Third child

I was working that day. Our house help Geeta had come and was washing utensils. I heard my mom speaking with Geeta. I assumed it must have been a regular household chit chat between them, so I did not pay much attention to that. A few minutes later, my mother came to my room. She looked a little worried.

"Do you have any meeting now?" My moyher enquired.

"Nothing right now. What happened?" I got worried if my mom was feeling unwell.

"Geeta wants to speak with you. Will you come to the kitchen?" My mother did not tell me much, but it was enough for me to know my mom was all right.

I went into the kitchen. Geeta had sat on a chair, she was sweating, and was drinking lemonade that my mom had prepared.

"Are you feeling dizzy Geeta? Should I take you to the doctor?" I started off with my questions. It was evident that ahe was unwell.

"It is not like that didi. I am pregnant and got little dizzy today. Aunty gave me lemonade but I am better now," Geeta's voice gave away her worries. She was a 40 something woman, with 2 children, elder one 16 and younger one 8. I understood her concern, "you need to be careful Geeta. Don't stress out too much. If needed give up a few gigs," I advised her.

"Didi it is so embarrassing to say out loud that I am pregnant again. I feel ashamed. But I don't want this child. I have 2 children to look after and I cannot have one more. I am the only one who works in my family. My husband lost his job recently. I cannot feed one more mouth. The doctor says I am too far along in my pregnancy and I cannot have the operation. What should I do didi?" Geeta was crying.

I felt sad for her but anything was risky. I said to her, "doctors have already given you the answer. Operation is risky. You have 2 children to take care of, you need to think about them. Right now you cannot do anything. Accept and embrace your child. You still have few months," I tried to sound as reassuring as possible.

"Didi do you know someone who wants to adopt?" Geeta's question startled me. She had already decided what she wants to do. She was looking for possibilities.

"Geeta I do not know anybody. But speak with social workers and hospitals, they may know someone," I tried to say everything as safely as possible. This was a delicate matter and I wanted to safeguard my own position.

"Thank you didi. I know I cannot ask much. But this is very difficult for my family. I have a relative in my village who expressed her wishes to adopt. At least she will be able to provide a better life to my child," Geeta was sobbing. Me and my mom were trying not to cry but it was getting impossible.

Geeta composed herself and left. I went back to my work but I was unable to concentrate. I kept thinking about the fate of Geeta's child. Life was a struggle for working class family and Geeta was a victim of it.