SHORT STORY - 1490 Words

The Churning of Amba

Who is that? Amba asked her husband, Jai at the first opportunity at night after their two very young children who were cuddled with them went into a deep sleep. She had sensed the presence of someone in her inner space during the day while he was off at his workplace. Ambas day was filled like any other ordinary womans life who took care of the children while staying home. Hers was a peaceful life and she was grateful for it. She was also conscious of her loneliness and was braced enough to pursue a part of life on her own. During this time an intrusion in her life felt mysterious and disturbing. She had already called on her husbands attention twice before and now she was making another attempt to relieve herself from the new chaos occurring from within her. Having got Jais attention she asked him again, who is that? Jai familiarly composed himself while at the same time attempting to hide his own confusions about Ambas concern. Both his boss and his dad came to her thoughts which she did not bother as much about as she was for his response. You are mistaken. Your thoughts are incorrect, Jai finally revealed. She didnt notice that he was defending himself. She was only determined to find a resolution to her dilemma so she could be a tender mother whom she was used to be until now. At the moment however she slept without finding the answer from Jai and so she knew that she had not resolved her unfamiliar agony. Both of them then retreated in

the silence of their sleep time not knowing that a painful division had just taken seat in their relationship. It was a challenging time for Amba and during an opportune moment in the family she announced to Jai that she had decided to take the final year of a two year study program in the self-help field that she enrolled in only a couple of years before. He generously adjusted his schedule and took care of the children while she spent a long weekend at the distance study center. Away from home the once sudden appearance of mental agony turned into experiences of panic attacks for Amba. It then did not take long for her to realize that she was also in an emotional conflict with the elderly lady who was organizing the Sunday school and other programs at the spiritual center her family was registered for almost three years at that time. Upon returning home she quickly tried through self-help exercises to undo the conflict that had her entangled with the lady. She requested Jai to disregard their membership with the spiritual center and stop participating in the programs conducted at the place. Jai instantly disagreed through his response that after all the periodic opportunities for spiritual studies was only helping him and that their son too was beginning to feel at home studying in the place. Jai loved their children and Amba knew it. She did not want to dispute Jai making a decision for their son. In the meantime Ambas mental agitations increased until she could no longer relate to the world normally. After contacting several friends and relatives, Amba and Jai started consulting a psychiatrist. Amba was prescribed pills for her mental disturbances and she started taking them. Things began to get better between the two of them through

the sessions. Soon Jai asked Amba to visit the sessions herself as the medical expert gave him to do so. I do not need pills that give me side-effects, Amba powerlessly defended herself from the kitchen after a few days as she cooked the daily food. Jai paused in his steps to listen to her as he was crossing the walkway next to the kitchen. He hasted to recount within himself how in panic stricken state she had called him twice within only a few days during his work hours. He knew she had not recovered and having met with the psychiatrist himself he believed her condition could be treated successfully. As Jai was getting ready to leave for his work he hurriedly hid himself with his clarity from Amba in the walkway away from her sight. How would you feel if you had to take medicines which you know will trouble you later? she approached him again. Amba knew that if she discontinued taking the medicines prescribed by the doctor there was little hope for her to continue with the treatment sessions. They were now standing face to face and though disappointed he finally let her decide for herself. When she was alone Amba cried her heart out. Her body felt too heavy to love and take care of her two little ones and she began to drag herself to do her once effortless daily work. Amba however continued to live in the best way she knew how. A year later at a five day writing workshop away from her husband and children, she suddenly awakened to the fact that the healer whom she had contacted a couple of years before knew what in fact her problem was. Whoever harms others would be hurt in return and hundred times more so, he stated a law of nature rather emphatically in the

midst of treating Ambas ailment. As revelations began to pour on her she recognized that the elderly lady who was organizing the Sunday school and the other programs at the spiritual center had cast binding spells upon her. Amba recounted how ignorant she had been when the healer had insightfully but subtly expressed the truth. During the class breaks she thought of the kind priest at the temple that she visited with her family often. She began to gather herself and decided to switch her children from the Sunday school to a weekly program conducted at the temple. Do not sign in our family for the coming year in the Sunday school Amba requested Jai within a few days after returning from her workshop. Amba was firm this time unlike last year when she stayed away from intruding upon Jai and his decisionmaking rights as a father. Before too long Jai also began to open himself to Amba with signs of positive response to her request. The registration for the upcoming year began at the center. For three years Jai and Amba had taken their first born every Sunday for spiritual and cultural studies at the place and they were actively engaged during the time in the family activities. Now the two of them gave up signing up for another new year. Amba was now relieved that she had guided both herself and Jai through chaos and exhaustion in order that they both avoided the magnetism to go there ever again. Amba was surprised and frustrated at the same time that for all of her struggles to come to an end it only took some clarity to make one decision and act upon it. She felt grateful for taking up in the past the self-help course. But Ambas health continued to challenge her. So she once again met with the

healer whom she had contacted a year before and who cured illnesses through ancient and natural healing methods. She has negative energy, the healer revealed this time, directly and to Jai his insights communicated in fewer words as possible. I would do remedial rituals and it will not cost you much, he kind-heartedly solved the dilemma of economics for Jai. The following days began to fill Amba a bit too much by calling her for hard work. The exercises that she had to follow burdened the time that she had. She mixed herbs and took throughout the day. The healer was however turning into both as a source of inspiration and one who was inspired by the progress that Amba made in her health. He sang Gods songs whenever it appeared to him that she would not take so much pain in the body and in life. Amba was beginning to gain the identity that was stolen away from her. She also thought that she believed in God more than the elderly lady did. For even both the lady and her husband, who commanded a considerable influence in the community, together could not destroy her. Amba recounted what her mother had mentioned since her childhood about her astrological destiny : whoever confronts you would be hurt themselves. For they who fight you would only have fought against a stone. Amba slowly returned to gaining confidence within herself amidst the mental and bodily torments. She knew she had lots to do and was looking forward to work part-time more than a decade after she had left the work world. Gaining financial freedom through her writing skills would give her children the freedom they deserved and Jai the happiness he needed to have.

THE END