Nilanjana Sanyal

Child

Laxmi looked outside the window. This was something like she had never seen before. For Thakur Suraj Prasad Singh, the Zamindar of Sonarpur and his wife Gouri Singh, it was not a very welcome arrangement. Their only son, Rahul Singh had brought home a ‘phoren’ bride from New York (he was studying at Columbia University; that is where they met) and they were planning to adopt a child.

There was plenty of turmoil in the family. But the couple had its reasons. Brigitte was unable to conceive. The couple found Laxmi in the observatory room of the local Government hospital. It seems an unwed mother had abandoned her at the hospital doorstep. To Brigitte, it was an achievement just being able to give life to someone who would ordinarily not have lived a good life.

Life was an ordeal for Laxmi. She was not a normal girl. But rather clumsy. For her daily mundane chores like washing, she needed a helper. When she spoke, they never understood a word. No one at home could make sense of either her words or her actions.

No matter how hard they tried, the family, including the parents was unsuccessful in getting the little girl to say even a word. It was extremely painful. That the family had all the wealth in the world and was yet unable to understand the only child at home. They found a nanny for her. It didn’t work. The child would often end up throwing temper tantrums.

Brigitte was an extremely patient mother. She did everything she could for Laxmi. The special child had just started responding to her love. But she knew there was something missing. She had no clue what it was!

The Thakur household was in need of a housekeeper. The previous housekeeper, Ram Singh had been dismissed. The family was now calling for fresh applications.

There were about half a dozen applications. Of them, Brigitte liked the ‘little dark lady’.

She was warned however that in the kind of social milieu existing in Sonarpur, a dalit woman would be the last chance for housekeeper so far as the Thakur family was concerned. Rahul however supported her decision. There were enough problems on their head. The Thakur and his wife didn’t want another problem.

So Meerabai was hired.

It was a miracle. Laxmi was now opening up. And she loved being with Meerabai. They were almost always seen together. Much to the strong dislike of the Thakur and his wife. Meerabai would often go up to Laxmi’s room. Days passed by.

One day, Brigitte found Meerabai missing from her daily household chores. As she approached Laxmi’s room, she could hear voices. Laxmi was talking!

Brigitte crept stealthily into the room. Meerabai was taken aback. She was now trembling with fear. Laxmi looked at her, then at Brigitte. One could hear her saying… ‘Maa’!

 She was pointing at Meerabai!

That evening, Meerabai was badly beaten up by  the Thakur and his wife. Brigitte and Rahul Singh were not at home. Then she was tied to a pole and pelted with stones. Little Laxmi witnessed the humiliation of her mother all the way.

Meerabai was now critically injured. Brigitte, on her return, got her admitted to hospital. And that was the last day the special child, Laxmi ever responded to anyone.

Rahul Singh and his wife Brigitte have now taken Laxmi and Meerabai with them back to New York. The entire family is under therapy.

Laxmi has been admitted to a special school. They will probably never go back to
Sonarpur.