Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: India (02/12/09)
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TITLE: Women Be Wise | Previous Challenge Entry
By Chely Roach
02/19/09 -
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No matter how many eons he ministered, it always broke his heart anew to witness such conflict; such agony.
He observed Bhavna push away her morning tea, and rest her head in her arms and sob quietly. “My heart is telling me that it’s another girl. Another daughter. We are only permitted two children, and Rishi will only permit male offspring. I cannot bear this again…”
He whispered, “Do not be afraid. The Lord your God will not give you more than you can handle. He will provide an answer.”
“I have had three daughters slain. One still wet from my womb, and two more ripped from it! What was God’s answer for them? I cannot stifle this terror...”
“I realize that you have only known me for a short while, but I have heard the trials of your heart. I can taste your tears. I am here for you, Bhavna. Your faith is a babe itself, but it will strengthen you.”
Bhavna wiped her tears on the sleeve of her sari. She rose from the table and carried her cup to the sink. He followed. Her voice wavered, “My faith is as repugnant to my husband as the daughter in my womb. I cannot form the words to tell him about either.”
“I will give you the words…”
“If I tell him about my conversion,” she glanced at the photos on the wall, “he will surely take our son from me, too.” Bhavna ran her hand across her still smooth stomach, “And when I tell him that I am pregnant, he will bribe the doctor to tell him the sex of the child. He will make me…again, he will…” Her chin fell to her chest, and her shoulders slumped from the weight of the memories. The grief. The guilt.
He waded in her avalanche of tears. Witnessing this child of God, wallowing in despair, melted him. As they stood at the small kitchen window, watching the brightly colored fabrics dancing on the clothesline, he wrapped himself around her. He enveloped her entire being; his embrace so warm and comforting, that it penetrated her very soul. “I know your fears. Be assured, child. You asked the Father for forgiveness, and you are forgiven. Your precious children are present with the Lord.”
The weight upon her grew, her sobs racking her frame violently, making her crumble to the floor. “I didn’t know the Lord when I lost my daughters. I had no covenant with Him yet…”
“Oh, precious child…He knew you a thousand years before you knew Him; since the foundation of the world. You have always been His. Let me help you in your unbelief.”
“Please, help me in my unbelief…”
His warmth stroked her spirit, “You must speak the truth in love to Rishi. You must be brave, my sweet Bhavna. I will be brave for you.”
“Give me the words to tell him about this child…and help me to be steadfast in securing her safety, her very life.” She pleaded, “And please, please give me the boldness to tell him about You.”
“I promise I will. Woman, be wise as a serpent, and gentle as a dove.”
Bhavna’s head wearily rested on her knees, and she was consoled. But as she heard Rishi’s key slide into the door, her courage evaded her. She whispered aloud, “Lord, be with me…”
And like a brightly colored fabric dancing across the recesses of her heart, entwined with her very essence, the Holy Spirit breathed these words across her soul, “I will be with you always, until the end of time.”
Author’s note: In districts all over India, the elimination of girl children—either through sex-selective abortion or female infanticide—goes largely uncensored, undetected, unpunished and unmourned. In India alone, it is estimated that sixty million girls are now “missing”, victims of this demographic vortex. Even with new laws banning sex-determination testing, it is feared that these numbers could increase as much as forty percent in the next generation.
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Huge kudos to you for tackling this.
The characterization of Bhavna and her plight is just searing and unforgettable, and Rishi is like this black, ominous presence in the background. Well done!
I think the portrayal of God here is way too human-like though, and that was really uncomfortable for me.
The last line would be so much more powerfully rendered just simply "the Holy Spirit breathed these words across her soul, “I will be with you always, until the end of time.” My opinion. :)
I do think you have enormous writing talent!!
One thing puzzled me in this piece. The line "We are only permitted two children." By whom? There is no law restricting the amount of children a family in India may have.
I really appreciate that you shed light on this tragedy that happens all too frequently in India. This piece is a powerful message to pray for the women of India.
Thank you for sharing this story that needs so much to be shared.
Love,
Folakemi
I thought that was well done. I often talk to God as though HE were in the room with me, and often-times I hear His response in my heart. I loved how you portrayed that.
Obviously some questions have been raised about the two-child policy in India and infanticide versus adopt.
For those interested, on the former, here is a good link. http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2006/jul/06072804.html The policy never applied to all states nor to the entire population of those states. The policy has been repealed by many of the states that adopted it. All of this would be pretty hard to deal with in 750 words. Perhaps just a mention that the husband is running for office or holds office in one of the 6 states affected.
And, of course, many women are killing their children without being forced to by the government, while many others are doing valiant and/or desperate things to save their daughters as Angela pointed out. On the non-adoption side, i.e., the infanticide side, here is a link that is not overwhelming in length, although the sources are getting a little dated: http://www.gendercide.org/case_infanticide.html.
Again, a wonderful, yet tragic and heart-breaking piece.