Under the Shadow of Incompetent Husband

I was very happy with Shradha's decision. For many days, I had been offering her reassurances and encouragement. I had realized a long time ago that she had a weak decision-making ability, but now she had also confided in her parents about her struggles and decisions. It’s no doubt that I was the one who encouraged Shradha’s mother to reveal everything about her husband to her parents.

The story goes like this: Shradha was my new colleague and subordinate. She was beautiful and hardworking, but when she joined our organization, she had been married for only six months. Despite this, there was a noticeable lack of inner happiness in her demeanor. Her laughter seemed hollow, and although she constantly talked about her husband and family, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. My curiosity led us to have frequent conversations, and eventually, she began to open up about her life. What she shared about her relationship with her husband was deeply disturbing. While I had read about such stories, seeing it unfold in real life was a completely new experience for me.

Even after six months of marriage, Shradha remained a virgin. Her husband was incapable of having a physical relationship, and she had kept this a secret not only from her parents but also from her mother-in-law. Shradha's husband was a wealthy yet spoiled man who occasionally helped out in his father's business. He wasn’t physically capable of fulfilling marital duties, but rather than seeking medical help, he harassed Shradha in various ways that I cannot even describe.

Finally, I spoke to Shradha’s mother. As a mother, she was understandably distressed, but she handled the situation wisely by involving Shradha’s father and reaching out to Shradha’s in-laws. The response from Shradha's husband and the subsequent events were a painful ordeal. He threatened Shradha, offering her money and property as a way to intimidate her into not seeking a divorce. Her parents, instead of addressing the issue with her husband, started accusing Shradha of being immoral. However, after a long struggle and with the support of the elders in both families, Shradha was able to secure a divorce. I was with her throughout this journey.

The purpose of sharing this story is to highlight that parents should not only provide their daughters with an education but also instill enough confidence in them to make difficult decisions in their lives. Shradha's parents were educated and sensible, and they stood by her every step of the way. Unfortunately, in our society, there are thousands of girls who endure similar hardships in their in-laws' homes, fearing societal judgment, and spend their lives in silence.