“Commando”, she was called by her
father. She belonged to a family of soldiers, who had served the country for generations.
Raised with stories of courage and valour, she was taught the spirit of not
being defeated, as a way of life. She was raised normally, studied well,
participated in school activities, just like any other girl next door.
College came like a breadth of
fresh air. The new born freedom and she bloomed. She met a boy and in no
time they were in love. You know how of the first love is, boundless, shackle-less
and seemingly forever. They wanted a forever mine, forever thine. Her parents disagreed;
they found it stupid for 21 year olds to get married. She defined the “commando”
in her and decided to move ahead without her parents’ consent. She pictured her
life like that in movies, only difference was 6 months and love was out of the
window.
And one day her world came
crumbling down. The usual husband-wife banter ended in physical abuse injected
to her. She slept with bruises and tears drying on her cheeks. Next morning he apologized,
wept. They made up. Things were peachy again, so she thought. But it had not
even been a week and physical abuse became a daily regime. The reasons, were
too many, none which were legit. And on their second marriage anniversary,
there was not a single portable thing in the house which was not used by him to
lash her. From wipers to, wooden planks to kitchen utensils, everything, just
everything. Why didn’t she move out? Ha! The “Commando” in her said she can’t be
defeated, she will make it happen. Also, with what face could she walk out, her
parents had objected this alliance. She had to fake the bliss of marriage.
One more year passed. The only
change this year had was that she was promoted at work and also she was
pregnant. He was elated. He promised to change. She for the first time, in the
last 3 years, along with the husband and the baby bump went to her parents. Time
heals all pains, all bitterness. Parents accepted them with open arms. The “Commando”
in her had finally won.
She gave birth to a beautiful
girl child. The first promise she made to her daughter was that as a mother she
will stand by her daughter in all walks of life. Life was smooth. But one
dreaded December evening, the drunken husband came home and started forcing
himself on her. She objected, she was tired. The hurt male ego couldn’t take
it. And out came the leather belt and the lashes didn’t stop. She again slept
with bruises and tears drying on her cheeks. The “Commando” had lost.
Next morning, while feeding her
baby, she started dreaming about her daughter going to school, doing brilliantly
at all things. And then came a dark glimpse of the abusive father. Motherhood,
they say, infuses you with strength that can move mountains. She knew that this was
her true “Commando” moment. She decided to walk out. With a braveheart she went
to her parents. Not only did they accept her but helped her file for divorce.
With unending court proceedings, society smirks and no alimony she was
divorced. Her parents encouraged her to take up work and continue with her
life.
She bloomed again. Professionally
she was not only a pleasure to work with but also someone who cushioned people in times of upheavals. A confident, courageous woman attracts everyone
around. She was in love again. She was cautious to move ahead. Her past had
made her skeptical. But this man was different. He brought out the best in her.
In no time, they were in a relationship. He was not only loved by her parents
but even her daughter loved him. He moved in with her and started
sharing responsibilities. Life had never been this blissful. And one day she
caught him talking to a woman online and the conversation was sexual, to say
the least. She confronted him; he confessed. He had been cheating on her all
this while. She was shattered. Her world came crumbling down, yet again. This
time she didn’t cry because her already shattered heart could not register the pain.
She had become numb.
You know life is really cruel at
times. She hadn’t done wrong to anyone then why was she God’s hate child? Why
was she used and abused by people who moved out of her life without any
remorse. She wanted to put a full stop to her life. While all these thoughts
jumbled up in her head, she heard her daughter chuckle from the other room. She walked
upto her, only to realize that her daughter had taken her first step, all by herself.
Motherhood, I tell you. She forgot all her remorse.
She decided to put an end, not to
her life but to the past. She settled for a SEMI-COLON.
The “Commando” did lose a few
battles but did win the War. The “Commando” had won.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When I first met her and got to
know of her story, I had gooseflesh. How can someone who had gone through so
much in life still hold a smile and joke about how her foundation would always run
out because of excessive use for hiding the bruises. I asked her if she had any
remorse. To which she replied that till a year back she did. She constantly
begrudged life and belittled herself. And then saw the rippling effect of this
in her environment. People had labeled her “Bechaari”. She was no “Bechaari”,
she was a Commando. She had fought all odds in her life and come out victorious.
So if she had to be labeled, it had to be a warrior, a fighter, a commando.
From that day onwards, remorse
died and self worth took birth.
I guess, this is what we humans are made of,
strength and courage, which can defeat any tough situation.
Thank you, you, for inspiring me.
