland, everything ready for our first night...... "

"Parul... !"

"I am so excited. Finally, am capable of becoming a complete wife to you. Physically too. Your Parul. Your...... "

"PARUL BOUTHAN!!!"

PARUL flinched. OPU was always soft spoken, patient, smiling.....He never yelled, ever, even in the toughest situation he smiled and spoked softly. But today he yelled sternly. Parul was confused.

Did she say something wrong?

But didn't wives share stuff likewise with their husbands!!! May be the timing was wrong. Yes, that's it. The timing was wrong. May be Baristar Babu was tensed about something. After all, he was the eldest son. He had tons of responsibility on his shoulders.

'Issshhh!! Boka meye!! '

'(Issshh! Stupid girl) '

Parul scolded himself internally. Without thinking of the venue, timing and situation, she blabbered. She immediately got down and touched her husband's feet.

"Am sorry Baristar Babu. This stupid girl is very sorry. I should have considered the situation and surrounding before saying anything. I am sorry. Will Baristar Babu, spare some time for this wife of his!!! So that we can.......may be....have some........some.....personal discussion.... !!!"

OPU sighed. It's high time PARUL be made aware of the truth.

"Fine. Wait for me tonight. At our private chamber...."

PARUL'S face lit up. He nodded shyly and went off. OPU inhaled and exhaled deeply.

Like everyday, PARUL fulfilled all chores, flawlessly. But today her heart was somewhere else. Her heart was excited and impatiently waiting for the night to descend. Day passed, with PARUL counting every second. Night finally descended.

As she was about to retire to her and OPU'S private chamber, she was summoned by UNCLE NAREN. PARUL went to him immediately and bowed and touched his feet.

"Pranam, Boro baba (Greetings,Elder father/head) "

"Be Akondo soubhagyabati (Be boundless good fated )"

"Boro baba, you called me.... "

Parul smiled beautifully. Naren sighed. He had watched this girl child growing and progressing since she came here. Slowly, blooming like a rose flower, spreading it's dazzling fragrance everywhere and winning everyone's heart with it's unique beauty and charm. He had witnessed, how a girl with no novelty, no recognized clan or family, became a set example of par excellence in the whole neighborhood, and even in far off villages and relative's house. Not only that, the ROY BARI (ROY HOUSEHOLD) that was famous for it's beautiful members, PARUL even excelled in that, surpassing everyone in that field.

She was a truly a beautiful and efficient ROY HOUSEHOLD Daughter in law. And the innocence of her eyes, and softness and delicateness of her nature accompanied with her understanding smile, made her even more attractive. NAREN was truly proud of her. Proud of her efforts, achievements and fame.

But today his heart broke. The same man who was furious to OPU for marrying PARUL, instead of MAJUMDAR FAMILY daughter, MADHUMITA, today wished that OPU wholeheartedly had accepted PARUL as his wife, instead of marrying MADHUMITA. His heart was bleeding, breaking in pieces, looking at the obedient, expecting hopeful eyes of Parul. Nevertheless, NAREN sighed and handed PARUL a red invitation envelope.

"Read it.... "

Naren said and sighed for the umpteenth time, that day. Parul looked at him, confused and thinking it was a marriage invitation of some relative, opened the envelope and read the card. Her face became pale, and tears rolled down her eyes. Naren turned his back to PARUL. His eyes were filled with tears too, and mostly he didn't have courage to face PARUL.

"It's the invitation of the marriage of UPENDRANATH with MADHUMITA. Make arrangement to send them to prominent families, and relatives, inviting them to the auspicious occasion. Also, make arrangements for the marriage, prepare the mansion. Since you are the BORO BOUTHAN (ELDEST DAUGHTER IN LAW) of the house, you will fulfill all the rituals and welcome MADHUMITA appropriately. Arrange a separate room for them.... "

PARUL was broken to the core, but she still looked up and smiled.....

"I shall vacate Baristar Babu's private chamber... "

"No, you are his first wife. And you would remain in that chamber. Find another chamber for them..... You may leave. "

Parul bowed, touched NAREN's feet and left like a lifeless doll.

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(Every tant saree is characterized by the design on its border, pallav and body. These designs are drawn by an artist and transcribed onto soft cardboards by perforating them which are then suspended from the loom. Now all is in place for the weaving to begin. The simplest of tant sarees take about 10-12 hours to weave)