A Short Story of a lonely woman,Written on October 28, 2011 at 1:33

                                   Tishta  

Tishta starts for Bangladesh; her only companion is a small boat. The boat is floating and she is steering the boat. The boat is floating towards a certain destiny but she is floating towards an uncertain destiny. The only companion in her distress washer father but he is no more; her father was killed  in a cross border firing  of India and Bangladesh.
 Whenher father died, she made herself ready for facing catastrophe from the reality and society since she knew it very well that beauty is a curse in poverty andlonesome life. And it proved true; her father borrowed some money on high interest from Dinesh Karthik, an usurer for repairing their thatched.
The thatched was repaired but his fate did not allow him to live in their thatched.Dinesh knew it very well that Tishta would never be able to pay his father's loan. That is why he was constantly putting pressure either to pay the money with interest or to marry him. But, it was beyond her imagination to marry a  guy of 75. She knew that she would never be able to save herself from Dinesh’s lust. So, she decides to cross the border for the anticipation of new life.

The sun is about to rise, the rays of the sun falls on her face and she becomes happy.The boat stops on the brink of an unknown village. She looks at the border of India with a great sigh. She enters into the village for want of a work and sees a young man working in the field. Tishta goes to him and seeks help.

The guy asks her, what’s your name?

She answers, Tishta.

The guy says, ooo, this is the name of our river.He introduces himself as Rahim,and again asks, where have you come from?

Tishta with a great sigh points her finger towards the border. She then says, I don’t have anyone in this world. If you help me finding any kind of work I will be grateful to you for the rest of my life. On hearing this Rahim takes her to Moulovi Saheb’s home. Moulovi Saheb’s wife wanted to take her as a maid-servant but Moulovi Saheb raises her voice against it because Tishta is a believer of Hinduism.He claims that our Holy Quran has not given any permission to keep a Hindu maid for house hold chores, if any one does so, he will be the sinner. On hearing this, Rahim takes Tishta to the head Purohit of the village. The purohit gives her work for keeping the temple neat and clean.


By the passing of the days Tishta and Rahim becomes intimate with each other. And this intimacy turns into love. Both of them decide to marry each other but the society creates a bar on their own choice. Moulovi Saheb and the Purohit call two separate salishes. In the salishes, Moulovi Saheb proclaims that if Rahim marries a Hindu girl he will be a Kaffir and as a Kaffir he will be ex-communicated from the society. He can marry Tishta if she discards her religion and embraces the light of Islam. Rahim is also going to be rewarded for converting a girl into Islam by the society.
 The head-purohit says, if Tishta marries a Muslim, Baghban will never forgive her;she will suffer the agony of hell in this world as well as here after. The Hindu society will kick her out if she marries a Muslim guy.



On that night, both meet each other. Rahim requests Tista to discard her religion point blank but Tishta cannot say that she does not want to marry him, does not want to insult her father by discarding her forefathers religion. Rahim says that as a women, Tishta needs security in the society….she needs love….she needs support and he will give them all to her. And, as usual, man wins over woman.

With a broken mind, she along with Rahim goes to Moulovi Saheb. She is converted into a Muslim by the help of Moulovi Saheb and then she marries Rahim. Moulovi Saheb gives her name Komola since the color of her body is like orange.

The Hindu society begins to curse the converted Tishta, they begin to say that Baghban will never forgive her. One day, she will be punished for this heinous deed.

Fifteen years have passed and they are leading their life happily except some silly quarrels.They have a daughter of 14 years named, Kushom. But one incident changed their life terrifically.

One day, Rahim returns from work with a hungry stomach and it is proved that a hungry man is always an angry man. He wanted something to meet his hunger. But Komola says that there is no food.

Rahimangrily says that she should collect something and cook it for his husband.

Komola answers, how  can I collect something!!It is your work….can I sell my body for collecting food for my man?

On hearing this, Rahim’s blood begins to boil… He starts to beat her black and blue…He rebukes her and says, Sali, jahanami, you are raising your voice against your man…Jha Sali, I am giving you Thalak…..ek thalak…..dui thalak…tinthalak….

Komola cannot hear the words because she has already fainted.


But the respected Munshi of the village hears it and becomes very happy. He rushes to the Moulovi Saheb and explains everything to him. Moulovi Saheb comforts Munshi by saying that everything will be solved according to Quran-Haddis.Immediately, he calls a Salish

Next day, the villagers, Rahim, Kushom and Komola with her stressed body appear in the Salish. On seeing Kushom, Moulovi Saheb orders her to return to home.

In the Salish, Munshi explains everything. Moulovi Saheb asks both Rahim and Komola whether it is true or not?

Rahim answers yes, it’s true. But Komola nods her head. She answers that she did not hear the words of thalak.

On hearing this Moulovi Saheb roars, tui chup thak,your man has confessed it and you are going against it….how shameless you are!…stupid women folk…

Rahim says, Moulovi Saheb, I am repentant for my deed. It was just a mistake…..I gave her thalak out of anger, not from the depth of my mind… I want to lead my life with Komola…. I do not want to lose her… please Moulovi Saheb show mercy on us….please….

Moulovi Saheb answers, I cannot go beyond the rules and regulation of Islam. If you want to lead your life with Komola she has to sit for “Hilla Beya”.That means,at first Komola has to marry another guy then she has to spend at least one night with her new husband, after that, if her new husband gives her thalak she is allowed to marry you again and lead her life with you again.

MouloviSaheb shouts, is there any one who wants to marry and help this distressed woman for the sake of Allah?

Munshi hurriedly raises his hand and agrees for the proposal. He says, I will…I will…

After hearing it, nobody shows courage to become agree for the proposal.

Munshi again says, I am 80 years old and my one foot has already entered into the grave. So,I want to do some good deeds before my death. I shall give a grand party on the day of marriage ceremony. Before all the villagers, I am giving my words that if I marry Komola I will not touch her; I will not satisfy my lust….I have agreed to marry her only for the sake of heaven….for nothing else…He then sigh sand utters, Allah bestow your benediction upon me. I am going to do a good deed, only for your satisfaction…..only for your satisfaction…..Allah….Allah……

Rahim protests against it. He says I will not let it happen….you are going to ruin my life…you have planned to snatch my wife from me.

MouloviSaheb opens his mouth and says, dear child, why do you want to go against the supreme law of Islam? Why, child????

Rahim replies, Huzor I love my wife more than my life. I do not want that she suffers for me. I will not let it happen.

Moulovi Saheb again asks, is it your final word?

Rahim replies, yes.

On hearing this, Moulovi Saheb Proclaims to isolate them from the society. If any villager tries to help this family with anything, he is also going to endure the same fate.

The Salish comes to the end, the sun is about to set and everyone has left the place; they remain alone in the open field. Rahim gives his hand to Komola, shestands with the help of Rahim and begins to walk.

Rahimrigidly adheres to his decision for the next 3 days but at last, hunger wins over everything. He says to Komola, you have to marry Munshi otherwise, we will die.I am going to Moulovi Saheb for fixing the date of marriage. Rahim does not find it necessary to take Komola's decision. After saying this, He starts for Moulovui Saheb’s house.

He goes to the Moulovi Saheb, seeks pardon from him, and agrees for the proposal. Moulovi Saheb calls Munshi for fixing the date of the marriage. Munshi comes,gives consolation to Rahim and says, my child don’t fear, your wife will be secured to me. This is the word of a true Muslim. Next Friday, I want to fix the date,Munshi proposes.

Rahim answers, as you wish Huzor.

Friday comes,Rahim takes Komola to Munshi’s home. Munshi’s other wives give Komola a warm reception. Komola enters into the room and the wives become busy to help her to wear her bridal dress. Munshi’s three wives are also happy regarding this celebration since they are helping Munshi to perform a good deed. Munshi told them that Allah must reward them.

Tears are rolling down from Komola’s orange cheeks. One of the wives of Munshi tries to pacify Komola and says that don’t cry sister, you are going to be rewarded by Allah for this good deed.
Komola in reply throws the question; if you are in my situation will you agree to marry Munshi? Munshi’s wife becomes silent and does not say anything further.

Almost all the villagers attended in the grand party of Munshi except Kushom and Rahim.

At night,Munshi enters into the bridal chamber and without saying anything Munshi jumps on Komola for satisfying his lust. Komola requests Munshi to stop it….for Allah's sake…for the sake of her chastity…..for the sake of his words before Allah and villagers.

But the hungry beast does not pay any heed to his prey. The beast begins to meet its hunger cruelly. The sun is about to rise and Komola is sitting at the corner of the room while Munshi is sleeping soundly.

Munshi opens his eyes and threats Komola by saying that if she opens her mouth about the incident she is going to be stigmatized by the society since she is poor….she is weak….after all she is a woman…..so, it’s better to hold her tongue.

On that day, Moulovi Saheb calls a Salish on the behalf of Munshi. Everybody appears in the Salish. In the Salish Munshi says, as a true Muslim I am going to keep my word. Then he utters three thalaks before every body. The villagers begin to praise him because he is true to his word.

Rahim and Komola start for home, on the way, Rahim does not ask her anything and Komola also remains silent. Kushom is waiting for her mother, she sees her from distance and runs towards her; she holds her and begins to cry. Rahim requests Kushom to take her inside. He then goes to field to work.

Rahim returns home at night. He comes to know from Kushum that Komola has not eaten anything.He takes the plate of rice, enters into the room, and shuts the door.Seeing Rahim, she holds him tightly, begins to cry, and shouts, Munshi has taken away my chastity…..Munshi has taken away my chastity …

On hearing this, Rahim suddenly unloose him from her tie and gives her a dash with his hands. Komola stumbles on the cot….Rahim goes out.

Rahim’s love for Komola turns into hatred. Komola begins to tolerate criticism from the society. When she goes outside the Hindu villagers specially, the women says,look at the sinner, Baghban has taken nemesis upon her. Some scoundrels begin to tease her by using smutty words; they also give erotic look at her.But, Komola does not raise her voice against it because she is weak. Even, sometimes Kushum has to endure tease from the villagers but she hides it from her mother since Kushum does not want to increase the clandestined  pain of her mother.

However,few days later, Rahim again marries a girl of 16. He brings his new bride at home and orders Kushom and Komola to live in the broken thatched. Rahim begins tolead his life happily with his new wife, as if nothing has happened in his life.

Oneday, Kushom goes outside to bring water. Because of carelessness her dress gets wet, she hurriedly walks for home. Munshi’s eldest son looks at her wet body from distance and this raises his beastly lust. He approaches towards Kushom and says, your father has requested me to give his wage to you, follow me.

Kushum begins to follow him without saying anything. Suddenly, he holds her mouth,drags her to a lonely place, and satisfies his lust. Kushum begins to cry and rushes to the field where her father works. She explains everything to Rahim .He without wasting time takes Kushum to Moulovi Saheb for justice.

Moulovi Saheb consoles him and says that his daughter will get proper justice.

Next day, Moulovi Saheb calls a Salish. In the Salish Kushum explains everything.Then Moulovi Saheb asks Munshi’s son, is it true or not????



 Munshi’s son becomes astonished and says, what a lie she has told!!!! God must punish you for your lie. I say my prayers five times a day. I am married, have a daughter and teaching in a Moktob. A person who teaches the children Quran can not do this kind of heinous deed. Allah knows, with whom she committed the sin and now she is blaming me. Allah will not tolerate your lie, remember it.

Munshialso raises his voice against this allegation. He says, I know my son; he can notdo such kind of thing. I have taught him Quran-Haddis from his childhood.He didnot do this. Rahim is using his daughter for taking revenge upon me. Rahim miaanswers me, I have married your wife, is it my fault? After saying this he beginsto cry. Suddenly he asks the villagers, dear villagers a human being like myson can do it? Answer me????then, again he begins to cry????

The villagers answer no with one voice answer.

In the Salish Kushum becomes guilty for bringing false allegation against Munshi’s son. Moulovi Saheb orders to whip Kushum 100 times.

When Kushum is receiving the hits of the whip, she shouts, I am true….I am true….oh,Allah this is the reward of telling the truth. Komola is not coming forward to help her daughter; she is not shedding tears, even she is not requesting her husband to save their daughter. After the punishment, Rahim wants to carry Kushum’s body to home but Komola threats him not to touch Kushum’s body because he does not have the right to touch her. Komola takes her body on her shoulder and starts for home.

Both mother and daughter enter into their broken thatched. Kushum is sleeping at the lap of her mother. At night, Tishta takes the sack, which she uses as an alternative of pillow. She says to herself, dear daughter this world is not for us. They will not give us peace, so I am sending you to the other world for peace …… for happiness. Then, she keeps the sack on Kushum’s face and suffocates her to death . Tishta is looking at the Kushom’s numb body. Few drops of water from her eyes have fallen on Kushom’s face. They are glittering like the morning dews.

She,then slowly starts for the river, Tishta with the sack and a spade. She stands beside the river and shouts, I am Tishta…. not Komola……….I am poor………I am weak…….after all; I am a woman……I am destined to suffer…. I am a woman and this is not my fault…You cannot blame me for this reason, if you want to blame anyone, blame the same power who has created me as well as you.

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Suddenly,Tishta begins to dig soil with the spade. She fills the sack with soil. The sun is about to rise but she does not want to see the rays of the sun. Tishta ties the sack of soil with her and slowly starts to walk to the water. Tishta losts in the bosom of the Teesta.

Tishta does so for solace…..

But,will she find solace????????

The question is absurd??