The Forgotten Wife

She had realised that her life was left to fend for herself by a husband who would never return to or be there for her. Though she was a rakshasi, well equipped to defend herself and her son, it was agonizing that her husband never sought her out. In the battle of Dharma and justice, Hidimba was deprived of both. Neither anyone cared to fulfil their dharma towards her nor she ever got justice.

She was sent by her brother to kill the Pandavas and their mother Kunti. But instead of killing them and enjoying their flesh as Rakashas are supposed to, she had been infatuated and fell in love with the strong and handsome Bheema.

She had taken the form of a beautiful woman and had gone to him.

"I am Hidimba, my brother is a demon, he will eat all of you." She had confessed without even thinking of the consequences.

"Don't worry, I am strong enough to defeat your brother." Bheem had replied with a smile.

When Hidimba had not returned for a long time, her brother Hidimb had gone looking for her and had found her with Bheem.

"I sent you to kill the human and you are wasting the opportunity. I will kill him myself." Saying so, he had attacked Bheem.

A fierce fight had followed and ended with Bheem killing Hidimb. The thunderous roars of the two fighters had woken the four Pandavas and Mata Kunti. Hidimba had told them that she was a demoness and wished to marry Bheem. With Kunti's permission, the marriage had taken place. After some time Hidimba had given birth to Ghatotkacha.

When Kunti and the Pandavas had decided to leave of Hidimba and Ghatotkacha, Ghatotkacha promised the Pandavas that he would come to them, whenever they needed him.

Later, she lost her son in the battle between members of a family, a family that she could never be a part of.

She knew her husband had a different life, she knew he had promised Draupadi that he would never bring his first wife to the town. Still, she never complained. But she could not stop herself from waiting for him.

She couldn't cheat the mother inside her. The grief of losing her son made her live in misery. She tried her best to hide her tears from the world. But she couldn't conceal them from her daasi and best friend, Anusulya.

Anusulya has been her constant support since her husband has left her. She had found her loitering in the forest one day and had brought her to the kingdom.

"Do you wish for me to send a message to Yuvraj Bheem?" She asked again as Hidimba wiped her silent tears, sitting on the banks od the river.

"No. He is devoted to Draupadi, I can't make him break his promise to her. Also, he has suffered a lot after the war ended; his other sons have also died. He must be miserable now." Hidimba replied.

"But he is your husband. He has some responsibilities towards you, too." Anusulya tried to convince her.

"I said, no. He may have forgotten that he has another wife who is crying over her lost son, who knows that husband would never show up and still she is waiting for him. With a hope that may be someday, her love for him would bring him back to her. Maybe not forever, but for few days, or few hours or few minutes." Hidimba said in a low tone. "But I know, that day would never come. We can never meet again."

Anusulya sighed. It's time for her to know the truth, she decided.

The next morning, after her bath, as Hidimba walked towards her house, her eyes widen with the sight in front of her. There stood, the forever strong and handsome, Bheem.

He still looked the same. No- he had grown more handsome. She walked silently towards him. He still had the same effect on her, she realised. As she looked into his eyes, she felt just like the old days. She recalled those pleasant waits, those yearning eyes and their thirsty sights, the unfinished talks, and those hungry arms.

"Swami..." As soon as those words left her mouth, she realised that she felt safe in his strong arms. She felt a sense of warmth she didn't know she deseprately needed, until now.

She hugged him back tightly as tears rolled down her eyes.

"I am sorry, Hidimba." She finally heard his voice. "I made you suffer a lot."

"You did." She said still holding him tightly.

"I know." Bheem sighed. "It was difficult for me to leave you and our son alone, so I sent Anusulya to take care of you."

"What?" She broke the hug.

"Yes. She was my mother's favorite daasi. I requested her and sent her to you so that I can always be aware of your whereabouts. Everything you shared with her, she told me."

"Why?" She asked.

"Because I am your partner in happiness and grief. They are meant to be shared with me." Bheem said in his forever possessive voice.

Hidimba chuckled. She was so wrong about him. She thought he forgot her but in reality, he took care of her, always.

"You just set an example that you don't need to stay together to prove your love." Tears rolled down her eyes.

"You too." Bheem wiped her tears off. "You had a never-ending wait for me. You didn't even complain when our son died." She sighed at the mention of her son, her husband acknowldging him. A lump formed in her throat.

"I wish I could stay with you." She said holding his hand.

"You know I am devoted to Panchaali. I don't have a choice. But my love for you would never fade away." He said cupping her cheeks.

"I know." She kept her hand on his. "But maybe you can stay with me for some time? That would be enough for the rest of my life."

Bheem nodded. Hidimba smiled and pulled him with her. She knew her husband truly loved her. She could never ask for more. She walked with him towards her house, his hand in hers, and love in their hearts. 

Beta-ed by oye_nakhrewaali