I am a South Indian, Tamilian and my native is
Madurai. I am sure you would have
captured my haughtiness in the previous line. Who wouldn’t be proud of their
roots? The day we left for Madurai from Rajender’s place I was so happy. I was
going to see my mom - is there anything else needed to be happy ? My mom was
eagerly waiting for me too. She was heartbroken about whatever happened. She went from temple to temple all those 5
months of my pregnancy. She lived with the thought of her grandchildren whom
she never saw. I know she carried them in her heart and to let go of such a
beautiful dream at the age of 60 is painful, very painful.
Madurai is a very small, beautiful city. It is
famous for the temples situated there (every street has a small temple!). The
most famous temple is called Madurai Meenakshi Amman temple and the above
picture shows one of the temple’s towers, magnificent isn’t it? Every time I go
there the temple’s architecture never ceases to amaze me. I love roaming around
the streets situated close to the temple rather than going inside. Oh, I simply
love Madurai for its liveliness.
We reached Madurai at early morning 4:30. We took an auto from the railway
station to our home. The auto driver was a young lad and was chatting happily.
The moment we were to enter our village border, the auto driver turned to me
and asked, are you wearing slippers. I was not sure whether I heard it right,
his question didn’t make any sense to me. So I asked him to repeat his
question. He again asked, do you have slippers in your feet? I was so confused;
what kind of question is this! I reluctantly said yes and he replied, I will
tell you the reason for this question later. When we were nearing our home he
said, sister, there is a graveyard at that turning. If you do not wear
something in your feet, the spirits (ghosts) which live there will catch hold
of you and come along with you. I always make sure I wear something on my feet
when I cross that area. A big smile appeared on my face and I knew at that moment
that I was In Madurai, a city with gullible, friendly people. I looked at Rajender and he was smiling at me, no
actually grinning at me and I know the meaning of it! He just said with his
eyes, is there a bigger ghost than you, will anything even dare to come near
you!
My mom was waiting for us. At 5’o clock in the
morning she has made hot, hot idlies, chutney and sambhar. Another name for
mother is love; no one can take her place. In my in-law’s place I have nothing
to complain but I was never as happy and comfortable as I am with my mom. In my
place I am the queen, I can get up whenever I want, I can eat whatever I like,
I can sleep whenever I want and I can be myself. In my in-law’s place I have to
behave well and it is very, very hard to be someone else all the time. At 5 AM,
I ate the breakfast which I love most and slept happily until 10 only to wake up
and ask, ‘what’s for lunch amma!’
When I said to my mom that we are going to take
the surrogacy route she was very happy. She said, ‘Manju how long will you
suffer like this. How many injections, how many injuries to your body and mind!
I think surrogacy is a better option’.
She wanted her daughter not to suffer anymore. My sister is a gynecologist,
when I asked her opinion, she said, do whatever appears right for you. With
such a fear about carrying a pregnancy, it is not wise to try to get pregnant
again. I support you both completely regarding your decision to opt for
surrogacy.
My dad is no more, but if he is alive he would
have guided me in a very wise manner. When I have to take important decisions
in life I miss him dearly. He was a Judge,
a very honest Judge. In every nook and corner of my home I feel my dad’s
presence. If someone says that I am
courageous or appreciate my perseverance, I owe all such praises to my dad. He
is the one who brought me up with all these qualities. I take after my dad not
physically but mentally. I strongly believe that the good life me and my sister
live now is just because of my dad, because of his honesty and good deeds.
I mailed Dr. Malpani regarding our decision to
opt for surrogacy. Between the times I
lost my twins and the decision regarding surrogacy, I might have asked
innumerous questions to my Dr! He was very, very patient with me. He understood
my fears and insecurities. He did his best to help me. He would say,’ Manju, we
will do our best to help you have a baby’, and those words mean a lot to me. He
never, ever said an uncompassionate word, nothing which would hurt me even
unintentionally. He took the role of my counselor too! I owe my ability to live
normally and happily even after whatever I went through to him, perhaps only to
him!
I was not patient; I wanted everything to
happen quickly. Dr.Malpani told me that they have to search for a surrogate
first and then have to prepare the agreement. I was wondering how long it might
take. But I received the surrogacy contract in my hand within a few weeks. I
was reading it page by page and for the first time I got to see Rita, my surrogate! There
was a passport size photo of her and her husband. I kept on looking at the
photo. She appeared shy, calm and humble. I knew that she has two children and
she is a first time surrogate. I had so
many questions in my mind : Why she opted to be a surrogate? What is her
husband doing? How old are her children? Does her husband treat her well? Where
does she live, in a slum? Will she take care of my baby well? I am going to
take a great leap of faith and trust her, am I doing everything right? In my quest for a baby, am I putting my baby
itself at risk? So many questions haunted me and I asked Dr. Malpani
everything. All he said was, Manju you must come and visit Rita, and then many
of your fears will vanish.
I didn’t sign the contract at that time. The
reason is, my name is misspelled in the document. So I sent it back to the
lawyer. In between the time I sent the contract back and received a new
contract, we went for a pilgrimage, yes a pilgrimage in search of baby luck!
Did I meet Rita in person? Where was the pilgrimage to? A lot more to share! :)
