Sunday Story: Nobody's Child...

Latasha pushed open the door of the cafe as she walked in. The smell of coffee and freshly baked croissants welcomed her. Latasha felt the sides of the lips lifting in a smile. "Just in time for the croissants," she thought. It was her favourite place, and Latasha loved everything about it. She found her quiet corner by the window overlooking the lake. It looks so serene. 

Latasha drew in a breath of fresh air, and the was a freshness in the air. Although the cafe was in the city, the owner retained the greenery. "The cafe makes you feel like you are in the country," thought Latasha. She looked around the beautiful cafe, and she loved the ambience. Its traditional decor with wooden false ceilings and furniture added to its comfort.

Latasha thought, "The cafe is relatively empty-" That's when the song playing in the cafe broke through her thoughts.

"--I'm nobody's child

I'm nobody's child

Just like the flowers

I'm growing wild

No mummy's kisses

And no daddy's smile

Nobody wants me

I'm nobody's child--"

"Yes! that's me, nobody's child. No daddy's smile for me. But thankfully, I still have mummy's kisses." Latasha sighed as she thought, "why can't dad love me, accept me!"

 Esha, Latasha's mom, was excited, waiting for her husband Mohan to come home. She kept her fingers crossed, "I hope he is not drunk today."

 Earlier that day, Esha had called her Mohan and told him, " I have a surprise for you. Will you come home early today?" she had requested. And Mohan had said, "let's see." She had pleaded with him, "please don't drink today." before hearing the phone click as he cut her off. But she knew Mohan had heard her.

Mohan was a Government servant, and he worked 9 to 5. But he was an alcoholic and would spend time drinking with his buddies after work. Never would Mohan come home before 9 pm. And when he did come home, he was so drunk that Esha had to support him to keep him from falling.

Mohan came home drunk that night too. Esha rushed to the door to help her husband. He had pushed her away and said, "Don't you dare tell me what to do. I earn, and I can spend it in any way I please. You have no right to ask me anything. Did you hear that?" He went off to bed.

Esha was in tears. She knew that the following day he would be a different man. And that would last until he left for work. When the evening came, he would be the same. "If only he would stop drinking, our life would be much better," thought Esha.

The following day Mohan found Esha in the kitchen as she was cooking breakfast. He hugged her and said, "Good morning, Esha! I am sorry my friends dragged me to the pub, and I couldn't say no." Without waiting for Esha to reply, Mohan said, "You spoke of a surprise. What surprise, tell me."

Esha turned to him, looked him in the eyes, and said, "I think I am pregnant." Mohan rushed to her side, overjoyed, "I am so happy, give me a son, and I will never drink again."

Esha was happy too, "why son, daughters are also good-" Esha said, but Mohan cut her off, saying, "-no, a son it must be! I don't want a daughter." Mohan was on his best behaviour during Esha's pregnancy, and he took good care of her and came home straight from work. He kept telling her, "I am waiting for my son. See, I have given up drinking too."

Esha welcomed the change in Mohan but secretly wondered, " what happens if it's a girl?" The nine months passed quickly, and it was the big day - the day of Esha's delivery. Mohan took leave from work and took Esha to the hospital. "I can't wait to hold my son in my arms," he said. 

Mohan waited eagerly in the waiting room and was told, "you have a daughter."

Esha waited for Mohan, but he never came to see her or Latasha. He went home and started drinking again, and he never cared for Latasha.

Five years later, Esha was pregnant again. But that did not hold any excitement for Esha and Mohan. Mohan continued drinking but didn't even take Esha to the hospital this time. 

Mohan was in the pub close by when his phone rang. It was Esha. "What will she tell me now, that it's a girl again." He let the phone ring until it stopped ringing. That's when Esha sent him a message, and it flashed on his screen, "Mohan, it's a boy."

Mohan couldn't believe what he saw, and he re-read the message and rushed out of the pub. Mohan rushed to the hospital and saw his son. He was so happy. He kept shouting, "at last, a son!" 

Latasha saw it all. Her father, who never once held her in his arms, could not stop holding her newborn brother. 

That's when Mohan's mom came to visit the newborn and her mom. "Mohan is so happy he bought firecrackers to celebrate the birth of his son, and he even threw a party for the entire locality. But when Latasha was born, he never even came to the hospital to see her!" And Latasha heard it, and the words remained etched in her memory.

My Thoughts

Thank God for its, Children's day! 

Is having a son so imperative that we should sulk, neglect or sideline our daughters?

What if they were no women on this earth?

How would a son be born?

Liked this story? Read another one- 'Moms Have a Life Too'.