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What, you are going to be a mother ? ( Phone rings) Mala : Hello , good morning Geetha : Good morning Mala ,How are you ? I am Geetha from Colombo . Mala : My God !.Geetha How are you ? After a very long time .Good , you thought of me. Geetha : I am ok .I have been thinking of you but never had time to call you .I was busy with work and hospital . Mala : Hospital why ? Any thing wrong with you or your husband ? Geetha : We are ok by God’s grace ,but one good news . Mala : What is the good news ,you got a promotion ? Geetha : Are you mad ? Who will give promotion during this financial crisis . Mala : Then what ? Come out with it, without further delay . Geetha : You may be shocked to hear it. Mala : Shocked, me ? Don’t worry tell me . Geetha : I am going to be a mother . Mala : What ? You are going to be a mother ? I can’t believe it . Geetha : That is why I told you ,you will be shocked to hear it. Mala : I am shocked and delighted to hear it .But -------------Geetha : I know your feelings now .You must be wondering how that is possible?
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Mala : Yes .You are correct .Becoming a mother is a normal matter with many of us. But in your case it is a mystery. Geetha : Yes .It is a mystery and wonder .Having married for five years and with no children and now getting one is a wonder. Mala : I remember the time and money you spent on consulting many gynecologists and even planning to go to Chennai for treatment. Geetha : Yes you are right . Mala : But I still remember that you told me sometime back, that you will not conceive since your husband’s sperm counts are very low. Geetha : Yes you are correct. Mala :But now, how is it possible for you to conceive a child. Geetha : This is what is called God’s grace . Mala : What ? Don’t be stupid .Tell me what happened ? Geetha : Someone helped me . Mala : What ,someone helped you to conceive a child ? Geetha : Yes .You are right. Mala : Do you mean to say your husband was aware of this . Geetha : Not only he is aware, he helped me, because he likes children and was longing for one. Mala : I know he likes children but I never thought that he will stoop to this level. Geetha : Why, what is wrong ?
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Mala : You may think that there is nothing wrong in your action but what about our culture and tradition. Geetha : Hell with our culture and tradition .I thought you are a progressive woman living in Toronto .But you are still clinging on to our archaic culture . Mala : Geetha ,you are trying to justify your action of getting an unknown male, to help you to conceive a child. Our society will not accept this .We are brought up with high moral values and unlike the western society, we have to stick to our husband only. Geetha :What the hell are you talking about our culture ,moral values and the nonsense .What have I done wrong .This is a practice done by many married ladies without children . Mala : I can understand your frustration of trying for a child for more than five years .But resorting to such immoral act is unacceptable by our social standards. Geetha : Mala you are sadly mistaken. You are talking off your hat. You have not got the point yet. Mala : Don’t think I am stupid .I got the point but going with another unknown person is unimaginable. Geetha : ( laughing loudly ) Mala I never thought that you will be such a stupid person with wild imagination . Mala : What, you are laughing at your immoral action ? Geetha : Sorry my friend you got the wrong point .Even though you are in an advanced country you are unaware of this procedure. Mala : What procedure you are talking about ? Geetha : Ask your husband ,he will tell you .will call you tomorrow .Bye. ================= Short Story by Thuraiyooraan