What appears inconsequential to some, may appear life-altering to others. The smooth sailing of Rajesh-Sravya’s 3-year old married life was disturbed as the visit from the stork got delayed. Oh my God! What have you done Rajesh?” wailed Sravya in a choked voice. Eyes bloodshot, body quivering, she bit her lips to control her emotions in vain, as she looked at the baby, Pranav in her lap. The innocent gurgle of the baby that usually lit her face now failed to produce any effect. Sravya turned her gaze away from the baby and stared at Rajesh. Rajesh looked down unable to bear the intensity and answer the unspoken question. “Why did you cheat me? questioned Sravya. “Did you forget how heartbroken I was, when doctors ruled out the possibility of begetting a child from you?” Rajesh remained silent and reminisced that day.
*******
“Mr. Rajesh, all your wife’s reports, such as Transvaginal scan, blood test for hormonal levels, HSG, ovulation test, and thyroid tests, appear to be normal, pronounced Dr. Madhuri. But your sperm analysis shows that you have Oligospermia – a very low sperm count. You also suffer from Pyospermia, an autoimmune disorder where your own antibodies attack your sperm cells.” “Rajesh, that’s the reason why you are unable to father a child through Sravya”, explained Dr. Madhuri. On hearing the diagnosis, Rajesh felt as if struck by the thunder and slumped in the chair covering his face in anguish and shame, while Sravya broke down and began crying uncontrollably.
“No… No… Mrs. Rajesh, do not cry… not everything is lost… Science had made rapid progress… there are other alternatives, you can look at… Compose yourself”, consoled Dr. Madhuri. “Mr. Rajesh, hold yourself and comfort your wife, Sravya”. After the initial outburst, they regained a semblance of composure and Sravya asked, “what other options do we have to beget children, doctor?”
“Depending on your willingness, you can go for IVF with donor sperm or surrogacy” replied Dr. Madhuri. Rajesh and Sravya said they need time to think over and took leave of the doctor. Each lost in their thoughts went home and informed their respective families about the doctor’s diagnosis. The news struck like a bolt from blue and the father of Sravya, Virendra Verma, and Rajesh’s parents’ Alok Nath and Saroja are crestfallen. They, especially Virendra Verma, worried about the way Rajesh and Sravya conducted themselves post-diagnosis period and sensed the development of an unseen wedge in their relationship.
He recalled how inseparable Sravya and Rajesh were during these past 3 – 4 years. Sravya and Rajesh fell in love with each other during their college days. During their 2 years of courtship itself, they have informed, in their respective houses about their desire to get married to each other, after securing jobs. Since both of them were good-looking and hailed from respectful backgrounds, parents on either side didn’t raise any issues with their choice and welcomed their idea. Sravya secured the job first in an MNC while Rajesh waited for a year to land a job. Later they got married in a grand fashion. Love blossomed in full and their 3-year married life was fulfilling in all respects until the delay in conceiving a child started troubling one and all. Flustered with the inordinate delay and troubled by the snide remarks of the in-laws and neighbors about not begetting children, Sravya and Rajesh visited umpteen temples, performed pujas and rituals, and called on countless seers.
Rajesh stood by Sravya during this distressing period and showered his unconditional love on her. As a final resort, they consulted the city’s renowned gynecologist and explained to her their problem. The doctor prescribed a set of tests for Sravya and Rajesh and asked them to get them done. No one expected the results would be a nightmare. Now, Virendra Verma is worried about how Sravya’s marital boat will survive this storm and steer into the bay. After overcoming days of depression and melancholy, both Rajesh and Sravya discussed the next course of action and agreed to seek alternative ways.
Sravya favored adoption, while other Rajesh’s parents preferred IVF with the donor’s sperm. Rajesh remained non-committal but said he will support Sravya irrespective of what decision she takes in. Everyone voted down surrogacy, as Sravya is fit to carry the fetus, and finding and looking after the surrogate mother is tedious and expensive. Sravya was against the very idea of someone else’s sperm being injected into her body. Rajesh’s parents prevailed on her to opt for IVF, as the possibility of the newborn acquiring Sravya’s genes and traits will be above 50% as she will be the mother, as compared to an adopted child. Virendra Verma too liked this offer. “Ok, I agree with your argument. But I too have some reservations against foreign sperm donors,” said Sravya. “Under no circumstances, I will accept sperm from donors who are from our kith and kin. It must be from a stranger; the possibility of meeting whom in the future will be remote to nil. That way I will feel less guilty and embarrassed.” Sravya told emphatically. Her upbringing and ethics clashed with her rational mind.
********
Rajesh?? Rajesh?? Sravya called loudly… Rajesh broke from his reverie and looked at Sravya. “Why did you break our agreement? How did you agree to the sperm donated by your father? “Who said my father donated the sperm?” countered Rajesh. “you got it wrong. The donor was a complete stranger, as requisitioned by you.”.
“Don’t bluff.” retorted Sravya staring at Rajesh. “No. Sravya listen to me. The donor was not my father. Now don’t rake up this issue, when everything is going well” Rajesh answered nervously looking at everyone present in the hall. But before anyone could utter another word, Sravya yelled at Rajesh holding her head in both hands,
“Enough!!! Don’t try to convince me anymore. I have found out the truth.” “Don’t yell at me. What proof do you have to claim the donor was my father?” questioned Rajesh.
“I have the confirmation from the pediatric doctor” snapped Sravya. “I had this nagging doubt from the moment Pranav was born. The child has lighter shades of patches on the skin exactly as your father had. But for days I discounted my suspicions, with the hope you’ll not disregard my sensitivities and deceive me. However, a recent event corroborated my doubts.”, explained Sravya. “You remember the day I took our child, Pranav, to the hospital when he suffered from pneumonia. When Pranav had a severe allergic reaction to the Penicillin test dose, the pediatrician categorically stated that it may be that either of the parents is sensitive to penicillin drug. You know I am not allergic to penicillin.
When asked about the health profile of the donor that day, you said you didn’t have any health profile of the donor and sidetracked the topic. As Pranav’s health was paramount at that time, I didn’t prod about the topic then. But afterward, I remembered you telling the doctor once that father-in-law is allergic to penicillin when he suffered urinary tract infection.”, accounted Sravya. “Today, I visited the doctor again and put all my doubts and fears before him and asked for his advice. He examined Pranav thoroughly and declared that those lighter shaded patches are a result of Piebaldism, absence of color imparting cells due to dominant defective gene acquired from one of the parents. Since I don’t have it, it must be from the donor. And the donor could be your father because he has the same Piebaldism.
When I intimidated your parents and sister that I have all the proof and will call the police and file a lawsuit, they have spilled the beans” reasoned Sravya. “What hurt me most was that you were part of the plan and you betrayed me.” Rajesh looked at his father & mother. They both looked down. Rajesh remembered how his father and other family members put pressure on him. They argued that the procreation of progeny is to keep one’s lineage growing. “How can we accept some other’s sperm and break that pedigree?” they questioned. Rajesh’s argument that Sravya is dead against accepting sperm donation from immediate family members or friends, fell on deaf ears.
His plea that all hell will break loose if she comes to know of it, didn’t stop them from pressurizing him. Alok Nath, Rajesh’s father, boasted that he is still virile even at this age and volunteered to donate the sperm. Rajesh’s mother and sister supported his decision. Alok Nath reasoned that the whole thing will be kept secret and she will not come to know of it. They threatened that they will commit suicide if sperm from an unknown donor is utilized in the IVF process. Rajesh surrendered to their manipulation. Rajesh cursed himself umpteenth time, for not being able to put his foot down firmly on that day itself and veto their proposal. Today he is at the receiving end.
Rajesh mumbled, “I couldn’t endure my family pressure and bowed down to their demands. I am extremely sorry.” “Shame on you, Rajesh. If your father is the biological father of my child, then what’s his relationship with me? A husband? Or a paramour?” shouted Sravya “The very thought is repulsive and makes me feel guilty. The sacred relationship of a daughter-in-law & father-in-law no longer exists between us. Your ugly deed has tarnished this pious relationship. How can we live under the same roof as before, as if nothing has happened? When tomorrow the boy grows up and asks, who is my father, whom should I introduce as his father; you? or your father?” questioned Sravya.
The other family members, Rajesh’s parents Alok Nath, and Saroja, and sister Akhila along with Sravya’s father Virendra Verma remained silent. “I am in doldrums whether I want this child or not. I no longer feel the same warmth and affection towards the baby. A section of me is rebelling and opposing my motherhood and questioning the relationships in the aftermath of this debacle.” “More than anyone, I hate you, Rajesh for keeping me in the dark and playing with my sensitivities. You have failed me at every step. I feel I can no longer trust you and lead a life with you.” thundered Sravya. Rajesh has kept his emotions in check so far, but the last statement by Sravya has touched a raw chord. He felt he has been used and thrown like a rag, first by his family and now by Sravya. He figured that Sravya is inclined only at hurling accusations at him rather than understanding the trauma he is facing.
“Yes, I have failed you. In fact, I failed myself. I shouldn’t have married you. Do me a favor …. leave me and live your life with no strings attached. I can no longer stand the accusations and humiliations” yelled Rajesh. His eyes were red-shot and staring at Sravya and his parents while his body quivered from agitation. Everybody in the room including Sravya, Rajesh’s parents, and Sravya’s father stood shell shocked at Rajesh’s sudden burst of anger. They have not seen Rajesh in this state of fit in their lifetime. They took a while to come out of the shock. Sravya’s father was the first person to react. He rushed to his daughter’s side, consoled her, and implored her not to take any hasty decisions. He reminded her that she had fallen in love with Rajesh and married him. He urged Rajesh to cool down. Alok Nath, Saroja & Akhila surrounded Rajesh and tried to pacify him.
Sravya felt Rajesh has not understood her plight and is blaming the marriage with her to be the real cause of the trouble. She judged that Rajesh hasn’t understood her sacrifice and how much she suffered for no fault of hers? How did she restrain herself from finding fault with his medical condition? “What do you think, I cannot live without you?” retorted Sravya, eyes blazing and nose flaring. “Before marriage, I was working and drawing more than you, if you remember”. Virendra Verma screamed at her “Sravya, what are you talking about? Are you in your senses? For a person already smarting with ignominy, Sravya’s words acted like adding salt to the injury. It stoked his ego. Rajesh felt challenged and snapped at her “Go on, who is stopping you? You will realize how hard it is to live without a husband?” Rajesh’s Parents snubbed him and scolded both for talking about living separately. Sravya hit back at father-in-law asking how he could even think of donating the sperm? She questioned would he think of denoting it if it were her daughter?
Enraged by her comments, Rajesh bellowed at her and raised his hand as if to strike. Virendra Verma stepped in to stop, but Rajesh pushed him aside and slapped Sravya hard across the face. “How dare you beat me? Huh?? now you showed your true color. If just verbalizing your sister to be the subject of such a heinous act could agitate you so much to strike your wife, then, did you ever think, how furious I, the victim of your devious act, would be? Why? Is the relationship between a father-in-law & daughter-in-law any different from a father-daughter relationship?” spat Sravya.
Rajesh looked down and remained silent. “I will drag you and your family to the court of law and will see to it that you repent your whole life for this sordid event”. Sravya threw the kid on the bed and grumbled, “when I want to break this relationship and walk out of the wedlock, I certainly don’t want this child of disreputable lineage.” Rajesh snarled back, “Neither me, I won’t have any relationship with the kid”. Rajesh’s parents looked at each other. Though Alok Nath wished to rear the child, he is dependent on his wife and son. He looked at his wife, implying as to take up the burden of nurturing the child themselves, but a stern look from his wife silenced his intentions Moreover, he has the unfinished responsibility of finding a suitable match for Akhila. Virendra Verma remained a spectator.
Though he wanted to bring up his daughter’s son, he is a pensioner and widower. He doubted whether his son and daughter-in-law will support his idea. When no one came forward to shoulder the responsibility of raising the child, Akhila offered the solution of handing the baby to an orphanage. Sravya remembered the story of Kunti, the queen of Hastinapur from Mahabharata, on how she begot the child from Lord Surya and forsaken him, fearing moral turpitude and public opinion.
Sravya felt people’s perceptions and circumstances remained unchanged, irrespective of the difference in the eras. In that era, Lord Surya didn’t heed Kunti Devi’s objections and granted the boon saying, he is bound by the Rishi’s word. In this millennium, Rajesh too didn’t respect her reservations and got her inseminated by his father’s sperm saying he bowed to his family’s pressure. She realized that her son has become the modern Karna and herself, the contemporary Kunti. Sravya started packing her things into suit cases. Virendra Verma tried to stop but understood that the thread that bound Sravya & Rajesh together has broken, at least for now. Neither of them was in a mood to listen to any advice. With a heavy heart and tears streaming down, Sravya watched her son for the last time and walked out of the house leaving Rajesh and the child behind.
****** THE END ******
By: Vamsi Pingili
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