1949 - A Love Story ✅

Part 33

Sana was in her 7th month of pregnancy. Sulochana asks Sidharth to send a telegram to Sana's parents inviting them on Sana's godh bharai (baby shower).

Sidharth obliged to his mother's instruction and sends a telegram inviting Sana's parents. Exactly after two weeks, they celebrate the godh bharai function where the guest ladies invited blessed the mother to be with gifts and pampered her with all her favourite food items.

Sana was elated to receive so much love. Each lady had some advice for her on pre, during and post delivery stage. She nodded and agreed to everyone as a sign of respect.

After the function got over, Shakuntala Devi seeks Sulochana's permission to take Sana with them to Lakhanpur as per the custom for her delivery and post natal care at her maternal house.

Sulochana agrees and asks Sana to pack her bag. Since it was a ladies only function, Sidharth was unaware about this decision.

Sidharth: Sana, what are you doing sweetheart?

Sana: I am packing my bags to leave to Lakhanpur with Amma and Bapu.

Sidharth: What? But Why?

Sana: That's the custom, a  lady delivers her child at her maternal home. Saasumaa already gave the permission as well.

Sidharth: But I can't agree to this. You ain't going to Lakhanpur.

Sana: Huh? How is it possible? We need to follow traditions. Everytime we cannot be selfish thinking about only us. We should consider our parent's decision as well. In couple of months we will be parents too and imagine our child disrespecting us by going against our decisions.

Sidharth: (stares at her with a straight face listening to all the lecture she had to give him) Are you done? I can wait until you to allow me to speak.

Sana frowns.

Sidharth: I wasn't acting selfish but I am talking for our child's good. Lakhanpur doesn't have better delivery facilities than here. They still have a midwife deliver a baby at home whereas we have a proper healthcare facility in the form of hospital and doctors here in city. I can't let you risk your and child's health. Do you understand?

Sana: I was also born at home and so was Sunaina didi. What's the problem in having home birth?

Sidharth: What about the two stillbirths Saasumaa had, one before Sunaina and the other after you? No Sana. I won't give up if it's for your and our child's health.

He goes out and talks to everyone where Mahinder and his wife were of an indifferent opinion as they couldn't stay at their married daughter's house as they considered it against their custom.

Sidharth: Fine, if y'all are adamant on following traditions rather than being worried about my wife and my child's safety then I won't force y'all. Maa, Sana is staying with us and I am going to take unpaid leaves for 3 months once she approaches 9th month. I will take care of her and the baby myself.

Sulochana: It isn't so easy as you speak Sidharth. If you are so much determined to keep her here then I will take care of her. Afterall it's my grandson as well.

Mahendra: We feel mortified as even after us being alive our daughter has to deliver her maiden child at her husband's house rather than ours.

Sidharth: I understand your concerns, tradition of girl's parents not staying or eating food at her husband's house was practiced to save the girl's parents from being taunted or insulted of accepting favours by her in-laws. They avoided any future dispute or humiliation by staying far from her family. I assure you that none of us will insult or behave in such a way that it causes insult to you or your family. But the final decision to stay is left to you.