rhea's dilemma

Rhea’s Dilemma: What every mid 20yr old, thirty something faces in the so –called modern cities of Punjab. How to produce the rightful heir? The pressures to reproduce/procreate the ‘waaris’ are insurmountable. There is an impasse’ between the old and the new where one is stuck at the thresh-holds of having a healthy child v/s a male child

The constant pressures, the taunts and the mutterings and the not so subtle comments had reached a level where had Rhea wanted to run away. Kind phrases , slight hints of doing it in a particular way and at a particular time of the month and eating an apple a day in the morning as it ensured a male child were sound-bytes that had been droning her ear ever since Karan and she had celebrated their first wedding anniversary.

Dam it, she said to herself as she adjusted her pale blue chikankari dupatta that had been starched to perfection by Weldon aunty ji and simultaneously invoking a prayer to babaji urging him to take care of her whenever she would go to meet to the local God man, a favourite of all mothers-in-law, since he promised a100% guarantee. The appointment was not far.

Carrying a huge basket of fruits, including Californian apples and Chinese pears and a silver thali laden with Nathoo’s mithai covered by a co-ordinated pink tissue and a cloth pouch filled with an offering (minimum 10,000 Rs, Sheela said) mummy ji steps into the car shouting for Rhea as Sant ji was said to be very punctual.

God! This girl,she must be applying her sun screen. Her obsession with being white….. If only, she would produce a male heir, all my problems would vanish after which I can die in peace thought Prakash Kaur doyen of the ladies club sector9.

Who will look after Lalji and Rhea in their old age? hai mera munda’Our family name , zameen ….izzat.

In a silence thick enough to be cut with a knife, the duo move to Zirakpur with the tenacity of An Indian general leading his troops to fight against the Pakis.The move to the battle post sorry Dera of Khuwasianwala Babaji, where woman from all over flock to be blessed with the golden child!

Forget the fact that it’s got to do with the sperms or heaven forbid! The laadla munda! Never ever suggest this to a mother-in-law thought Rhea. She a product of the finest schools and the best college of the country had no choice over this, just produce the rightful heir and all systems were go.

Babaji sitting in an opulent gaudy room with temperatures freezing (enough to freeze off all body parts) thought Rhea with a giggle SShh!! Mummy ji glared at her and shoved her to get blessed by his liver-spotted podgy hands. Babaji, giving her the look over instructs her “Beta, mix this in Kaka’s milk at night” The sachet which is a miracle drug equivalent to apni ol’ little blue pills.

Babaji’s success rate has all of Chandigarh under his sway, so Rhea goes along with it and placates Karan to try the holy powder. The night gives away to the morning and success is guaranteed; there is nothing as failure in Prakash Kaur’s house.She waits for the door to open and mentally promises extra Prasad to bhaiji and a gold kara to Babji nine months hence. What, if the elusive heir is born?