Tell A Thousand Lies by Atreya Rasana

Author:Atreya, Rasana [Atreya, Rasana]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2012-03-07T20:00:00+00:00

Chapter 36

Baby is Born

Geeta’s death had left me distraught. I wondered how a healthy young girl like her could lose her life in childbirth. When I asked Dr. Janaki, she had a fearful look on her face.

I was nearing the end of my own term. Before Geeta’s death I had elaborate fantasies about how I’d take my baby, and run. We’d seek out Srikar, build a cosy life for the three of us, perhaps help Srikar and Dr. Janaki reconcile. Now I had no illusions left. This place was more heavily guarded than the Chief Minister’s residence. I could see no way out. The only thing I could do was extract a promise from Dr. Janaki that she would personally deliver my baby.

One night, just as we were heading to the dining hall, the obese Warden cocked a finger at me. I went to her apprehensively. Being singled out by Manga Madam was never a good thing.

“Pack your bag, and come to my office,” she said.

“Why?”

“Madam has so much status now that she can question me?”

“Should I come after dinner?”

“Did I say after dinner?”

I looked at the other girls; they were pretending to look at the walls, the ceilings, the floor. Biting my lip, I went up the stairs to pack, my heart knocking against my ribs. Dr. Janaki was away. Is that why they’d picked this time? Did they suspect something?

An ayah escorted me down. The Warden was already in the car. The engine was running, a door held open.

“Get in,” the Warden said.

I got in. “Where are we going?”

She leaned across, and slapped me.

I clutched my bag tightly, staring sightlessly out of the window as we flew past the scenery, wishing Dr. Janaki hadn’t picked this particular week to be away. Something bad was going to happen, I just knew it.

We drove up to a hospital. The Warden ordered me out.

A large orderly in shabby overalls caught my arm and said, “Come with me.”

The car was already pulling away, the Warden in it. The orderly took me to a room, and said, “Wait here for the operation. You are going to have your baby today.”

“But I am not due yet. I have another week. No one told me about the operation.” My heart began to pound. “Phone Dr. Janaki. The Warden should have her number. She will tell you that I have no complications. She said I could wait for a normal delivery.”

I could have been talking to the so-be-it Gods for all the attention the orderly paid me. He stepped out, and I heard the sound of a lock. Then it hit me. My being here today was no random occurrence. They were going to do to me whatever it was they wanted to do, while Dr. Janaki was away.

I wrapped my arms, trying not to think what would happen. I closed my eyes and started to pray: I know I lie occasionally, but don’t think I have told that many. Please, God, let my child be a boy.

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