I married the love of my life at the tender age of 23. After being in a long distance relationship for more than a year we decided to get married. Our parents had no objection. His parents came and met my family. Things were arranged and we got married.

He was an officer in the Indian Air Force. I took so much pride in it. He had got posted to Gwalior from J&K at the same time we were to be married. After marriage we both proceeded towards gwalior to start our new life.

The moment we reached gwalior station, one of his seniors had come to pick us up. Upon seeing me with him he had a confused look on his face. I didn't think of it that much.

We were given a room in the mess. The room belonged to some lady officer and I was told they will shift us as soon as they get another room for us. He said the unit didn’t know I was coming along. He took my husband aside and they had a very animated hush hush conversation. Meanwhile i kept having thoughts as to why would someone give a male officer a lady officers room when they didn’t even know i was coming! I thought this is how Air Force works, maybe they don’t think in terms of gender. The senior left, leaving us in that room.

2 hours later, 2 men in uniform stormed into our room. They held my husband by his collar and dragged him out. One of them then came inside the room and asked for our laptops, his personal folder containing all our documents, my phone, his phone and said,

“Ma’am, your husband has been arrested. He was already married when you married him. The room you are staying now,belongs to his wife. We are taking him with us. We will get back to you.”

The ground beneath me was shaken. I had absolutely no clue on what was happening. Here i was a newly wedded wife waiting to start a new life with him and he was already married? I couldn’t believe it. I knew something was wrong. Very wrong. Maybe that lady was lying.

One hour later some people came and took me to the place where my husband was kept. When I entered the premises I could hear my husband screaming with pain and I could hear the someone beating him. My body shivered. I slowly started to understand the gravity of the situation i was in.

I was taken to a room where a senior officer and a woman were sitting on a huge table. He seemed like the boss in there. He offered me a chair and told me to sit.

He: Ma’am, your husband has been cheating you all this while. This lady here is his first wife Vinamrata.

I looked at her and I am sure the color drained from my face. I wanted to speak but there was no voice.

Vinamrata: Sir, see what KB has done. He told me he was going to his hometown for a vacation. Told me he has a surprise for me. This was never the surprise i expected.

She was crying her eyes out. I was still sitting and staring at her. I still wanted to speak.

He: “Ma’am, do you have anyone who could come and get you? Or should we book your ticket?

I couldn't answer him. My husband had been silent for while. I couldn't hear his screaming anymore. I asked to see him once.

They took me to a jail-like place. He was behind the bars, dishevelled. I asked him about all this. He said it was true and he was sorry. I came out totally shaken. Before I knew I fainted.

When I regained my consciousness, I was told my so called husband would be put behind bars. My marriage isn’t legal. Because he has done this he would be court martialed. I had no idea how I would tell my parents all this.

They also said arrangements had been made and they were taking me to the same room to pack my bags and they will drop me at the station. I made my way to the room.

When I entered, I saw my husband sitting with that lady. Seeing them together made me mad. I wanted to shout at him but before I could say something, he came and hugged me. And Isaw 10-15 people come into the room smiling and saying,

“It was just a joke! Welcome to Indian Air Force!”

I stood there dumbstruck. Apparently this was the norm. They would rag and play pranks on the newly wedded wife and stop only when they cried. Mine went on for 6 hours and they had to stop because I didn’t cry. But I did faint. I was relieved that it was not a reality!

Ps : My husband got a good thrashing from me! He had even given them ideas as to what would make me cry! Men, I tell you!

It’s been 6 years and i can still not forget this incident.