Sunday Story: Will Ameena Forgive?

Read the previous part of this story here- 'We Can’t Be Selfish, for We Are Parents'.

Fida knew her daughter was impulsive. And once she decided on something, she wouldn't budge. But Fida had to try, at least for the sake of her grandchildren. Ameena may not need her husband, but Shailesh was the best daddy in the world, and Fida decided she must do her best to change Ameena's mind.

"Don't decide too quickly. You must take time to think before you decide, for the decision doesn't only affect you but can shatter your children and steal something precious from them." Fida said sternly.

Ameena opened her mouth to protest. But Fida raised her hand to silence her. "Listen to Shailesh's story, and then form an opinion or decide!" Ameena respected and valued the relationship with her mother and thus did not argue.

Fida started talking about her visit to the children's home. "I am going to tell you what I know about Mahesh," she looked at her daughter and continued, "the 10-year-old boy who looks like Shailesh." Ameena glared at her mother and opened her mouth yet again to speak. But her mother held her hand up, saying, "listen to what I have to say. You will not say a word until I have finished." The look she shot her daughter made Ameena shut up and listen.

"I spoke to Lata, and she told me that Mahesh was born to Maya, whom Shailesh loved more than life and wanted to marry. Yes, you are right, he is Shailesh's son, and Shailesh sends him to the best school and provides him with all that he needs, but he lives in the orphanage." Fida paused as tears began to flow from Ameena's eyes. "He cheated me," she mumbled.

"But he did not cheat you, and he was forced to conceal the truth from you," Fida said as Ameena's head shot up to look at her. Fida continued, "Maya was poor, and she was Sita's daughter, and Sita was their housemaid. When Shailesh returned home after completing his education, he met Maya, who lived in the servant quarters and fell in love with her." 

Ameena was now listening intently to what her mother was saying. "But you know your mother-in-law, and she disapproved. She was ashamed of her son's choice and told Shailesh it was Maya or me. If you choose Maya, I will kill myself!" Ameena gasped in response.

But Shailesh continued to see the girl, and soon, he knew she was pregnant. He appealed to his mother, "Now that she is pregnant, please accept her and let us marry." But she was adamant. Shailesh continued to see Maya secretly and took care of all her needs. Finally, it was time for her to deliver her child, but Maya had complications and died immediately after giving birth to a healthy baby boy, Mahesh." said Fida as she stopped to let all she had said sink in.

She moved closer to her daughter and sat on the chair next to hers as she said, "Shailesh was inconsolable. He held on to the child close to his bosom and wept when his mother came to him. " 

She was happy to know that the girl had died, and she asked Shailesh, "What will you do with the baby." Shailesh said, "this is my son! I will spend the rest of my life taking care of him, that will be my repentance, and that's how I will honour the promise I have made to Maya."

His mother had laughed at him and reminded him that as he stayed in her house, he could not bring Mahesh home, and if he did, she would kill herself. Shailesh knew his mother to be an iron lady, and she wouldn't relent.

Finally, he went to the children's home and left Mahesh there. He took care of his every need and sent him to the best school. Mahesh was a bright child, and Shailesh often visited his son. He also vowed never to marry and spend the rest of his life as a bachelor." Ameena got up from her chair, sat at her mother's feet, and put her head in her lap.

"But after 5 years of this painful incident, his mother forced Shailesh to marry you. He said no, but she would hear none of it. He then requested that he will marry you only after telling you about Mahesh. But she did not let him do that and promised to kill herself if, for any reason, the wedding did not take place. That was why Lata did not tell us the whole story." 

"But he could tell me after his mother's death," said Ameena. "Yes, he could, but he was scared of losing you because he loves you very much!" said Fida. "Oh, mommy, this is so complex. What shall I do now?"

"Ameena, my darling, how can you let one of your sons continue to live in an orphanage?" Fida asked. "My son! What do you mean?" asked Ameena. "Yes, Mahesh is your eldest son, and you must bring him home, and he must live will you all and believe me, your family will be whole again, and your husband will love you 10 times more. Ameena, my child, it is only you who can put an end to Shailesh's misery. Go to the children's home, legally adopt him, and bring him home.

Ameena did just that, and that significant adjustment brought back joy to her household. Her husband loved her more, and Mahesh was so like his father that Ameena soon forgot that she did not give birth to him.

My thoughts

Husbands and wives can opt for a separation or divorce, but is it fair for parents to divorce? If Ameena had gone ahead with the divorce, she would have deprived her children of the joy of living with their father and would force Shailesh to stay away from his children. Ameena's family was together again thanks to wise Fida and her beliefs.