Identity - A shattered Dream

This story is of Lavanya, a bright singer. A girl who could have an amazing and rich future. A tragedy, and she had to sacrifice her dream. 

What happened? And why did Lavanya have to sacrifice her only dream of becoming a successful singer? 

To know, keep reading. 

Lavanya is a girl from a small town called Lasipura. She used to stay with her parents in a small house. She was a bright girl with many dreams. Her dream was to become a singer and bring all the happiness to her parents.

Lasipura had no modern facilities or source of luxury. Their maximum luxury was television and Dish TV. Lavanya used to love watching "Indian Idol". 

Lavanya had a beautiful voice. She always wanted to be like Shreya Ghosal. Shreya Ghosal was Lavanya's inspiration. She used to participate in her village's events like Ganesh Chaturthi and Diwali. 

One day, Lavanya's elder sister Rukmini travelled to Lasipura to meet and stay with the family for a few days. Rukmini was married and used to live in Mumbai. 

Rukmini saw how religiously Lavanya used to watch Indian Idol and used to sing beautifully while doing housework. Lavanya's inspiration towards singing could not be ignored by Rukmini. 

One day, while having dinner, Rukmini asked Lavanya whether she would like to audition for singing in Mumbai. Lavanya got so happy that she could not say no to this opportunity. She was confident that her voice had a chance in this industry. However, their parents were hesitant as Rukmini was married and letting Lavanya stay with her in Mumbai could bring discomfort to Rukmini's husband and in-laws. Rukmini assured her parents that nobody would say anything to Lavanya, and they would all take care of her. 

After a few days, Rukmini and Lavanya left Lasipura for Mumbai. They reached Rukmini's house, where everybody welcomed Lavanya with open hearts. A few days passed, and things were going great. Lavanya used to help Rukmini with housework, and everybody would appreciate Lavanya's helpful nature and, most importantly, her voice. They would make her sing and let her watch Indian Idol. 

After a month, Lavanya asked Rukmini about the auditions. Rukmini said that there's no audition taking place at the moment, and she would take her immediately as soon as there's any audition in Mumbai. Lavanya was fine. However, she was worried that as June had started and she would miss her classes in college. Rukmini noticed and promised her that once her results are out, she would admit her to a good college in Mumbai. 

Lavanya dismissed this thought as she did not feel inappropriate to stay at Rukmini's place. However, to her surprise, Rukmini's mother-in-law, who heard their conversation, asked her to stay in Mumbai as long as she wanted, and they were even ready to sponsor her education. Rukmini and Lavanya were both very surprised, but they did not think much about all this. 

One night, Lavanya woke up to a voice where her sister was crying out loud. It seemed to her that Rukmini and her husband were having a fight, but Lavanya did not feel appropriate to stop it as she thought that it could be a regular fight that occurs between any husband and wife. She slept off that night. 

The next day, when Lavanya entered the kitchen, Rukmini ran to her and asked her to leave the house immediately. Lavanya was about to ask her for a reason when Rukmini's mother-in-law interrupted the conversation, asking Lavanya for help. Lavanya left her conversation with her sister there and went off from there. Throughout the day, Rukmini tried to have a conversation alone with Lavanya but could not have it as there were always people around her. 

5 to 6 days passed, and strangely, Lavanya and Rukmini could not have an alone time to discuss the reason for Rukmini asking Lavanya to leave Mumbai. However, soon Lavanya was about to realise the reason. 

One day, Lavanya read an article in the newspaper about the Indian Idol auditions. She rushed to Rukmini and others. She was so happy and told everyone about the auditions. 

"Finally, we can now let her know why we kept this freeloader in our house for almost 2 months beta" Rukmini's mother-in-law said this out loud. 

Lavanya was surprised by this statement and said, "Aunty? What are you saying?". 

"Hahaha, yes, Lavanya, you are here only because we wanted you here. You will be the voice of my daughter Megha. I have always wanted my daughter to be a great singer, but her voice is like a crow's. Nobody would want to hear her voice. When Rukmini told us that you would be joining her in Mumbai for your auditions, we came up with a plan. We let you stay with us and poured all our love out to you. Now enough. Just do what we say and your sister will stay happy forever", said Rukmini's mother-in-law. 

Rukmini started crying out loud and said, "I am sorry, Lavanya. I had no clue that these people would do this to us. I wanted to tell you all this and wanted you to leave Mumbai, but these people did not let us communicate".

Lavanya was mum. She was lost for words. She said, "Sorry, Aunty, but I won't let you use my voice for Megha. This voice is my identity, and I will never let you use this for your evil intentions. Moreover, I am not convinced of cheating the judges. That's not how this is supposed to work. My dreams will be shattered with your malicious intentions. Please find someone else for this."

"Looks like you are not willing to save your sweet sister, Lavanya. We will kill her. Mark my words. One step out of this house and you will never be able to meet and see your sister," said Rukmini's husband. 

What kind of husband are you, Vivek? You want to kill your own wife for all this?, asked Lavanya. 

Yes, anything for my sister. Is your dream more important than Rukmini's life? asked Megha. 

"No. But I am not ready to sacrifice my voice for you. My father taught me to protect my identity. My identity is mine, and I am not willing to sacrifice it for you, Megha," said Lavanya. 

Vivek rushes to the kitchen and returns with a knife in his hand. 

Okay then, he pulls Rukmini and points the knife near her neck. "Say bye, Ruki", said Vivek.

No stop. Please stop. I am ready to give my voice to Megha. Please no no no no!!!!! said Lavanya with a heavy voice. 

That night, Lavanya could not sleep. 

Auditions were done. Megha was selected for a song called Mehbooba. She sang the song that was written by Lavanya. 

Megha would go with Lavanya to the studio, and Lavanya would hide behind the curtains with the mic installed in the button of her kurta. Megha used to turn off the mic in front of her. 

This carried on for a few months. Lavanya was shattered. She would talk to no one in the house. Rukmini was upset as she used to feel that she was the reason behind her sister's sadness. One day, Rukmini sat near Lavanya and said, "I am sorry. I am only sorry to offer you. I wish we could talk to our parents about this, but Papa would die thinking of us, and I don't want that to happen."

This shall come to an end soon. From today, we are free, Ruki, said Lavanya. She got up and started walking towards the door. Rukmini's attention went to the side table where there was a glass with Kumkum water in it. 

What did you do, Lavanya? Why? No, no, no!!! Please say that you did not drink this. Rukimini started crying out very loudly, and everybody came into that room. 

Checkmate guys! I am leaving tomorrow morning because my voice is of no use to Megha, she said while walking towards the table and showing the glass to everyone. 

I said before and I will say again, "My voice is mine and in no case am I okay to give away my Identity". 

Harm my sister and I will sue every one of you. I am pretty serious because I have all the proof of Vivek hurting my sister.

Let us know what you think about this story. Cannot wait to hear from you guys!