Baby as a Marriage Gift

Atul Ramana (AR), 25, completed his PG and works in Bangalore, India. AR's parents live in Bombay. AR's father works for a private company.

Karuna Sri (KS) completed her PG and works at the same organisation as AR. Her parents are from a village in South India and own agricultural land. They had no children in the first five years of their marriage, so they visited temples across South India and offered prayers to the Gods. Satisfied with their prayers, the Gods blessed them with a daughter. They were happy and named the girl KS. They brought KS up with deep affection and pampering.

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AR and KS work on different floors and in different teams. Other offices are located in the building. Staff go to the canteen at their convenience.

One day, while AR was having lunch in the canteen, KS came but couldn't find a seat. A person sitting opposite AR just then got up, and KS sat in the chair. KS started eating her lunch. AR looked at her. KS glanced at the ID card in his shirt pocket and realised AR worked for the same company as her.

KS: Hello, Atul Ramana. I am Karua Sri. We both work at the same company, but we have not met before. I am on the seventh floor. How about you?

AR: I am glad to meet you. I work on the fifth floor.

They continued talking about their duties and where they live, etc.

The next day at lunchtime, AR called KS and asked her to join. KS came to the canteen by lift. AR was waiting for her. He bought two lunch tokens. They found a table and started eating and chatting. Their friendship grew, and they became attracted to each other. They began spending time together after office hours. Every weekend, AR took her to the cinema and restaurants, and dropped her off at her paying guest accommodation. As time passed, they grew closer. They reached a point at which they couldn't live without each other.

*

When they were together in a cinema hall, AR proposed that it would be better to live together rather than stay in separate paying guest rooms.

The proposal shook KS. She said it was not right to live together without being married. It will lead to several problems for our parents and us. Let us marry and live together; that is socially acceptable.

AR kept quiet.

*

The next day, when they met, "AR promised her they would live as bachelors in the same house. I promise you. I will not trouble you. We will have time to discuss before and after office hours, rather than meeting like this. Please think it over."

KS's youthful mind believed AR's words. KS was attracted to AR, and they began living in the same flat.

It was a 2BHK flat with two bathrooms. KS used the main bedroom, with an attached toilet.

*

One Saturday evening, they went out to see a romantic film at a nearby multiplex within walking distance.

During the interval, they had snacks. After the picture, when they came out, it was drizzling. It showed no signs of easing. There was thunder and lightning. They searched for an auto, but not a single auto or cab was available. They thought of waiting, but since their flat was nearby, they started walking, taking shade under roadside trees. Despite all their precautions, they were drenched.

At the flat, AR's mind lost control upon seeing KS's drenched figure. Their minds were still under the influence of romantic cinema, with its rain songs. Their youth and physical desires overcame their mental barriers. They both lost control and became united.

A shy KS chided AR. To enjoy their physical closeness, they began using contraception. They enjoyed it for two years.

KS was not feeling well and told AR that she needed to see a gynaecologist. After testing, the doctor told them that KS was three months pregnant.

*

 AR proposed an abortion. KS was torn about whether to proceed. AR contacted doctors. They conducted several tests and said they couldn't guarantee KS's life. If they wanted to take the risk, they would proceed further.

AR feared losing KS, and KS opposed abortion. They told the doctors they would proceed with the pregnancy.

 KS feared her parents' reaction to her pregnancy and the child, given the lack of marriage.

AR consoled KS that he would find a way out. He kept her happy, without considering what would happen later.

He took her to regular check-ups and made sure she had nutritious food and the necessary medicines. The doctors gave a delivery date.

*

KS developed a health problem a week before the date. Doctors performed a caesarean and delivered the baby, and both mother and baby were healthy.

KS was thinking about the baby's upbringing. She suggested to AR that the baby be placed in temporary adoption, so that they could bring their baby back after their marriage.

KS asked AR to speak to her parents about their marriage.

AR was worried about her parents' reaction and said, "You talk first and let me know their reaction, then I will face them."

KS went to her parents after three months for a festival. She did not disclose anything. It was a festival day.

KS's mother, Laxmi Kumari (LK), wanted to give her a head bath. She noticed surgical marks on KS's body and looked at KS in silence. KS hugged her mother. KS wept silently and told her mother the whole story.

LK asked, "Where is the baby?"

AR had given the baby up for adoption.

LK stayed quiet. She thought for two days, unsure how to proceed. She mustered the courage to discuss KS's marriage with her husband Shiva Ram (SR), saying that KS was in love with AR, her colleague from another state and caste. She didn't disclose the pregnancy or the baby.

SR became furious and chided LK for supporting KS. He didn't speak to either KS or LK for about a week.

One afternoon, while SR napped, KS entered, bowed at SR's feet, and sat on the ground, weeping.

SR woke with tears in his eyes, asked KS to sit beside him, put his hand on her head, and consoled her, saying, "I will talk to AR's parents."

He told LK, "It is also my mistake that I have not visited KS in the city for a long time and have not checked on her welfare. I thought she was educated and didn't need my guidance. I was wrong. Today's education doesn't teach about society. Now, I need to correct my mistake."

*

First, SR wanted to confirm with AR.

The next morning, he met AR, who greeted him respectfully and bowed.

 SR asked AR what he thought about KS and whether he wanted to marry her.

AR said, "Uncle, I will marry your daughter. I am waiting for your approval."

SR was half relieved that his doubts were eased. SR doubted how AR's parents would respond.

He asked AR to accompany him to their parents.

*

AR's parents received SR with respect. When SR discussed AR and KS's love, they said AR had told them everything. We are only waiting for your approval; it is very common among today's youth. Hence, we older people need not worry, but should settle them in marriage.

SR felt relieved and thanked AR's parents.

 SR appreciated his daughter for choosing the right person and family.

*

AR's parents called a purohit and fixed dates for formal engagement and marriage.

SR happily came home and told LK and KS about the engagement and marriage dates. KS hugged her mother, and SR blessed her.

 KS called AR and thanked him for all the basic preparations he made with his parents.

*

SR and LK performed the engagement in their village before all their close relatives, and AR's parents and a few relatives attended.

A month later, they celebrated the marriage at a city function hall on a grand scale. KS's and AR's friends and relatives from both sides attended. AR's parents were happy. Visitors blessed the couple with their gifts.

When everyone had finished, AR's parents came to the stage and announced a special gift to the newly married couple from their side.

Everyone in the function hall looked with surprise. What could AR's parents' gift be?

 AR's parents blessed the newly married couple. Their maid brought a baby. They lifted the baby, showed it to everyone in the hall, handed it to KS, and announced that it was KS and AR's baby from their live-in relationship before their marriage.

KS hugged and kissed her baby. The baby, sensing her mother's warmth, moved closer. KS enjoyed her baby's closeness for a while, with her eyes welling with tears.

KS handed over the baby to LK and bowed to AR's parents. AR's mother hugged her.

SR was surprised. LK showed the baby to SR and signalled that she knew it earlier.

They kept the baby in the decorated cradle. SR and LK were asked to name the baby. They both discussed, and LK named the baby 'Mridula'. AR was surprised as it was his mother's name.

AR's parents were happy.

Everyone in the hall blessed the newly married couple and their baby.

*

When AR told his mother about his living relationship with KS, she was furious. Her husband consoled her and said, "It is the modern way of life, and we must accept it." She was convinced to look after the baby and wait for SR's response.

KS and AR thanked both their parents for accepting them and their baby.

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