The Mother I Never Knew Read online

  Rupinder was in no mood to refuse. She had other things to worry about.

  That afternoon, Sumati and Krishna took the two children to the city. All of them felt excited when they walked into the studio. Krishna held Munna’s hand and Sumati held Neeru’s. When they inquired, they were told that the photo would cost two rupees. Sumati and Krishna had the children pose for the photograph. After the picture was taken, the four of them went out into the street and ate bhelpuri with the remaining money. It was a big treat for Neeru and Munna.

  When Sumati went back to drop Munna, Rupinder updated her, ‘This time, my husband’s family wants to start a grocery store in a large chowk in Amritsar near the Mata Lal Devi temple. They’ve located a corner site and think that a grocery shop there will be extremely profitable, especially since it is next to a school. We will live upstairs and open the shop downstairs.’

  Within a few months, the site was purchased and everything was finalized. The family was going to leave in a few days. But Rupinder was worried about her son and shared her thoughts with Sumati, ‘How can I leave Munna with my parents? They can’t take care of him and nobody is listening to me. I am ready to give him away to someone who will adopt him and keep him well, instead of sending him to that village. Murder and theft is rampant there and the children can’t study properly because of the bad environment. Munna won’t have a future without a good education.’

  Rupinder wept in despair.

  That night, Sumati talked to Krishna before going to bed, ‘You know that we can’t have another child. What do you think about us adopting Munna?’

  Krishna was surprised at her suggestion, ‘Why will they give their child to us? We are from a different community and culture. Besides, Rupinder may change her mind in a few days. Think about it: what future will Munna have in our house? We aren’t rich like Rupinder’s family.’

  Sumati countered, ‘We can educate him and treat him the way we treat Neeru. I know stitching very well. I am willing to make clothes at home and supplement the family income. But no matter what, we’ll give our best to both the kids. It’s better that he stays with us rather than becoming a coolie in a village far away. If you agree, I’ll talk to Rupinder about it. If she refuses, it’s the end of the matter anyway. But tell me, do you have any objection?’

  Krishna smiled, ‘You know how much I love Munna. I’ve never differentiated between Neeru and him.’

  Both of them had a restless night.

  In the morning, Krishna placed his hand affectionately on his wife’s shoulder, ‘Sumati, I support you wholeheartedly. Don’t ask me about this again. We’ve made the decision together. But I worry that once we have him, I won’t be able to give him up.’

  Sumati felt the tears welling up in her eyes.

  At noon, she went to Rupinder’s house and found her busy packing. Sumati told her directly, ‘I want to talk to you about something important. Come to my house when you can.’

  Without asking, Munna followed Sumati back to her home. When he saw Neeru, he squealed in delight and they started playing.

  Rupinder joined them half an hour later. She told Sumati, ‘We are leaving in two days.’

  ‘What have you decided about Munna?’

  ‘My husband says that if I don’t leave him in my parents’ home, we can leave him in a gurdwara orphanage.’ Rupinder almost broke down.

  ‘If you don’t mind, may I suggest something?’

  ‘Anything. Please tell me. I’m ready to do anything that’ll make Munna’s life better,’ pleaded Rupinder.

  ‘Can we adopt him?’

  Rupinder stared at her.

  Sumati repeated, ‘Can we please adopt him?’

  This time, Rupinder understood. ‘Are you sure? Have you asked your husband?’

  ‘Of course. We’ve taken this decision together. But we have one condition. After a few years have passed and Munna has settled down with us, you can’t take him away. It won’t be good for him and we won’t be able to let him go either.’

  Rupinder thought for a few minutes. ‘No, I won’t ask for him once he’s living with you.’

  ‘You may not ask, but your mother-in-law or husband may come back one day just because he’s a boy. They place a lot of importance on having a male heir.’

  ‘I’m sure that they won’t ask. Munna’s future is with me, not with them,’ she said firmly.

  ‘How can I believe you? Rupinder, please talk to everyone at home and then decide.’

  ‘Believe me, Sumati, they won’t look back at Munna once he is gone. I promise you and swear on Wahe Guru as a witness that we won’t come back for him. Not only that, I guarantee you that I won’t even visit him. It’ll be very hard for me, but I want Munna to have stability in his life. That’s more important.’ Rupinder paused. ‘But what will happen if you have another baby later? I know that you’ll take care of Munna well, but once you have your own boy, then things might change.’

  Sumati sighed, ‘I can’t have another child because I had a hysterectomy right after Neeru was born. Only my husband and I know about it.’

  Rupinder held her hand and sobbed, ‘Give him a good education and raise him to be a good human being. Knowing you, I’m sure that you will do that anyway.’ Though she was crying, Rupinder felt a sense of satisfaction and relief knowing that Munna would have a good future.

  Sumati said, ‘I pray to the Guru to give you strength. Do you want my husband to come and talk to your family about Munna?’

  ‘No, that’s not needed. They just want to be rid of him, you know that.’ She looked at Sumati. ‘But I want to keep Munna with me till the day we leave.’

  Sumati nodded.

  Rupinder took Munna and went home.

  Two days went past in a flash. The day Rupinder was leaving, she came to Sumati’s house carrying Munna in her arms. Her eyes were swollen and it looked like she’d been crying continuously. Munna was wearing new clothes and carrying a candy box and a new toy. He had no idea that this was the last time he was seeing his mother. He saw Neeru and scrambled down from his mother’s arms to play with her.

  ‘Sumati, today may be our last meeting. I don’t know whether I’m doing right or wrong, but I’m giving my dear baby to you. I have a bad mother-in-law, an alcoholic husband and a bickering family. Munna doesn’t have any future with us. It’s better that he stays with you.’

  Her friend nodded.

  Rupinder removed a gold chain from her neck and put it around Munna’s. She said, ‘Sumati, this is the only gift my parents gave me when I was married. I don’t have any money to give, but this must always be with Munna. Don’t ever tell him about me, unless it’s a matter of life and death.’

  Sumati gave her a hug, ‘Before you leave, tell me, what’s his date of birth?’

  ‘I don’t know the date, but he was born on Buddha Purnima a year and a half ago. On his birthday, please donate food to the poor, Sumati. That’s the only way to celebrate.’

  Sobbing, Rupinder turned and left the house.

  6

  A Son’s Right

  By the time the story was over, it was late at night. Sumati was exhausted and stressed. The thirty-year-old secret was finally out. She said, ‘Munna, now you know the whole truth.’

  Mukesh kept his head on her lap. He knew that she would not hide anything from him. The fear of losing her son and the promise that she had given Rupinder had stopped her from telling him. She had kept her promise and loved him like her own. She’d encouraged him to study further and supported him when he wanted to marry Vasanthi. How many parents did that much even for their biological children?

  ‘Amma, Appa and you have done so much for me. Otherwise, God alone knows where I might have been,’ Mukesh said.

  ‘Munna, your father loved you a lot. He used to call you our lucky star.’

  ‘What do you mean?’