Arranged Marriages - Caveat Emptor

I had an arranged marriage. 21 years later, I realize I'd actually offered my neck to be slipped into a noose by the most twisted family in India. I wanted a kind man and a normal, happy life, nothing out of the ordinary in terms of expectation. What I got was poverty, cancer of the body, and ruination of multiple lives, including my daughters.

Oh, the naivete of believing in tradition! Oh, the foolishness of thinking the other side had good intentions! Lies upon lies, told to obtain a Green Card. A man who marries a woman for a Green Card surely has the decency to drop her when he attains that Green Card? Not in my case.

Why prolong the agony by having children with that woman, knowing how much pain he would inflict on the innocents? Dr. Jekyl & Mr. Hyde needed the facade of being a "family man." He lied to create a family with me. If there's evil in the world, I've stared into its red demonic eyes.

In my defense, they were master manipulators. led by a narcissistic, diminutive, vainglorious cult leader. Everyone save the members of their family cult are expendable, in order to serve the demands of the self-styled Guru, Brahmin Vedic Scholar, Pundit, Poet, Friend, Philosopher, Near Saint. (But surely such a paragon is not supposed to be an alcoholic money-grubber? Where is the ethics of extorting Business Class plane tickets and tens of thousands of dollars from his son and then collecting Medicaid and food stamps in America?) Never mind, do as he says, not as he does. That's how Aathreya rolls.

A hypocritical double standard is the rule. His wife, daughters, and eldest grand-daughter deserve all the happiness in the world. His daughters-in-law must serve them all, and smile as the boot comes down on their necks. The eldest D-I-L is abused, childless, and terrified of her husband. She lacked the courage to warn me away from this pit of vipers.

My "traditional" Indian sister-in-law stole my wedding gifts. And with them, the wishes conferred by the guests on the bride and groom. But, in this cult -- I supposed I should've been honored for the privilege of turning over those gifts.

More of this saga to come. The truth is setting me free.