Swati's new home

Nandita and Kishore were married for seven years. Nandita even from young age had a fascination for babies and relished playing with them. They tried to have a baby but to no avail. Months and years flew by with no sign of conception. They visited many doctors and had innumerable tests done. Though the tests revealed nothing adverse, doctors could not pinpoint any specific reason. They counseled patience and gave examples of how women conceived even after ten years. The parents of the couple were aware how much they longed to have a baby and kept praying all gods for one.

It was then that they took a joint decision to adopt a baby girl. They contacted the adoption centre and gave the parameters of the baby they were looking for. It is to be a baby girl above one year and less than two. They were particular about the complexion. They were both very fair and desired that the girl too should match their colour.They wanted the baby should have good features. The adoption centre did not have one meeting their requirements readily although it had many babies.Nandita declined even to have a cursory look. They decided to wait. Rohini, the head of adoption centre, had an idea. There was a young baby girl just 4 months old, fair complexioned and charming .She suggested the centre can take of the baby for a year and the couple can adopt the infant there after. She wanted the couple to have a look. Nandita and Kishore found this reasonable and readily agreed. The little baby Swati had a twinkle in her eyes and was smiling in a cute manner. They took an instant liking for the baby and found her the answer to their dreams and prayers. They assured the centre that they would adopt her after a year and to prove their earnest gave a hefty donation to the centre. They also conveyed their decision to visit the centre every weekend to spend time with the girl.

Light in heart and happy in mind they started dreaming of the days with the baby. It was then one morning Nandita felt unwell.Kishore had not left for office. She thought it was tummy upset and when she had unbearable nausea he took her to the family doctor. She examined her and broke into a large smile. Congratulating them she said they are soon becoming parents. Both of them could not suppress their ecstasy and hugged each other unmindful of the doctor’s presence.Nandita soon had a baby girl. Surprisingly the baby was dusky in colour and not so good looking. This did not bother them much.

Understandably their visits to the adoption home had reduced during her confinement days. Since birth of the baby she was busy nursing it. It was then Rohini from the centre rang up one day reminding that a year and six months have passed and Swati can be adopted any time. Rohini had a nagging doubt ever since she came to know about the conception whether the couple would be interested in adopting Swati, more so when they had a baby girl. She thought possibly they would opt for a boy. Many couples fail to return for finalizing the adoption after choosing the baby. They have second thoughts and look for another baby. But Nandita was clear in her mind that Swati is her elder daughter and the position would not change even in the altered circumstances.Kishore had also not wavered even when his parents obliquely hinted at giving up the proposal for adoption. Nandita’s friends too questioned the rationale of her adopting another girl when she had one of her own. Nandita did not budge and stood steadfast in her decision. She had given her word to Rohini to give Swati a new home and a new mom. She started looking upon her as her daughter from day one and thought that Swati and her new born sister would be an ideal twosome complementing each other. Within a week Swati was seen playing with her younger sister in her new home.