Читать книгу Red Indian Sun - Zhanna Chalabayeva - Страница 4

The Fatehabad court refused to register our marriage. The judge who reviewed our case was young and, in fear of making a mistake, he did not dare to give approval. Therefore, my husband had to hire a lawyer in Tohana. After unsuccessful attempts to solve this problem in the usual ways, the lawyer suggested contacting the media and drawing public attention. I was not aware of their plans to involve public and media, otherwise, I would refuse.

Reporters came to us and filmed reports about me, about how we live, how I run a household in an Indian village after working in a noisy Moscow office. I put on my new chiffon dress bought by my mother-in-law.

My husband and I were shown on television throughout India and Kazakhstan. Later, I found out that Tenardieu spoke in Hindi to all reporters that I came to India without his invitation, he said that I myself proposed him to marry, although it was a lie. I remember how immediately after my arrival he took my phone and deleted all his messages with declarations of his love to me and proposals to get married, which were sent to me in moments when I tried to separate with him. Thus, as it turned out later, he removed compromising evidence against himself.

At the same time in my country, all the newspapers and TV programs doubled the Indian news about me. In my country, it was everywhere written: “She proposed him and came for him in India from Moscow”, “Kazakh woman proposed Indian man”. It was his lie, but I had no idea how to refute those allegations. It was such a huge shame so that I did not know how to deal with it. People in my country were furious. Many of them wrote angry comments on social media. People divided into two groups: those who wished me all the best and abused my husband and those who abused me and my husband. They did not believe that I could propose him, so they felt insulted by him and commented negatively.

My husband knew it all, as I showed him zillions of negative comments in my country news portals, but he never explained to me the reason why he lied to reporters. And I was so much shocked with his meanness so that I never asked why he did so. So we never discussed it.

– What do you think about the legal system of India? – Reporters asked me.

It was expected that I would criticize the poor young judge who tormented us with his hesitant character. But instead, I said something completely different.

– India has its own laws and rules. They are needed to protect all of us from tyranny. This is correct, and it is a guarantee of our safety. I respect the laws of India and will respect any decision of the judge.

All day, Tenardieu and I sat in the courthouse or followed a lawyer who ran through our cases in different rooms.

I felt bad in hot weather. I grew up in Siberia. For me, the best air temperature is not higher than twenty-four degrees Centigrade. When it gets warmer, I start to melt like a Snow Maiden by the fire.

Same it was in those days. I barely endured, plus thirty-five degrees Centigrade. Above, at the insistence of my mother-in-law, a translucent synthetic dupatta was hung up on me, which, in addition to the heat, blocked the access to oxygen. Also, I doubted every second and shared with my husband doubts about our union. I just wanted to leave, go back to my old life, to my work, to my friends, to my sweet life in Moscow. But Tenardieu always replied “wait”. Probably he was still hoping to go with me abroad. He told me to apply for study abroad as soon as possible.

I put up with all my strength and tried not to show it. Tenardieu said:

– Smile, honey. Otherwise, they will think that you do not want to marry me. They actually think that I force you.

– But it’s true.

I smiled, but it turned out theatrics.

Reporters took pictures of us, and my face was sad in all the pictures.

In the evenings, when my husband was returning home, we locked in the bedroom and made facial masks from turmeric. Tenardieu was mixing turmeric with some butter, and this mixture was spread on the skin. After half an hour we washed off the mask. Skin became soft, with a beautiful tint.

Every time before going to bed, my husband applied a bleaching cream to his face. India produces very good bleaching cosmetics. In India, my husband said, this type of cream is very popular.

My mother-in-law had neither a hobby nor a job in her life; she lay on her bed all day and got up on the necessary daily matters. I think because of boredom, she gave us no peace. I knew that she was doing everything to turn her son against me.

Gradually, she inclined my husband to her side. My husband once told me half asleep:

– Mom said that we do not need to marry in court. She will find me another girl.

– I agree with her. We are not right for each other. I need another person. You need another person.

* * *

In those days, my husband and I were invited to the wedding. A guy from our village married a girl from another village. We got up early because it was necessary to leave at six in the morning.

The night before I put my phone to charge and went to bed. In the morning I woke up when heard that my husband shouted at me.

– Why you didn’t charge your phone? – He allowed himself rude expressions and screamed at me. Then he pushed me into the shoulder.

– I put the phone on charge before going to bed, – I said.

– I took your charger. What, do not you see something? Are you blind?

– Then why are you telling me that I did not charge my mobile? Who allowed you to disconnect charger?

– Get ready and do not lose time!

I was hurt. It was disgusting.

Then we went to the next street. There was a car at the groom’s house. Everyone got into it and drove off. There were about ten people in the car, and everyone was happy.

My good mood disappeared. My husband sat and pushed me on the shoulder.

“Smile, bitch,” – he said in a whisper. His faded eyes burned with hatred and arrogance.