It was raining outside with occasional thunder and lightning. The sky had turned darker shade of grey and howling winds bombarded the windows.

Sakthi wanted to wake up but she was tired . She was not lazy by any means but too much work at home was taking toll on her.  Added to that her husband Vishnu wanted to be intimate with her whenever he wanted period.No questions asked.

She sighed to herself thinking about how this day will turn out. She smiled to herself , a bitter smile. She knew what will happen today as its the same every other day in her home.

She came from a middle class family with lot of love and happiness but less of money though it had never bothered her. Her marriage was another story. Her parents wanted her to live a better life than their current situation.

They got her married to Vishnu from a successful business family .Despite their debts and financial condition she got married in a well of way praised by many but it was never enough to her in laws and  vishnu never much gave thought about her predicament. Very occasionally he would show her his good side. She was happy with what she got.

Lately she had an uneasy feeling. Like something was amiss and she didnt know what to do..she touched her stomach with such tender affection. She was pregnant 3 weeks recently confirmed.Her husband was happy but her in laws were sceptical that gave unsettled feeling.

She pushed away her gloomy thoughts and got up scolding herself for such thoughts when pregnant. She said to herself .. happy thoughts just happy thoughts..

It was already late she rushed to kitchen to start the daily routine. Filter coffee for her in laws at 6 am and then it will follow with breakfast etc etc... last night she had sprayed hit for getting rid of cockroach and the smell was still lingering a bit.. she started taking out the vegetables she had to cut for lunch and milk from fridge. She was so pre occupied with the time as it was just few mins before 6 and still she hadnt got the coffee ready  and thinking so she kept the kettle of water to boil and lighted the match as she couldnt find the lighter.

The blast shook the building .... and then it was eerie quiet.. The commotion started immediately   and continues banging of front door.

What happened later is not our concern for a life was lost. For sure the incident was probed and culprits convicted. It was revealed that the astrologer had looked into Vishnu's horscope and said he was having bad time now and his wife's stars are the once causing such issues. Further, longer they stay together disaster will befall the family.

Many women like Sakthi who are unable to satisfy the appetite of the greedy fall as their victims. In the name of astrology and dowry she was disposed when the hidden fact was she couldnt improve their social status with her family wealth .

All said and done the lingering feeling of emptiness envelopes us when women are burnt for dowry and social status. Hope we create a better tomorrow for the women ...... Let them be truly The Sakthi and just not name sake....

"She was scared knew
something was wrong
Yet she had tiny bit of hope
that its was nothing
Too bad she was innocent
and didnt know better
How cruel people can be
when greed took over
But she understood that too late
when she was burnt to crisp
In name of dowry & stars "

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