I “that is fine madam. In future
‘our ‘children can take care of your business”
Madam “Jivan, I am calling all my
business associates, family and friends to announce "Our’ children’s
marriage engagement at a five star hotel in about two months’ time”
I “As you please, madam.
Madam “Take care, bye now”.
In about two months’ time marriage
engagement took place. Before the main function.madam gave a small briefing
like the reason for adoption of Sony and her dream of finding a future
daughter-in-law in Sony. While most of the gathering welcomed her decision and
applauded her. Few old people (skeptic) found it not convincing. Having
finalized everything madam went ahead with her plan. Marriage was fixed on
December 5 Th, Almost after three months after the engagement.
three days
before Sony’s marriage I left with Sony to her mother’s native place to invite
her mother for her daughter’s wedding! We stopped the car long before her house
and went to her house by walk. As we approached her house I saw a fat women
(Maya’s Sister-in-law) sitting on a sofa, as we approached house.
Maya’s
sister in law asked questions after question “Who are you…? Where are you
coming from…? Whom do you want …?
I told that fat woman. "I want to take Sony’s mother back
home”.
Sony asked
for her mother. “Where is my Mummy?” Fat
woman called out for Maya. “MAYAAAAAAAAA...
Somebody wants to see you.” An old
woman came out the kitchen with her shabby cloths. After sixteen years… I could
not believe my eyes. Sony was shocked. Time stood still. ! …
“Our Sony Gudiya” I tried to introduce her
daughter. She hugged my daughter. Tears started rolling down on her cheeks. I
said, “You are coming with us now. Our daughter is getting married day after
tomorrow”....
I spoke to her brother over the phone. I told
him that I am taking Maya with us. We also talk about other things. Maya packed
her clothes in a plastic bag and we left for Chennai. As I drove the car back
to Chennai, all the way Maya spoke about her fate, her arrogance and how much
she missed her daughter. Every day she prayed for her daughter. Her only hope was that before she dies she
wants to meet me and ask me for my forgiveness for not understand me…
Next day morning
we reached Ajay’s home in Chennai. Madam welcomed Maya. Ajay got blessing from
my ex-wife. Sony took care of her mother. In the afternoon Maya came to my room
and told me “You never forgave me”. It
was too late now and I did not want Maya to bring back old memories. I moved
out of the room.
Our daughter had
a grand wedding at the expense of Madam. Madam presented new house for Sony.
Sony stayed with her mother in that the house. Madam told me “You have now
where to go. Why don’t you stay in our house”? I said nothing and left the
house in silence. I went back to my room, collected all my diaries and went
back to Madam’s house. I sat in front of Ajay’s Computer and started typing my
Autobiography. Madam came and looked at the monitor. I told madam that I am
writing my life story. I stayed in their house … Madam came in the evening to
Ajay’s room and asked me “why did I put my daughter for adoption?’. She asked
me this question after sixteen years!
I told Madam.
“You have to wait till I finish my life story “....
I knew
nothing about Madam so I asked Madam to tell me about herself.
Madam told
me her story. ...“I was from poor
family. My father died when I was a child. My uncle brought me up. After
completing tenth standard, I studied typing and short hand course
and joined for job at my Boss’s office. Through correspondent course I had
completed graduation. Later in my life Boss helped me to complete MBA. After
completing MBA I had joined in MNC as head of HRD. One day my ex-Boss met me
and proposed me for marriage. My only condition was that I should be allowed to
continue to work for MNC, since the pay was good he agreed to it. After he
spoke to my mother and uncle a date was fixed for marriage and we got married
at temple in a simple ceremony…. "
I had
completed my life story in three months’ time and approached few publishers.
One of them agreed to publish my life story. It was a moderate success.
Before
their first wedding anniversary, Sony delivered a healthy baby girl at city
Hospital. Maya held her granddaughter in her arms and named her “Ammini”. In fact Sony gudiya’s name was Ammini,
named by Maya. I had changed my daughter's name because I always wanted a
little princess and the name cannot be non-other than Sony Gudiya.
Maya stayed with her daughter and spend most
of her time playing with her granddaughter. She wanted to make up her lost time
with Sony. I stayed at Madam’s house only to look after Madam in her old age .A
token of gratitude for giving a secured life to my daughter. Life was not cruel to me when I think of less
fortunate parents. Today I am a happy and content person.
(THE END)
