Mochi @mochi9boba
210308
(2/2)
Now about my other grandmother, my Maaโs mother in law. The evil grandmother. She preferred grandsons over granddaughters, so naturally, my sister and I were neglected if we stepped onto her house. There was this other girl, who was in no way related to our family, not even a family friend and she was preferred by my grandmother over her own bloodline.
That woman was so sexually frustrated that when a few years back, when she got a cataract surgery, she closed her windows with newspapers, saying that her own son (my uncle) would peep through that. That man changed her diapers when she laid there not knowing what was happening.
Maa used to tell us that when my father was in Dubai, they used to call and to attend the call, she used to step outside to the veranda. They could not have one private moment without my grandmother or grandfather dangling over their heads, eavesdropping their convo. When Maa was pregnant with my sister, she was made to do all the work at her in lawโs house, even after being heavily pregnant.
When my sister was born, without letting my mother hold her first, my grandmother took my sister in her arms and said that she would either become a doctor or an engineer. The doctors and the nurses were looking at Maa with pity in their eyes, perhaps knowing that Maa was going through misery. Luckily I was born at my Maaโs place. After giving Maa the child, she had whispered into her ear that the next one (me) should not be a girl. Unlucky for her.
And now my other grandmother. Maa always blamed her for her marriage. But the poor woman had no choice but to set her daughters to total strangers after receiving the news that ny grandfather had died (we think he was mudered, but anyway).
But there was this one teacher there who wanted to marry Maa. She shouldโve married him and couldโve led a more peaceful life compared to this one.
Anyway, now my grandmother thinks that my mother is at fault for the fights happening in our house. She doesnโt have any knowledge that her son in law calls her names and puts all the blame of the failed marriage over my motherโs head.
Her sister, my aunt, is another faulty piece. She never misses a chance to talk high of her husband (who btw has manipulated her into giving her her wedding jewellery off for loan) and to say weird things about our family. Her sons, my cousins, make her work like she is her personal maid. And the woman does it. Recently, my auntโs mother in law was seriously sick with cancer and my aunt used to wash dishes late at night, saying that if something were to happen, atleast people wonโt see the dirty dishes in the morning. Crazy? I know.
I donโt know what to do other than to speak up when she is wronged. That too feels wrong sometimes when the whole argument shifts to me being selfish and impatient. I love her with all my heart and if I do get my scholarship, it will break my heart to leave her with my father with no one to talk to as my sister will go for her job.
I ranted it out here and itโs currently 9:05 here. I saw her crying and thought that some people should know her story even if they wonโt know her face or name or stuff. She has a beautiful soul and a determined mind and this life is not doing justice to her strong self.
Scared,
Mochi~๐
As I was reading, I realised that my father and my motherโs side of the family also share some of the things that you mentioned. So I relate lol.
Your maa seems like a beautiful person who is trying her best. Isnโt that what we can do, really? Try our best? I understand it can be tiring, frustrating to make your voice heard in an environment where people donโt value your opinion simple because youโre young. Itโs shitty. But the very fact that you feel this way is something. Tell your maa this. Tell her how you feel and how grateful you are for her, for her sacrifices (which shouldnโt have taken place in the first place, but unfortunately, this is the patriarchal world we live in!) and how much you appreciate her.
I hear your maa. And I see her.
Mochi @mochi9boba
Thank you for the suggestion! I will surely try to open up from my side too and try to make it easier for her. Thank you for taking your time and knowing my mother.๐๐
And thank you for sharing her story! Good luck โค๏ธ