Mother-in-law by Terveen Gill — Gobblers / Masticadores
Welcome to TUESDAY FLASH FICTION at GOBBLERS/MASTICADORES!
When women turn against their own gender in the name of superiority, the outcome is horrendous.
Mother-in-law, a term that summons different emotions and ideas.
Some may be warm and some may be difficult to digest.
Please read ahead to witness a glimpse of a heartless one. Click the blue link. Enjoy!
She watches me from the corner of her eye. It’s intrusive, uncomfortable, condemning. If I could be forgiven for a crime, she would make sure that I hang – till death. I’m not surprised. It’s been like this from the beginning. A start that should have been ‘the end’. But my ignorance was a curse, […]
Mother-in-law by Terveen Gill — Gobblers / Masticadores // Editores: Manuela Timofte / j re crivello
Terveen Gill is a versatile author and writer who has had the pleasure of growing up on two different continents. Having spent her childhood years in the United States, she returned to India, and has since been living in Chandigarh, a beautiful city in North India. Choosing engineering as her path, she obtained a bachelor's degree in Computer Science. However, paths are discovered only to be changed. Life's unpredictable tale made her realize her passion for writing, and thus began a journey that is transforming into a wonderful literary experience. The author of graphic novels and short stories, versatility is her secret weapon. From a storyteller to a film-maker, script-writing, film direction and film editing are pursuits that challenge and enhance her creativity. Her motto is, ‘If it can be imagined, it is already half-done’.
31 Comments
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Oh, Terveen! What a story. This is raw and brilliant and utterly disturbing. That poor woman! And the baby girls. Unimaginable. What a life and what a dynamic between the woman and the mother in law. Can I just say: if I could, I would hug my mother in law now. She’s no longer with us but was a very different version from the one in your story. We didn’t have much in common but she never interfered and was simply happy for us. One of kind, really. But you, Terveen, please keep writing your disturbing stories. Souls need to be shaken and you are the best at doing so.
Thank you so much, Brittta. This is a disturbing scenario and many are subjected to such tortures especially here in India. Call it a lack of education or the depths of poverty or simply the desperation of having no other choice but to bear the atrocities. I’m so happy that your mother-in-law was a kind soul. I believe that kindness and love are all a person really needs. And my disturbed brain can’t stop creating such stories. So you’ll have to bear some more. 🙂
How do you even come up with stuff, Terveen? This very concept is unbelievably horrible! I suppose it might have been something like this in China back when families were only allowed to have one child… Oy vey…
<3
David
Thank you so much, David. It is a very monstrous belief and concept. In India, male children are the preference. Times are changing and so are attitudes but this has been the common thinking for many, many years. And the lengths to which people go is horrifying.
But couldn’t families have more than one child in India?
Yes, They can. That’s why the population count is high. But still redundant and orthodox mentality craves for a male child.
to the point of aborting female fetuses?
Yes! It’s horrific. That’s why laws here are very strict. Sex determination tests are banned. But there are always loopholes.
wow. I seriously had no idea.
Evil 😈
Truly wicked. Nothing human about it.
What a bully. Some mother-in-laws are so overbearing and meddling. I know a woman whose husband would hold hands with his mother, while leaving her and their kid two feet behind them, when they go to the shopping mall together. I knew her and him in college and I somehow foresaw he’s this type of guy even in college. It’s not a surprise to me.
Some mothers and sons are so insecure. No one can replace the other but people still want to hold on like it’s the end of the world. I can imagine the scene and it makes me weary. Live and let live isn’t for so many. You always have such appropriate examples. Thanks! 🙂
This pierced me deep deep in my heart. Yes subservience has so often been an easier choice …
Yes, it’s often a tough choice between opposing and fighting AND accepting and suffering. Sadly, many lack the means and spirit to choose at all. Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts. I appreciate it. 🙂
True, I agree with you.
You are very welcome, I am glad to connect with you.
Thank you so much. It’s a pleasure to connect with you too. 🙂
The story reminds me of a typical hindi movie, the role of a mother in law enacted by some cunning woman while the helpless daughter in law waits endlessly for things to get better, hoping for the birth of a male child. you captured all those emotions and the first person who hit my mind was the lady responsible for Ram’s vanvas (exile to the forest for 14 years).
That’s really an apt example, Deepak, The greed and selfishness to banish another’s child so that one’s own child can benefit. And the mother-in-law has often been portrayed as evil. Inspiration comes from real life. But bless those women who have treated their sons’ wives with respect and love.
Thank you so much! 🙂
A haunting tale, wonderfully delivered, Terveen. ☺️
Thank you so much, Jeff. I appreciate it. 🙂
Welcome, Terveen. Always my pleasure. Have a great rest of your week. 😊
monster-in-law
So true.
It is remarkable how the feeling of utter helplessness remained palpable throughout this woeful tale! I am also from that part of the world where things like this are common, and the horrible people keep getting away with such cruel acts. It is a tough world for women, and more often than not, other women make it so!
Wonderfully penned, Terveen! You write so well! I am a fan.
Thank you so much, Aaysid. A woman can be a woman’s greatest enemy. It’s sad but life doesn’t differentiate between good or bad. Some suffer more than others. What’s the logic or explanation? I have no words for this.
I deeply appreciate your kindness and support. Stay strong! 🙂
Exactly. It does not make any sense. It is my pleasure, Terveen. Thank you. 😊
Haha
I love the photo you chose for this I saw the title & the photo and instantly gave it a like .Praying you have a better relationship with her. 🙏❤️
The mother-in-law is a monster and a wooden stake should be driven through her heart as slept during the day in that coffin filled with the soil of her homeland.
I don’t agree with female feticide, I find it morally reprehensible and should be punishable to the maximum extent of the law, which puts me at odds, as I am very much pro-choice, and if a woman decides of her own volition (which is certainly not the case in your story) to terminate her pregnancy based on gender, I feel that it’s her body and her right. But that doesn’t mean I agree with what she’s doing.
There was a debate a while ago dealing with this issue and one of the reasons in favor of gender-based-abortions had to do with “the prospect of having to pay a dowry to the future bridegroom of a daughter.” How chilling is that?
There’s a lot of bias regarding this issue in a country like India. Dowry is one reason but there are several more. The want of a male heir to carry on the family name and legacy, hoping that he’ll be a support to his parents in old age is one of them. There’s really no logic behind these reasons and do they justify exterminating unborn life – I’d give it two thumbs down and a sad shake of my head. Educated or uneducated, if the bias is there, it’s there. Thanks so much for elaborating on this topic, Rhyan. You always do it so well. 🙂