The “Liberated” Woman

The “LIBERATED” WOMAN

Fiction Short Story

By

VIKRAM KARVE

Epilogue

This happened many years ago – and – I don’t know why I have decided to tell you this story about the “Liberated Woman” today…

The “Liberated” Woman – a Story by Vikram Karve

It was her virtuoso performance at the “women’s empowerment” debate that earned her the soubriquet “Liberated Woman”.

The nickname “Liberated Woman” stuck – and even today – I remember her impassioned speech in which she articulated her strong views on “gender equality” and “women’s empowerment” in a most lucid and compelling manner.

From the forceful and fervent manner in which she spoke – it was clear that she was speaking from the heart – and – she fully believed in what she was saying.

All of us in the audience were impressed – and – among the audience was a young man – the “scion” of a famous industrial family – the son of a business magnate who was the Chief Guest for the debate – which was an important event in our college day celebrations.

The young industrialist was struck by the “thunderbolt” – and he instantaneously fell in love with “liberated woman” – for him – it was truly “love at first sight”.

That night – at the dinner table – the young man expressed his desire to marry “liberated woman”.

His parents were delighted – because – their son was now 30 years old – and – till now – the young man had refused to consider any marriage proposals.

After “due diligence” – the business magnate learned that “liberated woman” belonged to a good family – though not very affluent.

The business magnate approached the parents of “liberated woman” with the marriage proposal – asking for their daughter’s hand for their son.

The parents of “liberated woman” were delighted – especially her mother – who was overjoyed that her daughter had netted a “prize catch”.

For the mother of “liberated woman” – her daughter’s marriage to the young industrialist was a “social triumph”.

It did not matter that the boy was 30 – almost 10 years older than her daughter.

What mattered was that her daughter would transcend from the “middle class” into the elite class – and she would now “belong” to the highest strata of society.

So – the mother instantly said “yes” to the marriage proposal.

Of course – “liberated woman” – who was still studying in college – in the final year of her BA degree course – was bewildered by the sudden turn of events – but – her mother prevailed upon her – using every trick in the book – including all sorts of “emotional blackmail”.

So – “liberated woman” got engaged to the scion of the business family – and – the moment she completed her graduation – she got married to the young industrialist.

ONE YEAR LATER

I heard that “liberated woman” was in hospital – so I went to meet her.

It was nothing very serious – “liberated woman” had gone through a difficult pregnancy and had developed some complications during childbirth – but she was okay now – and her baby – a girl – was okay too.

In my presence – the gynecologist visited the “liberated woman” and told her: “I will advise you not to have any more children – so you better take some precautions.”

ANOTHER YEAR LATER

I heard that “liberated woman” was in hospital again.

“Liberated Woman” had once again gone through a terrible pregnancy – developed complications during her delivery – but now – she had recovered and she was okay.

This time too – she had delivered a girl – and the baby girl was healthy too.

“I told you not to get pregnant – but you did not listen to me. At least now – please make sure that you do not get pregnant again – it can be dangerous for you,” the gynecologist scolded the “liberated woman”.

“Yes – now that you have two children – there is no need to take any more chances,” I said to the “liberated woman”.

“I think you should get sterilization done – it is a simple operation – I suggest you get it done right now – so that you will not get pregnant again…” the gynecologist said.

“I will ask my husband…” said my friend the “liberated woman”.

“Okay – but I strongly suggest that you get yourself sterilized – or your husband can get himself sterilized – so that you can prevent pregnancy which can be dangerous for you…” the gynecologist said.

After the gynecologist left – I looked at my friend “liberated woman” and I said to her: “The doctor had told you not to get pregnant after your first delivery. Why did you not listen to her? You already had a baby girl? What was the need to get pregnant again? And – why did you get pregnant so fast – within a year?”

“My husband wanted a boy,” she said.

“What? I can’t believe it. You put your life at risk just because your husband wanted a boy? And – in college – you used to…”

“I know – I used to talk big feminist things about “women’s empowerment” and “gender equality” and the “girl child” – yes – those days I did say all that – so – you can call me a ‘hypocrite’ – you can say that I am a ‘fraud’ – but please try to understand – it is easy to talk idealistic things – but it is not easy to practice them in real life…?”

“What do you mean…?”

“I am married into a conservative patriarchal business family – and they want an “heir” – a male – and what is worse – my husband’s cousin brother has a son – so my husband is desperate – it’s very complicated – you won’t understand – let’s talk something else…” the “liberated woman” pleaded with to me.

TWO YEARS LATER

At our college Alumni Meet – I met a classmate – and she said to me: “Did you hear the sad news about “Liberated Woman”…?”

“No. What happened…?” I said.

“Don’t you know…?”

“No…”

“She passed away…”

“What…? “Liberated Woman” is dead? How did she die…?”

“She died in childbirth…”

“Oh – that is tragic – very tragic – she had been warned by the gynecologist that she should not get pregnant…”

“I know – but she still got pregnant – and she had a very difficult time – so her husband flew her abroad and admitted her to a posh maternity home in her 7^th month itself – she got the best prenatal care – and they got the best doctors for her delivery – but even they could not save her – I heard there were severe complications during the delivery and she died in the Operation Theatre – poor thing – but – they saved the baby…”

“Really…? They saved the baby...? What was the baby – a girl…?”

“No – a boy – after two girls she delivered a boy…”

“Oh – so finally – she delivered a boy…”

“Yes…”

“The “Liberated Woman” has been “liberated”…” I said to myself.

“Did you say something…?” my classmate asked me.

“No…” I said. 

VIKRAM KARVE

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Disclaimer:

This story is a work of fiction.  Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the story are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

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Copyright © Vikram Karve (All Rights Reserved)

Copyright © Vikram Karve (all rights reserved)