Dhaani's Pov-
A radiant ray of light fell on my face, forcing me to open my eyes. Ughhh! Not again. The same boring day as always in the life of a 16 year old like me. Other kids play around at this age. And here I'm a servant in my own house. Sometimes I wonder why I even born. Why God sent me in this world if my life was gonna be a living hell only?!
I'm an Indian teen girl who lives in a small village in Bengal with my father and step mother. Our relationship is not different from what movies show about a girl being tortured by her step mother. And when you live in the world of early 1900s, the scenario become even more scary.
When I look around to see other girls being loved and pampered by their parents, somewhere deep in my heart I envy them a lot. My father doesn't care even if I die someday. Doing household chores is my life since forever. There used to be a time when I also had the mere privilege to study. But since my mother passed away five years ago, everything changed.
My father started spending more of his time in drinking liquor. Sometimes when he come home in a very drunk state, my step mother always do something so that I become the target to his wrath. Meanwhile she and her other two daughters escape their faults after blaming their each fucking mistake on me.
Sometimes I have seen a glimpse of guilt in the eyes of my father or maybe it's just my delusional mind which try to make me feel a little better.
Right now everyone are having their meal in the varandah( Living area) when my bitch of the step mom open her venomous mouth.
"Kab tak hamari chati pe moong dalegi ye manhoos? Iski shaadi kara dete hain jaldi kyuki Mai aur Ise bardash nahi kar sakti"
( How long is she going to stay here? Let's get her married because I can't tolerate her more.)
I ignored her as this is her everyday chant. But to my surprise, my non-existant father moved forward in the conversation to say something about the hot topic of my marriage for the very first time.
"Ek rishta aaya hai hamare paas. Ladke vale shadi ke liye bahut hi ichuk hain." He said.
( A proposal has came to me. The boy's side is quite interested for the marriage.)
"To fir der kis baat ki hai? Jaldi hi is manhoos ka vyah kara ke is bala ko apne sar se hata dete hain."
( So what's to wait for? We should marry this ominous girl as soon as possible.)
Sometimes I wonder Is this woman this much heartless that she doesn't care saying such mean things about someone right infront of them. To be honest, I don't care if they get me married or so. My life can't be more worse than it already is.
Finishing my food in the corner of the room, I walked upstairs to sleep on the roof. Well, In a big house like this I don't have a space to sleep, leave the room alone. Well, it's better to sleep away from those nasty people. Atleast the sky full of stars make me feel less bad about myself.
A lone tear fell off my eyes when I remembered my childhood.
FLASHBACK....
"Dhaani, meri bachi..Aasman me jo taare timtimate hain ye aur koi nahi balki vo log hain jo hamse bichad gaye. Kabhi agar esa lage ki tum akeli ho to bas in taaro ko dekh lena. Ye hamesha tumhari hifazat karenge."
( Dhani, my Child...The stars that sparkle in the night sky are none other than those who left us. If you ever feel alone, just look at them. They will always protect you.)
"Maa, why are you crying? And why will I ever feel alone? You're always gonna be with me, aren't you?"
My mother just nodded in response but her teary eyes didn't went unnoticed to me even in that dark night.
PRESENT....
Who knew that would be our last conversation?! Reminiscing those memories, I don't know when I fell asleep with wet eyes.
I was having the best dream of my life where I escaped from this dungeon but ofcourse my bitch of a step mom can't let me be happy even in the dream as she threw a bucket full of water on my face. I woke up in a hurry as I couldn't find my breathe.
"Ghar ka Sara kaam sar par pada hai aur ye maharani yaha ghode bech kar so rahi hain"
(All the house chores are left and here she is sleeping peacefully.)
Ignoring her, I swayed hands on my face for a clear vision. I frowned as it was not even the time of dawn yet. There was not complete but still darkness all around.
"Amma ji, kuch jaruri kaam tha kya? Abhi to raat bhi nahi dhali hai."
(Mother, Is there something important to do? Even the night is not over yet.)
" Ha ha Maharani ji, agar kuch jaruri na ho to aap to kabhi samay se uthe hi na? Vyah ke baad bhi yahi haal raha to dusre hi din vapas kar jaenge tere sasural vale."
(Yes yes, Why will you wake up on time if there wouldn't be something? If this would be your behavior even after the marriage, your In law's will leave you here the very next day.)
I raised my eyebrow in disbelief. How could she be that ruthless? Doesn't she acknowledge how I wake up early before everyone all the day and do the work I get with no complains while her daughters just sit on some couch and eat grapes. Also, to my surprise this is the first time in years this woman has woke up this early. Otherwise she doesn't move her body till the noon along with her daughters. What an hypocrisy!
"Well if you are this excited to know. Today some guests are coming to see you for their son. Be ready and put some nice clothes. I don't want others to know you are nothing more than a maid here."
GUESTS? TODAY?...