Thursday, April 2, 2015

Bhani ...


Seeing her daughter in the blood red wedding sari sitting in the mandap with her to be better half made Bhani smile wide and wipe her tears of joy. The scene took her to 30 years back to her own wedding night. She was just a ten year old bride, wearing a sari and jeweler which was double her weight. She hailed from a poor family and because her parents couldn’t afford to look after the five kids, she was forced to marry a man who was thrice her age. Then she didn’t know what was happening. One fine morning she was been pampered like a doll and by evening she was all made over as a bride. She remembered crying her eyes out when the man who sat next to her in the mandap took her away from her family and siblings. And she remembered trying to kick him when he touched her. But as days passed she understood that this was her new life, her destiny. Then after years of miscarriage at the age of fifteen when she herself was a child she gave birth to baby girl. And that infant changed her life. Those little eyes gave her new light to live. Her husband died when their child was just a year old. And after that her life was a constant struggle to live, to let her child live and to maintain a roof above their heads. But she fought all the odds. And today she is a proud mother of a beautiful woman who is independent and capable to stand on her own feet. Bhani made sure to give her daughter those entire she was denied. She made sure to teach her little one to fly and survive on her own before giving her a new family.



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21 comments :

  1. Awesomest AtoZ theme ever!!! Beautiful tale da...you know how much I love stories portraying women who've overcome the odds... :)

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  2. awww that's a heart breaking story of Bhani. Glad how she never gave up on her daughter and made her fly :)

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  3. Great strength by Bhani. Nice story Sheetal! :)

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  4. This brings to mind the shocking treatment of young girls in some countries. I guess it has always been so, but nowadays their treatment should change.

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  5. This still happens in India...sad!

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  6. I can't imagine marriage at age 10, so different with cultures, but glad Bhani survived and thrived and was able to love her daughter and have her daughter what was denied her. Enjoying these stories!

    betty

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  7. I love the dreams of a better life she has for her daughter.

    Yvonne

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  8. bal vivah still a reality in our country...sad but beautiful narration!

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  9. What an inspiring woman Bhani was, despite all that happened to her! I admired her courage and desire to make a better life for her daughter.

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  10. This sounds like a true story. Kudos to such women who, I'm sure exist around us, quietly doing their duties.

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  11. Are these true stories? Or fictional accounts? It's beautifully told, whichever :)
    Jemima

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  12. So well written Sheetal :) Loved the thoughts of proud mother :)

    Betrayed

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  13. Tremendous strength of character displayed by Bhani. Nicely written, Sheetal. Will be following you along in April :)
    *Shantala @ ShanayaTales*

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  14. Good one,, Sheethal! Inspiring! Coming back tomorrow :) *Shalini @TaleofTwoTomatoes*

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  15. She is a strong woman indeed, giving her child the ability to stand on her own. Nicely done, Sheethal.

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  16. May Bhani's tribe increase. Kudos to her for the grit to give her child the wings to fly and be independent, despite the odds!

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  17. A baby bride is a dreadful thought, indeed. Good to read Bhani fought through and stood for her little girl and gave her the life she truly deserved.

    Cheers,
    POETICbug
    http://poeticbug.blogspot.com/

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  18. Glad to hear this had a great ending Sheethal, though I am sorry such is a common case in India. <3

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  19. Wow! That was beautiful and touched me. Wonderful writing as well Sheethal. Glad I came across your blog :) Will check out other letters too :)

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  20. Wow! That was beautiful and touched me. Wonderful writing as well Sheethal. Glad I came across your blog :) Will check out other letters too :)

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  21. Glad she found it in her to continue to live and beat the odds.

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