A Portent (शगुन)
Malti had just returned with her daughter-in-law just yesterday. And today Transgender were at her door, her daughter-in-law had given birth to a baby girl. The transgender were returning after a long discussion, Seema was watching them at the door she stopped them.
“Shabbo, come here.”
“What is it Didi?”
“How much have you taken from Malti?”
“2500 rupees didi, that too because of a baby girl else I would have taken 5000 Rs.”
“Did the offer you Rs.2500/-?”
“Why wouldn’t they? After-all they are afraid of our curse.”
“I would like to suggest you something, if you don’t feel bad.”
“Yes ofcourse didi, it is only you who very promptly give us on each and every festival open handedly, in such a case how can I feel anything bad.”
“By threatening them you have brought the money without even thinking that how much curse you have gathered for yourself.”
“I didn’t get you didi.”
“Malti’s son is a daily wager, they run their households with a great difficulty and above all the delivery was cesarean.”
“The doctors don’t earn profits in a normal delivery, Didi.”
“Yesterday I had met Malti and she had told me that they were able to save only Rs.3000 after the delivery, from which she would purchase medicines and some dry fruits for her daughter-in-law.”
After discussing Shabbo once again returned to Malti.
In helplessness state she asked, “Why have you come now, I can’t offer you anything now.”
“Oh no! I wish to greet and give good wishes to Lakshmi.”
They all take the new born baby girl in their arms and danced and made jolly and gave many good wishes along with Rs.3000.
“This is for the little girl from all of us, as a portent. ”
Malti’s hand automatically reached her forehead to bless her.
It was for the very first time that Shabbo had ever received something so ominous.
Original laghukatha: Madhu Jain
Translation by: Kalpana Bhatt , Bhopal.
Dated: 04/05/2021
