Putting a close friend as a maid – a tragedy in my own home

I got married in Lucknow. Due to my hectic work schedule, I rarely have time to stay home and take care of my mother-in-law. When I saw that my old friend Priya needed a job, I felt sorry for her and hired her as a maid at a salary of 350 USD Per Month. It was both a reliable man and an additional income for him.

At first, everything was fine. A few weeks later, I felt something different.

My father-in-law, Mahendra Singh, often complained of fatigue, irregular eating and lying down all day. But now he was unusually happy, waking up early every morning, and humming a few more hymns. On the contrary, Priya has become thin, her face has always been pale. One day, when I asked him how he was doing, he just smiled:

“It’s okay… Maybe I just wasn’t used to this job. ”

But as I pay attention to those evasive glances, the door remains closed at night, and every time Priya passes by her mother-in-law, she bows and doesn’t say a word.

One day, my mother-in-law suddenly insisted that my husband fix up the house, shutting it down from the inside out and making another soundproof room. My whole family wonders – why would a 70-year-old need a soundproof room?

Since something was wrong, I asked Priya to walk to a small tea stall near Aminabad market and asked her directly. He turned pale, his lips quivering, and it took him a long time to speak:

“I’m sorry… But the uncle of Mahendra … Can you tell me… Every night…”

It sounded like thunderbolt. My back froze, my arms and legs were so weak that I couldn’t stand up.

It turns out that all this time, the best friend I trusted to take care of at home was actually a victim of my mother-in-law – right in this house.

Part 2 – Reveal the Truth

That day I came home with a burning heart. I couldn’t sleep all night, I felt sorry for Priya and resentment for my mother-in-law. But if I tell them, who will believe me? Someone who was once considered a “pillar of the family”, respected by all relatives, is now accused of doing such a despicable thing?

The next morning, I told my husband – Arjun everything. At first he was surprised, his face changing color:

– “You… Are you sure? My Dad… How could my father do this?”

I sighed:
“Priya can’t make this all up. I could see the fear in his eyes. Come to think of it, why would my dad ask for a soundproof room, and why would he be so healthy?”

Arjuna was silent for a moment and then dropped his hand on the table.

“If that were true, I wouldn’t forgive him. This is an unacceptable sin!”

Stuttgart

That afternoon, Arjun called all his close relatives — uncles, cousins — under the pretense of discussing the rebuilding of the house. When everyone got there he suddenly asked Priya to tell him the whole story.

Priya was crying trembling in front of the whole family:

“Ever since I started working, Mahendra’s uncle has been pressuring me every night … I was scared, but I didn’t know what to say.”

The whole room erupted. Sighs, breaths. Aunts and cousins covered their mouths, and uncles blushed with rage.

Mr. Mahendra’s face turned pale, and he cried out:

“This woman is so cute! He made up stories to trap me to get more money!”

But Priya continued to cry, holding a small silver bracelet:
– “This is what Uncle Mahendra gave me to keep quiet. I don’t want to hide it anymore. ”

The whole room was silent. The evidence is clear.

Angry family

Arjun’s uncle shouted:

“You’ve ruined the whole family! Even at the age of seventy you’re already an animal, what a shame!”

Her aunt stood up and, pointing to Mahendra’s face, said:

“You don’t deserve to be the head of Leo’s family anymore!”

Arjuna sighed, but firmly:

“From now on, you have no right to interfere with this family. I’m going to report to the police, let the law take its course. ”

Hearing the police’s voice, Mahendra panicked, knelt down and pleaded:

“Arjuna… Son… I made a mistake… Don’t leave me to foreigners. It’s just me… I was confused for a moment…”

But now no one believes in that reason.

The End of Mr. Mahendra

A few days later, news of the incident spread to his relatives and neighbors. In an instant, the respect he had kept all his life was shattered. Acquaintances immediately closed their eyes when they recognized him.

Arjun strongly reported this to the police. Following the investigation, police found additional evidence in Mr Mahendra’s private room. Finally, he was arraigned in court on charges of harassment and coercion.

During the trial, Priya, trembling with fear, stood up straight:

“I just want justice. I consider you my father, but you made me a victim in this house. ”

The court sentenced Mr Mahendra to 10 years in prison.

In the Aftermath of the Storm

My family was shocked. Arjuna was in pain, but he took my hand and said:

“No matter what happens to my father, I won’t let you and Priya suffer. We need to live with honesty. ”

After this, Priya left Lucknow and came to Delhi and started a new job which Arjun started. Gradually, his faith in life came to life.

Every time I look back, I still shudder. But I get it: If I hadn’t asked Priya directly that day, the tragedy might have continued.

And Mr Mahendra – once revered by his entire family – was ultimately forced to pay a heavy price for his sins in the form of grief and shame.

Part 3 – Resurrection from the Darkness

Priya and the Journey of Erection

By the end of the trial, Priya had almost lost consciousness. Many nights, he would wake up to the sound of rain outside his Delhi window, his heart pounding as if someone had knocked on the door of his old Lucknow apartment.

He didn’t dare to look directly into the mirror, as a sense of guilt and shame surrounded him. But then, slowly, with Arjun’s help, Priya started to regain her confidence.

I call a lot, listen, don’t force her to tell me, just tell her she’s not alone. Arjun arranged for her to get a job at a vocational training centre for women in Delhi. There, Priya slowly regrouped and shared her story with others who had experienced similar trauma.

At one point a colleague gave him a hug and said:
“It’s not your fault. It’s the fault of the person who took advantage of you. Forgive yourself because you deserve to live a happy life. ”

These words are like a drop of cold water to a dry soul. Priya smiled more, did yoga in the morning, and tried her old hobby – watercolor painting. The first paintings were a bit weak, but after a few months, each stroke became stronger and more vibrant.

Changes in the Leo family

Mr Mahendra’s case was an unprecedented shock for the entire Singh family. From just bowing to their elders, everyone started to rethink the concept of “blind respect”.

Arjuna used to say at family gatherings:
“No man, no matter how old, has no right to trample on others. Respect does not mean turning a blind eye to crimes. ”

My mother-in-law – Mrs. Shobha Devi – initially felt embarrassed, embarrassed by meeting outsiders. But then he said firmly:

“Kung binuksan ko lang ang aking mga mata nang araw na iyon, marahil ay hindi na kailangang tiisin ni Priya ang labis na sakit. Mula ngayon, ako at ang aking mga anak ang magpoprotekta sa bawat babae sa bahay, manugang man ito, apo o katulong na babae. ”

Ang mga salitang ito ay nagdulot ng luha sa mga mata ng maraming kababaihan sa pamilya. Simula noon, ang pamilya Leo ay dahan-dahang nagbago – nagiging mas bukas, pantay-pantay at maingat.

Babala sa Komunidad

Nang kumalat ang balitang ito, nagkaroon ng kaguluhan sa buong lokalidad ng Lucknow noong una, at unti-unti itong naging seryosong talakayan. Maraming kapitbahay, na dati ay walang pakialam, ngayon ay nagsimulang harapin ang tanong: “Naranasan mo na bang manahimik sa isang bagay na mali dahil lamang sa takot ka sa pagpuna?”

Ang kaso ni Priya ay naging isang pangkaraniwang kuwento na itinaas ng mga asosasyon ng kababaihan sa lugar bilang isang halimbawa sa kanilang mga pagpupulong. Binigyang-diin ng mga tao:

Huwag kailanman balewalain ang mga hindi pangkaraniwang karatula sa bahay.

Kapag nakikita mo ang mga kababaihan o mahihina na pinahihirapan, huwag manahimik.

At higit sa lahat, ang paggalang ay dapat na nakabatay sa moralidad, hindi lamang sa edad o prestihiyo.

Isang lokal na pahayagan pa ang naglathala ng isang editoryal na pinamagatang:
“Nanalo ang kadiliman kapag nananatiling tahimik tayo.” Maging ilaw tayo ng isa’t isa. ”

Isang Bagong Simula

Pagkalipas ng dalawang taon, nakilala ko si Priya sa Delhi. Ang kanyang maliit na inuupahang silid ay puno ng mga larawan – lahat ng mga tahimik na eksena: ang umaga ng Ganges, ang mga burol ng Himachal, ang mga puting bulaklak ng lotus.

Priya smiled and poured me a cup of masala chai:
“I’ve been through hell, but now I know I deserve to live as a person. Thank you for trusting me. ”

I grabbed his hand, my eyes glistening.

Outside, the temple bells rang, as if ringing like a confirmation: darkness had dispersed, and a new dawn had arrived.

The tragedy of the Leo family is not only the story of a fallen man, but also a profound reminder: never remain silent in the face of mistakes, even if they are from your own family.

Priya emerged from the darkness with strength and love. Leo’s family has learned to change and change. And the whole community understands that – the truth, no matter how harsh, must always be told to protect the vulnerable.