A dear friend of mine had asked me long ago to write something from a child's point of view, how the child is affected. So here I am with another Short Story (which I am hoping more people will tell me how they like it!) which shows what a child goes through because of parents having problems. Hope I do justice!
A Child's View
"Having children makes you no more a parent than having a piano makes you a pianist."
-Michael Levine
Ganga sat there, all alone in her room hearing her mother shout at her father and then her father say some more to her mother. This was becoming a daily routine of sorts and she did not like it. All of 6 she didn't need to know that her parents weren't happy together. She had been seeing these fights since as long as she could remember now but she didn't remember them being so violent ever before. It got worse every passing day and all she could do was sit in her room and cry.
In the 1st grade she was more mature than she was required to be. She had friends but then their thoughts were so different it made it difficult for her to talk to anyone. Being a bright student, her teachers didn't see anything amiss with her. She was primarily a loner, been brought up by her Nanny who was more a mother for her than the woman who gave her birth.
Ganga had heard from her aunts and uncles, from grown up cousins of the love her parents shared, of Jai-Bani, their name was always taken in one breath. Where had all of this gone now she wondered? She did not remember the last time they had spoken a kind loving word in front of her, to each other. Her little mind was filled up with questions – with no one to answer them. She wanted her mommy and daddy together, like everyone else had. She did not want to see them fighting every day.
The child who was once so talkative that people would have actually wished her to keep quiet more than wishing for wealth or health, barely spoke now. She spoke only when she was spoken to. There were no more anecdotes one heard in her broken speech. There was no more running outside at odd hours when her mother ran after her holding a glass of milk.
Her parents assumed her to have become an obedient little girl, the reality was very different. She was losing out on her childhood and no one seemed to mind that, maybe because no one cared to notice. Ganga started feeling as if she was not loved anymore and even if that was not the case the lack of affection made her distant.
One night, crying in her room with the doors closed and after her Nanny had left the room, she heard her parents quarrel again. This time she paid close attention to the subject matter in contention and it changed her perspective on life, maybe for life.
"Children are like wet cement. Whatever falls on them makes an impression"
'What do you want me to do Bani, every night it is the same thing' she heard Jai say.
'No it is not the same thing; you make it boil down to the same thing. I am tired of this Jai; you have no time for me' she heard her mother reply.
When Ganga heard her mother say 'you have no time for me' the first thought that crossed her mind was that both her parents had no time for her and she couldn't even complain, she never got the chance to. She had decided in her mind that if she said something about herself it will just worsen the matter.
'Time? You ask me about time? if I sit at home with you all day who will go out and earn? You have refused to become a part of the process' he shouted
'Don't you blame it on me. I gave up everything because you did not want me to work after Ganga was born. I have been taking care of her Jai, everyday' Bani retorted.
Ganga sat there thinking about when was the last time her mother had hugged her, had kissed her goodnight, had told her a goodnight story, had dropped her off to school and have had a meal prepared for her when she got back. When was the last time her parents had taken her out and not had an argument that just spoiled the entire atmosphere, the last time they sat down and helped her with her homework?
'I don't want to lose another kid because of us not being there Bani. Why can't you understand that? You were adamant to have Ganga and I supported you and believe me I love my child but you think taking care of her is a job. How do I react to that?' Jai asked back.
'She is not a job Jai but I need my individuality too. And I cannot deal with her and her needs and you not being there and our constant fights. How much long do I need to take them?' she asked.
'What do you want us to do Bani, I ask you. Give me a solution. I am tired of you and your nagging and your cribbing' Jai said
'I don't know' Bani answered and then there was silence.
"Children will not remember you for the material things you provided but the feelings with which you cherished them"
Ganga had everything a child could ask for, just not what a child needed. She did not know what the future was. She had heard of the concept of divorce in a few television shows she had seen glimpses of. She wanted to go to her parents and tell them to love each other, to show their love to her, to tell her the truth about what was going on, to tell her that they will always be there for her, to want to be a family.
That day she cried herself to sleep. The next morning, down with fever her Nanny refused to send her to school. That day Ganga questioned her. She got a few answers, however hurtful they may have been.
'Nanny are mommy and daddy getting a divorce?' she innocently asked.
'What makes you ask such a thing? Did they tell you something?' Nanny inquired, a bit taken aback at the question.
'No they did not, but I have heard of it on television and they are always fighting' Ganga said remorsefully.
'Will I have to choose between them Nanny? Will I be able to love only one? Will I not see Daddy or Mommy?' Ganga asked
'I don't know sweetheart, but the road ahead won't be easy and you will have to be a brave girl. Always remember your mommy and daddy both love you very much' Nanny told her, giving her some hope but at the same time telling her what she was thinking was not entirely wrong.
Days passed and Ganga's fears started coming true. Bani had left, leaving Jai with Ganga. Jai immersed himself in work and waited for the divorce to come through. Ganga for that period of time didn't have either of her parents. Bani left without saying a word, Ganga assumed she would be back.
Ganga had a poetry recital in school and she wanted her parents to be there. She did not know how to ask them to be there. She asked her nanny for advice and with some courage mustered up she called her mother up.
'Mommy, can you come to school the day after tomorrow? I have a poetry recital and it would be nice to have you there' Ganga said into the phone.
Bani's eyes were moist. She had not wanted Ganga to be subjected to all this but she thought Jai and her being separate was what was good for their child.
'Of course I will be there. And Ganga remember your mommy loves you' saying this Bani kept the phone down.
She asked her father and he readily agreed to. The day came and Ganga stood on the podium, saying out aloud her poem, something she dedicated to both her parents.
A few months ago I was as happy as one can be,
I looked out of my window and smiled as I saw the sea.
Things changed and I don't know why,
All I heard was screaming and shouting and sometimes a cry.
My heart went numb, no one to answer me
What was my fault or was the blame all on me?
It hurt me to see my parents fight
Two people I love the most just gave each other spite.
No one cared for my well being,
When I laughed or I cried it was for them, without meaning.
Today things have changed, they are together no more
Will they love me now and is there a new tomorrow?
I love them no end and I want to tell them that,
Tell them before all the time flies.
I love you Mommy
And I love you Daddy
Just make me feel a little wanted sometimes.
The whole auditorium was moist eyed; they stood up and gave her an applause. Her eyes were fixed on her parents, who just looked at each other and cried silent tears. Ganga stood and prayed there for minute, hoping things would now be slightly different.
The End
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Looking forward to your comments and views!😊
- Shruti
Kabhi Neem Neem Kabhi Shahad Shahad
