The Vow

Tasneem Hossain

                            

Julekha was almost at the gate of the police station. She felt a cold shiver run down her spine. The whole incident ran like a movie trailer in front of her eyes. She looked back far towards the horizon at the small little village with huts surrounded by tall green trees. That was her home. But she had to leave that home twenty- two years back. Tears rolled down her soft white cheeks. She wiped the tears away. She had fulfilled her vow last night.

******

It was a hot summer afternoon. She was a 16 year old teenager. She was tempted to steal a few mangoes from the neighboring mango farm. Picking mangoes from the trees had greater appeal than buying. She asked her friends Tropa, Kanti, Sohel and Faizul to accompany her. But they were too scared and tried to persuade her not to take the risk, because if caught by the zamindar’s sons and caretakers they would be doomed. Being a rebel, Julekha took it as a challenge.

Everyone in the house was busy. Mother was cleaning and washing in the kitchen, father had gone to the neighbouring market to buy some crop seeds for the coming season. Her grandmother was taking a nap. She tiptoed out and stealthily entered the farm. Her heart was pounding. She had heard of the punishments meted out to the people of the village by the zamindar on petty issues. The trees laden with ripe mangoes were irresistible.

She had an uncanny feeling of being watched. She stopped and looked around. No one was there.

“It must be my imagination,’ she whispered to herself.

Kuddus, the youngest son of the owner was picking mangoes when he heard the sound of rustling leaves. He hid behind a mango tree to catch the thief. His heart started thumping as he watched a beautiful girl tip-toeing. She stopped for a while looked around and then climbed a mango tree.

He has been to brothels and roamed around the towns in Dhaka but he had never seen such a beauty. He couldn’t resist himself. Shaking with excitement, he waited for the opportune moment.

The girl jumped down from the tree and lost her balance. Immediately he pounced upon her and shut her mouth tightly with his left palm.

Julekha was shell-shocked. All the ripe mangoes in her dopatta rolled away. She struggled to shout and resisted with all her might.

A murder of crows flew cawing with their shrill voices. Suddenly there was silence except the heavy panting and distressed bawls of an injured fawn in pain.

Julekha flinched in excruciating pain for some time. Then She limped back home.

After reaching home she stealthily used the bathroom outside and changed.

She needed to confide with someone. She was very close with her grandmother and shared the horrific tale with her.  

A doctor was called behind closed doors. It would be a family secret forever.

Tomorrow there will be a ‘punchayet’ and she will be punished for being lustful and enticing the zamindars son. She has seen it happen before. She must flee the wrath of the zamindar and villagers.

Juelkha had to plan wisely. She stayed in her room and requested not to be disturbed.

At midnight, she took the bundle of clothes she had gathered and the money she had saved in her piggy bank.  She wouldn’t be able to say ‘Good bye’ to her parents and grandmother.

It was dark. Sobbing quietly, she staggered towards the forest and started following the path leading towards the overlooking town.

‘Stop! Who’s there?’ a female voice called. “Don’t try to run girl, I won’t harm you.’

Julekha turned around and saw a middle aged woman in fine clothes and jewelry.

‘Who are you? What are you doing here?’ quizzed Julekha.

‘I’m the owner of a hotel in the town you can see from here. I’m returning from the city with some essentials that I need for my business. My attendants are waiting a little further. What’s your story girl?’

Julekha burst into tears and told her story refraining from any names.

‘I’m Sultana. My parents were very rich and I was married in a rich family. Unfortunately, I’m infertile so they sent me back. When my parents passed away, I inherited all the property. You can be my daughter from now.’

Both the women held each other.

The news of Julekha’s parents misery reached her. She couldn’t contact them because of repercussion from the zaminders. No harm should come to her parents. The villagers assumed that she had fled with her lover. Her parents led a miserable life in sorrow and died several years later.

******

Kuddus was on a business trip and rented a room in a hotel. He saw the owner of the hotel in the hallway and was struck by her beauty. He sent one of his men to tell the lady that he would love to meet her.

She sent a message, ‘I will be there at midnight. Please keep your door unlocked.’

Kuddus took a shower and put on some ‘atar’. He dimmed the light and waited impatiently.

‘Come in,’ gushed Kuddus as he heard a silent knock on the door.

As the door knob turned, a beautifully curvaceous damsel in red stood at the door. Her eyes were sparkling in the dim light; her long auburn colored hair flowed down her bosom. Smiling, she entered the room and closed the door. A beautiful fragrance filled the whole room and left Kuddus intoxicated with excitement

‘Am I dreaming, or is it Aphrodite herself?’ thought Kuddus.

She smiled and locked the door. As she came closer, the look in her eyes made Kuddus uneasy. He sat up.

Smiling mischievously, she poured wine from the wine bottle she had brought.

‘Don’t you think it will be a little more fun with this? Have some.’

Kuddus was in a trance and drank the wine as she held it to his lips.

A burning sensation left Kuddus gasping. He couldn’t breathe.

With difficulty he uttered, ‘What have you given me, you b****?’

“Do you remember your adventure in your mango garden? 

Kuddus started puking. He had difficulty in breathing. After some time he lay motionless, white foams covered his pillow.

Julekha stood in the dim light. She has fulfilled her vow of making Kuddus pay for his wrongdoing which had led her to this life of exile and the miserable death of her parents.

A mocking smile spread all over her face. Her nostrils twitched in hatred.

Her eyes moistened. She knew what she had to do…..

******

Julekha was now free. She looked up at the drifting clouds in the sea blue sky and calmly entered the gate.

******  

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