Sunday Story: We Can’t Be Selfish, for We Are Parents

Read the previous part of this story here)

Ameena drove with tears in her eyes as she tried to concentrate on her driving. Her children Saira and Abhishek were with her, and she had to ensure they reached home safely. She was furious, and she did not want to see Shailesh again. He had cheated on her; how could he do that? He should have told her everything before their wedding. But he hid the truth from her! The more she thought about it, the more furious she became. I loved him so much, but he cheated on me!

Ameena was so lost in her thoughts that she almost drove past the gates of her mother, Fida's palatial house. She braked to stop herself in time. Had there been a vehicle behind her, it would have rammed into hers. The gatekeeper opened the gates for her and greeted her. But it was oblivious to Ameena. 

"Look, Grandma is in the garden," said Saira. But Ameena did not hear her. She grabbed both the children and walked inside the house. She was deep in thought, so shaken by what she had experienced that she did not know what to think or how to react. She knew she had to get into her room and close the door quickly so no servants would notice her turmoil.

Meanwhile, Fida, Ameena's mother, noticed something amiss. She had heard Saira shout out and little Abhshek try to move in her direction, but Ameena had not seen it, and she had walked in like a zombie. What could have happened," wondered Fida, "did Ameena and Shailesh fight?" But Fida knew they were much in love, and they quickly solved their misunderstandings.  

Fida reached the door of her daughter's bedroom and gently knocked, calling out to her grandchildren. Abhishek, her grandson and Ameena's son, opened the door. "Grandma." he cried out in delight. "We packed our bags and will stay with you forever." Fida was stunned by his words but did not let the little one notice her uneasiness.

Fida saw her daughter crying and rushed to her side, asking, "what happened, darling? Why are you crying." But Ameena lashed out at her, saying, "it's all because of you, mommy! Before consenting to our marriage, you did not learn much about Shailesh, and now I am a mess. He has cheated on me, kept me in the dark, and I am never returning to him!"

"But he is a good man—" said Fida as Ameena interrupted her saying, "—oh, is he? What will you say if I tell you he has a 10-year-old son and the boy is in the orphanage."

"No!" Fida almost shouted, "It can't be." Ameena rolled her eyes as she said, "Go to the children's home and find out for yourself." Fida said, "I will go right away." "But wait, take this picture with you. This was Shailesh when he was 10, and the boy who is now 10 looks exactly like this!" Ameena sobbed. Fida gasped when she saw the boy, for he was one of her favourites at home who always welcomed her with a hug. 

Fida drove to the children's home. She went to the office and spoke to Lata, the caretaker and her friend, for many years. "What a pleasant surprise," Lata said as she greeted Fida. Fida looked Lata in the eye and said, "Who is Mahesh and what is his relationship with my son-in-law?" Without blinking, Lata said, "He is Mahesh's father." Fida stood up angrily, "why didn't you tell me before my daughter married him." 

Lata got up from the chair, walked to her friend, and said, "because you could never find another as good as Shailesh for your daughter. Sit down. I will tell you everything."

Fida and Lata spoke for an hour, and when Fida got home, she called her daughter to her room and said, "let's talk." Ameena sat in a chair close to her mother. Fida asked Ameena. "What are your thoughts about your father?" "A great dad and a wonderful person, so unlike Shailesh. What a cheat Shailesh is." She concluded in disgust.

"I must tell you a secret, something I never told anyone. I tell you today so that it will help you decide —" "did you say decide? Decide what? I am not going back to him."

But Fida pretended not to hear. 

"Do you know I caught your dad in the act with one of our maids when I was three months pregnant with you?" Shocked, Ameena couldn't say a word. "I decided to leave him that day. I am educated and from an affluent family, and I didn't need him." Fida continued. She continued to tell her how she had packed her bags and was about to leave when a voice in her head stopped her. It asked her, "I understand you don't want your husband, and you may be right. But do you want to deprive your child of a father?"

"I decided to stay only because you needed your dad, and I am happy I did that because you and he bonded so well. He never changed, and I endured his unfaithfulness until he died." Fida finished.

"You know Ameena, I didn't have a faithful husband, but you had a wonderful dad, and that's why I am happy I stayed—" "Mommy, but I am not you! I will never go back."

My Thoughts

Most people would consider Fida a fool to have stayed with he husband until the end despite his constant unfaithfulness. But her a true mother who cares more about her children and their needs. Marriage may be between two people. But once they become parents, they must consider the children's feelings. When parents separate, the children are shattered and suffer the most.

After hearing Fida's story, will it be the end of Ameena's marriage, or will she reconsider?