Mr.Liuko was a very wonderful gentleman, in his late thirties, with an olive green complexion that beautifully matched his jet black hair. His simplicity and humble nature was displayed through his dressing sense. His compassionate nature reflected on his face, throwing a ray of love, that complemented his looks. He was a very feeble being, who couldn't even withstand a chicken being slaughtered. He seemed to understand even the complex concepts of nature. He was working as a professor in a nearby college. Science presented itself as a pleasant hobby to him. He spent most of his time in a tiny laboratory which he had constructed at his backyard. He was not only well versed in science, but was also a man of compassion who believed in the invisible forces that drives humankind. His life was a well planned and well equipped one. Neither he was poor nor he was too rich. God had provided him what he required.
Liuko lacked nothing in the world. He married the girl whom he loved right from his childhood. Koihe was just 10 years old, when she first met him. She had the face of an angel with hazelnut colored hair. Her pink face gave her an ever-blushing look. The way she dressed, showed the classic atmosphere in which she grew. Liuko was two years elder to her. Both studied school. It was during a science project, they came together. Koihe had some serious problems with her science projects that Liuko helped her to solve. As the days went by, both realized that they were made for each other, and they said their vows. Years went by, and everything went on so wonderful but one thing that made Koihe, his wife feel so terrible. The want of a child.
There wasn't a single hospital they did not visit, nor a Chapel in which they did not pray. But somehow the fruit of a child was hidden from them.
This sorrow began to take over Koihe so badly. She was wearing away her health. Nothing that Liuko did pleased her. She felt ashamed whenever someone asked her about this. Liuko felt terrible for her. He just wished everything would go on fine.
*********
Akila had experienced the same pain before. It wasn't something new to her. She knew what to do and how to do. Being a mother of three girls, she was well-versed in giving birth. Her thoughts rummaged through her childhood. Growing up in India, in a not-so-modern state, had left deep scars in her heart. She was subjected to gender discrimination right from her childhood. She knew how her father hated her for being born as a girl. She despised the gods everyday for cursing her to be born as a girl child.
She was getting ready to go to the hospital. She knew very well that her husband wouldn't come. She always considered him as the very next avatar of her hateful father. She felt that she was the happiest, on the day her father died. But once again the gods cursed her by giving a man similar to her father as her husband.
Once again her thoughts circled back to her father.
"Daddy, can I go to school with the brothers?"
''No school for girls! You think money grows as a plant? you stupid girl! Who do you think will do the chores?"
Akila packed her things into a basket and started walking towards the road. The 'past' was always a great burden to her. But greater was her present problem. She knew her husband wouldn't be pleased if this is a girl too. She remembered how she fought with him to keep the first three girls alive. Tears clouded her eyes. Now she had neither money nor strength to fight for another girl child. She was considered 'impure' for giving birth to girl children. The condition of her girls was worse than her's. She had lit up 100 candles in the temple and prayed for a boy child. She wouldn't be able to come to the temple for two months. All because of the impurity customs of women. She hated herself for being born as a woman in India.
The nurses admitted her to labour ward. She was afraid to call her husband. She knew very well that he supported female infanticide.
Hours later, the child was born. A girl child. She felt something crush in her head. The child was a beautiful girl. The motherly love was overwhelming. She cried ''I love you my child!'' and kissed her. She had atlast made up her mind regarding what to do next.
When her husband came, she talked to him about selling the baby. He looked sharp into her eyes and said,''We will not sell her for money. But we will give her away.''
Akila took the baby and laid her near the pavement and hid herself waiting for someone to come and pick her up. Time was flying and nobody cameby. The baby started crying. She couldn't bear the cry. She started walking towards the baby. Just then, a car stopped by. Akila went back to her hiding. A stranger who looked like a great scholar, stopped the car, came out, and picked up the baby.
***********
Liuko saw the baby crying and tried to hush it. The baby became quiet. Akila knew now that her baby was in safe hands. Liuko looked around and saw no one. He was well aware of the custom of abandoning girl children.
Liuko brought her home, called her wife and said,''Dearie, I brought an Angel home.'' He saw the childish smile in her face as she said, ''God remembered us and has sent us an Angel. We will call her Angelica.''
The light of love did shine brightly in their house. The wave of happiness swept not only the Liukos but also the heart of Akila.
Liuko lacked nothing in the world. He married the girl whom he loved right from his childhood. Koihe was just 10 years old, when she first met him. She had the face of an angel with hazelnut colored hair. Her pink face gave her an ever-blushing look. The way she dressed, showed the classic atmosphere in which she grew. Liuko was two years elder to her. Both studied school. It was during a science project, they came together. Koihe had some serious problems with her science projects that Liuko helped her to solve. As the days went by, both realized that they were made for each other, and they said their vows. Years went by, and everything went on so wonderful but one thing that made Koihe, his wife feel so terrible. The want of a child.
There wasn't a single hospital they did not visit, nor a Chapel in which they did not pray. But somehow the fruit of a child was hidden from them.
This sorrow began to take over Koihe so badly. She was wearing away her health. Nothing that Liuko did pleased her. She felt ashamed whenever someone asked her about this. Liuko felt terrible for her. He just wished everything would go on fine.
*********
Akila had experienced the same pain before. It wasn't something new to her. She knew what to do and how to do. Being a mother of three girls, she was well-versed in giving birth. Her thoughts rummaged through her childhood. Growing up in India, in a not-so-modern state, had left deep scars in her heart. She was subjected to gender discrimination right from her childhood. She knew how her father hated her for being born as a girl. She despised the gods everyday for cursing her to be born as a girl child.
She was getting ready to go to the hospital. She knew very well that her husband wouldn't come. She always considered him as the very next avatar of her hateful father. She felt that she was the happiest, on the day her father died. But once again the gods cursed her by giving a man similar to her father as her husband.
Once again her thoughts circled back to her father.
"Daddy, can I go to school with the brothers?"
''No school for girls! You think money grows as a plant? you stupid girl! Who do you think will do the chores?"
Akila packed her things into a basket and started walking towards the road. The 'past' was always a great burden to her. But greater was her present problem. She knew her husband wouldn't be pleased if this is a girl too. She remembered how she fought with him to keep the first three girls alive. Tears clouded her eyes. Now she had neither money nor strength to fight for another girl child. She was considered 'impure' for giving birth to girl children. The condition of her girls was worse than her's. She had lit up 100 candles in the temple and prayed for a boy child. She wouldn't be able to come to the temple for two months. All because of the impurity customs of women. She hated herself for being born as a woman in India.
The nurses admitted her to labour ward. She was afraid to call her husband. She knew very well that he supported female infanticide.
Hours later, the child was born. A girl child. She felt something crush in her head. The child was a beautiful girl. The motherly love was overwhelming. She cried ''I love you my child!'' and kissed her. She had atlast made up her mind regarding what to do next.
When her husband came, she talked to him about selling the baby. He looked sharp into her eyes and said,''We will not sell her for money. But we will give her away.''
Akila took the baby and laid her near the pavement and hid herself waiting for someone to come and pick her up. Time was flying and nobody cameby. The baby started crying. She couldn't bear the cry. She started walking towards the baby. Just then, a car stopped by. Akila went back to her hiding. A stranger who looked like a great scholar, stopped the car, came out, and picked up the baby.
***********
Liuko saw the baby crying and tried to hush it. The baby became quiet. Akila knew now that her baby was in safe hands. Liuko looked around and saw no one. He was well aware of the custom of abandoning girl children.
Liuko brought her home, called her wife and said,''Dearie, I brought an Angel home.'' He saw the childish smile in her face as she said, ''God remembered us and has sent us an Angel. We will call her Angelica.''
The light of love did shine brightly in their house. The wave of happiness swept not only the Liukos but also the heart of Akila.
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