Dear Bulbbul,
When I first heard the name, I was sure that the name belongs to a woman who has a very charismatic personality . There are some characters that have such an impact you that you wish that they were not fictional, and for me you were one such character.
Behind your strong, smiling , face , you carried a secret that no one could even get a hunch of. The amount of drastic changes that went in your life, you were bound to become this strong.
A big haveli that captured your childhood, you were separated from your dear “baba” and “pishima”. I guess when you asked your “pishimaa” that “vash Kya hota hai” I am sure staying in the big haveli you got your answer. You only found one person who understood your value that was your same age brother-in -law, Satya. But soon he was also gone leaving you to be all alone in the big haveli once again. Another person who could have understood you was your “Binodini Didi ”. But instead of understanding you she was jealous of you and her jealousy kept on increasing day by day. She envied your relationship with Satya and also fuelled your Thakur against you. This was probably because she did not have a Satya in her life. Just like the saying goes on that “ A woman is only a woman’s biggest enemy” your Binodini Didi proved the statement right, once again. When she said that “Kahin log yeh na soche Ki Badi Bahu aap nahi hum hai” proves that she was also envious of your position and wanted to snatch it.
You were a subject to intense violence only due to a mere misunderstanding, which prevented you from running like a free bird anymore. Not only that , you were then mercilessly raped by your Thakur’s younger brother, Mahendra. Next morning, you are a completely changed woman. No more the loving , innocent and lively Bulbbul, but a woman who has nothing to lose and only knows to avenge wrong doers. Binodini comes to cover up her husband’s deed. Like Lady Macbeth she shrewdly tells you that big houses have big secrets and asks you keep quiet. She says “chup rehna” after every sentence and doesn’t support you or give you strength. It gives us a glimpse that maybe she was also a victim like you only , but she chose to keep quiet and let patriarchy prevail. Women were probably supposed to stay like that and pass on the learning of “chup rehna”.
But you Bulbbul, learnt to be the change. You did not supress yourself to these atrocities. You flew like a bright bird only to stop the atrocities against women around you. No wonder that little child called you a “goddess” .
You did not give Satya an explanation about your friendship with the doctor as you felt that it was not required, you could live in your own terms.
You scarified your life in killing demons who snatch the lives of women. At least, at last you were satisfied with you self.
Every woman is a “Bulbbul” but just like you they need to spread their wings and fly. I am sure you will be happy seeing that from where ever you are.
