Part 2: Sold
I looked at him, my husband, one last time. Without realizing, my eyes filled with plead. After everything he had done, I still didn't want to go. Who would? What kind of a woman would want to be parted from their husband? Even if the husband had tried to sell his wife on the second day of marriage.
Who would want to leave their husband's arms? I wouldn't.
If only I knew what my husband's arms felt like.
I wouldn't want to take any of his credit away. He had given her a memorable first night. If only it had been the kind she would have liked rather than the one she had received.
We were going to get married that day, when Shyam had come home. At first I had thought that he had come to meet me. He always did that. Always tried to find ways to meet me and talk to me. My friends always told me he that he was flirting, but I didn't care. If it was anyone, I would have poked the guys' eyes out, but not Shyam. He was my fiance after all, and I loved him. His attention, his failed attempts, everything he did, it made me feel special. I felt as if I had finally found my prince charming. He had been everything that I had wanted. Everything that I had needed. Everything that I desired. All mine.
Turns out he had not come to talk to me that day. I didn't really think much of it though. It wasn't as if I was a desperate girl. I liked his attention, but I didn't need it constantly. I was surprised though. He didn't even look at me that day.
Our marriage day.
He had come to talked to Babuji and Buaji. Amma had no say in the family and Shyam had known that. I had watched with awaited breathe as my soon to be husband had asked to take me to Delhi that very night, after marriage.
Truth be told, I had been excited. Very excited. I had never been out of Lucknow and would love a new change and start a new life somewhere else.
If only I had known...
I thought about how I had chanted Devi Maiyya's as I waited. "Yes", I whispered, "Just say yes".
And they had.
"It was nice doing business with you," came the voice behind from behind me, bringing me out of memory lane.
"Likewise," Shyam responded, "Have fun," he winked.
I felt like throwing up.
He turned and walked away from me, leaving me alone with this man. This man who had just bought me. I was all alone.
I moved backwards, trying to put some space between myself and this man. I looked at him as he stood in front of me.
"Come," he commanded and then started walking.
I followed. What other choice did I have? I was all alone and I didn't know anything about this man. It would be better to obey rather than fight, my mind argued. So I followed him, trying to keep up with his brisk pace.
"Oh look at that girl!"
"Oh she is a hot piece!"
"Dang seems like she is busy..."
"It's okay! Tomorrow is another day!"
"It won't be the same tomorrow Chotu. I love popping the cherries."
I instantly wrapped my arms around myself tighter as I heard all of these people mummering. My hands were shaking though I wasn't sure of what, fear of anger. Their words scared me even more than I already was. All of the talks about what will happen after marriage with Amma came rushing back.
"It will hurt my child," she had said.
Emotionally or physically, I wanted to ask now. I would have to find out on my own.
I jumped in shock when a felt two firm arms around me. Looking up in shock, I saw him standing besides me. He had taken off his coat now, revealing his crisp white shirt which he wore underneath. I watched as he slowly wrapped his coat around me, glaring at all of the men who were making comments. He turned to face me, catching me completely off guard. His eyes held a fiery gaze full of determination.
"Don't worry. You will be safe with me," he said in a strong voice, his gaze traveling back to all of them and challenging them to try to do something.
I held my breath as I watched him glare at them all. He finally started walking out the dingy place, his arms leading me out with him. I knew I was staring, but I couldn't help it. How was I supposed to? This random stranger, who had just bought me, had told me he would keep me safe. Something even my husband, the one I had trusted with everything, couldn't do. Should I trust him? my mind thought.
Only time will tell.
Anupamaa
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