One common 15 years old girl was sitting in palanquin (Doli/paalki) wearing a simple red suit which was her mother's wedding dress, her palms and feet were covered with plane mehndi and on the name of makeup her eyes were holding a simple line of kohl and lips were painted red lipstick.

That girl wasn't anyone else but me...

Shama..

And its my story...

It all stared when I was only 15 years old...

Hugging my kness I was sitting with bowed head which was hurting my back . After crying for almost half an hour then my tears were already dried up and lifting my vail little bit I was trying to understand how long I had to go in that palanquin.

Thankfully after a long time the palanquin was stopped in other village, and I was taken down to my new home with the help of few ladies. A cot was placed in the courtyard of that semi solid/ pucca house. A middle aged woman was laying on that cot who was paralysed with her left half. The ladies lead me, ie... the bride of that home; towards that handicap lady who gave me some blessings in her half working tongue from which the words were not coming out properly.

Soon I found myself sitting in a room which was decorated with colourful paper ribbons and some 7-8 cheap balloons. The usual wedding room decoration style of village!
I was innocently trying to examine each and every corner of that room, which was my new home but that was difficult as my vail was very uncomfortable. But suddenly I listened footsteps coming towards room so I covered my face with that vail and sit with bowed head.

Soon the cracky voice of opening the old wooden door of the room hit my ears and The 25 years old man 'ABBAS' entered in the room and sat down in front of his bride, who was indeed.me... he lift my vail and his finger slowly touched my chin to lift my face but I didn't met my gaze with him I was feeling shy...

Umm.. Actually not shy... But nervous! I was enough naive that I didn't know the need of being shy on my wedding night, but since I was alone in a room with a man that's why I was nervous.

"Sun (listen)" He.. I mean Ab..Abbas

Umm.. Taking his name was also a crime like deed for me.

Hmm.. So I was saying that He said 'Listen' and I lifted my gaze towards him with great difficulty, he was smiling. I didn't back that smile with same because I was nervous moreover I was indebted in front of him because he marry me without taking any dowry, that's why my mother marry me off in such a small age. Its not like that I'm the only girl who got married in small age, that wasn't anything new in the small village of Punjab, but fifteen years was really small age to get married.

"Men'nu Sirf ik kudi chahindi si, je men'nu roti shoti de de, Aur meri amma nu dawa waqt to dede... Hor to kuch wi nhi chah ni si men'nu"

(I only wanted a girl who could give me food on time and take care of my mother, other than that I never wanted anything)

He said and I again lowered my gaze as I knew that at the time of marriage proposal He cleared in front of my family that he wanted to marry just for his mother, so that his wife could look after his handicap mother.

"Lekin tu ta kafi soni ha"

(but you are beautiful too)

He added and I looked at my husband when he praised my beauty but again bowed my head down

This time I was happy.

"Idhar wekh"
(Look at me!)

He ordered and lifted my chin with his first finger and a smile plating in his lips.

"Meri Amma da dhyaan rakhegi?"
(Will look after my mother?)

He asked and I nodded innocently, as I knew I was there just for that duty so I didn't had any other option than giving a nod!

"Roti shoti to banani aati hai na?"
(Do You know how to cook right?)

He asked in his same but strong punjabi accent and I again nodded making him smile.

"Aye wekh, main tere layi laya si, sheher di badi dukaan to"

(See, I had bring this for you from a very big shop of city!)

Giving a small hair clip which was embedded with beautiful shiny crystals and stones, he said and my eyes become wide. Not after watching the beautiful hair clip but after listening the name of 'sheher' (city)

"Sheher to! Tuse kadi sheher gaye ho?"

(From city! Have you ever visited city?)

I asked with amazement and he chuckled

"Main ta shaher jata rehinda ha... Kadi Dilli, kadi Bambai, to kadi channai"

(I often use to go to cities, sometimes Delhi, Mumbai and sometimes Chennai too)

My eyes become big and my breath was almost stopped after listening that the man with whom I got married was use to visit such a big cities of India, which only I could dream about. Since childhood I always wanted to visit city, but except the nearest lake of our village I never went anywhere on the name of sightseeing!

"Sachhi?"
(really?)

I couldn't help but need he urge to ask.

"Kī tu mere ut'te bharosa nahi karadi?"

(Dont you trust me?)

He asked with little disappointment.

Bharosa... (trust)!!
Wasn't that too early to trust anyone?
How could I trust a man in only a few hours of nikkah?
How could I trust a man whom with I met just few minutes ago!

But at that time I didn't think about anything because I was only thinking about sheher.. (city)

"Bharosa taa kardi Haan, magar..."
(I do trust.. But....)

I unwillingly stopped after that 'but'

"Magar ki?"
(But What?)

"Kī shahira vich sachmuch vadian or uchchi imarta hondi haa?"

(Are there really big buildings in the city?)

I asked with wide eyes and innocent voice, He ie. Ab.. Abbas nodded proudly as he was the one between two of us who visited Cities of Indian. I was only imagining those lavish and shimmering roads and buildings of city which I only had watched in TV.

Abbas was a truck driver so he use to go to different cities of India, his financial condition was much better than the financial condition of my maternal family, in which two times proper meal was also hard to get, he was not less than a hero in front of me.

=================

The unstoppable Time was passing as expected, I was working for my mother-in-law as well as her home. My husband's happiness, fulfilling his every need and satisfying his desires were also my duty.

A duty which I had to perform without bothering about time nor I had any holidays like servants get!

In such a small age I was working very hard. If the financial condition of my family would be better then for sure I wouldn't be married to him. But being a girl I was a burden on my mother and younger brothers so they preferred to marry me off without thinking even once that they are not marrying me off but sending me as an unpaid nurse of his mother.

I use to do all the work of home including cooking, cleaning, washing clothes etc but the most difficult part of my work always belongs to my mother-in-law, she wasn't able to do any of her work so I was nursing her in every possible way, including changing her clothes, giving her bath and what not?

Most of the time I felt irritated with him because he only ask me about his mother's condition, but never ask me how I was?  But once I listen his saying to someone that he admires  my efforts and his love and respect towards me was increasing day by day. Those were small words but gave me a reason to do all those works which I never wanted to do! Other than that he always brings me small gifts  whenever he go out from the village.

Ten months were passed after our marriage in the same way. Most of the time he use to stay away from home but when he came back to village he use to narrate me new stories of cities. We both use to talk to each other happily. One fine evening we both were talking to each when we listened a groaning voice and when we both went towards the source of voice we were shocked because his mother was taking her last breaths and after a few minutes she passed away leaving her only son alone in this world.

Actually he not alone because I was with him but a mother is mother, I shouldn't say like this but her death gave me relief!

======================

AFTER 4 MONTHS

Time is the biggest healer.... It heals every wound, either on heart, soul or frame... Something same happened with him! Passing time helped  him to come out from the marshland of grief and sorrow of his mother's death and he became better.

I passed the truck keys to him which he grabbed in his right hand

"Dhyan Rakhi, main Kal rant tak aa jawanga"

(Take care, I'll come back by tomorrow night)

He Said after placing his hand on my shoulder and I nodded with down gaze.

"Ye meri ghar wali de chehra ut'te udasi kiwe aayi?"

(Why my wife is sad?)

He ie Abbas asked after holding my chin up and I placed my dupatta on her head which was slipped down just a mili second ago, and I just shook my head without meeting his gaze with his but I don't know how he  understood what I was thinking.

"Sheher wekhna hai meri ghar wali nu?"

(Does My wife wanna see city?)

He asked and I nodded with down face.

"Kapde le le apne, Hor chal mere kool, aaj tenu Sheher dikhawanga... Bade bade hotal wich Roti wi khilawanga"

(Pack your stuff and come with me, I'll show you city. And we will have dinner in lavish restaurant too)

He said holding my chin and I looked at him with wide eyes.

"Sachchi?"
(Really?)

I was in disbelief on what I listened from my husband!

"Teri kasam..., ja ab ja ke achche se tiyaar ho ja, aur jaldi kari, main tirak (truck) wich intezar kar'ra Haan"

(I swear! Go and get ready soon I'm waiting for you on the truck)

He said lovingly and I nodded before running to our bedroom to drew out my clothes. I was so excited that I can't even have words to explain that amount of enthusiasm in my frame.

I turned to 16 but a childhood hint was present in me, somehow I was unable to kill the childish side of me even after getting married and doing so much work all round of clock.

=====================

"Itni uchchi aedi di jutti... Bilkul film wargi"

(High heels, just like shown in movies)

My eyes became wide after watching a girl who was wearing pencil heel.

"Shehra wich dhi, betiyan (ladies) Sira to dhaakdi nhi hai ki? Inna de ghar wale Kuchh nhi bolde?"

(Don't the Ladies of cities cover their heads? Don't their family members scold them?)

I asked to my husband and he shook his head. I was tongue tied after watching the condition of ladies of cities they don't cover their head usually and in our village girls usually don't uncover their head specially in front of males.

But my all the thoughts were vanished when he took me in a mall to spend some good time, I was really enjoying watching everything, I never thought that these big buildings look so beautiful from inside, after roaming around I demanded to have lunch in a food court of mall. Abbas took me inside but when a waiter came to us Abbas was looking some confused when the waiter placed the menu card on table, as he didn't knew what was that card. 

"Khane wich ki ki hai?"

(what is in lunch?)

Abbas asked to the waiter in the same way he would ask in a Desi Dhaba of village, first the waiter was confused on the question but then he told that we could select any dish from menu card. Abbas lift the card upside down and looked it's both sides. In meantime I noticed some people sitting here there were making our fun, maybe due to our typical accent and also because of my dressing as I was wearing a red suit with a embroidery filled dupatta which was covering my head. I was wearing the most heavy dupatta of her collection because I was visiting City so I should look good, but ladies of cities maybe won't wear that dupatta even in weddings. I was feeling little bit awkward with those gazes!

Why villagers are unfit in the environment of city?

"Sir order!" I suddenly came out from the trance when the Waiter demands for order and Abbas gulped, he was completely puzzled by the list of numerous dishes, first of all he only knew gurmukhi (punjabi language) very well but the menu card was in english. Though he knew a bit of elementary English but cherry on the cake the completely different names of dishes were making him confused.

"Kit'the Hor hotal wich chale!"

(Let's go to some other hotel)

He asked me in whispered but I shook my head.

"Menu ta it'the hi khana hai"
( I have to have my lunch here)

I said with stubbornness and took the menu card from his hand and order for both of us.

"Ten'nu angrezi aaundi hai?"
(Do you know english?)

He asked and I nodded with a smile. And informed him that I wanted to study further after passing tenth class but my mother marry her off so I couldn't. We both had lunch together and he shared with me that, he was was feeling on ninth cloud that his wife was not an illiterate one like him.

Though he wasn't illiterate, he knew only punjabi language but other than that he did not have any good idea about English.

After spending the best time of my life we both were coming back to our home, I was telling him how I use to secure good marks in studies during my school time, and I could detect a proud feeling on his face. I didn't realise when I slept while narrating my school days stories.

"Shama... Uth jaa, pind wich poch gaye"

(Shama we reached village)

Abbas said and I open my eyes, I was covered with the woolen shawl which he was wearing few time back. I slightly nodded trying to get out of my sleeping state and he stop the truck near our home. Jumping out from the truck he Opens the door from my side.

"Aaja"
(come)

Opening his both hands he held ny waist and helped me in jumping out from the truck.

=========

"Suno"
(listen)

I utter when I was laying beside him to sleep, but I wasn't able to sleep because of a new fear in my heart.

"Hmm.."

"Shehera de wich kinni sodi kudiyan hondi han, kisi gori maim de khatir tuse menu ek din bhul to na jawoge?"

(There are so beautiful ladies in cities, it shouldn't be like this that you forget me one day because of any lady)

I asked with hopeful eyes and he turned his side towards me.

Yeah I was only 16... But have that much sense in me that I didn't wanted to share my husband with anyone

"Jhalli hai tu"

( you are idiot)

Embarrassing me in his arms he said and kissed my forehead, giving me a reason of smile.

"Tu aage padna chahundi si?"

(Did you wanted to study further?)

Abbas asked and I nodded with a sad smile.

"Main ta hor parhna chahundi si... Magar viaah de baad..."

( I want to study further but after marriage...)

Abbas smiled on my reply.

"Tu aage parh Shama, tu Dactar banja.."

(You study further Shama, you become a doctor)

He said lovingly and i was shocked to listen that. I never expected that the typical rural man would allow me to study further!

"Sachchi?"
(really?)

"Haan Sachchi. Tu Dactar ban ja, phir ta main sare pind wich dhool bajawanga ki meri ghar wali Dactarni ban gai"

(Yes really! You become a doctor and then I'll announce in whole village that my wife become doctor)

Abbas said and I was on ninth cloud.

"Tusi kinne change ho"

(You are so good)

I said with a smile or better to say giggle, I was actually in disbelief.

"Thanku"

Abbas tried to say 'thank you' and I giggled again while covering my mouth with palm.

"Wo Thank you hunda hai"

(it's thank you)

I corrected and he laughed by making his own fun.

"Bachpan wich Main Dactar ban'na chahinda si, par mere Peo (father) ne menu kitaba to dur hi rakhia, Quki agar main kitaba wich laga rahinda te ghar kon chalaunda?"

(When I was a child I wanted to become a doctor but my father didn't support me because if I would stay busy in studies then who would bear up the expenses of home?)

He shared his pain for the first time and I felt his sadness.

Unfortunately everyone have their own sad story in their life.

"Tu Dactar ban kar mere khwaba nu pura karegi na?"

(Will you fulfill my dream by becoming a doctor?)

He asked and I nodded with a smile on which he embraced me lovingly, and I smiled while closing my eyes, to sleep in his embrace.

In whole one year of marriage I never felt any problem due to age difference in both of us.

Or maybe I was so innocent to understand any problem if any!

Or maybe age gap wasn't a matter of problem and dispute in our life style!

Or maybe my husband was too good that his age was just a number in front of his goodness.

Or maybe I need some time to understand everything!

====================

Author's Note:
(please read)

Assalamualaikum/Hi

I want your honest opinion on this story....

Please...

If you're liking the plot only then I'll continue working on it, otherwise I don't want my all efforts to go waited in vain.

Please help me in not wasting my time on a story in which no one is interested...

If you've some suggestions then feel free to let me know... I'm ready to accept criticism with open arms!

Your author
Naaz Jamal

Scroll down to read new chapter
👇👇👇👇