Heaven To Hell - A Short Story
Heaven To Hell
"What about your
mother-in-law?", Shila asked Rita. Shila was a girl of 15 years. She lived
in the village Murshidpur. Rita and Shila were friends from childhood. Recently
Rita was married to Sailesh, a handsome looking groom from Shantipur. They were
simple village girls, no knowledge of the world. Moreover, they were of very
young age. Such strong were their friendship that they would share everything
in their lives.
Rita was the only girl child in her
family. She had two elder brothers. Her father, Rahul, had a large farmland.
Karima, her mother was a housewife. Her family was very happy and Rita was the
most loving child in her family. She was dear to everyone. She never thought
that after her marriage everything would change.
The next day just after the marriage,
she was awakened early by her mother-in-law to do household works, which she
never had to do when in her paternal house. Though very tired, she came out of
her room, and stood at the barandah. Her
mother-in-law first asked her to sweep and then mop the rooms and barandah.
Rita had to do that. She was a bride then and could not protest. Then after
bathing, she had to cook food for all and she could eat only at last. That
never happened in her paternal house. Next, she had to clean the plates and
pots. Her mother-in-law acted as a proud supervisor, inspecting and suggesting
everything - what to do what not to do. After cleaning, she was told that it
was time to sweep the rooms again. Rita turned pale. But as a new bride she
just obeyed. Then evening worship time. Next again food cooking. Rita felt that
her limbs were tearing. She felt moribund, but no way. Then after everyone's
eating, she ate. When she went to bed, she had no energy in her body. She fell
in death-sleep.
Fortunately, next day she was to go to
her paternal house for Ashtamangala. So, though she had to wake early in the
morning, she had an extra energy. After sweeping and mopping, she bathed.
Meanwhile Sailesh was also ready. Taking little breakfast, both of them
started.
When Shila, Rita's friend, came to know
of Rita's coming, she rushed to Rahul's house to meet Rita. Together they went
to the bank of the pond which was their favorite place. Here Rita told her
about her romantic beginning. Then Shila asked her, "What about your
mother-in-law?". Rita turned pale.
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