Short Story:

The escape

Yasmine Jaldin

Rani lived in a very remote village where her only source of income was weaving to supplement her family of three children. Her husband too was engaged in this business. In fact, many in the neighbourhood carried on with this business followed from their ancestors. Baskets, chairs, mats, string-hopper mats and many other knick-knacks required for the kitchens and households were the highlights. These they sold at the week-end village fairs.

The income earned was barely sufficient for a week or two depending on the sales of goods. When tourists frequented the fair there was brisk business and a little extra money could be earned.

Three-fourths of the women in this village were beautiful sans make up which the town women cannot do without it. Their simple kondes and flawless complexions were a rare beauty which were the admiration of many who came to the village fair. It was on one of these rare occasions that Rani befriended a lady who frequented the village. The lady having discreetly enquired of Rani’s family and poor background was quick to approach her.

She promised her a housekeeper’s job in the city. Mani’s target was beautiful women and she saw the natural

beauty in the innocent village woman. She managed a house of ill-fame and made several trips to remote villages in search of unsuspecting women. In this instance, Mani bought a few gifts for Rani’s little children, coaxed her husband who refused at first, but agreed finally, to send his wife to the city with much reluctance and sadness..

The following week Rani accompanied Mani to her new abode. On the first day at work the employer was very nice to her even allowing her to contact her family. She bought her new clothes and requested her to use make-up and be presentable.

“Oh! Madam, Rani said, I am only your house-keeper why should I dress so well’.

"No Rani, we have to entertain distinguished visitors, since you are new they will like to talk to you." Rani was quite happy that she had found a good place to work and could send some money to her home. During the first week she was trained in housekeeping. Unaware of the tragedy ahead, the poor woman was now caught in a vicious web.

The following week, Rani saw many ladies and gentlemen arriving in plush automobiles. Some of them smiled at her, had a word with the Madam and many couples hand-in-hand were retiring to rooms upstairs. What was all this about, Rani pondered? When she asked the cook of the happenings, she was told to mind her own business and get on with her work. An hour later, she saw a foreigner entering the house and in whispering tones speaking to Mani. She saw him signing something and wit ha wink nodding at her.

"Come Rani, Mani said with a sweet smile, take this gentleman to Room No.14, give him a cup of tea and biscuits and entertain him."

"But Madam," Rani said, "I can take the tea but I do not know English to speak with him."

"He will teach you," she said.

The unsuspecting woman fulfilled the chore as requested. No sooner, she took in the tea, the room was bolted from outside. Her screams were unheard since the house was situated far away from the city with high walls surrounding it.She was lured into the oldest profession and was now in captivity. That night, Rani was severely punished for screaming and was meted out three lashes by Mani’s accomplice. She was also warned that if she tried to escape lashes and sometimes death would be the penalty.

Her pleas were in vain, there was no retreat, none to help or to confide of her sorrowful plight; That day, Rani had to entertain many visitors. At the end of the day, her fee was a mere pittance and the major share was the Madam’s. The once pleasant Madam now turned vicious, threatened Rani that the consequences would be grave if she did not adhere to her commands.

She saw that there were a few other females caught in the sickening trap mostly village lasses. Conversations in the home were prohibited, so none of them could confide. Is there no escape they would all wail and despair. They were like animals captured in a den. Rani’s sighs could be heard only by the surrounding walls. Many a tear she shed silently caught in this disgusting vice. Her thoughts were with her little children and husband.

"What is the wrong I have done?" she would ask God

"Is there no escape?"

Her prayers were answered, when one day, there was utter calamity in the house, rooms were opened and then shut. Finally, the law had walked in and Rani saw Mani being questioned at length. In a few seconds, the Madam was bundled into a police jeep along with her two accomplices. All the inmates were questioned. Rani was also summoned to give evidence. She broke downand related her tale to the police of how she was lured and she was released.

Ignorance of villagers was also the advice and topic of the law makers, and how easily they could be hoodwinked with the promise of better pastures. Finally, Rani’s prayers were answered.