CHAPTER 4 - The Hand That Rocks The Cradle...
"Thank you Dr. Nair, I will remain forever grateful to you "
As soon as Suhasini put the phone down there was a knock on the door. She opened the door and saw Adarsh and Swadheenta standing.
"You two?? What is the matter? "
Suhasini asked.
"You know what the matter is mom. How can you agree to a DNA test ? This is completely ridiculous. Simmi is being delusional..."
Adarsh replied.
Suhasini interrupted him
"This is not the language we taught you Adarsh. Simmi is your sister in law. And you must respect her opinion "
"But mom, just look at the baby... How can she not be our own. I know you have accepted her as your grandchild. It is you who has been looking after the child when Simmi rejected her. I don't believe that you don't feel any affection for her. "
Swadheenta pointed towards the newborn sleeping calmly in the crib lying beside the bed. Both Swadheenta and suhasini have taken it upon themselves to look after the hapless little one who doesn't have any idea what has been happening around her. Swadheenta has developed an instant bond with the baby. It was so cute, so innocent. She can't believe that they were planning to give up this bundle of joy... She could feel her voice choking.
"OK. Let us for a moment consider that this is not Simmi's child. She indeed gave birth to a boy. Why do you think the hospital staff exchanged the babies. In all possibilities it would be because her parents did not want a boy. Can you imagine what will be her fate once she is returned to her parents ? She will be a liability for them and nothing else. We cannot let that happen "
Adarsh tried to make his mother see his point.
"what do you want me to do? Convince Simmi ? Haven't we all been doing that for almost a week now. Listen to it both of you, Simmi is my daughter Now. And I won't do anything that will hurt her . Infact it is our duty to ensure that she stays in good health. She has been going through a lot. In any case do you think that Mr. Ahuja will keep quiet? If we don't agree to the DNA test, he would get it done sneakily for sure. It is better we have it done ourselves so that Simmi's faith on us remains intact. Now if you will please excuse me . It's already too late "
Suhasini directed towards the door.
As swadarsh began to leave the baby started crying. Before Swadheenta could reach her Suhasini was already beside the crib, rocking it gently and mumbling a lullaby.
Swadarsh were in their room. Adarsh saw that his wife was in some deep thought. He went quietly and hugged her from behind. Drowning himself in the intoxicating scent of her hair he asked
"looks like my wifey dear has put on her lawyer's hat. You know you look very sexy when you are so engrossed in your thoughts.
Adarsh tried to be a little flirtatious.
"Did you notice something Adarsh. Mom didn't mean what she was speaking. Her eyes were telling something else. I have been working with her for almost a year now. I can tell she is up to something. Only I cannot put a finger on it. Did you see how she calmed down the baby. There was so much warmth in that. I don't see how can she make this decision. It looks so heartless of her. "
"Hmm... I know Swadheenta I too noticed that. I know my mother is very difficult to read. But what I have learnt in these 27 years of my life is that she will never do anything that will be harmful for us. So you can relax "
Adarsh tries to assure her.
Swadheenta could not relax so easily. She needed to find out what her mother in law was planning to do.
Suhasini was looking Intently at the little creature sleeping peacefully in her arms. She was so small, so tender. She remembered an incident that happened some three months back. Suhasini had gone to visit the Jeelanis with Swadheenta. Just as they entered a little voice greeted them
"hello".
Suhasini looked down in surprise to find a Toddler staring at them with a big smile on its face.
"So this is the surprise you were talking about mami? "
Zubaida smiled and nodded her head in affirmation.
"Yes, isn't he cute. You know he was the naughtiest kid in the orphanage. Just like my asad. And he too lost his parents in the same Delhi blasts where we lost our.. "
Zubaida wiped a lone tear from the corner of her eye.
Suhasini did not know that the Jeelanis were planning on adoption. She enquired
" So have you got all the paperwork done?
Zubaida assured her that all the formalities have been completed.
" Do you know what kind of family the child belonged to. I mean his religion, the profession of his parents and all. Please don't mind but it looks like you have made this decision completely on the basis of emotions "
Suhasini expressed her doubts.
"Frankly speaking suhasini ji when the child can accept us as his own without knowing our religion or our background why should we do.? "
This single sentence from Zubaida kept echoing in her mind when everyone was discussing about the baby's fate in the living room. Suhasini knew that the baby has accepted them as its own. It was not bound to her through Abhay or Simmi. It was bound to her as a child to a mother. When it held her finger with her own little fingers it knew she would not let her down. Suhasini had already made up her mind. She knew Adarsh and Swadheenta were echoing her own thoughts. What they did not know that Suhasini has called up the doctor to prepare fake DNA reports. Irrespective of what the results were the reports would come positive. Suhasini has ensured that. As a lawyer she had never used false evidences or witnesses. She considered them an insult to her capabilities as a lawyer. But here she was a helpless mother who would not give away her child at any cost. She knew she was committing a crime that too against her own people but she couldn not find any other way out.
Suhasini gently put the baby down in the crib and made sure it was secure from all side. Then she put off the light and let the dark curtains of the night cover her room and her guilt too.
Next morning Adarsh was driving Swadheenta to the court . Swadheenta looked towards Adarsh. He was looking unnaturally quiet. She extended a box of aam papad towards him.
"Here, have it and tell me what is causing you to sweat inside the AC car "
"I got a thread call last night. From that factory owner. He has assured me that I might lose my job and possibly my life too if I don't prepare a report in his favor. "
Adarsh was visibly worried.
Swadheenta did not know what to say. These criminals can be quiet reckless. And political backing makes them feel invincible.
As both of them were lost in their own thoughts they failed to notice a mini truck rushing towards their car at full speed...
