Face of wooden doll
Pradip was planning birthday party for his daughter. It was perfect occasion for him to celebrate. In life nothing was precious to him than his daughter. His daughter Trupti was true happiness of his life. His wife Maya was beautiful and everything was fine between them. But they were just stuck in their daily routine. He never sensed sorrows of his life until Trupti didn't enter. He kept earning. They never much go out. In fact Maya never showed much desire of going somewhere. When he returned from office, he was always tired. Few times he suggested Maya that they could plan picnic on Sunday. But she never encouraged. It was so strange. But Maya never seemed to be interested in picnic. In fact she never showed any interest in anything except listening to music. She went to office on fix time before Trupti. She came back on fixed time. She cooked meal for them. When he asked her about helping her in any way, she denied it. She said that she didn't like anyone interfering while cooking. He nodded. He wasn't such a good cook so he couldn't suggest that they could divide days. He decided that he could help her with cleaning. He started cleaning house on Sunday. She didn't objected it but she didn't even forced it. Soon he got tired and even stopped it so he stopped participating in household work. It clearly went out without noticing. He wanted to do something so that Maya should feel happy. She would sense his love but she didn't feel anything. She kept moving ahead with same expression. He began to feel so frustrated. He sensed one thing that she didn't feel any difference in his life by doing anything. She was always same. Many times he felt doubt regarding her love towards him. She never showed shyness or any other emotion. But she never showed hate or disgust too. Then he noticed that she never showed affection even to her Mom. She kept same face. He didn't understand why she never changed it. Now when Trupti was born, he felt that she would change but nothing was changing. She was acting same way like robot. When she looked at baby for first time, he thought that she was going to smile. He was so happy then suddenly everything was changed she once again created same face without emotion. She did all as she supposed to do as mother. But she never smiled. Slowly Trupti began to sense difference too. Trupti came running towards him every day when he entered in house. He took her to garden. Then slowly she even started suggesting places that she wanted to visit. He started searching new ideas for it. But then suddenly she started falling sick. He began to get tense. Today he was preparing for her birthday. She was in her room. He did all and went in her room. He went near her. He slowly checked on her breathe. He knew that his fear was senseless. But he still felt so scared. Trupti once had chubby cheeks but now they had vanished. He didn't understand what was wrong with his luck. He moved around room. He checked everything. He suddenly noticed that one bottle of medicine was empty. He wrote down it's name and went out. He called Maya about empty bottle of medicine. She said " I have another." " Then replace it otherwise it might create problem." She nodded. She went inside and found it. Then she kept it in window. He started decorating. He was so upset about entire incidence. He decided that he might go to chemist and purchase medicine. He was ready to keep extra medicines. He stopped decorating and went to chemist. He was so angry. He started for search of chemist. Soon he found one. He was so glad. He gave him paper of medicine. Then he decided that he might ask him about benefits of that medicine. He gave him friendly smile and asked " Can you tell me why Doctor give this medicine?" Salesman looked confused. " This is just a tonic for kids." " But my daughter is falling sick again and again. May be I should change Tonic?" " No as friend I suggest you to change pediatrician. Or you can even show general Doctor who know about kids? Your Doctor is just grabbing money from you?" He was shocked and confused. He didn't understand what he was supposed to do. He went home in nervous state. He started calling Maya. Maya came out. He told her everything. " So we need to change Doctor." She didn't change her expression. He was so angry. " Why don't you react? Don't you feel affection for your daughter?" Maya said quietly " She is going to die. We can't change it." He just slapped her without second thought. Then he regretted it. He kept apologizing. But her expression didn't change. She just said " I am getting everything ready for party or do you want to cancel it?" He was so confused. He started crying. He did worst thing today. He slapped his wife. He sensed that she might be right. He needed to cure his daughter. He wanted help for it. He told Maya to cancel party and started calling his Doctor. It was so upsetting. He was glad that at least Trupti was sleeping peacefully. He talked with his family Doctor. He took number of hospital and decided to show Trupti to specialist next day. He began to make planning regarding taking her to Doctor. He started to arrange all. He knew that he needed to cancel birthday party and it was not going to be easy. Trupti was going to get hurt. He knew that it was her birthday but she kept having that fever again and again. They couldn't stress her now. He knew that he needed to be strong still he started crying slowly. He felt so sad. He wanted happiness for daughter. But he had to take it away from his daughter for her health.
After appointment Pradip went in kitchen. He was so ashamed. " Maya I am so sorry. I don't understand what I supposed to do as punishment. You can slap me as punishment." He put his cheek ahead. Maya just patted on his cheek without expression. Maya "It is not your mistake accepting death of loved one is not easy." He was so shocked. He took hold of her shoulder in harsh way and started asking " Who told you she is going to die?" She was still having expression like stone. She didn't said anything. Then she said " No one. I just said one day every one is going to die." He screamed " I know that but my daughter is so small. No one die at this age and she is not going to die. She is so small. She have long life ahead." Maya didn't say anything just nodded. He began to hate her. She didn't have any feeling even for her daughter. It was shocking. She shivered with fear when he looked at her with anger. This was only feeling that she was capable to have. She never showed any emotion to him until now. But today he saw fear in her eyes. She was scared of him. She didn't like his anger. Maya started looking at her feet. " I am not saying she is going to die. I was using just line. Not with meaning." " Using lines?!! Out of what? Some book?" She didn't answer just kept looking at her feet. He once again took hold of her shoulder and screamed "Look in my eyes!!" She did as he said. There was nothing in them. They seemed like well without water. They were totally dry without emotion even fear couldn't retain in it for long time. Slowly once again she became statue. He was so upset. But he remembered that his determination not to hurt her. He left her shoulders and forced himself to smile. Pradip " I know you are talking in philosophical way. I took it too personally. I needed to sense it. You can go in kitchen." He sensed that something inside him keep breaking. He was always so nice and kind but now he kept having fits of anger. He kept losing his control. It was so upsetting. He wanted his daughter to be healthy. He felt certainty that he would able to control himself. He needed to just cure Trupti. He began to collect her reports. Trupti was awake now. Trupti " Daddy when we will start my birthday party?" He felt so sad. He checked her fever. Her fever was reduced now. He knew that it would vanish soon but it would come again. He had to do something about it. " Sweet heart you are sick, you can't do party now." She started crying. " No Dad I want to do party.. please Dad..Let me." " Honey you are sick. You can't do party now. But we will give party when you will be fine." She nodded. It was clear that she was not feeling healthy enough to do it. He felt so sad. " Then Dad at least stay with me. Promise me you will not go to office." He knew that he couldn't promise that. He needed to go if Boss called him. After all he wanted leave tomorrow. He gave her smile and said " You know Dad can't stay but Mom will be here." Trupti immediately started crying. " I want to stay with you. Mom is strange. She didn't laugh or play. She scare me." He was so upset now. Maya didn't behave normal even with their daughter. " And she went away every afternoon. I have to stay alone." " Where?" " I don't know." He was upset now. She was not even staying with their daughter. He was about to call Maya when his mobile rang. It was his Boss. He took call. Boss " You are lucky charm. We got that contract. Start to pack up to go abroad." " But my daughter is sick." " Come on your wife will take care of her." He was upset. He knew that if he didn't went then they would lose all. He was so confused. Boss " Come on. You know we deserve this project." "Fine. I will come." Boss laughed happily. Boss " Remember with this you get your share in money and position." He laughed. But in his soul he was tense. He went back to Maya. He saw that she was cooking cake in kitchen. Maya was great cook. No one could compete with her in that field. But she never even needed appreciation about it. He loved that smell of cake. Pradip " I need to go to abroad tomorrow." He was expecting some argument but she just nodded. He was glad. " So you will take care of Trupti." She nodded again. He went in room happily. Maya was standing there with no expression. She was standing there like doll but in her heart. She was upset. Pradip was acting strange day by day. Today he did worst thing. He slapped her. He never dared to act like that before. But day by day he started to act in worst way with her. She was so upset. She could complaint. But she knew that it wouldn't help. She was so expression less. She managed to lock all sorrows in heart and they didn't came out. She never able to say things the way she felt. At beginning Pradip was so nice with her. She wanted to smile and laugh. But she didn't. Soon she sensed that he began to get frustrated with her. She wanted to feel happy. She was feeling it too. But still she couldn't expressed. She was in love with him on that point and even now but she couldn't show. She was locked inside her body like she was locked in doll. She couldn't show feelings. Her husband was already hating her for it. She felt so scared that her daughter would feel same about it soon. She was so sad. She wanted to cry but she couldn't. It was her life.
Maya was so upset now. She knew that now she had to handle Trupti. She went in other room. She stood before mirror. She started observing her face in it. She needed to smile. She began to create smile on her face. She began to see different gestures in life. She started to show different look in mirror. She began to create appeals. But nothing was convincing. It was not the way she wanted. Her smile was not looking natural. She was looking like some bad actress or robot. She was smiling in strange way. She was looking so strange. She started to change her face in different positions. Slowly she began to feel her face was nothing but holloween mask. She was smiling like strange doll or robot. Soon she sensed that if she went in room of her daughter with same expression then she would feel so scared. She decided that her expression less face was better. She was confused when Pradip started calling her. She shivered with fear. But still her face was same without any feeling like some face of plastic doll. She went out. He gave her his angry look. " I told you. I am going abroad why you are not preparing?" She was confused. " But I don't know how to prepare I never went abroad!" Pradip was so shocked. Maya was not living life just in stony expression but she didn't even have knowledge about traveling. He was so angry. "Okay I will pack things. You can go and convince Trupti." She nodded. She went in Trupti's room. Trupti was clearly upset about cancelling of her birthday party. She sat near Trupti on bed. She tried her best to talk in sweet voice and said " There is bad news sweetheart. Your Dad needed to go abroad." Trupti was so upset. She pushed her away and ran to Pradip. Maya was so confused. She just kept sitting there. Soon she heard crying of Trupti and Pradip's angry voice started to call her. She started to go in his room. But she was scared. Her shoulder was still paining. He kept holding her so hard. She didn't want to complaint. But she needed to cook with that hand. If he kept hurting her like that then she had to take painkiller. She knew that she was not perfect wife. But he was so abusive towards her. She was so upset. When she went inside room, she saw that he was boiling in anger. She was so upset. She decided that she would not go inside. She just stood near door. Trupti was crying in strange way. Trupti " Dad don't left me with her I will die.." She kept saying this. Maya was so shocked. She did everything for Trupti. But her daughter was acting with her in strange way. Pradip Began to scream on Maya. " What kind of mother are you? Don't you able to show some affection towards your daughter?" She didn't say anything. Trupti continued her drama. " Dad she didn't care for me. She left me alone every day. She goes out on each afternoon." Now Maya was shocked. Trupti was lying. She never left her alone. In afternoon she just went down to buy vegetables. She wanted to convince this to Pradip but her voice was without emotion again. She was saying it in such way as if she was making list of groceries. She sensed one thing that she was not going to convince Pradip. Pradip looked at her with anger. " Do you go meet some man? Are you involved with someone else?" She was so shocked. She never thought that this issue would turn this way. It was totally shocking. He knew that she had problems in even showing emotion towards him his assumption regarding another man shocked her. She didn't respond. She always had habit of responding late and without emotion. In this stressful situation it turned totally wrong way. She just kept quiet. He assumed it as yes. He started screaming loudly on her. " Who is that man?" She was so confused. She said " No one." He screamed " That's why you never show any emotion to me?!!" He was so angry. He hit her with full of force. Now even Trupti started to shiver with fear. He took hold of her shoulder and pushed her out of house. She tried to protest then she decided that it was better to go that taking his punishment. He threw her out of door and he screamed " Go with that man with whom you spend every day." She didn't able to answer. Her entire mouth was paining. He closed door. She didn't want him to explain. She wanted to go back to her parents. She knew that her parents would accept her. But she had brother too. She couldn't just walk in their house. She didn't understand what she supposed to do. When she sensed someone was helping her to stand up, it was old lady from neighborhood. That lady " Come with me. I will help you. You are just like daughter to me." She nodded. That lady took her inside. Her husband came out and asked " What happened?" She looked at him pointedly and said " I will tell you later?" He nodded. She gave her painkiller and told her to go to sleep. She just obeyed them and soon she fall asleep. That lady Kantabai came out. Kantabai was clearly upset by this. She shivered with anger. Her husband Chandan looked at her with shock " What's going on? I don't want you to interfere in other's personal business." " When he throw her out of his house this way, it is no longer his personal business." Chandan was shocked " What? But why?" " I don't know and I don't care. When she woke up, I will take her to Police." Chandan clearly looked scared. He didn't like this situation.
When Kantabai came out, Chandan followed her. Chandan was scared at first but when he saw Maya's face he decided that he had to interfere. Her entire cheek was swollen. He could clearly see that there should be black marks there. Chandan "Before Police we must talk with secretary of Society!" " Why?" "To get support. You saw how did this man hit her. What if he decided to hit us tomorrow for helping her?" Kantabai was confused now. She didn't thought about this danger. This man was mad. Entire society knew that Maya was most shy woman. She never talked with any one except to answer questions. Many considered her snob. But after hearing Pradip's line she felt problem might be different. He was clearly abusive to her. If Pradip had kept behaving like that with her, she should act shy. She decided to take support from people of society. " You are right!! May be I should call few ladies of society too?!!" " That will be great idea. We must take support." Chandan took breath of relief when his wife began this task. Soon Kantabai sensed that no one was coming forward to help. She decided that she should not go to Police otherwise she had to handle all issue by herself. Then she remembered that she forgot to all Doctor. Kantabai " We must call Doctor." " You are right. She is sleeping in strange way." Chandan called his Doctor. Doctor came there immediately. Doctor didn't say anything just went to patient first. He checked her. " Which painkiller you gave her?" He checked it. " This is mild one. Why she is feeling so sleepy?" Doctor was clearly confused. Doctor asked her " Did you took sleeping pills?" She nodded. Doctor "Why?" " My cheek was paining." Doctor checked her. Doctor "Did your husband hit you every day?" She turned her head negatively. But Doctor didn't seem convinced. Doctor went out and told Chandan " This is not right. He is hitting her every day. She might die one day and cops will question you too. This is about human life not joke." Chandan started to feel angry now. Chandan I don't understand how could he act like that? She is such nice peaceful and quiet girl!!" " It is not our business. Give her these medicines." After sometime Maya was awake. She was feeling so much pain. She went to mirror. Her face was looking horrible. First time she sensed that she must fight back. On first slap she felt that it was her mistake. She mentioned death. She knew that she never able to express things in right way. But today it was too much. His dear daughter Trupti accused her and he started hitting her. She decided that she must talk with him. She looked around. Soon she sensed that she was in neighborhood. She went out. Kantabai was waiting for her. " How are you?" "Fine." Kantabai was so shocked even on this point there was not tears in Maya's eyes. Kantabai sensed that her emotions were locked on some point. They just didn't come out. Kantabai " Sit here Maya." Maya wanted to go out and confront about it. But she sat. She didn't understand why. It seemed as if after marrying to Pradip she became a robot. She kept obeying without second thought. Kantabai pointed towards sofa and she sat there. Kantabai " Maya your husband is hitting you again and again. We feel that it's not safe what you want to do about it?" She didn't answer since she didn't know. She was so confused. " He did it since I don't show any emotion." Chandan " So?!! Is it a crime? Every person have nature. Some are talkative and some are shy. But that is not crime!!" Kantabai nodded. Maya " But I never cry or smile." Kantabai " That is irritating but no need to get so hyper." Chandan " He hit you in such ruthless way. " Kantabai "And what about your daughter did he forcibly took her?" " No she did this all." She said even this without expression. It was strange and scary. It might freak out person but after it person took her to Doctor. Kantabai " Have you ever visited Doctor?" She looked confused. Actually she felt confused. Kantabai didn't see any emotion but since Maya didn't answer, she assumed that she was confused. " Yes. Many times during pregnancy!! Even for flue or stomach trouble." " They want to suggest psychiatrist." " I am not mad or maybe I am. After gynaecologist suggested psychiatrist, Pradip started abusing me. He said that I have cheated. He married to mad woman and it was fruad. He kept saying he was staying with me just for our daughter." Chandan "And you never went to psychiatrist?!!" She moved head negatively and Kantabai looked at Chandan with shock who was so angry that his eyes were turning red. It was not common for him. " This is disgusting. You never went to Doctor!!" Kantabai "Forget it. Now we need to plan what we can do?!!" Maya " Can I stay with you for few days?" They were confused. Then she added " As PG since I can't go back to parents our house isn't that big and my brother stays there too." They thought for few seconds. Then Kantabai told amount and she agreed. Now Maya decided that she must took all her stuff from Pradip's house. It was going to be hard task.
Many members of society gathered in Chandan's house that night. It was society meeting called to handle situation. When Maya came out, most of the members were shocked. Many suggested calling Police would be wise idea. Secretary " But when Chandanji called me. I called immediately to wife from office. I told my wife to immediately go and check on situation in Pradip's house. She told me that he left his house with Trupti. So what is use of Police complaint?" " They will arrest him when he came back." " But what will Maya do until that? We are not discussing revenge. We want good future for her." They all started thinking then suddenly Maya said " I call cops." She didn't have any emotions but her wounds were creating them in other's heart. Chandan " And I am going to support her." They slowly every one agreed. They told her to call Police. In few minutes a lady police came with a man cop in car. They wrote everything. Then Lady cop asked " He must be gone abroad so we might need to wait. We can call his office." Maya stopped her. " Madam I just want my clothes from my house and garantee that he would not come near me again or hurt those who help me." Lady cop smiled and said "We can do that." She called Pradip's parents. They came running with keys. Maya took everything belonged to her. Lady cop told her to even to take keys of bank locker. Maya " I don't know he never told me." Then cops searched all. Finally they found it and took it. Then Pradip's Dad asked " What about Trupti?" Maya didn't have any emotions. She didn't show her pains. But Cop said in anger " He managed to poison her soul too so I am sure that she didn't want to come to her." " No..no she is crying for her Mom. She is saying sorry again and again. That's why we guessed something is wrong. Pradip was so upset with her. He kept screaming on her. Trupti's fever is not reducing.." Maya took her mobile and dialed number. Then she immediately put call on speaker phone before all. Maya " Talk to Trupti." Pradip's father looked scared. Trupti took call. " Where are you Grandpa? Did you got rid of my mad Mom? I told you so many times I don't like to be distrubed at night!! We can get cook just like maid we don't need Mom for it." Pradip's Dad felt so scared. Lady Cop was now burning with anger. Lady Cop " So you were lying." Pradip's Dad started talking angrily " Her daughter is totally spoiled. She kept demanding one thing after another. She had fever. We called Doctor. After little change in medicine she started to feel okay but with it she started demanding too. Maya " If you give me complete responsibility of Trupti. I will handle her." Pradip's Dad started laughing on her. " Maya you are not wise enough to care of yourself. You are mad how could you take care of a kid. Doctor advised you to go in mental asylum. It is my son's kindness that I am standing here. If he had thrown you in some mental asylum then you will be in it for entire life." Chandan " I don't know about it but look at her face now. If she decide your son will lose job and land in jail." Pradip's Dad " Pradip didn't do it. She is mad woman . She did it to herself." Kantabai " He is lying. I saw Pradip throwing her out of house." " Yes. But you don't saw him hitting her, did you?" Kantabai was so shocked when another woman screamed "I once saw him slapping her from my window." Maya felt so sad. It must be on that day when she first came from gynaecologist who told them to visit psychiatrist. Then he stopped. Slowly she sensed that he never stopped. Pradip's Dad " Where did you hide your parents? I want to ask them first about your madness." Lady cop " Enough? Stop your drama!! Did you want to land in jail with your son? We will remind you about your every mistake there." After hearing Pradip's Dad shivered with fear. Then he opened door. Then he gave all to Maya. But he immediately called Pradip too. Lady cop pulled his mobile and talked with him. She scared him enough. When Maya took call, he talked nicely. " I will give you all but give me divorce and custody of Trupti." Maya knew that she supposed to feel sad but she felt happy. This time she was glad that her face was not showing anything. Then finally she went back and settled in Kantabai's house. Her parents came. But soon Kantabai sensed that they were not supportive to her. They were kept saying she must adjust. Finally Kantabai asked " Why? Now she would go to psychiatrist and she will be fine." " Ohh really are you going to take her responsibility?!!" Kantabai was confused. She never thought this way. But Maya said without emotion " I am adult. I can take care of myself. You may leave." Her parents went away in anger. On that day Maya visited psychiatrist for first time. She told all to him. " Since when it started?" " When my Mom died." " What was your age?" " I was 10 year old." " Did you visited psychiatrist or any Doctor for trauma you suffered?" " No." " So it was normal trauma which often kids suffer when their parent die. You locked your emotions. But since you never visited psychiatrist. Now it will be fine in few weeks. Just relax." She nodded. After that she kept going there. She slowly became normal. In few days she even started a job as cashier of shop. She managed to get appriciation from everyone. But her parents kept harassing her to go back. One day when she finally threw anger on them. They felt shocked and left her alone. She began her new life after divorce. This time with smile and tears not with face of wooden doll.
The End
Pradip was planning birthday party for his daughter. It was perfect occasion for him to celebrate. In life nothing was precious to him than his daughter. His daughter Trupti was true happiness of his life. His wife Maya was beautiful and everything was fine between them. But they were just stuck in their daily routine. He never sensed sorrows of his life until Trupti didn't enter. He kept earning. They never much go out. In fact Maya never showed much desire of going somewhere. When he returned from office, he was always tired. Few times he suggested Maya that they could plan picnic on Sunday. But she never encouraged. It was so strange. But Maya never seemed to be interested in picnic. In fact she never showed any interest in anything except listening to music. She went to office on fix time before Trupti. She came back on fixed time. She cooked meal for them. When he asked her about helping her in any way, she denied it. She said that she didn't like anyone interfering while cooking. He nodded. He wasn't such a good cook so he couldn't suggest that they could divide days. He decided that he could help her with cleaning. He started cleaning house on Sunday. She didn't objected it but she didn't even forced it. Soon he got tired and even stopped it so he stopped participating in household work. It clearly went out without noticing. He wanted to do something so that Maya should feel happy. She would sense his love but she didn't feel anything. She kept moving ahead with same expression. He began to feel so frustrated. He sensed one thing that she didn't feel any difference in his life by doing anything. She was always same. Many times he felt doubt regarding her love towards him. She never showed shyness or any other emotion. But she never showed hate or disgust too. Then he noticed that she never showed affection even to her Mom. She kept same face. He didn't understand why she never changed it. Now when Trupti was born, he felt that she would change but nothing was changing. She was acting same way like robot. When she looked at baby for first time, he thought that she was going to smile. He was so happy then suddenly everything was changed she once again created same face without emotion. She did all as she supposed to do as mother. But she never smiled. Slowly Trupti began to sense difference too. Trupti came running towards him every day when he entered in house. He took her to garden. Then slowly she even started suggesting places that she wanted to visit. He started searching new ideas for it. But then suddenly she started falling sick. He began to get tense. Today he was preparing for her birthday. She was in her room. He did all and went in her room. He went near her. He slowly checked on her breathe. He knew that his fear was senseless. But he still felt so scared. Trupti once had chubby cheeks but now they had vanished. He didn't understand what was wrong with his luck. He moved around room. He checked everything. He suddenly noticed that one bottle of medicine was empty. He wrote down it's name and went out. He called Maya about empty bottle of medicine. She said " I have another." " Then replace it otherwise it might create problem." She nodded. She went inside and found it. Then she kept it in window. He started decorating. He was so upset about entire incidence. He decided that he might go to chemist and purchase medicine. He was ready to keep extra medicines. He stopped decorating and went to chemist. He was so angry. He started for search of chemist. Soon he found one. He was so glad. He gave him paper of medicine. Then he decided that he might ask him about benefits of that medicine. He gave him friendly smile and asked " Can you tell me why Doctor give this medicine?" Salesman looked confused. " This is just a tonic for kids." " But my daughter is falling sick again and again. May be I should change Tonic?" " No as friend I suggest you to change pediatrician. Or you can even show general Doctor who know about kids? Your Doctor is just grabbing money from you?" He was shocked and confused. He didn't understand what he was supposed to do. He went home in nervous state. He started calling Maya. Maya came out. He told her everything. " So we need to change Doctor." She didn't change her expression. He was so angry. " Why don't you react? Don't you feel affection for your daughter?" Maya said quietly " She is going to die. We can't change it." He just slapped her without second thought. Then he regretted it. He kept apologizing. But her expression didn't change. She just said " I am getting everything ready for party or do you want to cancel it?" He was so confused. He started crying. He did worst thing today. He slapped his wife. He sensed that she might be right. He needed to cure his daughter. He wanted help for it. He told Maya to cancel party and started calling his Doctor. It was so upsetting. He was glad that at least Trupti was sleeping peacefully. He talked with his family Doctor. He took number of hospital and decided to show Trupti to specialist next day. He began to make planning regarding taking her to Doctor. He started to arrange all. He knew that he needed to cancel birthday party and it was not going to be easy. Trupti was going to get hurt. He knew that it was her birthday but she kept having that fever again and again. They couldn't stress her now. He knew that he needed to be strong still he started crying slowly. He felt so sad. He wanted happiness for daughter. But he had to take it away from his daughter for her health.
After appointment Pradip went in kitchen. He was so ashamed. " Maya I am so sorry. I don't understand what I supposed to do as punishment. You can slap me as punishment." He put his cheek ahead. Maya just patted on his cheek without expression. Maya "It is not your mistake accepting death of loved one is not easy." He was so shocked. He took hold of her shoulder in harsh way and started asking " Who told you she is going to die?" She was still having expression like stone. She didn't said anything. Then she said " No one. I just said one day every one is going to die." He screamed " I know that but my daughter is so small. No one die at this age and she is not going to die. She is so small. She have long life ahead." Maya didn't say anything just nodded. He began to hate her. She didn't have any feeling even for her daughter. It was shocking. She shivered with fear when he looked at her with anger. This was only feeling that she was capable to have. She never showed any emotion to him until now. But today he saw fear in her eyes. She was scared of him. She didn't like his anger. Maya started looking at her feet. " I am not saying she is going to die. I was using just line. Not with meaning." " Using lines?!! Out of what? Some book?" She didn't answer just kept looking at her feet. He once again took hold of her shoulder and screamed "Look in my eyes!!" She did as he said. There was nothing in them. They seemed like well without water. They were totally dry without emotion even fear couldn't retain in it for long time. Slowly once again she became statue. He was so upset. But he remembered that his determination not to hurt her. He left her shoulders and forced himself to smile. Pradip " I know you are talking in philosophical way. I took it too personally. I needed to sense it. You can go in kitchen." He sensed that something inside him keep breaking. He was always so nice and kind but now he kept having fits of anger. He kept losing his control. It was so upsetting. He wanted his daughter to be healthy. He felt certainty that he would able to control himself. He needed to just cure Trupti. He began to collect her reports. Trupti was awake now. Trupti " Daddy when we will start my birthday party?" He felt so sad. He checked her fever. Her fever was reduced now. He knew that it would vanish soon but it would come again. He had to do something about it. " Sweet heart you are sick, you can't do party now." She started crying. " No Dad I want to do party.. please Dad..Let me." " Honey you are sick. You can't do party now. But we will give party when you will be fine." She nodded. It was clear that she was not feeling healthy enough to do it. He felt so sad. " Then Dad at least stay with me. Promise me you will not go to office." He knew that he couldn't promise that. He needed to go if Boss called him. After all he wanted leave tomorrow. He gave her smile and said " You know Dad can't stay but Mom will be here." Trupti immediately started crying. " I want to stay with you. Mom is strange. She didn't laugh or play. She scare me." He was so upset now. Maya didn't behave normal even with their daughter. " And she went away every afternoon. I have to stay alone." " Where?" " I don't know." He was upset now. She was not even staying with their daughter. He was about to call Maya when his mobile rang. It was his Boss. He took call. Boss " You are lucky charm. We got that contract. Start to pack up to go abroad." " But my daughter is sick." " Come on your wife will take care of her." He was upset. He knew that if he didn't went then they would lose all. He was so confused. Boss " Come on. You know we deserve this project." "Fine. I will come." Boss laughed happily. Boss " Remember with this you get your share in money and position." He laughed. But in his soul he was tense. He went back to Maya. He saw that she was cooking cake in kitchen. Maya was great cook. No one could compete with her in that field. But she never even needed appreciation about it. He loved that smell of cake. Pradip " I need to go to abroad tomorrow." He was expecting some argument but she just nodded. He was glad. " So you will take care of Trupti." She nodded again. He went in room happily. Maya was standing there with no expression. She was standing there like doll but in her heart. She was upset. Pradip was acting strange day by day. Today he did worst thing. He slapped her. He never dared to act like that before. But day by day he started to act in worst way with her. She was so upset. She could complaint. But she knew that it wouldn't help. She was so expression less. She managed to lock all sorrows in heart and they didn't came out. She never able to say things the way she felt. At beginning Pradip was so nice with her. She wanted to smile and laugh. But she didn't. Soon she sensed that he began to get frustrated with her. She wanted to feel happy. She was feeling it too. But still she couldn't expressed. She was in love with him on that point and even now but she couldn't show. She was locked inside her body like she was locked in doll. She couldn't show feelings. Her husband was already hating her for it. She felt so scared that her daughter would feel same about it soon. She was so sad. She wanted to cry but she couldn't. It was her life.
Maya was so upset now. She knew that now she had to handle Trupti. She went in other room. She stood before mirror. She started observing her face in it. She needed to smile. She began to create smile on her face. She began to see different gestures in life. She started to show different look in mirror. She began to create appeals. But nothing was convincing. It was not the way she wanted. Her smile was not looking natural. She was looking like some bad actress or robot. She was smiling in strange way. She was looking so strange. She started to change her face in different positions. Slowly she began to feel her face was nothing but holloween mask. She was smiling like strange doll or robot. Soon she sensed that if she went in room of her daughter with same expression then she would feel so scared. She decided that her expression less face was better. She was confused when Pradip started calling her. She shivered with fear. But still her face was same without any feeling like some face of plastic doll. She went out. He gave her his angry look. " I told you. I am going abroad why you are not preparing?" She was confused. " But I don't know how to prepare I never went abroad!" Pradip was so shocked. Maya was not living life just in stony expression but she didn't even have knowledge about traveling. He was so angry. "Okay I will pack things. You can go and convince Trupti." She nodded. She went in Trupti's room. Trupti was clearly upset about cancelling of her birthday party. She sat near Trupti on bed. She tried her best to talk in sweet voice and said " There is bad news sweetheart. Your Dad needed to go abroad." Trupti was so upset. She pushed her away and ran to Pradip. Maya was so confused. She just kept sitting there. Soon she heard crying of Trupti and Pradip's angry voice started to call her. She started to go in his room. But she was scared. Her shoulder was still paining. He kept holding her so hard. She didn't want to complaint. But she needed to cook with that hand. If he kept hurting her like that then she had to take painkiller. She knew that she was not perfect wife. But he was so abusive towards her. She was so upset. When she went inside room, she saw that he was boiling in anger. She was so upset. She decided that she would not go inside. She just stood near door. Trupti was crying in strange way. Trupti " Dad don't left me with her I will die.." She kept saying this. Maya was so shocked. She did everything for Trupti. But her daughter was acting with her in strange way. Pradip Began to scream on Maya. " What kind of mother are you? Don't you able to show some affection towards your daughter?" She didn't say anything. Trupti continued her drama. " Dad she didn't care for me. She left me alone every day. She goes out on each afternoon." Now Maya was shocked. Trupti was lying. She never left her alone. In afternoon she just went down to buy vegetables. She wanted to convince this to Pradip but her voice was without emotion again. She was saying it in such way as if she was making list of groceries. She sensed one thing that she was not going to convince Pradip. Pradip looked at her with anger. " Do you go meet some man? Are you involved with someone else?" She was so shocked. She never thought that this issue would turn this way. It was totally shocking. He knew that she had problems in even showing emotion towards him his assumption regarding another man shocked her. She didn't respond. She always had habit of responding late and without emotion. In this stressful situation it turned totally wrong way. She just kept quiet. He assumed it as yes. He started screaming loudly on her. " Who is that man?" She was so confused. She said " No one." He screamed " That's why you never show any emotion to me?!!" He was so angry. He hit her with full of force. Now even Trupti started to shiver with fear. He took hold of her shoulder and pushed her out of house. She tried to protest then she decided that it was better to go that taking his punishment. He threw her out of door and he screamed " Go with that man with whom you spend every day." She didn't able to answer. Her entire mouth was paining. He closed door. She didn't want him to explain. She wanted to go back to her parents. She knew that her parents would accept her. But she had brother too. She couldn't just walk in their house. She didn't understand what she supposed to do. When she sensed someone was helping her to stand up, it was old lady from neighborhood. That lady " Come with me. I will help you. You are just like daughter to me." She nodded. That lady took her inside. Her husband came out and asked " What happened?" She looked at him pointedly and said " I will tell you later?" He nodded. She gave her painkiller and told her to go to sleep. She just obeyed them and soon she fall asleep. That lady Kantabai came out. Kantabai was clearly upset by this. She shivered with anger. Her husband Chandan looked at her with shock " What's going on? I don't want you to interfere in other's personal business." " When he throw her out of his house this way, it is no longer his personal business." Chandan was shocked " What? But why?" " I don't know and I don't care. When she woke up, I will take her to Police." Chandan clearly looked scared. He didn't like this situation.
When Kantabai came out, Chandan followed her. Chandan was scared at first but when he saw Maya's face he decided that he had to interfere. Her entire cheek was swollen. He could clearly see that there should be black marks there. Chandan "Before Police we must talk with secretary of Society!" " Why?" "To get support. You saw how did this man hit her. What if he decided to hit us tomorrow for helping her?" Kantabai was confused now. She didn't thought about this danger. This man was mad. Entire society knew that Maya was most shy woman. She never talked with any one except to answer questions. Many considered her snob. But after hearing Pradip's line she felt problem might be different. He was clearly abusive to her. If Pradip had kept behaving like that with her, she should act shy. She decided to take support from people of society. " You are right!! May be I should call few ladies of society too?!!" " That will be great idea. We must take support." Chandan took breath of relief when his wife began this task. Soon Kantabai sensed that no one was coming forward to help. She decided that she should not go to Police otherwise she had to handle all issue by herself. Then she remembered that she forgot to all Doctor. Kantabai " We must call Doctor." " You are right. She is sleeping in strange way." Chandan called his Doctor. Doctor came there immediately. Doctor didn't say anything just went to patient first. He checked her. " Which painkiller you gave her?" He checked it. " This is mild one. Why she is feeling so sleepy?" Doctor was clearly confused. Doctor asked her " Did you took sleeping pills?" She nodded. Doctor "Why?" " My cheek was paining." Doctor checked her. Doctor "Did your husband hit you every day?" She turned her head negatively. But Doctor didn't seem convinced. Doctor went out and told Chandan " This is not right. He is hitting her every day. She might die one day and cops will question you too. This is about human life not joke." Chandan started to feel angry now. Chandan I don't understand how could he act like that? She is such nice peaceful and quiet girl!!" " It is not our business. Give her these medicines." After sometime Maya was awake. She was feeling so much pain. She went to mirror. Her face was looking horrible. First time she sensed that she must fight back. On first slap she felt that it was her mistake. She mentioned death. She knew that she never able to express things in right way. But today it was too much. His dear daughter Trupti accused her and he started hitting her. She decided that she must talk with him. She looked around. Soon she sensed that she was in neighborhood. She went out. Kantabai was waiting for her. " How are you?" "Fine." Kantabai was so shocked even on this point there was not tears in Maya's eyes. Kantabai sensed that her emotions were locked on some point. They just didn't come out. Kantabai " Sit here Maya." Maya wanted to go out and confront about it. But she sat. She didn't understand why. It seemed as if after marrying to Pradip she became a robot. She kept obeying without second thought. Kantabai pointed towards sofa and she sat there. Kantabai " Maya your husband is hitting you again and again. We feel that it's not safe what you want to do about it?" She didn't answer since she didn't know. She was so confused. " He did it since I don't show any emotion." Chandan " So?!! Is it a crime? Every person have nature. Some are talkative and some are shy. But that is not crime!!" Kantabai nodded. Maya " But I never cry or smile." Kantabai " That is irritating but no need to get so hyper." Chandan " He hit you in such ruthless way. " Kantabai "And what about your daughter did he forcibly took her?" " No she did this all." She said even this without expression. It was strange and scary. It might freak out person but after it person took her to Doctor. Kantabai " Have you ever visited Doctor?" She looked confused. Actually she felt confused. Kantabai didn't see any emotion but since Maya didn't answer, she assumed that she was confused. " Yes. Many times during pregnancy!! Even for flue or stomach trouble." " They want to suggest psychiatrist." " I am not mad or maybe I am. After gynaecologist suggested psychiatrist, Pradip started abusing me. He said that I have cheated. He married to mad woman and it was fruad. He kept saying he was staying with me just for our daughter." Chandan "And you never went to psychiatrist?!!" She moved head negatively and Kantabai looked at Chandan with shock who was so angry that his eyes were turning red. It was not common for him. " This is disgusting. You never went to Doctor!!" Kantabai "Forget it. Now we need to plan what we can do?!!" Maya " Can I stay with you for few days?" They were confused. Then she added " As PG since I can't go back to parents our house isn't that big and my brother stays there too." They thought for few seconds. Then Kantabai told amount and she agreed. Now Maya decided that she must took all her stuff from Pradip's house. It was going to be hard task.
Many members of society gathered in Chandan's house that night. It was society meeting called to handle situation. When Maya came out, most of the members were shocked. Many suggested calling Police would be wise idea. Secretary " But when Chandanji called me. I called immediately to wife from office. I told my wife to immediately go and check on situation in Pradip's house. She told me that he left his house with Trupti. So what is use of Police complaint?" " They will arrest him when he came back." " But what will Maya do until that? We are not discussing revenge. We want good future for her." They all started thinking then suddenly Maya said " I call cops." She didn't have any emotions but her wounds were creating them in other's heart. Chandan " And I am going to support her." They slowly every one agreed. They told her to call Police. In few minutes a lady police came with a man cop in car. They wrote everything. Then Lady cop asked " He must be gone abroad so we might need to wait. We can call his office." Maya stopped her. " Madam I just want my clothes from my house and garantee that he would not come near me again or hurt those who help me." Lady cop smiled and said "We can do that." She called Pradip's parents. They came running with keys. Maya took everything belonged to her. Lady cop told her to even to take keys of bank locker. Maya " I don't know he never told me." Then cops searched all. Finally they found it and took it. Then Pradip's Dad asked " What about Trupti?" Maya didn't have any emotions. She didn't show her pains. But Cop said in anger " He managed to poison her soul too so I am sure that she didn't want to come to her." " No..no she is crying for her Mom. She is saying sorry again and again. That's why we guessed something is wrong. Pradip was so upset with her. He kept screaming on her. Trupti's fever is not reducing.." Maya took her mobile and dialed number. Then she immediately put call on speaker phone before all. Maya " Talk to Trupti." Pradip's father looked scared. Trupti took call. " Where are you Grandpa? Did you got rid of my mad Mom? I told you so many times I don't like to be distrubed at night!! We can get cook just like maid we don't need Mom for it." Pradip's Dad felt so scared. Lady Cop was now burning with anger. Lady Cop " So you were lying." Pradip's Dad started talking angrily " Her daughter is totally spoiled. She kept demanding one thing after another. She had fever. We called Doctor. After little change in medicine she started to feel okay but with it she started demanding too. Maya " If you give me complete responsibility of Trupti. I will handle her." Pradip's Dad started laughing on her. " Maya you are not wise enough to care of yourself. You are mad how could you take care of a kid. Doctor advised you to go in mental asylum. It is my son's kindness that I am standing here. If he had thrown you in some mental asylum then you will be in it for entire life." Chandan " I don't know about it but look at her face now. If she decide your son will lose job and land in jail." Pradip's Dad " Pradip didn't do it. She is mad woman . She did it to herself." Kantabai " He is lying. I saw Pradip throwing her out of house." " Yes. But you don't saw him hitting her, did you?" Kantabai was so shocked when another woman screamed "I once saw him slapping her from my window." Maya felt so sad. It must be on that day when she first came from gynaecologist who told them to visit psychiatrist. Then he stopped. Slowly she sensed that he never stopped. Pradip's Dad " Where did you hide your parents? I want to ask them first about your madness." Lady cop " Enough? Stop your drama!! Did you want to land in jail with your son? We will remind you about your every mistake there." After hearing Pradip's Dad shivered with fear. Then he opened door. Then he gave all to Maya. But he immediately called Pradip too. Lady cop pulled his mobile and talked with him. She scared him enough. When Maya took call, he talked nicely. " I will give you all but give me divorce and custody of Trupti." Maya knew that she supposed to feel sad but she felt happy. This time she was glad that her face was not showing anything. Then finally she went back and settled in Kantabai's house. Her parents came. But soon Kantabai sensed that they were not supportive to her. They were kept saying she must adjust. Finally Kantabai asked " Why? Now she would go to psychiatrist and she will be fine." " Ohh really are you going to take her responsibility?!!" Kantabai was confused. She never thought this way. But Maya said without emotion " I am adult. I can take care of myself. You may leave." Her parents went away in anger. On that day Maya visited psychiatrist for first time. She told all to him. " Since when it started?" " When my Mom died." " What was your age?" " I was 10 year old." " Did you visited psychiatrist or any Doctor for trauma you suffered?" " No." " So it was normal trauma which often kids suffer when their parent die. You locked your emotions. But since you never visited psychiatrist. Now it will be fine in few weeks. Just relax." She nodded. After that she kept going there. She slowly became normal. In few days she even started a job as cashier of shop. She managed to get appriciation from everyone. But her parents kept harassing her to go back. One day when she finally threw anger on them. They felt shocked and left her alone. She began her new life after divorce. This time with smile and tears not with face of wooden doll.
The End
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