“When my son brought Sultana at home, everyone was angry. No one was ready to accept her. I looked at the face of my daughter-in-law and saw she had no innocence, there was maturity and bravery. My daughters, husband and everyone of my place started warning me how dangerous the girl can be. The day she arrived at home, my kitchen got in fire. My saree fell into the stove and the kitchen caught into fire. Everyone was screaming when Sultana brought sand by bucket and throw all over the place. She slightly burned her hands but stopped the fire. My daughters were telling me, it was a bad omen, they said the new bride created the fire.

I stopped them and explained how bravely she saved us. She won my heart at first place. But no one liked her. Because Sultana came from such family who can count how many times they eat fish or meat in a year. My husband told me what a loss it was to get a daughter-in-law whose parent can never feed us for once. I asked him why he always dislikes her. He told me because she is black and poor. I told him I am black and my family is still poor, and then asked him does he also think I am worthless too. I did not listen to anyone because there she was with all her heart and labour pouring my house with happiness.

But three years there was no child. Everyone got a valid reason to send her off to her parent’s house. And I was there, standing in front of her so no criticism and bad talk can affect her. But I saw she was suffering badly in a need for a child. She stopped smiling. One day I called her in the morning, get ready together and told everyone we are going to my sister’s place. I lied to everyone, we went to community clinic, and there she received treatment. After six months my daughter-in-law conceived. When my grandson was about to born my daughter-in-law told me if something happen to her, I should never let the child to give to any other woman. I was there beside her entire time; I did not say a word without praying. My daughter survived bravely and gifted me this beautiful grandson.

It’s been forty years I work, every inch of my body pains every minute. But the money I earn is important for my sick husband and family. I hardly get time to play with any of my grandchild. Some days ago Sultana told me she got a new job for me and her. I asked her what it was. She handover me my grandson and told me looking after him and playing with him is my new job. I smiled and said, we need money to run our family. And then she showed me a card, I cannot read, I never went to school. So she explained me, she took a job in a garments and now I can retire. It’s been a few days she started working. Yesterday I quit from my labourer job. From morning I am feeling like a child, I do not know how this long day will pass. Whenever my grandson is laughing and playing with me, this is bringing tears on my eyes. I needed this rest; I badly needed to take some break. And no one understood it without my daughter-in-law who is worthless to everyone’s eyes but to me she becomes my mother.”

– Momena (60)

Story By – GMB Akash

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