Do you Know The Hidden Trauma Behind The Doors?
Hidden woes
‘The unheard screams of silence choke within the walls
The tears and sobs never pass beyond the doors
Only the echoes of sighs and whimpers remain
That is lost in the chaos of the audible world.’
— -Soulfulheart
History proves that the world has witnessed many pandemics in the centuries gone by and we have a vast archive of information on the effects and tragedies of human life during such times. But, there are many untold traumatic stories that go unarchived in the information banks as most of us do not bother to search for them or are mostly pushed under the carpets. The shadows that remain hidden in the glare of other tragedies.
Trauma of Being a Wife
My neighbour told me the other day one such incident about her servant which made me realise the shadows that lurk around us, which we never bother to pay attention to. The ‘kaam wali bai’ as per our common vocabulary for a servant came knocking at the door of my friend at around 11 pm begging for a space to stay for the night.
Naturally my friend was alarmed by the fear and agitated look of the bai who was weeping non-stop and the unusual request so late in the night. After some reassuring words and a glass of water, the bai finally could speak coherently about her pathetic condition. As most husband’s of her class, even the bai’s husband was a drunkard and a promiscuous person which goes without question and so used to be a frequent visitor to the red-light area of their shanty dwelling area.
But, due to the lock-down the drunkard could not go out and lack of outlets for the much needed intoxicants increased the pathetic condition at the bai’s humble dwelling. Naturally, the frustrated lecher needed a sandbag to let out his steam.
So not only the poor wife was subjected to constant physical and verbal abuse, but also had to bear the brunt of his insatiable physical needs. The violent domestic rape went on to such an extent that the woman had no escape from the multiple torture and so at last had run away and came begging at my neighbour’s door for shelter.
My neighbour took pity and kept her for a couple of nights, but then her abuser in the name of husband came demanding his right to have his wife back.
My Helpless Neighbour
My neighbour was already having a hard time managing her kids and other family members stuck in the house 24X7. With no time to spare for other problems, she could not stop the drunkard husband from taking his wife back.
Moreover, like the most common attitude of everyone, her family too believed that one should never interfere in the matters of a husband and wife.
Why I narrated this incident
We all have been watching the pathetic conditions of the reverse-migrating labourers.
The trauma and drastic conditions of their lost livelihood and search for shelter and food.
Of pregnant women giving birth on the roads. Of kids dying of exhaustion and hunger.
Of people dying due to lack of available medical facilities. We have heard of doctors being attacked by frustrated mobsters. Of fights and violence erupting at places of camps and food distribution. Of most of the people losing their salaried jobs etc.
But, what about the weaker and dependent ones who are being abused more, due to the lockdown?
The respite which these home-dwellers used to get at least for a few hours when the members would be busy at work places, has been snatched away.
The constant demands of tea, snacks, food can be fulfilled by these dependent women.
But, the non-stop hard labour is usually un-acknowledged and free. Instead the people of the house who are supposed to be her protectors and loved ones, repay her by constant complaints and more often violent abuses.
In fact the survey shows an increase in the accidental or unwanted pregnancy rates during the lock-down, owing mostly to the lack of accessible contraceptives.
The exploitation does not stop here at all, because she does get some rest even at nights within the closed doors of the bedroom.
These are the traumatic experiences not shared by anyone with the world. This is the Shadow Pandemic.
Do you think these conditions are limited to only the lower strata of the society?
Unfortunately no!
What do you think?
- So, readers, what do you think my neighbour could have done?
- Do you think she could have helped the poor servant in any other way?
- What would you have done if you were in my neighbour’s place?
- Would you like to share any similar situations or incidents that you witnessed?
Please share your stories, views and opinions on the above silent trauma which I have tried to bring your attention to.
Be Safe. Ciao for now.
