It was in the newspapers. It was on TV. Riveting. It made those reality shows look like fairytale fiction. Everybody told Gudiya what she should do. Except, we didn't know what the Force, Up there, was doing. Gudiya's wedded life had more twists and wrenching turns than the road up the snowy mountains where her husband was fighting the enemy. There was another enemy he needed to fight, which was to destroy the last strain of domesticity in his life - Destiny.
It had been only 10 days in the August of 1999 since she had been married to Arif, a Sapper in the Indian Army when he was called to the frontline. And Arif went Missing in Action. The army thought he had deserted the force, his family gave up on him. So did Gudiya.
For 4 years Gudiya thought of moving on, and then, married Taufeeq. A childhood friend and a Distant relative. It took 16 months and a seemingly happy and normal life when it happened.
When she did not know whether to rejoice the fact the her first love had come back alive from behind enemy lines, or how could she confront Arif, while she was carrying Taufeeq's child, for the 8th month.
As if it wasnt enough. All hell broke loose. The matter did not limit itself to the small village in Haryana. It was national 'NEWS'. Gudiya was on every channel, telling everybody her sorry tale. The village elders were on screen sermonising what she should do. Arif wanted her bride back, but not Taufeeq's child she was carrying. Taufeeq did not want to let go of the woman he had learnt to love and love he did. Bechari Gudiya was confused. She did have some opinion of her own which told her that she wanted to stay with Taufeeq. But you know that is not what Shariat, the muslim law, would let her do. The ulemas said that her second marriage with Taufeeq was illegal, and his child - Illegitimate.
I don't think she wanted to what she did, but she went back to Arif, who now was willing to take her back with Arif's child - sep 04. An year later, she was pregnant again, with Arif's child, Suffered a massive heart attack, developed complications and had a miscarriage.
A serious health condition followed which was described as nothing to do with the multiple pregnancies but a combination of factors - some, genetic.
And yesterday, Gudiya Died. She's gone. And she's relieved. For once, she doesnt have anymore dilemmas to face. At least she got one thing that was certain. Death.
It is easy for me to sit here and 'study' for the 'Values and Ethics in Management' exam I have tommorow and prepare myself for dilemmas I will face in the corporate world. But I dont know of a course which prepares people to cope with what Gudiya went through.
And I thought My life was tough and complicated. It is funny how we all get caught up so much with our petty problems and often give up. But there are ones who are less fortunate, fortunate enough to have petty problems.
I often say - "I give in to you, the one above, for you have our strings in your hands". But when it is needed, one doesnt think of the prayer.
Gudiya reminds us what we are. Dolls in a Dollhouse, moving when the puppetteer pulls the strings. And he's playing for his own amusement.
