It was a beautiful Saturday evening, Chitra entered “The
Elephant Bar” few blocks away from her mansion in Manipur. She was dresses as usual,
like a warrior. There was something missing in her today. It was her smile and
her weapons.
She walked straight to the bar counter, sat on the stool and
asked for a Manipurian whiskey on the rock.
Mani, the bartender of the elephant bar was shocked at what
he just heard because Chitra is known all over the kingdom for her preaching
against drinking. However, he could not question Chitra, she is the princess of
the kingdom. He presented her the drink.
There was a pin drop silence in the bar beside the music
that was playing in the speakers.
Chitra ordered for another glass of the whiskey.
Yet again, there was no conversation between any of them.
One after other it was the tenth glass of whiskey for
Chitra. The only words that stroke the wall of the bar till this time was
Chitra’s voice saying another one.
**After the tenth glass of whiskey, Chitra to Mani**
You know that one day when I was on my daily tour to the
forest of Manipur, I saw him and fell in love with him. Arjuna, the love of my
life, my one and only one. As fast as I fell in love with the man of my dreams
he rejected me for the way I am. Do you see this warrior’s suit that I am
wearing? This was the same suit I had on that day and because of this he
rejected my love. I prayed to the god to grant me a day of beauty and feminism
that I did not have on me. The god granted me with a year of beauty. I then
again approached Arjuna. This time it was the way I wanted it to be. He fell in
love with me. He wanted me despite of his 12 years of chastity. He did not care
about what would happen to him because of his actions because of me. He was so
deep in love with me. We made love with each other and shared an ultimate
connection with each other for a year after I was granted the boon. I lived my
life as I had never thought it would be with Arjuna. I got pregnant. I did not
know about it till the last day when my boon would end. I could not resist and
pour the truth about me to Arjuna. He accepted me regardless of the fact that I
was the same person that he rejected a day ago when I first approached him. But
it was time for him to leave to complete his chastity. It has been a two years
since he has been gone. I wish I could see him. I miss him. I miss my Arjuna. I
miss the love of my life. I miss you Arjuna!!! I miss you!
** Chitra then walks outside the bar **
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| Secret Source:Link |
Author’s Note:
In the book Chitra by Rabindranath Tagore it talks about
Chitra, daughter of king of Manipur. This story covers the life of Chitra and
her love and affection shared with Arjuna during the 12 years of chastity.
Chitra was born a girl but lived life of a man. She was a warrior and a prince
protecting the kingdom of Manipur. She dressed as a warrior and didn’t have any
feminism or idea of feminism in her mind. She falls in love with Arjuna and
then has the secret relationship with him because of his chastity. She even
gets pregnant by Arjuna at the end of the story. This week I retold the story
in a bar setting. I hope you enjoy this story.
Bibliography: Story title> Chitra
book title> CHITRA
author> Rabindranath Tagore
year of publication> 1913
Hey Shristi,
ReplyDeleteWhat a funs storytelling setting! I think that the premise of Chitra being very sad about Arjuna allowed the bar scene to be a wonderful fit for this story. This story makes me feel sad for Chitra. All she wants in life is to be a normal girl and marry her "one true love," but it just is not possible. Thanks for the read and great job!