A Dream Of Women

As if Kumari fell down the roof. Her mouth dried, the cheeks faded and the body began to shiver . The unbelievable incident has brought eclipse in her life. The breathing speed exceeded unlimitedly. ' It is not the matter of agony, one is bound to bear luck. Every thing depends on luck. If you were lucky, the husband wouldn't betray .' Basundhara a neighbor and aunt in relation added words in burning fire. ' You were proud of your husband .you told he was an unique diamond. Now there you are . Men are too selfish . They love the women until they are young to satisfy them". Basundhara evoked her mind badly . She intended to cry and walk on the way. She felt as if the sky fell on her .

'Please aunt, no more satire 'she said and added why are you adding sorrow in my mortal life? Whatever it may be, he was my bed partner for fifteen years . Do you remember the days when he had sat for hunger strike for seven days to marry me ? Is not he that him? He had promised in front of me to love and keep me as the queen". She wept bitterly .The word is seeming gloomy.

'What are you going to do next?' The aunt asked in mild voice. 'If you agree, you can go to my parent's home. you can pass the days there easily .you can hold a small business there. I am ready to help you there. " She lovingly touched her head while saying so .

'Wonderful , Kumari and Bahadur fled away from the village. What a naughty girl? Instead of following parents advice, she cut our nose by marrying him .' This very news spread all over the village before fifteen years, the incident of their flee had created a kind of storm in the society . The meeting of so called gentleman and the panchas of village pleaded in favor of and against Kumari and Bahadur . Kumari belonged to rich family. She was the daughter of Mukhiya (Nepali officer). She was most beautiful to look at .The unique dresses sent by her uncle from Kathmandu added her beauty . She was compared to butterfly while walking , playing and jumping . Every neighboring young gentlemen was ready to marry her . When she had failed standard VII twice, hers father had sent his well- wishers and assistants to search a young man in the next-villages –it was publicly heard. On the other hand, Kumari loved Bahadur who was good in study , Intelligent in speaking but showy and belonging to poor. Bahadur was in the count of panchas too. Being an intelligent and clever boy , he was able to hold a Job of four hundred seventy five rupees . It was an unbelievable matter .

Kumari, doughter of wealthy village leader , lovely , beautiful and attractive young girl , was liked by Bahadur . A bonded friend - sister had spread that rumor all over the village .

' Understood , In case you deny to marry me I will hang myself ' Bahadur had prayed in front of Kumari. He further told 'I care none in this world , I will keep you in my lap as a queen '. Looking at the tearful eyes of Bahadur , Kumari had expressed ' I do like to marry you . I can love none except you in this world '. She had promised it in the presence of aunt by holding his hand .

'Hey, are you engaged with a notorious and naughty boy Bahadur ? If you marry him, the relation with us will cut for forever . See! you are proposed by the young men of well to do family . If you obey me , I will provide you land , gold , expensive clothes and gold bangle . If you elope with that poor cast fellow , never step my home .' the above words of her father are reeling like a film in her mind now .

Kumari was is her hey-day . She ignored her family and fled with Bahadur pretending that She was going to meet her friend. How they reached to Kathmandu in a dark night ! Kumari couldn't imagine that they had spent several days eating nettle and porridge . They had made the moon and stars their friends . In icy-winter night They worked as porter, dish washer and cook in hotels At night they tried to forget the difficulties by embracing each other . They wiped out each other's tears . For several years, they were unable to take a room in rent .

'Oh! Kumari I again got the job as primary school teacher. Now soon we are going to a rented room leaving this old Compartment . I want to finish B.A. level any how , understood. If I become successful, I will make you queen with my handsome earning . I would not allow you to work anywhere outside . He or Bahadur had promised these things in 2005.

Bahadur doesn't Know how his fees were filled by Kumari. She fought with many obstacles . Meat would not be more than two times in a year . Her day (age) for disco and parties went for washing dish of others . She silently underwent family planning thinking she could not work and provide fee for her husband , after the birth of a new baby. Bahadur passed B.A level exam after seven years which was the happiest day for her . She was pleased to hear that her husband passed Public Service Commission and got the post of officer in revenue office. Her eyes were crying . She and her husband then hugged for hours weeping, which Kumari regards a dream now . That Bahadur now began to visit bars . Bahadur Who used to reach home at 5:27pm now reaches home at 1 or 2 at night. Bahadur who could not separate from Kumari for a minute now lives without her daily.

Bahadur who used to play with rhododendron and other flowers on the hill, carried stones and bricks as a labor and brought sweet and meat for Kumari is now completely changed . One day Bahadur Came with meat and made her to eat whole pretending that he had got pain in his stomach. She remembers the day.

Kumari compares the days of fifteen years back when she stayed with her parents and the days of to-days ,she finds no difference . She is now in hanging position . Her husband has brought a co-wife(step) in her presence . As she was penniless before fifteen years, today too she is in same condition.

She slowly dashed herself to the rented room of her husband . For her justice she thought it would be better to talk with her husband . The husband for whom she was devoted her youthful days to upgrade , hidden sorrows and grieves to spread joys and trust . She is walking hurriedly to meet her husband .She remembered the past, how she sang to make her husband happy in full moonlight night under the world of stars , how they promised to live and die together. She couldn't remember more than that .

She entered the rented room of her husband .In her eyes there were her husband and co-wife. She couldn't resist.

Journalist and Story Writer Kamala Sarup is specialising in in-depth reporting and writing on Peace, Anti War, Women, Terrorism, Democracy, and Development. Some of her publications are: Empowerment in South Asia, Nepal (Booklet). Prevention of trafficking in women through media,(Book) Efforts to Prevent Trafficking in for Media Activism (Media research). Two Stories collections. Her interests include international conflict resolution, cross-cultural communication, philosophy, feminism, political, socio-economic and literature. Her current plans are to move on to humanitarian work in conflict areas in the near future. She also is experienced in organizational and community development.A meeting of jury members held on 21 March in Geneva attributed Kamala Sarup, with an Honurable Mention of International Award for Womens Issues.

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