An unwanted Child

Mahabir Prasad Mathur, despite being an old and ailing man, lives to see the face of his grandchild. Like most people of India he also firmly believes that only a son could be a true heir of his family. Daughters are burden to him. However, his only son, Laxman Prasad, does not believe in this foolish thought. After four years of happy and blissful marriage, when his wife Sumedha, gave him the good news, from that he is praying for the delivery of a healthy child. Be it a son or a daughter. He dotes upon his wife, hence is worried sick for her safety too. She has been admitted to the Lucknow State General Hospital under the observation of Dr. Purohit for ten days. The baby could come at any moment now. So he feels restless.

"Can't you stop spacing like an expectant father?" Mahabir Prasad scolds his son.

Laxman Prasad looks at his father in surprise. "I am going to be a father. I should feel like this." He explains.

"Bullshit, rubbish sentiment. Look I think I am going to have a grandson." Mahabir Prasad claims by nurturing his moustache.

"How could you be so sure?" His son demands to know.

"Sixth sense" Mahabir Prasad explains with proud.

Laxman Prasad is not in the mood of argument with his father at this moment. His wife is in labour. Anytime the good news will come from the hospital.

"Uff.." He starts pulling his hair in despair.

His father rolls his eyes by seeing this silly childish behaviour of his son. But he does not resist him. He is also waiting for the good news.

Suddenly Savitri devi comes running. She is Laxman Prasad's mother and Mahabir Prasad's wife.

"What happened mother?" Her son asks her.

She beams in happiness by delivering the news -

"It is a girl."

Mahabir Prasad jumps up on his feet and screams - "No one would dare to meet her."

"Father, please." His son begs him.

Mahabir Prasad is not bending down. He declares like as the head of the family -

"This child will bring disaster to the family".

...

Wife waits for Husband

Lying in hospital bed Sumedha is waiting patiently for the arrival of her husband. She knows her husband too well. She believes in her heart he will definitely come to meet their newborn baby. She strokes the head of her daughter lovingly who giggles happily by looking towards her.

She is looking at the door expectantly. Her husband comes to her bed and sits beside her bedside. He says that -

"I don't want to bring you both to home. Father is opposed to the idea of bringing my daughter into home."

Sumedha bursts into tears. She has nothing to say. She knows about it very well. Her father-in-law was opposed to the idea of her having a daughter since day one of her pregnancy. "Now what to do?" She asks her husband.

Laxman is adamant to bring his wife and newborn baby into the home. He rents a small home where he could settle down with his family without any complications.

"I would bring you home. I promise you, Sumi. I promise you." He tells this to his wife who nests her head on his chest. At first with despair and now with proud.

Sumedha is proud of her husband. For the first time after their four years of marriage.

....