[A short story by Mr. Ashmit Malik titled ‘Kate’.]
“Three Two One, and we’re live.” Said the production manager of a live telecast about the next lottery winners. Overpopulation and limited resources lead to strict population control. And so, the young women now are drafted through a lottery system to become the next mothers. Kate’s jaw is stiffening out of anxiety, she’s trying so hard to fake a smile in that nervous mentally tormenting atmosphere where women’s fertility and the ability to give birth is literally sold by votes of other people or how lucky they are rather than their will.
“Welcome to the third and the final round of our national live lottery.” The host woman continues with excitement “Three winners will be chosen from our five finalists to become our new mothers!” The crowd on screen starts cheering and everyone was routing for their favorite contestant to win and give birth. The host also explained that this lottery was a special one as two of the finalists actually happened to be best friends. Kate and Jessica. The crowd got even more excited when the host said “Imagine if you both win, two best friends raising their babies together, aww how lovely!”
Because there were only few births happening in a year now the new babies born had genetic modification to give them a skillset and looks the mother always imagined for her baby.
“Now is the time we have all been waiting for.” A box is brought in. “Inside this box are names of our five finalists, five accomplished, vibrant, fertile women. And three winners will be chosen.” She inserts her hand in the box and takes one slip out “MARY!” she exclaims out of excitement and everybody clapped for her.
“Now before we find out who our next mother is let’s find out more about the women.” The host says as she walks up to Jessica. “Jessica, what was the first thing you did when you found out you are a finalist.” Asks the host. Jessica takes out something from her pocket and she says “I bought these pair of baby shoes for luck.” Everybody awed at this cute gesture of Jessica and her happiness by the thought that she can be a mother. The host again inserts her hand in the box and takes out a slip. Kate and Jessica, the best friends, were holding hands. The name on that slip was “Kate.” Everything went blurred for Kate she could accept that this actually happened, she didn’t have any hopes that her name will actually be called out. They bring Kate upto the stage and clap for her but Kate felt very uncomfortable. Kate breaks the cheering and says “Thanks, I am very happy to have this opportunity and I have decided to give my prize to my best friend Jessica.”
The crowd and host and everyone on the set went silent “No this is not possible.” said the host. “But this is my prize and I can do what I want with it and I have decided to give it to Jessica.” The crowd was getting unsettled and the production manager waved at the host to do something. The host begins to explain “The lottery is the fairest way to ensure population control and survival. All fertile women between the age of 20 and 30 have this one chance and you can not give that chance away.”
Kate’s hands started to shake and in a broken stuttering voice she says “I don’t want to have a baby.” The crowd and everyone got furious and the host said “How can you give away your baby.”
“Many of us don’t feel the same way. Not all of us wants to be mothers. And that’s okay.” Kate explains herself. The hosts turns to Jessica and asked “How old are you?” Jessica answers she’s 29 and that meant it was her last chance to be there. “So many people will love to have the opportunity given to you, see it as a blessing and enjoy it. You have been given this prize fairly, You owe it to everyone to accept it” says the host.
“No matter what any of us want, no one of us wants to be here. Let those who want to be a mother enter the lotter. That’s fair. It has to be our choice.”
“Yes! Round of applause everyone for our winner Kate and she’ll be the first to be impregnated with her choice of the top quality sperms.” Exclaims the host and they drag Kate down from stage taking her away. Then the host turns to Jessica and tries to assure that Kate will be okay and Jessica can see her in about 9 months when she is a happy, smiling just like all the other mothers. Jessica had enough of these people, filling up with agonizing pain inside her, the frustration from this world just grew more and more and she slaps the host, and leaves the stage disappointed and broken and the host just begin to continue the broadcast like nothing happened. Because nothing actually does in this unfair world of ours.
