The beauty said aggressively, ‘You call me shameless?’
‘Of course I do.’
Saeed asked, ‘And I’m indecent?’
‘Without a doubt! Not only indecent, but also deceitful, hypocritical and insincere. These words may sound bitter but still fall short of conveying the extent of my anger.’
I was still making these statements when suddenly Saeed’s hefty servant caught hold of my arms, and, undoing the rope from the swing, the woman tightly wound me against one of the iron pillars in the veranda.
I can’t recall my thoughts at that time, but I had felt blinded, and it seemed that the threesome were not humans but the devils of hell. A feeling of terror had replaced the anger in my heart. Even if a supernatural agency had somehow freed me from the ropes and placed a dagger in my hands, I would have done nothing more than sit on the floor and weep at my helplessness at this gross insult. I began feeling that this was probably a curse inflicted on me by God. I was being punished for my neglect of observing namaz and fulfilling other religious requirements. I was trying to recall memories from the past to ascertain the possible sins I could have committed to earn this retribution.
Leaving me in this state the three evil figures went into the room. I had thought that they were done with punishing me, but would the trio keep me confined in this manner? What if the maids were to see me in this pitiable condition? No, I was no longer fit to stay in this house. I was trying to figure out a way to untie myself. But alas! Little did I know that my then deplorable state was just a prelude to further forthcoming cruelties! I was still ignorant of the murderous cruelty of which the weaker sex is capable. In my mind, I was arguing with myself about the extent to which I was responsible for my own degradation. Could I have prevented things coming to such a pass if I had not talked back when the woman spoke so hurtfully? They certainly would have. Like the proverbial female serpent, she had had every intention of stinging me. Which is why she had begun talking in such a stinging tone, so that I flew into a temper and accused her, providing her with an excuse to humiliate me.
It had begun to rain heavily. The showers had drenched me completely and it was pitch dark outside. I was straining my ears to catch a whiff of the conspiracy being hatched inside. The falling rain had blocked the sounds from being audible. Just then the lantern appeared in the veranda once more and the three horrid figures came and stood before me. This time the murderous fairy had a slim wooden cane in her hand. My blood froze seeing the expression on her face. Her eyes contained a bloodthirsty madness, teeming with frenzy. Giving me a dirty look, she said, ‘Begum Sahiba! I want to teach such a lesson to you for your sharp tongue that you won’t forget it all your life. My mentors have told me that there is no lesson as long-lasting as the one that the stick gives.’
Saying this, the torturing soul struck a heavy blow on my back with the stick. I reeled with pain. It seemed as if someone had placed a burning coal on my back. I could bear it no longer. My parents had never touched me with even a stick made of flowers. I began howling loudly. All my pride and sense of dignity vanished into thin air. The stark and frightening truth of the stick had destroyed all emotions. Probably, the hearts of those Hindu women who jump into the fire to save their honour are made of iron. All I could think of now was to save myself from this ordeal. Saeed stood there silent as a statue. I spoke with extreme humility, ‘Saeed, for God’s sake! Save me from this cruel woman. I beg you on my knees, poison me or cut my head off, but I don’t have the strength to bear this torment. Think back on your sweet, heart-caressing words. Think of my love for you and for its sake save me from this torture. God will reward you for this.’
Saeed seemed to relent a little at this. Giving the woman a disapproving look, he spoke, ‘Zarina, let her go now, since I ask you. Have mercy on her for my sake.’
Zarina replied, offended, ‘I can do anything for your sake, but I can’t tolerate words of abuse.’
‘Do you think the abuses have still not been suitably avenged?’
‘This is the value you place on my honour? I have even had queens serve me as menials. What does her ladyship think of herself? Even if I were to carve her up with a blunt knife, she would still not have got what she deserves for her foul tongue.’
‘I can’t bear to see this torture any longer.’
‘Close your eyes.’
‘Don’t irritate me, I say. It’s time you forgave her.’
Zarina looked at Saeed with the utmost scorn, as if he were her slave. God knows what kind of spell she had cast on him to deprive him of any sense of family honour, status and the sense of human worth. She probably didn’t regard him as capable of any manly rage at all. How wrong are those who claim to read character from the face! What cruelty and hard-heartedness under the guise of such beguiling charm? Doubtless, beauty is the enemy of physiognomy. She spoke,
