The choice

Mangala’s lover was waiting in the vehicle outside.The sms urged her to come away quickly.She turned to look at her snoring husband on the cot with his mouth wide open and legs spread apart showing his undergarment.A feeling of revulsion took over her.Her one year old girl was sleeping by his side.After she gathered a couple of dressses, she turned again to have one last look at her baby.She was shocked to see it on the verge of the cot and likely to fall anytime.He was still snoring loudly.She lifted the baby in her arms and sat down crying.The mobile frequently rang to indicate new messages.She ignored them as she hugged the child.

Three years back she was just a 17 year old girl working along with her mom as domestic help. In her afternoons she used to visit her neighbouring house to watch TV.The lady there was a wily woman.Seeing this good looking girl she planned to get her married to her brother who was 38.He was an alchoholic spending all his money on liquor and whores..She felt a marriage would make him more responsible.She created opportunities for them to meet by calling him also to play carrom or watch TV.She would frequently vanish for short periods leaving them alone.One day the girl lost her innocence and cried inconsolably.The wily woman convinced her and made her marry her brother.

It was all hunky dory initially.She conceived and soon got a baby girl.When he never gave money for running the household or for taking care of the baby’s requirements, she was upset.He expected her to work in several households and not to look to him for money.Eventually he started beating her to take away whateer money she had..The drinking habits made him neglect his wife.The wide difference in age and his poor health left her unhappy.

It was then she met an young driver in ration shop.She was attracted to him.A bachelor 26 years old he was willing to marry her provided she left her husband and the child.She was ready to leave her husband but not her daughter.The young man was adamant.on that issue and wanted her to choose one of them, either the baby or him. .Life became unbearable when her husband started suspecting and beating her more.She decided to leave him once and for all.It was agreed that her lover would come in the night to pick her up.

The mobile became insistent.Her husband moved a little.The baby in her arms was awake and started kicking her legs.Suddenly the infant giggled at her mom.Mangala was overcome with love for the baby as her maternal instincts rose.She hugged the baby and smiothered kisseson her till the baby started crying.When the mobile rang.again,she switched it off.She had made her choice.