THE KNOT

Don't talk with your fists 

Love isn't meant to hurt.

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The snivels could echo the walls of neatly decorated room. Two day old bride Nita sat in the corner of the room shedding hot tears. The tears rolled down her cheeks and touched the fresh scar on her neck and the pain seemed to crush her whole body.

Two days back she married Ved . It was an arranged marriage and even she was happy with it. She didn’t need much time to know ved’s true color. Ved had a strong personality with an even stronger temper. Poor Nita became a victim of this temper and Ved showed the strength of his fist. Nita just told him a mild joke, for which Ved reacted hardly and hit her blue and black. Nita was shocked at seeing her husband’s ruthless behavior.

She sat there for a long time sobbing and her mother in law came to her -

“Nita, please stop crying. All the men in this family are similar in anger. They are good to the outer world but very hard on their wives. ved’s papa used to hit me every time for petty reasons  and later on apologize but I always maintained silence because women can never speak or fight back . That’s our society. Now even you have to go through this and as time passes Ved will be fine.”

Nita was dazed and didn’t speak a single word and got up to do her chores.

It was evening when Ved returned from office. Nita served him his savories and Ved apologized for his behavior. Nita was hurt but she forgave him thinking that she will change his attitude.

One month passed on, Ved and Nita were off to honeymoon to Malaysia. Nita was very careful about her words with Ved. She couldn’t forget that incident.

After about 4 hours of journey both checked into the rooms and got freshened up. Ved left for arranging some food leaving Nita alone in the room. Nita thought of surprising Ved by wearing a modern outfit. She thought maybe he was fine with it because his mother was always around with such outfits.

She came down to the food court and went to Ved. Ved got outraged on seeing her attire. He just lifted his hand and slapped her across the face. All the people kept staring. Nita rushed to her room. She couldn’t understand what her fault was.

 Ved entered the room -

“You shameless women! How can you were such clothes and walk across? Didn’t you think about me once? You cheap crap! You ruined respect and dignity.”

Nita spoke –“What’s wrong in this Ved? All along the flight I have observed you gazing at other women wearing such clothes so I thought you would want me to dress in such a way! Even mumma dresses like this.”

 Hearing this he hit her even harder leaving her unconscious. Ved rushed to hospital and got her admitted.

After 2 days Nita was physically fit , but mentally disturbed . Ved came back to their hometown. This time Nita didn’t forgive Ved . She stopped talking to him. They were like two strangers under one roof.

Upon seeing all this her mother in law advised Nita –“look Nita, I told you be careful. What was the use of doing all this? He doesn’t like you dressing up like that so that’s it. Don’t make it a big issue. Even I have gone through a lot. Be patient and forgive him. Don’t forget that it’s due to his generosity your family is living a good life. Otherwise you middle class people could never even dream about it.”

Those words pricked Nita. She thought maybe it was her fault she should remain silent at least for the sake of her family. She wanted her sister Rita to complete her medical studies which is only possible with the help of Ved.

She forgave Ved and tried to forget everything and was very cautious. But Ved never changed and Nita never spoke out.  The love between them started disappearing .She bottled up all her feelings thinking that her patience would shape Rita’s future.

It was their first anniversary. A grand party was organized. All the guests were invited. Nita’s family also was present and was happy to see how lucky and happy Nita was.

But little did they know how much Nita was going through.

The police force under leadership of Deepthi Rathi arrived with an arrest warrant for Ved. All were shocked.

Ved –“Inspector Deepthi , may I know on what charges you are arresting me ?

Inspector Deepthi –“Mr. Ved rathode , you are  arrested for domestic violence . You are hitting and traumatizing your wife since the past one year. I arrest you for that and you are going to suffer a  lot for this .”

All the eyes now started glaring Nita with anger. Ved spoke – “Do you have any proof? Did Nita file a complaint against me?”

 Ins Deepthi –“I am not such a fool to arrest you without proof Mr. rathode. I have a video clip in which you are using offensive words and slapping Nita .”

The video is played and all remain spellbound.

Ved- “Nita, I loved you so much you repaid me with this. How can you make a fake video and trap me? “

Ved started shedding fake tears.

Nita –“ I swear Ved, I didn’t do this.”

Just then rita spoke -

“I did this Mr. Ved rathode. What do you think about yourself you’ll insult my sister and will be quiet? Sorry to say I am not Nita to be quiet. She was quiet for me. But I don’t need charity from a cheap person like you. But I shouldn’t blame you I should blame your mother who instead of telling you are wrong she proved Nita wrong every time. Your mother was silent when your father hit her and she gave you a clear picture that women are weak and it’s ok to hit her. But enough is enough. I saw you hitting didi for not wearing the earrings you gifted her in your room. That very second I recorded everything and called the police.  I also heard how your mom scolded didi and asked her to behave nicely in front of all. Men like you don’t deserve women. They deserve to be imprisoned.

Ved’s mother –  “Wow! So Rita you were the one who did all this. My son helped your family to be financially stable and now you paid for it.”

Rita – “The thing which you couldn’t do I did it. You being his mum should have stopped him. But what did you do? Women are not weak. Don’t take her silence as weakness. You were right your son helped us but he helped us to show his manly power on my sister. Today I Promise my family that I am no more into medical field. I am giving up and choosing law. I want to give justice for such women who suffer silently for the sake of their families. I will work hard and prove myself.”

Ins. Deepthi- “Rita, the nation needs more women like you. We all are proud of you.  Wish you all the best for your bright future.”

Ved was taken away to pay for his deeds.

Rita and Nita’s parents were proud.The knot of suffocation tied around Nita’s life was broke opened by Rita’s cleverness. Rita’s eyes gleamed with determination.