Grandmother, Who, Me?

Grandmother, Who, Me?"

Chapter 1: The Longing

The waiting hall of the government maternity hospital in Trichy smelled of phenyl, filter coffee, and the faint metallic tang of fear mixed with hope. Shreya sat on a hard plastic chair, one hand resting protectively over her still flat belly, the other clutching her purse. The humid July air clung to her skin even inside the building, making her simple cotton salwar kameez stick lightly to her back.

She watched the other families around her with a quiet ache in her chest.

In the corner, an elderly woman, clearly a mother in law, fussed over her pregnant daughter in law, adjusting her dupatta and scolding her gently for not drinking enough water. “Enna ma ippadi panra, you have to think of the baby now. Drink, drink.” The young woman smiled tiredly while her husband and father in law stood nearby, chatting proudly about the upcoming grandchild. The scene was warm, chaotic, and full of that unbreakable Tamil family bond.

Shreya’s throat tightened.

We don’t have that.

She and Satish were both orphans. She had lost her parents young in a road accident. Satish had grown up in a children’s home after his single mother passed away. No aunts, no uncles, no grandparents. Just the two of them against the world. They had built a good life together, a small but comfortable villa with a garden, a reliable car, and enough savings from Satish’s freelance programming work and her home beautician parlor. They had love. Passion. Laughter.

But right now, in this crowded hospital, Shreya felt the absence like a physical void.

What would it feel like to have a mother in law? Someone to guide her through the nausea, the cravings, the fears of first-time motherhood. Someone to pamper her with oil massages and special pregnancy recipes. Someone… safe.

Of course, she had seen enough Tamil movies and real life stories to know the other side. Cruel mothers in law who controlled everything, who made the daughter in law’s life hell, who favoured sons over wives. The thought made her shiver despite the heat. No. I don’t want that either.

Still… a kind one. A loving one. Like the woman scolding her daughter in law so affectionately across the hall.

Satish emerged from the scan room, holding the ultrasound reports like a precious trophy. His clean-shaven face lit up the moment he saw her. He was still the same kind, gentle man she had fallen in love with, slim, soft featured, always putting her first.

“Everything is perfect, di,” he said excitedly, sitting beside her and showing the printouts. “The doctor said the baby is healthy. Strong heartbeat.” He leaned in and kissed her forehead, his hand gently covering hers on her belly. “We’re going to be parents.”

Shreya smiled, leaning into his warmth. He was the best thing that had ever happened to her. Supportive, fun, understanding. The ideal husband.

But as they sat there together, a silly, half formed thought floated into her mind like a mischievous breeze.

If only I had a mother in law like my husband… kind, caring, always there for me.

She almost laughed at herself. What a ridiculous wish.

Little did she know, that ridiculous thought was about to change their lives forever.