Short story

A mother's anguish

by Yasmin Jaldin

Stanley was divorced thrice. All three marriages were a failure since he could not get on with any of his spouses. Having befriended a young girl half his age, his fourth wife was in her late teens. Even though Savithri was warned of Stanley's bad behaviour it fell on deaf ears. Being netted with his handsome looks Savithri was adamant that she marry him in spite of repeated warnings by her parents and friends. Not only did he bear a bad character, but he was also addicted to liquor.

After her marriage, she thought Stanley would mend his ways since a baby was due. But alas, it was a turn for the worse. Her repeated pleas to her husband did not materialise. It was like 'pouring water on a duck's back'.

He hated children and pestered her to abort their child. He would repeatedly say that having children was an added burden. Savithri could stand no more the man's vicious attitude; as a last resort she separated from him. She thought later that she deserved this punishment, had she listened to her father's pleas to give up the affair and would have been saved of this sad predicament and the shame. Repentance came too late, now she had nobody.

Being an educated girl and a devout Christian, she sought refuge in a Convent and a very kind nun who understood the poor girl's unfortunate plight helped her in many ways. She was sent to an abode in the hills where she was looked after with much care until her little baby girl was born. In the lush environment the baby who had inherited her father's good looks was very beautiful. Savithri brought up Sakuntala with care. She was successful in securing a clerical job at a nearby estate office. The mother and daughter led a happy life. Being duty conscious with a love for her job she was successful in her career and in a few years she was able to purchase a wee little cottage of her own. Eventually, her daughter reached maturity and she too secured employment in the town where she met her future husband, Peter who managed a poultry farm. Savithri blessed the new couple and prayed for their well-being.

There was a hub of activity in the little house on Sakuntala's wedding day. Savithri was overjoyed never showing her grief that her little girl would soon be leading a life of her own and she would be alone. She shed many silent tears on her daughter's going away recalling her tedious tasks of bringing up her only child.

Upon the couple's return as promised, Savithri thought the best way of keeping her child close to her would be to bequeath her property and wealth to the new couple, Her expectation was to live with her child until eternity. Finally, she bestowed everything to her daughter. Unknowingly, her dreams were to be shattered.

After a few months, the once kind- hearted Peter had a change of attitude. He would get irritated at the slightest matter. He resented the mother-in-law going to work. Sakuntala had no say as Peter took over the household reins. He demanded that Savithri leave her job and take care of the household chores while the new couple went on their errands. In other words, she was to be the kussi amma. Again, fate had played a cruel trick on her.

After a week of deep thought, Savithri realised her folly. Now that she had bestowed all her life's savings to the new couple, she was left with nothing and worse, no abode. 'Why should I be an obligation?' she thought. The best course of action would be to continue in a job.

Two weeks later, in the wee hours of the morning, leaving a note to her daughter 'not to find her', Savithri stealthily left with a few belongings, to a distant place. Again she sought the assistance of the friendly nun and was fortunate to secure a job at an Elders' Home as matron. Since she had no encumbrances, board and lodging was provided. Although in her late fifties, she still possessed her charm so that in no time she won the hearts of all the inmates. Savithri spent many years in the Elders' Home. She bore no grudge towards her child and son-in-law but prayed for their happiness. Now, in her late seventies, she was feeble and her vision was getting impaired.

The once beautiful Savithri still had the charming smile though her beauty was fading. But, she was not to be alone. The new matron through tireless efforts was successful in contacting her kith and kin. Sakuntala, with her two children now grown-ups was glad she had found her mother after years of searching. Peter had passed away after a brief illness. The mother and daughter were united and Savithri again went back to her home to spend her twilight years.