BOUNDARY

Today you must listen to my story because I have left the luxurious house for your sake and preferred to stay in a one roomed house which is more comforting and peaceful in your presence. You are my pride and my honour. So please listen to my life’s history.

My parents were very affluent. I had a keen interest to study for medicines but had to sacrifice for the sake of my parents. My parents did not want to spend so much money on educating a girl child. They wanted me to be an ordinary graduate. My dad used to to say always that my marriage would lighten up his burden. Had it been a boy this unfortunate girl need not have been born. He had such a reputation in the society that they could not even abort during the pregnancy.

From my childhood I had a good flare for writing. Whenever I asked my dad to buy some good books for me mummy used to shout, “Learn kitchen work and other household work which may be more useful after your marriage. What will you earn by being a writer?”

One day it so happened that my father burnt all stories written by me. It was painful to see the work of my hard labour getting burnt right in front of my eyes. But I may not be sad anymore when you are with me. I share such a serious matter with you but still you keep laughing. For your sake I left my home so don’t laugh but listen to me carefully. I shall tell you everything today.

One day father called a tutor to teach music to my younger brother. My brother sings well. When my father was not at home one day the tutor had come and he asked me, "Beti please sing a song.” Brother also insisted, ”Didi please sing, I want to hear your voice.”

I sat before them and sang a song. Both of them appreciated it. When Father returned the tutor told him that the house had the grace of goddess Saraswati. What a beautiful voice your daughter has! Please teach her music she may turn out to be a great singer one day. Father did not tell the tutor anything that day but the very next day the tutor of my brother was changed.

One day I was playing badminton with my brother. After the game he told father, “Papa, Didi plays badminton so well. Let her get some coaching.”

It looked as though my parents got feared to see my talents. I was called privately and advised that so much of smartness was not good for a girl. People might think that the girl has a modern outlook which may be a hindrance for my marriage. Keep your study, games, music etc within the confines of the four walls of our house only. Mother gave me a sermon that there is a limit for girls which should never be crossed lest they may ruin themselves.

After hearing them, my dreams got shattered. Seven to eight years passed in the meanwhile. The proposal for my marriage was vigorously pursued. The boy was found out and my marriage was fixed. The boy was good and he had a governmental job. I felt that my dreams got their wings now. I thought that the husband would give me all support. I was the first girl who was happy to leave parents.

The marriage was solemnised. The very first step into the house of in laws got me the blessing to deliver a grandson and nothing else. Upon hearing this my past memories danced before my eyes. From that day on wards I started worrying if I deliver a female child? For several nights I could not have proper sleep. When I told my husband about my problem he asked me, ”Why do you worry for it? We will have a son only. My parents and I are confident that a heir will come to the family.”

When I asked in my anxiety if it was a daughter, he got up and told that it was impossible. If it happens so, the child will be aborted during the pregnancy itself. I felt helpless as I could not understand what to do. I used to think for the whole night that all members of my in laws’ family had perfect understanding of Gita, Ramayan and observe all rituals sincerely yet they think of genocide.

Please don’t be sad. You look cute when your smile. OK, what did I say?

I had appeared for a written test, for a governmental job, before my marriage. The result of that had come. I had been selected. I informed my husband when he came for lunch. He congratulated me. Then I had asked him whether I should join. He did not object but simply told,’You are trying to vie with me now. OK, I want your presence during my breakfast, during lunch, at the time of my return from office and also when my parents need your help. I will take my food which are cooked by your hands. If you can fulfil all these conditions well you may join. I do not have any objection. If you can manage everything within your capacity we will have no difficulty. I moved away from that place silently. Am I getting stronger or breaking down? At last the day of my expectation came. I was going to be a mother.

“Please don’t be impatient. I shall tell you everything.”

No sooner they heard the news mother in law , sister in law, neighbours came forward to offer me their wise counsel. Eat this then the child will be fair. Don’t eat this, it may harm the child. See religious things. Please sleep on this side etc. I got fed up with their concern for me. So much of restrictions as if I have no views of my own. They were telling all these as if they were authorities on the subject of child birth. Nine months passed with great difficulties.

At last the day had come for the new member of the family to be born. I was taken to the hospital. Lady doctor told that due to complications some surgery may have to be performed. Every one waited outside anxiously awaiting for the new guest. In the operation theatre the lady doctor asked me “Are you happy now that, as you wished, we have been telling a lie to everybody, for the last three months, that you will be delivering a male child? Had we told the truth it would have been difficult to guess as to how such beastly people would have reacted to the newly born child. What should be done now?

I asked the doctor to show me the child. Eyes were eager to see the child. In a short while a child was on my lap- a true replica of myself.

I could not check my tears seeing a part of mine right before my eyes. Holding my child, as I was running through the back door doctor asked me to take the keys of the new room. She had made all arrangements. This was the first time when I saw a woman helping another woman. Do you know where that small child is? That is you who is hearing my stories. You are all in all to me. Now I shall go for job and take the best care of you. Learn whatever you wish. Do whatever you wish. Don’t fear for anything. Your mother is with you.

People of this world will talk big assuring of your freedom as it happened with me. Like a cow, tied with a rope, they will fix you the boundary of your freedom. You will have to function within that boundary. But I will not allow you to be tied down to such boundaries.

I will select you a life partner who will help you and give respect to all your wishes. If you do not like to marry it is well and good but do not marry those who try to create a boundary. Thousands of learned people were there in that conference but none came forward to rescue hearing the call of the helpless woman except Lord Krishna who safeguarded her dignity and prestige. Select a husband who has the trait of Lord Krishna and not like those learned but impotent men.

Have you slept off? How cute you look in your sleep.I am your mother.For the whole life I shall be like Ma Durga and protect you. Then I shall find out those who create boundaries for my daughter.

Original Story https://storymirror.com/read/story/hindi/as6x7hke/daayraa by Mitali Paik