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| Sunday, 1 August 2004 |
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SHORT STORY : Fate by Aryadasa Ratnasinghe Many and many a time had the lovely-looking Manjari stood by the quaint oriel window of her room and looked at the pregnant women slowly walking towards the maternity clinic a few yards away from her home. Having married four years ago, she seriously contemplated when such a change would come upon her too, because to be childless is not worthy of womanhood. It was a matter which she always discussed with her husband Suresh with a feeling of frustration. Despite medical advice and having carried out numerous tests, they finally gave up hope of begetting a child. What Manjari was unable to bear was the accusation that she was a barren woman often criticised by her mother-in-law Padma, who had given birth to eight children. One day, Padma told her son that both should go to the Munneswaram devale and beseech the help of the gods to beget a child. "Believe me. Many childless women have conceived after making a vow to the god. So, why not try? There is a saying that "a wife without a child is like food without salt". Stigma In keeping with the wish of Padma, both Manjari and Suresh went to the devale to have their wish fulfilled. They returned home with great expectation and did their best to create a progeny. Months passed with no sign of conception and Padma became more critical than before. In view of of the traditional belief that women are responsible for their barrenness, if not only made Manjari unhappy, but also she was worried over the social stigma attached to it, which is looked upon with derision and scorn as a disgraceful and reproachful defect falling short of feminine perfection. One day, Manjari met her friend Manushi coming towards her along the beaten track. She was returning from the Maternity Clinic. After some serious discussion, Manushi suggested that Manjari should go and consult a doctor at the Family Planning Bureau where gynaecologists give the best of advice. "I too was much worried when I did not conceive for more than a year. It is my husband who took me to the doctor who treated me after clinical tests. So why not you go and see the doctor?" asked Manushi. Consult When Suresh returned from office in the evening, Manjari told him about the discussion she had with Manushi, and suggested that she should also go and consult the doctor. Suresh was happy to hear the news, and they both went to consult the doctor the following day itself. The doctor, having checked the clinical test reports, informed Suresh that the defect was in the reproductive system of the male. The diagnosis was 'congenital absence of seminal vesicles' that produce semen. He further said that it cannot be made good. Realised Padma now realised that Manjari's barrenness was due to the infertility of her son. Manjari being pround of her womanhood, told her mother-in-law "You always cursed me and called me a barren woman. Now you know who is at fault." The old lady did not speak. Entering into the conversation, Suresh said: "Infertility cannot produce a progeny. So, the next alternative is to adopt a child and keep it a secret. There must be someone to call our own to look after us when we become old and feeble." Secret 'The idea is good as long as it is kept a secret. Otherwise problems might crop up as the child comes of age, and specially if it becomes aware of the truth that you both are not the real parents" said Padma forecasting trouble. "How can we screen the child from knowing the truth that we are not the parents?" asked Suresh from his mother Padma. "It is difficult. Someday the truth will come to light. Then all the labour would be lost. The child will become inquisitive to know about the parents and how he or she came to be adopted." So said Padma after having given serious thought to it. Manjari, all the time listening to the conversation, broke the silence by saying "If we were to look after the child with love and care, as our own child, I don't think he or she will betray us when it becomes of age." Search As the search was on to find a suitable baby for adoption, Padma came to know of one year old child whose father was willing to part with the child as his wife had died three months ago after an accident. The child was a problem to him, and specially being a girl, he thought it best to give it to any woman who would look after it, without any ill-treatment. Having come to know the whereabouts of the child, Padma and Manjari went in search of the house where the child was. Kamala, who gave the information to Padma, also accompanied them. When they visited the house, they became aware that this newborn treasure was to be given away due to poverty at home, as the father too was jobless. After a lengthy conversation, the father consented to give the child to Manjari for adoption, provided the legal formalities under the Child Adoption Law are observed. Padma, who believed in astrology, asked for the birthchart of the child, to check how fortunate the girl is, and whether there are unfavourable planetary movements. Child Two weeks later, the child was named Upuli, and was brought home by Suresh and Manjari, along with an old woman to look after the child. They both treated the infant as their own daughter without any discrimination. At the proper age, the child was admitted to the nearby school and everything was provided to educate her. Upuli proved to be a bright student and was the first in the class. Suresh was happy over her progress and did everything to support her. Upuli attained puberty at the age of twelve, and Manjari took all the care to look after her. Speaking to Upuli, Manjari said "Now you are no more a child. Be careful with whom you associate, and do not do anything without asking me. Boys may be after you, but you just ignore them, and never befriend them. They are very cunning fellows and will cheat you easily." Expression One day, when Upuli returned from school, there was a strange expression on her face. It was so unusual that Manjari asked: "Upuli! What's wrong with you? You look quite different today. What happened?" "Am I an adopted child? Who are my parents? Where are they? Now, tell me the truth Amma," asked Upuli. She was impatient to know the truth. "Who told you this story? It's all rubbish. You are my daughter" said Manjari in order to convince Upuli. "I can't believe you, Amma. A certain old lady had told my classmate Dilki that I'm an adopted child. My mother had died and father is living but he is employed abroad." said Upuli. Manjari knew that the cat has jumped out of the bag, and told Suresh about it when he came home in the evening. Divulge After listening to the story, Suresh said "What's to be done. Facts are stubborn. Better divulge the secret". With the passage of time Upuli became more anxious and very insecure. Her studies suffered and her attitude towards Suresh and Manjari began to change day-by-day. Manjari thought that one day she will leave her and go away or may even elope, depending on the circumstances. One day news came that Upuli had married Sarath and was living somewhere in Kandy. The marriage did not last long for Sarath died in an accident leaving the young widow to lead a miserable life. She gave birth to a child who died of dengue at the age of two. Innocent Upuli had to face the world as decreed by fate. To earn her living, she did a small job and later worked as a servant in a home of a well-to-do family. Her destiny was a sad ending. |
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