When I was married at the age of 22 in a Thakur family, I never knew that my life would take such unexpected turn. I was from a poor family of a rural area. My father had died when I was 10 years old. As I grew up my mother was looking for a suitable groom and because I was beautiful by the common standard, I was selected by a rich family that had landed property in a nearby village for their eldest son Hari, who was then 26 years.
My husband had three siblings, Shiva was 24, Shankar was 22 and the youngest one Deva was just 20. Their parents have died when Deva was only 12 years. Since then all the brothers worked together and under the guidance of my husband, Hari, not only managed their property effectively but accumulated much wealth to be regarded as one of the richest families of the area. It was their uncle and aunt who selected me as the bride for their eldest nephew. Because I was good looking, had a nice figure and had read up to school final, I was selected as the bride. What was much of relief to my widowed mother and elder brother was that they demanded no dowry as was common in our society.
I was married off in a solemn ceremony and walked into the haveli (old style palatial house) of my husband as a bride. I lived happily there with my husband and three brother-in-laws. My mother died within six months of our marriage. I went to my brother's place for the last ritual and found that my new life style has changed me so much that I did not feel comfortable during my stay in the very house where I had grown up. Within one and half year of wedding I gave birth to a son. It was not only my husband but his brothers as well who rejoiced over the birth.
By the time my son was one and half year old, my husband died due to sudden cardiac arrest. I was remorse at the sudden shock. However, after his rituals were over, my brother-in-law Shiva told me that in the absence of Hari, I should know about the properties they had. So he took me to show the landed property they had, the rice and mustard oil mills they owned in nearby villages. I had no idea of such vast property that they had.
Then one day Shiva took me to show their farm house that was located nearly hundred fifty kilometers from our haveli. I knew about farm house but never imagined that it had such an area with palatial building inside it. There were four guards and four wolf-like dogs of some breed that guarded the farm house. By the time we reached there it was afternoon. Shiva guided me inside to show the palatial building. The building had one room each marked for each brother. I casually wanted to know the use of such a large farm house.
Shiva smiled awkwardly and said, "Bhavi, you know we Thakurs are very lustful. The farm house is for our enjoyment.
Even your husband had spent nights here when you were in advanced stage to enjoy extra-marital life."
I was shocked at this revelation and felt disgraced that my husband had enjoyed with some other woman during my pregnancy. But I blushed at such blatant revelation by Shiva. Because four rooms for each brother indicated that all the brothers were in the same boat so far as the lustful activities were concerned. I did not know what to say but maintained extra reserved attitude to make Shiva understand that I did not at all like all these activities.
When I looked at Shiva, I saw him smiling mischievously. I felt quite uncomfortable and said to him, "Let us now return to home. I am quite tired."
Shiva said to me, "I have something important to discuss with you. You see, there is no property in your name and after Hari died we can drive you and your son out of our house. But for a young widow like you it may not be easy to live an honorable life.
I have discussed with my brothers and decided that we won't get married to prevent our property from getting divided provided you agree to serve our physical needs now and then."
I was thunder-struck and angrily said, "You three brothers want to make your bhavi your mistress? How debased and mean are you! Taking the chance of my helplessness?"
Shiva shamelessly said, "You are starving too with your youthful body like that. You see, if you agree we will take every care of you including the education of your son and we assure that everything will be within four walls of the haveli."
"How can you come with such dirty proposal?" I angrily retorted, "You want me not only to go to bed with you but with your brothers, who are younger to me. How shameless you can be."
Shiva replied, "You will be our Draupadi. Don't forget she satisfied five."
Then Shiva changed his topic, "Have you seen the dogs of the farm house? They can tear away any human being and it will look like just an accident. Hope you don't want to confront them nor wish your son to be let before these wolf-like dogs."
I was shivering in anger, insult and fear. Particularly reference to my little son almost froze me. I was wondering how I have fallen a victim of these dirty and violent people.
However, Shiva went a step further and said, "Have you seen the guards of this farmhouse. If someone does to yield to our proposal we often let these guards enjoy. But don't be afraid, you're our family's widow and symbol of honour so we won't be that cruel to you to let these guards ravish you."
A feeling of fear ran along my spine. Shiva had very discreetly told me what is expected of me. I stood in silence for sometimes. Shiva did not insist for immediate answer but waited calmly with the cold eyes of a python. I was shedding tears at the turn of events in which I was. Then I thought of my future, the safety of my son and also the breach of trust by my husband during my pregnancy.
"What do you want me to do?" I finally asked Shiva.
"I want you to be my bride in this farmhouse," he curtly replied.
"And then in coming days to serve as the bride of your brothers too?" I said, "Why call bride? Say mistress!"
Shiva said, "Our entire property will be in the name of your son and we will brought him up with love and care like our own son. You are to make sure of only two things that you serve our needs and you don't get pregnant."
"Can I trust them, those who want to make their elder brother's wife a mistress?" I said.
"You need not agree till we have transferred all property in the name of your minor son", said Shiva, "And you will be the trustee. If you want to take revenge, you can deprive us once the property gets transferred and you become the trustee. If we can trust you, why can't you?"
I have almost decided by then my action and said to Shiva, "I might agree with your proposal but like your elder brother you can't go on for me at home and at others outside at the same time."