Sunday Story: I can never be wrong!

Durga and Prakash had no children for several years, and when they had given up all hope of having a child, Durga skipped her period. Both of them were paranoid with fear. What if something was wrong with her? The thought of pregnancy never crossed their mind.

"I will take leave from work, and let's go to the hospital for a thorough check-up," said Prakash. But Durga told him, "let us wait for a few days and then if the situation persists, we can go to the hospital. Prakash tried to argue with her, but she would hear none. She requested her husband to wait a week, and then they could see the doctor.

After the week had passed and no change in her situation, Durga asked her husband if they could go to the hospital to consult her doctor, and he readily agreed and took her to the hospital. The doctor ordered a series of tests, the first of which was a pregnancy test. Durga and Prakash had argued with the doctor claiming the pregnancy test to be unnecessary. But the doctor insisted that it was a part of the hospital protocol.

Durga submitted the samples and walked towards her husband, who sat in the waiting room for her. She sighed as she sat by his side. " I am sure the result of one test at least is negative." 

Prakash leaned towards her as he asked, "why did they say anything?" She shook her head, saying, "the pregnancy test will undoubtedly be negative as it has been for many years. 

"You know, Durga, never have I hoped so bad as I do today for that test to come positive. For that will prove that all is well with you." Prakash said as he stole a glance at her.

At that very moment, the hospital staff at the counter called her name, "Durga Prakash?" Durga looked up, and the lady at the counter said, "the doctor is waiting for you inside her cabin with your test results.  

"Isn't that strange?" Durga asked Prakash. "The doctor told me to wait outside, for they will call me again for a series of tests," said Durga, deep in thought, "how come she wants to see me so soon?"

Prakash's jaw twitched, and it was plain that he was anxious. However, Durga was too engrossed in her thoughts to notice Prakash's emotions. 

Dr Smitha was treating Durga for several years and was aware of her plight. She was beaming when they entered her cabin. But Durga and Prakash were too anxious to notice. Dr Smitha requested to be seated, and she said, "Congratulation!" she said. Now that was something the couple seated in front of her never expected. 

Confused, they looked at each other and then at the doctor, oblivious to the situation. Finally, Durga asked the doctor, "what for doctor? I don't understand what you are hinting at!"

"Congratulations," repeated Dr Smitha, "You are pregnant. Did you know that?" The people seated in front of her were shocked. Prakash finally asked the doctor, "is there any danger or hazard to Durga's life?" "No, Prakash, all the tests so far indicate that all is well with Durga," At the moment, " the doctor continued, "there is no reason to worry. Go and celebrate, and don't forget to come and see me every month."   

Prakash and Durga were overjoyed, and as the doctor foresaw, it was an uncomplicated pregnancy. Soon Durga gave birth to a baby girl, and they named her Aishwarya. Aishwarya was the apple of their eye, and when she grew up, they sent her to the best school, and Aishwarya always stood first in her class.

When Aishwarya was about three years old, unexpectedly, Durga conceived again, and she gave birth to another daughter, whom she named Muskhan. The girls grew up together but were as different as the day and night. When Aishwarya topped the class, Muskhan was one of the last in her class, and she generally failed in a few subjects. 

As most parents would in such a situation, Durga and Prakash encouraged Mushkan to do better in her studies and often showed her Aishwarya's grades and told her to be like her sister. Unfortunately, they fed Aishwarya's ego to such an extent that Aishwarya developed a vast superiority complex. She often looked down upon her sister and mistreated her. Durga did see that and tried to correct her several times. But Aishwarya would get offended, go to her corner, sulk, and cry all day. When that happened a few times, Durga stopped correcting Aishwarya and continued ridiculing Muskhan. Both girls grew up, married, and lived away from their parents. That's when Prakash passed away, and Durga was all alone. Muskhan had just had a baby and couldn't come to the funeral, but Aishwarya was with Durga. 

Durga did not mind that for Aishwarya, the apple of her eye was with her, and Aishwarya never wanted Mushkhan around anyway. When Aishwarya was leaving, she requested Durga to come along, and Durga was ecstatic and went to her daughter's house. But that's where the most horrible years of her life began.

She had to stay with Aishwarya on Aishwarya's terms, and if Durga tried to correct her, Aishwarya was adamant and just told her. I can never be wrong, don't try to correct me." Durga spent the rest of her days in tears, thinking if only I had corrected her when she was little, she would not have had such an attitude.

My Thoughts

We love our children and don't want to hurt them. But if we don't show them the right path when they err, we could only be stroking their ego and may have to pay a heavy price when they grow up.

Liked this story? Read another one- 'Sunday Story: Do they really care?'.