A woman’s revenge
Do you know what is the most dangerous story of all time?
A woman’s revenge……………
Back in 1969, post-independence there lived a zamindar in interior of Uttar Pradesh district, Belwadari gaon. Like any other Zamindar back at that time in India he was also strict and known for his viciousness amongst villagers. Increasing taxes, ignoring villagers plead, taking dowry was common for him. But despite of these flaws he was a rich family person and lives a splendid life. He was zamindar for two villages. He lost his wife to village pandemic, but he was extremely soft towards his only daughter Seema. The zamindar lives with his son (Sudhir), daughter-in -law (Devika), his daughter Seema and two grandchild Seeta and newly born Raghu in the Zamindar Mansion.
During summer break Zamindar’s youngest married sister (Shanti) visited him with her three little daughters. She was happy to visit his brother not just because they were living a luxurious life but also because a new baby boy was born in the family after 20 years in her brother’s family which was a huge celebration. The couple had a daughter before who was 3 years old. So having a son treated like a family honour. Zamindar sisters visited his brother to take part in the celebration.
The zamindar’s daughter in law (Devika) was the prettiest women in the village. Dusky complexion, sharp features, big black eyes, long hair. Hair which reaches her hips, long and dense hair. With two children a son and a daughter it was expected that she would have been living a gala life but, it was not true. It was in her eyes that she was not happy. Devika and Sudhir both were short tempered and hurt each other with their bitter words every now and then. And as separation was out of the question during that time they were grudgingly living together. This issue was not hidden by the zamindar’s sister and like a concerned relative she tried to help Devika by offering help in raising the kids until she stayed. Like Devika the zamindar’s daughter Seema was also exceptionally beautiful with sharp features and eyes of Bambi but gentle at heart. She lives under constant fear of the men in the house. Whether it was her dad or her brother she was afraid of both. Because of their short tempered and cruel nature. Yet, Zamindar pampered her. She was so pampered that zamindar fulfil her every wish. He used to ask her daily from which pond she would like to eat fish. Disputes which happened between her brother and sister-in-law often makes her upset and sick for few days. But one thing was sure in the zamindar’s family that they never hit any women. Days were passing like this until one doomed day when the quarrels increased so much which made the couple sad and angry and led Devika to take a drastic step.
After that ugly fight Sudhir went to the bed with quilt covering his face. And Devika ablaze herself in fire in the kitchen downstairs.
Help, someone gets water. Someone please helps in extinguishing the fire the landlord lady will die. Shouted Shanti.
Go, Seema quickly gets Sudhir here soon. Shouted she.
But Seema feared her brother that she freezes in front of the bedroom. Devika was so angry that she sealed her lips and did not make a noise while burning. Shanti ran with her three daughters towards the well to fetch buckets of water. No, neighbours came inside the house as they were afraid of zamindar. At last Devika died in Shanti’s arm.
Why child why? What came over you. Why did you do this. Cried Shanti. Devika looked at Shanti sadly and died in her arms while the husband stayed at room unaware.
Due to the zamindar’s position no charges made against the zamindar family.
The whole family sat sadly and repentantly in Devika’s cremation, but Shanti sensed the upcoming events. She was having this unusual feeling that things are going to be dark and eerie, but she did not leave the house. She wanted to stay with her brother and wanted to look after the couple’s kids. Seema who horrified about the event tried her level best to look after the young children who lost their mother at this tender age. Days were passing like everything is normal in the house, but Shanti sensed Devika’s spirit visiting home time to time. She would see Devika’s shadow during daytime when ever Seema massages the baby boy. She used to visit daily and looked at her kids. Shanti spoke to Devika’s shadow.
We have not done anything wrong to you, please keep my daughters out of this. Said Shanti. Devika would leave after hearing this. But never stopped visiting daily. Soon the Zamindar’s act took into action and the zamindar lost most of his power. The land became barren, and the fishpond started getting dry. Everyone started talking that they are facing a women curse. And there is nothing dangerous than a women curse.
Zamindar thought to marry her daughter to neighbor’s kingdom but was not able to because of immense dowry. Shanti too left with her kids back to her home when her children’s school reopened. Seema was looking after the kids alone. To get money Zamindar decided to get Sudhir married again. I can marry Devika’s sister for my kids. Said Sudhir
Zamindar again received handsome amount of money so that he can marry his daughter. Sudhir marriage was going to happen. Shanti visited her brother’s house again with her daughters. Shanti confronts Seema and asks her whereabouts
She is still visiting Aunt, said Seema sobbing. But no one believes me.
Shanti decided to stay at her brother’s house for some time. As soon as Sudhir got married, he happily took his son from Seema’s arms and gave him to his new mother and freed his sister from her mother’s duty. Few days passed and Devika started visiting house more frequently, but she does not make her presence to anyone else except Seema. As if she knew that now Seema is off her children’s duty. Seema uses to ran to Shanti’s room in middle of the night.
Devika asked me to kill myself same way she died. Said Seema.
Do not cry child sleep with me, tomorrow we will talk to your dad to do something about this. Said Shanti.
Nope we cannot do anything now. I did not wake brother when sister-in-law was on fire, which is why she dies and now taking revenge on me. Said she.
That is not true, it was already late. We would have been never able to rescue her. She was already in fire. Do not think like that. Said Shanti.
Then why she is taking revenge with me. Why? she keeps on meeting me and petrifying me. Said Seema.
There are few things in this world without explanation child. let me talk to brother tomorrow. Said Shanti.
Now nothing will help Aunt; she left me alive until their children were dependent on me now, I am free of this duty. She will not let me live in this house. Next day Shanti tries to talk to his brother but then she got a sad news from her husband’s house, and she rushed back to her home along with her daughter’s.
Things got worse with Seema in the mansion. Few months later Shanti again visit to mansion and talk to her brother. The zamindar asked her sister not to talk about these stuffs which will affect his zamindari. Few days Seema stayed in kitchen without moving and complains that Devika was trying to feed her raw fish. Shanti tried to plead Devika not to harm Seema, but Devika did not listen a bit. In her eyes Seema was the one who did not wake up his husband when she was burning and easily let go her young kids. Day by day Seema’s endurance of getting torture by Devika became less and one day she too took her life after hanging herself from her room ceiling. She left a chit behind stating Devika’s spirit will never let any women live in this house freely.
Zamindar called number of priests to do worship for the departed soul, but the loss happened was inevitable. The zamindar lost his land, villages, daughter and left the mansion forever to live a simple life in nearby city.
