Sunday, 16 October 2016
It was the first day of the Pongal festival. The streets were bustling with people thanking the gods for a good harvest. Sumathi watched with fascination as the women of the village made Pongal in the streets. She too yearned to be part of the festival that had once brought her delight. But she couldn't.
Sumathi was a woman in her thirties.
Her chocolate brown eyes and innocent smile made her beautiful in a way that was ethereal and irresistible. But soon her beauty became her bane. She was forced into prostitution by her elder brother as soon as her parents passed away.
The dark days that followed stole the gleam from her eyes little by little. Her beauty made men lust after her. She had lost all hopes in life and was ready to end a painful existence when she got pregnant. But when Saranya came into the world.
She brought back happiness into Sumathi's life.The cost of raising a child with no support was a heavy burden on her weak shoulders. But she didn't complain. She'd do anything to see a smile on her daughter's face. She was now seven and was in the 2nd standard. She was good in studies and always came first in her class.
Sumathi wanted her daughter to have a life that she couldn't have. She had thoughts of moving her to a better school. But she couldn't afford the fees. She never remembered any of the faces of the men who slept with her except his, Siddharth.
He was yet another married man who lived an unhappy life and sought comfort in her arms. He was so good in bed that she never charged him.
The sun was sinking into the horizon enveloping the sky in a medley of colours. Siddharth came as the dusk melted into the darkness of the night. Her moans of pleasure were drowned out by the commotion of people who were celebrating 'Boghi' , as they burnt old household items. It was a custom of doing away with old customs and habits.
As Sumathi lay , exhausted and content , she realised that she too had to do away with a habit. That night she charged Siddharth.
KK
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