It was 11.35 in night.
Her husband was already slept. Parents-in-law were about to complete their
half sleep.
She was still awake.. as a habit of every year.. waiting for 12 am.. her
birthday to start..
Those were the days, when she was in college, then in job, birthdays were
always special for her, since childhood.. First late night party with friends
and shouting loud when clock showed 12.. then next day pooja at home,
with a lunch party for some close relatives, all her wishes fulfilled by maa-papa, bhaiya-bhabhi in evening shopping and lately her favorite domino's pizza in dinner..
Next full day again birthday wishes from colleagues, close friends at work..
group lunch.. sometimes the number of cakes she cut on her birthday
touched half a dozen.. and gifts and wishes.. always uncountable..
And, suddenly, her mobile rang.. she came out of her thought's sea..
It was 12..
Messages from friends and old colleagues started ringing.. all wanted to
know how she was celebrating her first birthday post-wedding..
What would she tell everyone.. Everything happened in last 8 months was
moving in her eyes.. From the day she got married.. to the day her husband
first slapped her in a family party.. every word her mother-in-law said
cursing her and her parents.. each time her sister-in-law insulted her in
front of uneducated friends.. every torture.. every tear.. every time she
shattered..
Beep-beep
Message from Maa.. Happy birthday my princess.. May you live thousands
of years and Almighty bless you with all your desired wishes.. What you
want as your birthday gift..
Could she wish anything for herself..
Why her wings were cut when she wanted to fly out.. for a new project, for
which her company was sending her to Amsterdam.. she wanted to live her dreams.. wanted to see the world.. to gain experiences..
But some relatives and her father's fear plus orthodox nature, and, here she
was, lying beside a person who never cared for her presence, a family who
never allowed her to match her level to even a household maid.. she laughed
over herself.. maid has some self-esteem.. if maid doesn't get enough respect
from any house, she can complain, argue and yess, can leave the home and
choose a new one.. and she.. what about her..
She didn't feel like replying anyone.. At least she could let others think or
imagine the grand celebrations of the day..
Sleep hugged her around 3:45 in morning.. Next day, a cold birthday wish
from husband and.. and nothing.. nothing happened.. When everyone slept
in night, she wrote a text to her mother..
Maa.. I don't want any birthday gift this year and nothing further
on my birthdays. I wish I could tell you everything that I have
been through in these 8 months.. I wish you were here to wipe
my tears and protect your doll.. I wish you could take me away
from this world which doesn't approve or appreciate my
existence.. I wish you were able to make dad understand that it
was not right decision for my life.. I wish you could have stopped bhaiya and bhabhi when they were asked to leave home in blame
of going against dad's decision.. I wish you could have asked me
to come back to my home if I was not happy.. I wish..
But.. I don't have any wish..
Or I have one..
Just one thing..
Maa, please change back my status to single, if you can..
Sent
No reply
For next 3 days, she didn't hear from her mom or anyone in family.. On 4th
day, she dared to call her mom, no discussion about her message, she
waited for her response, days went on, but no mention.. On 16th day, she
finally asked her mom if she has read her message sent on her birthday..
Mom said that someone was knocking at the door and cut down the phone..
She was shocked, surprised or didn't know how to feel or react.. Did she
has a home.. Did she belong to anyone.. Who's she.. She became more silent
than ever.. Stopped expecting from life.. or anyone.. Calls from her family
were getting less in number.. She compromised with life..
Days.. weeks.. and then, months passed
4 months later, it was again lonely night.. 11.45 pm.. Husband and in-laws already in sleep.. And, she, was waiting for 12 am, her first anniversary day
to start..
11:59 pm
Messages started beeping..
Suddenly, doorbell rang..
She got scared, but didn't dare to wake her husband up from sleep.. Went to
open the door.. His bhai and bhabhi were standing out.. Happily, she opened
the door..
Greets and hugs
But, strange, no anniversary wishes..
They insisted her to come with them.. To an apartment.. May be his
brotherives here after leaving dad's place.. Her bhabhi guided her to a room..
A new dress, new jewelery, her favorite perfume, and a sexy pair of stilettos.
She was confused, was she going to attend a surprise anniversary party
without her husband.. She got ready.. Wow.. She didn't remember when she
last got ready like this.. Beautiful she looked..
Bhabhi came to get her, soon they headed to a dark room.. As she entered,
every corner lit up.. Decorated beautifully.. Her dream theme.. And, here
they are, her parents, she felt something bitter inside, but avoided it. She
hugged her parents half-heartedly.. Dad handed her a present box.. Wasn't
that gift enough for life that she received last year on same day.. Not in a
mood to create a scene, she took it and kept aside.. After multiple insists,
she opened the box.. And, there was a card, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR PRINCESS
She looked her parents in a tiff, it's not my birthday, it's my bullshit
anniversary, she wanted to shout..
Still, controlling her emotions, she picked the card, and there was her job appointment letter, from 1st of next month, from the same company,
same post, same project still waited for her to fly..
She wanted to cry..
Controlled..
And, the box was still not empty.. below her appointment letter, there was..
her heart skipped a beat.. Divorce Papers..
Freedom
Her wings
And, all shouted together, Happy Birthday
And, she cried, cried her heart out..
It was a new birth of her..
A new birth of her dreams..
A new birth of her beliefs..