[A short story by Mrs. Dinavahi Satyavathi titled ‘Silent Salute!’.]
Shanthi’s mind had been restless since morning.
Shanthi and Dheeraj, who had a love marriage six years ago, are parents to twin daughters. Her in-laws belong to a somewhat traditional family that still follows certain old customs and values.
Though Shanthi’s mother-in-law is not highly educated, she is a woman rich in life experience. Her father-in-law, a kind and affectionate man, expresses strong opinions on certain matters – something Shanthi has noticed ever since her marriage.
She had sensed the unspoken desire of her in-laws – that her husband should also have a son since they already had two daughters. This thought, how they would react to her decision, was the root of her inner turmoil.
A recent conversation with her husband came to mind..
Some days ago..
“Dheeraj, I need to tell you something,” she said gently one evening.
He looked at her thoughtfully.
After listening to what Shanthi said, he thought for a moment and replied, “Alright, let’s do it. Your wish is my wish.”
“But.. I’m scared about what in-laws will say,” she admitted with worry.
Dheeraj understood her fear. He knew his mother, she could bear any pain herself but couldn’t stand even the slightest discomfort for her son.
He had seen times when she went against his father’s opinion just to protect him.
Shanthi’s thoughts wandered back to an incident from early in their marriage..
When Shanthi had missed her period, they visited the doctor for confirmation. After the tests, it was confirmed that she was pregnant.
Back home, Shanthi sank into a chair, still processing the news. They hadn’t yet informed the family.
Feeling thirsty, Dheeraj asked, “Shanthi, could you bring me some water?”
“I’m really tired right now. Please get it yourself,” she replied.
Her mother-in-law, who was in the kitchen, must have overheard. She walked in, handed Dheeraj a glass of water, and said sharply, “If he has to do everything himself, what are you here for?” while glaring at Shanthi.
That unexpected and undeserved comment stunned Shanthi.
Realizing how hurt she was by his mother’s words, Dheeraj gently pressed her hand in reassurance, thinking, ‘Oh no.. I should’ve been more careful knowing how she is. I should have made sure my mother didn’t hear that.’
Later, Shanthi understood her mother-in-law’s nature. From that day on, she never asked Dheeraj to do anything. Mother-in-law’s heart was tender as butter, but Shanthi realized – her son was both her strength and her weakness.
Back in the present..
“Are you asleep?” Shanthi’s voice broke Dheeraj’s thoughts.
He came back to reality and said soothingly, “We’ll tell them gently. Don’t worry.”
The next day, after Dheeraj left for work, Shanthi heard her mother-in-law call her.
“Shanthi, I want to talk to you. Come here.”
She went, wondering what it was about.
To her surprise, her mother-in-law brought up the very topic she had been afraid to discuss. Hearing her words left Shanthi astonished.
The woman who couldn’t bear even a fly landing on her son, had given advice that completely erased all of Shanthi’s fears.
That night, after everyone had gone to bed, Shanthi leaned close to Dheeraj and said, “Something unusual happened today, you know?”
“I noticed! You’re glowing – couldn’t hide that happiness even if you tried. Tell me, what happened?”
“This morning, Mom-in-law called me and said, ‘Whether it’s a boy or a girl, both are equal. And from now on, whether or not you want more children is entirely your decision. But if you choose not to have more, then let the operation be done on the man, not the woman. It’s easier for them. You’ve already gone through two surgeries. That’s enough.”
Shanthi’s voice was full of joy.
Dheeraj, who had been lying back on his pillow, suddenly sat up.
“Really? Is that true?! I never imagined Mom would think about it from such a different perspective!”
“Yes! I know how much she cares about you. I was so scared thinking of how she’d react if we said we didn’t want more kids, and if you offered to get a vasectomy instead of me going through another surgery. I was terrified of her disapproval. But without me even saying it, she understood, like a mother. Her understanding meant so much to me.”
Tears welled up in Shanthi’s eyes, a mix of love and gratitude for her mother-in-law.
At that moment, Shanthi silently saluted her mother-in-law, who, though steeped in tradition, had shown such progressive thinking.
శ్రీమతి దినవహి సత్యవతి రచయిత్రి, అనువాదకురాలు, వ్యాసకర్త. తెలుగు, హిందీ, ఆంగ్లం భాషలలో విస్తృతంగా రచనలు చేశారు. గళ్ళ నుడికట్టు పజిల్స్ నిర్వాహకురాలు.